Abstract: A method of grain-orienting the crystal structure of a layer of semiconductor material by application of a raster scanning electron beam to a layer of polycrystalline semiconductor material which has been previously formed on a substrate, such as by sputter-plasma film deposition. The method comprises electron beam lithography computer-applied to the crystal growth and orientation of a polycrystalline thin sheet of silicon or other semiconductor material.

Abstract: A heavy cylinder having an axial flow passage is pumped down a rotary drill string to a position adjacent a drill bit to cause an in-seam horizontal drill to be guided in a downward direction. The cylinder can be removed with a latchable retrieval tool after the path of the borehole is sufficiently altered.

Abstract: A process for heating up a sulfur recovery plant such as a Claus unit or a combined Claus and SCOT unit, the process including first purging the plant with inert gas and blocking in the purged plant, followed by circulating heated inert gas through the plant to bring the plant to start-up temperature.

Abstract: Low value heavy hydrocarbonaceous material such as a petroleum refinery vacuum residuum is converted to distillate products and pitch in a hydrogen donor diluent cracking process, and the pitch is utilized as feedstock to a delayed premium coker.

Abstract: A petroleum refinery vacuum residuum stream is subjected to hydrogen donor diluent cracking, the liquid cracking effluent is hydrodesulfurized, the hydrodesulfurizer effluent is fractionated, and the fractionator bottoms stream is fed to a delayed coker where premium type delayed coke is produced. The gas oil boiling range fraction from the fractionator is utilized as the donor diluent in the cracking step.

Abstract: A gasoline boiling range hydrocarbon stream obtained by fractionation of overhead vapors from a delayed coker is treated for removal of organic silicon compounds prior to being processed in a desulfurizer and catalytic reformer. The stream is treated by a bed of material such as alumina, activated alumina or spent alumina-based desulfurizer catalyst at elevated temperature to reduce the level of organic silicon compounds. The organic silicon compounds, if not removed, are detrimental to desulfurizer and reformer catalysts. The organic silicon compounds are conventionally added to a delayed coker to control foaming.

Abstract: A wireline retrievable, subsurface tubing safety valve that is opened and held open by the transmission of electric current from the surface. Interruption of the current supply results in automatic closure of the valve. The device includes a pressure equalizing valve which enables the valve to be opened against a high differential pressure.

Abstract: A device for facilitating directional drilling of small diameter holes radially of a mine long hole comprising a segmented sleeve for movement through a guide channel in a main drill unit. A small bit is driven by a flexible shaft which passes through the segmented sleeve. The segmented sleeve remains partially in the guide channel and extends partially out of the guide channel in a straight line from the guide channel. The segments are joined in a manner permitting a 90.degree. turn in the guide channel but allowing no curvature in the portion of the segmented sleeve extending from the guide channel.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining the tensile load on a mine roof bolt, which is indicative of the support provided by the bolt. The device comprises a hammer for striking a roof bolt to produce a sound pulse, a microphone for picking up the sound pulse, and a sound comparator having a recorded sound or sounds whereby an operator can match the induced sound pulse with a recorded sound pulse to provide an indication of the tensile load on the roof bolt. The comparator may include a range of sounds, or may incorporate a variable speed function whereby the pitch of the recorded sound may be varied until the induced sound is matched. Comparison of the induced sound with the recorded sound provides an indication of the tensile load on the roof bolt.

Abstract: Puffing of electrode grade coke during graphitization is reduced or eliminated by addition of a puffing inhibitor to the coker feedstock prior to formation of the coke.

Abstract: Corrosion at the interface of concrete and reinforcing steel in a concrete structure is determined by placing a hollow hydrogen-permeable probe in the concrete, connecting a getter-ion pump to the probe, and monitoring the output current of the getter-ion pump. An increase in output current is indicative of corrosion occurring at the probe-concrete interface, which in turn is indicative of corrosion at the interface of concrete and steel reinforcing members at comparable locations in the structure.

Abstract: A sulfur recovery plant such as a modified Claus plant is provided with a source of pressurized liquefied inert gas and heating means, and the piping arranged so that the pressurized gas formed can be used to clean out plugs which form in the sulfur piping.

Abstract: Methanol is produced from offshore natural gas in a plant positioned on a floating structure. The plant incorporates heat recovery equipment and storage facilities providing the flexibility to operate portions of the plant independently so that motion-sensitive parts of the plant, such as tall distillation columns for methanol purification, can be operated only during good weather, while sections of the plant less sensitive to motion can operate during more severe weather.

Abstract: A process for producing premium delayed petroleum coke suitable for manufacture of graphite electrodes for use in electric arc steel furnaces. The process requires a fresh feedstock having specific characteristics, and incorporates an internally produced thermal tar as a supplement to the fresh feed. The fresh feedstock is an atmospheric reduced crude petroleum oil having a specified gravity, carbon residue and boiling distribution.

Abstract: An extended service crankcase lubricating oil composition comprising a base oil and an additive package including a combination of alkaline earth metal sulfonate and alkaline earth metal phosphonate-phenate sulfide. This combination provides enhanced rust inhibition.

Abstract: A fireproofing composition comprised of a low density matrix material, such as rigid foamed sodium silicate, having an expandable hydrated mineral material such as unexpanded vermiculite or unexpanded perlite incorporated therein.

Abstract: A hydrogen donor diluent cracking process for upgrading a heavy liquid hydrocarbon wherein pitch fractionated from the cracked products is subjected to a partial oxidation process to reduce the amount of pitch and to provide hydrogen for hydrogenation of hydrogen donor diluent for the cracking step.

Abstract: Scale formation on metallic surfaces exposed to liquids containing scale-forming components is retarded by coating the surfaces with a mixture of a low surface energy polymer having hydrophobic properties and a low surface energy filler having hydrophilic properties.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for drilling generally horizontal holes through subterranean coal beds for release of methane gas from the coal beds are described. A sliding stabilizer on a drill rod is selectively positioned to provide elevational control to a rotating drill bit. The stabilizer is keyed to a slot in the drill rod, and lateral offsets in the slot are used to retain the stabilizer in the desired position on the drill rod.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor for determining the fluid level in a container and for controlling a fluid inlet to the container in response to the fluid level therein. The sensor includes a buoyant liquid-filled flexible conduit or liquid-filled hinged pipe member in the container and a pressure transducer responsive to the head pressure of the liquid in the flexible conduit or hinged pipe member.