Abstract: A process for the preparation of a composite comprising reinforcing fibres embedded in a thermosetting resin matrix, the process comprising taking said fibres impregnated with said resin and curing said resin characterized in that a porous membrane film of thermoplastic material is placed between at least two layers of fibres prior to curing.

Abstract: A process for removing acetone from an acetone/methyl acetate/methyl iodide mixture utilizing extractive distillation with water being introduced to the distillation zone above the point of introduction of the mixture and acetic acid being introduced at or above the point of introduction of the mixture. In a preferred embodiment the mixture is subjected to an initial extraction with an aqueous extractant to remove most of the methyl iodide.The process is particularly applicable to removing acetone by-product in carbonylation processes for the production of acetic anhydride.

Abstract: A process for depositing a coating on a filament, which comprises heating the filament and passing the heated filament through a deposition chamber containing gases which on contact with the hot filament deposit the coating; characterized in that said gases comprise chloroform and a hydrocarbon having I to 6 carbon atoms, a carbon coating being produced.

Abstract: Sulphonated polyketones are prepared by reacting a linear alternating copolymer of carbon monoxide and one or more olefins (polyketone) with a sulphonating agent (e.g. chlorosulphoric acid) in a solvent (e.g. dichloromethane) at a temperature in the range -20.degree. to +40.degree. C. A molar excess of sulphonating agent is preferably used. The sulphonated polyketone produced contains one or more types of unit of formula--[COC(R.sup.1).sub.2 C(R.sup.1).sub.2 ]--wherein the R.sup.1 groups are independently H, C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alkyl or SO.sub.3 H with the proviso that at least one R.sub.1 group is SO.sub.3 H.

Abstract: A novel catalyst composition comprising a crystalline aluminosilicate having a molar ratio of silica to alumina of at least 5:1, the aluminosilicate carrying gallium and copper, is useful in the conversion at elevated temperature of a C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 hydrocarbon feedstock into aromatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Palladium complexes having the general formula Pd(R'CO.sub.2).sub.2 X where R' is C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alkyl or C.sub.6 to C.sub.10 aryl and X is a chelating ligand of formula (R.sup.2).sub.2 PYP(R.sup.2).sub.2 where the R.sup.2 groups are independently selected from C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl, phenyl or alkoxy substituted phenyl, and Y is --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- where n=2 to 4 are provided. The complexes may be prepared by reacting the compounds Pd(R'CO.sub.2).sub.2 and (R.sup.2).sub.2 PYP(R.sup.2).sub.2 together in an aromatic solvent at a temperature of less than 60.degree. C. in amounts such that the molar ratio of the two compounds is in the range 1.2:1 to 1:1.2.

Abstract: A process for removing iodide derivatives from liquid acetic acid and/or acetic anhydride comprises contacting the liquid acetic acid and/or acetic anhydride with a strong acid cation exchange resin having from about 4% to about 12% crosslinking, a surface area in the proton exchanged form of less than 10m.sup.2 g.sup.-1 after drying from the water wet state and a surface area of greater than 10m.sup.2 g.sup.-1 after drying from a wet state in which water has been replaced by methanol. The resin has at least one percent of its active sites converted to the silver form preferably from 30 to 70 percent.

Abstract: An improved liquid-phase process for preparing carboxylic acids having (n+1) carbon atoms by rhodium catalyzed carbonylation of an alcohol having n carbon atoms is provided. The process is particularily suitable for preparing acetic acid from methanol in commercial carbonylation reactors operating at steady-state with a low standing quantity of water (e.g. 0.5 to 5% by weight). The improvement lies in carrying out the carbonylation in the presence of an iodide stabilizer (e.g. lithium iodide) and a Group VI B metal costabiliser. The process can optionally be carried out in the presence of hydrogen.

Abstract: A process for preparing polyketones (alternating polymers of carbon monoxide and one or more olefins) is provided. The process is characterized by using the nickel catalyst obtained by reacting a nickel compound, e.g. nickel acetate, nickel carbonyl or bis(cyclooctadiene) nickel(O), with a thiol-substituted carboxylic acid of formula HS--R--CO.sub.2 H (R is a divalent organic radical). Preferred thiol-substituted carboxylic acids include 2-mercaptobenzoic acid, 4-mercaptobenzoic acid, 2 mercaptonicotinic acid and compounds of formula HS--CHR.sup.2 --CO.sub.2 H where R.sup.2 is selected from hydrogen, --CH.sub.3 and --CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 H.

Abstract: Chiral imidazolidones and imidazolidinethiones having the general formula: ##STR1## where (a) Z is either oxygen or sulphur(b) the R groups are independently selected from hydrogen or R.sup.2 CO where R.sup.2 is C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alkyl, C.sub.2 to C.sub.10 alkenyl or benzyl and(c) the two R.sup.1 groups are either (1) identical groups selected from C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alkyl, phenyl or C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl or alkoxy substituted phenyl or (2) such that together they form an alkylene group of formula --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- where n=3 to 8.Most preferred are those compounds where both R groups are R.sup.2 CO and there is a C.sub.2 axis of symmetry running along the CZ double bond. Compounds of formula (I) where at least one R group is R.sup.2 CO are efficient chiral auxiliaries for a range of asymmetric electrophilic substitution reactions when used in homochiral form. As such they are important tools for synthesising a range of chiral pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and the like.

Abstract: A catalyst which comprises zinc, together with an effective amount of a platinum group metal on a support which is a material having the silicalite structure, the framework of said material consisting essentially of silicon and oxygen atoms or of silicon, zinc and oxygen atoms. There is also provided a process for the dehydrogenation of a C.sub.2 to C.sub.10 paraffin to yield an alkene product which process comprises contacting the paraffin under dehydrogenation conditions with a catalyst according to the invention.

Abstract: Paving composition comprising a blend of specified bitumen and high vinyl butadiene, substantially free of added sulphur or peroxide, with elastic recovery greater than 50%.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing linear interpolymers of olefin(s) (e.g. ethylene) and carbon monoxide (Polyketones) is provided. The process comprises polymerizing the olefin(s) with carbon monoxide in the presence of a palladium catalyst derived from a palladium source, a bidentate amine, phosphine, arsine or stibine of formula (R.sup.1).sub.2 M--R.sup.2 --M(R.sup.1).sub.2 where the M atoms are selected from N, P, As or Sb, the R.sup.1 groups are e.g. C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl or phenyl and R.sup.2 is e.g. (CH.sub.2).sub.a where a=2 to 10, and a anion prepared by reacting in a 2:1 molar ratio and substituted salicylic acid and boric acid. The salicylic acid is preferably 4- or 5- substituted with methyl, Cl or Br. Using this particular palladium catalyst leads to high polymer yields than e.g. when unsubstituted salicylic acid is employed.

Abstract: A rock analyser includes a chamber containing a heater (2) and the sensor (6) of a hydrocarbon detector (7), the heater (2) being connectable to a source of power (5) and the sensor (6) being connected to the remainder of the hydrocarbon detector (7). The analyser determines the amount of hydrocarbon material present in the rock. It is portable and is useful for field screening tests to reduce the number of samples sent for laboratory analysis.

Abstract: A process for preparing terpolymer polyketones comprises reacting at least two olefins with carbon monoxide at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalyst prepared from (a) a source of palladium, (b) a source of an anion which either does not coordinate with palladium or is less strongly coordinating to palladium than both carbon monoxide and the olefin(s) used and (c) a bisphosphine of formula (R.sup.1).sub.2 P--R--P(R.sup.1).sub.2 wherein R.sup.1 is an optionally polar substituted aromatic hydrocarbyl group and R is a divalent organic bridging group of formula --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --where n=2 to 8 and (d) a 1,4 quinone. The process is characterized by being carried out in a solvent comprising a mixture of an aprotic polar solvent and from 0.0001 to 0.5% by weight water. The particular solvent system used is especially useful for preparing terpolymer polyketones of high molecular weight.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of hydrocarbons using an alumina-based catalyst which is prepared by(a) selecting an alumina catalyst having a bulk density of at least 0.6 g/ml and a pore volume of less than 0.6 ml/g;(b) heating the alumina of (a) to a temperature of at least 1000.degree. C. in the presence of a sintering agent containing at least one metal selected from nickel, chromium, cobalt and platinum; and(c) recovering a sintered alumina-based catalyst having a bulk density and an attrition resistance greater than that of the alumina of (a). Catalysts prepared by this process are useful in hydrocarbon conversion processes.

Abstract: A method for determining the height and length of a fracture (3) in a borehole (1) involves generating pressure waves in the fluid in the wellbore using a valve (4) and measuring the response at the well-head by means of a transducer (5). A theoretical model of the wellbore-fracture system is generated and compared with the measured response to determine the height and length of the fracture.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing polymer composites comprising a polymeric matrix (Host) in which crystallites of organic and/or inorganic compounds (Guest) are grown in situ. The growth of crystals is achieved by a temperature gradient zone melting technique. The resultant crystals have high crystalline alignment, good transparency and high second harmonic generation activity.

Abstract: A process for depositing a ceramic coating on a filament, which comprises heating the filament by passage of an electric current via at least two electrodes, and passing the heated filament through a deposition chamber containing games which on contact with the hot filament deposit the required coating; characterized in that after deposition of the coating, the coated filament passes through an electrode containing a liquid metal mixture which is a mercury/indium or mercury/cadmium amalgam or a gallium/indium mixture.