Abstract: A sample holder for use in hydrous pyrolysis operations has a cylindrical member defining an axial throughbore with like discs of fluid permeable material at each end. One disc is fixed in the cylindrical member and the other removably attached for insertion of a sample into the holder. The holder has at least one end shaped so as to prevent sealing from occurring when the holder is placed in a test chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a laboratory determination of the rate and type of hydrocarbon generated from a hydrocarbon source utilizes hydrous pyrolysis to generate hydrocarbons from the sample and then utilizes cryogenic methods to remove the fluid portions to a transfer vessel. The gaseous components are removed to a further vessel of known dimensions for determination of weight. The hydrocarbons in the transfer vessel are passed through a dryer to separate the water and their makeup determined. The hydrocarbons remaining in the reactor vessel are removed by working with solvents and their weights are determined after separation and evaporation of the solvents.

Abstract: A combustion apparatus for continuously obtaining a sample of a preselected trace element contained in a combustible liquid comprising a combustion chamber having inlets for combustible liquid and oxygen, an outlet for gaseous combustion products and a combustion dish, means for continuously supplying oxygen and combustible liquid to the combustion chamber, and a recovery vessel containing a chemical treating solution formulated to recover the preselected element from the combination products.

Abstract: A method for isolating kerogen from a mineral sample in a pressurized reaction cell, which permits reaction at pressures greater than two atmospheres and provides for the removal of all liquids from the cell without significant loss of sample solids, employing multiple steps of addition and removal of concentrated hydrochloric acid, concentrated hydrofluoric acid, concentrated ammonium hydroxide, and deionized water.

Abstract: The invention is a method for the isolation of palynological materials from a rock sample in a pressurized reaction cell, which permits reaction at pressures greater than two atmospheres and provides for the removal of all liquids from the cell without significant loss of sample solids, the method employing multiple steps of addition and removal of concentrated and dilute hydrochloric acid, concentrated hydrofluoric acid, concentrated ammonium hydroxide, concentrated nitric acid and deionized water, followed by centrifugation and zinc bromide separation steps.

Abstract: A method for studying the rate and type of hydrocarbon generated from a hydrocarbon source utilizes hydrous pyrolysis to generate hydrocarbons from the sample and then utilizes cryogenic methods to remove the fluid portions to a transfer vessel. The gaseous components are removed to a further vessel of known dimensions for determination of weight. The hydrocarbons in the transfer vessel are passed through a dryer to separate the water and their makeup determined. The hydrocarbons remaining in the reactor vessel are removed by working with solvents and their weights are determined after separation and evaporation of the solvents.

Abstract: The invention is a process for separating a mixture of saturated hydrocarbons into normal paraffins, branched chain paraffins, and cyclic paraffins which comprises contacting said mixture with a series of two molecular sieves comprising a first silicalite and a second silicalite which have different retention conditions. One of the silicalites is selected so that it will retain normal paraffins and pass through branched chain paraffins and cyclic paraffins. The second silicalite is selected so that it will retain normal and branched chain paraffins and pass through cyclic paraffins. The two molecular sieves are employed in series so that the mixture of saturated hydrocarbons can be separated into normal paraffins, branched chain paraffins, and cyclic paraffins.

Abstract: The invention is a method of group type separation of whole oils and bitumen by high performance liquid chromatography into fractions of asphaltenes, resins, aromatics, and saturated hydrocarbons. A multistep process is involved wherein the oil is initially solvated with a three part solvent mixture of methanol, acetone, and choroform. The solvated oil mixture is injected with a mobile phase into a cyano bonded phase column which will retain asphaltenes and resins, and pass through aromatics and saturated hydrocarbons. The unretained aromatics and saturated hydrocarbons are then injected into a silica column which will retain aromatics and pass through saturated hydrocarbons. Saturated hydrocarbons are recovered as they pass through the silica column. The resins, asphaltenes, and aromatics are recovered from the columns by a displacement material.

Abstract: A sensitive J-tube employs an indicating liquid in the U-tube portion for use with an immiscible liquid thereabove. The longer leg of the J-tube has a larger cross-section area portion containing the immiscible liquid when the J-tube has been immersed therein. The arrangement is such that the J-tube will amplify any changes in surface level of the liquid into which it is immersed, by producing a differential between levels of the indicating liquid in the U-tube legs.The principles are applied to a U-tube instrument to act as a manometer for measuring gas pressure differentials.

Abstract: Sonic type leak detector system for liquid storage tanks or the like. It uses a hydrophone to convert sonic waves in the liquid to electrical signals. The electrical signals are divided by two band pass filters. The division is into one band which contains any leak signals, and another band which contains only noise signals. Then both bands are blanked whenever the noise signal amplitude exceeds a predetermined amount. There is a differential amplifier that acts on the outputs of both band pass filters to amplify the difference after averaging of each, whenever signals are not blanked. And, there is an indicator to show when a leak is present. The indicator is actuated whenever the output of the differential amplifier exceeds a predetermined amplitude.