Abstract: A particularly useful process which includes the steps of providing a source of formaldehyde formed by conversion of dimethyl ether in the presence of a catalyst comprising copper and zinc; and contacting the source of formaldehyde and a predominately dimethyl ether feedstream with a heterogeneous, condensation promoting catalyst capable of hydrating dimethyl ether under conditions of reaction sufficient to form an effluent comprising water, methanol, formaldehyde, dimethyl ether, and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers is disclosed. Unreacted dimethyl ether is recovered from the effluent and recycled to the formation of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers. The resulting dimethyl ether-free liquid mixture is heated in the presence of an acidic catalyst to convert at least the methanol and formaldehyde present to polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers. Advantageously, methylal and higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers are formed and separated in a catalytic distillation column.

Abstract: A particularly useful process which includes the steps of providing a source of formaldehyde formed by conversion of methanol in the presence of a catalyst comprising silver as an essential catalyst component; and contacting the source of formaldehyde and a predominately dimethyl ether feedstream with a heterogeneous, condensation promoting catalyst capable of hydrating dimethyl ether under conditions of reaction sufficient to form an effluent comprising water, methanol, formaldehyde, dimethyl ether, and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers is disclosed. Unreacted dimethyl ether is recovered from the effluent and recycled to the formation of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers. The resulting dimethyl ether-free liquid mixture is heated in the presence of an acidic catalyst to convert at least the methanol and formaldehyde present to polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers. Advantageously, methylal and higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers are formed and separated in a catalytic distillation column.

Abstract: A ruthenium-containing metathesis catalyst system which contains a ruthenium compound (A), a phosphorus, arsenic, or antimony compound (B), and a compound (C) containing at least one carbon-to-carbon triple bond. The mole ratio of compounds A:B:C is typically in the range of about 1.0:0.01-100:0.01-500. The ruthenium compound (A) is a Ru(II), Ru(III), or Ru(IV) compound containing an anionic ligand (X) and optionally an arene ligand and optionally a phosphorus, arsenic, or antimony compound ligand. The compound (B) is optional if the ruthenium compound (A) contains a phosphorus-, arsenic-, or antimony-containing ligand. Hydrogen gas is used as an activator. A process for metathesis of olefins involves reacting at least one olefin with the catalyst system described herein.

Abstract: A ruthenium-containing metathesis catalyst system which contains a ruthenium compound (A), a phosphorus compound (B), and a compound (C) containing a carbon-to-carbon triple bond. The mole ratio of compounds A:B:C is typically in the range of about 1.0:0.01-100:0.01-100. The ruthenium compound (A) is a Ru(II), Ru(III), or Ru(IV) compound containing an anionic ligand (X) and optionally an arene ligand and optionally a phosphorus compound ligand. The phosphorus compound (B) is optional if the ruthenium compound (A) contains a phosphorus-containing ligand. The catalyst system is employed in processes to metathesize olefins, including ring-opening metathesis polymerization of cyclic olefins, metathesis of acyclic olefins, acyclic diene metathesis oligomerization or polymerization, cross-metathesis of cyclic and acyclic olefins, ring-closing metathesis, metathesis depolymerization of unsaturated polymers, and metathesis of functionalized olefins.

Abstract: A process for oligomerizing an acyclic monoolefin monomer in which the oligomerization is controlled to produce predetermined relative amounts of at least two preselected oligomers in a higher boiling fraction of the oligomerization products and the lower boiling products are recycled to the oligomerization reaction.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an addition product of a linear telechelic difunctional unsaturated polymer containing terminal functional reactive groups other than vinyl groups, involves simultaneously reacting at least one cyclic olefin of from about 4 to 30 carbon atoms, at least one difunctional acyclic olefin of up to about 30 carbon atoms, and at least one reactant YZ in the presence of at least one olefin metathesis catalyst to prepare an addition product of a linear difunctional unsaturated polymer, wherein YZ is capable of adding to a carbon--carbon double bond under ROMP reaction conditions.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for recovery of hydrogen bromide from one or more alkyl bromide compounds by hydrolyzing the alkyl bromide compounds to hydrogen bromide and corresponding alcohols, and simultaneously separating at least the alcoholic products of hydrolysis from aliphatic monocarboxylic acid solvent component. Also disclosed are process for preparing aromatic carboxylic acids by the exothermic, liquid-phase oxidation of an aromatic feedstock compound wherein the energy produced by the exothermic oxidation is efficiently recovered, and uses of water produced during the preparation of aromatic carboxylic acids are efficiently integrated into the process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally toward a method of processing seismic data to provide improved quantification and visualization of subtle seismic thin bed tuning effects and other sorts of lateral rock discontinuities. A reflection from a thin bed has a characteristic expression in the frequency domain that is indicative of the thickness of the bed: the reflection has a periodic sequence of notches in its amplitude spectrum, with the notches being spaced a distance apart that is inversely proportional to the temporal thickness of the thin bed. Further, this characteristic expression may be used to track thin bed reflections through a 3-D volume and estimate their thicknesses and lateral extent. The usefulness of this invention is enhanced by a novel method of frequency domain whitening that emphasizes the geologic information present within the spectrum.

Abstract: Process for treating a textile product comprising propylene polymer fibers comprises heating the textile product with the fibers in a substantially relaxed state at at least one temperature that is below the melting point of the propylene polymer but no more than about 20.degree. C. below such melting point. In one embodiment, the propylene polymer fibers subjected to such heating are characterized by a particular crystalline microstructure as determined by small angle X-ray diffraction. In another embodiment, the propylene polymer fibers subjected to such heating are melt spun, oriented fibers heated at at least one lower temperature.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a method for processing converted-wave data into interpretable images using a compact two-parameter model. The method broadly comprises the steps of: collecting both P-wave and converted-wave seismic data; identifying the arrival times of the P-wave and the converted-wave data; computing the vertical velocity ratio from the arrival time data; computing the moveout velocity ratio from the corresponding moveout velocities; computing the effective velocity ratio from the vertical velocity ratio and the moveout velocity ratio; and computing the conversion point from the short-spread P-wave moveout velocity for each reflector, from the effective velocity ratio, the C-wave moveout velocity ratio, and from the arrival time data.

Abstract: Processes using heterogeneous adsorbents are disclosed for purification of relatively impure unsaturated hydrocarbons such as olefins, which are typically produced by thermal cracking of suitable hydrocarbon feedstocks, by passing a feed stream, containing acetylenic impurities, and, optionally, saturated hydrocarbon gases, through a particulate bed predominantly comprising a support material having high a surface area on which is dispersed at least one metallic element. Adsorption is carried out in an essentially dihydrogen-free atmosphere within the bed, effecting selective and reversible adsorption and/or complexing of the contained acetylenic contaminants with the adsorbent, thereby obtaining purified effluent which contains less than a predetermined level of the acetylenic impurities. Selective and reversible adsorption and/or complexing of the contained acetylenic impurities with the adsorbent is continued until levels of acetylenic impurities in the effluent stream increase to a predetermined level.

Abstract: Polyester compositions containing terephthalate, 2,6-naphthalate and/or isophthalate moieties, and showing improved properties are disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for recovering methane from a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation having a production well in fluid communication with the formation and an injection well in fluid communication with the formation. In the method an oxygen-depleted effluent, produced by a cryogenic separator is injected into the formation through the injection well. A first methane-containing gaseous mixture is recovered from the formation through the production well-during at least a portion of the time the oxygen-depleted effluent is being injected into the formation. The first methane-containing gaseous mixture has a first methane-desorbing gas volume percent. The injection of oxygen-depleted effluent is ceased and thereafter a second methane-containing gaseous mixture is recovered from the formation which has a second methane-desorbing gas volume percent which is less than the first methane-desorbing gas volume percent.

Abstract: A method of repairing polyethylene fuel containment sumps used in underground storage systems in gasoline and diesel service stations without "welding" the polyethylene, using suitable surface preparation, priming of the affected area, and sealing with a two part rubber compound.

Abstract: A process for producing 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid by the liquid phase, exothermic oxidation of 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene comprising adding to a reaction zone oxidation reaction components comprising 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene, a source of molecular oxygen, a solvent comprising an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid, and a catalyst comprising cobalt, manganese and bromine components wherein the atom ratio of cobalt to manganese is at least about 1:1 and the total of cobalt and manganese, calculated as elemental cobalt and elemental manganese added to the reaction zone, is less than about 0.

Abstract: A method is provided for putting a fresh bed of solid phosphoric acid catalyst into service to catalyze a hydrocarbon conversion process. The method involves establishing hydrocarbon conversion conditions of temperature and pressure in the catalyst bed while it is immersed in a hydrocarbon liquid which is substantially free of water and compounds which can yield water upon contact with the catalyst. Thereafter, the catalyst bed is used to catalyze the conversion of a hydrocarbon feedstock which contains a minor amount of a hydrating agent which is effective to provide a desired level of catalyst hydration. The method permits the catalyst to be rapidly brought to an optimum level of activity for the specific hydrocarbon conversion process.

Abstract: Polyester compositions containing terephthalate, 2,6-naphthalate and/or isophthalate moieties, and showing improved properties are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of fumaric acid by the isomerization of maleic acid at high conversions which comprises heating maleic acid in the presence of phosphoric acid at a temperature sufficient to isomerize the maleic acid to fumaric acid.

Abstract: A process and catalyst are provided for dehydrogenating a hydrocarbon feedstock and producing an olefinic product. The process comprises contacting the feedstock at dehydrogenation conditions with a dehydrogenation catalyst comprising from about 0.01 weight percent to about 5.0 weight percent of a platinum group metal, from about 0.02 weight percent to about 10.0 weight percent of zinc, and a support component comprising borosilicate and an alkali metal.

Abstract: A sorbent material, an activated carbon canister and a method are described which can be utilized to remove organic compounds from a vaporous stream with a relatively greater degree of safety, as compared to previously known methods. In the invention, essentially dry and wetted activated carbon particles are intermixed in a substantially homogeneous mixture which inhibits accidental combustion. The heat capacity of wetted carbon particles retards the heating of nearby unwetted particles, so as to inhibit the ignition of the nearby unwetted particles. The presence of wetted particles intermixed in the substantially homogeneous mixture has relatively little effect on the hydrocarbon adsorption performance of the mixture.