Abstract: A process for preparing an interpolymer of one or more olefins with carbon monoxide is disclosed. The process, which comprises reacting the olefin(s) with carbon monoxide in the presence of a palladium catalyst prepared by reacting together for example palladium acetate, 1,3-bis (diphenylphosphino)propane and para- toluenesulphonic acid, is improved by having an amide or nitrile present. The presence of an amide or nitrile improves reaction rates and reduces the amount of catalyst incorporated into the polyketone. A preferred additive is dimethylformamide.

Abstract: A composition for use after reductive activation as a catalyst in the conversion of synthesis gas to hydrocarbons, which composition comprises as essential components (i) cobalt either as the elemental metal, the oxide or a compound thermally decomposable to the elemental metal and/or oxide and (ii) zinc in the form of the oxide or a compound thermally decomposable to the oxide.

Abstract: A latching mechanism comprises a cam operated pivoting member within a first cylinder. The member has a lug which can project through an aperture in the cylinder. The cylinder slides into a second cylinder which has a corresponding aperture to receive the projected lug.The pivotting member has no internal axis of pivot. Instead it has a rolling axis depending on the position of the cam and a rocking axis about a shoulder of the member in contact with the interior wall of the first cylinder.This results in a small, light-weight structure.

Abstract: The naturally occurring metal oxide layer in contact with a metal in the bulk state is treated with a solution of a salt of yttrium or the lanthanide metals. The treatment is applied in order to increase the adhesive strength of bonds between the metal and subsequently applied adhesives and to enhance the durability of such bonds in aqueous environments. The concentration of the applied solution is preferably in the range 10.sup.-2 to 10.sup.-6 M. Yttrium or samarium nitrate is the preferred salt. The treatment is preferably used in conjunction with epoxy resin adhesives.

Abstract: An electrical cable assembly is formed of a length of hollow pipe with means at either end for joining lengths of the pipe, one or more electrical cables within the pipe, and connectors with electrical contacts at either end of the cable(s) held within the ends of the pipe so that, on joining lengths of pipe, the connectors are also automatically joined to form an electrical path through the joint.

Abstract: A fibre optic data coupler comprises (a) a fibre optic data link input module comprising an input connector for a fibre optic connected to a fibre optic receiver for providing a digital electrical output signal corresponding to the fibre optic signal, (b) a coupler drive module for converting the digital electrical output signal to an analogue drive signal for input to an inductive coupler, (c) an inductive coupler unit comprising an inlet element for receiving the analogue drive signal and an outlet element for transmitting an induced analogue drive signal, corresponding to the input signal, (d) a coupler output module for converting the induced analogue drive signal to a digital electrical output signal for input to a fibre optic data link output module, and (e) a fibre optic data link output module comprising a fibre optic transmitter module, for providing a fibre optic signal corresponding to the digital electrical input signal, connected to a connector for a fibre optic.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of hydrogen ion-exchanged layered clays in organic reactions which are catalyzed by protons. Such organic reactions include the production of ethers by the reaction of an alcohol with an olefin or an olefin oxide, the production of an ether by the reaction of a primary or secondary aliphatic alcohol or an olefin oxide, the production of an alkyl aromatic compound by the reaction of an aromatic hydrocarbon with an olefin or a C.sub.2 or higher alcohol and the production of an alcohol by the hydration of an olefin.

Abstract: A guide base for a sub-sea well is formed in two parts, an annular portion fixed to a conductor housing and a retrievable portion surrounding and releasably attached to the annular portion. The retrievable portion can be recovered and used elsewhere if a well is suspended or abandoned or changed for another type of guide base after drilling and before completion. A trawler board deflector can also replace the retrievable guide base portion, and a retrievable protective cap may be placed on the well head housing of a suspended well. A hydraulically-operated multi-purpose tool may be used for placing or retrieving any of the retrievable items.

Abstract: Metal surfaces are treated with an aqueous medium containing a phosphate diester of a hydroxyacrylate or methacrylate containing a hydrocarbon chain having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms. The treated metal surfaces give improved retention of adhesive strength when adhesives are subsequently applied.

Abstract: Apparatus for the preparation of emulsions of oil in water comprises:(a) an oil feed line,(b) a source of concentrated surfactant solution,(c) a source of water,(d) a first low shear mixer for mixing concentrated surfactant and water to form a dilute surfactant solution,(e) means for uniting the flows of dilute surfactant solution and oil in a controlled manner,(f) a second low shear mixer for mixing the united flow streams of oil and dilute surfactant solution to form an emulsion of oil in water,(g) a third low shear mixer for mixing the emulsion of oil in water to form a dilute emulsion, and,(h) an arrangement of water feed lines and control valves such that, firstly, water can be supplied either to the first low shear mixer only or, secondly, to both first and third low shear mixers.The apparatus is particularly suitable for the preparation of emulsions of fuel oil in water from oils within a wide range of viscosities which burn with low emissions of NO.sub.x and particulates.

Abstract: A subsea wireline lubricator comprises in sequence (a) a stuffing box, (b) at least one blow-out preventer, (c) a riser, (d) a foot valve and (e) a connector for connection to a subsea well head assembly.The lubricator permits wireline access to subsea oil wells without the need for a conventional tensioned riser.

Abstract: A novel catalyst composition comprising a crystalline aluminosilicate having a molar ratio of silica to alumina of at least 5:1, the aluminosilicate carrying gallium and silver, is useful in the conversion at elevated temperature of a C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 hydrocarbon feedstock into aromatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process for preparing single enantiomers of chiral sulphoxides is provided. The process involves (a) reacting an achiral sulphur-containing, e.g. a disulphide, with a single enantiomer of a chiral template having the formula T--(CO)--CH.sub.2 R.sup.1, wherein T is suitably (eta.sup.5 --C.sub.5 H.sub.5)Fe(CO)(PPh.sub.3)-- (Ph=phenyl) and (b) thereafter sterospecifically oxidizing the sulphur atom with an oxidizing agent. A single enantiomer of the chiral sulphoxide can then be generated by reacting the oxidized product with a carbanion. In a preferred embodiment the reaction mixture is thereafter treated with further achiral sulphide to provide a process which is catalytic on the chiral template.

Abstract: A spray nozzle for fire control produces a spray of gas and liquid having an oval transverse cross-section and comprises a mixing chamber having an oval transverse cross-section adapted to induce a toroidal mixing pattern in pressurized gas and liquid introduced to the mixing chamber through a plurality of inlets. In a preferred embodiment the mixing chamber is toroidal. The spray may be used in fire control systems in vehicles or other confined spaces.

Abstract: A non-contacting gauge for measuring small variations in the surfaces of objects comprises:(a) a chamber separated into two sub-chambers by a vibrating diaphragm,(b) a nozzle for each sub-chamber,(c) a reference surface adjacent to one of the nozzles, and,(d) a frame holding the chamber and reference surface moveable relative to the surface to be gauged and adapted to bring the other nozzle into the vicinity of the surface.The gauge is a versatile instrument which, while particularly suitable for measuring changes in the dimensions of geological core samples to determine residual strains, is also suitable for a range of measurement problems.

Abstract: An alcohol and/or a carboxylic acid ester is produced from a carboxylic acid or anhydride thereof by reacting the acid or anhyride with hydrogen at elevated temperature in the presence as catalyst of a composition comprising an alloy of (i) at least one noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table and (ii) at least one metal capable of alloying with the Group VIII noble metal, optionally including a support and at least one of the metals rhenium, tungsten or molybdenum. The process is particularly applicable to the hydrogenation of monobasic acids, for example acetic acid, and the hydrogenation of maleic acid or maleic anhydride to gamma-butyrolactone.

Abstract: A catalyst which is substantially free of alkali and alkaline earth metals and comprises an effective amount of a platinum group metal on a silicalite support; characterized in that the catalyst also comprises tin. There is also provided a process for the dehydrogenation of a C.sub.2 to C.sub.10 paraffin to yield an alkene product, which comprises contacting the paraffin under dehydrogenation conditions with a catalyst according to the invention.

Abstract: A crystalline material having, in the dehydrated form, the empirical formula:m(m.sub. 2/a O):X.sub.z O.sub.xz/2 :.sub.y YO.sub.2 (I)in which m is 0.5 to 1.5; M is a cation of valency a; X is a metal of valency x, selected from aluminum, boron, gallium, zinc, iron and titanium; z is 2 when x is an odd number, and z is 1 when x is an even number; y is at least 5; and Y is silicon or germanium; and having, in the calcined hydrogen form, an X-ray diffraction pattern including significant peaks substantially as shown in Table I herein. The material has been designated SUZ-2.

Abstract: Homoleptic bis (.pi.-arene) yttrium or lanthanide complexes of formula ML.sub.2, wherein M is yttrium or a lanthanide metal and the L ligands are di or trisubstituted benzene derivatives, are provided. Certain of the complexes are volatile and are therefore of interest in the chemical vapor deposition. A process for their manufacture is described.

Abstract: Container (11) for liquids has a spout with an air bleed channel (10) for improving the ease of pouring the liquids. The container has a retractable nozzle, the outlet end of which has a double wall (3,4) defining an annular space. The annular space is open at both ends and communicates with the air bleed channel in both an extended and a retracted position of the nozzle. The air bleed channel communicates with the main body of the container via its hollow handle.