Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption process is provided for the direct production from ambient air of a moderately enriched oxygen product gas. The production of a product gas having an oxygen concentration of 23 to 30% is effected by a three step cycle wherein (1) the feed air is charged to a bed of nitrogen selective adsorbent until the bed is brought from atmospheric pressure to a pressure in the range of up to 10 atmospheres, (2) reducing the bed pressure to an intermediate level by withdrawal of oxygen enriched product gas therefrom and (3) finally venting the bed to restore atmospheric pressure. By an alternative mode including a fourth step of purging the bed following the venting step, a product of 23 to 45% oxygen concentration is obtained.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are set forth for ascertaining and controlling the flammability of produced gas from an in-situ combustion enhanced petroleum production well whereby the produced oil is sampled, the produced gas is periodically sampled, the temperature, pressure and produced gas flow rate are sensed, and a moderant gas is added to the production well to avoid flammability when the sampled and sensed parameters indicate a flammability condition exists.

Abstract: An improved method of recovering sulfur from a hydrogen sulfide-containing gas stream which removes water concurrently with the condensation of sulfur and which can be operated at high pressure.

Abstract: This invention relates to urethane linked mixtures of 2,4- and 2,6-toluenediisocyanates (ULTDI dimers) having low melting points and to a method of forming these systems. The urethane linked toluenediisocyanates containing from 45-90% of the 2,4- and 10-55% of the 2,6- isomer by weight are formed by reacting two moles of an appropriate isomer mix of toluenediisocyanate, with one mole of a specific alkylene glycol, e.g., 1,2-butanediol, diethylene glycol or dipropylene glycol under conditions such that essentially only one of the isocyanate groups on a toluenediisocyanate molecule reacts with a hydroxyl group of the glycol. Conditions are controlled such that the urethane linked toluenediisocyanates are formed. The resulting product, which has two unreacted isocyanate groups, is suited for producing a variety of elastomers including polyurethane polyurethane/urea or polyurea elastomers.

Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch catalyst and a method of making the catalyst for a Fischer-Tropsch process utilizing the catalyst by which synthesis gas, particularly carbon-monoxide rich synthesis gas, is selectively converted to higher hydrocarbons of relatively narrow carbon number range is disclosed. In general, the selective and notably stable catalyst, consist of an inert carrier first treated with a Group IV B metal compound (such as zirconium or titanium), preferably an alkoxide compound, and subsequently treated with an organic compound of a Fischer-Tropsch metal catalyst, such as cobalt, iron or ruthenium carbonyl. Reactions with air and water and calcination are specifically avoided in the catalyst preparation procedure.

Abstract: The present invention is a cobalt complex having the structural formula: ##STR1## wherein each R.sub.1 is independently hydrogen, a phenyl or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group; each R.sub.2 is independently hydrogen or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group; R.sub.3 is a C.sub.4 -C.sub.30 hydrocarbyl radical connecting the two carbonyl carbons; and Y is o-phenylene, --CH.sub.2).sub.a wherein "a" is 2 or 3, --CH.sub.2).sub.b NR.sub.4 --CH.sub.2).sub.c, wherein "b" and "c" are independently 2 or 3 and R.sub.4 is hydrogen or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl group.These complexes have the ability to selectively and reversibly bind oxygen, thus making them useful components of oxygen separation membranes and absorbents.

Abstract: A process is described for the recovery of net power during the depressurization of natural gas from high pressure pipeline conditions to low pressure end user conditions wherein the natural gas is rewarmed to a relatively warm temperature greater than 35.degree. F. using renewable energy and ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A metal container coating composition comprising a crosslinking resin and an aqueous polyvinyl alcohol/vinyl chloride-ethylene copolymer emulsion, the copolymer having a Tg from 0.degree. to 50.degree. C., about 65 to 90 wt. % vinyl chloride, about 5 to 35 wt. % ethylene, 0 to 10 wt. % olefinically unsaturated copolymerizable monomer and prepared by emulsion polymerization of vinyl chloride, ethylene and, optionally, an olefinically unsaturated comonomer in the presence of 3 to 15 wt. % polyvinyl alcohol as the dispersing agent.Also a method for preparing such stable vinyl chloride based resin emulsions comprising(a) forming an aqueous emulsion reaction mixture containing substantially all the polyvinyl alcohol and a portion, preferably at least 5%, of the total vinyl chloride monomer,(b) pressurizing the reaction mixture with an ethylene pressure sufficient to provide the copolymer with a 5 to 35 wt.

Abstract: A vinyl alcohol copolymer comprising the following general structure: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or methyl;R.sup.1 is hydrogen or methyl;R.sup.2 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, C.sub.6 -C.sub.20 aryl or C.sub.7 -C.sub.30 alkylaryl;n is a number from 1-1,000;x is 50-99.9 mole %;y is 0-50 mole %; andz is 0.001-50 mole %.

Abstract: A portion of the boiloff from LNG storage container is revaporized and recycled during reliquefaction process to control the concentration of nitrogen and to provide upper limit temperature control.

Abstract: A method for preparing a stable vinyl chloride based resin emulsion which comprises a copolymer colloidally dispersed in an aqueous medium, the copolymer having a Tg from 0.degree. to 50.degree. C.

Abstract: Oxygen is introduced through oxygen supply line (5) into an annular gallery (6) which it leaves at high velocity through annular channel (7). The outlet of the annular channel (7) is shaped so that, by virtue of the Coanda effect, the oxygen travels towards the downstream end of the burner (1) substantially parallel to the wall of the tubular body (2). Combustion gas from combustion chamber (13) is induced between support bars (4) into the tubular body (2) by the flow of oxygen and mixes with the oxygen and subsequently with natural gas introduced through fuel supply line (8). The mixture burns at the outlet (9) of the fuel supply line (8). The maximum temperature reached by the gas leaving the burner (1) is substantially lower than that which would be obtained by a conventional oxy-fuel flame. The burner may be used in radiant tubes.

Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch process utilizing a product selective and stable catalyst by which synthesis gas, particularly carbon-monoxide rich synthesis gas is selectively converted to higher hydrocarbons of relatively narrow carbon number range is disclosed. In general, the selective and notably stable catalyst, consist of an inert carrier first treated with a Group IV B metal compound (such as zirconium or titanium), preferably an alkoxide compound, and subsequently treated with an organic compound of a Fischer-Tropsch metal catalyst, such as cobalt, iron or ruthenium carbonyl. Reactions with air and water and calcination are specifically avoided in the catalyst preparation procedure.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved three-phase reactor design and method of operation. A liquid feed/catalyst slurry is mixed with a hydrogen-containing gas stream in an external mixing loop in fluid communication with a vertically oriented reaction vessel. The hydrogen-enriched slurry is subsequently passed downwardly through the reaction vessel where the liquid feed is reacted with the hydrogen to form a usable product.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel class of block copolymers and a process of making the same. An alkylene oxide is reacted with CO.sub.2 in an organic solvent in the presence of an organometallic catalyst to form a polyalkylene carbonate. A second alkylene oxide is subsequently added without the addition of catalyst. The resulting product is a block copolymer comprising distinct, covalently linked, alkylene carbonate blocks.

Abstract: A method of drying rock wool, used to insulate cryogenic equipment such as a cold box, comprising evaporation with a CO.sub.2 purge during the defrost cycle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gas separation system for separating or rejecting nitrogen from a natural gas feed containing nitrogen, over a wide range of nitrogen concentrations, under elevated pressure using a single distillation column with two intermediate side condensers and a closed loop heat pump which reboils and partially refluxes the column. The lower of the intermediate condensers is cooled by heat exchange with the heat pump fluid and the overhead nitrogen fraction of the column. The upper of the intermediate condensers is cooled by heat exchange with the overhead nitrogen fraction of the column. The process can handle feeds with increasing nitrogen composition and more than 100 vppm carbon dioxide. The process provides a high methane recovery over the entire feed range, and provides a nitrogen product having an elevated pressure suitable for recycling and reinjection into an oil or gas well to maintain well head pressure.

Abstract: A process is set forth for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation in a single column to produce a nitrogen product and an oxygen-enriched product. In the process, at least a portion of the nitrogen product is compressed and recycled to provide reboil at the bottom of the distillation column and to provide some additional reflux to the upper portion of the column. In addition, part of the compressed air stream is expanded to provide work, which is used to drive an auxiliary compressor for recycle nitrogen stream compression.

Abstract: A modified activated sludge system is provided wherein BOD-containing wastewater and recycled sludge are initially admixed under anaerobic conditions in the substantial absence of oxygen or oxidizing agents and subsequently subjected to aeration and clarification. By the disclosed operation the selective production of non-bulking biomass is favored while effective removal of phosphates is obtained. By a further alternative modification, nitrates and nitrites are also removed by interposing an anoxic treating zone between the anaerobic zone and the aerating zone.