Abstract: A hydraulic drive system for an underwater vibrator has a hydraulically driven mass for generating a seismic wave into the seabed. The hydraulic drive system for the vibrator is accomplished by filtering sea water, conveying the filtered sea water to the hydraulic pump where the sea water under pressure is supplied through a control valve to the hydraulic vibrator. The output from the control valve is coupled to the sea water. The hydraulic system provides hydraulic fluid which will not need to be cooled, thereby eliminating the normal cooling system along with several necessary accumulators and sump which are used in a closed hydraulic system.

Abstract: Apparatus for dissipating the pressure of a confined fluid has a housing with a sidewall in a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration with a top and bottom. Inlet means is formed into the sidewall so that the axis of the inlet is tangent to a diameter of the sidewall. An outlet extends through the bottom and an opening extends through the top. High pressure fluids entering the inlet form a vortex around the sidewall and between the top and the bottom and pass out the outlet under low pressure. Air is introduced through the openings in the top to prevent cavitation within the housing. A device may be coupled to the outlet to reduce the velocity of the fluids leaving the outlet.

Abstract: The strength of a weld joint joining the end of a first structural member to a second structural member wherein at least a portion of the weld joint is subject to cyclic tensioning stress is improved by applying a compressive stress load to the weld joint. An advantageous application is to the weld joints joining tubular members of offshore platforms.

Abstract: An improvement in the method of transporting viscous hydrocarbons through pipes is disclosed. Briefly, the improvement comprises adding water containing an effective amount of the adipate ester of a certain polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block polymers. The method is especially useful when co-produced "hard" water is used. The resulting oil-in-water emulsion has a lower viscosity and is more easily transported.

Abstract: Heavy high-sulfur crude oil is subjected to distillation to produce gas and liquid hydrocarbon products and a residuum. The gas and liquid products are desulfurized. Part of the residuum is coked in a delayed coker, and sulfur in the coke is removed by high temperature calcination. The remainder of the residuum is air-blown to produce an asphalt product, and sulfur recovered from the other products is added to the asphalt to produce a sulfur-enriched asphalt product.

Abstract: Carbonaceous material such as petroleum coke is calcined in the upper part of an air-injected vertical shaft kiln, and steam injected into the lower part of the kiln reacts with hot coke below the combustion zone to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A product gas stream rich in hydrogen and low in nitrogen is withdrawn from a level below the combustion zone in the kiln. High sulfur coke can be desulfurized in the process by maintaining the temperature in the calcining zone above 1400.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for producing a synthetic CO.sub.2 acceptor by feeding a mixture of finely divided silica and at least one finely divided calcium compound selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide and calcium carbonate to a fluidized bed; operating the fluidized bed at suitable conditions to produce pellets of synthetic CO.sub.2 acceptor and recovering the pellets of synthetic CO.sub.2 acceptor from the fluidized bed. Optionally, spent synthetic CO.sub.2 acceptor can be charged to the fluidized bed to produce regenerated pellets of synthetic CO.sub.2 acceptor.

Abstract: Basic compounds of Ba and Sr used in the production of peaked alcohol alkoxylates can be removed from the products by precipitating with some polybasic organic acids. Examples of effective acids include glutaric, diglycolic, adipic, and azelaic acids.

Abstract: An improved method and system for analyzing pyrolysis product gases wherein a portion of the gases are collected while another portion is being analyzed during the pyrolysis reaction.

Abstract: Pyrite is removed from coal by crushing, air classification and organic heavy medium separation. A superior method is taught wherein only a fraction of the total coal treated need be treated with organic media separation.

Abstract: A temperature control system for a rotary drum is disclosed. The system utilizes parabolic heat collectors mounted adjacent the exterior of a rotating drum, and heat sensors inside the collectors provide control signals for the system.

Abstract: Amorphorus titanium, uranium, chromium ions and zirconium together with sulfate ions are effective promoters for magnesium oxide catalysts. These catalysts are active for the ortho methylation of phenols in the vapor phase to yield 2,6-xylenol.

Abstract: A combination of fixed geometry of vibrating masses on a baseplate coupled to the ground, the masses being at a fixed angle to each other and of relatively variable phase, can be controlled to produce both compressional and shear waves simultaneously in a seismic exploration system.

Abstract: A connector apparatus for connecting a tension leg platform mooring tether to a subsea foundation, the apparatus comprising: a plug positioned on the lower end of the mooring tether for mating union with a receptacle positioned in the foundation so that the plug is readily positioned in the receptacle to maintain the mooring tether in connection with the foundation with the plug being readily removable from the receptacle when desired.

Abstract: Precipitation of aluminum corrosion products from phosphate-borate ethylene glycol based antifreeze formulations is retarded by incorporating in the antifreeze a precipitation retarding amount of alkylene diphosphonic acid, e.g., 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the tension of mine roof bolts and/or mine roof stability which utilizes the natural vibration frequency of the seated roof bolt and/or roof structure to provide indication of bolt tension and/or roof stability.

Abstract: A composition which is particularly suitable for providing cathodic protection of metal structures is disclosed. The composition comprises a major amount of particulate anode material and a minor amount of a thixotropic carrier material. A method of using the composition is disclosed. Also, an apparatus which uses the composition is disclosed.

Abstract: An improved method for preparing polyvinyl halide by suspension polymerization is disclosed. The improvement comprises adding a minor, but effective, amount of a quaternary ammonium salt of cellulose sulfate to the reaction admixture prior to polymerization. The improved process results in a product having increased bulk density.

Abstract: A process for preparing a cation-exchange resin is disclosed. The process comprises:(a) treating a chlorine-containing material, which is the distillation residue obtained by chlorinating or oxychlorinating a C.sub.2 -C.sub.40 hydrocarbon, with a sulfonating agent,(b) treating the admixture of step (a) with water and an organic solvent until the product shows a substantially neutral pH, and(c) removing the volatile materials to obtain a solid material which is suitable for use as a cation-exchange resin.

Abstract: 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. for up to about 30 minutes to produce a vaporous stream and agglomerate particles containing a residual portion of the crude oil and finely divided carbonaceous solids; separating the agglomerate particles into a product portion of a desired particle size range and a recycle portion; grinding the recycle portion to produce the finely divided carbonaceous solids and heating the finely divided carbonaceous solids prior to recycling the carbonaceous solids to mixture with the crude oil.