Abstract: A process is provided for upgrading an oligomerization product through hydrogenation and isomerization with some selective/minor cracking resulting in a synthetic lube base oil with improved pour point and viscosity index. The upgrading process includes contacting the oligomerization product with a hydrogenation catalyst and an isomerization catalyst under conversion conditions, which include the presence of hydrogen and a temperature sufficient to promote hydrogenation and isomerization with some selective/minor cracking. The hydrogenation catalyst contains a porous carrier material and a group VIII metal while the isomerization catalyst contains an aluminosilicate zeolite.

Abstract: A supported hydrogenation catalyst composition is disclosed which comprises palladium, an inorganic support such as alumina, and a selectivity enhancer selected from the group consisting of silver, phosphorus, sulfur, and combinations of two or more thereof. Also disclosed is a selective hydrogenation process in which highly unsaturated hydrocarbons such as diolefins and/or alkynes are hydrogenated with hydrogen to less unsaturated hydrocarbons such as monoolefins.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating a wellbore, comprising subjecting a substantially same portion of the wellbore to vibratory waves produced by a plurality of vibratory wave generators. The vibratory waves may have about the same frequency or a plurality of frequencies, and the frequencies may partially overlap, not overlap, or be modulated across a range. Additionally, the frequencies may be modulated in an oval, hoop, and flexural modes. The vibratory waves may be produced by firing the vibratory wave generators simultaneously or in sequence. Combinations of a vibrating pipe, piston pulser, or valve may be used as vibratory wave generators. In a preferred embodiment, the thickness and change of thickness of a mudcake on the interior surface of a wellbore are measured to evaluate the effectiveness of the wellbore treatment.

Abstract: The present invention is a surface controlled subsurface safety valve (SCSSV) for use in a well, preferably a hydrocarbon producing well. The SCSSV comprises a valve body having a longitudinal bore for fluid to flow through, a bore closure assembly, a pressure balanced drive assembly, and a fail safe assembly. The bore closure assembly is positioned and normally biased to close the bore to fluid flow. The drive assembly is coupled to the bore closure assembly for driving the bore closure assembly to an open position. The fail safe assembly is positioned and configured to hold the bore closure assembly in the open position in response to a hold signal and to release the valve to return to the safe, closed position upon interruption of the hold signal.

Abstract: A gas hydrate formation is treated by horizontally fracturing the formation, placing electrically conductive proppant particles in the fracture, and passing an electric current through the proppant particles in the fracture to generate sufficient heat to release gas from the hydrate. The method has particular application in shallow gas-bearing formations underlying or within the permafrost.

Abstract: An auxiliary catalytic converter (11) for treating exhaust gas pollutants from an internal combustion engine during warm-up comprises a housing (13) which defines an exhaust gas receiving chamber (15), an exhaust gas inlet (17) in one end of the housing and an exhaust gas outlet (19) at the other end of the housing, a hollow catalyst structure (23) having discrete channels or pores secured in the chamber spaced from the walls of the housing and aligned axially providing a passage (25) between the outer surface of the catalyst structure and the wall and an axial channel (27) in communication with the gas inlet and gas outlet, and valve means (41) adapted to be opened and closed in response to a predetermined condition, the valve means when in a closed position restraining exhaust gas flow in the axial channel causing the gas to flow radially through the catalyst structure into the passage and when in an open position permitting essentially unimpeded flow of gas from the gas inlet through the axial channel to t

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing recyclable reinforced composite structures having enhanced surface appearance by heating a self-supporting porous batt comprised of an intimate homogenous blend of high modulus reinforcing fibers and thermoplastic resin fibers to a temperature sufficient to melt the resin component and convert the batt into moldable form, placing the moldable batt into a heated mold to flow, solidify and substantially crystallize the component, introducing a thermosetting resin-containing coating material into the mold adjacent at least one surface of the crystallized structure to provide a coating on the one surface and dwelling the coated structure in the mold for a time sufficient to set the coating material.

Abstract: Composite coatings are provided having a variable thickness and a coloration gradient in the cross-web direction using shims to direct flow in a premetered extrusion extrusion process and an edge band is used to provide stability to the bead. Further stability is provided by a vacuum gradient matched to the specific shim design used. The composite coatings are useful in preparing laminated structures such as automobile windshields with a gradient band.

Abstract: Paint compositions useful for automotive applications are made using a one tank process with an associated circulation loop. Addition ports located in close proximity to a zone of high speed mixing allows for rapid blending of materials into the process stream. A bypass subloop connected to the circulation loop will divert paint to grinding apparatus achieve addition of pigments on-line. Instrumentation attached to the circulation loop directly measures the process stream parameters such as viscosity, pH, temperature, and pressure.

Abstract: A multilayered glass laminate having enhanced resistance to spalling and penetration by high velocity projectiles consists of at least three plies of glass (10, 12, 14) with layers of plasticized polyvinyl butyral (16, 18, 20) therebetween and having permanently bonded to an outer layer of one of said plies of glass (14) a thin composite consisting of an adhesive energy absorbing layer (22) and a dimensionally stable polyester film (24).

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering an accurate volume of fluid from a supply vessel to a process vessel or system in which a computer-controlled servo motor and pump are connected with a modified sampling valve with plunger-type injection device to allow complete addition of all metered fluids. The apparatus is particularly useful for addition of pH or viscosity control additives or shading colorants wherein the delivery of small volumes with precision is desired.

Abstract: Inorganic fiber-reinforced thermoplastic articles are produced from precisely proportioned feed mixtures of particles of thermoplastic polymer, a polymer modifier and inorganic fiber bundles supplied, under specified conditions, directly to an injection molding apparatus. The articles exhibit exceptionally superior heat deflection temperature compared to articles produced from feeds which are precompounded prior to injection molding.

Abstract: A decorative relief pattern is provided on a glass/plastic laminate wherein a sandwiched structure comprised of a glass sheet (10), an adhesive layer (12), a plastic film (14) having a thin cured coating of a polysiloxane antiabrasion material (16) on its exposed surface by placing a texturing medium (18) on the exposed surface and autoclaving the sandwiched structure under vacuum and pressure to provide a permanent bond between the plastic film (14) and the glass sheet (10) thereby transferring the surface texture of the texturing medium (18) to the exposed surface of said coating.

Abstract: Composite coatings are provided having a variable thickness and a gradient coloration in the cross-web direction using a premetered extrusion coating process wherein a pigmented coating composition and a non-pigmented coating composition are simultaneously extruded onto a carrier film. The composite coatings are useful in preparing laminated structures such as automobile windshields with a colored gradient band.

Abstract: A solvent-free transfer process for providing a uniformly colored interlayer sheeting having a roughened or embossed surface wherein a composite coating consisting of a layer containing finely divided solid crystalline pigment particles dispersed in a resin binder and at least one non-pigmented layer is transferred from a carrier film to the sheeting is disclosed. Transfer of the coating is accomplished while maintaining the pigment particles in the solid crystalline phase and maintaining the roughened surface of the sheeting.