Abstract:
The stability of floating structures is determined using a plurality of changes in weight distribution and by processing the resulting signals from two inclinometers arranged so as to measure the inclination about two orthogonal non-vertical axes. The inclinometer axes need not coincide with the structure axes as any divergence is compensated by the specified signal processing steps.
Abstract:
Hydrocarbons having a carbon number greater than one are produced by contacting synthetis gas at elevated temperature and atmospheric or superatmospheric pressure with a catalyst having a composition represented by the formula: Coa.Ab.Lac.CeOx wherein A is an alkali metal, a is greater than zero and up to 25% w/w, b is in the range from zero to 5% w/w, c is in the range from zero to 15% w/w, x is a number such that the valence requirements of the other elements for oxygen is satisfied, and the remainder of the composition, subject to the requirement for x, is cerium.
Abstract:
Water is separated from a less hydrophilic fluid by contacting the mixture with one face of a membrane having an active layer which consists essentially only of polymers of an unsaturated organic acid with a ratio of carbon atoms to acid groups (not counting any carbon atoms in the acid groups) of not more than six. Water is removed as a vapour from the other side of the membrane.
Abstract:
A process for the preparation of an ester of dicarboxylic acid from an alkene, carbon monoxide. The process is catalysed by a catalyst which comprises a platinum group metal, for example palladium, and a copper compound. To avoid catalyst deactivation the process is carried out in the presence of a dihydrocarbyl peroxide which is reduced to a hydrocarbyl alcohol under the process conditions. The process can be used, for example, to prepapre succinate esters from ethylene, carbon monoxide, an alcohol and a dihydrocarbyl peroxide such as di-tertiary butyl peroxide.
Abstract:
In a process for the hydroconversion of sulphur-containing heavy hydrocarbons in which the hydrocarbons and a gas containing carbon monoxide and steam are converted in a reactor at elevated temperature and pressure, improved results are obtained using a gas comprising at least 3% by volume of hydrogen sulphide, based on water free gas.
Abstract:
An HIPR (high internal phase ratio) emulsion of oil in water is prepared by directly mixing 70 to 98% by volume of a viscous oil having a viscosity in the range 200 to 250,000 mPa.s at the mixing temperature with 30 to 2% by volume of an aqueous solution of an emulsifying surfactant or an alkali, percentages being expressed as percentages by volume of the total mixture. Mixing is effected under low shear conditions in the range 10 to 1,000 reciprocal seconds in such manner that an emulsion is formed comprising highly distorted oil droplets having mean droplet diameters in the range 2 to 50 micron separated by thin interfacial films. The emulsions are much less viscous than the oils from which they are prepared and may, optionally after dilution, be pumped through a pipeline. Viscous crude oils may be transported by this method.
Abstract:
A product comprising hydrocarbons having at least 2 carbon atoms is produced by contacting a monohalomethane at elevated temperature, e.g. 200 to 600oC, with a synthetic crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite having a silica to alumina molar ration of at least 12:1 and containing cations of either hydrogen, copper or a metal capable of forming an amphoteric oxide, which cations are introduced either by exchange and/or by deposition, provided that when the cation is hydrogen the zeolite is Theta-1. At temperatures below 330oC the product predominantly comprises aliphatic hydrocarbons, of which a substantial proportion is isoalkanes and isoalkenes.
Abstract:
Mineral particles are separated from particles of solid carbonaceous fuel by forming a mixture with water, ferromagnetic particles and hydrophobic oil at a weight ratio of carbonaceous fuel to magnetic particles of at least 25:1, shearing to flocculate the carbonaceous fuel particles, and then subjecting the product, to magnetic separation.
Abstract:
Esters are converted to alcohols by vapour phase hydrogenation over Ru, Ni or Rh, a Group IA, IIA, lanthanide or actinide promoter, and a carbon support of defined surface area characteristics.
Abstract:
Hydrocarbon fuels, for example straight run gasoline and cat-cracked spirit, are up-graded by reacting the fuel with a hydrocarbyl hydroperoxide at a temperature greater than the decomposition temperature of the hydroperoxide and at a pressure sufficient to maintain the reactants in the liquid phase. The reaction may be carried out in the presence or absence of a metal catalyst for the decomposition of the hydroperoxide and optionally in the presence of a solid not generally regarded as a hydroperoxide decomposition catalyst, e.g. alumina, silica or silica-alumina.