Abstract: A method is described for the selective dealkylation of 4-tertiary-alkyl-2,5-xylenol while it is admixed with 6-tertiary-alkyl-2,4-xylenol by contacting the mixture of alkylated xylenols with a polymer-bound sulfonic acid catalyst at temperatures of 60.degree. C. or less and pressures of from about 0.5 to 5 atmospheres. The method is useful in separating 2,4-/2,5-xylenol mixtures.

Abstract: A process for preparing 2,6-xylenol in high selectivity and a catalyst composition useful therein are disclosed. The process comprises reacting phenol, o-cresol or mixtures thereof with methanol in presence of water, hydrogen and a catalyst consisting essentially of Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, SnO.sub.2, Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3, and K.sub.2 O.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for mooring a tension leg platform. The platform is positioned over an anchor means attached to the ocean floor. A plurality of guidelines or cables, attached to the anchor means, are called to the surface by means of acoustic recall buoys which are attached to a free end of the guide cables. The guide cables are then connected to the floating platform. Tension legs, each including a plurality of tubular leg elements threaded at each end, with threaded couplings connecting adjacent leg elements, are then lowered from the floating platform. Guide means connected between the tension legs and the guide cables direct the tension legs toward the anchor means on the ocean floor. A hydraulically actuated wellhead connector is connected to a lower end of the tension leg. The wellhead connector engages a wellhead body attached to the anchor means, and is locked thereto upon the sending of a hydraulic signal to the wellhead connector.

Abstract: Basic compounds of strontium catalyzed the ethoxylation of alcohols in the presence of phenol or alkylphenol co-catalyst. Strontium-produced ethoxylates have sharper ethylene oxide distributions, lower free alcohol, lower pour points, and better detergency than the ethoxylates obtained from alkali base catalysis.

Abstract: A method for altering the transparency of a stable hexagonal polymorphic poly(butene-1) obtained from unstable tetragonal crystalline poly(butene-1) comprising contacting the tetragonal crystalline poly(butene-1) with a volatile solvent for a short time, then removing from the solvent, and allowing solvent adhereing to the poly(butene-1) to evaporate. The finished polymer can be opaque, transparent, or translucent depending upon the solvent and temperature used.

Abstract: A process for producing methanol from air-blown gasified coal. A feed gas stream obtained by the coal gasification step is combined with a recycle gas stream and fed to a reactor where carbon oxides are converted to methanol. Exit gas from the reactor is scrubbed to remove carbon monoxide, and the carbon monoxide-free exit gas is then chilled to remove all components except hydrogen. The hydrogen is then combined with the carbon monoxide and used as a recycle stream. The process enables use of an air-blown gasified coal stream while maintaining the nitrogen content in the reactor at an acceptably low level.

Abstract: A method for increasing the pore volume of alumina powder produced by spray drying alumina slurries by heating the slurry to a temperature near the boiling point of water and a pressure up to the critical point of water then introducing the slurry to a spray drying chamber through a small orifice, thereby creating a backpressure in excess of slurry vapor pressure and up to the critical point of water.

Abstract: A delayed coking process in which the overhead vapors from a delayed coking drum are separated into light hydrocarbon products and a gas oil, and in which the gas oil is hydrotreated after being separated from the light hydrocarbon products. The hydrotreated gas oil is then combined with coker feedstock and fed to the coking drum. The process produces a coke capable of producing a graphitized product having a lower longitudinal coefficient of thermal expansion than that of the coke product produced from the same feedstock by the same process but without the hydrotreating step.

Abstract: A method of determining the amount of chromate ion in drilling and mud filtrates containing lignosulfonates is disclosed. Briefly, the method comprises: (a) treating the filtrate with an effective amount of hydrogen peroxide to destroy any color bodies contributed by the lignosulfonate, and (b) measuring the amount of chromate ion in the filtrate by means of a spectrophotometer.

Abstract: A catalyst having the structural formula ##STR1## wherein R is zero or an alkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and wherein P is a polystyrene polymer backbone, where the 6-member ring is part of the polymer. The catalyst is useful for converting olefins to aldehydes in high yield under reaction temperatures of from about 90.degree. to 140.degree. C. and pressures of about 300 to about 5000 psig in the presence of hydrogen and carbon monoxide yielding gases, and preferably polymer swelling solvents such as benzene, THF and toluene. The catalyst is also useful in hydrogenation reactions.

Abstract: Filterability of aqueous solutions of polymers employed to thicken waterfloods such as biopolymers (e.g. heteropolysaccharides) is improved by addition of a surfactant (e.g. a sulfated alkoxylated alcohol). Filterability is further enhanced by addition of an ethoxylated alcohol surfactant and/or an alcohol.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant bimetallic structure which includes a pair of butt-welded steel elements having protected surfaces extending to the weld; spaced, protective overlays of corrosion resistant non-ferrous metal joined to portions of the protected surface of each steel element on opposed sides of the weld; and a non-ferrous metal bridging plate bridging the weld and joined to outer sides of the spaced protective overlays by welds using said corrosion resistant non-ferrous metal as the weld metal. The space between the bridging plate, the spaced ends of the protective layers and the steel elements adjacent the weld is sealed against ingress of corrosive liquid.In a method of making the described structure, the steel elements are welded in end-to-end alignment. Sections of each element spaced from the weld are then encased with a corrosion resistant non-ferrous metal.

Abstract: Cresylic acid (phenol or alkylated phenols) is used to promote barium oxide or hydroxide which is used as an ethoxylation catalyst for the reaction of ethylene oxide and alkanols of all classes. The reaction is carried out at temperatures of from about 150.degree. to about 200.degree. C. to yield the ethoxylated product. The product obtained has a very narrow high adduct distribution with low levels of by-products and unreacted free alcohols. Calcium and magnesium oxides show negligible catalytic effect.

Abstract: A method for the insertion of shear degradable aqueous polymer solutions in a polymer thickened flood wherein a series of pumps are used in a multi-branch system, while reducing shear degradation while maintaining pressure and rate control within any branch of said multibranch system comprising utilizing hydraulic drivers for the pumps wherein the hydraulic power source for the drivers is controlled (a) by a pressure sensing loop such that a selected preset pressure will not be exceeded by any branch of the injection system, and (b) by a rate proportioning control loop whereby the injection rate in the various branches of the multi-branch system will be maintained in a given proportion to one another regardless of rate changes in a designated master branch or in the total injection stream.

Abstract: A compressively stressed weld joint joining a first tubular member to a second tubular member is formed by sequentially:(a) imparting stress into at least one of the tubular members such that release thereof will compressively stress the weld joint,(b) welding the first tubular member to the second tubular member, and(c) releasing the stress such that the weld is in compressive stress.

Abstract: A sacrificial anode apparatus for providing cathodic protection of metal structures, especially steel offshore platforms, is disclosed. The anode apparatus comprises (a) container for anode material, (b) anode material, and (c) means for continuously and/or periodically conveying said anode material to said container.

Abstract: A composition for treating particulate hydrocarbon fuel material such as coal and lignite to reduce dust losses, improve cold weather handling and reduce spontaneous combustion. The composition is a blend of aromatic hydrocarbon oil and asphalt and has a high viscosity, high flash point and high initial boiling point.

Abstract: Phenol-formaldehyde resoles and novalacs are cured at temperatures of from about 0.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. and at pressures ranging from about atmospheric pressure to about 5 atmospheres to produce highly cross-linked resins when divinylbenzene is used as a cross-linking agent together with a minor amount of an acidic catalyst.

Abstract: Geopressurized gas (methane) containing aquifers are produced into relatively low pressure reservoirs such as depleted or partially depleted oil and gas reservoirs. Primary production of the methane in the water is effected by exsolvation upon entering the low pressure reservoir and movement through the reservoir to production walls. Enhanced recovery of hydrocarbons remaining in depleted or partially depleted reservoirs results from one or more of (1) the sweeping action of the methane moving through the reservoir, (2) pressure maintenance and water drive associated with injection of the naturally pressured water, and (3) reservoir heating caused by the higher temperature of the injected geopressured water.

Abstract: A catalyst of the general structure P --M Cl.sub.3 wherein M is rhodium or iridium and P is a heterocyclic nitrogen-containing polymer has been found to be an effective heterogeneous hydroformylation catalyst at temperatures of from about 60.degree. to about 150.degree. C. and H.sub.2 /CO gas pressures of from about 300 to about 3500 psig for most primary and internal olefins, producing an increased amount of linear normal aldehydes. When the reactor gas is altered to hydrogen, the catalyst further converts aldehydes formed by hydroformylation to alcohols under the same reaction conditions. The catalyst is oxygen stable, heterogeneous, and easily recovered.