Abstract: A method for preparing a pyrethroid insecticide of general formula: ##STR1## wherein the two hydrogen atoms on the cyclopropane ring are in the cis- configuration, in which an acid of formula: ##STR2## is neutralized with a water-soluble base and then reacted in the presence of a phase-transfer catalyst with a solution in a substantially water-immiscible organic solvent of an alpha-cyanobenzyl aryl sulphonate of formula: ##STR3## the substituents in the formulae having the following meanings; A represents an optionally substituted aryl group; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represent hydrogen or halogen; and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 represent chlorine, bromine, or methyl.

Abstract: A heat-insulated container for liquefied gases, which includes a rigid outer shell internally lined with a heat-insulating material, is provided with a locating and/or supporting device for pumps or other apparatus. The support device is formed of a material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion, such as an iron-nickel alloy and is bonded directly or indirectly to the heat-insulating material lining the rigid shell.

Abstract: There are provided benzofuran-substituted acetic acid esters and compositions thereof having arthropocidal activity.

Abstract: Method for recovering oil from an underground formation consisting of blocks of relatively low permeability with an oil-wet pore space containing oil surrounded by a fracture network of relatively high permeability by supplying to the fracture network an aqueous solution of a surfactant adapted for decreasing the surface tension between water and oil and displacing the oil from the oil-wet pore space of the blocks.

Abstract: Salts from a salt deposit including magnesium and potassium salts are mined by a solution process in a cavity at the lower end of a borehole. A solvent liquid (water) is injected into the cavity at a level that is periodically raised whereby super imposed slices or cuts of the part of the deposit around the borehole are consecutively dissolved. Brine is recovered from a low level in the cavity. The injection rate of the solvent liquid and the recovery rate of the brine are controlled such that the vertical distribution of the potassium content of the brine in the cavity shows a maximum within the uppermost slice or cut.

Abstract: The apparent electrical resistivities of various parts of a marine bottom are determined by supplying an alternating electrical current to a pair of current supply electrodes and measuring potential differences between pairs of measuring locations. The locations are on a straight line on the marine bottom. There is a fixed ratio between the distance between the locations of each pair and the distance between said pair and the pair of current supply locations. Adjoining pairs of measuring locations have a measuring location in common.A flexible cable for taking these measurements is described.The determined resistivities are subsequently compared with calculated resistivities to determine the compositions and thicknesses of the soil layers of the marine bottom.

Abstract: An insect trap which comprises a chimney member adapted to allow a flow of air to be forced therethrough, a reservoir of insect attractant which under the influence of the flow of air is evaporated and borne as a stream of attractant vapor emanating from the chimney member into the surrounding atmosphere, and a tacky substance provided inside the chimney member which will trap flying insects lured therein by the stream of attractant vapor.

Abstract: The invention relates to animal ear tags.Ear tags for attachment to ears of animals such as cattle in accordance with the invention are made at least in part from a material comprising a solid organic polymeric macromolecular substance having a molecular weight above 1000 and a pesticidally-active compound having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from fluorine, chlorine and bromine; X is hydrogen, cyano or ethynyl; and Z is hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine or bromine. The invention also provides a method for making the tags by mixing the macromolecular substance and the compound of formula I and forming the tag by injection moulding, and further provides a method of controlling fly and tick populations in the vicinity of an animal by affixing to an ear of the animal a tag in accordance with the invention.The ear tags are surprisingly effective in the control of insects and ticks on animals, such as cattle.

Abstract: A method for increasing the productivity of wells completed in soft acid-soluble producing formations, comprising the steps of: producing in such formation a fracture containing a viscous fluid; injecting an acid solution wherein the viscosity of the contained fluid is preferably at least 50 times greater than the acid solution into the formation to create acid etched fingering channels; injecting into the formation a fluid with a propping agent the viscosity of which is at least equal to the acid solution until propping agent is deposited in the fracture at least in those areas where channels have been etched; and lowering the pressure within the fracture to allow it to move towards a closed position. By controlling the viscosity ratios of viscous fluid to acid solution and carrying fluid to acid solution long fingering acid etched channels are created and propped such that the channel walls of the soft formation are propped open when the fluid pressure in the fracture is reduced.

Abstract: A fracturing and acidization method for increasing the productivity of relatively hard acid-soluble formations about a perforated well, comprising the steps of producing a formation fracture containing a viscous fluid and propping agent; injecting an acid solution having a viscosity value fifty times less than the contained viscous fluid into the fluid filled fracture, thereby forming etched channels in the fracture walls and displacing the propping agent from such channels; and lowering the fluid pressure in the fracture to allow the walls thereof to become displaced towards a closing position until held open by the propping agent. Channels so formed have a greater width than can be formed by conventional techniques and consequently substantially increase the productivity of such formations.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of a stereoisomer into its diastereoisomer of a compound having the following general formula: ##STR1## (wherein the asterisk denotes an asymmetric carbon atom; each X is individually hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, halogen, nitro, hydroxy or cyano; R is an organic residue containing one or more centers of asymmetry; and n is 1 to 5), which comprises subjecting the said stereoisomer to the action of an alkali metal carbonate and an inert polar solvent at a temperature in the range 20.degree. to 100.degree. C. and physically separating the required diastereoisomer from the resulting mixture of diastereoisomers.

Abstract: Tanks for seagoing tankers for transporting liquefied natural gas or liquefied methone are basically prismatic, wherein the corners between intersecting walls are rounded off so that in such tanks adjacent flat wall parts are interconnected by a curved wall part. The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for mechanically treating the inner surfaces of the walls of such a tank, wherein the apparatus is so constructed that it is able to displace a treating tool along the flat wall parts and along the curved wall parts in such a manner that these wall parts are treated in a similar manner so that the quality of the treatment will be the same for all the various wall parts. The apparatus is particularly useful for spraying an insulating material, for example a polyurethane foam, onto the inner surface of the walls of such a tank.

Abstract: A coal gasification reactor is disclosed which includes a gasification chamber surrounded by a pressure shell, a tubular quench section above the gasification chamber and a superposed waste heat boiler. Heat expansive members are provided in the form of bellow type expansion members between the waste heat boiler and the quench section as well as between the quench section and the gasification chamber to absorb or compensate for relative thermal expansion differences due to the temperature ranges involved in gasification.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the partial combustion of pulverized coal, in which the pulverized coal, dispersed in an inert carrier gas, is supplied to a burner, and oxygen is injected into the stream of pulverized coal at two longitudinally spaced locations in the burner for feeding into a gasification reactor.

Abstract: A novel process is disclosed for the preparation of cyclopropanecarbonitriles of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and Hal have the meanings given in the description; which comprises heating the corresponding ammonium or aminium cyclopropanecarboxylate in the presence of a polar aprotic solvent. The process produces cyclopropanecarbonitriles, in high yields, which are useful as intermediates in the production of insecticidally active compounds.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an ester of cyanoacetic acid having the following general formula: ##STR1## (wherein R represents an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydrocarbyl group), which comprises contacting an alkali metal carboxylate of general formula: ##STR2## (wherein M represents an alkali metal atom) with a hydrocarbyl halide of general formula:R--Hal (III)(wherein R has the meaning hereinbefore defined and Hal is a halogen atom having an atomic number of at least 17) in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst and an organic solvent.

Abstract: A process and apparatus, wherein as hot gas from a coal gasifier discharges through a tubular outlet having therein a wall which is permeable throughout its length for the flow of hot gas centrally therethrough, a gas shield is formed along the inner surface of the tubular outlet by passing a coolant through the wall, which gas shield cools the wall and prevents sticky ash particles in the hot gas from hitting the wall. The gas shield also cools the hot gas so that the sticky ash particles lose their stickiness.

Abstract: A novel partial combustion process and apparatus therefor are disclosed wherein coal powder is passed from a fluidization vessel operated at high pressure to a gasification reactor operated at a substantially constant small pressure increment below the pressure of the fluidization vessel. Coal powder solids are introduced into the fluidization vessel through coal powder supply means while the fluidization gas is introduced into the fluidization vessel to fluidize the coal powder solids in the fluidization vessel. The fluidized powder is discharged through novel passage means in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow of the fluidization gas flowing into the vessel, so that the fluidized coal powder is concentrated during flow and is uniformly dispersed, whereby the transfer rate of the coal powder is substantially increased, thereby making it possible to use smaller sizes of equipment for the same volumes handled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the supply of pressurized fuel powder to a pressurized reactor, comprising the steps of, and apparatus for, supplying powder to a vessel with a centrifugal pump to inject powder into the vessel by centrifugal force, and maintaining a supply of powder from outside the vessel to the pump.

Abstract: A method for producing a barrier in a thermally insulated container lined with polyurethane foam for storage or transport of liquefied gases, wherein a plurality of layers of an epoxy resin formulation and a glass-fiber material are applied in a particular sequence resulting in a barrier of superior quality essentially free of pinhole flaws.