Abstract: A mechanical actuator for moving a shaft axially has a motor driving a gear assembly giving a mechanical advantage of at least 30:1, preferably 50 to 150:1. The assembly drives an internally screw threaded sleeve on external screw threads of the shaft so that rotation of the sleeve moves the shaft axially. A stop connected to a gear of the gear assembly for the sleeve ensures that it is the shaft that moves.The actuator is suitable for all valves, chokes and control mechanisms for oil or gas production, particularly sub-sea production and the motor is preferably a reversible DC electric motor. The mechanical advantage allows heavily loaded shafts to be moved with low power input.When applied to spring loaded fail-safe valves the stop for the sleeve may be one or more moveable locking dogs actuated by the gear assembly. The gear assembly acts as a differential transmitting torque either to the gear wheel actuating the stop of the gear wheel rotating the sleeve.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a tri- or tetrahydrocarbylammonium hexahydroxyantimonate,[R.sub.3 R'N]Sb(OH).sub.6.xH.sub.2 O formula (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 R, and wherein x is an indeterminate number of moles of H.sub.2 O.

Abstract: Disclosed is the reaction of propane and isobutane with O.sub.2 and NH.sub.3 to make .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated nitriles and olefins, using certain complex metal oxide catalyst compositions and an excess of the paraffin over both the O.sub.2 and the NH.sub.3. Also disclosed are suitable catalyst compositions for such reactions.

Abstract: Oil-in-water emulsions are stabilized against separation of the components by the addition of a novel interpolymer comprising (1) about 97 to about 99 percent by weight of a water soluble polymerizable monomer containing at least one acid group or salt thereof, and (2) about 1 to about 3 percent by weight of an ester of acrylic acid.

Abstract: An annulus shut-off mechanism with fail-as-is logic suitable for use for example, in a concentric tubing hanger of an oil well, particularly a sub-sea well, has an enclosure across the annulus with inlet and exit ports, a sleeve with an aperture that slides within the enclosure, primary means for sliding the sleeve in the enclosure to bring the aperture into alignment with the inlet and exit ports and secondary means for sliding the sleeve in the event of failure of the primary means. The primary enclosure and sleeve are sealed from access to annulus fluids and may be vertically orientated in the tubing hanger. The secondary means may be a secondary enclosure with a secondary sleeve which can pull or push on the primary sleeve. Both primary and secondary means can be operated by hydraulic pressure, but the two means are independent and the secondary means may be located in a well part other than the tubing hanger.

Abstract: Disclosed is ammoxidation of C.sub.3 to C.sub.5 acyclic alkanes with NH.sub.3 and O.sub.2 using (1) a mole ratio of alkane:NH.sub.3 in the range from 2 to 16 and a mole ratio of alkane:O.sub.2 in the range 1 to 10 and (2) a mixture of particulate catalyst compositions, the first being especially effective to promote formation of an unsaturated nitrile and an olefin from the paraffin, and the second catalyst composition being especially effective to promote the conversion of the olefin to the unsaturated mononitrile. Catalyst compositions useful in the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: The spread of printing paste when applied to textiles is inhibited by the inclusion of an "anti-wick agent" in the print paste. The "anti-wick agent" comprises a copolymer resulting from the polymerization of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, maleic acid and maleic anhydride with at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylate esters and N-substituted acrylamides.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making styrene oxide which comprises contacting styrene in the vapor phase with a molecular oxygen-containing gas over a silver metal catalyst containing a promoting amount of at least one alkali metal hydroxide selected from sodium, potassium and lithium hydroxides, on an inert solid inorganic support at contact times of from 0.6 to 10 seconds and temperatures from 200.degree. to 350.degree. C.

Abstract: High polymer content compositions, containing the neutralized salt of a carboxyl-containing polymer suspended in an organic medium, are made by neutralizing the carboxyl-containing polymer in the presence of a neutralizing agent and an equal quantity of already neutralized polymer in an organic medium. These compositions are useful as thickeners and emulsifiers for aqueous solutions.

Abstract: A method of coalescence involves the use of a coalescer element consisting essentially of or comprising a sintered polymeric media having a fine porous structure. Suitable polymers include thermoplastics or thermosetting resins.The element is suitable for de-oiling oily water and dewatering crude oil.

Abstract: Disclosed is ammoxidation of C.sub.3 to C.sub.5 acyclic alkanes with NH.sub.3 and O.sub.2 using (1) a mole ratio of alkane:NH.sub.3 in the range from 2 to 16 and a mole ratio of alkane:O.sub.2 in the range 1 to 10 and (2) a mixture of particulate catalyst compositions, the first being especially effective to promote formation of an unsaturated nitrile and an olefin from the paraffin, and the second catalyst composition being especially effective to promote the conversion of the olefin to the unsaturated nitrile. Catalyst compositions useful in the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is the reaction of propane and isobutane with O.sub.2 and NH.sub.3 to make .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated nitriles and olefins, using certain complex metal oxide catalyst compositions and an excess of the paraffin over both the O.sub.2 and the NH.sub.3. Also disclosed are suitable catalyst compositions for such reactions.

Abstract: Disclosed is ammoxidation of C.sub.3 to C.sub.5 acyclic alkanes with NH.sub.3 and O.sub.2 using (1) a mole ratio of alkane:NH.sub.3 in the range from 2 to 16 and a mole ratio of alkane:O.sub.2 in the range 1 to 10 and (2) a mixture of particulate catalyst compositions, the first being especially effective to promote formation of an unsaturated nitrile and an olefin from the paraffin, and the second catalyst composition being especially effective to promote the conversion of the olefin to the unsaturated mononitrile. Catalyst compositions useful in the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a catalyst precursor by aging an aqueous solution containing the monoperoxovanadium ion, VO(O.sub.2).sup.+, until a vanadium-containing sol or gel is formed, and reacting said vanadium while in said aqueous sol or gel form, with an antimony compound that contains Sb having a valence of 3. In one embodiment, the VO(O.sub.2).sup.+ ion is made by reacting H.sub.2 O.sub.2 with a vanadium compound.Also disclosed is making a catalyst by drying and calcining such precursor. When the drying is effected by spray drying a microspheroidal catalyst is produced. The catalysts useful for ammoxidation of propane are more attrition resitant than catalysts of the same empirical formula made by prior art methods.

Abstract: A process for the one step esterification of aldehydes and alcohols comprises the steps of combining an aldehyde with an alcohol, in the presence of oxygen and in contact with a catalyst having the general formulaPdTe.sub.a Zn.sub.d E.sub.ewhereE is one or more metals from the group consisting of group IA, IIA, IVA, VIIB or VIII metals, As or Sb; anda, d and e are from about 0 to 3 with the proviso that at least d or e.noteq.0.

Abstract: Disclosed is ammoxidation of C.sub.3 to C.sub.5 acyclic alkanes with NH.sub.3 and O.sub.2 using (1) a mole ratio of alkane:NH.sub.3 in the range from 2 to 16 and a mole ratio of alkane:O.sub.2 in the range 1 to 10 and (2) a mixture of particulate catalyst compositions, the first being especially effective to promote formation of an unsaturated nitrile and an olefin from the paraffin, and the second catalyst composition being especially effective to promote the conversion of the olefin to the unsaturated nitrile. Catalyst compositions useful in the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process comprising (1) dehydrocyclization of 2-methylglutaronitrile over Pt or Pd based catalysts to make a mixture containing 3-methylpyridine and lesser amounts of 3-methylpiperidine and (2) reacting such a mixture with NH.sub.3 and O.sub.2 over certain oxide catalysts containing P, V and Mo to obtain 3-cyanopyridine.

Abstract: Disclosed is the reaction of propane and isobutane with O.sub.2 and NH.sub.3 to make .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated nitriles and olefins, using certain complex metal oxide catalyst compositions and an excess of the paraffin over both the O.sub.2 and the NH.sub.3. Also disclosed are suitable catalyst compositions for such reactions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the ammoxidation of paraffins having 3-5 C atoms using a complex metal oxide catalyst having the ingredients and the proportions which are represented by the following empirical formula:VSb.sub.m P.sub.n A.sub.a B.sub.b C.sub.c T.sub.t O.sub.xwhereA is one or more of W, Wn, Mo, B and Ge;B is one or more of Fe, Co, Ni, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Se, Te, Pb and As;C is one or more of an alkali metal and TlT is one or more of Ca, Sr and Baand where m is greater than 1 and up to 10; n is greater than zero and up to 10, a is 0-10; b is 0-3; c is 0-1; t is 0-1; a is equal to or less than m; b is equal to or less than m; n is equal to or less than m; and wherein the antimony has an average valency higher than +3 and the vanadium has an average valency lower than +5, and the catalyst and how to make the catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is the reaction of C.sub.3 to C.sub.4 paraffins with O.sub.2 and NH.sub.3 to make .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated nitriles and olefins, using certain complex metal oxide catalysts containing V, Sb, W and certain optional elements.