Abstract: A fireproofing composition comprised of a low density matrix material, such as rigid foamed sodium silicate, having an expandable hydrated mineral material such as unexpanded vermiculite or unexpanded perlite incorporated therein.

Abstract: A method of reducing discoloration of alumina which is caused by exposure of said alumina to high temperatures is disclosed. The method comprises adding an effective amount of an inorganic oxidizing agent (e.g. H.sub.2 O.sub.2 or NaOCl) to the alumina prior to exposing it to the high temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying a large amount of air periodically at a controlled rate to the air cushion beneath an air-cushion vehicle as particularly employed for coupling of controlled frequency seismic energy into the earth. The apparatus consists of a vehicle body which includes a compressed air supply or input to a self-contained plenum chamber space for applying air pressure through a multi-port rotary valve thereafter to be directed into an air cushion formed between the vehicle and the earth surface with periodic exhaust to the atmosphere. The rotary air modulator or valve is comprised of a cylindrical stator, a rotor, and a shutter, each of which includes a plurality of equispaced ports, and air flow from the plenum chamber to the air cushion is modulated by passage through the stator and rotor in accordance with an intermediate shutter position; pressure exhaust is similarly controlled.

Abstract: A process for preparing o-benzylphenol is disclosed. The process comprises heating benzyl phenyl ether, either in liquid or vapor phase, in the presence of an effective amount of activated alumina catalyst.

Abstract: Aluminum alkoxides are hydrolyzed at low temperatures using high injection velocities and are then vacuum stripped at or below 80.degree. C to produce .beta.-alumina trihydrates in large proportion. The .beta.-alumina trihydrate can then be converted to eta alumina.

Abstract: Alumina spheres are formed by peptizing alumina slurries, centrifugates, and filtercakes, aging and dropping the peptized material through a hydrocarbon filled column. The improved method avoids the drying and reslurrying of alumina powders currently used and provides a method whereby harmful ions such as chloride and sulfates can be excluded from the alumina.

Abstract: Scale formation on metallic surfaces exposed to liquids containing scale-forming components is retarded by coating the surfaces with a mixture of a low surface energy polymer having hydrophobic properties and a low surface energy filler having hydrophilic properties.

Abstract: A hydrogen donor diluent cracking process for upgrading a heavy liquid hydrocarbon wherein pitch fractionated from the cracked products is subjected to a partial oxidation process to reduce the amount of pitch and to provide hydrogen for hydrogenation of hydrogen donor diluent for the cracking step.

Abstract: A method for determining the distance from a given point in a coal seam to shale by sensing the thorium radiation from shale layers positioned about the coal seam. The invention is useful for maintaining a drill in a desired position in a coal seam and guiding the drill in response to the sensed radiation.

Abstract: Polyvinyl chloride containing certain fluorocarbon surfactants has improved antistatic properties.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved process for the disproportionation of highly alkylated phenols with phenol using an improved magnesium oxide catalyst promoted with tungsten oxide, silica sol, and sodium silicate. The method provides a catalyst having a high reactivity, high surface area, and high crush strength compared to known magnesium oxide, tungsten oxide catalysts. The catalyst is useful in phenol methylation and disproportionation. The effect of silica sol and sodium silicate is synergistic since these materials alone will not catalyze these reactions. Surprisingly, the catalyst will not disproportionate olefins.

Abstract: A method of preparing hydrocarbyl-substituted cresols is disclosed. The method comprises heating a mixture of mono- or di-hydrocarbyl-substituted cresols and an alcohol, which is benzyl alcohol or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 aliphatic alcohol, at an elevated temperature in the presence of a catalytic amount of alumina. The product contains at least one hydrocarbyl substituent corresponding to the hydrocarbon moiety of the alcohol used in the process. A typical process employs 4,6-di-t-butyl-m-cresol and isopropanol to prepare a product mixture containing a substantial amount of thymol.

Abstract: A method and composition is provided for positioning a polymeric material having particulate matter disposed therein in a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore. The composition consists essentially of a hydrocarbon oil, a quaternary salt of an essentially undegraded, cellulose sulfate, solid particulate matter in an amount equal to from about 0.25 to about 22 pounds of particulate matter per gallon of hydrocarbon oil and an acid-settable thermosetting resin in an amount equal to from about 0.1 to about 5.0 gallons per cubic foot of particulate material. The composition is placed in contact with a subterranean formation in a wellbore by a method comprising injecting a first mixture consisting essentially of said quaternary salt of an essentially undegraded cellulose sulfate mixed with hydrocarbon oil followed by the injection of the composition with a post injection of an additional quantity of the quaternary salt in oil.

Abstract: A method for creating a zone of relatively high permeability within a subterranean carbonaceous deposit which includes gasifying a portion of the carbonaceous deposit to provide a cavity, placing at least one explosive device in the deposit in the vicinity of the cavity so that energy generated upon detonation of the explosive device extends into the cavity, and detonating the explosive device thereby causing a portion of the carbonaceous deposit to be fragmented and to collapse into the cavity.

Abstract: A process for preparing cresols from di-hydrocarbyl-substituted cresols, wherein the hydrocarbyl groups contain from 3 to 7 carbon atoms, is disclosed. In the process the di-hydrocarbyl-substituted cresol is contacted with a catalyst (e.g. alumina) in the liquid phase at elevated temperatures and pressure. 4,6-di-t-butyl-m-cresol is a typical feedstock.

Abstract: A method for the production of n-alkylated cresylic acids such as n-hexyl resorcinol by direct alkylation of a cresylic acid such as resorcinol under liquid phase conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for drilling generally horizontal holes through subterranean coal beds for release of methane gas from the coal beds are described. A sliding stabilizer on a drill rod is selectively positioned to provide elevational control to a rotating drill bit. The stabilizer is keyed to a slot in the drill rod, and lateral offsets in the slot are used to retain the stabilizer in the desired position on the drill rod.

Abstract: An anti-microbial composition consisting of ammoniated zinc compounds optionally formulated into surfactant formulations and toilet bars is presented.

Abstract: A method for reducing the vinyl halide content of polyvinyl halide, in particle form, containing vinyl halide, to a preselected level is disclosed. Briefly, the method comprises: (a) determining the threshold temperature corresponding to said preselected level of vinyl halide, and (b) purging the polyvinyl halide containing vinyl halide with an inert gas heated to a temperature of at least the determined threshold temperature until the vinyl halide content of the polyvinyl halide reaches said preselected level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved hydraulic vibrator of the type which includes a fixed double rod piston and a reaction mass reciprocally disposed around the piston forming a hydraulic cylinder therein so that when hydraulic fluid is introduced to the cylinder relative to the piston the reaction mass is reciprocated. By the present invention a pair of sleeves are slidably disposed on the piston rods, portions of which can be selectively moved into the cylinder to decrease the displacement of the cylinder and thereby increase the frequency range of vibrations producible by the vibrator.