Abstract: Processes of reducing the inorganic sulfur-containing acid and the low equivalent weight organic sulfonic acid content of an acid mass comprising organic sulfonic components and inorganic sulfonating agent contaminants are described. In general, the process comprises the steps of(a) treating the acid mass with ammonia in the presence of water to neutralize the acids in said acid mass and to form a mixture containing the ammonium salts of said acids,(b) allowing separation of the mixture to provide a lower aqueous phase containing water-soluble ammonium salts and an upper phase comprising the oleophilic alcohol and ammonium salts of the organic sulfonic acids, and(c) recovering at least a portion of said upper phase. The efficiency of the reduction of undesirable materials from the acid mass can be increased by subjecting the recovered upper phase to additional water extractions in the presence of the oleophilic alcohol.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon fuels with an improved cetane number are obtained by blending a liquid fuel with a cyclic ether compound. Cyclic ethers are compounds which have a ring structure of carbon and a minor number of oxygen atoms, including beta-lactones and adducts of the beta-lactones with aldehydes or ketones.

Abstract: Foamed treating fluids contain an acid component, a gas, optionally an organic solvent and emulsifying agent, and, as a foaming agent, a mixture of a quaternary ammonium halide cationic surface active agent and either an alkylamido alkylamine oxide surface active agent or a betaine amphoteric surface active agent. Such treating fluids can be used to dissolve acid-soluble components from various surfaces, such as a subterranean reservoir penetrated by a well, the well itself, or an industrial vessel or conduit containing a scale.

Abstract: Polymeric compositions comprised of particularly disclosed oil-soluble polymers and specific oil-soluble acrylate polymerization products are disclosed. The oil-soluble polymer (A) is a polymer selected from the group consisting of a non-aromatic mono-olefin having at least three carbon atoms, and a copolymer of the non-aromatic mono-olefin with an aromatic monoolefin, the polymer having a number average molecular weight of about 500 to about 100,000. The oil-soluble acrylate polymerization product (B) is at least one ester of the formula CH.sub.2 .dbd.C(X)--COOR wherein X is hydrogen or an alkyl or aryl group, and R is a monovalent hydrocarbyl group containing at least four carbon atoms, or an ether derivative of said hydrocarbyl group. The components (A) and (B) are preferably present in a weight ratio of (A):(B) of about 20:1 to about 1:10.

Abstract: Reaction products of 5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride O,O-dialkyldithiophosphate adduct of the formula ##STR1## have been found to be beneficial additives for functional fluids used in the machinery of motorized vehicles. These additives are effective extreme pressure agents and antiwear agents as well as antioxidants for use in such functional fluids as lubricating oils including automatic transmission fluids and hydraulic fluids.

Abstract: Liquid hydrocarbon fuels having an enhanced cetane number include at least one azo compound having the formula:R.sub.1 N.dbd.NR.sub.2wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different organo groups, each containing 1 to about 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Spent catalysts from hydrocarbon refining processes, comprising transition metal compounds on aluminum oxide-containing supports, are subjected to an oxidative roasting and are treated with sulfuric acid in a counter-current digester to dissolve metals. Following operations to separate compounds of the various transition metals, a solution containing approximately stoichiometric equivalents of aluminum and sulfate is obtained.

Abstract: Apparatus for endothermic dissolutions in water, including: a mixing tank 40, wherein solute is slurried with water; pump 59 and spray pipe 63, for spraying slurry into spray box 70; and fan 75 for drawing ambient air upwardly, in direct heat exchange relationship with descending slurry droplets. Dissolution is promoted, as the droplets extract heat from the countercurrent flow of air.

Abstract: A method for treating a subterranean formation, or a well penetrating the formation, comprises injecting into the well an aqueous composition containing an aminopolycarboxylic acid and water-soluble organosilicon compound. By use of the method, scale is removed from well equipment and/or openings in the formation, and fine particles within the formation are stabilized to prevent their subsequent movement, resulting in increased, more stable fluid flow through the formation and well.

Abstract: A solution useful in making a carbon-metal phosphate composite comprising a carbon body having a glassy metal metaphosphate distributed therethrough and coating the surface thereof is claimed. The solution comprises a nonionic organophosphorus ester and a metal salt dissolved therein.

Abstract: A method is provided for the removal of lead contaminants from ores and mineral concentrates, comprising leaching the concentrates, at elevated temperatures, with an aqueous solution containing an aminopolycarboxylic acid. After separating the solution from the concentrates, lead can be precipitated by treating the solution with a sulfide; the solution can be recycled for use as a leachant.

Abstract: A multiple hearth furnace is constructed from a plurality of cylindrical heating chamber modules, connected in a vertical configuration. Each module contains a hollow hearth, which forms a floor in the chamber, the hearth having an open portion approximately centered in the chamber floor. A rotating central shaft is disposed vertically through open portions in the hearths and is provided with projections for distributing material to be heated across the hearths. Heating of the modules is accomplished by passing heated gases through the hollow hearths. Material to be heated is introduced into the uppermost module, is distributed across the hearth, and is discharged into successively lower modules, after which material exits the furnace. Gases which form during the heating can be removed separately from gases used to heat the furnace.

Abstract: A method for pollution abatement in groundwaters comprises drilling a series of wells in the path of an advancing front of contaminants in an aquifer, and using the wells to introduce into the aquifer an adsorbent for the particular contaminants present.

Abstract: Subterranean formations are treated with acid, by a method comprising the steps of: (1) forming an acidizing composition by mixing an aqueous acid component with at least one water-soluble organosilicon compound; and (2) injecting the composition into the formation. Suitable organosilicon compounds include water-soluble organosilanes and organosilanes which hydrolyze to form water-soluble silanols. By using the organosilicon compound, movement of formation fine particles is inhibited and swelling of clays by aqueous fluids is reduced, thus tending to maintain formation permeability.

Abstract: An oxidation catalyst of large surface area for converting C.sub.4 to C.sub.10 hydrocarbons to maleic anhydride comprises the oxides of vanadium, phosphorus and, optionally and preferably, tin, in combination with a microporous crystalline silica or a crystalline zeolite having a silica-to-alumina ratio of at least 6.0.

Abstract: Praseodymium oxide is electrolyzed, at temperatures at or above the melting point of praseodymium metal, in a molten electrolyte initially consisting essentially of lithium fluoride and praseodymium fluoride. Improved current efficiency is obtained when the weight ratio of lithium fluoride to praseodymium fluoride in the electrolyte is about 0.1 to about 0.4.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting corrosion of metal in an electrolytic environment comprises electrically interconnecting the metal with an anode consisting essentially of an alloy of aluminum with a rare earth metal or mixture of rare earth metals, optionally also including zinc, and placing the anode into the environment.

Abstract: Compositions for the production of rare earth-ferromagnetic metal permanent magnets comprise mixtures of rare earth-ferromagnetic metal alloy powder and a lesser amount of a powdered second-phase sintering aid, wherein there is added up to about 2 percent by weight of a particulate refractory oxide, carbide, or nitride additive. Permanent magnets are prepared by mixing the components, aligning the mixture in a magnetic field, pressing and sintering. The refractory material inhibits grain growth in the second phase during sintering, improving the magnetic properties of the major phase.

Abstract: Oxidative dehydrogenation catalysts suitable for converting C.sub.4 to C.sub.8 mono-olefins to conjugated dienes comprise vanadium, phosphorus, and alkali metal components, and preferably also a tin component, in combination with a microporous crystalline silica or a crystalline zeolite having a silica-to-alumina ratio of at least 6.0. In one embodiment, the catalyst has a surface area between 30 M.sup.2 /g to 450 M.sup.2 /g and the vanadium has an average valence in the range of from 3.50 to 4.95.

Abstract: Method for treating a formation, particularly one containing finely divided particulate material, to increase the flow of fluids through the formation wherein there is injected therein an organosilicon compound, preferably in a hydrocarbon carrier liquid, followed by injection of steam containing a compound which contains ammoniacal nitrogen, selected from the group consisting of ammonium hydroxide, ammonium salts of inorganic acids, ammonium salts of carboxylic acids, quaternary ammonium halides, amine or substituted amine hydrochlorides, derivatives of ammonium cyanate, and water-soluble ammonia or ammonium ion precursors selected from the group consisting of amides of carbamic acid and thiocarbamic acid, derivatives of such amides, tertiary carboxylic acid amides and their substituted and alkylated derivatives. A preferred nitrogen-containing compound is urea.