Abstract: A method for removing oligomers and non-polymeric impurities from poly(arylene sulfide) polymers and producing the polymers in easily recoverable granular form is provided in which a poly(arylene sulfide) polymer associated with oligomers and non-polymeric impurities is contacted with a solvent, water, and optionally, a base, at a sufficient temperature to substantially dissolve the polymer, oligomers and impurities; then the solution is cooled to a temperature at which the poly(arylene sulfide) precipitates while oligomers and impurities remain in solution, then the precipitated polymer is separated from the solution containing the oligomers and impurities. A polymer product produced by this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing sulfolane compounds is provided which comprises: (1) contacting a conjugated diene with sulfur dioxide under conditions sufficient to synthesize a sulfolene compound whereby a mixture of the sulfolene compound and impurities comprising unreacted sulfur dioxide is produced; (2) transferring the mixture to an impurities removal vessel containing a freezing point depressant which comprises an aromatic compound; (3) removing the impurities; (4) transferring the impurities-reduced sulfolene compound to a hydrogenation reactor; (5) contacting the impurities-reduced sulfolene compound with hydrogen, in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, under conditions sufficient to produce a sulfolane compound; and (6) optionally recovering the sulfolane compound.

Abstract: Poly(arylene sulfide sulfone) polymers recovered from a reaction mixture produced by contacting at least one haloaromatic sulfone, at least one sulfur source, and a polar organic compound at polymerization conditions are treated with (1) a haloaromatic sulfone mixture comprising at least one haloaromatic sulfone and a polar organic compound followed by contacting the polymer with (2) a zinc compound. The two-step treatment improves the melt stability and extrudate quality of the polymer.

Abstract: A process for producing sulfolane compounds is provided which comprises: (1) contacting a conjugated diene with sulfur dioxide under conditions sufficient to synthesize a sulfolene compound whereby a mixture of the sulfolene compound and impurities comprising unreacted sulfur dioxide is produced; (2) transferring the mixture, at a temperature in the range of about 55.degree. C. to about 85.degree. C., to an impurities removal reactor containing a solvent; (3) removing the impurities under an elevated pressure to produce an impurities-reduced sulfolene compound; (4) transferring the impurities-reduced sulfolene compound to a hydrogenation reactor; (5) contacting said impurities-reduced sulfolene compound with hydrogen, in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, under conditions sufficient to produce a sulfolane compound; and (6) optionally recovering said sulfolane compound.

Abstract: In an inverse emulsion polymerization system for producing water-soluble polymers from a monomer system comprising an N-vinyl lactam and/or a vinyl-containing sulfonic acid or salt thereof utilizing a surfactant system having (1) a surfactant with a bulky lipophilic portion and a hydrophilic portion and (2) a generally straight-chain monionic surfactant having a lipophilic hydrocarbon group and an OH-terminated hydrophilic group, i.e. an alcohol. Such a system having both the right HLB and the right chemical combination results in a stable emulsion for the polymerization of these particular water-soluble monomers.

Abstract: A method of rapidly dissolving a water-soluble polymer into water. A water-in-oil latex having the polymer dispersed in the water phase thereof is added to the water. Phenol (C.sub.6 H.sub.5 OH) is added to the water in an amount sufficient to promote rapid inversion of the latex and release of the polymer into the water. When used in connection with certain latexes, phenol also functions to increase the viscosity of the water by as much as three times or more that achieved by complete inversion of the latex and release of the polymer into the water alone.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, arylene sulfide resins are provided by contacting, in a polymerization mixture, during a polymerization process, reactants comprising: an alkali metal sulfide, an organic amide, an alkali metal carboxylate, water and a monomer source which comprises at least one dihaloaromatic compound. The amount of alkali metal carboxylate present during the polymerization process ranges from about 0.01 to about 0.03 mole per each mole of sulfur present in the resulting arylene sulfide resin. The total amount of water present during the polymerization process ranges from about 1.02 to about 2.1 moles per each mole of sulfur present in the resulting arylene sulfide resin.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for acid treating subterranean formations penetrated by well bores are provided. The compositions are each comprised of an aqueous acid solution, one or more acrylamide polymers dissolved in the acid solution, a liquid hydrocarbon dispersed in the acid solution, and one or more nonionic surface active agents having at least one reactive hydroxyl group per molecule. The acrylamide polymer or polymers increase the viscosity of the acid solution and the surface active agent or agents interact with the polymer of polymers whereby stabilized high viscosity results. The subterranean formation acid treating methods of the invention are carried out by introducing the high viscosity acid compositions therein, allowing the compositions to react until spent and recovering the compositions.

Abstract: In an inverse emulsion polymerization system for producing water-soluble polymers from a monomer system comprising an N-vinyl lactam and/or a vinyl-containing sulfonic acid or salt thereof utilizing a surfactant system having (1) a surfactant with a bulky lipophilic portion and a hydrophilic portion and (2) a generally straight-chain nonionic surfactant having a lipophilic hydrocarbon group and an OH-terminated hydrophilic group, i.e. an alcohol. Such a system having both the right HLB and the right chemical cobination results in a stable emulsion for the polymerization of these particular water-soluble monomers.

Abstract: An elastomeric sealing device to prevent ingress of surface fluids into holes, principally drains which are characterized by non-watertight covers or grilles with either regular or irregular topographic boundaries. The device comprises a three-part construction, including a top film, a core elastomer having minimal shear strength, and a bottom film. When in use, the device conforms to contour of adjacent hole covering device and fills existing crevices and voids, thereby providing an efficient seal. When removed from hole, device recovers neutral shape thereby being suitable for re-use on same or different hole.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of high molecular weight aromatic sulfide/sulfone polymer comprising contacting under suitable polymerization conditions: (a) an organic amide, (b) an alkali metal sulfide or hydrosulfide, (c) water, and (d) a dihaloaromatic sulfone wherein the molar ratio of (a) to (b) is about 2:1 to about 24:1, the improvement comprising employing a molar ratio of (a) to (c) of about 0.4:1 to about 1.3:1.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for acid treating subterranean formations penetrated by well bores are provided. The compositions are each comprised of an aqueous acid solution, one or more acrylamide polymers dissolved in the acid solution, a liquid hydrocarbon dispersed in the acid solution, and one or more nonionic surface active agents having at least one reactive hydroxyl group per molecule. The acrylamide polymer or polymers increase the viscosity of the acid solution and the surface active agent or agents interact with the polymer or polymers whereby stabilized high viscosity results. The subterranean formation acid treating methods of the invention are carried out by introducing the high viscosity acid compositions therein, allowing the compositions to react until spent and recovering the compositions.

Abstract: In an inverse emulsion polymerization system for producing water-soluble polymers from a monomer system comprising an N-vinyl lactam and/or a vinyl-containing sulfonic acid or salt thereof utilizing a surfactant system having (1) a surfactant with a bulky lipophilic portion and an OH-containing hydrophilic portion and (2) a generally straight-chain nonionic surfactant having a lipophilic hydrocarbon group and an OH-terminated hydrophilic group, i.e. an alcohol. Such a system having both the right HLB and the right chemical combination results in a stable emulsion for the polymerization of these particular water-soluble monomers.

Abstract: A water-in-oil emulsion polymerization process is provided for preparing water-in-oil latexes of water-soluble polymers of ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The process utilizes as a chain transfer agent a thiol having the formula HS-Y(Z).sub.x wherein Y is a hydrocarbyl radical having 2-5 carbons and a valence of x+1; Z is selected from the group consisting of --OH, --CO.sub.2 H and --CO.sub.2 R wherein R is an alkyl radical of 1-3 carbon atoms; x is an integer of 1 or 2 and wherein the total number of carbon atoms per molecule of the thiol is 2-7.

Abstract: Polymers derived by copolymerizing a hydrophilic vinyl monomer, such as acrylic acid, with at least one hydrophobic vinyl monomer, such as an acrylic acid ester, a methacrylic acid ester, a vinyl ester of a saturated monocarboxylic acid having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and the like, prepared in a suitable inert, low chain transfer, organic liquid medium, such as n-hexane, cyclohexane, and chlorofluorocarbons such as 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, and neutralized by a suitable base while still slurried in the inert low chain transfer organic liquid medium, perform effectively as water loss additives for drilling fluids under high temperature conditions. Such water loss control additives are especially effective when employed in drilling fluids having high solids content. Also disclosed are drilling fluids employing such water loss control additives as well as a method of drilling a bore hole in the earth using drilling fluids employing such water loss control additives.

Abstract: Open vessel separator valve has ballasted, hollow-cavitied float disposed above oil/water inlet orifice. Float having large net mass floats in water and sinks in oil. Liquid passes through spillways of sinking float into said float cavity and fills same. Sunken float applies downward force upon sealing means located thereunder, thereby closing oil/water inlet orifice. Device can be reset by draining liquid from sunken float.

Abstract: Polymers derived by copolymerizing a hydrophilic vinyl monomer, such as acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, with at least one hydrophobic vinyl monomer, such as an acrylic acid ester, a methacrylic acid ester, a vinyl ester of a saturated monocarboxylic acid having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and the like, prepared in a suitable inert, low chain transfer, organic liquid medium, such as n-pentane, n-hexane, cyclohexane, and chlorofluorocarbons such as 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, and neutralized by anhydrous ammonia while still slurried in the inert low chain transfer organic liquid medium, perform effectively as water loss additives for drilling fluids under high temperature conditions. Such water loss control additives are especially effective when employed in drilling fluids having high solids content. Other copolymerization techniques for preparing such polymers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A compositon sutiable for use as a molecular weight modifier in emulsion polymerization comprising a dispersion formed by admixing an organosulfur molecular weight modifier, an aqueous surfactant, an electrolyte, and a cosurfactant under conditions which reduce the average particle size of said molecular weight modifier to less than about 10,000 A.

Abstract: A Stirling cycle engine is provided with a variable volume displacer piston for displacing a working fluid alternately between the hot and cold ends of the engine. The drive shaft for the displacer piston is hollow and communicates with the interior variable volume of the displacer piston. As the displacer piston volume increases it draws a fluid being pumped into the system through a check valve. As the volume of the displacer piston decreases the fluid being pumped is ejected under pressure through another check valve. Movement of the displacer piston is accomplished by mechanical or fluid programming and the power for driving the displacer piston may be derived from the fluid being pumped.

Abstract: A heat engine based on the Stirling cycle in which the conventional displacer piston and power piston are replaced by a single variable volume displacement unit. The variable volume displacement unit is disposed in a chamber having a heat input side and a heat removal side, and comprises two pivotally supported baffle plates movable relative to each other. The baffle plates divide the chamber into first, second and third regions each of variable volume, with the total volume of the three regions remaining constant. A regenerator interconnects the first and second regions for removing heat from, or returning heat to, a working fluid as it passes back and forth between the first and second regions. In the third region, a driving mechanism interconnects the baffle plates to time their movements and drive the output means which may be located outside of the chamber or inside the chamber within the third region.