Abstract: Disclosed herein are ethylene-based polymers generally characterized by a melt index of less than 1 g/10 min, a density from 0.93 to 0.965 g/cm3, a CY-a parameter at 190° C. of less than 0.2, an average number of short chain branches per 1000 total carbon atoms of the polymer in a molecular weight range of 400,000 to 600,000 g/mol that is greater than that in a molecular weight range of 40,000 to 60,000 g/mol, and an average number of long chain branches per 1000 total carbon atoms of the polymer in a molecular weight range of 400,000 to 600,000 g/mol that is greater than that in a molecular weight range of 4,000,000 to 6,000,000 g/mol.

Abstract: Spacer fluid compositions comprising water, a clay, and a sulfur-containing polyether surfactant are disclosed, and such compositions often can further include a weighting additive, an antifoaming additive, and a co-solvent. These spacer fluid compositions can be used to treat metal casing and to remove drilling fluid residue for improved cement bonding in wellbore applications.

Abstract: Disclosed are a catalytic method and system for producing aromatic hydrocarbons from aliphatic hydrocarbons or light naphtha. In an aspect, the process comprises adding a diluent comprising a heavy aromatic hydrocarbon (for example, C7-C9+) to a reactor feedstock comprising aliphatic hydrocarbons (for example, C6-C8) or light naphtha to form a reactor feed stream, such that the heat capacity of reactor feed stream is higher than the heat capacity of feedstock. The reactor feed stream is heated and contacting with a catalyst under conditions sufficient to aromatize at least a portion of the aliphatic hydrocarbons and form a product stream comprising a primary aromatic hydrocarbon product and a heavy aromatic hydrocarbon product. In an aspect, the diluent can comprise a heavy aromatic hydrocarbon having at least one carbon atom more than the primary aromatic hydrocarbon product.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of capturing particulates. The methods may include contacting particulates in a gas stream with one or more acoustic waves. The one or more acoustic waves may include standing waves or waves of modulating frequency. The methods may include promoting agglomeration of particulates with an electrostatic force. Also provided herein are systems for capturing particulates.

Abstract: A method of forming a thermoresponsive polymer. The method begins by mixing in the presence of an organic solvent to form a monomer solution. An initiator is then added to the monomer solution to form a thermoresponsive polymer. In this method, R1 and R4 can be independently selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl groups; R2 and R3 can be independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, olefinic, aromatic, heterocyclic, halogen, ammonium, nitroxides, nitrates, nitrite amides, amines, esters, ethers, carboxylic acids, acyl chlorides, alcohols, nitriles, phosphates, phosphonates, sulfates, sulfonates, sulfide, sulfite, thiol, and combinations thereof; Y can be selected from the group consisting of O, N and S; R5 and R6 can be independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, olefinic, heterocyclic, halogens, ammonium, carboxylic, amines, esters, amides and combinations thereof; and X are methylene groups from about 0 to about 20 carbons.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide a fastener system having straight walled driving surfaces that provides a reliable stick fit feature, while also improving stability of engagement between the system components. A feature of the new system is to allow stick fit engagement of existing standard straight walled drivers in the new system.

Abstract: Low sulfur gasoline blend stock is produced by a hydrodesulfurization process including at least two hydrodesulfurization reactors with hydrogen feeds and two finishing reactors arranged where the first polishing reactor converts both thiophenic compounds and mercaptans to hydrogen sulfide and hydrocarbons and the second polishing reactor uses a catalyst that has much less thiophenic conversion activity but is operated at a higher temperature to more substantially reduce the sulfur content of the gasoline present in the form of mercaptans. As the conversion of thiophenes to hydrogen sulfide is correlated to reducing octane number, using a second polishing reactor that has little activity for thiophene conversion also protects the high-octane species in the gasoline thereby minimizing octane loss while reducing total sulfur content to acceptable levels. The sulfur left in the gasoline is biased toward higher thiophene content and away from mercaptan content.

Abstract: An eductor, a process and apparatus for gas phase polymerization of olefins in a polymerization reactor are disclosed. The process and apparatus employ an eductor which has an inlet which makes a bend of less than about 90° toward the outlet after entering the mixing chamber of the eductor.

Abstract: A method of preparing a catalyst comprising a) contacting a titanium-containing compound, a solvating agent, and a solvent to form a solution; b) contacting the solution with a chrominated silica-support to form a pre-catalyst; and c) thermally treating the pre-catalyst by heating to a temperature of from about 400° C. to about 1000° C. for a time period of from about 1 minute to about 24 hours to form the catalyst.

Abstract: Systems operable to produce liquid transportation fuels by converting a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising both isopentane and n-pentane. The system comprises a first separator operable to separate a hydrocarbon feed stream into a first fraction that predominantly comprises isopentane and a second fraction that predominantly comprises n-pentane and some C6 paraffins. An isomerization reactor isomerizes the second fraction to convert at least a portion of the n-pentane to isopentane. The resulting isomerization effluent is combined with the hydrocarbon feed stream, allowing the isopentane produced in the isomerization reactor to be separated into the first fraction in the first separator. An activation reactor catalytically activates the first fraction to produce an activation effluent comprising olefins and aromatics. Certain embodiments additionally comprise either an oligomerization reactor or and alkylation reactor operable to further upgrade the activation effluent, thereby enhancing yields.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems operable to catalytically convert a hydrocarbon feed stream predominantly comprising both isopentane and n-pentane to yield upgraded hydrocarbon products that are suitable for use either as a blend component of liquid transportation fuels or as an intermediate in the production of other value-added chemicals. The hydrocarbon feed stream is isomerized in a first reaction zone to convert at least a portion of the n-pentane to isopentane, followed by catalytic-activation of the isomerization effluent in a second reaction zone with an activation catalyst to produce an activation effluent. The process increases the conversion of the hydrocarbon feed stream to olefins and aromatics, while minimizing the production of C1-C4 light paraffins. Certain embodiments provide for further upgrading of at least a portion of the activation effluent by either oligomerization or alkylation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes that catalytically convert a hydrocarbon feed stream predominantly comprising both isopentane and n-pentane to yield upgraded hydrocarbon products that are suitable for use either as a blend component of liquid transportation fuels or as an intermediate in the production of other value-added chemicals. The hydrocarbon feed stream is isomerized in a first reaction zone to convert at least a portion of the n-pentane to isopentane, followed by catalytic-activation of the isomerization effluent in a second reaction zone with an activation catalyst to produce an activation effluent. The process increases the conversion of the hydrocarbon feed stream to olefins and aromatics, while minimizing the production of C1-C4 light paraffins. Certain embodiments provide for further upgrading of at least a portion of the activation effluent by either oligomerization or alkylation.

Abstract: Processes for producing liquid transportation fuels by converting a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising both isopentane and n-pentane. The hydrocarbon feed stream is separated into a first fraction that predominantly comprises isopentane and a second fraction that predominantly comprises n-pentane and some C6 paraffins. The first fraction is catalytically activated to an activation effluent comprising olefins and aromatics, while the second fraction is isomerized to convert at least a portion of the n-pentane to isopentane, then combined with the hydrocarbon feed stream to allow the newly-produced isopentane to be separated into the first fraction. At least a portion of the activation effluent is alkylated to enhanced yields of products that are suitable for use as a blend component of liquid transportation fuels.

Abstract: A mounting structure for a compressor assembly of an auxiliary air conditioning system for a vehicle includes a mounting plate that includes a first surface, a second surface, a first plurality of apertures, and a second plurality of apertures. The mounting structure also includes a plurality of mounts disposed at the first surface, the plurality of mounts including a mount attached to the mounting plate via fasteners extending through the first plurality of apertures. The mounting structure also includes a mounting panel of a compressor unit of the auxiliary air conditioning system. The mounting panel includes a main portion having mounting apertures overlapping the plurality of mounts. Fasteners are disposed at the mounting apertures to attach the mounting panel to the mounting plate via the plurality of mounts.

Abstract: Disclosed are metallocene compounds, catalyst compositions comprising at least one metallocene compound, processes for polymerizing olefins, methods for making catalyst compositions, olefin polymers and articles made from olefin polymers. In an aspect, a metallocene compound and catalyst composition are disclosed in which the metallocene contains at least one indenyl ligand, the indenyl ligand containing at least one halogenated substituent, such as a fluorinated substituent. These metallocene compounds and catalyst compositions can produce polyethylene having unexpectedly low levels of short chain branching.

Abstract: Minimum Federal Safety Standards for corrosion control on buried oil & gas pipelines stipulate that metallic pipes should be properly coated and have impressed-current cathodic protection (ICCP) systems in place to control the electrical potential field around a protected pipe. In certain examples described herein, electrically-conductive composites can be used and provide intrinsically-safe materials without the dielectric shielding issues of existing materials used with pipelines. As reacted by customary spray applications, the nanocomposite foams described herein are directly compatible with ICCP functionality wherever foam contacts the metallic pipe. Various compositions and their use with underground and/or above ground pipelines are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods of reducing heat exchanger fouling rate and of producing polyolefins are provide herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ethylene homopolymers generally characterized by a density of less than 0.94 g/cm3 and an inverse short chain branch distribution. These homopolymers can be further characterized by a ratio of Mw/Mn from 2 to 100, a number of short chain branches from 2 to 20 short chain branches per 1000 total carbon atoms, and wherein at least 50% of the short chain branches are methyl branches.

Abstract: A low energy wood screw that may be inserted quickly and using less energy than conventional screws. In various embodiments, the screw may include a countersunk head having a recess for accommodating a driving tool, a tapered neck, a plurality of crown ribs extending over the head and neck, a lubricating coating, main threads with a large thread lead, and lower threads having an asymmetrical profile and extending onto a gimlet point.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a coke deposit from an internal surface of a process equipment, comprising removing at least a portion of the coke deposit from the internal surface using a flexible pig comprising a plurality of bristles, without damaging a metal protective layer of the internal surface of the process equipment. A flexible pig for cleaning a coke deposit from an internal surface of a process equipment without damaging a metal protective layer of the internal surface, comprising a flexible body formed of a polymeric material, and a plurality of bristles partially encapsulated by the polymeric material of the flexible body.