Abstract: A heat storage medium consists of sodium hydroxide and water, the sodium hydroxide concentration being in the range greater than the stoichiometric concentration in sodium hydroxide monohydrate up to and including 80% by weight, the water concentration being in the range less than the said stoichiometric concentration down to and including 20% by weight. Within this particular concentration range the tendency of the sodium hydroxide water system to supercool diminishes after a few cycles. The initial supercooling may be reduced by the addition of tellurium dioxide in amount 0.1 to 2.0% by weight of the combined weight of sodium hydroxide and water.

Abstract: A foaming crude oil is separated into (i) liquid oil containing not more than 10% by volume of gas and (ii) gas containing not more than 200 parts per million of liquid oil by passing the foaming crude oil into a cyclone separator which has means for controllably adjusting the size of the inlet thereto and in which the ratio of the diameter of the vortex finder to the diameter of the vessel in the region of the inlet is from about 0.40 to 0.80, and which is also provided with a disengaging chamber and means for maintaining a minimum liquid level in said disengaging chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing metal electrodes by treating a metal electrode substrate so as to coat the substrate surface with a homogeneous solution of the compounds of (i) at least one metal selected from a first group of iron, cobalt, nickel and manganese (ii) at least one other metal selected from a second group of molybdenum, tungsten and vanadium, each of which compound is capable of thermal decomposition to the corresponding metal oxide. The coated substrate is then thermally decomposed and the oxide-coated substrate is cured in a reducing atmosphere at elevated temperature. Substrates coated with Ni-Mo oxides are preferred. The electrodes thus produced exhibit very low overvoltage, are of high stability with respect to their activity and can be used as cathodes for the electrolysis of water or brine.

Abstract: Halogenated hydrocarbon and uncontaminated water is recovered from a stream of process water contaminated with halogenated hydrocarbon and hydrogen halide. The process water is neutralized and then distilled to obtain a first fraction containing halogenated hydrocarbon and water and a second fraction containing uncontaminated water. The first fraction is allowed to settle into layers of halogenated hydrocarbon and water which are then removed.The contaminated stream may be obtained from a process for the solvent dewaxing of a petroleum fraction.

Abstract: A process for the production of a product comprising ethanol which process comprises reacting at elevated temperature and pressure and in the liquid phase methanol with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of an inert, particulate solid comprising a high surface area form of silica, alumina, silica/alumina or carbon, a methanol soluble catalyst comprising either:(i) cobalt as the sole catalytic metal entity added either: as cobalt carbonyl or bis (triphenylphosphine) iminium tetracarbonylcobaltate or in a form capable of forming a carbonyl and/or carbonyl hydride complex under the prevailing reaction conditions, or(ii) a metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table excluding iron, palladium and platinum as the sole catalytic metal entity added either as a metal complex in which the ligand is derived from cyclopentadiene or a substituted cyclopentadiene of formula: ##STR1## in which R is independently hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, or in a form capable of forming the complex under the prevailing reaction cond

Abstract: A process for the production of aromatic hydrocarbons which process comprises contacting at elevated temperature and in the vapor phase a C.sub.2 to C.sub.12 aliphatic hydrocarbon feedstock with a catalyst comprising a crystalline aluminosilicate having a silica to alumina molar ratio greater than 12:1 which has been modified by incorporation therein of aluminium either by exchange or impregnation.

Abstract: Crystalline aluminosilicates having a high (greater than 10:1) silica to alumina molar ratio and an X-ray diffraction pattern substantially the same as that of ZSM-5 zeolite are prepared by mixing a source of silica, a source of alumina, a source of alkali metal, water and at least one monoalkanolamine selected from monoethanolamine and monopropanolamine or their precursors, the ratio of the source of silica to the source of alumina being at least 20:1 based on the equivalent moles of silica and alumina in their respective sources, and maintaining the mixture at a temperature of about 120.degree. C. or 135.degree. C. or more for a time such that crystallization occurs. Typical crystallization conditions are a temperature in the range 120.degree. to 210.degree. C., a pressure in the range from autogenous to 400 psig and a time not less than 4 hours and up to and in excess of 7 days.

Abstract: Flarestack for disposal of combustible gases having source of flame extinguishing material such as halogenated hydrocarbon connected to the fuel gas supply line at a point upstream of the burner head. The material may be activated remotely to extinguish one or more flare/pilot light systems and is useful for emergency situations. The burner head may be of the Coanda burner type.

Abstract: A cured structural building element formed by winding and curing resin saturated glass fibre on a former. The element takes the form of a rod or beam having pairs of projections pointing towards each other at an angle to the rod or beam. The heads of the projections are arranged to lock together upon bending of the rod or beam to form a curved rigid element.

Abstract: A method for the dispersal of oil comprising the steps of(a) deploying a barrier on water contaminated with oil to enclose, at least partially, an area containing oil, said barrier having one or more weirs in the barrier connecting the enclosed area with a gallery and means for removing oil from the gallery;(b) allowing oil and associated water to flow over the one or more weirs into the gallery;(c) adding a dispersant to the oil and water subsequent to its passage over the weir or weirs;(d) pumping the oil and water from the gallery under conditions such that an emulsion of oil, water and dispersant is formed, and(e) discharging the emulsion into the water outside the enclosed area.Also claimed is a barrier suitable for use in the method described for the dispersal of oil spilt on water.

Abstract: A heat storage medium contains (a) a sodium hydroxide in concentration from 60% by weight up to and including the stoichiometric concentration in sodium hydroxide monohydrate, (b) water in concentration from 40% by weight down to and including the said stoichiometric concentration, and (c) 0.1 to 2.0% by weight of tellurium dioxide, all percentages being expressed as percentages by weight of the total weight of sodium hydroxide and water. The tellurium dioxide reduces the tendency of the sodium hydroxide water system to supercool.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel electrodes and a method of preparation thereof for use in electrochemical cells. The novel electrodes contain a combination of electrocatalysts deposited on a metal substrate.The electrocatalysts are deposited from a homogeneous solution of the compounds of (a) at least one metal selected from iron, cobalt, manganese and nickel, (b) at least one metal selected from molybdenum, vanadium and tungsten, and (c) at least one rare earth metal of the lanthanide group having an atomic number of 57-71 inclusive, the metal compounds are decomposed to the oxides and the oxide coated substrate cured at elevated temperature in a reducing atmosphere. The electrodes thus produced can be used as an anode or as a cathode in fuel cells and in cells for the electrolysis of water or brines.

Abstract: Blends of chlorosulphonated polyethylene and defined bituminous material are modified by the addition of not more than 15% by weight, based on total weight of chlorine-containing synthetic elastomer, of a thermoplastic olefin polymer having a softening point in the range 110.degree.-160.degree. C. The incorporation of this polymer reduces shrinkage when sheets formed from the blend are exposed to heat while in use.

Abstract: An inert gas supply system suitable for salvaging a damaged oil tanker comprises an inert gas generator (1), a pressurizing blower (5), piping (3, 12), at least one combined purge pipe, pressure indicator and pressure vacuum release device (4) and at least one set of seals and isolating tanks.The system may be used for reducing hydrocarbon gas accumulations on a damaged tanker to safe levels, pressurizing damaged tanks to improve buoyancy, and maintaining non-flammable atmospheres during off-loading of cargo or discharge of ballast.

Abstract: Surfaces of a blend of (1) unvulcanized chlorosulphonated polyethylene and/or chlorinated polyethylene, (2) a bituminous petroleum derivative of softening point in excess of 100.degree. C. and an asphaltene content in excess of 25% by weight and (3) a noninterfering anti-blocking agent are joined by radio frequency dielectric welding.

Abstract: Flare for disposal of combustible gases which includes a Coanda nozzle using high pressure steam. The nozzle has a self adjusting slot and a low pressure fuel gas supply is entrained into the mouth of the nozzle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing aromatic hydrocarbons suitable for use as gasoline blending components. In the process a mixed hydrocarbon feedstock comprising a C.sub.5 -C.sub.12 hydrocarbon fraction containing olefins and an (un)saturated C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 hydrocarbon is brought into contact in the vapor phase with an aluminosilicate having a gallium compound deposited thereon or having gallium ions exchanged with cations therein. The resultant product shows considerable improvement in RON and MON and is therefore ideal for blending with gasoline. Hydrogen is formed as a valuable by-product.

Abstract: A trenching implement (41) suitable for towing on the sea bed to make a trench for a submarine cable or pipeline (54) comprises a body (44) attached to which is a soil cutting member (46) which makes a soil surface in the direction of travel of the implement, a landside (45) engaging the soil surface and a towing means (56) connected so that, when the direction of travel is different from the line of the towing force (56), the line of the towing force (56), projected if necessary, passes through a point (50) in the region of the landside (45) with the result that the landside (45) resists the sideways component of the towing force (56). This reduces the risk of damage to the cable or pipeline (54).

Abstract: Coal/oil gels are prepared by grinding coal in crude petroleum or a petroleum fraction. The gels are thixotropic and can be transported by pipeline.

Abstract: A barrier for impeding the spread of oil spilt on water comprising two angled buoyant rigid elements (9 and 10) each of which is moulded onto a respective angled stiffener (2 and 5) to form Z-shaped members (1 and 4) in cross-section. The two Z-shaped members (1 and 4) are positioned back to back so that each is a mirror image of the other. The ends of the angled stiffeners (2 and 5) remote from the angled buoyant rigid elements (9 and 10) are rotatably connected and the two angled buoyant rigid elements (9 and 10) are releasably joined by a fastener 7. A flexible membrane (3) passes around the ends of the angled stiffeners (2 and 5) remote from the angled buoyant rigid elements (9 and 10), each end of the membrane (3) being moulded into one of the angled buoyant rigid elements (9 and 10).