Abstract: A process for preparing a silver-containing catalyst for the oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide (EO) including the steps of: providing a support having pores; providing a silver-containing impregnation solution; adding an amount of surfactant to the impregnation solution; contacting the support with the surfactant-containing impregnation solution; and removing at least a portion of the impregnation solution prior to fixing the silver upon the carrier in a manner which preferentially removes impregnation solution not contained in the pores. The use of the surfactant results in improved drainage of the silver impregnation solution from the carrier exteriors during the catalyst synthesis. As a result, the amount of silver-containing impregnation solution necessary for the synthesis of the EO catalyst was reduced by up to 15% without reducing the catalyst performance.

Abstract: A process for preparing a silver-containing catalyst for the oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide (EO) including the steps of: providing a support having pores; providing a silver-containing impregnation solution; adding an amount of surfactant to the impregnation solution; contacting the support with the surfactant-containing impregnation solution; and removing at least a portion of the impregnation solution prior to fixing the silver upon the carrier in a manner which preferentially removes impregnation solution not contained in the pores. The use of the surfactant results in improved drainage of the silver impregnation solution from the carrier exteriors during the catalyst synthesis. As a result, the amount of silver-containing impregnation solution necessary for the synthesis of the EO catalyst was reduced by up to 15% without reducing the catalyst performance.

Abstract: The hydration of clays and shale in drilling operations may be inhibited by employing an aqueous based drilling fluid comprising a shale hydration inhibition agent having the formula: (Formula I should be inserted here.) wherein R is hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbons, R1 is an alkylene group having 1 to 12 carbons, and R2 is an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbons. The shale hydration inhibition agent should be present in the aqueous based drilling fluid in sufficient concentration to reduce the reactivity, such as swelling, of clays and shale when exposed to water-based drilling fluids.

Abstract: The hydration of clays and shale in drilling operations may be inhibited by employing an aqueous based drilling fluid comprising a shale hydration inhibition agent having the formula: (Formula I should be inserted here.) wherein R is hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbons, R1 is an alkylene group having 1 to 12 carbons, and R2 is an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbons. The shale hydration inhibition agent should be present in the aqueous based drilling fluid in sufficient concentration to reduce the reactivity, such as swelling, of clays and shale when exposed to water-based drilling fluids.