Abstract: An improved stripper section design is provided for use in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) units. The stripper section contains means for imparting rotational movement to the FCC cracking catalyst as it traverses the stripping section. In one embodiment the stripper section contains at least one rotation vane that is preferably disposed on the surface of a stripper section tray. The rotation vane provides angular, rotational movement to the cracking catalyst as it traverses the stripper section. Vertical movement is imparted to the cracking catalyst due to gravity and radial movement is imparted to the catalyst due to the slanted nature of the tray. Through the use of the rotation vanes the contact between the catalyst particles and the stripping steam is increased, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the FCC operation.

Abstract: A process for hydrocracking heavy, high aromatic content feeds, such as cycle oil, using a catalyst composition containing a hydrogenation/dehydrogenation component, such as a noble metal, and an acidic solid component including a Group IVB metal oxide modified with an oxyanion of a Group VIB metal.

Abstract: A method is provided for co-producing dialkyl carbonate and alkanediol by reacting alkylene carbonate with alkanol in the presence of a IIIA metal oxide catalyst, preferably alumina.

Abstract: Permselective separation of aromatic hydrocarbons from non-aromatic hydrocarbons in a feed stream is accomplished using improved asymmetric membranes. The preferred membranes are fashioned from a polyimide and conditioned with a lubricating oil. Feed streams containing a mixture of aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbons are contacted with the dense active layer side of the polyimide membrane under a pressure and temperature sufficient to selectively permeate the desired aromatic hydrocarbon.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing vapor and liquid reactants within a column. The apparatus forms a first mixing zone into which a first reactant (e.g. vapor) is homogenized by swirl flow and flows vertically downward. The apparatus further forms a second mixing zone into which a second reactant (e.g., liquid) is homogenized by swirl flow and flows vertically downward. Additional amounts of either the first reactant, the second reactant or both may be added into or ahead of the first mixing zone or the second mixing zone as appropriate. The first reactant is directed radially to collide in crossflow with a thin sheet of the second reactant to provide intense mixing of the first and second reactants. Due to separate mixing zones for the two reactants, the mixing conditions for each can be tailored to best mix each reactant while minimizing pressure drop and minimizing the space and volume requirements for this mixing.

Abstract: A method is provided for co-producing dialkyl carbonate and alkanediol by reacting alkylene carbonate with alkanol in the presence of a Group 5 or Group 6 metal oxide catalyst.

Abstract: Diesel fuels which have good ignition qualities, good combustion emission performance and good low temperature characteristics are characterized by a cetane number of at least 45, a total aromatics content of 10 to 15 wt. pct., a polynuclear aromatics content of less than 11 wt. pct., a sulfur content of not more than 50 ppmw, a total nitrogen content (from all sources) of not more than 100 ppmw, and excellent low temperature flow properties as manifested by a pour point not higher than -12.degree. C. and a cloud point not higher than -10.degree. C.

Abstract: There is provided a method for preparing an acidic solid oxide having a reduced particle density, where the acidic solid oxide comprises a Group IVB metal oxide modified with an anion or oxyanion of a Group VIB metal. An example of this acidic solid oxide is zirconia modified with tungstate. The acidic solid oxide having a reduced particle density is prepared by coprecipitating the Group IVB metal oxide along with the anion or oxyanion of the Group VIB metal in the presence of a salt. This acidic solid oxide is particularly effective as a paraffin isomerization catalyst.

Abstract: A method for extracting bitumen from crushed mined tar sands comprising contacting the mined tar sands with a solvent in the presence of sonic energy in the frequency range of 0.5 to 2.0 kHz. Specifically, a solvent is first mixed with crushed mined tar sands and the mixture is then formed into a slurry of tar sand suspended in the solvent. Thereafter the tar sand slurry is injected into the top of a vertically disposed, substantially rectangular shaped, hollow acoustic chamber of uniform cross-section. Fresh solvent is injected into the bottom of the acoustic chamber and flows upwardly through the cell. The fresh solvent is injected into the bottom of the acoustic chamber at a rate low enough whereby the tar sand particles in the slurry fall by gravity through the upwardly flowing solvent. The tar sand particles and solvent in the acoustic chamber are subjected to acoustic energy in the frequency range of 0.5 to 2.

Abstract: A suitable slurry composition allows gas hydrates to be stored or transported under metastable conditions. The slurry includes gas hydrate particles and a carrier liquid for the gas hydrate particles. Suitable carrier liquids have a specific gravity in the range from about 0.6 to about 2, a pour point below about -20.degree. C. a viscosity of about 10 centipoise or less, and a thermal conductivity lower than that of the gas hydrate particles. The slurry can be stored or transported in a system that includes a container for holding the slurry; a device for agitating the slurry while in the container (e.g., a mixing blade, a rotating screw, a reciprocating box beam, or an ultrasound generator); a device for removing excess carrier liquid from the container while it is loaded or being loaded with gas hydrates and/or carrier liquid (e.g., a skimming device or a drain); and a device for reslurrifying the gas hydrates with carrier liquid before or during unloading of the gas hydrates from the container (e.g.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a long interval within a wellbore wherein a treatment fluid is delivered to selected levels within the interval by blocking flow to certain zones while allowing flow to others. A treatment tube extends substantially through the interval and is comprised of a perforated conduit which is open at its upper end and which has a plurality of openings spaced along its length. Each of the openings have a valve seat within the conduit at its entrance which is adapted to receive a valve to seal and block flow through that opening. In operation, a treatment fluid is flowed through the treatment tube and out the openings into different levels within wellbore. At desired intervals, the valve are introduced into the treatment fluid and are carried into the treatment tube to seat at a respective opening to thereby block flow through that opening while allowing continued flow through others.

Abstract: Incorporation of zirconium, nickel and/or copper into M41S results in selective sorption of bulky organic molecules. Zirconium, nickel and/or copper may be incorporated into M41S by exchange or impregnation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing the distortion in marine seismic data resulting from the motion of the ship. The ship trails one or more seismic sources and receivers and moves forward at a known velocity. The seismic sources emit seismic waves that travel through the water and reflect off interfaces between rock formations below the ocean floor. The motion of the sources and receivers introduces distortion in the recorded seismic data that can be modeled using Doppler theory. The data preferably is corrected for source motion independently from the correction for receiver motion. The seismic data is first corrected for receiver motion and then for source motion. The technique for correcting for source motion includes correlating the receiver-corrected data with a reference sweep signal, performing an F-K transform, performing an inverse F-K transform on a selected subset of the F-K transformed data, and computing appropriate correction filters for the data resulting from the inverse F-K transform.

Abstract: There is provided a catalyst and a process for converting methanol or dimethyl ether to a product containing C.sub.2 to C.sub.4 olefins. The catalyst comprises a porous crystalline material having a Diffusion Parameter for 2,2-dimethylbutane of about 0.1-20 sec.sup.-1 when measured at a temperature of 120.degree. C. and a 2,2-dimethylbutane pressure of 60 torr (8 kPa). In addition, the catalyst is characterized by a hydrothermal stability such that, after steaming the catalyst at 1025.degree. C. for 45 minutes in 1 atmosphere steam, the catalyst exhibits a methanol conversion activity of at least 50% when contacted with methanol at a methanol partial pressure of 1 atmosphere, a temperature of 430.degree. C. and 0.5 WHSV. The porous crystalline material is preferably a medium-pore zeolite, particularly ZSM-5, which contains phosphorus and has been severely steamed at a temperature of at least 950.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new synthetic porous crystalline material, designated MCM-68, a method and novel polycyclic organic cation for its preparation and its use in catalytic conversion of organic compounds. The new crystalline material exhibits a distinctive X-ray diffraction pattern and has a unique crystal structure which contains at least one channel system, in which each channel is defined by a 12-membered ring of tetrahedrally coordinated atoms, and at least two further, independent channel systems, in each of which each channel is defined by a 10-membered ring of tetrahedrally coordinated atoms, wherein the number of unique 10-membered ring channels is twice the number of 12-membered ring channels.

Abstract: There is provided a process for converting methanol and/or dimethyl ether to a product containing C.sub.2 to C.sub.4 olefins which comprises the step of contacting a feed which contains methanol and/or dimethyl ether with a catalyst comprising a porous crystalline material, said contacting step being conducted in the presence of an aromatic compound under conversion conditions including a temperature of 350.degree. C. to 480.degree. C. and a methanol partial pressure in excess of 10 psia (70 kPa), said porous crystalline material having a pore size greater than the critical diameter of the aromatic compound and the aromatic compound being capable of alkylation by the methanol and/or dimethyl ether under said conversion conditions.

Abstract: Low sulfur gasoline of relatively high octane-barrel value is produced from cracked, sulfur containing olefinic naphthas by hydrodesulfurization at low temperature and low space velocity over either a conventional catalyst, such as CoMo/Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, or a dual functional catalyst, such as CoMo ZSM-5/Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. This approach also minimizes the olefins/hydrogen sulfide re-combination frequently observed at high temperature. The process produces a gasoline having a reduced sulfur content with a less than 5% change in motor octane number and a less than 10% change in research octane number.

Abstract: A downhole wash tool for carrying out cleaning operations in a borehole. The tool has a housing on which a plurality of flow-blocking, diverters (e.g. steel) are mounted. The diverters move between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the diverters effectively block flow around the tool. A retainer normally maintains the diverters in their retracted position when in a first position and releases the diverters when in a second position. A spring normally biases the retainer towards its first position. The retainer is hydraulically-actuated through the housing to move it towards its second position. When the cleaning operation is completed, pressure in the workstring is relaxed whereupon the spring moves the retainer back to its first position to retract the diverters.

Abstract: There is described a process and a catalyst for the hydroalkylation of an aromatic hydrocarbon, particularly benzene, wherein the catalyst comprises a first metal having hydrogenation activity and a crystalline inorganic oxide material having a X-ray diffraction pattern including the following d-spacing maxima 12.4.+-.0.25, 6.9.+-.0.15, 3.57.+-.0.07 and 3.42.+-.0.07.

Abstract: A used lubricant oil recycling process is disclosed in which a used lubricating oil is injected to a delayed coker downstream of the coker furnace whereby the used oil is thermally cracked into hydrocarbon fuel products which are low in metal contaminants, sulfur and nitrogen. The used lubricant can be preheated in an independent heater to avoid a quenching effect of the process stream when added in an amount greater than about 3% by volume based on the entire volume of the feed.