Abstract: A process for the production of ethylbenzene by the alkylation of benzene over a molecular sieve aromatic alkylation catalyst followed by transalkylation of polyalkylated aromatic components and then liquid phase alkylation. A feedstock containing benzene and ethylene is supplied to a first alkylation reaction zone containing a molecular sieve aromatic alkylation catalyst. The reaction zone is operated at temperature and pressure conditions to cause gas phase ethylation of the benzene with the production of an alkylation product comprising a mixture of ethylbenzene and polyalkylated aromatic components including diethylbenzene with xylene present in only small amounts. The output from the alkylation reaction zone is supplied to an intermediate recovery zone for the separation and recovery of ethybenzene, a polyalkylated aromatic compound component including diethylbenzene.

Abstract: This invention is for a metallocene catalyst component comprising a bridged metallocene in which the two substituted indenyl rings are complexed to a metal hydrocarbyl or metal halide. This metallocene catalyst component is useful for polymerizing olefins having three or more carbon atoms to produce a polymer with a isotactic stereochemical configuration. The catalyst component is a stereorigid metallocene described by the formula: R″(CpR2C4R4)(CpR′2C4R′4)MeQk wherein (CpR2C4R4) and (CpR2C4R4) are substituted indenyl rings; each R and R′ is a hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl radical having 1-20 carbon atoms; R″ is a structural bridge between the two indenyl rings imparting stereorigidity to the indenyl rings; Me is a transition metal; and each is a hydrocarbyl radical or is a halogen. Further, one R and R′ is a hydrocarbyl radical having 1-20 carbon atoms in a proximal position adjacent to the bridgehead carbon of the indenyl rings.

Abstract: A nonlinear optical material which is characterized as having a relatively high macroscopic dipole moment achieved through the generally parallel packing of dipolar molecules in a relative orientation to reinforce their dipole moments. The nonlinear optical material may be a crystalline azine or imine bridged di-arene in which the arenyl groups, which can be the same or different, are substituted with an electron donor group on the first arenyl group Ar1 and A is an electron acceptor group which is substituted on the second arenyl group Ar2. B is an azine or imine bridge which extends between and interconnects the first and second arenyl groups. The nonlinear optical material has a dipole alignment factor of at least 0.1, more preferably, at least 0.5.

Abstract: Pigmented powder coating products based on low melting point fluorine-based terpolymers, preferably on those made from a majority of vinylidene fluoride copolymerized with tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropene, are capable of providing coatings with controllable gloss properties. The process for preparing coatings from the powders is essentially characterized by the selection of the temperature at which the desired gloss can be obtained, from low to high, without degradation of the mechanical properties.

Abstract: Process for the production of ethylbenzene by alkylation over a silicalite alkylation catalyst with subsequent transalkylation of diethylbenzene with the alkylation catalyst and conditions selected to retard xylene production and also heavies production. Benzene and ethylene are applied to a multi-stage alkylation reaction zone having a plurality of series-connected catalyst beds containing silicalite of a predominantly monoclinic symmetry having a silica/alumina ratio of at least 275. Gas-phase ethylation of benzene is at a flow rate to provide a space velocity of benzene over the catalyst to produce a xylene concentration of about 600 ppm or less of the ethylbenzene content. Periodically the space velocity may be increased to a value which is greater than the space velocity associated with a minimum concentration of diethylbenzene in the alkylation product such that diethylbenzene production is enhanced while minimizing any attendant transalkylation reactions within the alkylation reaction zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved processability of polyolefin films through the addition to the basic isotactic polypropylene (iPP) polymer of a syndiotactic polypropylene (sPP) in an amount within the range of about 2 to 10 weight percent and of a resin or rosin modifier in an amount within the range of 1 to 30 weight percent. Preferably, the composition could contain syndiotactic propylene in an amount within the range of about 2 to 5 weight percent. Preferably, about 3 weight percent of syndiotactic propylene is present in the polyolefin composition. The resin or rosin modifier could, preferably, be present in an amount within the range of 5 to 10 weight percent. Preferably, the composition should contain about 10 weight percent of the modifier. The present invention encompasses both the resulting polyolefin films and the process for producing such films.

Abstract: A waste container for the disposition of waste concrete comprising a bottom floor section having a major dimension extending longitudinally of the container, front and rear lateral dimensions which are substantially less than the major longitudinal dimension, and a forward end closed by a forward transverse wall section. Opposed side walls extend longitudinally of the container and upwardly from the bottom floor section to define with the bottom floor section a receptacle for waste concrete. The side walls are flared from the front to the back of the container to provide a back opening which has a lateral dimension greater than the lateral dimension of the forward transverse wall section. The side walls are sufficiently flexible to permit relative displacement between a first lateral dimension corresponding to the configuration of the side walls when they are not stressed and a second lateral dimension which is less than the first lateral dimension.

Abstract: The present invention related to a process for the treatment of vinyl aromatic/conjugated diene block copolymers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for the treatment of such copolymers obtained starting from a (co)polymerization-initiating stage performed by means of alkaline based catalysts (Me), deactivated in such a way that they show a termination of the alkali metal-alcoholate type (--O--Me), and treated with a cyclic anhydride of polycarboxylic acid, and optically a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 monocarboxylic acid.

Abstract: Process for the production of polypropylene fibers from polypropylene polymers produced by the polymerization of polypropylene in the presence of a metallocene catalyst characterized by a bridged racemic bis(indenyl) ligand substituted at the proximal position. The polypropylene contains 0.5 to 2% 2,1 insertions and has an isotacticity of at least 95% meso diads and is heated to a molten state and extruded to form a fiber preform. The preform is subjected to spinning at a spinning speed of at least 500 meters per minutes and subsequent drawing at a speed of at least 1,500 meters per minute to provide a draw ratio of at least 3 to produce a continuous polypropylene fiber. The draw speed and/or the draw ratio can be varied to produce fibers of different mechanical properties. Different polypropylene polymers produced by different metallocene catalysts can be used. Such fibers can be characterized by having an elongation at break of at least 100% and a specific toughness of at least 0.5 grams per denier.

Abstract: A process for reducing the amount of undesirable byproducts, for example multi-ring compounds known as heavy residue in a process for the alkylation of an aromatic hydrocarbon with an olefin using a silicalite catalyst is disclosed. The process comprises supplying a feedstock containing benzene to a reaction zone with an alkylating agent in a molar ratio of benzene to alkylating agent of from about 2:1 to about 20:1 and into contact with an aluminosilicate alkylation catalyst having an average crystallite size of less than about 0.50 .mu.m and wherein the size of about 90% of the crystallites is less than 0.70 .mu.m. The catalyst is characterized by an Si/Al atomic ratio in the range from between 50 and 150 and a maximum pore size in the range from about 1000 to 1800 .ANG.. The catalyst has a sodium content of less than about 50 ppm and the reaction is carried out under conversion conditions including a temperature of from about 250.degree. C. to about 550.degree. C.

Abstract: An improved zeolite catalyst having enhanced dealkylation activity is provided. The catalyst is prepared by incorporating fluorine into the zeolite structure. In another embodiment, a transition element such as nickel is additionally incorporated into the zeolite structure. The process for producing the catalyst also includes ion-exchange and calcining steps. A mordenite type catalyst has been found to be particularly effective. The catalyst of the present invention demonstrates improved activity for the dealkylation of polyalkylaromatic compounds found in residue from the alkylation process and in heavy reformate streams from refineries. A dealkylation process using the catalyst of the present invention is provided. The dealkylation process shows good selectivity for benzene and monoalkylated aromatic products, and catalyst stability, particularly at high reaction temperatures.

Abstract: A process for the production of biaxially-oriented polypropylene film involving the provision of a polypropylene polymer produced by the polymerization of propylene in the presence of a metallocene catalyst characterized by a bridged racemic bis(indenyl) ligand substituted at the proximal position. The polypropylene contains 0.5 to 2% 2,1 insertions and has an isotacticity of at least 96% meso pentads and at least 99% meso diads. The film is formed by stressing the polymer produced from a slot die in the machine direction at a stretch ratio of about 5 or 6 and in the transverse direction at a stretch ratio of about 8 or 9 to produce a biaxially-oriented film having a non-uniform melt temperature of a peak value of less than 160.degree. C. The polypropylene polymer has meltflow index of less than 5 grams per 10 minutes and has an average molecular weight within the range of 100,000-400,000 grams per mole.

Abstract: A process for the production and treatment of a stereoregular polypropylene, such as isotactic polypropylene in which a polymerization reactor is operated under conditions to react propylene supplied to the reactor to produce a stereoregular propylene polymer fluff. A product stream containing the fluff and unreacted propylene is withdrawn from the reactor and at least a portion of the unreacted propylene is separated from the product stream. The propylene polymer fluff is heated to a temperature sufficient to melt the propylene polymer, and a lactone is incorporated into the propylene polymer. The lactone is a 5,7 dialkyl-3-(2,3 dialkyl phenyl)-3H-benzofuran-2-one, in which the 5,7 and 2,3 substituents are of relatively low molecular weights. The phenyl alkyl substituents, each contain 1 or 2 carbon atoms, and the 5,7 alkyl substituents each contain from 2 to 5 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Ethylbenzene is produced by alkylation over a split load of monoclinic silicalite alkylation catalysts having different silica/alumina ratios. A feedstock containing benzene and ethylene is applied to a multi-stage alkylation reaction zone having a plurality of series-connected catalyst beds. At least one catalyst bed contains a first monoclinic silicalite catalyst having a silica/alumina ratio of at least 275. At least one other catalyst bed contains a second monoclinic silicalite catalyst having a silica/alumina ratio of less than about 275. The alkylation reaction zone is operated at temperature and pressure conditions in which the benzene is in a gaseous phase to cause gas-phase alkylation of the aromatic substrate in the presence of the monoclinic silicalite catalysts to produce an alkylation product. The alkylation product is then withdrawn from the reaction zone for separation and recovery.

Abstract: An elastomer is blended with bitumen, an alkaline compound is then added which is soluble in the bitumen, and to this mixture is added 0.01 to 0.1% by weight of a mixture of vulcanizing agents comprising elemental sulphur and a sulphur-containing derivative of the form: ##STR1## where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl radicals or, together R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 have the formula ##STR2## and where M, which is optional, is Zn, Ba or Cu.

Abstract: Sulphur-containing hydrocarbon feedstocks are desulphurized prior to being subjected to steam cracking in the presence of one or more thiohydrocarbons wherein the sulphur is part of aromatic heterocycles, preferably thiophene and/or benzothiophene. Optimum results are obtained in terms of the combination of reduced coking rate and reduced carbon monoxide formation.

Abstract: The present invention is for the improvement of inter-layer bonding strength in polypropylene films through the addition of ethylene as a mini-random copolymer in an amount of no more than about 1 weight percent, more preferably no more than about 0.7 weight percent, and most preferably between about 0.3 weight percent to about 0.5 weight percent or even amounts less than about 0.2 weight percent. The invention allows the improvement of inter-layer bond strength in multi-layer films resulting specifically in improved heat seal strength. The invention encompasses both the resulting films with enhanced heat seal strength and the process for producing such films.

Abstract: A process for dewaxing middle distillate petroleum products includes the steps of introducing a middle distillate petroleum fraction having a boiling point in the range of from about 160.degree. C. to about 500.degree. C. into a reaction zone and contacting the middle distillate petroleum fraction in the reaction zone at temperatures of from about 500.degree. F. To about 700.degree. F. And pressures of from about 300 psig to about 2000 psig with a nickel-containing silicate catalyst.

Abstract: An improved zeolite catalyst having enhanced dealkylation activity is provided. The catalyst is prepared by incorporating fluorine into the zeolite structure. In another embodiment, a transition element such as nickel is additionally incorporated into the zeolite structure. The process for producing the catalyst also includes ion-exchange and calcining steps. A mordenite type catalyst has been found to be particularly effective. The catalyst of the present invention demonstrates improved activity for the dealkylation of polyalkylaromatic compounds found in residue from the alkylation process and in heavy reformate streams from refineries. A dealkylation process using the catalyst of the present invention is provided. The dealkylation process shows good selectivity for benzene and monoalkylated aromatic products, and catalyst stability, particularly at high reaction temperatures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for directional drilling to recover hydrocarbons, thermal energy, or the like, by using coiled tubing while the well is under pressure so that high density drilling fluids to control the subsurface pressures during drilling are not required. Snubbing apparatus and methods which maintain control of the bore hole pressure throughout the drilling operation are used, thus permitting the use of fresh water as a combination hydraulic fluid to operate a downhole motor and cool the bit, and to flush cuttings from the bore hole. The apparatus uses a down hole assembly including a bit driven by a motor, preferably hydraulic, which is located in a bent housing. A steering tool capable of indicating the angle and azimuth of inclination of the housing is carried by the motor housing and is connected to surface instrumentation by an electrical cable extending through the coiled tubing.