Abstract: A novel family of layered clays, called lithiated clays is disclosed. The novel layered clays are characterized by the replaceable hydrogens of the hydroxyl groups within the structure of a layered clay being replaced by lithium. A method of manufacturing the lithiated clays is disclosed together with their use as catalysts.

Abstract: This case relates to tough, wear resistant graded structure composites, to a process for preparing the same and to tools and products fabricated therefrom. The composites have a surface layer e.g. of WC and a binder, an interface layer, e.g. which is a stepwise transition from the surface layer whereby the binder content thereof gradually increases, a substrate layer which is a combination of e.g. an initial high carbon steel layer and finally a base layer of bainitic steel. The composites are substantially non-porous and can be used to fabricate components such as drill bits, wear plates, pump components machine tools, seals, washers, bearings and the like.

Abstract: The stability of floating structures is determined using a plurality of changes in weight distribution and by processing the resulting signals from two inclinometers arranged so as to measure the inclination about two orthongonal non-vertical axes. The inclinometer axes need not coincide with the structre axes as any divergence is compensated by the specified signal processing steps.

Abstract: This invention relates to dry processible photo polymers, a method for their production and uses thereof. The photo polymers are produced by selectively irradiating discrete zones of a precursor polymer by UV or visible light followed by thermal oxidation to create polymer films which have modified optical and surface relief properties. Such photo polymers can be used in a number of applications eg wave guiding.

Abstract: A process for producing aromatic hydrocarbons comprising bringing into contact a hydrocarbon feedstock containing a C.sub.2, C.sub.3 and/or C.sub.4 paraffinic hydrocarbon with a catalyst composition comprising an aluminosilicate in which the molar ratio of silica to alumina is at least 5:1 and loaded with a compound of (a) gallium and (b) at least one rare earth metal.

Abstract: The water content of wet small coal is reduced by adding a defined amount of an ionic surfactant, centrifuging, and adding a foam suppressing amount of a cationic organic compound to the aqueous effluent from the centrifugation step.

Abstract: An operator for levelling a drilling or production template on the sea bed is formed from a rotatable hydraulic cylinder, a piston within the cylinder to which hydraulic pressure can be applied, and a drive shaft from the piston to a screw jack. Hydraulic pressure applied to the piston counteracts the weight of the template so that the operator can rotate the screw jack with relatively little torque. The operator may fit into a housing of the template through an intermediate housing. The operator and the intermediate housing may be releasably locked to each other and the template so that they can be recovered for re-use. A cementing/retrieving tool and a suspension tool may be used in combination with the operator.the screw jack may bear onto a mud mat or pile of the template.

Abstract: A sea bed oil producing and processing complex has a template with three bays housing pairs of modules, viz, well, gas and oil production modules. The complex includes a separator for separating oil and gas and a pump for the produced oil, and bars having pipework to carry fluids between the pairs of modules and to despatch separated gas and oil. Saddles may carry fluids across between individual modules of a pair and the complex may have facilities for artificial lift, water injection, chemical fluid injection and for test fluids. Multiples of the three bays and pairs of modules may be within a single template and a number of modules may surround a central piping template. The complex can be services and maintained in a diverless mode using a monohull vessel and an ROV.

Abstract: Asphaltenes are separated from hydrocarbon oil by bringing the oil into contact with formic acid or a water-soluble organic acid consisting of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen and having at least two functional groups.

Abstract: Methane and liquid hydrocarbon feeds boiling above 350.degree. C. are reacted by feeding finely divided droplets into hot gas at not more than 2 MPa containing at least 50% volume methane and not more than 15% volume hydrogen.

Abstract: A composition for use after reductive activation as a catalyst in the conversion of synthesis gas to hydrocarbons, which composition comprises as essential components (i) cobalt either as the elemental metal, the oxide or a compound thermally decomposable to the elemental metal and/or oxide and (ii) zinc in the form of the oxide or a compound thermally decomposable to the oxide.

Abstract: A composition for use after reduction activation as a catalyst in the conversion of synthesis gas to hydrocarbons, the composition having formula: Ru.sub.a A.sub.b CeO.sub.

Abstract: A process for preparing cyclic phosphonic monoesters comprising subjecting aryloxyphosphines of defined formulae to flash pyrolysis, is provided. The aryloxyphosphines are those having the general formula ##STR1## where Ar is aryl and R is a hydrocarbyl radical capable of forming unsaturated hydrocarbon on severance of the C--O linkages.

Abstract: A flywheel comprising a rim (1) which is a substantially circular ring mounted on a central portion (2) which central portion comprises at least one substantially circular dished member which has a specific modulus which is less than the specific modulus of the rim, the dished member being curved such that increasing rotational speed tends to elastically deform the dished member, straightening the curve, thereby increasing the diameter of the dished member. In a preferred embodiment, the central portion (2) comprises at least two co-axial dished members (3,4) which are imperforate apart from a central hole (5), each dished member comprising three integrally formed annular portions, two of the portions (6,8) being curved and being positioned on each side of the third portion which is straight or curved.

Abstract: Heavy crude oil is recovered from tar sand by treating the tar sand with a low concentration emulsion of a solvent in water containing 0.5 to 15% by volume of the solvent. Suitable solvents include hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons. Solvent-in-water emulsions are efficient in extracting bitumen with the major advantage of greatly reduced solvent: tar sand ratios.

Abstract: A transport detector system comprises(a) a liquid delivery tube,(b) a plurality of moveable spokes, the spokes being positioned to pass in sequence under the delivery tube, the spokes being constructed from a refractory inorganic material of low thermal conductivity,(c) one or more evaporators, positioned so that the spokes pass sequentially through it or them after liquid has been deposited on the spokes,(d) a detector positioned so that the spokes pass sequentially through it after passage through the evaporator(s),(e) one or more coolers, positioned so that the spokes pass through it or them after passage through the detector,(f) a stepper motor adapted to move the spokes in a series of discrete steps, and(g) a control system for the stepper motor, evaporators and coolers.The system is particularly suitable for use in HPLC analysis and may be interfaced with a plasma spectrometer.

Abstract: A process for preparing carbonate esters by the oxidative carbonylation of an alcohol is provided. The process comprises reacting an alcohol with carbon monoxide in the presence of a dihydrocarbyl peroxide the process being characterized by the fact that the carbon monoxide pressure at the reaction temperature is less than 15 bars and by the fact that a catalyst comprising a platinum group metal and a copper compound is employed. The process is useful for preparing dimethyl carbonate from methanol and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: Organic material, particularly organic material floating on a water surface, can be encapsulated by reacting, in the presence of the organic material, (A) a functionalized liquid polymer containing anhydride functional groups which groups are derived from an alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydride and (B) an alkoxylated fatty monoamine or polyamine having from 1.5 to 15 moles of alkoxylate per mole of fatty amine. The functionalized polymer (A) may be, for example, maleinized polybutadiene and the alkoxylated fatty amine may be, for example, N,N.sup.1, N.sup.1 -tris (2-hydroxypropyl)-N-oleyl-1,3-diaminopropane. Preferably, the alkoxylated fatty amine is derived from a fatty amine having an iodine value of at least 65. The method may also be used to encapsulate a solid contaminated with organic material e.g. oil drilling cuttings.

Abstract: An overpressure device for applying pressure from a first hydraulic fluid to a second hydraulic fluid comprises:(a) a housing in which is located a piston(b) an opening in the housing for the entry of the first hydraulic fluid to one side of the piston(c) a second opening in the housing for the entry of the second hydraulic fluid to a chamber on the other side of the piston whereby the pressure of the first hydraulic fluid is exerted on the second hydraulic fluid, and(d) an additional means of exerting pressure on the piston so that pressure exerted on the second hydraulic fluid is greater than that of the first hydraulic fluid alone.The overpressure device is particularly suitable for use in applying pressure to the sealing system of the ball valve described in European patent application No. 82302173 when used to control the flow of fluid, e.g. crude oil in a pipeline. The overpressure device enables the pressure in the pipeline to provide a portion of the pressure required to pressurize the sealing system.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel conductive thienylene- and furanylene-vinylene polymers and to a process for their preparation. The polymer can be formed into coherent films in which no voids are visible upto magnifications of upto 5000 times. These polymers have band gaps below 2 eV which makes them more suitable than conventional polyphenylene and poly(phenylene vinylene) polymers for use e.g. in batteries.