Abstract: Polyvinyl chloride resin compositions and methods of preparation and use thereof for increasing the degree of whiteness in finished polyvinyl chloride foam. The resin compositions contain sulfur compounds selected from sulfonic acid derivatives, sulfinic acid derivatives, and mercapto acetic acid sodium salt, and optionally contain water soluble salts and/or t-butyl hydroperoxide.

Abstract: Polyvinyl chloride resin compositions and methods of preparation and use thereof for increasing the degree of whiteness in finished polyvinyl chloride foam. The resin compositions contain sulfur compounds selected from sulfonic acid derivatives, sulfinic acid derivatives, and mercapto acetic acid sodium salt, and optionally contain water soluble salts and/or t-butyl hydroperoxide.

Abstract: Polyvinyl chloride resin compositions and methods of preparation and use thereof for increasing the degree of whiteness in finished polyvinyl chloride foam. The resin compositions contain sulfur compounds selected from sulfonic acid derivatives, sulfinic acid derivatives, and mercapto acetic acid sodium salt, and optionally contain water soluble salts and/or t-butyl hydroperoxide.

Abstract: A process for producing peroxydicarbonates comprising first reacting at least one inorganic peroxide with at least one alkali metal hydroxide to form at least one alkali metal peroxide. The at least one alkali metal peroxide is added to a mixture of at least one haloformate, at least one dispersant and water. The mixture is homogenized during the entire reaction to form a peroxydicarbonate. The peroxydicarbonate is dispersed as small droplets of from 1 to 10 microns in size in the aqueous mixture. The entire mixture is added to a polymerization reactor containing an ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The peroxydicarbonate functions as the free radical initiator to polymerize the monomer. The peroxydicarbonate is substantially free of organic solvents and plasticizers. The resulting polymers are of high quality.

Abstract: A method of making an article from polyvinyl chloride compound that has a predetermined amount of gloss is disclosed. Samples of the resin are prepared that have different molecular weight distributions. Articles are made from the samples and the gloss of the articles is measured. The relationship between the molecular weight distributions of the samples and the gloss of the articles made therefrom is determined. From that relationship, an article is made from a resin selected such that its molecular weight distribution corresponds to the predetermined amount of gloss.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for manufacturing chlorinated hydrocarbon by way of oxychlorination which yields reduced levels of environmental toxins such as, chlorobenzenes, polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans. The process involves fixed bed or fluid bed catalyzed oxychlorination of a hydrocarbon reactant containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms. The oxychlorination process consists of contacting the hydrocarbon reactant with oxygen or oxygenated gas and at least a portion of externally obtained hydrogen chloride in the presence of the oxychlorination catalyst in a heated reaction zone operated at from 150° C. to 600° C. and recovering chlorinated hydrocarbon from the effluents of the reaction zone.

Abstract: An advisor system and method for determining reservoir properties includes a processor accessible to a tutorial system module and an expert system module. An input/output interface accesses directly with the tutorial system module and with the expert system module through a bridge. The expert system module includes a "help" utility, a rule base, a correlations library and a program interface between the library and rule base. Based on the input, the rule base selects correlation subroutines from the correlation routine library necessary to determine the reservoir properties. The advisor system can provide advice on using available Pressure-Volume-temperature (PVT) laboratory reports and location of the reservoir property in the PVT laboratory report.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for training and certifying a user to perform a task. The system includes an input device, output device and a controller. The controller receives input data from the input device and controls the output displayed on the output device. A supervisor interprets the input data, determines the control data to be sent to the output device and determines log data to be sent to a data storage. A comparator determines if certain log data meets or exceeds a preset limit data to determine certifiability of a user. The system presents a user with a pretest, a module containing instructions, information about a certain portion of the task to be performed, as well as mini-simulations and a variety of questions. A full simulation is presented to the user to apply everything that was learned by the user during that certain module. The system then presents a post-test and, through the comparator, determines if the user is certifiable.

Abstract: Fluid samples, including petroleum fuels, may be analyzed as to certain properties such as octane number by a near infrared spectrometer by a method which carries out steps of verifying operating conditions of the spectrometer, comparing measured values of absorbance of radiation at predetermined wavelengths with a set of training values for the fluid composition in question and indicating an out of range condition when a predetermined set of measured values, when averaged, exceeds a predetermined limit. The system carries out a verification of its operating conditions by performing a routine analysis on a reference fluid, such as toluene. A so-called diagnostics routine may be performed to verify operating parameters of the system such as the radiation source, and the throughput of certain optical elements whose transmissivity may be affected by residue from the fluids being analyzed.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing hydrocarbons in wastewater includes an oil separator and a stripper tower. The tower has a housing that includes a stripper section and a condensation section. The stripper section includes a plurality of trays and steam inlet under the trays. The condensation section includes a plurality of trays and a pan tray having provisions to allow vapors to rise from the stripper section.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing hydrocarbons in wastewater includes an oil separator and a stripper tower. The tower has a housing that includes a stripper section and a condensation section. The stripper section includes a plurality of trays and steam inlet under the trays. The condensation section includes a plurality of trays and a pan tray having provisions to allow vapors to rise from the stripper section. The method includes having the oil separator remove the soluble oil from the wastewater stream which passes through the stripper section and has steam remove the hydrocarbons. The resulting vapors then contact cold process fluid which results in a heated process fluid stream. A portion of this heated process fluid stream is then mixed with crude so that hydrocarbons can be assimilated into the crude.

Abstract: A system for cementing well casing in a bore hole utilizes only top and bottom cementing plugs. The well casing has on its lower end, an inwardly extending lip to engage a latch on the lower portion of the bottom cementing plug. The bottom cementing plug has a through passage that is covered on the top by a diaphragm and on the bottom by another diaphragm.

Abstract: An oil boom for containing floating oil spills having an hose with a plurality of tubing members mounted to the periphery of the hose. Each tubing member has a nozzle assembly for directing an air jet stream against an oil spill along the top surface of the water. The oil boom is preferably connected to a tow line by a pair of connecting lines which are in a criss-cross pattern, allowing the hose to form a wave-like configuration so that the air hose may rise and fall with the movement of the surface of the water independent of the tow line.