Abstract: A method for converting a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock to a lower boiling temperature product is described which comprises suspending metal sulfide particles and oxide particles in a reaction zone including hydrogen and the hydrocarbonaceous feedstock at hydrocracking conditions. The metal sulfide particles and the oxide particles are introduced into the reaction zone through particle precursor fluids which precipitate upon heating to form the particles. The metal sulfide particles contain sulfidable transition metals. The oxide particles contain oxidisable elements such as magnesium, aluminum, silicon, phosphorous, calcium, scandium, titanium, gallium, germanium, zirconium, cerium, and mixtures thereof and are not hydrogenation catalysts under the reactor conditions. The oxide particles resist being chemically reduced by reducing agents in the reaction zone. Surprisingly, the presence of the oxide particles is associated with a significant reduction of coke production in the reaction zone.

Abstract: A solid, hydrocarbon-insoluble, olefin-polymerization catalyst component having substantially uniform particles useful in polymerizing olefins is formed by:reacting a magnesium-containing compound with carbon dioxide or sulfur dioxide;forming a two-phase mixture of the resulting magnesium-containing compound with a suitable liquid hydrocarbon-miscible phase and a suitable polar solvent phase;forming particles by adding the two-phase mixture after vigorous agitation to a liquid hydrocarbon; andcontacting the formed particles at least once with a transition metal halide in the presence of an electron donor.

Abstract: A method for converting a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock to a lower boiling product is described which comprises suspending metal-impregnated carbonaceous particles in a reaction zone including hydrogen and the hydrocarbonaceous feedstock at hydrocracking conditions. The metal impregnated on the particles may be sulfided in the reaction zone. The impregnated particles are shown to be surprisingly selective catalysts, and anomalous ranges of particle size and concentration are identified. Methods for preparing the particles are additionally presented.

Abstract: Propylene polymer fibers are characterized by a unique crystalline microstructure as determined by small angle X-ray diffraction. The fibers and yarns comprising same exhibit improved recovery from compression and bending and are suited for a wide range of applications including geotextile, apparel and upholstery fabrics, carpet yarns and other textile products.

Abstract: The use of novel heterogeneous catalyst complexes as catalysts for oligomerizing alpha-olefins is disclosed. The complexes are formed from (i) a solid olefin polymer having a linear backbone and a plurality of pendant omega-hydroxyalkyl groups, (ii) an organomagnesium halide, and (iii) a boron trihalide, preferably BF.sub.3. The complexes can be recovered and reused repeatedly in batch-type operations and can be used for long periods of time in continuous or semi-continuous operations without replenishment of their boron trifluoride content.

Abstract: Improved nonwoven fabrics comprise a web of randomly disposed, substantially continuous filaments comprising a multi-phase, thermoplastic, elastomeric olefin copolymer. The webs exhibit improved friction and/or softness and hand properties.

Abstract: A drilling tool for use with a drill string into which drilling fluid is pumped. The tool comprises: a non-rotating housing having stabilizer blades on its outer surface; a rotating mandrel, passing through the housing; extendible blade means for moving the housing relative to a borehole; and a cam mechanism that is carried by at least one of the mandrel and the housing, and that is operated by drill string rotation and the flow of drilling fluid for operating the extendible blade means to move the drill string and steer the drill bit attached hereto.

Abstract: Composite fabrics particularly suited for upholstery backings and furniture decking comprise at least one layer of a needlepunched web of nonwoven staple fibers adhered to at least one layer of a substantially continuous filament nonwoven web comprising substantially randomly disposed filaments. The filaments comprise a multi-phase, thermoplastic, elastomeric olefin copolymer.

Abstract: A direct, simplified and relatively salt-free process is described for making anionic, hydrotalcite-type pillared clay compositions which contain nickel, and their heat-treated derivatives. Compositions of the invention are manufactured from ractants which contain a relatively minor amount of metal salts or, preferably, contain essentially no metal salts. Preferred compositions made by the process form a number of new nickel-containing catalytic materials which are unusually resistant to deactivation, for example resistant to coke formation when used to catalyze chemical conversions of a hydrocarbyl compound with an oxygen-containing gas at elevated temperatures to form synthesis gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of seismic exploration and, in more particular, to methods of quantifying and visualizing structural and stratigraphic features in three dimensions through the use of eigenvector and eigenvalue analyses of a similarity matrix. This invention also relates to the field of seismic attribute generation and the use of seismic attributes derived from similarity matrices to detect the conditions favorable for the origination, migration, accumulation, and presence of hydrocarbons in the subsurface. Additionally, the methods disclosed herein provide a new means for analyzing unstacked seismic data to uncover AVO effects. The invention disclosed herein will be most fully appreciated by those in the seismic interpretation and seismic processing arts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite materials for membrane reactors which include a gas-tight ceramic, a porous support, and an interfacial zone therebetween. More particularly, this invention relates to composite materials using oxygen ion-conducting dense ceramic membranes formed on a porous support comprising a metallic alloy to provide an interfacial zone identifiable by a gradient of composition in at least one metallic element across the interfacial zone between the dense ceramic membrane and the porous support. Processes using composite materials in accordance with the invention are, for example, used for production of synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and molecular hydrogen which synthesis gas is, advantageously, free of deleterious and/or inert gaseous diluents such as nitrogen.

Abstract: A method is provided which can be used to quickly and easily take a fixed-bed of solid acid olefin polymerization catalyst out of service without causing any significant catalyst deactivation. The method involves substituting a substantially olefin-free hydrocarbon fluid for at least a portion of the olefin-containing feedstock to the polymerization process, wherein the substantially olefin-free hydrocarbon fluid boils within the range from about 20.degree. to about 250.degree. C. and contains at least about 5 vol. % aromatics.

Abstract: A method, a map and an article of manufacture for the exploration of hydrocarbons. In one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the steps of: accessing 3D seismic data; dividing the data into an array of relatively small three-dimensional cells; determining in each cell the semblance/similarity, the dip and dip azimuth of the seismic traces contained therein; and displaying dip, dip azimuth and the semblance/similarity of each cell in the form a two-dimensional map. In one embodiment, semblance/similarity is a function of time, the number of seismic traces within the cell, and the apparent dip and apparent dip azimuth of the traces within the cell; the semblance/similarity of a cell is determined by making a plurality of measurements of the semblance/similarity of the traces within the cell and selecting the largest of the measurements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for recovering fumaric acid formed as a by-product during the production of maleic anhydride so that both fumaric acid and maleic anhydride are obtained. The process of the present invention further eliminates the wasting of MAN that occurs when fumaric acid is incinerated and improves the production of maleic anhydride by eliminating a source of fouling caused by the fumaric acid which leads to down-time in the reaction process to clean out the fumaric acid.

Abstract: Method for tagging hydrocarbons and for detecting the presence of tagged hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon mixture. The method can be utilized to tag gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, lubricating oil or crude petroleum. The hydrocarbon to be tagged is blended with a relatively small amount of a fluorescent dye. The presence of the tagged hydrocarbon is subsequently determined by exciting the dye to fluoresce at wavelengths in the higher portion of the visible spectral region or the lower portion of the near infrared spectral region.

Abstract: Alpha-olefin oligomers are produced by oligomering alpha-olefin monomer with a catalyst system comprising boron trifluoride, a protic promoter, and a special type of modifier. The modifier is a compound that satisfies the following criteria: (a) it has at least one moiety in which a carbonyl group is directly bonded to a nitrogen atom which is in turn bonded to two separate carbon atoms, (b) it is devoid of any nitrogen atom other than a nitrogen atom that is either (i) directly bonded to two separate carbon atoms and to a carbonyl group or (ii) is triply bonded to a single carbon atom, and (c) it is devoid of any protonic functional substituent. These modifiers control the oligomer product distribution and provide higher percentages of lower oligomers, especially dimers.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for performing assays for target polynucleotide strands include contacting a sample with a reagent which includes a first and a second polynucleotide probe. The first and second probes are capable of assuming a first position wherein the probes are bound to each other and a second position wherein the probes are bound to a target. The probes include label moieties capable of interacting to produce a signal indicative of the probes being in one of the two positions.

Abstract: Improved tuftable primary backings, carpets made from the backings and methods for making backings are disclosed. The backings employ fabrics made from serrated tape yarns which are coated with a film of a thermoplastic material, and optionally include a tufting lubricant applied to at least a portion of the serrated yarns.

Abstract: Exhaust gas emissions from an internal combustion engine are controlled through the use of a heat exchanger, a sulfur oxide absorbent, and two catalytic converter zones. The exhaust gas is passed sequentially through: (1) a first catalytic converter zone, (2) the sulfur oxide absorbent, and (3) a second catalytic converter zone. The heat exchanger is used to transfer heat from the first catalytic converter zone to the second catalytic converter zone.

Abstract: Compositions comprising poly(biphenyl ether sulfone) PTFE and titanium dioxide exhibit enhanced flame retardant characteristics. Blends of the formulations may further comprise poly(aryl ether ketone) or another poly (aryl ether sulfone).