Abstract: Valve gear for an internal combustion engine includes a first cam mounted to rotate about a first axis, a second cam mounted to rotate about a second axis which is substantially parallel to the first axis, a phase-change mechanism arranged selectively to vary the phase of one of the cams relative to the other, a cam follower which has first and second contact surfaces arranged to be engaged by the first and second cams, respectively. The profile of the first cam includes an ascending portion to move the valve member in a second direction opposite to the first direction and a descending ramp to control movement of the cam follower with respect to the valve member. The profile of the second cam includes a descending portion to control movement of the valve member in the first direction and an ascending ramp to control movement of the cam follower with respect to the valve member.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for aerobically biodegrading an organic compound such as a petroleum product which is contaminating a particulate solid such as soil and a process for employing the apparatus. A preferred embodiment comprises a pit lined with an impermeable liner in which gas distributing means and contaminated soils are distributed as alternate layers and air is urged into the gas distributing means.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for distributing a colloid-free, aqueous solution containing a peroxygen compound in a particulate matter containing clay without causing the clay to swell. It has been found that hydrogen peroxide alone causes swelling of clays. It is well-known that monovalent ions cause clays to disperse and swell. It is unexpected to find that perborate and persulfate anions do not cause clays to swell, even in the presence of sodium ions. The process is useful for enhancing the biodegradation of contaminants in clayey soils or for winning mineral values from clayey ore deposits.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition of nutrients and a method using such a composition to stimulate the growth of aerobic bacteria, and particularly bacteria capable of biooxidizing contaminants in a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A hydraulic process has been developed and a process to treat subterranean formations whereby the medium can maintain for a period of time a sufficient viscosity to function as a hydraulic medium and optionally to support particulate matter. Subsequently, the viscosity of the medium decreases to facilitate the removal of the medium.

Abstract: The invention provides a method to liquify a heavy brine completion fluid containing chlorides. The combination of a persulfate and hydrogen peroxide was found to be more effective than either compound alone, or than a peroxygen plus an activator.

Abstract: The present invention is a process to oxidize a contaminant in a permeable subterranean formation by introducing an aqueous treating solution into the formation which solution contains hydrogen peroxide and a compound to control the mobility of the aqueous solution by increasing the viscosity, the density, or modifying the interfacial properties of the aqueous solution within the formation. The aqueous treating solution may also contain stabilizers for the hydrogen peroxide, free radical initiators, or free radical traps. Optionally, the formation may be pretreated to modify the permeability of the formation, to deactivate or remove hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalyst or to uniformly distribute free radical initiators therein.

Abstract: The present invention is a process to stimulate the biooxidation of a contaminant in a subterranean formation by introducing an aqueous solution into the formation. The concentration of the hydrogen peroxide is increased thereby acclimating the biota to higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. Periodically the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide is increased for a short time sufficiently to be toxic to the biota at or relatively adjacent to the site of introduction, thereby increasing the permeability of the formation at or adjacent to the site of introduction.

Abstract: An aqueous composition has been developed to treat subterranean formations whereby the compositions can maintain for a period of time a sufficient viscosity to function as a hydraulic fluid and optionally to support particulate matter. Subsequently, the viscosity of the composition decreases to facilitate the removal of the composition.

Abstract: A method for preferentially oxidizing sulfide in a viscous, aqueous solution of a hydratable polymeric material suitable for use in hydraulically treating subterranean formations.

Abstract: An aqueous composition has been developed to treat subterranean formations whereby the compositions can maintain for a period of time a sufficient viscosity to function as a hydraulic fluid and optionally to support particulate matter. Subsequently, the viscosity of the composition decreases to facilitate the removal of the composition.

Abstract: Means are provided for increasing the productivity of a hydrocarbon formation by modifying the formation in the vicinity of the borehole by a succession of treatments utilizing a first fluid which releases energy within the borehole and a second fluid modifying the fluid within the borehole. The means provides successive treatment of steam, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and inert gases in any order desired.

Abstract: A process for the destruction of cyanide in an aqueous solution containing an iron cyanide complex wherein the pH of the solution is adjusted to be between 11 and 12 and the solution is irradiated with ultraviolet radiation. The pH of the solution is subsequently reduced to between 8 and 11, hydrogen peroxide is added, and the solution is then reacted absent further radiation.

Abstract: A process was developed to optimize the thallium (III) produced by the reaction of hydrogen peroxide and thallium (I). In the optimized process, thallium (III) is removed from the reaction mixture during the oxidation reaction.

Abstract: A process for converting a thallium (I) compound to a thallium (III) compound comprising contacting an alkaline solution of the thallium (I) compound with gaseous oxygen and in the presence of a peroxygen compound.

Abstract: Compositions comprising organic phosphorus compounds having a peroxygen group which is either a hydroperoxyalkyl (H--OO--C--) group or a peroxyether (--C--OO--C--) group. There is at least one such group per 500 phosphorus atoms in the composition. These peroxygen compounds may be made by passing oxygen through a liquid comprising a phosphorus compound which has an aliphatic carbon, having an abstractable hydrogen, directly attached to a carbon of an aryl ring; for example, an isopropylphenyl phosphate. The peroxygen compounds may be added to compositions comprising peroxide-reactive organic polymers to increase flame resistance.

Abstract: This invention relates to flame-retardant phosphorus-containing materials, particularly suitable for use as an additive, having little or no plasticizing effect, in flammable organic plastics. One such material may be made by reacting methallyl chloride with phenol or phenol-isopropylphenol blend and then phosphorylating. Another such material may be made by halogenating isopropyl groups of an isopropylphenyl phosphate blend and then dehydrohalogenating to make an isopropenyl-containing product, which may be oligomerized as by heating with a catalyst. The isopropenyl-containing product may also be employed as a flame-retarding comonomer.