Abstract: This invention concerns a process for purifying crude oximes, particularly crude n-paraffinone oximes containing carbonyl and/or chlorine contaminants, consisting essentially of treating said crude oximes with urea or thiourea, in the presence of water and lower alkanol, heating to decompose thermally unstable contaminants, filtering off the insoluble urea (or thiourea) carbonyl complexes formed, leaving a purified oxime which can be further purified by conventional purification methods such as vacuum distillation.

Abstract: Novel acylhydroximyl halides are provided and prepared by contacting a nitroalkanone with a halogen acid in the presence of an organic acid or alcohol.

Abstract: The interface between two fluids such as oil and water in an underground cavern may be detected by placing a gelled substance containing a source of gamma radiation at the interface and detecting the emissions from the gelled substance.

Abstract: A well logging system and method in which a transmitter in a borehole has at least two radiation detectors sensing either the same condition or two different conditions relating to the earth's formation traversed by the borehole and providing data pulses corresponding in number and peak amplitude to the sensed condition. The transmitter also includes a reference pulse source and circuitry for combining the reference pulses with each set of data pulses to provide combined pulse signals. Each combined pulse signal is sampled at difference times by a sampling circuit which provides pulses of opposite polarity whose amplitudes correspond to the maximum amplitude pulses occurring during sampling periods. The pulses from the sampling means are conducted to surface electronics by a single conductive path such as the inner conductor and the shield of an armored coaxial cable. The surface electronics includes a pulse separation circuit which separates the pulses by polarity.

Abstract: A transport type fluid catalytic cracking reactor comprising a riser conduit, a flow reversal means and a downcomer conduit, wherein the flow reversal means has a closable top such that a shorter or longer residence time of catalyst and oil vapor in the transport reactor may be selected without affecting vapor velocity within the riser conduit. Also, a process employing such transport reactor.

Abstract: Method of producing phenol and cyclohexanone in enhanced yields consisting essentially of contacting cyclohexylbenzene, preferably in the presence of a member selected from the group consisting of cumene and cumene hydroperoxide, with an oxygen containing gas to form 1-phenylcyclohexyl hydroperoxide containing intermediate product, optionally purifying said intermediate, contacting the 1-phenylcyclohexyl hydroperoxide intermediate product with an acid cleavage catalyst in the presence of an alkanone of from 3 to 6 carbons and recovering the formed phenol and cyclohexanone.

Abstract: Method of preparing a 1,2-dihydroxy compound of the formula: ##SPC1##Where R is hydrogen or alkyl comprising contacting a naphthalene compound of the formula: ##SPC2##Where R is as heretofore defined with ozone, alkanoic acid and a mineral acid and hydrolyzing the resultant intermediates to form said 1,2-dihydroxy compound.

Abstract: An aqueous drilling fluid dispersant and a method of drilling wells using as the drilling fluid dispersant a sulfonated mixture of catechol, chlorophenol and phenol, as hereinafter more fully defined.

Abstract: Methane containing gas is prepared by passing steam and a non-aromatic hydrocarbon into contact with activated metal screen catalyst, such as inconel metal, at about 700.degree.F-1100.degree.F and 300-800 psig.

Abstract: A thermal reactor adapted to receive hot exhaust gases generated as the result of the combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel within an engine. The hot exhaust gas stream taken directly from the engine, is passed into a chamber where it reacts with air, preferably in the presence of a reaction promoting element. However, prior to the reaction stage, the hot gas is urged into a swirling motion and through a constricted passageway whereby to provide through a longer dwell period, better mixing, and avoid direct impingement of the gas against the catalyst bed surface when the latter is utilized.

Abstract: A transport type fluid catalytic cracking reactor comprising a riser conduit, a flow reversal means and a downcomer conduit, wherein the flow reversal means has a closable top such that a shorter or longer residence time of catalyst and oil vapor in the transport reactor may be selected without affecting vapor velocity within the riser conduit.

Abstract: Catalytic activity of a catalyst composition containing a Group VIII metal on an acidic oxide support consisting essentially of a silica alumina cracking catalyst may be increased by the process which comprisesCalcining said catalyst composition at 1350.degree.-1450.degree.F for at least about 2 hours thereby forming a calcined catalyst composition; andReducing said calcined catalyst composition at temperature of above about 850.degree.F. for at least about 8 hours thereby forming a catalyst composition characterized by increased activity.

Abstract: The fluid loss or filtration rate of aqueous drilling fluids containing either high salinity or high soluble calcium can be controlled with conventional products such as prehydrolyzed starch; however, if the aqueous drilling fluid contains both high salinity and high calcium ion concentrations, starch is not effective for control of fluid loss. The fluid loss of such an aqueous drilling fluid saturated with calcium hydroxide and containing high levels of salinity may be reduced by adding to the drilling fluid a small but effective amount of a cationic starch product.

Abstract: A method for fixedly positioned marine platform held at the ocean floor by piles and the like, having a relatively flat concrete apron disposed about the platform lower end and also supported on the ocean floor. The apron functions to stabilize the platform against lateral forces caused by water and wave motion, and also avoids scouring which would otherwise occur about the platform legs and piles due to movement of water along the ocean floor. The apron further lowers the center of gravity of the structure and improves its resistance to vibrations and resonance effects due to wave motion.

Abstract: A process for converting mixtures of C.sub.6 to C.sub.30 n-paraffin and n-paraffin by-products to substantially pure n-paraffin which comprises catalytically hydrogenating the mixture at a temperature of from about 600.degree. to 750.degree.F. in the presence of a Group VIII metal on alumina catalyst, and from about 10 to 5,000 parts per million of nitrogen present as ammonia or an organonitrogen compound. The catalyst can additionally contain a Group VIB or VIIB metal.

Abstract: A process for alkylating isoparaffin hydrocarbons with olefin hydrocarbons for production of high octane gasoline range alkylate wherein the alkylation reaction is performed in the presence of a sulfuric acid alkylation catalyst containing from about 0.0005 to about 0.5 weight percent of a selected micelle forming amphiphilic compound, and wherein the reaction is carried out in a non-backmixed tubular reactor.

Abstract: In a subterranean reservoir containing both petroleum and water interspersed, the petroleum may be preferentially produced by injecting into one well penetrating the reservoir a slug of fluid comprising hydrocarbon solvent, colloidal silica, water and a polymeric material followed by a driving fluid comprising water to force the reservoir fluids into another well penetrating the reservoir where they are produced.

Abstract: Improved method of and composition for the treatment of an oil-containing incompetent formation to prevent the movement of unconsolidated sand particles in an underground formation by forming a treating composition of sand, cement, silica flour and a sufficient amount of petroleum oil fraction containing an oil-wetting agent therein to oil-wet the sand, cement and silica flour particles suspending the resulting treating composition in an aqueous carrier medium, injecting the aqueous suspension against the unconsolidated formation at a pressure effective to force the treating composition into contact with the unconsolidated formation, contacting the placed treating composition with an aqueous curing solution to water wet the cement particles, permitting the cement to set and form a permeable cement and recovering oil through the cement.

Abstract: A tension leg marine structure in which a buoyant vessel is maintained in a partially submerged condition by a plurality of hold-down cables. Each cable is fastened to the floating portion of the structure by a quick disconnect coupling which is adapted to be rapidly disengaged, thereby to release a hold-down cable at such time as the latter is relieved of tension. The released part of the unit can then be moved out of the way of floating objects which might otherwise cause it damage.

Abstract: A process for producing secondary alkyl primary amines having from 10 to 50 or, from about 10 to about 13, or from about 14 to 50 carbon atoms from crude n-paraffin oximes derived by the photonitrosation of C.sub.10 to C.sub.50 or C.sub.10 to C.sub.13 or C.sub.14 to C.sub.50 n-paraffins, said process comprising hydrogenation in a polar solvent in the presence of ammonia and a metal catalyst. The crude n-paraffin oximes are contaminated with ketones and nitroso halides. By the process of this invention, these impurities are likewise converted into the corresponding secondary alkyl primary amines.