Abstract: A centrifugal oil-water separator comprising an inner spinning bowl having openings near the lower outer periphery for passage of water therefrom into an outer bowl which remains stationary. The oil-water mixture is passed to the upper center of the spinning bowl with separation of the oil and water therein, concentrating the oil near the top of the inner bowl and disposable water is removed from the outer bowl.

Abstract: A catalyst having the structural formula ##STR1## wherein R is 0 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: A conveyor apparatus for moving a slurry line supported above the ground by a plurality of wheeled carts which are interconnected by one or more linkages, through a 180.degree. bend by having a disc journaled to a platform through the axis of the disc. Notches are formed in the periphery of the disc for receiving a wheel and a portion of the cart which extends outward from the linkage. Linkage retaining means extends from the periphery above and below the linkage and traps the linkage against the disc during the 180.degree. bend. On each side of the platform, below the linkage is attached a guide means to insure that the linkage is properly positioned both vertically and horizontally for mating with the linkage engaging apparatus which is attached to the disc periphery.

Abstract: Data useful for evaluating the effectiveness of or designing an enhanced recovery process said process involving mobilizing and moving hydrocarbons through a hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formation from an injection well to a production well by injecting a mobilizing fluid into the injection well, comprising(a) determining hydrocarbon saturation in a volume in the formation near a well bore penetrating formation,(b) injecting sufficient mobilizing fluid to mobilize and move hydrocarbons from a volume in the formation near the well bore, and(c) determining the hydrocarbon saturation in a volume including at least a part of the volume of (b) by an improved single well surfactant method comprising injecting 2 or more slugs of water containing the primary tracer separated by water slugs containing no primary tracer.

Abstract: A method for deriving seismic information through the simultaneous operation of a plurality of vibrational seismic energy source systems such that the information produced by each source system may be separated from the combined recorded information.

Abstract: In an enhanced recovery process involving flooding of subterranean formations with aqueous mixtures of biopolymers, filterability of the biopolymer is synergistically enhanced by treatment with ESPERASE.RTM. enzyme at a pH range of 12.5 to 13.0. The range is narrow and exclusive since pHs as high as 12.1 give poor results. The biopolymer can be any one containing debris which must be reduced by the enzyme.

Abstract: An electronic guidance system for a push drill that is remotely guided by the operator. The system functions to maintain continual indication as to the attitude of the drilling apparatus, i.e., pitch, roll and distance to rock formations overlying or underlying the drilled stratum, with such indication being made available to the remote operator so that he can control the progression of the drilling apparatus. The drilling apparatus utilizes an instrument package adjacent the drilling mechanism which samples pitch and roll data through accelerometer output, and which monitors the distance of the drill head from adjacent rock formations by means of gamma ray count.

Abstract: A method for converting calcium sulfoxy compounds selected from the group consisting of CaSO.sub.x and Ca(HSO.sub.x).sub.2 where x is 3 or 4, into calcium carbonate by a method consisting essentially of: (a) converting the Ca(HSO.sub.x).sub.2 compounds into CaSO.sub.x compounds by reacting the CA(HSO.sub.x).sub.2 compounds with CaCO.sub.3 in the presence of water; (b) reacting the CaSO.sub.x compounds with NH.sub.3 and CO.sub.2 in the presence of water to produce NH.sub.4 HSO.sub.x and CaCO.sub.3 ; (c) separating the NH.sub.4 HSO.sub.x and CaCO.sub.3 ; (d) reacting the NH.sub.4 HSO.sub.x with H.sub.2 S to produce ammonium polysulfide (NH.sub.4).sub.2 S.sub..omega. wherein .omega. is from 1 to about 4; (e) decomposing the ammonium polysulfide to produce NH.sub.3, H.sub.2 S, elemental sulfur and water; and (f) recovering the elemental sulfur from the NH.sub.3, H.sub.2 S and water.

Abstract: A high pressure seal is formed between a stationary piston and a reciprocating cylinder. The seal includes a sleeve which has an inner diameter dimensioned to permit the cylinder to slide freely over the piston rod, the sleeve being in rigid contact at one end to the cylinder and the other end to an end plate surrounding the piston and closing the end of the sleeve. A bleeder port communicates with the outer surface of the piston rod, through the piston rod, and terminates at a low pressure supply. Bleeder grooves are formed around the inner wall of the sleeve. A first bleeder groove is positioned in the inner wall of the sleeve at the mid-stroke position of the piston with second and third bleeder grooves positioned at each extreme position of the piston stroke in the inner wall of the sleeve. A plurality of pressure drop grooves is formed along the inner sleeve diameter such that the hydraulic fluid passing from the cylinder into the sleeve will gradually drop in pressure as it moves toward the end plate.

Abstract: A method for desulfurizing a gaseous mixture such as flue gas by sequentially contacting the gaseous mixture with an aqueous solution containing ammonium thiosulfate in a first zone; an aqueous solution containing ammonia and ammonium thiosulfate in a second zone; and an aqueous solution containing ammonium thionate or thionic acid in a third zone. The sulfur is optionally recovered as elemental sulfur.

Abstract: In a process for hydrocracking heavy polynuclear carbonaceous feedstocks to produce lighter hydrocarbon fuels by contacting the heavy feedstocks with hydrogen in the presence of a molten metal halide catalyst in a hydrocracking zone, thereafter separating at least a major portion of the lighter hydrocarbon fuels from the spent molten metal halide and thereafter regenerating the spent molten metal halide by incinerating the spent molten metal halide by combustion of carbon and sulfur compounds in the spent molten metal halide in an incineration zone, the improvement comprising: (a) contacting the heavy feedstocks and hydrogen in the presence of the molten metal halide in the hydrocracking zone at reaction conditions effective to convert from about 60 to about 90 weight percent of the feedstock to lighter hydrocarbon fuels; (b) separating at least a major portion of the lighter hydrocarbon fuels from the spent molten metal halide; (c) contacting the spent molten metal halide with oxygen in a liquid phase gasifi

Abstract: A wireline retrievable, subsurface tubing safety valve that is opened and held open by the transmission of electric current from the surface. Interruption of the current supply results in automatic closure of the valve. The device includes a pressure equalizing valve which enables the valve to be opened against a high differential pressure.

Abstract: A means is provided for protecting off-shore platforms from damage to interior portions by inadvertantly dropped heavy objects such as drill collars. The invention comprises a crash barrier having a penetration resistant mat overlying a foamed thermoplastic or rubber shock absorbant. The invention has several advantages over previously used wooden boards such as reduced weight for equivalent protection. The foamed thermoplastic or rubber is provided with flame resistant materials such that combustion is not supported in the event of a fire.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining the tensile load on a mine roof bolt, which is indicative of the support provided by the bolt. The device comprises a hammer for striking a roof bolt to produce a sound pulse, a microphone for picking up the sound pulse, and a sound comparator having a recorded sound or sounds whereby an operator can match the induced sound pulse with a recorded sound pulse to provide an indication of the tensile load on the roof bolt. The comparator may include a range of sounds, or may incorporate a variable speed function whereby the pitch of the recorded sound may be varied until the induced sound is matched. Comparison of the induced sound with the recorded sound provides an indication of the tensile load on the roof bolt.

Abstract: A device for facilitating directional drilling of small diameter holes radially of a mine long hole comprising a segmented sleeve for movement through a guide channel in a main drill unit. A small bit is driven by a flexible shaft which passes through the segmented sleeve. The segmented sleeve remains partially in the guide channel and extends partially out of the guide channel in a straight line from the guide channel. The segments are joined in a manner permitting a 90.degree. turn in the guide channel but allowing no curvature in the portion of the segmented sleeve extending from the guide channel.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns an improved process for preparing a synthetic hydrocarbon lubricant composition, said composition consisting essentially of di-long-chain alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons. The improved process is directed to a two-step alkylation process, using linear mono-olefins as the alkylating agent, and in which the first alkylation is conducted using HF as the catalyst, wherein the improvement comprises using aluminum chloride or aluminum bromide as the catalyst for the second alkylation step. Use of aluminum chloride or aluminum bromide, instead of HF, in the second alkylation step results in a product having better low temperature properties.

Abstract: Trimethylhydroquinone (TMHQ) which is discolored in organic solution because of air oxidation can be made nearly colorless by addition of small amounts of alkali metal borohydride to the discolored solution. Products remaining in the TMHQ solution after discoloration removal can be extracted by water wash. This technique represents a very simple and efficient method for removing discoloration which has proved troublesome in the prior art.

Abstract: Early detection of cracks in non-permeable, structural members subject to stress is effected before the cracks traverse the member by:(a) forming a cavity in the structural member or adjacent thereto such that a crack forming in the structural member provides a passage for a fluid to flow between the environment and the cavity without passing through the entire structural member,(b) sealing a fluid passageway in fluid communication from the cavity to a source of pressure different than ambient pressure at the structural member and to a pressure sensor,(c) imparting a higher or lower pressure to the cavity and the fluid passageway, and,(d) monitoring the internal pressure in the cavity and fluid passageway with the pressure sensor,Such that a crack in the structural member penetrating to the cavity allows passage of fluid between the environment and the cavity and is thus detected by the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A solvent extraction coal conversion process is provided wherein the effluent slurry product is subjected to vacuum distillation to yield distillate and extrudable still bottoms. The latter are removed from the vacuum still by means of an extrusion screw which is operatively associated with the still.

Abstract: native bottomhole samples of very viscous crude oil (bitumen, tar) are obtained by injecting water plus a suitable surfactant mixture down a hollow sucker rod whereby mixing occurs downhole, producing a resultant oil-in-water emulsion, and recovering the crude oil from the emulsion. Contamination of the crude oil sample with light hydrocarbons is avoided.