Abstract: The free radical hydrobromination reaction of an olefinic compound is initiated photochemically by irradiating a mixture of hydrogen bromide and the olefinic compound with coherent light having a wavelength in the range from about 335 to about 500 nm.

Abstract: Novel polyamide-imide-phthalamide copolymers containing polyetherimides are disclosed. These copolymers are useful for the manufacture of thin films, molded objects and engineering resins.

Abstract: Amorphous carbon is an electrocatalytically active material which is useful as an electrode component in electrochemical cells.

Abstract: In a process for quench-cooled, vapor-phase polymerization of olefin monomer comprising (a) contacting an olefin monomer, or mixture of olefin monomers, with a polymerization catalyst in the presence of hydrogen in a reactor vessel to form polymer product, and (b) removing, condensing and recycling off-gas from such reactor, an improvement comprises separating entrained polymerizing solid fines from said off-gas and recycling such solids directly to the reactor without substantial continued polymerization of such solids while in the presence of a substantially different concentration of hydrogen than in the reactor.

Abstract: Di-substituted maleic anhydride compounds are disclosed of the structural formula ##STR1## wherein R and R.sup.1 are selected from the group consisting of aliphatic and phenyl moieties, and R.sup.2 is a divalent aromatic moiety. Polyamide-imide polymers, polyimide polymers and vinyl copolymers derived therefrom are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a process for reducing the pour point of a hydrocarbon feedstock containing nitrogen- and sulfur-containing compounds. Specifically, the hydrocarbon feedstock is passed to an extraction zone wherein N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone is used to extract a portion of the aromatic compounds. A portion of the extraction zone raffinate is then passed to a hydrotreating zone wherein a portion of the nitrogen and sulfur containing compounds are converted to hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. Subsequently, a portion of the hydrotreating zone effluent is then passed to a dewaxing zone and contacted with a shape selective molecular sieve containing dewaxing catalyst.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a downwardly directed beam of acoustic wave energy in a body of water, comprising a source of acoustic wave energy such as a water gun, supported at a selected depth in the body of water. Means are provided above and around the source in the form of a series of concentric circular tubes of selected diameters and spacing so that the enveloping surface is a paraboloid. A large number of small perforations are spaced along these horizontal tubes through which compressed gas, which is supplied to the tubes, can escape and form spaced rising columns with small gas bubbles in the volume of water above the paraboloid. The highly reflecting contact surface between the water within the paraboloid and the gas-water mixture above the paraboloid causes downward reflection of seismic energy from the source in the form of plain waves of seismic energy.

Abstract: Catalyst and process are disclosed for preparation of alpha, beta-unsaturated acids. Catalyst comprises a silica component and a Group IA alkali metal component which is present in an amount of from 200 to 15,000 parts per million, said silica component containing less than about 500 parts per million individually of aluminum, zirconium, titanium, iron and mixtures thereof. Process comprises reacting formaldehyde and a carboxylic acid of the formula RCH.sub.2 COOH wherein R is a member of the class consisting of -H, -alkyl, -aryl, -aralkyl, -cycloalkyl, and -alkylaryl radicals in the presence of said catalyst. Catalyst activity is maintained during process by addition of source of alkali metal component.

Abstract: The rate of evaporation of material from a laser-heated target is enhanced by coating the target with a layer of condensed substantially inert gas.

Abstract: A process for producing aromatic compound having at least one cyano group and one amide group or carboxyl group which process comprises subjecting aromatic polynitrile compound containing no carboxyl groups in a simple medium to the action of one or more microorganisms which have a nitrilase system capable of selectively hydrolyzing one cyano group of the polynitrile.

Abstract: The double reverse helix agitator with an internal conveying screw is used in a gas phase olefin polymerization reactor having at least one polymerization section and has helical flights defined by helical blades which are mounted to a shaft, which extend in opposite axial directions and which have approximately the same radius from the axis of rotation of the agitator. The shaft has a spiral screw thread thereon for conveying polymer particles axially by the agitator through a reactor vessel.

Abstract: A plug valve which effects the immediate and intimate mixing of fluidizable cracking catalyst with a fluid hydrocarbon in a riser reactor. Specifically there is an elongated feed tube extending generally upwardly through the acess opening into the riser, anda plug valve having a generally upright tubular valve stem positioned concentrically and externally around a portion of the feed tube and a hollow plug secured to the valve stem which is engageable with said access opening, where the plug valve is movable in a reciprocating fashion from a closed position for blocking the access opening to an open position for permitting the flow of cracking catalyst through the access opening into the riser reactor.

Abstract: A system is provided in which particulates and sulfur oxides are simultaneously removed from flue gases in a granular bed filter with special sulfur oxide-capturing and particulate-removing material. The spent sulfur oxide-capturing and particulate-removing material can be regenerated in a lift pipe riser.

Abstract: There are disclosed a catalyst and a process for the hydrodenitrogenation of a hydrocarbon stream containing a substantial amount of nitrogen compounds, such as whole shale oil.The catalyst comprises a hydrogenation component comprising chromium, molybdenum, and at least one Group VIII metal deposed upon a porous alumina-silica support, the silica of said support being present in an amount within the range of about 10 wt % to about 50 wt %, based upon the weight of said support.The process comprises contacting the hydrocarbon stream under hydrodenitrogenation conditions and in the presence of hydrogen with the aforesaid catalyst.

Abstract: A technique for continuous gravity separation of a produced oil and water emulsion has particular utility in separating water for reinjection during a waterflood secondary recovery operation without loss of saleable oil. The method employs a flow direction means to introduce the produced oil-water emulsion into a large volume settling tank substantially tangential to the tank wall and then withdraws the separated oil and water. The apparatus of the instant invention comprises: (a) a tank, (b) an oil-water inlet means, (c) a flow direction means connected to the oil-water inlet means to direct the oil-water emulsion into the settling tank tangential to the tank wall, (d) a bottom-center located water outlet pipe, and (e) an oil outlet pipe.

Abstract: The method is particularly adapted for controlling the molecular weight of a product output from a polybutene reactor. The method includes the steps of: deriving from the operating parameter of a polybutene reactor system a formula which correlates molecular weight as determined by product viscosity or other parameters of the product output with operating variables such as temperature of the reactor and concentration of isobutylene in the reactor, which concentration can be controlled by the amount of catalyst, e.g.

Abstract: There is disclosed a catalyst, which catalyst comprises a hydrogenation component comprising chromium, molybdenum, and at least one metal of Group VIII, a crystalline molecular sieve zeolite, and a porous refractory inorganic oxide. Suitable molecular sieve zeolites are those having pore diameters of at least 5 .ANG. (0.5 nm) and containing exchangeable cations, for example, faujasite-type crystalline aluminosilicates, mordenite-type crystalline aluminosilicates, ZSM-type crystalline aluminosilicates, and AMS-type crystalline metallosilicates.There is also disclosed a process, which process comprises contacting a hydrocarbon stream containing a substantial amount of nitrogen under hydrotreating conditions and in the presence of hydrogen with the aforesaid catalyst.

Abstract: A system is provided in which particulates, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur oxides are simultaneously removed from flue gases in a granular bed filter and scrubber with a nitrogen oxide-capturing reducing agent and a bed of sulfur oxide-capturing and particulate-removing material. the spent sulfur oxide-capturing and particulate-removing material can be regenerated in a lift pipe riser.

Abstract: An environmentally safe protection device is provided to contain and store both fill hose spillage and underground tank overfill of gasoline and diesel fuel. The containment and protection device has a fill tube and an auxiliary vapor return tube to accommodate Stage I Vapor Recovery. The containment device also has a reservoir to contain overfill from the underground tank and spillage from the fill hose. A special valve assembly automatically drains motor fuel from the reservoir into the underground tank when the tank is at least partially empty and prevents upward passage of motor fuel and vapors into the reservoir when the tank is overfilled. A dual lid arrangement is provided to prevent water and debris from contaminating the fuel in the reservoir.

Abstract: A method and related system are disclosed for combining two fluids in correct proportions. The flow rates of the two fluids are measured and the volume proportion of the first fluid to the second fluid is determined from these measurements. The flow rate of the first fluid is then continuously adjusted to bring the proportion of the fluids to and be maintained at a predetermined value. In one embodiment of the present invention, the flow of an inert gas and the flow of a hydrocarbon gas are measured and adjusted prior to combining and injection into a wellbore. A microprocessor is utilized to calculate the proportion of the fluids from the measurements of flow and then to automatically change the position of the valve to adjust the flow rate of the inert gas.