Showing papers by "Mobil published in 1978"

Structure of synthetic zeolite ZSM-5

Abstract: ZEOLITE ZSM-5 (ref. 1) is a member of a new class of shape selective catalysts with unique channel structures which differ from the familiar large-pore faujasite and small-pore zeolites such as Linde Type A and erionite. They also possess unusual catalytic properties and have high thermal stability. We have determined their structure using model building, single crystal and powder X-ray data.

Synthesis and structure of synthetic zeolite ZSM-11

Abstract: ZSM-5 (refs 1, 2) is a member of a new class of shape selective catalysts which have unique channel structures with 10-membered ring openings. These catalysts have unusual properties. They can selectively convert methanol to high quality gasoline3–6 and are used in commercially significant processes, such as distillate dewaxing, ethylbenzene synthesis, xylene isomerisation and toluene disproportionation5,7 The framework of ZSM-5 (ref. 2) contains a novel configuration of linked tetrahedra consisting of eight five-membered rings. These configurational units may be linked through edges to form chains and the chains to form a three-dimensional framework which describes an intersecting channel system with openings intermediate between those in zeolite Linde type A and faujasite. We report here the synthesis and structure of another member of this family, ZSM-11.

Coextruded heat sealable laminar thermoplastic films

Abstract: Laminar thermoplastic films are provided which exhibit improved heat seal strengths as well as heat seal temperature ranges. The laminates comprise a predominantly propylene-based polymer substrate or core, the propylene core layer being coated with continuous skins, the skins being fabricated from ethylene based resin with a density of less than 0.939.

Catalyst-Feedstock-Engineering Interactions in Fluid Catalytic Cracking

Abstract: Fossil fuels, amassed over eons of geologic prehistory, are being irreversibly depleted about 106 times more rapidly than they were formed. With this sort of kinetics, there is little question that there exists, in the ultimate sense, an energy crisis [1–3]. That is, there will be fuel deficits for whatever time interval declining volumes of hydrocarbon reserves are not compensated for by increased supply from new energy sources such as nuclear, solar, and geothermal. In the interim period, the petroleum refiner is forced to utilize higher molecular weight, more hydrogen-deficient crudes, and crude fractions which have higher concentrations of impurities. Eventually, substantial quantities of “synthetic crudes” derived from coal, oil shale, tar sands, and bitumens may also become available.

Light olefin processing

Abstract: An improved processing technique is provided for conversion of olefins of 2 to 4 carbon atoms to product comprising high octane gasoline components. Embodiments of the present improved processing technique include conversion of light olefins to high octane olefinic gasoline components, and conversion of light olefins to high octane aromatic gasoline components. The improved technique comprises contacting an appropriate light olefin feedstock with a catalyst comprising a crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite characterized by a silica/alumina mole ratio of at least 12 and a constraint index, hereinafter defined, within the approximate range of 1 to 12 in the presence of a relatively large amount of co-fed water. The amount of co-fed water is maintained at from about 0.5 to about 15 moles of water/mole of olefin feedstock.

Process for the in-situ leaching of uranium

Abstract: Process for the in-situ leaching of uranium employing an alkaline lixiviant and an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hypochlorite as an oxidizing agent. The use of the hypochlorite oxidant results in significantly higher uranium recoveries and leaching rates than those attained by the use of conventional oxidants. The invention is particularly suitable for use in subterranean deposits in which the uranium mineral is associated with carbonaceous material which retards access to the uranium by the lixiviant.

Absolute motion of an individual plate estimated from its ridge and trench boundaries

Abstract: A method is presented for estimating the absolute motion of an individual plate using only the locations of trenches or ridges along the boundary of the plate. The change in trend of the Hawaiian–Emperor seamount chain is shown to be consistent with a chasuring the early Cainozoic in absolute plate motion produced by a change in the location of ridges and trenches along the boundary of the Pacific plate.

Origin and Significance of Evaporites in Basins Around Atlantic Margin

Abstract: Immediately before the rifting and disruption of Pangaea, that great continent lay athwart the Triassic equator. The continental interior was arid, and isostatic adjustments following rifting produced drainage flowing away from the newly formed elongate troughs. These climatic and physiographic conditions inevitably led to the deposition of evaporites as the sea entered the rift zones whose margins now form the edges of the continents around the Atlantic. As a result, the sediment sequence in the Atlantic coastal basins shows a change from continental to evaporitic to normal marine conditions, except where evaporites were deposited directly onto newly formed oceanic crust. The age of these evaporites gives a chronology for the establishment of a permanent body of water be ween the separating fragments of Pangaea. The North Atlantic appeared in the north in Late Triassic time and became established farther south by the Middle Jurassic. The South Atlantic became established during Aptian time. The Gulf of Mexico was formed in Middle Jurassic time by the subsidence of continental material. The union of the two parts of the incipient ocean occurred during or later than Albian time and the resulting free circulation of water in the Atlantic eliminated the restriction necessary for the continued accumulation of evaporite deposits. No such deposits are known, therefore, from the northern coast of Brazil or from the northern side of the Gulf of Guinea.

Method of treating formation to remove ammonium ions

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation which has undergone an in situ leaching operation which utilzed an ammonium solution as the lixiviant. In such a leach operation, ammonium ions will exchange into the clay in the formation and will present a threat of contamination to any ground waters that may be present in the formation. The present method involves flushing the formation with a halogenated restoration fluid, e.g., chlorinated water having a halogen therein which reacts with ammonia within the formation to decompose the ammonia to nitrogen. The halogenated restoration fluid can be continuously injected or it can be injected as a slug followed by a relatively halogen-free solution to complete the operation. The ammonia concentration of the produced fluids is monitored and when it drops below a desired value, the method is complete.

Manufacture of benzene, toluene and xylene

Abstract: Benzene, toluene and xylene are produced in high yield from aromatic naphtha by a processing technique which combines (1) high temperature isomerization of eight carbon atom aromatics over a catalyst having relatively low activity and constrained access to the internal pore surface and (2) processing of heavy single ring aromatics of nine or more carbon atoms together with toluene under dealkylation/transalkylation conditions. The effluents of the two reactions are blended for processing through separation and recovery equipment. The unique chemistry of the isomerization stage results in splitting off alkyl side chains of two or more carbon atoms while retaining methyl groups attached to aromatic rings. Because of these reaction characteristics, full range reformate is advantageously added to the isomerizer charge for conversion to methyl benzene and redistribution of methyl groups to the thermodynamic equilibrium values.

Selective production of para-xylene

Abstract: Process for the selective production of para-xylene by methylation of toluene in the presence of a catalyst comprising a crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite, said zeolite having a silica to alumina ratio of at least about 12 and a constraint index, as hereinafter defined, within the approximate range of 1 to 12, which catalyst has undergone prior modification by treatment with an ammonium hydrogen phosphate to deposit at least about 0.5 weight percent of phosphorus thereon.

Process-Response Models for Depositional Shorelines: The German and the Georgia Bights

Abstract: Sediment dispersal patterns in tidal inlets within the German and the Georgia Bights are found to be controlled by three major environmental factors: (1) the tide range, (2) the nearshore wave energy, and (3) the geometry of the backbarrier bay. Both embayments chosen for study are characterized by high wave energies and low tide ranges on their flanks, and low wave energies and high tide ranges in their centers. The spatial variability in inlet morphology, therefore, contains information on the relative role of tides and waves in inlet sediment dispersal. The paper concludes by proposing a simple model for inlet morphologies for successively greater relative role of tidal currents in the sediment dispersal.

Algae biopolymer production

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the production of algae biopolymer employing a first stage for the growth of algae and a second stage for biopolymer production. In the first stage, growth of algae biomass in a culture medium is accomplished by operating the first stage in a continuous mode in which fresh nitrogen-containing nutrient medium is supplied to the culture. Concomitantly with the supply of fresh nutrient medium to the culture in the first stage, a portion of the culture medium is transferred from the first stage to the second stage in which the supply of nitrogen is limited. A nitrogen deficiency is created in the second stage to shift the culture to a senescent phase to enhance biopolymer production. The growth phase is carried out in a first stage reaction chamber which is connected to a plurality of second stage reaction chambers in parallel with one another. Culture withdrawn from the first stage is transferred sequentially to each of the second stage reaction chambers such that biopolymer production occurs in several second stage chambers simultaneously with cells produced in the first stage reaction chamber.

Method of dynamically killing a well blowout

Abstract: A process for dynamically killing a well blowout by means of a relief well. A low density fluid is pumped down the relief well and into the blowout well at a rate to produce a frictional pressure loss in the blowout well which when added to the hydrostatic pressure in the blowout well is greater than the static formation pressure but less than the formation fracturing pressure. Injection of the low density fluid is continued until the blowout well goes from two-phase to single-phase flow. Thereafter, a high density fluid such as a drilling mud is pumped down the relief well and into the blowout well. This fluid produces a hydrostatic pressure in the blowout well which is greater than the static formation pressure.

Hydrocarbon manufacture from alcohols

Abstract: A catalytic process is provided for converting a feed containing a C1 -C4 monohydric alcohol by contact of said alcohol, under conversion conditions, with a catalyst comprising a crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite having a crystal size of at least about 1 micron, a silica to alumina ratio of at least about 12 and a constraint index, as hereinafter defined, within the approximate range of 1 to 12. The zeolite contains a Group 2B and a Group 8 metal or metal compound plus magnesium, either per se or in compound form.

Fluid cracking process and the method for separating a suspension discharged from a riser cracking zone

Abstract: A riser cracking-catalyst regeneration operation is described wherein a suspension discharged from a riser operation is separated by catalyst particle concentrating means which discharge a concentrated stream of catalyst separated from gasiform material into a downcomer zone and out of further contact with discharged gasiform material in the suspension. A stripping gas is used to particularly aid the separation of catalyst and hydrocarbon vapors.

Synthesizing low sodium crystalline aluminosilicate zeolites with primary amines

Abstract: A method is disclosed for synthesizing a crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite containing an organic nitrogen cation in the presence of a primary monoalkylamine having 2 to 9 carbon atoms in the alkyl portion. The method produces a zeolite having a very low percentage, i.e. less than about 0.14 weight percent, generally less than about 0.1 weight percent of alkali metal, e.g. sodium, in the as-synthesized form. The product can be used directly as a catalyst without intermediate precalcination and cation exchange. This is not possible with zeolites such as those of the ZSM-5 type synthesized by the methods of the art.

Method for restoring a leached formation

Abstract: A method for restoring a formation which has undergone an in situ leaching operation wherein minerals oxidized during the leach operation pose a contamination threat to the formation water. In the present invention, the formation is flushed with a restoration fluid which contains a reducing agent capable of reducing the oxidized minerals to their reduced, insoluble state so that they are redeposited into the formation. Examples of suitable reducing agents are hydrogen gas, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ferrous iron solutions.

Corrosion inhibited lubricant composition

Abstract: Lubricant compositions containing, in an amount sufficient to inhibit metal corrosion, the reaction product of oleic acid and 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole.

Lubricant composition for reduction of fuel consumption in internal combustion engines

Abstract: Lubricating oils containing certain hydroxyl-containing acid esters have been found to be effective friction modifiers and to aid in the reduction of fuel consumption in internal combustion engines.

Method and apparatus for treating drill cuttings at an onsite location

Abstract: An onsite method and apparatus for treating oil-contaminated drill cuttings at an onsite location, e.g., offshore drillsite, whereby the cuttings can be disposed of directly without the risk of pollution. The contaminated cuttings are separated from the drilling mud and are passed to a heating section of a treating unit where they are sprayed with steam to flash distill the oil from the cuttings. The distilled oil and the spent steam are passed to a cooling section of the treating unit where they are condensed before being passed to a water-oil separator. The cleaned cuttings are removed from the heating section for disposal, e.g., by dumping them into the water if at an offshore location.

Sorbent for removing metals from fluids

Abstract: This invention provides a sorbent composition, manganese nodules with occluded sulfur, effective for removing metal contaminants from gases or liquids. It is effective for removing lead contaminant from gasoline and mercury from water or natural gas. It may be used in the chlor-alkali process for cleaning by-product hydrogen. The sorbent also may be used for recovering valuable metals, for example from mine seepage waters.

Catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons in reactor fractionator

Abstract: Heavy petroliferous stocks such as vacuum and atmospheric resids, tar sand oils, shale oils, liquids from conversion of coal and the like are concurrently distilled and hydroprocessed for removal of sulfur, nitrogen and metals and are hydrocracked or otherwise hydroprocessed in a packed distillation column under hydrogen pressure wherein the packing is constituted, at least to a substantial extent in both stripping and rectifying sections by catalyst suited to the desired conversions.

Conversion of synthesis gas with iron-containing fluid catalyst

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the conversion of synthesis gas to a liquid hydrocarbon product having a boiling point range maximum of less than 400° F. at a 90% overhead and being a predominantly olefinic product. The novel method involves contacting synthesis gas with a single particle catalyst containing cobalt, a crystalline acidic aluminosilicate zeolite having a silica-to-alumina ratio of at least 12, a pore size greater than about 5 Angstrom units, and a constraint index of about 1 to 12, and a siliceous matrix. The catalyst does not contain promoters and the alumina content of the matrix is severely restricted.

Synthetic ester and hydrogenated olefin oligomer lubricant and method of reducing fuel consumption therewith

Abstract: Synthetic esters or mixtures thereof, containing a free hydroxyl group in the molecule, are useful as lubricants for internal combustion engines, preferably in combination with synthetic hydrocarbon fluids. The composition, when used to lubricate an internal combustion engine, reduces the fuel consumed by such engine.

Catalytic cracking of metal-contaminated oils

Abstract: Metal-contaminated oils, including mildly hydrotreated residual oils, are catalytically cracked in the absence of added hydrogen in a fluid catalytic cracking process wherein the regenerated catalyst has less than about 0.05 wt. % residual carbon. By conducting regeneration of the catalyst to that level at 1300° to 1400° F. (preferably at about 1350° F.) with excess air, additional benefits are realized in that metal deposited on the catalyst by cracking of residual stocks is thereby passivated.

Method and system for acoustic noise logging

Abstract: A pair of acoustic detectors are moved through a well to detect sound at various levels within the well. Electrical signals indicative of the detected sound are applied from the acoustic detectors by way of a conductor cable to uphole recording equipment including an amplifier, spectrum analyzer, crosscorrelator, and recorder. The spectrum analyzer provides frequency spectrums of the amplified signals from the acoustic detectors. The crosscorrelator provides an indication of the time differential between the traveltimes of acoustic noise to the acoustic detectors for use in the location of flow leaks through or behind the well casing.