Abstract: Delayed petroleum coke is produced by conventional processing, including steaming of the coke in the drum to remove volatile material. After the steaming operation, the coke is quenched by injecting water onto the top of the steamed coke and passing the quench water downwardly through the coke, whereby the coke bed acts as a filter to trap fines which would pass overhead when the normal method of quenching by injecting quench water upwardly is used. Apparatus including retractable spray nozzles extending into the coke drum from the top is described.

Abstract: An insertion-type hydrogen probe with a defined active length is described. The probe is formed of a thin-walled, hydrogen-permeable material, and a hydrogen-impermeable liner inside the probe blocks out all but the defined active section of the probe. The interior of the probe is subjected to high vacuum, and the hydrogen permeation through the active portion of the probe is determined, for example, by the current output of an ion pump used with the probe. To prevent bimetallic cell interface effects, the probe is constructed so that only a single metal is exposed to the primary environment being studied.

Abstract: A hydrogen donor diluent cracking process for converting hydrogen deficient residual petroleum oils to more valuable distillates. A premium coker gas-oil is utilized as the hydrogen donor diluent.

Abstract: Yield and coke quality of a delayed coking and coke calcining process is improved by addition of coke fines to a coke drum at a temperature approximately equal to or higher than that of the incoming liquid hydrocarbon residuum feedstock during the coking operation.

Abstract: Urea is produced by reacting phosgene and ammonia, one of the reactants being in the liquid state and the other gaseous, at -50.degree. to -20.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for removing methane from a subterranean coal deposit. A carbon dioxide-containing fluid is introduced into the coal deposit through an injection well and held therein for a period sufficient to enable a substantial amount of methane to be desorbed from the surfaces of the coal deposit. Following the hold period, the injected carbon dioxide-containing fluid and desorbed methane are recovered through a recovery well or wells spaced from the injection well. The process is repeated until sufficient methane has been removed to enable safe mining of the coal deposit.

Abstract: Characteristics of the feedstock for a delayed coking operation are determined prior to carrying out the coking operation, and the feedstock is adjusted by blending, thermal cracking, or other processing to provide certain predetermined characteristics to the feedstock prior to conducting the coking operation. Feedstocks having desired predetermined characteristics produce a premium grade coke having very low coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: Blowout prevention equipment for use in a well operation is described. The equipment includes a combination of a ram-shear designed to sever a pipe string extending through the blowout prevention equipment down into a wellbore and a slip device positioned below the ram-shear to hold the severed lower portion of the pipe string and to prevent it from falling down into the wellbore. The slip device and the ram-shear may be operated simultaneously by a hydraulic control system so that the slip device is in position to hold the severed pipe string as the pipe string is sheared. The slip device includes a split slip bowl movable into proximity of the pipe string and plurality of gripping segments carried by each section of the slip bowl.

Abstract: A drilling assembly including a jet nozzle bit rotatable on a fluid supply shaft. The assembly includes a bearing housing protected by seals and vent ports to prevent fluid which has leaked between the fluid supply shaft and the jet nozzle bit from contaminating the bearings.

Abstract: A device and method for determining strength properties of a subterranean formation. The device is insertable into a borehole formed in the formation, and includes a pair of inflatable semi-cylindrical members mounted on a shaft. The inflatable members when pressurized exert radial force in all directions except along the plane between the members, with the result that a higher parting force is exerted on the formation perpendicular to the plane between the members than across any other plane through the axis of the device.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus for determining fluid levels and pressures in a fluid-containing vessel wherein the sensor apparatus comprises a mounting member having a fluid passageway positioned therein; a pressure sensor in operative contact with one end of the mounting member and a pressure fluctuation dampening device operatively positioned on the other end of the mounting member. The dampening device comprises an arrangement of fluid passageways arranged so that the fluid passageway through the mounting member substantially perpendicularly intersects a second fluid passageway intermediate the ends of the second fluid passageway with the second fluid passageway being intersected at each of its ends by third and fourth fluid passageways.

Abstract: A cyclically stressed, hollow hydrogen sensor probe for evaluating the corrosion fatigue performance of corrosion inhibitors. A portion of the probe is contained in a jacket having an inlet and outlet for circulating a corrosive fluid containing an inhibitor over the outer surface of the probe. Corrosion at the outer surface of the probe produces hydrogen which permeates to the evacuated inner portion of the probe and produces a current reading in an ion pump in communication with the probe interior, which current reading is indicative of inhibitor performance.

Abstract: Liquid hydrocarbon feedstocks are hydrotreated in a reactor containing a first catalyst bed and a second catalyst bed by passing the hydrocarbon liquid down through both catalyst beds serially and introducing hydrogen between the two catalyst beds, the hydrogen flowing upwardly through the first catalyst bed and downwardly through the second catalyst bed. The process is useful for desulfurization and aromatic saturation of petroleum and coal-derived liquids.

Abstract: Drying of moist particulate carbonaceous material is facilitated by addition of a nonaqueous solvent having a low heat of vaporization and a low boiling point, such as methanol, to the material followed by application of heat to remove both solvent and water from the material.

Abstract: A fluid cat cracker process and apparatus including at least one shutoff valve having improved valve stem guide apparatus. The valve stem guide apparatus comprises a guide member adapted to be attached within the valve body through which the valve stem is disposed. A plurality of annular grooves positioned one above the other are provided in the interior of the guide member and a plurality of expansible seal rings are disposed in the grooves. The seal rings are of a size and shape such that a seal is provided between the valve stem and the surfaces of the grooves whereby pressurized materials within the valve body are prevented from flowing through the valve stem guide apparatus.

Abstract: Copper ore is leached by static leaching methods, and the effluent pregnant leach liquor is divided into portions forming a high-concentration pregnant leach liquor and a recycleable leach liquor.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for determining the moisture content in welding electrode coatings is described. The apparatus is suitable for field use, and comprises a source of low voltage direct current, a means for transforming low voltage direct current to high voltage direct current, an electrical circuit including a current indicating means and contacts attachable to a welding electrode whereby the welding electrode coating is included in the electrical circuit. A method of operating the apparatus to determine the amount of moisture in a welding electrode coating is also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing a sample of particulate catalyst material from a reactor while the reactor is at operating conditions. The sampling apparatus includes an elongated tube terminating in a chamber located inside the reactor, the chamber having a valve at one end which opens to receive a catalyst sample and a valve at the other end which opens to deliver the catalyst sample to a sample receiver. A rotatable actuating shaft extending from outside the reactor to the sampling chamber enables an operator to selectively obtain a catalyst sample or deliver a previously obtained catalyst sample to a receiver. A stuffing box is attached to the end of the elongated tube outside the reactor and is removable therefrom. A turning member extending through the stuffing box engages the actuating shaft. The stuffing box may be detached and repacked without removing the rest of the sampling apparatus from the reactor.

Abstract: Method of predicting geothermal gradients of subterranean strata comprising relating trends or changes in the velocity of waves propagated through the strata with similar trends or changes in strata whose geothermal gradient is known.

Abstract: An improved hydrogen donor diluent cracking process for upgrading hydrogen deficient hydrocarbonaceous materials such as petroleum residua to more valuable liquid distillates. The hydrogen donor diluent, which is a material that has been partially hydrogenated and which readily gives up hydrogen under thermal cracking conditions, is injected into the cracking unit at a plurality of points so that the ratio of the rate of hydrogen transfer to the rate of cracking is more uniform throughout the cracking unit than if all the hydrogen donor diluent is injected with the feed charge to the cracking unit.