Abstract: A microsyringe comprised of a barrel provided with an axial bore, at the forward or outlet end of which is affixed a hollow needle, and within the opposite end of which is fitted a slidable plunger. The forward terminal end of the plunger is hollow and provided with a fixed seal. The fixed seal is of cylindrical shape, and constituted of a resilient, flexible or semi-flexible material, of external diameter substantially equal to or slightly larger than the internal diameter of the bore, and includes a shank or projection of relatively smaller diameter which extends into the hollow forward portion of the plunger. The seal is held within the forward end of the plunger by inward thrust of the plunger wall, as produced by punching or crimping the wall formed within the hollow end of the plunger to force the wall inwardly against the seal projection to hold the seal firmly in place, and in proper alignment.

Abstract: An indigenous aqueous stream can be treated and then recycled, with a suitable donor solvent, to a coal liquefaction zone to catalyze the reaction. In one embodiment, an aqueous fraction is separated from a coal liquefaction zone effluent, a quinone solids portion of the separated fraction is concentrated within the liquid by evaporation of water therefrom to form a slurry, and the slurry is then recycled to the coal liquefaction zone to catalyze the coal liquefaction reaction. Naturally occurring phenols and alkyl substituted phenols, also found within the aqueous stream, can also be converted to quinones, if desired, by a chemical reaction which favors the addition of hydroxyl consitutents to the phenols to form dihydroxy benzenes. Quinones, as disclosed in copending Applications Ser. No. 686,813 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,049,536; Ser. No. 686,814 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,049,537; Ser. No. 686,827 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,051,012 and Ser. No. 686,828, K. W.

Abstract: An indigenous hydrocarbon product stream boiling within a range of from about C.sub.1 -700.degree. F., preferably C.sub.1 -400.degree. F., is treated to produce an upgraded hydrocarbon fuel component and a component which can be recycled, with a suitable donor solvent, to a coal liquefaction zone to catalyze the reaction. In accordance therewith, a liquid hydrocarbon fraction with a high end boiling point range up to about 700.degree. F., preferably up to about 400.degree. F., is separated from a coal liquefaction zone effluent, the separated fraction is contacted with an alkaline medium to provide a hydrocarbon phase and an aqueous extract phase, the aqueous phase is neutralized, and contacted with a peroxygen compound to convert indigenous components of the aqueous phase of said hydrocarbon fraction into catalytic components, such that the aqueous stream is suitable for recycle to the coal liquefaction zone.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of catalysts comprised of a metal hydrogenation component, or components, composited with high pore volume alumina, with pores of narrow pore size distribution, wherein macropore volume is drastically reduced by improved extrusion techniques. An alumina hydrogel paste is extruded through a die to form spaghetti-like extrudate shapes by application of sufficient torque, suitably from about 25 to about 55 inch-pounds, preferably from about 40 to about 50 inch-pounds, to eliminate much of the macropore volume, i.e., pores greater than 400A, which greatly improves the activity maintenance of the catalyst. The extrudates can, if desired, be shaped into other forms, suitably spheres. The process of the present invention embodies a technique for increasing the intrinsic activity of these and other catalysts by special impregnation and drying techniques which provides better dispersion of the metal hydrogenation component, or components, throughout the catalyst.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of catalysts comprised of a metal hydrogenation component, or components, composited with high pore volume alumina, with pores of narrow pore size distribution, wherein macropore volume is drastically reduced by improved extrusion techniques. An alumina hydrogel paste is extruded through a die to form spaghetti-like extrudate shapes by application of sufficient torque, suitably from about 25 to about 55 inch-pounds, preferably from about 40 to about 50 inch-pounds, to eliminate much of the macropore volume, i.e., pores greater than 400A, which greatly improves the activity maintenance of the catalyst. The extrudates can, if desired, be shaped into other forms, suitably spheres. The improved process also embodies a technique for increasing the intrinsic activity of these and other catalysts by special impregnation techniques which provides better dispersion of the metal hydrogenation component, or components, throughout the catalyst.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of higher octane number products by the high intensity mixing of alkylation media, or media wherein olefins are alkylated by the addition thereto of isobutane. The alkylation reaction is conducted by contact between the reactants, which constitute a hydrocarbon phase, and an acid catalyst which constitutes an aqueous phase, the reactants being dispersed as an emulsion. It is found that when stirring an alkylation medium at above a certain threshold fluid mixing intensity, a C.sub.6 + Motor Octane Number (MON) improvement ranging from about 0.5, and generally from about 0.5 to about 3.3, can be obtained by alkylating olefins with isobutane at high acid concentration while maintaining an acid soluble oil content ranging to about 3 percent, preferably from about 0.1 to about 3 percent, and more preferably from about 0.5 to about 2.5 percent, based on the weight of the reaction mixture, exclusive of the hydrocarbon phase.

Abstract: A process for the production of low sulfur, low nitrogen fuels at low hydrogen consumption by splitting a feed into two components, a high boiling component, suitably a 1050.degree. F.+ fraction, and a low boiling component, suitably a 1050.degree. F.- fraction, and processing the two different components over two different types of catalysts, at different severities. Suitably, on the one hand, the high boiling component is treated over a large pore metal hydrogenation catalyst at severity sufficient to convert at least 30 percent, preferably at least 50 percent of the feed, based on the weight of the feed, to a 1050.degree. F.- product. The 1050.degree. F.- product from the conversion over the large pore metal hydrogenation catalyst is then blended with the low boiling component split from the original feed, and the blended low boiling material is then treated at low severity over a small pore metal hydrogenation catalyst to hydrodesulfurize and hydrodenitrogenate said low boiling components.

Abstract: A stabbing protector device for use in oil well drilling operations which requires the continuous addition of pipe, one joint or stand to another, in the formation of drill pipe strings. The device is constituted generally of a segmented, rigid, tubular, metal body, the two tubular sections of which are hinged together so that the axial opening therethrough can be aligned with, and the jaw-like tubular sections can be closed upon, the upper segment of a threaded pipe to which another is to be threadably engaged, and locked. The novel device is provided with an upwardly faced, replaceable split-ring type protective head member constituted of a resilient material, suitably a rigid or semi-rigid plastic, natural or synthetic rubber, e.g., polyurethane. Segments of the split-ring are located on the upper face of each of the two tubular metal sections. Preferably, a similar split-ring is also provided as a foot member on the lower face of the device.

Abstract: An aquatic fishing lure for use with a rod, line and hook, and usually a reel, in the form of a worm comprised of a slender, elongated, soft plastic material inclusive of head, body and tail portions. The body, and suitably the head and tail, is provided with a plurality of studs or projections, preferably hollow studs or projections, which extend perpendicularly outwardly to create simulated movement, and by virtue of which air is trapped, particularly within the hollow openings, to form bubbles which are evolved when the lure is cast into water to simulate live action. Preferably, the body is also hollow, and contains a rattler for creating additional live-like sounds. The worm lure is conveniently injected molded, and the invention also includes a mold suitable for the formation of stud worm fishing lures.

Abstract: An antibiotic elaborated by the organism Pseudomonas lindbergii (ATCC-31099) which is antifungal in nature, or effective in strongly inhibiting or killing various types of fungi. The disclosure also relates to a method for the preparation of such antibiotic.

Abstract: A process for biosynthetically producing cells in a liquid fermentation media comprised of a carbon source, and a growth medium containing oxygen and other essential cell nutrients, to obtain a biomass for harvesting. The carbon source and each of the other essential cell nutrients are added, incrementally or continuously, to the fermentation media, and each required nutrient is maintained at essentially the minimum level needed for efficient assimilation by the growing cells, in accordance with a predetermined cell growth curve based on the metabolic or respiratory function of the cells which convert the carbon source to a biomass. The process constitutes a marked improvement in accelerating and increasing cell production in a given fermentation system. In its preferred aspects, the nutrients are added within the fermentation media below the foam level which forms on top of the fermentation broth.

Abstract: A hydrodesulfurization process (and catalyst) wherein a sulfur-containing hydrocarbon feed is contacted, in the presence of hydrogen, with a catalyst having greater than 50 percent of its total pore volume of absolute diameter ranging from about 70A to about 160A. Preferably, the total pore volume of the catalyst contains greater than 70 percent of its total pore volume within the 70A to 160A pore diameter range, and more preferably greater than 90 percent of its total pore volume is within the 70A to 160A pore diameter range, with pore diameters below 70A and above 160A being minimized. The pore volume of such catalysts range between about 0.3 cc/g and 1.0 cc/g (B.E.T.), and preferably from about 0.4 cc/g to about 0.8 cc/g. The surface area of such catalysts range between about 150 m.sup.2 /g and 450 m.sup.2 /g, preferably from about 200 m.sup.2 /g to about 400 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: A process for liquefying a particulate coal feed to produce useful petroleum-like liquid products by steps which include: (a) admixing said coal feed, a solvent, particularly a non-donor solvent, and a quinone compound, or admixture of quinone compounds, to form a coal liquid slurry, and then (b) contacting said coal liquid slurry with molecular hydrogen in a liquefaction zone at temperature and pressure sufficient to hydroconvert and liquefy the coal. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the product from the liquefaction zone is separated by distillation into fractions inclusive of fractions boiling within about the 350.degree.-850.degree. F. range, and preferably within about the 400.degree.-700.degree. F. range, which can be recycled to the coal liquefaction zone for use in slurrying the coal.

Abstract: A process for liquefying a particulate coal feed to produce useful petroleum-like liquid products by steps which include: (a) admixing said coal feed, a solvent, particularly a non-donor solvent, and an ortho-quinone compound, to form a coal liquid slurry, and then (b) contacting said coal liquid slurry with molecular hydrogen in a liquefaction zone at temperature and pressure sufficient to hydroconvert and liquefy the coal. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the product from the liquefaction zone is separated by distillation into fractions inclusive of fractions boiling within about the 350.degree.-850.degree. F. range, and preferably within about the 400.degree.-700.degree. F. range, which can be recycled to the coal liquefaction zone for use in slurrying the coal.

Abstract: An automatic fluid injector for accurately injecting preselected quantities of fluid specimens into an inlet of analytical instrument. The overall combination includes (a) the fluid injector sub-assembly, (b) an injector feed assembly for automatically continuously purging, cleaning and filling the barrel of said fluid injector sub-assembly and (c) a magazine, or feed tray, for transporting one or a plurality of vials of fluid specimens to the injector feed assembly for pick-up of the fluid specimen, and delivery to the barrel of said fluid injector sub-assembly. A feature of the invention is that fluid specimen can be passed from the extreme rearward end of the barrel of the fluid injector sub-assembly, entirely through the barrel and needle to purge, clean and remove contaminants as from previous specimens.

Abstract: A process for liquefying a particulate coal feed to produce useful petroleum-like liquid products, particularly by steps which include: (a) contacting, in a liquefaction zone, said coal feed with a hydrogen donor solvent at temperature and pressure sufficient to hydroconvert and liquefy the coal (b) separating the product from the liquefaction zone by distillation into fractions inclusive of a liquid fraction which contains at least 30 weight percent, and preferably at least 50 weight percent hydrogen donor compounds, particularly those fractions boiling within about the 350.degree.-850.degree. F. range, and preferably within about the 400.degree.-700.degree. F.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a hydrocarbon conversion catalyst comprising a composite of a refractory support, or carrier, a Group VIII noble metal component, particularly platinum, a tin component, and a halogen component. Suitably, the catalyst composite can also contain a third metal component, or yet additional components. In the preparation of such catalyst, the tin is added from a solution of a soluble compound of tin comprised of an organo thionyl compound, or organic compound containing a thionyl group, whereby the tin component is uniformly dispersed from the surface into the inner part of a catalyst. Such catalyst is found useful in hydrocarbon conversion reactions, particularly reforming (hydroforming). A naphtha or straight run gasoline can be contacted with such catalyst at reforming conditions in the presence of hydrogen to improve the octane quality of a naphtha or gasoline.

Abstract: Apparatus for the staged, controlled dilution of a sample comprised of a particulate solids containing fluid with a preselected amount of a fluid diluent. The apparatus consists of a plurality of vessels connected together in series such that diluent introduced into the first vessel flows consecutively from vessel to vessel, to exit from the last vessel of the series. The raw sample of particulate solids is introduced into the last vessel of the series, diluted, and progressively diluted specimens of the original sample are transferred from vessel to vessel countercurrent to the flow of diluent. The sample, diluted with a preselected quantity of diluent in the several stages of dilution, is finally removed from the first vessel of the series, suitable for analysis, e.g., via the use of electronic counters.

Abstract: Alpha alumina, as a new composition of matter, particularly suitable as a support for catalyst compositions (especially reforming catalysts), having surface areas in excess of 75 m.sup.2 /g (B.E.T), ranging preferably from 100 m.sup.2 /g to 600 m.sup.2 lg, and higher, and more preferably from 150 m.sup.2 lg to 400 m.sup.2 /g. A novel process is also described wherein these novel alpha alumina compositions are formed from hydrated beta alumina, especially .beta.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.H.sub.2 O, at critical low-temperature, low water-vapor pressure conditions, preferably also at low system pressure or under vacuum. The alpha alumina is particularly useful as a support for a Group VIII noble metal reforming catalyst.

Abstract: An adapter unit, or apparatus for the receipt and containment of a fluid specimen sample under sub-atmospheric or supra-atmospheric pressure. The device is useful in facilitating the transfer of the fluid specimen to a fluid injector device, or needle syringe. In one form, the device is comprised of a valved, closed container the wall of which is fitted with oppositely disposed tubular seals within which is contained a reciprocable plunger. In another form, the device is constituted as an adapter unit which can be adjoined with a valved container for taking a sample therefrom, and subsequently separated therefrom, as desired. In either form, a yoke-like member or C-shaped frame is provided as an overall and necessary part of the combination. One end of the C-shaped frame is secured to a side of the reciprocable plunger, and the other end thereof is provided with a guide or holder.