Abstract: A cyclone separator for separating a crude oil feed containing gas and water into (i) gas, (ii) liquid oil and (iii) water comprises a vessel having an inlet disposed so that feed introduced under a pressure gradient is caused to form a downwardly flowing liquid vortex from which gas separates, an upper outlet for the gas, a hollow cylinder or small angle cone whose internal surface provides a surface for the liquid vortex, the walls of the vessel being spaced from the cone to define therebetween a disengaging chamber, an outlet for gas from the disengaging chamber, a first lower outlet for the liquid oil and a second lower outlet for the water.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell with an electrode having deposited thereon an electrocatalyst which is a mixed oxide of nickel-molydenum, nickel-tungsten, cobalt-molydenum or cobalt-tungsten and containing an aqueous alkaline electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of a molybdenum, vanadium or tungsten compound. The electrodes are preferably prepared by alternately coating an electrode core with a compound of nickel or cobalt, and with a compound of molydenum or tungsten, said compounds being capable of thermal decomposition to the corresponding oxides, heating the coated core at an elevated temperature to form a layer of the mixed oxides on the core and finally curing the core with the mixed oxide layer thereon in a reducing atmosphere at a temperature between 350.degree. C. and 600.degree. C. The cells are particularly suitable for use in the electrolysis of water or brine.

Abstract: A tether assembly (2) for a tethered buoyant platform for installation in a shaft (8) of a leg (10) of the tethered buoyant platform comproses a cable tether (4) having a terminal at one end for connecting to an anchor post (12) on the sea bed and having a bearing (16) which is a sliding fit in the shaft (8) of the leg (10) to transmit lateral forces from the tether to the shaft (8) of the platform. The assembly (2) further includes upper and lower bending guides (18 and 20) each providing a curved surface to control the bending radius of the tether (4) and a tether length adjuster (30) comprising a plurality of axially spaced apart members capable of engaging corresponding members associated with a releasable clamp (6).

Abstract: Corrosion inhibiting particles comprise an inorganic oxide which is silica or alumina, having corrosion inhibiting cations, particularly calcium or zinc cations, chemically bound to the particles. They may be prepared by contacting a silica or alumina containing hydroxyl groups with an alkaline solution containing the cations, at ambient temperature.The corrosion inhibiting particles may be incorporated into protective coatings, e.g. paints based on epoxy resins, alkyd resins, vinyl resins or chlorinated rubbers, in amounts up to 80% wt based on dry film weight, giving coatings with up to 7.2% wt corrosion inhibiting cations.Release of the cations is by ion exchange with other cations, e.g. the alkali metal cations of sea water, and does not, as is normal with corrosion inhibiting coatings, depend on the water solubility of the corrosion inhibitor.

Abstract: An electric pump assembly (1) for lifting fluids in wells comprises a plurality of electric pumps (20) and (24) located at axially spaced apart locations in the well each pump having an axial aperture (21) to permit wire line operations to be conducted in the well below the assembly (1). Adjacent pumps (20) and (24) can rotate in opposite directions about a common axis to effect torque balancing. Each pump (20) can have a transformer (50) to permit local adjustment of voltage and means (40) are provided for sequential operation of the pumps. Assembly can be supported on cable (12), (14) or on production tubing (60) assisted by packers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a crystalline aluminosilicate having a high silica to alumina molar ratio and an X-ray diffraction pattern substantially the same as that of ZSM-5 zeolite which method comprises mixing a source of silica, a source of alumina, a source of alkali metal, water and at least one alkanolamine according to Formula (I): ##STR1## wherein any two of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently alkylol groups and the remaining one of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is a hydrogen atom or all of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently alkylol group, the alkylol groups being --CH.sub.2 --R--OH, wherein R is --CH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, or --CH(CH.sub.3)--, the ratio of said source of silica to said source of alumina being at least 20:1 based on the equivalent moles of silica and alumina in said respective sources, maintaining said mixture at a temperature above about 120.degree. C. and recovering the crystalline aluminosilicate formed.

Abstract: Strengthened zeolite molecular sieve agglomerates are prepared by treating the agglomerates with an aqueous solution of a water soluble silicon compound and subsequently with an aqueous solution of a mineral acid of sufficient strength to decationize the molecular sieve and/or increase its SiO.sub.2 :Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ratio. The strengthened agglomerates are suitable for use as catalyst supports.

Abstract: Corrosion inhibiting particles comprise an inorganic oxide, particularly alumina, having corrosion inhibiting anions, particularly phosphate, chromate or benzoate anions, chemically bound to them. They may be prepared by contacting an oxide containing hydroxyl groups with an acidic solution containing the anions at ambient temperatures. The particles may be incorporated into protective coatings, e.g. paints based on epoxy resins, alkyd resins or chlorinated rubbers, in amounts up to 80% wt based on dry film weight, giving coatings with up to 4.0% corrosion inhibiting anions. Release of the anions is by ion-exchange with other anions e.g. the chloride anions of sea water or salt spray, and does not, as is normal with corrosion inhibiting coatings, depend on water solubility.

Abstract: A method for transmitting power by traction wherein the traction fluid is a borate ester having the general formula: ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is a saturated or unsaturated mono-cyclic group with from 1 to 5 side groups having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different cyclic groups as defined for R.sub.1 or alkyl groups with from 1 to 20 carbon atoms.A traction drive mechanism utilizing such a borate ester as the traction fluid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of dehydroisomerizing n-butane by contacting at elevated temperatures a feedstock containing n-butanes with a catalyst composition containing a gallium compound on a support. The process affords a valuable method of producing iso-butene which is a basic chemical feedstock for a number of products including polyisobutenes, methacrolein and methyl tertiary butyl ether, to name a few. The last named compound can be prepared by reacting isobutene with methanol and is a convenient means of separating iso-butene from the products of the dehydroisomerization stage.

Abstract: Mass transfer equipment comprises a base (3) having at least one riser (1) with inwardly elongated sloping sides and a moveable valve cap (2) positioned above the riser (1), having outwardly and downwardly elongated sloping sides. Legs (5) extend downwardly from the valve cap (2) and posses stops which limit the movement of the valve cap (2) to such an extent that the lower edge of the sloping side of the valve cap (2) is never above the upper edge of the sloping side of the riser (1). Dimples (4) may be provided on the riser (1) to prevent sticking when the valve is closed.

Abstract: Ethanol is produced by reacting methanol with carbon dioxide and hydrogen at a temperature in the range 150.degree. to 250.degree. C., a pressure in the range 100 to 300 bars and a residence time in the range 10 minutes to 8 hours in the presence of:(i) a cobalt-containing catalyst optionally promoted with iodine, bromine or an organo-phosphorus compound and optionally in the presence of a stabilizer and,(ii) an additive which may be a monocarboxylic acid and/or a derivative thereof and, optionally, a non-polar solvent such as an alkane, benzene or an alkyl-substituted benzene.The preferred additives are acetic acid and methyl acetate. The presence of the additive increases the total realizable yield and selectivity to ethanol.

Abstract: Delayed action setting of a composition comprising an amonic latex of a film forming polymer is effected by the addition of a delayed action setting agent which is a mixture of:(1) a compound containing a multivalent metal cation, which compound has a solubility in the range 0.1 g to 150 g per 100 g of water at 20.degree. C. and which has a dissolution time greater than 1 minute, and(11) and alkali metal silico fluorideOther film forming materials such as bitumen may be present in the composition. The process is particularly useful for mixtures of polychloroprene latex and bitumen emulsion. The compound (1) can be either one which gives or one which does not give exudation (or `sweating`) of water from the latex. A preferred compound of the former type is calcium sulphate hemihydrate. The preferred fluoride (11) is sodium silico fluoride. The composition may also contain inert non-hydraulic particulate filler which can be a hard filler, e.g. sand or a deformable filler, e.g.

Abstract: A functionalized silica is prepared by reacting silica with a silane and an aromatic hydroxy aldehyde. The product is useful for removing metals from solution, e.g., Cu from ATK, or in the extraction of U from solutions arising from the processing of its ores.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an energy absorbing structure for a vehicle comprises the steps of (a) winding a continuous resin wetted filament around a number of attachment points at the opposite ends of a jig to form an array of parallel strands, (b) displacing and tensioning the strands by means of first cross bars substantially at right angles to the strands, (c) winding a second array of parallel strands between the attachment points over said first cross bars, (d) displacing said second array onto said first array by means of second cross bars lying parallel and in between the first cross bars, (e) laying a third array of strands over said first and second cross bars and between said attachment points, and (f) curing the structure. The structure may then be fixed to the interior of a vehicle door panel.

Abstract: An oil production system for producing oil at an offshore location comprises a floating storage vessel to receive the produced oil, the vessel having means for dynamic positioning and being connectable to a subsea well head by a riser and having means for separating the associated gas from the produced oil and employing the separated gas as fuel for the dynamic positioning.Re-entry of the subsea well is effected by providing the riser with means for effecting a simultaneous stab connection with the production bore and hydraulic control system lines without orientation.

Abstract: Crystalline aluminosilicates having a high silica to alumina molar ratio are prepared by mixing a source of silica, a source of alumina, a source of alkali metal, water and one or more substituted neopentylamines having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.2 is H, OH or NH.sub.2 and R.sup.1 is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl group, and maintaining the mixture under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure, typically in the range from 80.degree. to 210.degree. C. and autogenous pressure for a time sufficient to effect formation of the aluminosilicate, typically not less than 4 hours. The molar ratio of silica to alumina in the initial mixture is suitably in the range from 10:1 to 150:1 and the amounts of alkali metal and neopentylamine are suitably in the range from 2:1 to 0.02:1 and 10:1 to 0.02:1 respectively moles per mole equivalent of total silica and alumina in the respective sources.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the wear of relatively moving parts, particularly inaccessible moving parts of internal combustion engines, comprises fixing a length of radioactive material into the part to be monitored, so that one end of the material is flush with the wearing surface, and measuring the loss of radioactivity as the surface of the part and radioactive material are worn away.An internal combustion engine having a length of radioactive material fixed into a relatively moving part, as described above, and a radiation detector which may be fitted to the outside of the engine is also claimed.The method may also be used to measure wear in, for example, pumps or compressors.

Abstract: Delayed action setting of a composition comprising an anionic latex of a film forming polymer by addition of a delayed action setting agent characterized in that the setting agent is a compound containing a multivalent metal cation having defined solubility characteristics in a quantity not greater than 2.5% wt/wt on total composition and not greater than 11% wt/wt based on film forming polymer solids in the composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to an esterification process employing as a heterogeneous catalyst an inorganic oxide, e.g. silica, to which there is bonded by reaction with surface hydroxyl groups a sulphonic acid-functionalized silane.