Abstract: Organic hydrocarbons which comprise useful compounds may be obtained in a two-step process utilizing methane as a feedstock. The desired compounds are prepared by treating said methane with a halogenating agent such as chlorine, followed by contacting the methyl halide with a conversion catalyst comprising a silicalite. The silicalite which is employed is a silica polymorph consisting of crystalline silica which, after calcination in air at a temperature of 600.degree. C. for 1 hour, has a mean refractory index of 1.39.+-.0.01 and a specific gravity at 25.degree. C. of 1.70.+-.0.05 g/cc.

Abstract: Saline water containing a chlorine-containing compound in the form of free chlorine, hypochlorite, etc. which has been added as a disinfectant or antibacterial compound is desalinated by passing the saline water through a semipermeable membrane which is resistant to the chlorine. The saline water is passed through this membrane at a temperature in the range of from ambient to about 50.degree. C. and a pressure in the range of from about 1380 to about 6895 kPA (200-1000 psi). The chlorine-resistant semipermeable membrane comprises an interfacial polymerized condensation reaction product composited on a porous backing support material which has been prepared by contacting a porous support material such as polysulfone with a solution of a diaryl methylene monomer containing at least one amine radical on each aryl nucleus.

Abstract: Homogeneous thermosetting copolymers comprising a mixture of styrene-terminated tetrakisphenols and compounds containing at least one pendant vinyl group as exemplified by styrene-terminated tetrakisphenol ethane and styrene-terminated bisphenol A will possess desirable characteristics such as low dielectric constants and high glass transition temperatures. These polymers may be utilized as a component in laminates or circuit boards which are employed in relatively complicated pieces of electronic equipment.

Abstract: High temperature thermosetting resin compositions which may be used as a polymer matrix for a printed circuit board will comprise a terpolymer of an ethylenically monosubstituted unsaturated monomer in which said substituent is an aromatic moiety such as styrene, an ethylenically alpha,beta-disubstituted unsaturated monomer in which each substituent is an aromatic or benzylic moiety such as acenaphthylene and a glycidyl ester of a monoethylenically unsaturated acid such as glycidyl methacrylate cross-linked with a copolymer of an anhydride of a dibasic olefinic acid such as maleic anhydride and an ethylenically monosubstituted unsaturated monomer in which said substituent is an aromatic moiety such as styrene.

Abstract: Homogeneous thermoset terpolymers which may be used in the preparation of laminates for circuitry boards will comprise a poly(vinyl benzyl ether) of a polyphenol, a dicyanate ester of a polyether of a polyphenol and an alkenyl aryl compound. The polymers are prepared by admixing a solution of the poly(vinyl benzyl ether) of a polyphenol and an alkenyl aryl compound with a second solution of the dicyanate ester of a polyether of a polyphenol and the alkenyl aryl compound at elevated temperatures. The resulting terpolymer will possess desirable characteristics such as high glass transition temperature and low dielectric constant.

Abstract: Chlorine-resistant semipermeable membranes which comprise an interfacial polymerized reaction product composited on a porous support backing material may be prepared by contacting a porous support material such as polysulfone with an aqueous solution of an aromatic polyamine containing a chlorine substituent on the aromatic ring. The coated support material is then contacted with an organic solvent solution of aromatic polycarboxylic acid chloride for a period of time sufficient to form an interfacial polymerized reaction product on the surface of the support material. The resultant membrane composite may be used in separation processes such as desalination of brackish or sea water, the membrane being resistant to attack by chlorine which is present in the water.

Abstract: Heavy crude oils which contain metal contaminants such as nickel, vanadium and iron may be separated from light hydrocarbon oils by passing a solution of the crude oil dissolved in a cycloparaffinic hydrocarbon solvent containing from about 5 to about 8 carbon atoms by passing through a polymeric membrane which is capable of maintaining its integrity in the presence of hydrocarbon compounds. The light hydrocarbon oils which possess relatively low molecular weights will be recovered as the permeate while the heavy oils which possess relatively high molecular weights as well as the metal contaminants will be recovered as the retentate.

Abstract: Gas separation membranes which possess improved characteristics as exemplified by selectivity and flux may be prepared by coating a porous organic polymer support with a solution or emulsion of a plasticizer and an organic polymer, said coating being effected at subatmospheric pressures in order to increase the penetration depth of the coating material.

Abstract: Vinyl ether terminated urethane resins may be prepared by reacting the product obtained by the addition of acetylene to an organic polyol with an isocyanate-containing compound at temperatures ranging from about ambient to about 125.degree. C. The thus prepared resin may then be cured by irradiation from an electron beam, thermally or by exposure to an ultraviolet light to cure the resin and form a coating material.

Abstract: Semipermeable composite membranes which comprise an interpenetrating polymer network of the isocyanate-capped polymer which is the reaction product of a polyether and an isocyanate with a copolymer containing at least two saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic nitrogen-containing compounds composited on a porous backing support material may be used in various separation systems. These separation systems may include reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, gas separation, dialysis, etc., an especially useful system being the separation of sugars.

Abstract: Olefinic hydrocarbons which contain from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms may be oligomerized to form oligomers of desired configuration utilizing a process which comprises contacting said olefins with a catalyst which comprises a porous support containing a catalytically effective amount of a non-stoichiometric hydrogen and oxygen-containing iron group metal in combination with a catalytically effective amount of an alkyl aluminum compound and an aluminum halide. Oligomerization conditions which are employed to effect the process will include temperatures in the range of from about -20.degree. to about 120.degree. C. and a pressure in the range of from about 350 to about 1,000 pounds per square inch gauge.

Abstract: A fluid feed mixture, either liquid or gaseous in nature, may be subjected to a gas enrichment separation process. The process is effected by contacting the mixture with the upstream face of a mixed matrix membrane which comprises an organic polymer having a solid particulate adsorbent incorporated therein, the permeability coefficient of the organic polymer being compatible with the permeability coefficient of the adsorbent. The permeate which emanates from the downstream face of the membrane comprises a fluid product mixture in which the proportion of the first fluid component of the feed mixture, which possesses a greater steady state permeability in relation to the second fluid component, is greater than the proportion present in the original fluid feed mixture.

Abstract: An olefinic feedstock containing contaminants such as oxygenates may be oligomerized to a desired oligomer which contains a particular configuration. The process may be effected by utilizing a catalyst which comprises a porous support containing a catalytically effective amount of a non-stoichiometric hydrogen and oxygen-containing iron group metal compound in combination with a catalytically effective amount of an alkyl aluminum compound and an activator comprising an aluminum alkoxide. The presence of the latter compound in the catalyst compound will permit the catalyst to maintain its activity and stability over a relatively long period of time.

Abstract: A multicomponent membrane which may be used for separating various components which are present in a fluid feed mixture comprises a mixture of a plasticizer such as a glycol and an organic polymer cast upon a porous organic polymer support. The membrane may be prepared by casting an emulsion or a solution of the plasticizer and polymer on the porous support, evaporating the solvent and recovering the membrane after curing.

Abstract: Olefinic feedstocks which contain catalyst contaminants or poisons such as sulfur-containing compounds may be oligomerized to a desired oligomer and configuration of the oligomer by utilizing a catalyst which is stable and will not deactivate due to the presence of the aforementioned poisons. The catalyst comprises a porous support which has been impregnated with a catalytically effective amount of a non-stoichiometric hydrogen and oxygen-containing iron group metal compound and a compound containing a metal of Group IVA of the Periodic Table. In addition, the catalyst composite will also contain in combination therewith, a catalytically effective amount of an alkyl aluminum compound and an aluminum alkoxy/aluminum halide compound.

Abstract: Dehydrogenatable hydrocarbons may be subjected to a dehydrogenation reaction in which the hydrocarbons are treated with a dehydrogenation catalyst comprising a modified iron catalyst in the presence of steam in a multicatalyst bed system. The reaction mixture containing unconverted hydrocarbons, dehydrogenated hydrocarbons, hydrogen and steam is then contacted with an oxidation catalyst whereby hydrogen is selectively oxidized. The selective oxidation catalyst which is used will comprise a noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table, a metal of Group IVA and, if so desired, a metal of Group IA or IIA composited on a porous inorganic support. The inorganic support will comprise an alumina precursor which possesses and ABD less than about 0.6 g/cc, a pore volume greater than about 0.5 cc/g, and a pore distribution such that between 10% and 70% of the pore volume is present as pores whose diameters are greater than about 300 Angstroms. After peptizing and calcination at a temperature of about 900.degree.

Abstract: Alcoholic beverages may be passed through a reverse osmosis system to form a permeate and a retentate. The permeate will comprise mainly alcohol and water and will be removed as will a minor portion of the retentate which is recovered as product. The major portion of the retentate is recycled back to the reverse osmosis system to admix with fresh beverage and added water. The product will comprise a beverage containing a lower alcoholic content than was possessed by the fresh beverage. The semipermeable membrane which is utilized in the reverse osmosis process will possess a chloride ion rejection rate greater than about 80% at 400 pounds per square inch net pressure.

Abstract: Thin film polymer blend membranes which may be used for the separation of gases will consist of a blend of an inorganic compound such as phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, heteropoly acids or salts of heteropoly acids, an organic polymer such as poly(vinyl alcohol) and a poly organic acid such as poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid) or poly(styrene sulfonic acid). The thin film membrane composites may be used as gas separation or gas sensor devices.

Abstract: Water-insoluble proton-conducting polymers which may be formed into membranes which are used in gas separation or gas sensing processes comprise an interpenetrating polymer network. This IPN is formed from the interaction between a host polymer and a guest polymer which is subsequently cross-linked or cured. The host polymer blend is formed from a phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid and a polymer or copolymer of a compound which possesses repeat units such as, for example, hydroxy ethylene, vinyl sulfonic acid, ethylene imine, etc, while the guest polymer is formed from a monofunctional monomer such as methacrylic acid and a difunctional cross-linking agent such as methylenebisacrylamide.

Abstract: Gas separation membranes comprising an inorganic compound-organic polymer blend may be prepared by admixing an organic polymer such as poly(vinyl alcohol) with a phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid in a mutually miscible solvent. After allowing the mixture to proceed for a period of time sufficient to form a blend, the solution may be cast on an appropriate casting surface and, after the solvent has been evaporated, the desired membrane which may have a thickness of from about 0.1 to about 100 microns, is recovered.