Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of fluids from an open well bore, fluidly communicating the surface and a subterranean formation, the apparatus comprising(a) a slideable base;(b) a support positioned on the base;(c) a pipe engaging device positioned on the support above the base to urge a pipe into the open well bore; and,(d) a pipe straightener positioned on the support means to engage the pipe and straighten it above the well bore.A method for using the apparatus of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of scrubbing a gaseous mixture comprising NO and SO.sub.2 said method comprising providing a scrubbing solution, said scrubbing solution comprising a solvent and a solute wherein said solute comprises Fe.sup.++ and S.sub.2 O.sub.3.sup.-,scrubbing said gas containing nitric oxide with said scrubbing solution.

Abstract: Cold weather operation of a heat exchanger which utilizes ambient air to cool a process stream containing water is monitored by a series of thermocouples placed in the heat exchanger tubes subjected to the coldest air. A scanner monitors the thermocouples and alerts operators to unsafe or potentially freezing temperature conditions in the tubes.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for deashing an effluent slurry from a coal liquefaction process is provided. A mixture of relatively coarse coal-derived solids and a precipitating solvent is stirred with the effluent slurry to form hard, discrete agglomerate pellets of improved settling rates.

Abstract: A method is provided for the production of ultrahigh molecular weight drag reducing substances and the like comprising:(a) preparing under an inert atmosphere a catalyst comprising:(1) titanium halide of the general formula TiXm wherein m=2.5 to 4.0 and X is a halogen;(2) a co-catalyst such as an organo-aluminum or organo-aluminum halide of the formula AlR.sub.n X.sub.3-n where R is a hydrocarbon radical containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, X is a halogen and n is 2 or 3;(3) a monoether compound of the formula R.sub.1 OR.sub.2 where R.sub.1, and R.sub.2 are, independently, aryl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, or alkaryl, each having up to 20 carbon atoms, and placing the catalyst in contact with;(b) alpha-monoolefinic hydrocarbons having from 2 to 30 carbon atoms under suitable temperature conditions to provide an ultrahigh molecular weight hydrocarbon soluble polymer, then(c) ceasing polymerization at a polymer content of 20% by weight or less, based on the total reaction mixture.

Abstract: An improved mining method for a surface mine has pairs of slurry and water pipes placed from a processing area on the surface to the floor of the mine beneath the mined out material, pairs of pipes (slurry and water) are spaced along the mining trench. A slurry haulage system is connected to the water and slurry pipes at the beginning of the mining operation. As the mining progresses and the haulage system reaches its maximum capabilites, it is disconnected and connected to the next set of pipes and the first set or pair of pipes is extended the width of the mined trench. The overburden is placed on top of the pipes as the mining progresses.

Abstract: A method of contacting gas and liquid at pressures greater than 200 psig comprising:providing container means, said container means being provided with a plurality of conduit means and a plurality of gas inlet means, at least a portion of said gas inlet means extending into said conduit means,passing gas at a pressure greater than 200 psig through said gas inlet means into said conduit means,passing liquid at a pressure greater than 200 psig into said conduit means, whereby said gas and liquid are contacted.

Abstract: Highly active, improved ethylene oxychlorination catalysts are prepared by forming alumina having specific pore volume characteristics and impregnating such alumina with an oxychlorination catalyst such as CuCl.sub.2. The improved catalysts of the present invention utilize an alumina carrier having a pore volume distribution such that substantially no pores are present which have diameters of less than 150 .ANG.ngstroms and the total alumina carrier has a surface area of at least 30 square meters per gram.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting the flow of water into and from subterranean well formations wherein one or more gelling agents having the property of forming highly viscous gels in the presence of water are injected into the formation.

Abstract: The present invention describes novel hydrocarbon-insoluble poly-silyl esters and a method for forming these compounds utilizing carboxylic acid salts with silicon reagents in the presence of phase transfer catalysts.

Abstract: Strain gauges are attached to a drill pipe which is inserted into a drill pipe string to be used in a well. The strain gauges are connected to an electrical circuit containing devices for digitizing the electrical signals generated by the strain gauges in response to the detection of strain and for recording and retaining the digitized signals until the drill pipe string is extracted from the well. The electrical circuit provides a communication path through which the stored digitized data is transferred to an external device when the drill pipe string is extracted from the well.

Abstract: A dredging apparatus has a chamber with a substantially circular cross section. A first inlet and outlet is formed through the chamber with an axis of the inlet and outlet normal to a diameter of the chamber. A suction inlet is formed through the axis of the chamber along the axis of the vortex formed as the fluids leave the inlet and pass to a second outlet formed substantially coaxially with the vortex. Apparatus is provided for supporting the dredging apparatus in a position so that the suction inlet can remove material desired to be dredged.

Abstract: A system is provided for determining quality, pressure, temperature and enthalpy of wet steam at a predetermined depth within a well through which the wet steam flows.

Abstract: Combustion gas such as air, oxygen-enriched air or oxygen is introduced at an intermediate level in a vertical shaft kiln for the calcining of petroleum coke using a plurality of radially disposed combustion gas injectors. The injectors include means for circulating coolant around the periphery of the injector so that common metals may be used in the high temperature (above 2000.degree. F.) environment of the shaft kiln.

Abstract: In a system including an alcohol fuel container, a first catalyst containing reactor, an internal combustion engine, alcohol is passed from the container through the first reactor which contains dissociation catalyst. The alcohol is dissociated in the first reactor to form a combustible gaseous mixture comprising hydrogen. The hydrogen is then fed to the engine. The improvement includes passing alcohol through a second reactor containing dehydration catalyst to form ether. Then passing that ether to the engine for start-up. Thus, the engine may be started using a mixture of ether formed in the second reactor and alcohol and then operated using hydrogen formed in the first reactor.

Abstract: Cold start-up of a engine fueled by alcohol or hydrogen dissociated from alcohol by vaporizing alcohol in a first vaporizer contacting that vapor with methanation catalyst in a methanation reactor to form methane, passing methane and alcohol delivered through a by-pass conduit to the engine, starting the engine, vaporizing alcohol in a second vaporizer to form additional alcohol vapor, contacting the additional alcohol vapor and a dissociation catalyst in a dissociation reactor to form hydrogen and carbon monoxide, conveying the hydrogen and carbon monoxide to the engine.

Abstract: Failure of a disc valve by abrasive wear caused by an abrasive fluid flowing through the valve is retarded by the provision of a resilient O-ring along the seating surface of the disc member. A second O-ring disposed within the central bore of the disc where it moves vertically along a shaft of the valve between its opened and closed positions avoids loss of sealing engagement with the shaft due to the wear of the disc due to friction and wobble on the shaft. Inexpensive polymeric discs incorporating such resilient O-rings have a service life which are at least comparable and in may cases in excess of the service life of more expensive stainless steel discs having a rubber coating thereon.

Abstract: Combustion gas such as air, oxygen-enriched air or oxygen is introduced to a calcining zone at an intermediate level in a vertical shaft kiln for the calcining of petroleum coke utilizing a plurality of radially disposed combustion gas injectors and at least one vertically disposed injector located within the shaft kiln and extending into the calcining zone. The injector includes means for circulating coolant around the periphery of the injector so that common metals may be used in the high temperature (above 2000.degree. F.) environment of the shaft kiln. The vertical combustion gas injector may extend from the top of the calcining chamber to the calcining zone or from the bottom of the calcining chamber to the calcining zone. When the vertical combustion gas injector extends vertically upwardly from the bottom of the calcining chamber, means for introducing recycle gas to the calcining chamber may be incorporated into the vertical combustion gas injector.

Abstract: A process for the production of hydrogen and carbon monoxide comprising contacting methanol in the vapor phase with a catalyst at a temperature in the range of about 250.degree. to 900.degree. F., a pressure in the range of from 0.1 to 50 atmospheres absolute and a contact time of 0.1 to 100 seconds whereby hydrogen and carbon monoxide are formed, said catalyst comprising manganese, copper and chromium.

Abstract: A lightweight rigid housing and baseplate structure for a seismic transducer. The baseplate (12) includes a central hub (26) for receiving a lower piston rod (76). Upper and lower skin plates (32 and 36) extend radially outward from the central hub (26). A plurality of equally angularly spaced reinforcing plates (40) also extend radially outward from the hub (26) and have their upper and lower edges rigidly connected to the upper and lower skin plates. A housing assembly (78) rigidly connects an upper piston rod (74) to the baseplate (12), and includes a frusto-conical section (82). The lightweight rigid housing (78) and baseplate (12) structure provides a seismic transducer having in-phase force distribution over substantially the entire area of the baseplate as it is engaged with the earth.