Abstract: A particularly useful process which includes the steps of providing a source of formaldehyde formed by conversion of dimethyl ether in the presence of a catalyst comprising copper and zinc; and contacting the source of formaldehyde and a predominately dimethyl ether feedstream with a heterogeneous, condensation promoting catalyst capable of hydrating dimethyl ether under conditions of reaction sufficient to form an effluent comprising water, methanol, formaldehyde, dimethyl ether, and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers is disclosed. Unreacted dimethyl ether is recovered from the effluent and recycled to the formation of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers. The resulting dimethyl ether-free liquid mixture is heated in the presence of an acidic catalyst to convert at least the methanol and formaldehyde present to polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers. Advantageously, methylal and higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers are formed and separated in a catalytic distillation column.

Abstract: A process for the production of aromatic hydrocarbons. The process involves heating gas oil while under pressure, and maintaining the gas oil at temperature and pressure to break the substantially aliphatic chains from the gas oil core structure of two or more aromatic rings, as well as to break the aliphatic chains to smaller molecules. The process yields products which include lighter aliphatic material, as well as aromatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A rotary drum cooler for cooling particulate material (e.g. coke particles) having at least one cooling pocket which, in turn, includes a flexible vent pipe assembly which can slide in relation to the shell of the cooler. By making the vent pipe slidable, it can move in response to the expansion and contraction of the pocket within the shell. The vent pipe assembly is comprised of (a) a tube which is connected to the pocket and which slidably extends through an aperture in the shell and (b) a flexible means for sealingly connecting the outer end of the tube to the shell.

Abstract: A rotary drum cooler having a shell for cooling particulate material (e.g. coke particles) wherein the volumetric capacity of the lifters within the shell which lift the material from the bottom of the shell to the exit thereof can be adjusted to thereby affect the exit parameters (e.g. temperature, particle size, etc.) of the cooled particulate material.

Abstract: A method of repairing polyethylene fuel containment sumps used in underground storage systems in gasoline and diesel service stations without "welding" the polyethylene, using suitable surface preparation, priming of the affected area, and sealing with a two part rubber compound.

Abstract: A process and catalyst are provided for dehydrogenating a hydrocarbon feedstock and producing an olefinic product. The process comprises contacting the feedstock at dehydrogenation conditions with a dehydrogenation catalyst comprising from about 0.01 weight percent to about 5.0 weight percent of a platinum group metal, from about 0.02 weight percent to about 10.0 weight percent of zinc, and a support component comprising borosilicate and an alkali metal.

Abstract: A sorbent material, an activated carbon canister and a method are described which can be utilized to remove organic compounds from a vaporous stream with a relatively greater degree of safety, as compared to previously known methods. In the invention, essentially dry and wetted activated carbon particles are intermixed in a substantially homogeneous mixture which inhibits accidental combustion. The heat capacity of wetted carbon particles retards the heating of nearby unwetted particles, so as to inhibit the ignition of the nearby unwetted particles. The presence of wetted particles intermixed in the substantially homogeneous mixture has relatively little effect on the hydrocarbon adsorption performance of the mixture.

Abstract: A method of upgrading the area below a dispenser to contain accidental release harmful materials from contaminating the soil below grade without repiping, electrical changes, or concrete disruption.

Abstract: A method of upgrading an existing unprotected submersible pump area with secondary containment to prevent accidental release of harmful materials from contaminating the soil below grade.

Abstract: A method of upgrading a below grade fill to prevent accidental release harmful materials from contaminating the soil below grade.

Abstract: A method for converting a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock to a lower boiling temperature product is described which comprises suspending metal sulfide particles and oxide particles in a reaction zone including hydrogen and the hydrocarbonaceous feedstock at hydrocracking conditions. The metal sulfide particles and the oxide particles are introduced into the reaction zone through particle precursor fluids which precipitate upon heating to form the particles. The metal sulfide particles contain sulfidable transition metals. The oxide particles contain oxidisable elements such as magnesium, aluminum, silicon, phosphorous, calcium, scandium, titanium, gallium, germanium, zirconium, cerium, and mixtures thereof and are not hydrogenation catalysts under the reactor conditions. The oxide particles resist being chemically reduced by reducing agents in the reaction zone. Surprisingly, the presence of the oxide particles is associated with a significant reduction of coke production in the reaction zone.

Abstract: A method for converting a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock to a lower boiling product is described which comprises suspending metal-impregnated carbonaceous particles in a reaction zone including hydrogen and the hydrocarbonaceous feedstock at hydrocracking conditions. The metal impregnated on the particles may be sulfided in the reaction zone. The impregnated particles are shown to be surprisingly selective catalysts, and anomalous ranges of particle size and concentration are identified. Methods for preparing the particles are additionally presented.

Abstract: Method for tagging hydrocarbons and for detecting the presence of tagged hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon mixture. The method can be utilized to tag gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, lubricating oil or crude petroleum. The hydrocarbon to be tagged is blended with a relatively small amount of a fluorescent dye. The presence of the tagged hydrocarbon is subsequently determined by exciting the dye to fluoresce at wavelengths in the higher portion of the visible spectral region or the lower portion of the near infrared spectral region.

Abstract: A collapsed composition is described which is substantially composed of microcrystallites collectively of the formula:M.sub.2m.sup.2+ Al.sub.2-p M.sub.p.sup.3+ T.sub.r O.sub.7+r.multidot.swhere M.sup.2+ is a divalent metal, M.sup.3+ is a trivalent metal, and T is vanadium, tungsten, or molybdenum.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling the relative proportion of products produced from a petroleum residuum by thermal coking. Coke yield promoting compounds are identified, and effective attenuating agents are specified. The method can mitigate a coke promoting effect induced by certain surfactants, antifoulants, or fugitive catalysts in thermal coking units. Mitigating the coke yield promoting effect of molybdenum, for example, in a thermal coker permits recovery of a greater proportion of distillate boiling range products.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a collapsed composition is described in which the manufactured composition is substantially composed of microcrystallites collectively of the formula: ##EQU1## where M.sup.2+ is a divalent metal, M.sup.3+ is a trivalent metal, and T is vanadium, tungsten, or molybdenum.The microcrystallites are so small as to be undetectable through conventional x-ray diffraction techniques, yet high resolution electron microscopy reveals that a substantial portion of the microcrystallites are composed of a solid solution having aluminum oxide molecularly dispersed in a divalent metal monoxide crystal structure. Another portion of the microcrystallites are constituted by a spinel phase. The collapsed composition is suitable as a sulfur oxide absorbent, having comparatively high capacity and comparatively fast absorption and desorption rates, and is also suitable as a nitrogen oxide reduction catalyst.

Abstract: A method for tagging hydrocarbons and for detecting the presence of tagged hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon mixture. The method can be utilized to tag gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, lubricating oil or crude petroleum. The hydrocarbon to be tagged is blended with a relatively small amount of a fluorescent dye. The presence of the tagged hydrocarbon is subsequently determined by exciting the dye to fluoresce at wavelengths in the higher portion of the visible spectral region or the lower portion of the rear infrared spectral region.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for optimizing the pressure drop in the catalytic conversion of a feed in a bed of catalyst particles in a vertically arranged reactor by grading the catalyst particles within the bed by pressure drop.

Abstract: A method of attaching a tether to a balloon is described. The method comprises pinching or flexing a metalized sheet balloon attached to one or more adhesive layers, or one more double-sided adhesive strips. The flexing causes outward-facing pressure sensitive adhesive layers disposed on the balloon, or on the strips, to oppose each other in a pincers movement, so as to surround and grip the tether. The strips themselves are previously attached to the balloon by inward-facing adhesive layers through a simple slapping motion. The removable sheet is easily peeled away prior to the flexing. The invention is also a fastener for attaching a balloon to a tether, and a balloon system including the fastener.

Abstract: A process for cooling unreacted hydrocarbon substrate that is recycled to an alkylation reactor and for minimizing the concentration of lower boiling hydrocarbons in such recycle.