Abstract: A system for controlling the vertical movement of a drillstring and which is removably interconnected with a conventional drill rig. The system includes at least one fluidic cylinder and piston assembly removably connected at an upper end to a support, such as the rig's traveling block assembly, and at a lower end to the drillstring. A pump is operatively connected to the cylinder and piston assembly and a control valve device is provided to control the flow of the fluid to and from the cylinder and piston assembly. A computing device is in operative communication with a data measurement system and the control valve device and is used to automatically control the movement of the drillstring in response to data, such as WOB, received from the data measurement system.

Abstract: A process for recovery of vanadium and molybdenum from a feed material containing compounds of these metals by reacting at an effective pH an aqueous solution of vanadate and molybdate anions with a quaternary ammonium surfactant dissolved in an organic solvent which is immiscible with water and separating a vanadate anion rich phase from a molybdate anion rich phase.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a phosphorus/vanadium/metal oxide catalyst suitable for the oxidation of butane to maleic anhydride can be prepared by reacting in an aqueous medium a vanadium compound, inorganic acid and metal oxide, then adding orthophosphoric acid to form a soluble vanadium phosphorus metal oxide catalyst, removing the acidified water and adding an aliphatic alcohol, removing the alcohol and recovering under vacuum the solid phosphorus vanadium metal oxide catalyst.

Abstract: Catalyst for production of polyolefins of improved morphology comprises (A) organometallic promoter and (B) product obtained by contacting (1) at least one oxygenated compound of phosphorus with (2) catalytic complex comprising an intimate association of at least one reduced Group IVB-VB metal halide, at least one divalent metal halide and at least one aluminum compound. Oxygenated phosphorus compound is used in an amount effective to improve polymer morphology without substantial adverse effects on other catalytic properties.

Abstract: A slurry composition and method of using the same is provided which is particularly useful in filling spent in situ oil shale retorts to form a strong load bearing mass which minimizes surface subsidence. The slurry is formed by mixing spent oil shale with 50 to 300 weight percent water and at least one material selected from the group consisting of lignosulfonate, sodium silicate, and sodium gluconate. The maximum concentration of each material selected is 4 weight percent based on the spent oil shale.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for analyzing the composition of a gasoline-range petroleum product using a new copper on silica gel adsorption composition. The copper on silica gel adsorption composition is capable of separating olefins from saturates in a mixture by temporarily retaining the olefins while allowing the saturates to pass through. The method of analysis entails passing a gasoline sample through an absorption column whereby the aromatics are retarded while the saturates and olefins pass through. The saturates and olefins are then directed through the copper on silica gel composition wherein the olefins are retained while the saturates pass through into a detector and are measured. Once all the saturates are removed from the system, the aromatics are backflushed from the absorption column and are routed into the detector for measurement.

Abstract: An isomerization process which comprises isomerizing a hydrocarbon component comprising at least one saturated C.sub.5 -C.sub.6 hydrocarbon in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst comprising tantalum pentafluoride and hydrogen halide and in the presence of a hydrocarbon promoter comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of C.sub.8 -C.sub.14 multiple-branched paraffins, wherein the total concentration of C.sub.8 -C.sub.14 multiple-branched paraffins, is in the range of about 1 to 50 parts by weight per each 100 parts by weight of said saturated C.sub.5 -C.sub.6 hydrocarbons.