Abstract: An improved process is provided for the production of alcohols from carboxylic acids using the reaction of carboxylic acids with alcohols in the presence of hydrogen and carbon monoxide to form esters which are subsequently hydrogenated over a suitable hydrogenation catalyst. The invention is useful because the temperature and pressure conditions are reduced from current commercial processes while hydrogenation catalyst activity and lifetime are promoted by the removal of catalyst poisons such as water.

Abstract: A polymer-supported ethylene polymerization catalyst prepared by a method comprising (a) a polymer supported titanium-based catalyst consisting of(1) a polymer resin containing an amino borane reducing agent;(2) a titanium tetrahalide;(3) and a suitable organometallic and/or organic metallic co-catalyst.The polymers produced are resins of high density and melting point.

Abstract: A vibration assisted sluice is constructed with a plurality of trough sections connected end to end and supported above the earth. Each of the sections is yieldably supported so that the individual trough can vibrate to assist in moving the material in the trough. The ends joining one trough with another are vibrationally isolated so that each trough is free to move in its own vibrational mode, independent of adjacent troughs and the support system.

Abstract: A method for restricting uncontrolled fluid flow through a pipe by positioning a heat conductor through the pipe wall and in contact with fluid flowing through the pipe and cooling the heat transfer surfaces of the heat conductor to freeze a portion of the flowing fluid on the heat transfer surfaces. The freezing is continued to form a plug which substantially restricts or stops flow through the pipe.

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: At least two types of reflective or emissive materials are applied in alternating manner to a pile or other object to be moved. Ultraviolet energy is emitted toward the materials and reflections or emissions therefrom are received by appropriate detector elements which convert the different respective reflected or emitted energy spectra into corresponding electrical signals for use by a processor device to determine the distance and rate which the pile or object is being moved. The calculated information is channeled to a suitable display and a permanent recording device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting the presence of hydrocarbons and other substance that fluoresces or absorbs light within a body of water which utilizes a controlled submersible vehicle scanning at or near the water bottom. The method utilizes a selected frequency light source as carried by the submersible to scan the water bottom, and the returned light energy, either at the wavelength of oil fluorescing in water or the source frequency backscatter, is detected and processed for the water bottom as well as a water region that is a selected distance above the water floor. Alternative forms of apparatus are disclosed for carrying out the functions of both oil fluorescence detection, and for obtaining differential absorption readings as to light source backscatter energy that is created by the ambient water and other factors in the water environmentsuch as marine life, turbidity, etc.

Abstract: A borehole logging device for obtaining shear wave velocities in formations adjacent the borehole, a device which utilizes a closely controlled, relatively low frequency torsional shear wave. The system includes an elongated housing for suspension within the borehole, said housing including a shear wave source for generating shear waves directly within the borehole wall, and including two spaced, variable reluctance torsional detectors which are also placed in direct contact with the borehole wall. The torsional detectors are, of course, at known spacing from the source such that cross-correlative procsssing of the detector output signals will enable a very accurate phase difference indicative of the shear wave velocity in the formation.

Abstract: A method for boring a hole so that its axis is substantially parallel to the axis of a previously bored hole for positioning an acoustical transmitter and receiver against the hole of the hole being bored so that their position on the wall lies on a horizontal plane through the axis of the bore hole being bored. Then transmitting an acoustical frequency acoustical signal into the wall of the hole. The reflected signal is then received from the adjacent wall along with other unwanted additional reflections. The phase shift is then determined between the transmitted and received signal and the changes in the distance between the wall of the bore hole is then determined.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the heating of fluids by heat exchange with falling shot particles. A heat-transfer medium is heated to a temperature above its melting point to produce a body of molten heat-transfer medium at an elevation above a fluid heating zone. The molten medium is sparged downardly into the heating zone where it contacts fluid therein. The molten medium is solidified to form shot particles and the aqueous fluid in contact therewith is heated. The resulting steam or hot water is recovered from the heating zone and the relatively cool shot particles are recovered from the heating zone and recirculated for heating to produce molten heat-transfer medium as described above. The heat-transfer medium may take the form of heavy metals such as lead and lead alloys.

Abstract: A foamed fluid containing a coal solvent is injected into a coal seam to improve the gas permeability of the coal.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation comprising penetrating the formation with a plurality of wells arranged in a pattern defining a series of regular pentagons with a well at the center of each pentagon, injecting a fluid into the formation by way of the wells at the centers of the pentagons whereby hydrocarbons contained in the formation are displaced from the center wells towards the wells defining the pentagons and producing the hydrocarbons by way of the wells defining the pentagons.

Abstract: A variable diameter drill rod stabilizer including an inner piston having cam surfaces which bear against wall engaging segments. Movement of the piston axially within a drill rod section by differential pressure of a fluid flowing through a passage in the piston moves the wall engaging segments radially and controls the diameter of the stabilizer.

Abstract: Apparatus for incremental cylinder length control in hydraulic seismic vibrators having increased frequency range. The vibrator apparatus (10) of the type having a reaction mass (38) and axial cylinder bore (42) utilizes hydraulically movable end sleeves (86 and 96) in each end of the cylinder bore (42) so that the end sleeves (86 and 96) can be controllably positioned thereby to alter the cylinder volume and adjust the hydraulic drive system (18) for maximum efficiency relative to operating frequency.

Abstract: A process for producing a distillable hydrocarbonaceous stream, fuel gases and blast furnace grade coke from a heavy, high sulfur, crude oil by producing delayed coke from at least a portion of the crude oil; crushing at least a portion of the coke to provide a finely divided coke feedstock to a briquetting operation where the finely divided coke is briquetted using crude oil or topped crude oil as a binder to produce briquettes of a size from about 3/4 inch to about 3 inches with the resulting briquettes being passed to a high temperature vertical calciner where the solids are desulfurized to produce a strong blast furnace grade coke. The distillable stream and fuel gas stream are recovered from the delayed coking operation, the vertical calciner and optionally a crude oil topping operation. In some instances coke particles in the size range from about 3/4 inch to about 3 inches may be passed directly to the calciner without crushing and briquetting.

Abstract: A method of controlling the direction of a generally horizontal borehole drilled with a rotary drilling unit in a subterranean formation such as a coal seam. The method comprises predetermining drilling conditions for the formation being drilled and the equipment being utilized which will provide an upward buildup to the borehole trajectory, a downward change in trajectory, or a substantially level borehole trajectory. The predetermined conditions include the number of drill bit revolutions per unit length of borehole drilled. Periodic borehole surveys indicate to an operator which set of drilling conditions should be utilized for the next increment of hole drilled to maintain the hole within the boundaries of the formation being drilled.

Abstract: Bitumen contained in tar sands is extracted in a primary extraction step which produces a bitumen-containing froth. A hydrogen donor diluent solvent is added to the froth, and the froth-solvent mix is subjected to a desalting operation. A bitumen-solvent product from the desalting step is subjected to a coking operation. In one embodiment, a delayed coker is used, and a gas oil fraction from the coker overhead vapors in hydrogenated and used as the donor solvent in the desalting step.

Abstract: Pulverized coal is slurried with hydrogen donor solvent at atmospheric pressure and fed directly into a coker furnace and coking drum. Overhead products from the coking drum are fractionated, and a portion thereof is hydrogenated and used as donor solvent. Coke is calcined in a vertical shaft calciner, and calcined coke is contacted with steam in the calciner to produce hydrogen. The hydrogen is used to hydrogenate the donor solvent.

Abstract: A process for converting anisoles to ortho-methylated phenolic products in high selectivity is disclosed. The process comprises passing methoxybenzene, o-methylmethoxybenzene, 2,6-dimethylmethoxybenzene, or mixtures thereof, over gamma-alumina in the presence of an effective amount of water at a temperature in the range of about 225.degree. to about 295.degree. C.

Abstract: A slurry recovery sump apparatus is formed from a substantially vertical sidewall and a substantially circular horizontal cross-section and includes a bottom. A support extends diametrically across the sump and above the sump, a material input is mounted between the sidewall and the vertical axis of the sump and is attached to the support, a slurry removal apparatus is mounted to the support between the sidewall and the sump vertical axis on the opposite side from the material input. Apparatus is provided for rotating the sump support around the vertical axis and additional apparatus is provided for moving the sump removal apparatus in a prescribed manner to empty the material being deposited into the sump by the material input.