Abstract: Tetraalkylammonium salts of 1:4 organoarsonate molybdenum polyoxoanions and resinoid products thereof. The salts have the formula[R.sub.4 N].sub.2 {[R.sup.1 As(OH)O.sub.2 ]Mo.sub.4 O.sub.13 H}where R is an alkyl group having from one to about 18 carbon atoms and R.sup.1 is an aryl group having the formula ##STR1## where G is selected from the group consisting of --NH.sub.2, --NH(CH.sub.3), --N(CH.sub.3).sub.2, --OH, --OCH.sub.3 and --H and at least one G is --NH.sub.2 to form 3-, 4-, 3,4-, 3,5- or 3,4,5-substituted aryl-arsonic acids. The resinoids comprise from about 7 to 17 parts by weight of the salt and from about 1 to 3 parts by weight of a dicarboxylic acid halide having the formula ##STR2## where R.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of all organic radicals and X is Cl or Br. Processes for the preparation of the salts and resinoids are provided as is a method for the treatment of steel surfaces with the resinoids.

Abstract: A method for mapping the crystal structure of a diamond comprises placing the diamond in a beam of monochromatic laser radiation, filtering the resultant scattered Raman radiation, and measuring the intensity of the filtered radiation at one or more different orientations of the diamond which may be compared with records of known diamonds to identify the diamond.

Abstract: A vertical separator for separating crude oil into liquid and gas phases composed of an outer casing and two further sets of concentric tubing to enclose two annuli and a central passage, one annulus having an inlet to receive crude oil, the other annulus having an outlet for separated gas, each at the top of the separator. The central passage collects produced oil with a pump near its base and a pump drive pipe extending up it. The crude oil may flow down its annulus with a swirling motion which can be induced and assisted by a tangential inlet, and/or a cyclone at the top, and one or more helices in the annulus. The separator may be used for underwater wells and may extend partially or wholly into the sea bed with a protective cemented external casing around it.

Abstract: An anode for plasma torch that has a primary section and a secondary section with a gradual transition between the sections. The diameter of the hollow primary section tapers down toward a transition zone, at which point the anode formed by the sections makes a gradual transition to the secondary section. The secondary section is cylindrical and has a diameter larger than that of the primary section from which the plasma exists the anode. The transition zone will describe a generally conical surface and may include a convex radius on the neck where the primary and transition sections meet.

Abstract: Divalent ion tolerant aromatic sulfonate suitable for enhanced oil recovery characterized by the formula: ##STR1## where x=0 to 4R'=H or Ch.sub.3R=CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2)y and y=1 to 15. Preferably, the compositioncomprises of second compound characterized by the formula ##STR2## wherein R, x, y, and R' are the same as defined in claim 1.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for separating and immobilizing a radioactive material comprising: contacting an aqueous medium containing said radioactive material with a reactive composition comprising at least one alkali metal, at least one Group IIIB metal and at least one phosphorus oxide; maintaining said reactive composition in contact with said aqueous medium for an effective period of time to react a desired amount of said radioactive material with said reactive composition to form a radioactive-material-containing composition; and separating said radioactive-material-containing composition from said aqueous medium. Radioactive-material-containing compositions exhibiting low leach rates are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-component oxide catalyst comprising zinc and an alkali metal is described which is useful particularly for converting methane and/or natural gas to higher molecular weight hydrocarbon products such as ethane and ethylene. The catalyst is characterized by the formulaZn.sub.a A.sub.b M.sub.c M'.sub.d O.sub.xwhereinA is Li, Na, K, or mixtures thereof;M is Al, Ga, Cr, La, Y, Sc, V, Nb, Ta, Cu or mixtures thereof;M' is Cs, Rb, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sm, Pb, Mn, Sb, P, Sn, Bi, Ti, Zr, Hf, or mixtures thereof;a is from about 1 to about 20;b is from about 0.1 to about 20;c is from about 0 to about 5;d is from about 0 to about 20; andx is a number needed to fulfill the valence requirements of the other elements; provided that(i) at least one of c and d is at least 0.1; and(ii) when M' is Sn, c must be at least 0.1.

Abstract: Attachment hardware and modular furnace lining which may be secured to an interior surface of a furnace by any one of a variety of methods. e.g., welding, self-tapping screw, or to a previously secured stud or matingly configured member. In a preferred embodiment the module is formed of refractory ceramic fiber blanket portions which are retained into a modular unit by the hardware system. Each module includes hardware having support structure which passes through the layers of blanket adjacent the furnace wall. The hardware includes a collar which is moveable relative to the base bar to allow adjustment of the position of the module and means to facilitate access from the hot face of the module to install it.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for remotely connecting an offshore structure to an underwater pipeline using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The structure has a bell-mouthed bending guide at its base through which a winch line from the surface passes and is temporarily looped back and attached to an accessible place on the structure. Using the ROV and a surface tended messenger line the pull-in line is attached to a terminal assembly at the end of flexible pipe attached to the pipeline. The terminal assembly is pulled in horizontally to the guide, arcuately through the guide and then from the guide in general vertical alignment with a pipe end receiver assembly on the structure above the bending guide. At a location near the receiver assembly a towing head is removed from the terminal assembly and a second pull-in line is attached to the terminal assembly. The two pull-in lines are attached to opposite sides of the terminal for balanced pulling of the terminal assembly to connection with the receiver assembly.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for separating an organic material from a composition comprising said organic material intermixed with particulate solids, the process comprising advancing a light hydrocarbon fluid through said particulate solids at an effective rate to drive said organic material from said particulate solids.

Abstract: Solid carbon materials with improved strength are made from mesophase pitch. The pitch is ground to give particles of diameter less than 10 micrometers and oxidised. Oxidised particles not more than 10 micrometers in diameter are shaped, carbonized, and optionally graphitized.

Abstract: A method of making a glass micromodel of a pore system found in petroleum reservoir rock wherein a computer-generated two-dimensional binary image of the actual rock pore system taken in thin section is used to produce a template for etched reproduction of the pore system in the glass model plate of the micromodel. The template is produced by digitizing a video image of a view of the rock in thin section, which thin section includes injected dyed material to make the pore system visible, processing the digitized video image through a digital filter so as to effect projection of the three-dimensional aspects of the pore connectedness and geometry viewed through overlaying meineral onto the plane of the imaged view to obtain a two-dimensional template image of the three-dimensional pore system with pores accurately coordinated and pore geometry relationships reliably preserved.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the water stress condition of an agricultural crop growing in a field includes sensors for sensing environmental and crop conditions, such as air temperature, crop canopy temperature and relative humidity, and for generating signals indicative of the sensed conditions, a microprocessor for receiving the generated signals and for calculating a crop water stress index from the signals and a visual display for displaying, in the field, the calculated index. In one embodiment, the sensors are mounted in a pistollike, hand held housing and the microprocessor, display and a keyboard control are carried by a second housing. The microprocessor compares one or more of the sensed conditions to reasonable value limits and rejects a set of measurements containing values beyond the limits. Crop-specific data needed to calculate water stress indices for a particular crop are stored in a programmable, read only memory.

Abstract: A method of preparing a surface of a silicon carbide article for joining by metal brazing to metal by micro-roughening that surface of the silicon carbide which is to be brazed, applying catalyst consisting essentially of aqueous PdCl.sub.2 directly to the micro-roughened surface, in the absence of pretreatment of said surface with stannous chloride, and electrolessly depositing a thin layer of metal selected from the group consisting of Ni, Cr, Au, Ag and Cu on said catalyst-treated surface.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of molten salt having rotatable anode and cathode electrodes in a container for the molten electrolyte. The electrodes are conical in shape and have vent holes facilitating removal of evolved gases from the electrode surfaces. The liberated metal is thrown from the electrode and collected. The electrodes may be arranged in a symmetrical stack.

Abstract: A method for completing a well to provide an uncemented lower casing and an upper cemented casing. The lower casing and upper casing are connected at a swivel joint so that only the upper casing is rotated while cementing. Inflatable packers and a plug are positioned at the lower casing to prevent entry of cement, while a port collar allows cement to flow into the annulus surrounding the upper casing.The invention is particularly useful when setting long lengths of casing and when completing highly deviated or horizontal wellbores. The method also allows an existing conventionally-completed well to be re-drilled and completed as a highly-deviated or horizontal well.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for dewatering water-containing mineral particles, e.g., pulverized coal and in particular, high moisture content, low rank coal, is described. In one embodiment, the process and apparatus make use of a hydrophobic dewatering aid to displace water chemically and/or interstitially bound to coal particles followed by stripping of the coal particles with a water-miscible solvent to facilitate drainage of such water from the coal particles.

Abstract: A catalyst comprising the oxides of bismuth, molybdenum, iron and at least one element of the Group II metals as essential components and optionally oxides of cobalt, nickel, phosphorus, arsenic and an alkali metal.

Abstract: A device suitable for use as a catalytic converter for purification of the exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine at continuous operating temperatures in excess of 1600.degree. F. and up to 2500.degree. F. includes a frangible ceramic monolith catalyst element resiliently mounted in a metallic housing. The monolith is wrapped in a thermally insulating layer of ceramic fibers capable of withstanding continuous exposure to temperatures of at least 2000.degree. F. A layer of intumescent material disposed between the housing and the ceramic fiber layer resiliently secures the monolith in the housing. A method of manufacture of such a device is also described.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of superconducting wires, ribbons, tapes, fibers and the like including the steps of forming an amorphous metal alloy containing at least one of scandium, yttrium or the rare earths; copper; and at least one alkaline earth as an elongated body, and reacting the amorphous metal alloy with oxygen at a temperature below the crystallization temperature of the alloy to form a sheath of superconducting oxide exterior to a core of amorphous metal alloy. Included in the invention are the elongated bodies thus produced and superconductor devices fabricated from said bodies.