Abstract: A technique for measuring the current, voltage and phase of a Radio Frequency (RF) power wave to an RF load, accounts for the finite length of the voltage and current pickups, and corrects for effects of standing wave components of voltage and current. Voltage and current are computed as complex functions of the voltage pickup signal and the current pickup signal, based on coefficients precalibrated for the predetermined radio frequency. Alternatively, a corrected current value can based on the corrected voltage value and complex load impedance. The correction coefficients can be obtained, for each of a plurality of calibrating radio frequencies within an RF range, from voltage and current pickup signals under conditions of (a) open circuit load, (b) short circuit load, (c) fixed known impedance load; and (d) one of voltage and current being applied at a precise input level to a known load from an RF calibration source.

Abstract: The object of the present invention relates to a simple, rapid and inexpensive process for effecting solid-liquid separations in the case of zeolites, also having small crystals. This process, which is particularly useful for the recovery of zeolite crystals in suspension in the crystallization water, comprises treating this suspension of crystals with an acid or one of its precursors and subjecting the resulting mixture to filtration or decanting. According to a particular aspect of the invention, the crystalline phase is separated in a mixture with oxides which can be used as ligands. Said oxides can be generated by the reagents of the zeolite preparation reagent mixture, not transformed into crystalline phase during the synthesis hydrothermal treatment, or they can be added to the suspension of crystals before the separation treatment, or again they can be generated by precursors suitably added to the crystallization slurry.

Abstract: Process for measuring the effects on the mechanical proper-ties of shales due to interaction with drilling fluids, which comprises: (a) preparation of a shale sample; (b) measurement of the transmission velocity of ultrasonic waves through the sample (a), (c) preparation of a mixture of water-or oil-based drilling fluid and the sample (a); (d) removal of the shale sample (a) from the mixture (c) and measurement of the ultrasonic wave transmission velocity; (e) comparison between the measurements of step (d) and those of step (b).

Abstract: Process for the continuous determination of the interaction between drilling fluids and shale formations, which comprises: (a) preparation of a water- or oil-based drilling fluid; (b) preparation of a shale sample having at least two flat, parallel opposite surfaces; (c) preparation of the mixture of (b) and (a); (d) continuous measurement of the ultrasonic wave transmission velocity through the sample (c), and variations in thickness (swelling and shrinking) of the shale sample, due to interaction with the drilling fluid (a).

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) power generator system includes a power generator that generates a RF power signal that is output to a load. The RF generator generates a forward power feedback signal and a reverse power feedback signal. A controller receives the forward power feedback signal and the reverse power feedback signal. The controller generates a setpoint signal that is output to the power generator. A setpoint modifier receives the forward feedback signal, the reverse feedback signal and an external setpoint signal. The setpoint modifier calculates a forward power limit based on the forward and reverse power feedback signals. The setpoint modifier and outputs a modified setpoint signal to the controller based on one of the forward power limit and the external setpoint signal. The setpoint modifier and the controller can be integrated.

Abstract: A process for synthesising hydrocarbons from synthesis gas in the presence of a catalyst essentially constituted by a Raney metal alloy dispersed in a liquid phase is described in which the catalyst comprises at least 60% by weight of at least one metal selected from metals from groups 8, 9 and 10, and optionally at least one additional element selected from alkali metals and metals from groups 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene comprising reacting with at least one aromatic hydrocarbon, in the presence of a zeolitic catalyst, a mixture of naphthalenes comprising a cut obtained by the fractionation of suitable petrochemical streams and subsequent treatment of the product thus obtained with a solid acid.

Abstract: Process for the production of diaminodiphenylmethane and its higher homologues products, which comprises reacting aniline, or one of its derivatives, and formaldehyde, or a compound capable of producing formaldehyde under the reaction conditions, in the presence of a zeolite in acid form having a spaciousness index ranging from 2.5 to 19.

Abstract: A description follows of a bimetallic catalyst, obtained by dispersing in sequence and alternating the precursors of the single metal components of the catalyst on a carrier, and a process for the synthesis of hydrogen peroxide by the direct reaction of hydrogen with oxygen, in a solvent medium containing a halogenated promoter and an acid promoter, in the presence of said catalyst.

Abstract: A process-is described for the continuous production of alcoholic or hydro-alcoholic solutions of hydrogen peroxide in a concentration ranging from 2 to 10% by weight and their direct use in oxidation processes.

Abstract: Optimized process for effecting the production of heavy hydrocarbons according to the Fischer-Tropsch method which comprises: (a) feeding the reagent gases into a reactor; (b) at least partially recovering the heavy hydrocarbons formed in step (a) by their external or internal separation from the catalytic particles; the above process being characterized in that in step (a) the reaction takes place: (1) in t he presence of solid particles which have a particle Reynolds number (Rep) greater than 0.1, (2) keeping the solid particles suspended at a height H, with Us, Ul, and Ug value s which are such as to have a Bodenstein number Bos≦1, preferably ≦0.4.

Abstract: Integral joint of two pipes which comprises a first box element, equipped with an internal two-step thread, situated on the end of a first pipe, a second pin element, equipped with an external two-step thread, situated on the end of a second pipe, two metal-to-metal seals located at both ends and with at least two shoulders arranged at one end and at the centre of the joint respectively.

Abstract: A supported cobalt-based catalyst is described, characterized in that the carrier has an average particle diameter, measured by means of Coulter LS230, ranging from 70 to 250 &mgr;m, a surface area higher than 175 m2/g and a pore volume higher than 0.35 cm3/g, measured with the B.E.T. method. The above catalyst is particularly useful in the Fischer-Tropsch reaction.

Abstract: Production of atmospheric distillate from a hydrocarbon feedstock that comprises a stage for the formation of a gas mixture that contains hydrogen and carbon monoxide, an at least partial conversion stage of the gas mixture that is obtained so as to obtain a liquid effluent that contains hydrocarbons and a gas effluent that contains carbon dioxide, a stage for treating the gas effluent under conditions that make it possible to eliminate the carbon dioxide at least partly, a first stage of fractionation of the liquid fraction, an isomerizing hydrocracking stage in the presence of hydrogen and a second fractionation stage.

Abstract: A method is described for improving the catalytic performances of titanium silicalite having formula (I) by the activation of the catalyst (I) in an aqueous medium with hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of precursors of fluoride ions or anionic species containing fluorine. The activated catalyst (I) is particularly useful in oxidation processes with hydrogen peroxide of organic substrates and, in particular, in hydroxylation reactions of aromatic compounds, amoximation reactions of carbonyl compounds, epoxidation reactions of olefinic compounds and oxidation reactions of nitrogenated compounds.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a micro-mesoporous gel consisting of a silica matrix in which one or more metal oxides are possibly dispersed comprising: (a) subjecting to hydrolysis and gelification a tetra-alkylorthosilicate with an alkyl-trimethylammonium hydroxide having the formula R(CH3)3N—OH, wherein R is selected from n-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl and n-heptyl, possibly in the presence of one or more metal compounds, the molar ratios in this mixture being: R—OH/SiO2=0-10; R(CH3)3N—OH/SiO2=0.05-0.4; H2O/SiO2=5-40; metal oxides/SiO2=0-0.02; whereas the ratio H2O/R(CH3)3N—OH varies according to the number of carbon atoms in the alkylic chain R as follows: R=n-butyl, H2O/R(CH3-)3N—OH<35; R=n-pentyl, H2O/R(CH3)3N—OH<70; R=n-hexyl, H2O/R(CH3)3N—OH<102; R=n-heptyl, H2O/R(CH3)3N—OH<136; (b) subjecting the gel or solid obtained in step (a) to drying and calcination.

Abstract: Continuous process for the production of prevalently heavy hydrocarbons starting from synthesis gas in the presence of a gas phase, a liquid and a solid catalyst, the above process being carried out using a bubble column, characterized in that the bubble column internally has: (a) at least one draft-tube; (b) at least one device for the inlet of the synthesis gas; (c) at least one device for the inlet of the regenerating gas; (d) at least one device for activating/interrupting the stream of regenerating gas; (e) optional devices suitable for minimizing the mixing of the synthesis gas with the regenerating gas.

Abstract: Catalytic composition comprising a larger quantity of Cobalt, in metal form or in the form of a derivative, and smaller quantities of Ruthenium and Tantalum, in metal form or in the form of a derivative, the above elements being dispersed on a carrier selected from the oxides of at least one of the elements selected from Si, Ti, Al, Zn, Sn, Mg.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a catalyst comprising sequential deposition of cobalt or a cobalt compound, and scandium or a scandium compound, on an inert carrier oxide, which catalyst can be used in the conversion of synthesis gas according to the Fischer-Tropsch process.

Abstract: A catalyst composition containing cobalt and tantalum on an inert carrier, and having utility in Fischer-Tropsch syntheses.