Abstract: An improved Ziegler/Natta catalyst for the polymerization of .alpha.-olefins containing from 2 to 30 carbon atoms, comprising titanium halide and organoaluminum cocatalyst modified by addition of ketones and monoethers. Metal halides can be used to further modify the catalyst.

Abstract: A radioactive logging method for evaluating a wellbore and its surrounding formation in which gamma-ray emitting nuclides may be naturally present. A radioactive tracer is injected into the formation. The tracer emits gamma rays at at least one energy at which substantially none of the naturally present elements emit gamma rays. The wellbore is traversed with a gamma-ray detection system which is tuned to detect gamma rays at the one energy level of the tracer, thus providing a profile of tracer distribution in the formation.

Abstract: A carrier mounted seismic vibrator system that is primarily adapted for generation of high force, high frequency seismic energy into an earth medium. The apparatus includes first and second vibrators (12F and R) as supported by first and second lift systems (28F and R) disposed in tandem juxtaposition generally centrally in said vehicle (10), and the lift systems (28F and R) are designed to maintain equal hold-down force on the vibrator coupling baseplates (32F and R) without exceeding the weight of the carrier vehicle. The juxtaposed vibrators are then energized in synchronized relationship to propagate increased amounts of higher frequency seismic energy into an earth medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for construction of a seismic vibrator control signal which comprises manually selecting sweep parameter data values for starting frequency, ending frequency, sweep time and taper time and inputting to an addressable storage medium. Thereafter, determining for each of a plurality of sample points throughout the sweep time, the sweep rate of change per sample point and the accumulated frequency value per sample point, and outputting in real time the digital sweep values for each successive sample point, and subsequently converting and smoothing said successive digital sweep values to an analog control signal of the selected frequency, relative amplitude and duration of sweep length.

Abstract: An electrically actuated servocontrol system for a static pressure-operated load is connected to a supply of hydraulic fluid under pressure. The supply has an outlet port and a return port. A relief means is connected across the supply port for maintaining the supply at a constant pressure. A servocontrol valve has its inlet coupled to the outlet of the outlet port of the supply and its outlet coupled through a flow restrictor to the return sump of the power supply. The load is coupled between the output of the servocontrol valve and the flow restrictor. The flow restrictor also includes means for adjustably varying the amount of restriction so that the function of the servovalve can be made with linear variations in input control signals.

Abstract: Fluorinated alcohols are alkyoxylated using catalysts which provide reaction products having low surface tensions and which are stable in severe acidic conditions.

Abstract: A method of cold starting an internal combustion engine operated on atomized liquid fuel after start up comprising the steps of:heating a vaporization means with an electrical resistance heating element,heating a catalytic dissociation reactor with an electrical resistance element,pumping liquid alcohol to said heated vaporization means to form a vaporized alcohol,conveying air and vaporized alcohol to said catalytic dissociation reactor wherein partial combustion of said vaporized alcohol occurs as well as dissociation of said vaporized alcohol to form a partial start up fuel mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide,pumping liquid alcohol to an atomization means to form atomized liquid alcohol,adding said partial start up fuel mixture and said atomized liquid alcohol to form a complete start up fuel mixture,conveying said complete start up fuel mixture to said internal combustion engine,starting said internal combustion engine by igniting a mixture of air and complete start up fuel mixture therewithin

Abstract: Respirable dust particles in air are reduced by spraying with water from high pressure spray nozzles. The removal of particles in the size range most likely to cause pathological damage is enhanced by addition of a surfactant to the spray water.

Abstract: A flexible pipe joint coupling apparatus for attaching a pipe to a flange comprises a pipe portion which fits into an alignment ring which is attached in turn to the flange. The alignment ring provides centering and anchoring of the pipe portion. A yieldable gasket is positioned between the end of the pipe portion and the flange. Spaced from the end inserted into the alignment ring is an attachment system which basically includes a flange formed in the outer wall of the pipe portion. A restraining ring is slipped over the outer diameter of the pipe portion and engages the flange. Holes are spaced around the alignment ring, the flange and the restraining ring in a manner to place bolts through the holes in order to attach the pipe portion to the flange.

Abstract: A process control system for use in movement of slurry material from a first lower level through a vertical flow way to an upper or surface level. In particular, this system is utilized for moving slurried particulate from a subterranean mine level upward through a vertical flow way such as an earth borehole to a surface pumping station or the like. The vertical pump system includes series-connected pumps having variable speed capabilities at the lower level, and the pumps then direct the slurried material through the vertical flow way to an upper level receiving station. The process control monitors the upper level volume, the slurry line pressure in the pipeline underground, and the flow rate in the pipeline underground thereby to select a controller output signal. The output signal is then utilized to control a hydraulic servo mechanism which adjusts the variable speed drive to one or more of the series-pumps thereby to maintain a proper flow rate and pressure through the vertical flow way.

Abstract: Boreholes are drilled at an angle from gate roads to the working face in a longwall mining operation, and air is exhausted from the working face area through the boreholes. Additional boreholes, parallel to the first boreholes, are drilled from the gate roads into the longwall pillar, and as the face moves through the pillar it intersects the additional boreholes, and dust-laden air is exhausted through the additional boreholes.

Abstract: Catalysts producing a sharply peaked alkoxylation distribution during the alkoxylation of organic materials comprise mixtures of BF.sub.3 and metal alkyls or metal alkoxides, SiF.sub.4 and metal alkyls or metal alkoxides, or mixtures of these catalysts.

Abstract: A method of fuel treatment and distribution for an internal combustion engine including the sequence of steps as follows:(a) heating a catalyst bed reactor to a start-up temperature using exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine being operated on atomized alcohol; the catalyst bed reactor including a partial combustion catalyst and an alcohol dissociation catalyst;(b) vaporizing liquid alcohol to form alcohol vapor;(c) mixing the alcohol vapor with a fixed flow rate of air to form a partial combustion mixture, the flow rate being substantially fixed at about the flow rate required for adiabatic dissociation of the alcohol vapor at the flow rate of the alcohol vapor during idling of the internal combustion engine;(d) contacting the partial combustion mixture and the partial combustion catalyst and the dissociation catalyst to form a hydrogen-rich fuel;(e) mixing air and the hydrogen rich fuel to form a total combustion mixture;(f) burning the total combustion mixture in an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method for deriving seismic information from over a relatively large expanse of land to determine relevant strike, dip, velocity and related information. The method consists of the utilization of a plurality of strike, dip, velocity (SDV) cross patterned source-receiver arrays disposed at spaced known locations over a selected terrain, thereafter to derive localized and offset seismic data relative to selected pairs or groups of the SDV cross patterns with further signal processing to smooth and integrate strike, dip and velocity information over a specific substratum. The method utilizes information as derived from each SDV cross pattern, as well as offset seismic signal information derived from source/receiver combinations spanning two selected SDV cross patterns.

Abstract: A flow line bundle assembly includes a plurality of conduits disposed within a tubular covering member. The tubular covering member is sealed at its ends before being placed in a body of water, so that the flow line bundle has a slight positive buoyancy when submerged in the body of water. Weights are then added to the flow line bundle to cause it to have a neutral buoyancy at a position slightly above a floor of the body of water. The flow line bundle is then towed from its point of construction, through the body of water, to the location where it is to be installed. During a first method of towing, if an obstacle located above the ocean floor is approached, a trailing tug increases a restraining force applied to the flow line bundle so as to lift it above the obstacle as the flow line bundle passes over the obstacle. A second method of towing maintains the flow line bundle at a constant depth below a surface of the body of water so that the bundle will clear any obstacles on the floor of the body of water.

Abstract: In a method for producing a distillable hydrocarbonaceous stream and carbonaceous agglomerates from a heavy crude oil by charging the crude oil and finely divided carbonaceous solids to a rotary kiln with the crude oil and carbonaceous solids being charged in a weight ratio from about 0.6 to about 1.5; tumbling the crude oil and finely divided carbonaceous solids in the rotary kiln at a temperature from about 850.degree. to about 1000.degree. F.

Abstract: A method for eliminating foam in hydrocarbon distillation systems where the foaming is caused by an ionic surface-active substance is involved. Foam is eliminated by the addition of an effective amount of a surfactant electrolytically opposite to the surface-active material already in the system. The surfactant added and the surface-active substance already in the system complex to form a non-foaming combination, allowing distillation to proceed without foaming.

Abstract: A process for controlling the direction of advance of a generally horizontal borehole extended through a subterranean coal-bearing formation by a rotary drilling operation. As the drill string is rotated in the hole, the advance of the drill bit is guided along a designated path by repeatedly deflecting the drill string from its axis in a constant radial direction. The drill string may also be centralized and the deflection operation carried out either within or outside of the drill-pipe segment between the bit and the centralizer. A deflection unit includes a plurality of deflector pads disposed about the periphery of a segment of the drill pipe. The deflector pads are cyclicly actuated to sequentially place each pad in an extended position at a constant rotational position of the drill pipe segment.

Abstract: An adsorbent is provided for removing color precursors from detergent range alkyl benzene prior to sulfonation. The adsorbent provided is a bauxite clay having at least one material selected from the group consisting of ferric oxide, titanium dioxide, and zirconium oxide and which contain from about 0.1 to about 20 percent by weight of sulfuric acid, said bauxite clay then being calcined at a temperature and time sufficient to activate the adsorbent prior to use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sequence control of vertical movement of slurried particulates from a lower level to the upper levels, more particularly a vertical hoist system for movement of slurry from a subterranean mine area upward through an earthen or cased borehole to a surface station. The vertical pump system includes series-connected pumps having variable speed capability to transport slurry particulate from an underground sump upward to a surface surge tank or other repository. The logic sequence system exercises control over valving sequence between the underground pumps and the vertical borehole in order to control slurry surges during start-up, shut-down and emergency dump operations. Thus, the pump input to the vertical conduit utilizes energy dissipator units as selectively controlled by automated block and by-pass valves to control flow of fluids from the pumps upward through the vertical conduit.