Abstract: This invention concerns a process of making alkanols and particularly methanol which comprises the steps of contacting a mixture of CO and H.sub.2 with a catalyst system comprising a ruthenium-containing compound and a halogen-free rhenium-containing compound or a halogen-free manganese-containing compound dispersed in a low melting quaternary phosphonium base or salt, and heating said resultant reaction mixture under a pressure of 500 psig or greater at a temperature of at least 150.degree. C.

Abstract: Significant improvement in the recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation is accomplished by injecting into the formation via an injection well drilled into a formation communicating with an adjacent producing well and containing sandstone and clay components, and aqueous solution of an acid such as hydrochloric acid and a fluorine-containing acid or salt and having dissolved therein an oxyalkylated acrylamido alkanesulfonic acid polymer whereupon the acid solution reacts with the acid soluble components of the formation creating passageways thus facilitating the flow of fluids therein and thereby increasing the recovery of hydrocarbons from the formation through the adjacent production well.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process of making alkanols and particularly ethanol which comprises contacting a mixture of CO and H.sub.2 at a pressure of 500 psig or greater and at a temperature of at least 150.degree. C. with a catalyst system comprising a ruthenium-containing compound and a cobalt-containing compound dispersed in a low melting quaternary phosphonium or ammonium base or salt.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with a copolymer of (a) vinyl sulfonic acid alkoxylated with ethylene oxide or a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide and (b) acrylamide. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with polyacrylamide or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide or the sodium, potassium or ammonium salt thereof and a minor amount of polyacrylamide or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide or the sodium, potassium or ammonium salt thereof alkoxylated with an alkylene oxide. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure. An aqueous fracturing fluid containing a small amount of alkoxylated polyacrylamide or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide is also described.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with a terpolymer of acrylamide, acrylonitrile and acrylic acid or a terpolymer of acrylamide, acrylonitrile and acrylic acid alkoxylated with ethylene oxide. If desired, the drive fluid may be saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure.

Abstract: An improved method is disclosed for the vapor phase epoxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide which includes intimately contacting an ethylene-containing feed stream with an epoxidizing amount of molecular oxgyen epoxidizing agent in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a novel supported, activated silver catalyst and, preferably in the presence of an effective amount of at least one inhibitor which retards combustion of ethylene to carbon dioxide at a temperature of from about 200.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C.The novel silver catalyst is best described in terms of its method of preparation. The catalyst is prepared by impregnating certain inorganic porous substrates with a specific silver carboxylate/amine complex impregnating solution. The impregnated support it then heated in order to evaporate volatiles, decompose the complex and activate the catalyst.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the production of glycol monoalkyl ethers and dialkyl ethers by reaction of an aldehyde, and an alcohol with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a cobalt-containing compound and a cyclopentadienyl ligand.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process of making alkylene glycols and their ethers which comprises contacting a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen with a bimetallic catalyst system comprising ruthenium(III) acetylacetonate and rhodium(III) acetylacetonate dispersed in a low melting quaternary phosphonium or ammonium base or salt at a pressure of 500 psi or greater and at a temperature of at least 150.degree. C. for a sufficient time to provide said glycols and ethers.

Abstract: A process for preparing ethylene glycol wherein a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen is contacted at an elevated temperature and pressure and in the presence of a solvent with a ruthenium compound and a promoter, such as pyrocatechol. In another aspect this invention relates to the preparation of ethylene glycol ethers from carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the production of glycol monoalkyl ethers and dialkyl ethers by reaction of an aldehyde, and an alcohol with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a cobalt-containing compound and a Group VIB donor ligand.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from subterranean formations by injecting into a hydrocarbon bearing formation via an injection well a fluid comprising water containing a small amount of a water-soluble, ethoxylated, sulfonated poly-(2,6-dialkyl phenol), forcing the said fluid through the formation and recovering hydrocarbons through a production well. The fluids employed may, if desired, contain an alkaline agent such as sodium hydroxide. Optionally, the fluids can be saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with polyacrylamide or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide alkoxylated with an alkylene oxide and, if desired, a small amount of a sulfated, alkoxylated polyacrylamide, i.e., an N-substituted polyacrylamide having N-substituents of the formula:--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.m SO.sub.3 M,where m is an integer of from 1 to 5 and M is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, sodium, potassium or ammonium. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with a copolymer of (a) vinyl sulfonic acid alkoxylated with 2,3-epoxy-1-propanol and (b) acrylamide. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water containing dissolved therein:(a) a small amount of a nonionic surfactant of the formula RO(CH.sub.2 CH(OH)CH.sub.2 O).sub.m (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n H where R is alkyl or alkylaryl, n is an integer of from 1 to about 20 and m> 1, and(b) a small amount of an anionic sulfonate or sulfate surfactant. Optionally the drive fluid may be saturated with natural gas and/or carbon dioxide at the injection pressure. A polymeric thickening agent also may be included in the drive fluid, if desired.

Abstract: The production of hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation containing acid-soluble components, such as one composed at least in part of dolomite or limestone, is stimulated by injecting into the formation usually via casing and cement pack perforations a composition comprising an aqueous solution of a mineral acid having dissolved therein a small amount of a vinylpyrrolidone polymer or an alkoxylated vinylpyrrolidone polymer. The increase in the permeability and porosity of the formation achieved utilizing the method of invention results in a substantial improvement in hydrocarbon recovery. Optionally, the injected composition may be saturated with natural gas at the injection pressure. In another embodiment this invention relates to the oxyalkylated vinylpyrrolidone polymer compositions.

Abstract: Phenol-aldehyde resins are prepared by condensing phenol with formaldehyde and isobutyraldehyde in the presence of an alkali. The resulting resins are particularly suited for manufacturing products such as fiberboard and chipboard.

Abstract: A method for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation in which steam, for example, is injected into the formation via an injection well to drive the hydrocarbons toward a spaced production well. Water injected via the production well into an upper horizon of the formation is passed downwardly through the formation about the production well and then back into the production well at a lower horizon in the formation. A mixture of displaced hydrocarbons and injected water are then coproduced at the lower horizon thru the production well after which the hydrocarbons are recovered from the mixture. Optionally, a minor amount of a sulfated interfacial tension reducer may be introduced with the steam to promote increased hydrocarbon recovery.

Abstract: A process for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation in which in situ combustion is first initiated in the formation by injection of air, for example, through an injection well, the injection of air is terminated, carbon dioxide or nitrogen is injected into the formation via the injection well to displace unconsumed air and in a final step a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen is injected into the formation where reaction of the carbon monoxide with steam generated from the formation water forms additional hydrogen and carbon dioxide and finally hydrocarbons are recovered via a production well.Optionally, after injection of the mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen into the formation has been terminated the heat stored in the formation may be recovered by injecting water as a drive fluid into the formation.

Abstract: A highly-active catalyst is prepared by abrading or wearing away the surface of a silver catalyst whereby 1 to about 10 weight percent of the catalyst is removed. The initial silver catalyst is formed, for example, by impregnating a porous catalyst support with a solution of a silver salt an organic amine solubilizing/reducing agent, an aqueous solvent and a cesium or rubidium salt sufficient to deposit on the support an effective amount of the said alkali metal and subsequently heating the impregnated support at an elevated temperature to evaporate volatiles and activate the catalyst.