Abstract: The present invention includes a contact medium for use in an evaporative cooler, comprising a corrugated fibrous sheet material comprising at least a top layer and a bottom layer in contact at one or more regions to form at least two channels between the top layer and the bottom layer for air and fluid flow; and a water insoluble thermoplastic compound that impregnates the corrugated fibrous sheet material. The water insoluble thermoplastic compound may have between 1-35 weight percent PVC; 1-20 weight percent PAN; 1-60 weight percent PMA; 1-20 weight percent PAI; and 2-25 weight percent PBA. For example, the composition may have about 2 weight percent PVC; 18 weight percent PAN; 45 weight percent PMA; 15 weight percent PAI; and 20 weight percent PBA.

Abstract: A method for increasing selectivity of alkylation to monoalkylation comprising: providing a feedstream consisting essentially of alkylating agent and a stoichiometric excess of benzene, the alkylating agent consisting essentially of a molar blend of propylene and one or more linear butene(s); and, contacting the feedstream with a catalytically effective amount of zeolite beta under alkylation reaction conditions which increase selectivity of the alkylation to monoalkylation compared to predicted selectivity to monoalkylation based on the concentration of the alkylating agent and on the molar blend of propylene and one or more linear butene(s).