Abstract: A process for sweetening a sour hydrocarbon fraction containing mercaptan which comprises reacting mercaptans contained in the hydrocarbon fraction with an oxidizing agent by passing said hydrocarbon fraction and said oxidizing agent into contact with a heterogeneous admixture of a metal chelate mercaptan oxidation catalyst and a solid desiccant.

Abstract: A multi-step preparation of 4-vinylbenzeneacetic acid from the readily available 1,4-diethylbenzene is described. The method uses cobalt (II) catalyzed oxidation of 1,4-diethylbenzene to 4-ethylacetophenone followed by oxidative rearrangement of the latter to 4-ethylbenzeneacetic acid, selective photochlorination to produce 4-(1'-chloroethyl)benzeneacetic acid, and finally base-catalyzed dehydrochlorination of the latter to afford the title compound.

Abstract: A process for sweetening a sour hydrocarbon fraction containing mercaptan which comprises reacting mercaptans contained in the hydrocarbon fraction with an oxidizing agent by passing the hydrocarbon fraction and the oxidizing agent into contact with a bed of metal chelate mercaptan oxidation catalyst and a solid carrier material having an average particle size of less than about 110 mesh.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of a hydrocarbon charge stock which comprises contacting said charge stock at hydrocarbon conversion conditions with a catalytic composite comprising a combination of a carrier material, a Group VIB metal component and Group VIII metal component wherein said Group VIB metal component and said Group VIII metal component are incorporated in said catalytic composite by means of a non-aqueous organic solution of a Group VIB metal compound and a Group VIII metal compound, wherein said non-aqueous organic solution comprises dimethylformamide, formamide, diethylformamide, ethylformamide, methylformamide, pyridine, aniline or toluene and wherein said catalytic composite is calcined in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: A process for separating ethylbenzene from a feed mixture comprising ethylbenzene and at least one xylene isomer. The mixture is contacted with an adsorbent comprising a barium cation exchanged type-X zeolite containing from about 3.0 to about 6.0 wt. % H.sub.2 O. The unadsorbed portion of the feed mixture is removed from the adsorbent and the ethylbenzene recovered by desorption with benzene.

Abstract: A process for separating an unsaponifiable compound from a feed mixture including fatty and/or rosin acids. The process comprises: (a) forming an emulsion with the feed mixture, an organic solvent in which the feed mixture is soluble and an emulsifying liquid capable of forming an emulsion with the feedstock and organic solvent, the polarity index of the emulsifying liquid being at least 2.4 higher than the polarity index of the organic solvent; (b) effecting the formation of three phases from the emulsion, an organic solvent phase containing the major portion of the fatty or rosin acids, an emulsifying liquid phase and a semi-solid sludge phase containing the major portion of the unsaponifiable compound; and (c) separating the three phases.

Abstract: A gas treating process is disclosed. Hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide are removed from a hydrocarbon vapor stream by absorption into an aqueous carbonate solution. Hydrogen sulfide picked up by the circulating carbonate solution is oxidized to produce liquid sulfur, which is withdrawn. The carbonate solution is then stripped to release carbon dioxide and produce the lean carbonate solution used for absorption. By-product thiosulfate formed in the oxidation step is eliminated by reaction with hydrogen sulfide. Metal phthalocyanines are used as the catalyst for the elimination of thiosulfate and for the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: An antimicrobial fabric is comprised of an aminoalkylsilylated fabric to which is covalently bonded an antimicrobial agent through an intermediate polyfunctional spacer moiety. The antimicrobial agent is maintained well away from the fabric surface, thereby minimizing surface effects on antimicrobial action.

Abstract: Parallel folding armrest assembly for use on a vehicle seat has a rear hollow housing portion with a forward armrest portion pivotally mounted at its forward end for movement between several parallel positions including a low position which can form a seat cushion extension. The housing portion comprises one elongated element of a four-link parallelogram linkage and has a curved upper forward end surface which conceals the linkage and prevents any possibility of finger pinching during adjustment. An actuating lever positioned in the armrest can be manually lifted about a pivot pin to release a locking pawl slidably carried on one of the parallelogram links from engagement with a selected tooth of a curved rack attached interiorly of the aforementioned curved end surface. A single round bar pivotally supports the housing and is adapted to be demountably fixed to the rear short parallelogram link.

Abstract: Polyols such as carbohydrates including glucose, fructose, sorbitol, etc. may be subjected to a hydrocracking process to obtain lower polyols such as glycerol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol. The catalyst system which is used to effect this reaction will comprise a noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table composited on a solid support plus an alkaline earth metal oxide, an example of this catalyst system being ruthenium composited on a titanited alumina support plus barium oxide.

Abstract: This invention comprises a process for separating a fatty acid from a mixture comprising a fatty acid and a rosin acid, which process comprises contacting the mixture at separation conditions with a molecular sieve comprising silicalite in a silica matrix the precursor of the molecular sieve comprising silicalite powder dispersed in colloidal amorphous silica, the precursor having been gelled and then treated in a manner to substantially eliminate hydroxyl groups from the molecular sieve, thereby selectively retaining the fatty acid. The fatty acid is recovered from the molecular sieve by displacement with a displacement material comprising an organic acid.

Abstract: A process for separating a fatty and/or rosin acid from an unsaponifiable compound. A feedstream comprising the acids and unsaponifiable compound is contacted with an aqueous alcohol solvent which is selective for and absorbs the fatty and/or rosin acid. An extract stream comprising the solvent and acids, and a raffinate stream comprising the unsaponifiable compound may then be recovered. The feedstock is best used in a diluent which is preferably a hydrocarbon.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vehicle seat of the type in which a seat part is supported and guided for upward and downward movement relative to a base part by a spring suspension.In order to avoid loss of contact between the feet of the seat occupant and control pedals of the vehicle, the suspension includes linkages connecting the seat part to the base part for relative movement such that the seat occupant's ankles remain stationary whereas his knees swing about an axis through his ankles.

Abstract: Improved well screen has its open area defined by a helically wrapped strip of wire mesh which is supported by a rigid cage-like structure of welded steel longitudinal support rods and helical wrap wires. The design is cost competitive with the simple, and rather fragile, screens made by wrapping a mesh about a perforated pipe while offering the mechanical strength characteristics of wire-wrapped welded screens and a substantially larger open area for flow. The wire mesh strip is helically wound with a gap and at least one wrap wire is helically wound in the gap so that a small portion of its width can be firmly adhered to the rods while at least another portion of its width overlies an adjacent side edge of the mesh strip.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting and measuring chloride ion and therefore dissociable chlorine compounds using a solid electrolyte concentration cell. Applicable only to gaseous samples.

Abstract: A liquid-liquid contacting apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is useful in extracting mercaptans from a hydrocarbon stream such as cracked gasoline by nonturbulent countercurrent contacting of the hydrocarbon stream with an aqueous caustic solution. The denser liquid phase flows downward from an upper phase separation zone through a connecting cylindrical contacting zone into a lower phase separation zone. Liquid withdrawal and addition means communicate with each separation zone. A mass of fibrous contacting strands is suspended in the contacting zone. The contacting strands are preferentially wetted by either of the two liquid phases to provide a large surface area which enhances extraction capacity.

Abstract: An oligomerization process is effected by treating olefinic hydrocarbons containing from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms in the presence of a catalyst comprising boron fluoride composited on an alumina support. The catalyst is treated with an additive comprising an oxygen or nitrogen-containing compound either prior to or during the process whereby the product which is obtained from the reaction will contain oligomer isomers possessing minimal branching.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining density of gases and vapors. The primary sensing device is a fluidic oscillator through which a sample of gas is passed.

Abstract: Support structure for a multi-passenger seating unit, especially in aircraft, which is mounted to a seat track in the vehicle floor, includes a transverse floor stretcher tube of less length than the seating unit which is adapted to lie on the floor at the rear of the seating unit and be attached to at least a pair of seat tracks by a track fitting. The rear seat legs extend downwardly from an upper seat frame portion and are mounted to the floor stretcher tube at selected locations which are spaced from the track fittings so as to generally equalize the luggage storage space under each seat. In a preferred embodiment, a tension bracing member is also attached to the lower ends of each of the rear legs and to the floor stretcher tube and extends forwardly and upwardly to a point where it is attached to portions of the upper seat frame at locations which are spaced transversely from the front legs of the seat.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating hydrocarbon streams by the catalyzed oxidation of mercaptans to disulfides. In the process, the hydrocarbon-containing stream is admixed with air and then passed through an oxidation zone. The oxidation zone effluent is decanted to remove an aqueous alkaline solution in a high pressure separation zone. It is then depressurized into a low pressure separator in which dissolved excess nitrogen and oxygen are substantially removed from the hydrocarbons. The treated hydrocarbons are then pressurized to force their flow into a low pressure product receiving facility. This sequence eliminates or minimizes the discharge of gaseous nitrogen and oxygen and hydrocarbon vapors in the storage facility, where they are pollution abatement problems and possible safety hazards.