Abstract: A process for the alkylation of aliphatic hydrocarbons with olefins catalyzed by a silica-based material, characterised in that the surface Si--OH groups of said silica are esterified with a fluoroalkylsulphonic acid of formula CF.sub.3 (CF.sub.2).sub.n SO.sub.3 H, where n is a whole number between 0 and 11, said material having a Hammett acidity Ho.ltoreq.-11.4.

Abstract: This invention provides a seismic joint for an underwater floating tunnel having: (a) a joint portion (i) having a transverse section essentially the same as that of the tunnel, (ii) being rigidly fastened to land at one end (A) thereof, and (iii) being elastically constrained to the tunnel at its other end (B) via a plurality of operably affixed means which performs an elastic function and a damping function; (b) a collar welded onto the external surface of the tunnel facing end (B) of the portion, said collar being capable of sliding on and along the external surface of the joint portion; and (c) a means for providing a water-tight seal between the internal surface of the collar and the external surface of the joint portion.

Abstract: Process for recovering and moving highly viscous petroleum products as aqueous dispersions in the presence of a sulphonate dispersing agent selected from the sulphonates of alkaline or earth-alkaline metals or ammonium of indene-cumarone sulphonate resins.

Abstract: Aqueous drilling muds are disclosed which contain, as fluidifier agent, one or more complexes, which may be either pre-formed or produced in situ, selected from:tetravalent zirconium and one or more organic acids, or their salts, having the general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, which may be the same or different from each other, represent --H, --COOH, --CH.sub.3, --CH.sub.2 COOH, --CH(OH)COOH;aluminum citrate.

Abstract: An improved method for synthesizing alkylpolyglucosides comprising reacting a glycoside with a long-chain alcohol in the presence of a novel type of catalyst, constituted by an alkali or aryl sulfonic acid, wherein the sulfonic group is sterically hindered. Using these catalysts, a raw product is obtained which is practically free from byproducts. The resulting alkyl polyglucosides are completely biodegradable surfactants and can be used to formulate detergents.

Abstract: Methane is converted into higher hydrocarbon products by oxidative coupling, by bringing a gaseous mixture containing methane and oxygen into contact with a solid catalyst formed from calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, a lanthanide oxide plus possibly lithium oxide, wherein:the lithium content is between 0 and 0.20 wt %,the calcium/magnesium atomic ratio is between 0.08 and 0.7, andthe (calcium+magnesium)/lanthanide atomic ratio is between 0.8/1 and 8/1, and preferably between 2/1 and 4/1.

Abstract: A cloned DNA fragment of Bordetella pertussis including the gene which codes for the pilinic subunit fim3, vectors which contain it and microorganisms transformed by the vectors.The protein and peptides corresponding to at least one epitope of the gene which codes for the pilinic subunit fim3 are particularly useful for the development of acellular anti-pertussis vaccines.In addition, a strain of Bordetella modified by a recombinant replication or genome-integration vector containing the cloned DNA fragment or the gene or a fraction thereof is particularly suitable for the development of a cellular anti-pertussis vaccine.

Abstract: A difunctional catalyst is disclosed which is constituted by:(a) silica particles partially coated with zirconia, acidified by means of the introduction of sulfate moieties,(b) one or more metal(s) from Group VIIIA.The preparation of said catalyst and its use in wax hydroisomerization are disclosed as well.

Abstract: A catalyst, which is active in the oligomerization of olefins is an X-ray-amorphous silica-alumina-nickel oxide gel having an SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 molar ratio of from 30/1 to 500/1, and NiO/SiO.sub.2 molar ratio of from 0.001/1 to 0.01/1, a superficial area of from 500 m.sup.2 /g to 1.000 m.sup.2 /g, and a porosity of from 0.3 ml/g to 0.6 ml/g, the means pore diameter being 1 nm (10 Angstrom), and devoid of pores having a diameter over 3 nm (30 Angstrom). The catalyst selectively dimerizes isobutene into alpha- and beta-isobutene and oligomerizes propylene into its relative dimers and trimers. A process is described for preparing the silica-alumina-nickel oxide gel.

Abstract: A solid polymeric electrolytic membrane comprising a solution of an ion compound in a cross-linked polyether including a liquid plasticizer obtained by:a) copolymerizing a vinyl ether of the formula:R--(O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --).sub.n --O--CH=CH.sub.2 (I)with an allyl vinyl ether of the formula:CH.sub.2 =CH--CH.sub.2 --(O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --).sub.m --O--CH=CH.sub.

Abstract: Phosphino oxide group containing compounds useful as flame retardant additives, having the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein: X and X.sub.1 represent a hydrogen atom or, when taken jointly, they represent an NR.sub.1 moiety in which R.sub.1 stands for a hydrogen atom; a linear or branched aliphatic C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 moiety; a linear or branched C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 acyl moiety; a phenyl moiety;R represents a cyclic or polycyclic C.sub.4 -C.sub.9 moiety containing two carboxy groups, possibly esterified with univalent alcohols or glycols, or transformed into anhydrides, or two hydroxy groups.

Abstract: Zeolites having a pore diameter comprised within the range of from 5 to 12 .ANG. are bonded with amorphous oligomeric silica, by dispersing them in an aqueous solution of silica and alkylammonium hydroxide, and submitting the obtained suspension to a quick drying.

Abstract: Polymeric fuels are produced from saturated C.sub.4 hydrocarbons by a process comprising:(A) dehydroisomerizing a gas mixture comprising predominantly of n-butane and hydrogen in a catalytic reactor containing a catalyst (a) of platinum supported on alumina, whose surface is coated with silica, and, optionally, a solid acidic catalyst (b) selected from the group consisting of alumina, whose surface is coated with silica, and Boralite B, with an effluent being obtained which comprises a mixture of predominantly of unreacted n-butane, butenes and isobutene, all of which components of the mixture have a carbon atom content less than 5;(B) separating the mixture of olefins and parafins from hydrogen and aromatic byproducts; and(C) oligomerizing said mixture in the presence of a catalyst consisting of amorphous silica-alumina gel, as determined by X-rays, having a silica:alumina molar ratio within the range of 30:1 to 500:1, with a surface area of from 500 to 1000 m.sup.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low-viscosity cement composition, useful in the field of oil drilling, comprising cement, water and an additive obtained by salifying into the alkali-metal, alkali-earth metal, or ammonium salt, the sulphonated and oxidated products derived from the reaction between sulphur trioxide and cookery tar or sulphur trioxide and fuel oil from steam cracking; the cement composition is endowed with improved rheological characteristics such as a low-viscosity value without substantial changes in the pumping times, even at high temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: A cementitious composition for oil well cementation able to prevent fluid migration comprises water, hydraulic cement, surfactant or organic dispersant, and carbon black.

Abstract: Crosslinkable liquid composition based on organic isocyanates and epoxy compounds, comprising the following components:(A) an organic polyisocyanate;(B) a polyepoxide or mixture of a polyepoxide and a monoepoxide; and(C) a catalyst constituted by at least one cyanoderivative containing a quaternary nitrogen atom,which composition can be polymerized at temperatures of 40.degree. C. or higher, by a process comprising exposure thereof to a non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation having a frequency comprised in the microwave range of frequencies, to obtain a solid material endowed with an excellent combination of physical, chemical and mechanical properties.

Abstract: A process for preparing a coal-water fuel from a low rank coal. The first step of the process provides for an aqueous slurry containing particles of the low rank coal. A quantity of an agglomerating agent in the range of about 10% to 30% weight to dry ash - free low rank coal weight is added to the slurry to produce a mixture. The mixture is then agitated to form agglomerates. Following separation of the agglomerates, the agglomerates are contacted with steam or an inert gas having a temperature in the range of about 250.degree. C. to 420.degree. C. at substantially atmospheric pressure to produce partially deoiled agglomerates containing less than about 7% by weight of residual bridging liquid and having a moisture capacity reduced by a factor of at least about 2.5 at a relative humidity of 96% compared to the moisture capacity of the low rank coal.

Abstract: A process for deasphalting and demetallizing petroleum vacuum distillation residues using dimethylcarbonate (DMC) in the presence of an overpressure of carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) and comprising:mixing a vacuum distillation residue with dimethylcarbonate (DMC) under a pressure of CO.sub.2, under temperature and pressure conditions such as to maintain the DMC in a prevalently liquid state, and forming a homogeneous solution with the deasphalted oils;cooling the entire system to a temperature such as to form three phases;then venting the gas at this temperature;recovering a deasphalted and partly demetallized primary oil from the light phase;recovering a deasphalted and partly demetallized secondary oil from the intermediate phase;f) recovering the used DMC for its possible reuse.

Abstract: Reinforced polyolefinic thermoplastic composition comprising a polyolefin, a carbonate of a metal appertaining to IIa Group of the Periodic System and a maleamic silane having general formula: ##STR1## wherein R and R.sub.1 are hydrogen or an alkyl radical; R.sub.2 is an alkoxy hydrolysable group or a halogen atom; R.sub.3 is an alkyl radical having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms; X may be a radical of formula: ##STR2## or an aromatic, cycloaliphatic o heterocyclic divalent radical.

Abstract: A sensor in completely solid state for determining the concentration of a gas, in particular of hydrogen, is disclosed, which is essentially constituted by electrodes separated by a protonic conductor in the solid state, in which the solid-state reference electrode is constituted by a metal hydride, or a metal-alloy hydride.