Abstract: In a crude oil refining apparatus, heavy cycle oil from the catalytic cracking unit employed in the crude oil refining apparatus is recycled to a hydrofining process. Such recycling improves the value of the product mix obtained from the crude oil refining apparatus with respect to an apparatus in which the heavy cycle oil withdrawn from the catalytic cracking units is recycled to the catalytic cracking units.

Abstract: In an aqueous drilling fluid, an improved thinning effect is obtained by adding a first agent comprising a mixture of a sulfoalkylated tannin or polyvalent metal complex thereof with a lignite, optionally in combination with a second agent comprising a metal compound of chromium, titanium, iron, zinc, strontium or magnesium which is at least partially soluble in water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying, devolatilizing and/or sheeting a thermoplastic material in which a high density, flowable heat exchange material, having a density substantially above the density of the thermoplastic material and which is essentially immiscible therewith, is continuously circulated through a contact zone in a manner to maintain an extended surface area body of the high density heat exchange material in the contact zone, the thermoplastic material is introduced into and withdrawn from the contact zone in a manner to form a continuously flowing layer of the thermoplastic material across the surface of the body of high density heat exchange material. Thermoplastic material may be introduced into the contact vessel as a powder, melted in an intermediate section of the contact vessel, resolidified at the opposite end of the contact vessel and withdrawn as a sheet of thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A first reactant selected from arylsilanol, hydrocarbyl amine, hydrocarbylphosphine oxide, and hydrocarbyloxyphosphite is combined with a second reactant selected from halogenated transition metal compound and an organometal compound to form a product which is catalytically active for olefin polymerization after optionally first having been deposited on a particulate diluent.

Abstract: A process for the production and use of branched polymers of arylene sulfide in which (A) a reaction mixture of (1) at least one p-dihalo-benzene, (2) at least one alkali metal sulfide, (3) at least one organic amide, (4) water in an amount of about 1.0 mole to about 2.

Abstract: Sulfonated phenolic compounds as well as sulfomethylated phenolic compounds, surfactant system containing such compound and the use of such surfactant systems in post primary oil recovery are disclosed.

Abstract: In an aqueous drilling fluid, an improved thinning effect is obtained by adding a first agent comprising a sulfoalkylated tannin or heavy metal complex thereof, optionally in combination with a lignite, and a second agent comprising a metal compound containing tin, optionally in combination with a metal compound containing nickel or manganese, and wherein said metals can be present in the cation and/or anion portion of said metal compound.