Abstract: Improved packer assembly for sealing a well screen to a casing avoids contamination problems of expandable lead packers and the abrasion of self-sealing packers which can be rendered ineffective before they reach their intended depth. A pair of annular end members, adapted to be threaded to the well screen and to the drill stem, are joined by a compressible, tubular metal portion. When the well screen is at its intended depth, a swedge dropped against the upper end member of the packer assembly will compress the ends of the tubular metal portion toward each other while the intermediate portion expands into sealing relation with the casing. The seal can be enhanced by applying rings or layers of elastomeric material to the tubular metal portion.

Abstract: A process for the production of a hydrogen-rich gas stream from the effluent of a catalytic hydrocarbon conversion reaction zone is disclosed. A hydrogen-containing vapor phase is recovered from the effluent and subjected to cooling in order to produce a hydrogen-rich gas stream. The resulting hydrogen-rich gas stream is expanded to provide the medium used in cooling the hydrogen-containing vapor phase.

Abstract: A sampling probe by means of which a sample of fluid free of particles or substantially reduced in particle content can be removed from a particulate matter-containing fluid stream which is flowing in a conduit. This is accomplished by means of probe geometry. Openings for entry of the sample into the probe face downstream. In one embodiment, the cross-section of a probe at the fluid entry area is V-shaped.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for oxidizing difficultly oxidizable mercaptans contained in a hydrocarbon fraction which comprises adding a hydrocarbon soluble alkali metal compound, capable of forming the alkali metal mercaptides of the difficultly oxidized mercaptans, to the hydrocarbon fraction; and contacting the resulting hydrocarbon fraction containing the hydrocarbon soluble alkali metal compound with a metal chelate catalyst disposed on an adsorptive support in the presence of a hydrated oxygen-containing gas and in the absence of a separate water phase.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating hydrocarbon streams such as naphtha by the oxidation of mercaptans into disulfide compounds which remain in the hydrocarbon stream. The conversion is effected during passage of the hydrocarbon and an aqueous stream downward through a cylindrical mass of liquid-liquid contact material. The liquids then flow through a cylindrical screen into an annular separation zone which surrounds a lower part of the contact material. After decantation in the separation zone, the aqueous material, which preferably contains the oxidation catalyst, is recycled.

Abstract: Selective reductions of fatty materials occur using a catalyst comprising zerovalent platinum or palladium dispersed on a support which shows strong metal-support interaction. A particularly desirable catalyst is one where the platinum or palladium is dispersed on titania which is subsequently activated in hydrogen at a temperature above about 325.degree. C. The catalyst is sufficiently selective so as to permit continuous reduction of fatty material using a fixed bed of catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust gas oxidation catalyst and a method of preparing the same. The method of the invention involves the impregnation of refractory inorganic oxide porous carrier material with an aqueous solution of a lithium salt of an organic acid in sufficient amount to result in a lithium content of from 0.1 to 0.8 wt. % based on the weight of the refractory inorganic oxide, prior to the impregnation of the carrier with catalytically active metallic compounds. The subject lithium impregnation results in a catalytic composite possessing higher oxidation activity and peripheral surface deposition of the catalytic metallic compounds.

Abstract: This invention comprises a process for separating p-toluidine from a feed mixture comprising p-toluidine and o- or m-toluidine, which process comprises contacting the mixture at adsorption conditions with an adsorbent comprising an X or Y-type zeolite cation exchanged with a cation in the group Fe, Mn, Co, Ni or Zn, thereby selectively adsorbing the p-toluidine. The remainder of the feed mixture is removed from the adsorbent and the p-toluidine is recovered by desorption at desorption conditions with a desorbent material comprising aniline or an alkyl amine excluding alkyl amines having eight or more carbon atoms per molecule when the adsorbent comprises an X-type zeolite.

Abstract: A process for separating an extract component from a raffinate component contained in a feed mixture. A unidirectional fluid flow system is maintained through a series of separating units through which the components travel at different rates. A component concentration distribution is established within the system of units and divided into specific zones. Feed and displacement fluid are passed into the inlets of two of the units and extract and raffinate are taken as the entire streams from outlets of two of the units all at appropriate points on the component concentration distribution. Other inlets and outlets of the various units lying in the same zone are interconnected. At the appropriate times the inlets and outlets are shifted so as to simulate movement of the units in a direction co-current with the fluid flow and thereby enable the inlets and outlets to continually lie in the appropriate zones. Zones may be combined as zone pairs, each such pair thereupon being considered a single continuous zone.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon conversion process is disclosed for the dehydrogenation of alkylaromatic hydrocarbons such as ethylbenzene or ethyltoluene. A subatmospheric pressure is maintained in the reaction zone by the use of two separate compressors. The first compressor pressurizes the vapor phase reactor effluent prior to the final indirect heat exchange step(s) used to partially condense this stream. The second compressor maintains the vapor-liquid separator which receives the partially condensed reactor effluent stream at a subatmospheric pressure. This facilitates operation of the reactor at a subatmospheric pressure.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for measuring and controlling the concentration of hydrogen in hydrogen-consuming hydrogen recycle processes used in oil refineries and petrochemical plants. The system is intended to reduce utilities and hydrogen usage by means of adjusting vent gas flow and the quantity of hydrogen and hydrocarbon vapor circulating to obtain the operating parameters which yield minimum cost. Specifically there can be a savings of compressor power, fuel required for heating, and hydrogen. The system is dependent on the recognition that a decrease in cooling medium temperature results in an increase in hydrogen flow, which can be decreased to the minimum permissible without endangering catalyst activity and stability and product yield if hydrogen concentration is monitored, that partial pressure is the key parameter, and that it is advantageous to optimize.

Abstract: A radial flow reactor design which allows the maintenance of a temperature profile along the height of a catalyst bed which descends through the reactor by gravity flow. Two feed inlet conduits are provided on the inlet side of the annular catalyst bed, with the inlets being divided by a porous flow control and distribution means. The inlet streams have different temperatures and the distribution means produces a changing admixture rate between the two streams along the bed. A preferred form of the distribution means is an open-topped cone located within the centerpipe of the reactor.

Abstract: Alkylated 5,6,7,8-tetrahydronapthalenols are effective antioxidants for fuel oils. Di- and tri-alkylated tetrahydronaphthalenols are especially effective, with the di- and tri-isopropylated materials being preferred, at a concentration as low as about 5 ppm.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for modifying the flow of hydrogen in a hydrocarbonaceous apparatus wherein a charge stock and a vaporous hydrocarbon-hydrogen recycle are charged to a reaction zone to convert the hydrocarbons and produce a reaction zone effluent conduit which is cooled to provide, via a gas-liquid separation zone, a liquid hydrocarbon product stream and the vaporous hydrocarbon-hydrogen recycle stream, the latter being returned to charge stock admixture by a compressor. The control system senses the partial pressure of hydrogen, compares that value to a previously determined value and develops a signal correlative thereto, which is transmitted to a regulater that controls the quantity of vaporous hydrocarbon-hydrogen stream recycled to admixture with the charge stock. In a hydrogen consuming process, the hydrogen partial pressure is sensed downstream of the reactor while in the hydrogen producing process, the hydrogen partial pressure is sensed in the inlet to the reaction zone.

Abstract: Oligomers of olefins containing from 3 to about 6 carbon atoms such as dimers may be obtained in a more highly branched chain compound by effecting the oligomerization at temperatures in the range of from about 50.degree. to about 350.degree. C. and a pressure in the range of from about 100 to about 2500 psig in the presence of a catalyst comprising a fluorided aluminum phosphate. The catalyst may be prepared by impregnating an aluminum phosphate with a fluorine-containing compound in an aqeous or nonaqueous medium, drying, calcining and recovering the desired catalyst.

Abstract: A process for deashing primary coal liquids with a selective hydrocarbon solvent separation wherein the coal liquids and selective hydrocarbon solvent are contacted initially at a temperature greater than the temperature at which the deashing separation occurs. More particularly, a process for the production of deashed coal liquid which comprises the sequential steps of: (a) admixing a primary coal liquid containing ash and a hydrocarbon deashing solvent having no hydrogen-transferring ability at a selected admixing temperature from about 250.degree. F. to about 575.degree. F.; (b) reducing the temperature of the entire resulting admixture of the primary coal liquid and hydrocarbon deashing solvent to a deashing temperature about 50.degree. F. to about 125.degree. F. less than the admixing temperature of step (a); and deashing the primary coal liquid with the deashing solvent at the deashing temperature of step (b).

Abstract: Sucrose which is found in thick juice such as obtained from sugar beet or sugar cane may be selectively extracted therefrom by passing an aqueous solution of the thick juice over a solid adsorbent comprising a stabilized type Y zeolite such as Union Carbide Corporation LZ-Y20 adsorbent, preferably bound with a water permeable organic polymer. The sucrose will be selectively adsorbed thereon and separated from other thick juice ingredients such as raffinose, KCl and betaine. The sucrose is then removed from the adsorbent by treatment with a desorbent material comprising an alcohol. The desorbent is flushed from the adsorbent with water prior to the subsequent contact of the adsorbent with the feed stream.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for modifying the flow of hydrogen recycle gas to a reaction apparatus which includes the admixture of a hydrocarbon charge stock with a recycle hydrogen-hydrocarbon stream and passage of the same to a hydrocarbon reaction zone to convert the hydrocarbons to a product effluent stream that is cooled to form a separated, via a separation zone, liquid product stream (withdrawn from the process) and a vaporous hydrogen-hydrocarbon stream, which is divided into the hydrogen-hydrocarbon recycle stream and a hydrogen-hydrocarbon vent stream. The recycle stream is returned to admixture with the hydrocarbon charge stock by a compressor while the vent stream conduit, in connection with the recycle conduit, has a controllable flow restriction device.

Abstract: Metal-ceramic composites may be prepared by treating the ceramic component of the composite with a second metal prior to subjecting the metal-ceramic composite to a sintering operation. By pretreating the ceramic component of the composite, it is possible to obtain a composite which will undergo sintering at an elevated temperature to form a composite which will possess desirable characteristics such as increased density, hardness and low thermal coefficient of expansion, thus enabling the composites to be utilized in a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: A process is disclosed in which the overhead vapor stream of a fractionation column is utilized as the working fluid which is depressurized to drive a turbine. The turbine may be used to generate electricity which is then used within the fractionation process or in another process, with a preferred use of the electricity being to supply heat to the bottom of the fractionation zone. The turbine is integrated into the overhead system of the column and the turbine effluent enters the overhead condenser to form liquid which may be used as reflux to the column.