Abstract: Olefins are polymerized with a catalyst composition which forms on mixing a supported chromium oxide catalyst system and a silane compound. This composition allows the production of one or more comonomers in-situ. The resultant polymer has a lower density, a higher melt index, and a higher high load melt index than polymers produced with a similar catalyst system in the absence of a silane compound.

Abstract: Catalytic regenerators, nozzle designs and processes suitable for introducing regeneration air into a catalytic cracking unit which substantially reduce erosion induced nozzle failures include a plurality of nozzle elements having a roughness defined upon the outside surface of said nozzle elements so as to reduce erosion due to the impact of fluidized catalyst particles within the catalytic regenerator.

Abstract: High surface aluminas are pre-calcined to form gamma-alumina. In one embodiment, the gamma-alumina is treated with an anhydrous solution of a fluorine-containing compound. In a second embodiment, alumina is precipitated in the pores of the gamma-alumina and then treated with a fluorine-containing compound. In a third embodiment a cogel of aluminum trifluoride and aluminum hydroxide is prepared. The three inventive fluorided alumina supports can be impregnated with a transition metal, preferably chromium, to form a catalyst system which can be used to polymerize mono-1-olefins.

Abstract: A process for producing an easily recoverable poly(arylene sulfide) polymer having a melt flow of less than 130 g/10 min., which processes comprises:a) adding a second polar organic compound to a polymerization reaction mixture during polymerization immediately prior to termination of said polymerization, wherein said polymerization reaction mixture is formed by reacting reactants comprising a dihaloaromatic compound, a sulfur source and a first polar organic compound under suitable polymerization conditions, and wherein the molar ratio of second polar organic compound added to first polar organic compound is in the range of 0.05 to 2; and thereafterb) terminating said polymerization; andc) recovering said polymer.

Abstract: A cobalt carbonyl phosphine complex useful for hydrogenation of cyclic polyenes to corresponding cyclic monoenes is prepared by reaction of dicobalt carbonyl and a phosphine compound in at least one non-oxygenated aliphatic solvent. Selective hydrogenation of the cyclic polyenes comprises an induction period during which the polyenes are contacted with the cobalt carbonyl complex catlayst under hydrogen pressure followed by decreasing the reaction temperature and pressure for a period of time sufficient to complete the hydrogenation.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a carbide compound, such as silicon carbide. A reactor is provided which has a chamber defined therein which is divided into a combustion zone and a reaction zone. A combustible mixture comprising carbon monoxide and an oxidant is injected into the combustion zone and accordingly combusted to form hot combustion products. At least one reactant is injected at the boundary between the zones so as to be carried into the reaction zone by the combustion products and react to produce a precursor product powder comprising an oxide, such as silicon dioxide, and carbon. This precursor product powder is heated in an inert atmosphere to yield the desired carbide compound.

Abstract: Drilling mud is rapidly decomposed by admixing one or more enzymes with the mud to selectively degrade one or more polymeric organic viscosifiers therein. A method of cleaning up a well site drilling mud pit containing drilling mud is provided. Also provided are a composition and method of removing residual drilling mud from a wellbore and around the well face.

Abstract: An ethylene dimerization process catalyzed by a hetergeneous catalyst comprising a nickel compound, a phosphine compound, an organoaluminum compound, and a perfluorosulfonate polymer is provided. The dimerization process comprises contacting ethylene under dimerization conditions with the catalyst which is prepared by adding a homogeneous solution, formed by mixing under ethylene pressure the organoaluminum solution with a mixture of the nickel compound and the phosphine compound, to a suspension of the perfluorosulfonate polymer in an alcohol.

Abstract: Method for the site specific genomic modification of yeasts of the genus Pichia and novel DNA sequences useful therefore are provided. Pichia is transformed with a serially arranged linear DNA fragment comprising first and second insertable DNA fragments, which flank a marker gene. The insertable DNA sequences are homologous to defined portions of the Pichia genome and integrate by recombination at such defined sites. The resulting transformed organism contains the marker gene and any additional DNA sequences which are positioned between the insertable DNA fragments. In addition, the resulting transformed organism has either a disrupted or deleted sequence at the site of the genomic modification. Enhanced production of heterologous gene products is observed when using as the host for expression strains in which the alcohol oxidase gene has been disrupted. Upon disruption of the primary alcohol oxidase gene of Pichia, the existence of a second alcohol oxidase gene in Pichia was also discovered.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonwoven composite and a process for making a nonwoven composite suitable for making shoe counters comprising: (1) dispersing an effective amount of a thermoplastic resin throughout the interstitial space of a nonwoven fabric having two fabric surfaces wherein the first fabric surface has a velvety or felt texture and the second fabric surface has a fused surface thereby forming a thermoplastic resin-loaded nonwoven fabric; thereafter heating said thermoplastic resin-loaded fabric in a manner which impregnates said thermoplastic resin onto the nonwoven fabric thus forming said nonwoven composite with one velvety or felt surface substantially free of thermoplastic resin in the absence of buffing.

Abstract: A process for preparing a dihydroxy bis-sulfide is disclosed, wherein a thiolate salt, a dihaloalkane, an ether solvent that is partially soluble in water and is substantially nonreactive with either said thiolate salt or said dehaloalkane; and water are contacted under reaction conditions sufficient to synthesize a dihydroxy bis-sulfide; to subsequently recover a dihydroxy bis-sulfide.

Abstract: An ethylene dimerization process is provided wherein ethylene is contacted with an organonickel(II) compound, a phosphite compound and an alkylaluminum compound in a solvent to produce a precursor reaction mixture, followed by contacting ethylene with the precursor reaction mixture and a fluorinated organoacid to produce a product reaction mixture comprising a C.sub.4 fraction of predominantly 2-butenes.

Abstract: A disproportionation catalyst comprising an ammonium or an alkali metal tungsten oxide and a process for forming disproportionation product using the disproportionation catalyst are disclosed. The disproportionation process is used to facilitate the separation of at least one 1-olefin from a mixture of olefins that have close boiling points by contacting the mixture of olefins with another 1-olefin under disproportionation conditions to produce disproportionation products which have significantly different boiling points among themselves and can be easily separated by conventional means.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the relative wettability of a sample of a porous media with respect to a first liquid and a second liquid. The method includes the steps of providing the sample at a partially saturated state with respect to the first liquid; obtaining a first nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) parameter value for the partially saturated sample; exposing the partially saturated sample to the second liquid for a predetermined period of time, wherein the second liquid is treated with a paramagnetic species such that the presence of the second liquid in the sample does not substantially affect the NMR signal response of the sample; obtaining a second NMR parameter value for the sample after exposure to the second liquid; and determining the relative wettability by comparing the first and second NMR parameter values.

Abstract: A method is provided for separating fibers from a solid sample which includes a solid material having fibers embedded therein. A first chamber, containing the sample, and a second chamber are defined within an appropriate vessel(s) such that the first chamber is positioned generally above the second chamber, and a filter is positioned between the chambers. At least one conduit, having at least one valve associated therewith, is further provided which is in fluid communication with the second chamber. Closure of such valve(s) substantially seals the second chamber except for fluid communication of the second chamber with the first chamber through the filter.

Abstract: A solid composition of matter comprising: (1) cobalt, (2) at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Group IA metals, (3) silicon and (4) oxygen, preferably containing at least two Group IA metals and optionally containing at least one material selected from the group consisting of halogen ions and compounds containing halogen ions, phosphorous and compounds containing phosphorous, sulfur and compounds containing sulfur. A method for the oxidative conversion of feed organic compounds to product organic compounds utilizing these solid compositions of matter as solid contact materials is described.

Abstract: An extractive distillation process for separation ethers (in particular methyl t-butyl ether or ethyl t-butyl ether), aliphatic hydrocarbons (in particular isobutane and/or isobutene) and alcohols (in particular methanol or ethanol) employs as solvent sulfolane(s) and/or dialkyl sulfone(s), or N-(.beta.-mercaptoalkyl)-2-pyrrolidone(s), or a mixture of N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone(s) and either sulfolane(s) or glycol compound(s).

Abstract: A process for preparing arylene sulfide polymers by contacting a sulfur source, a cyclic organic amide, and a dihaloaromatic compound to form a polymerization mixture, polymerizing the polymerization mixture and recovering the arylene sulfide polymer wherein the process is conducted in the presence of titanium dioxide.

Abstract: A process for removing carbon monoxide and free oxygen from hydrocarbon-containing fluids comprises contacting the fluid feed with at least one of several supported platinum-containing catalyst compositions so as to convert carbon monoxide and free oxygen to carbon dioxide, essentially without oxidizing the hydrocarbon(s).

Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering propane product from HF alkylation process that is substantially free of HF acid. The invention allows for the improvement in the operation of an HF alkylation propane stripper by utilizing a bottoms recycle stream.