Abstract: Low value hydrocarbons can be upgraded by contact with the products formed during irradiation of a hydrogen donor using microwave energy in the presence of at least one plasma initiator.

Abstract: A novel, high porosity, high surface area catalyst is disclosed which is useful in wax isomerization processes, especially for the production of high viscosity index, low pour point lubricating oil base stocks or blending stocks. The catalyst contains a catalytically active metal component selected from the group consisting of Group VIB and Group VIII metals, and mixtures thereof, preferably Group VIII metals, and mixtures thereof, more preferably noble Group VIII metals and mixtures thereof, most preferably platinum which catalytically active metal component is present in the range of about 0.01 to 5.0 wt. %, and a fluorine content in the range of about 0.01 to about 10.0. The catalyst employs a refractory metal oxide support material, one preferably predominantly (i.e., at least 50 wt. %) alumina, most preferably completely alumina, e.g., gamma or eta alumina. The finished catalyst has a porosity, expressed in terms of pore volume, of at least about 0.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for the synthesis of unsaturated aliphatic polyesters, their crosslinking by thermal treatment and the use of the corresponding crosslinked membranes to separate aromatics from saturates.

Abstract: The reaction cycle time for the copolymerization of unsaturated esters such as alkyl fumarates and vinyl acetate, and for the polymerization of methacrylates and acrylates may be dramatically reduced by carrying out the polymerization at elevated temperatures and pressures. An additional feature is the addition of initiator during polymerization which leads to improved products especially for lubricating oil pour depressants and fuel and crude oil flow improvers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward the preparation of novel polysubstituted fullerenes. The method of forming polysubstituted fullerenes comprises contacting a fullerene with an electrophilic reagent selected from the group consisting of nitronium ion and organic peracid, provided that when the electrophilic reagent is nitronium ion, the fullerene is subsequently contacted with a nucleophilic reagent.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for the synthesis of saturated aliphatic polyesters by reaction of saturated or aromatic diacid chlorides with oligomeric aliphatic polyester diols, a method to thermally crosslink membranes prepared from the above saturated aliphatic polyesters, and the use of the crosslinked membranes to separate aromatics from saturates.

Abstract: An improved fluid coking process which includes: (a) a fluid coker comprised of a coking zone, a scrubbing zone, and a stripping zone; (b) a heater, and optionally a gasifier. The improvement comprises feeding a portion of the heated solids from the heater and/or the gasifier, to the stripping zone. Consequently, the coking zone can be operated at a temperature lower than the stripping zone.

Abstract: Novel polymers consisting essentially of frecurring moieties selected from polyquinoxaline and substituted polyquinoxalines are disclosed. These polymers are prepared by contacting 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline or 1,2,3,4-organo substituted tetrahydroquinoxaline compounds with a transition metal sulfide catalyst at elevated temperatures. Also disclosed are quaternary ammonium derivatives of the novel polymers, their preparation and use.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a feed injector for a fluid catalytic cracking reaction zone, which feed injector provides improved oil atomization and dispersion. The injector comprises a straight-pass conduit section, in which a feed oil and steam are premixed, and a terminal section, where the oil is atomized and dispersed by a generally fan-shaped distributor. The feed injector produces a substantially flat spray pattern across the direction of catalyst flow in the catalyst/oil contacting section of the catalytic cracking reaction zone. Improved product yield and lower coke and light gas yields are obtained.

Abstract: Hard asphalts exhibiting acceptable penetration and low temperature properties can be produced from vacuum residua from which such hard asphalts are not normally obtainable via typical vacuum distillate such as that derived from Arab Light crude and/or feeds substantially comprising Arab Light-type crudes by ultrafiltering the residua through a membrane.

Abstract: Interfacially polymerized, crosslinked membranes on microporous, organic solvent resistant ultrafiltration membrane backing are useful for the separation of organic mixtures under reverse osmosis conditions. The membranes are prepared by depositing an aqueous (or conversely non-aqueous) solution of a first component on the microporous backing, draining off the excess quantity of this first solution and then applying a second component in the form of a non-aqueous (or conversely aqueous) solution. The two components interact and polymerize at the interface between the aqueous phase and the non-aqueous phase to produce a highly crosslinked thin polymer layer on the microporous ultrafiltration support backing layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst for hydrogenation of aromatic compounds, which comprises a hydrophilic support material; and a stationary aqueous acid phase supported by the hydrophilic support material, the aqueous acid having a transition metal catalyst dissolved therein, Preferably, the solid hydrophilic support material is an acidic material, such as an acid-treated clay.The foregoing catalyst is particularly useful in hydrogenating aromatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method of preparing catalyst compositions of cobalt composited with ternary metal oxide supports of substituted titania having the general formula Co/Ti.sub.x M.sub.1-x O.sub.2 where x ranges from 0.01 to 0.14 and M is selected from the group consisting of silicon, zirconium, and tantalum and wherein the titania is an anatase polymorph stable under oxidative regeneration temperatures from about 400.degree. to about 750.degree. C.

Abstract: Hollow fiber membrane separation elements are improved with respect to fluid flow and contacting by dividing the bundle of hollow membrane fibers in the element into discrete sub-bundles by use of baffles in the module.

Abstract: A distillation tower (1) has a plurality of liquid sidestream lines (5, 6, 7) and a multi-stage sidestream stripper (13) which includes a respective stripping section (14, 15, 16) for each sidestream line housed in a common, upright, cylindrical shell (28) which allows vapor to pass freely from each stage to the one above. Partial vaporization of each sidestream is achieved by applying a vacuum to the top of the stripper shell (point 21) and/or introducing strip gas at the bottom (point 20). Because the vapor passes serially through the stripping sections from the bottom of the stripper (13) to the top, the need to supply strip gas separately to the stripping sections and/or apply vacuum individually is avoided. The separation between the sidestream products is improved by including, in each stage, a rectification zone (22, 23, 24) positioned above the stripping section.

Abstract: The activity of supported cobalt catalysts for hydrocarbon synthesis is maximized by carrying out the reduction at conditions that keep both the partial pressure of water vapor and the maximum reduction temperature below critical maximum values. For titania supported cobalt catalysts, the preferred maximum water partial pressure is one atmosphere and the preferred maximum reduction temperature is 375.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the production of a formulated transformer oil by the process involving fractionating the product coming from a hydrocracker to produce a distillate boiling in the transformer oil range, dewaxing the fraction, optionally hydrofinishing the fraction and adding to said fraction an effective amount of anti-oxidant and/or pour point depressant. The formulated transformer oil produced by this process has properties equivalent to those of formulated naphthenic transformer oil.

Abstract: Piston deposits resulting from neutralizing combustion acids present in the lubricating oil circulating within the lubrication system of an internal combustion engine are reduced or eliminated by first cntacting the acids with a soluble weak base in the piston ring zone of the engine to form soluble neutral salts containing the weak base and the combustion acids. Thereafter, the neutral salts are contacted with a heterogenous strong base immobilized within the lubrication system but outside of the piston ring zone. The strong base displaces the weak base from the neutral salts, returning the weak base to the oil for recirculation to the piston ring zone for further use. The remaining strong base/combustion adic salts are immobilized as deposits with the strong base rather than on the piston. In a preferred embodiment, trioctadecyl amine is the weak base and magnesium oxide is the strong base.

Abstract: A catalyst composition having superior hydrotreating activity which catalyst is comprised of salts and/or complexes of Group VIII metals with Group VI metal heteropolyacids on an inorganic oxide support material, wherein the concentration of Group VIII metal ranges from about 2 to 20 wt. %, and the concentration of Group VI metal ranges from 5 to 50 wt. %, which percents are on support and which catalyst composition is substantially free of free water.

Abstract: In its simplest sense, the present invention is directed toward a process for the thermal conversion of methane into unsaturated gaseous hydrocarbons, especially olefins, comprising first compressing methane in the presence of an inert gas having a higher ratio of heat capacities, Cp/Cv, than methane. The inert gas used is present in an amount sufficient to provide a compressed gas mixture having a peak temperature of adiabatic compression in the range of about 900.degree. C. to about 2200.degree. C. Under these conditions, at least some of the methane is converted to unsaturated gaseous hydrocarbons. Immediately thereafter, the compressed gas mixture is expanded, thereby substantially preventing thermal conversion of the gaseous hydrocarbons. Importantly, the compression and expansion are achieved in a single cycle of less than about one second.