Abstract: Tetrahydrofuran and gamma-butyrolactone are prepared from at least one of maleic anhydride or succinic anhydride by catalytically hydrogenating vaporous maleic anhydride or vaporous succinic anhydride in the presence of hydrogen in contact with a catalyst comprising an essentially inert, at least partially porous support having an outer surface, and a catalytically active oxide material coating onto the outer surface of the support which strongly adheres to the support, wherein the catalytically active oxide material comprises the mixed oxides of copper, zinc and aluminum.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method which comprises introducing into a reaction zone a feed which comprises a hydroxyl compound reactant, R"OH, at least one amide reactant selected from R-CONH.sub.2 and R-CONHR', and an inorganic catalyst, thereby reacting R"OH with said amide reactant to produce a rection mixture containing at least one disubstituted amide selected from R-CONHR".sub.2 and R-CONHR'R", whereineach of R, R' and R" contains no acetylenic unsaturation and 1 to 30 carbon atoms,each of R, R' and R" is selected from a hydrocarbyl group and a hydrocarbyl group that is substituted with a group selected from carbamoyl, hydrocarbylcarbamoyl, dihydrocarbylcarbamoyl, and hydroxyl,wherein said inorganic catalyst is selected from phosphates and sulfates of a Group 13 element and of a Group 2 metal having an atomic weight less than 145, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A fail safe annulus valve for fluids has a valve area across the annulus with inlet and exit ports and a slide valve in the area capable of sliding to open or close the ports. The slide valve is biased to its fail safe position by a spring, is susceptible to being opened by independent pressure apparatus, and is also susceptible to movement by differential annulus fluid pressure across the valve. Thus while it fails safe, it can always be moved by differential annulus pressure. The valve may be used for the annuli of oil or gas wells (e.g. annuli used for artificial lift) and may be mounted on a packer of the annulus. It may also be used for closing other types of annuli.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making ethylamines by the hydrogenation in a reaction zone of acetonitrile contained in a basic aqueous solution which also contains HCN, which comprises continuously passing hydrogen gas in contact with a flowing stream containing acetonitrile, water and HCN, which stream is in contact with a solid hydrogenation catalyst, wherein the hydrogen contact time is in the range from 0.5 seconds to 20 minutes and the molar ratio of H.sub.2 to acetonitrile charged to said reaction zone is in the range 2-200:1.

Abstract: A method for controlling the magnesium content of molten aluminum includes the steps of injecting a halogen gas into the molten aluminum, sampling a portion of the resulting gases evolved from the molten aluminum, detecting the presence of constituents in the sampled gases and/or characteristics of the sampled gases indicative of the imminent evolution of unreacted halogen gas, and adjusting the rate of halogen gas injection to approach the point where unreacted halogen gas is about to be evolved. In the preferred embodiment, the halogen gas is chlorine; the detected constituents are gaseous hydrogen chloride (CHl) and aluminum chlorhydrate compounds (Al.sub.2 Cl.sub.x .multidot.(OH).sub.6-x); and the detected characteristic is the opacity of the sampled gases. The invention includes a technique for adjusting the rate of halogen gas injection so as to approach the optimal rate. The invention also includes (1) a sensor for detecting the content of HCl and Al.sub.2 Cl.sub.x .multidot.(OH).sub.

Abstract: Disclosed is the ammoxidation of methyl substituted pyridines to make cyanopyridines using a complex metal oxide catalyst containing P, V and Mo.

Abstract: A torque coupling system includes an impeller that is connected to one end of an impeller shaft without the use of threads. The connection is made by cement and dowels. A drive system for the shaft includes a hollow coupling into which the other end of the shaft can be fitted. The shaft includes longitudinally extending slots formed at its end. The coupling includes spaced, longitudinally extending keys adapted to be fitted into the slots formed in the shaft. The drive system also includes a torque limiter that is conected intermediate the coupling and a drive motor. If the drive motor is an electric motor, the motor can be provided with automatic shut-down circuitry that is activated in the event of a current/torque overload. Visual and aural alarms are provided to alert the user that a shut-down has occurred.

Abstract: A terpolymer mixture having emulsifying and emulsion stabilizing properties comprising a mixture of (1) a water soluble vinyl monomer, (2) a water insoluble vinyl monomer having 12 to 30 carbon atoms and (3) a polymerizable vinyl monomer containing acid groups. The terpolymer may be used in combination with oil and water to form stable oil-in-water emulsions or in enhanced oil recovery procedures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making an .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated mononitrile, acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile, by the catalytic reaction in the vapor phase of a paraffin selected from propane and isobutane with molecular oxygen and ammonia and optionally a gaseous diluent, by catalytic contact of the foregoing reactants in a reaction zone with a catalyst, the feed to said reaction zone containing a mole ratio of said paraffin to NH.sub.3 in the rnage from 2.5 to 16 and a mole ratio of said paraffin to O.sub.2 in the range from 1 to 10, said catalyst having the elements and the proportions indicated by the empirical formula:VSb.sub.m A.sub.a D.sub.d O.sub.xwhereA is one or more Ti, Sn, Fe, Cr, GaD is one or more Li, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Co, Ni, Zn, Ge, Nb, Zr, Mo, W, Cu, Te, Ta, Se, Bi, Ce, In, As, B, Mn andm is 0.8-4a is 0.01-2d is 0-2x is determined by the oxidation state of the cations present,which catalyst has been heated at a calcination temperature of at least 780.degree. C.

Abstract: Apparatus for the preparation of emulsions of oil in water comprises:(a) an oil feed line,(b) a source of concentrated surfactant solution,(c) a source of water,(d) a first low shear mixer for mixing concentrated surfactant and water to form a dilute surfactant solution,(e) means for uniting the flows of dilute surfactant solution and oil in a controlled manner,(f) a second low shear mixer for mixing the united flow streams of oil and dilute surfactant solution to form an emulsion of oil in water,(g) a third low shear mixer for mixing the emulsion of oil in water to form a dilute emulsion, and,(h) an arrangement of water feed lines and control valves such that, firstly, water can be supplied either to the first low shear mixer only or, secondly, to both first and third low shear mixers.The apparatus is particularly suitable for the preparation of emulsions of fuel oil in water from oils within a wide range of viscosities which burn with low emissions of NO.sub.x and particulates.

Abstract: A spray nozzle for fire control produces a spray of gas and liquid having an oval transverse cross-section and comprises a mixing chamber having an oval transverse cross-section adapted to induce a toroidal mixing pattern in pressurized gas and liquid introduced to the mixing chamber through a plurality of inlets. In a preferred embodiment the mixing chamber is toroidal. The spray may be used in fire control systems in vehicles or other confined spaces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a tri- or tetrahydrocarbylammonium hexahydroxyantimonate,[R.sub.3 R'N]Sb(OH).sub.6 .multidot.xH.sub.2 O (1)containing 3 to 30 C atoms, which process comprises the steps of (1) contacting a compound selected fromR.sub.3 N and R.sub.4 NOHwith the H.sup.+ form of a solid cation exchange resin, and allowing the amine or the tetrahydrocarbylammonium hydroxide to react with the cation exchange resin, and thereafter (2) contacting the reacted resin with an aqueous solution of KSb(OH).sub.6,wherein each R contains 1-10 C atoms and is independently selected from alkyl, aralkyl and alkylaralkyl, R' is H or H, and wherein x is an indeterminate number of moles of H.sub.2 O.

Abstract: A catalyst which is substantially free of alkali and alkaline earth metals and comprises an effective amount of a platinum group metal on a silicalite support; characterized in that the catalyst also comprises tin. There is also provided a process for the dehydrogenation of a C.sub.2 to C.sub.10 paraffin to yield an alkene product, which comprises contacting the paraffin under dehydrogenation conditions with a catalyst according to the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process f9or making an .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated mononitrile by the catalytic reaction of a paraffin containing 3-5 carbon atoms with molecular oxygen and ammonia by catalytic contact of the foregoing reactants in a reaction zone with a metal oxide catalyst composition that has 10-90 weight percent of a diluent/support and 90-10 weight percent of a catalyst containing the elements indicated by the empirical formula,A.sub.a D.sub.d Bi.sub.c Fe.sub.f Mo.sub.12 O.sub.xin the proportions indicated by the said formula, said diluent/support containing 10 to 100 weight percent Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and zero to 90 weight percent SiO.sub.2 whereinA is one or more of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Tl B, W, Sn and La;D is one or more of Cr, Sb, Pb, P, Cu, Ni, Co, Mn and Mg;a is zero to 10;c is 0.1 to 10;d is zero to 10; andf is 0.2 to 10; andwherein the reactants fed to the reaction zone contain a mole ratio of said paraffin:NH.sub.3 in the range from 2 to 16 and a mole ratio of said paraffin to O.sub.

Abstract: This invention relates to new compounds of the formula: ##STR1## where each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 has zero to 10 C atoms, and no acetylenic unsaturation; each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 is independently selected from H and hydrocarbyl; with the proviso that R.sup.6 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 hydrocarbyl; each of R.sup.5 and R.sup.

Abstract: Container (11) for liquids has a spout with an air bleed channel (10) for improving the ease of pouring the liquids. The container has a retractable nozzle, the outlet end of which has a double wall (3,4) defining an annular space. The annular space is open at both ends and communicates with the air bleed channel in both an extended and a retracted position of the nozzle. The air bleed channel communicates with the main body of the container via its hollow handle.

Abstract: Tetrahydrofuran and optionally gamma-butyrolactone are prepared from at least one of maleic anhydride or succinic anhydride by catalytically hydrogenating vaporous maleic anhydride or vaporous succinic anhydride in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst comprising the mixed oxides of copper, zinc and aluminum.

Abstract: Certain novel multiply promoted Mn-Sb oxides are superior catalysts for the ammoxidation of olefins to the corresponding unsaturated nitriles, the selective oxidation of olefins to unsaturated aldehydes and acids, and the oxydehydrogenation of olefins to diolefins.

Abstract: 1,3-butadienes are catalytically hydrocarbamylated to make 3-pentenamides.

Abstract: In the process of hydrocarboxylating an .alpha.-enamide with CO and H.sub.2 O or an organic hydroxyl compound to produce an N-acyl-.alpha.-amino acid or ester, respectively, the improvement comprising using as the .alpha.-enamide reactant, an .alpha.-enamide which has a chiral center that is essentially all L or D, thereby producing a reaction mixture containing diastereomeric N-acyl-.alpha.-amino acids or esters having two chiral centers, said mixture having essentially no enantiomeric pairs.