Abstract: A process for sweetening a petroleum fraction by catalytic oxidation of mercaptans contained therein in a fixed bed of the supported catalyst, with the oxidation reaction being carried out in the absence of an aqueous phase and in the presence of an oxidizing agent, and the water molecules formed during the oxidation reaction being removed from the catalyst support by washing the latter periodically with a substantial quantity of a polar solvent that is miscible with water.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for promoting the separation and/or contact of two immiscible liquids, said apparatus comprising at least one pipe for feeding an emulsion of the two liquids to an assembly of tubes in each of which there is disposed, in the direction of its length and over at least a portion thereof, a bundle of fibers which are preferentially wettable by one of the two liquids, said assembly being connected to a decanter in which the two liquids separate, the decanter being provided with pipes for the discharge of each of the two liquids.The tubes are bounded by two walls, separated by a substantially constant distance, and by a corrugated element inserted between said walls and alternately in contact with each of them through its corrugations.

Abstract: A one-way valve positioned between the nozzle and container of a disposable douche, which is opened and closed by axial movement of the nozzle relative to the container, permitting discharge of the douche contents without permitting backflow. The neck of the container opening having an intermediate cap with axial discharge holes and a flexible valve disk overlying such holes all within the bore of the base of the nozzle. In the closed position, the inner shoulder of the nozzle base seat against the flexible valve disk presenting discharge of the contents through the discharge opening of the intermediate cap. With the axial displacement of the nozzle away from the main body of the container the valve disk, freed of the internal restraining shoulders of the nozzle base, can flex to permit flow of the contents of the container into the nozzle.

Abstract: A catalyst regeneration process effected in an apparatus which comprises two regeneration chambers, a heat exchanger, means for withdrawing from the second chamber a controlled fraction of hot catalyst for the purpose of maintaining the temperature in that chamber substantially at a first desirable value of less than 950.degree. C., and preferably at 910.degree. C., means for transferring this fraction of hot catalyst to the heat exchanger for the purpose of cooling it, means for the discharge of the cooled catalyst from the heat exchanger and the reinjection of the cooled catalyst into the first chamber, and means, controlled by the means for measuring the temperature in the first chamber, for regulating the supply of combustion fluid to the first chamber for the purpose of maintaining said temperature substantially at a second desired value lower than 730.degree. C. and preferably ranging from 650.degree. to 710.degree. C.

Abstract: A shortened tampon applicator of the telescoping tube type employs an ejector tube to store a tampon at its distal end and an outer tube disposed by a slip fit thereover. Directionally-locking inward flaps fixed within the distal end of said outer tube engage the distal end of the tampon stored in the ejector tube thus securing the latter relative to said outer tube while permitting only distal expulsion therefrom. The ejector tube advantageously has inwardly biased short stubby fingers at its distal end which catch behind the proximal end of the tampon. Preferably, the applicator tubes are both molded form soft plastic and have an improved restraining means for interlocking the two tubes. This means comprises a stopping ring and a shorter adjacent inner stabilizing ring positioned to project from the inner surface of the outer tube at its proximal end and an axially overlapping a third ring of ribs positioned around the outer surface of the ejector tube near its distal end.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid granular catalyst subject to degradation by exposure to humidity and/or oxygen, wherein each granule of the catalyst is coated with a continuous and removable protective film of a material that is impermeable to gases and moisture and inert to the constituents of the catalyst.

Abstract: Procedure and apparatus for the continuous analysis of the chloride ion content of overhead waters downstream of a hydrocarbon distillation column for more effectively preventing hydrochloric acid corrosion of downstream equipment while avoiding over-neutralizing the overhead waters to the detriment of the hydrocarbon product. This procedure comprises the following operations, in the order given or in a different order:Drawing from the overhead waters a stream of water for analysis;removing from the sample so drawn the hydrocarbons as well as the suspended matter;blowing nitrogen into the sample to sweep away the hydrogen sulfide ans the residual hydrocarbons;oxidizing the S.sup.2- or HS.sup.- sulfide ions to sulfate ions;acidifying the sample;finally, measuring by ionometry, and more particularly by means of a combined electrode, the content of chloride ions present.

Abstract: A centrifugal processing machine for the merchanical processing, for example, grinding, polishing, cleaning and de-burring of workpieces, with a container serving to accommodate the work-pieces and processing agents. The container comprises a substantially cylindrical casing and a rotating bottom, in the form of a plate or similar dished structure, mounted coaxially with the casing. The peripheral edge of the bottom projects towards the cylindrical casing and forms a narrow gap. For adjusting automatically the width of the gap around the entire periphery of the container, as a function of a given or varying gap-width, the casing is adapted to be raised and lowered in relation to the bottom. This is accomplished by means of a measuring device, which measures the width of the gap, and by means of a device for raising and lowering the casing which is adapted to be controlled by the measuring device in such a manner that the width of the gap is adjusted to a specific value and is held at this value.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the gaseous reduction of iron ore to sponge iron at a given degree of carburization and yet at a temperature suitable for hot briquetting or for direct feed to a melter or to a refining furnace. The desired percentage of carburization and the preferred elevated temperature are achieved by using a hot blend of recycled reducing gas and essentially uncracked natural gas or methane to carburize and to decrease the temperature of the sponge iron in the modifying zone of the reactor.

Abstract: A container to handle particulate solids comprising a downwardly converging wall extending from an inlet to an outlet, the wall being provided with an internal inverted step extending along a portion of the converging wall. In order to minimize the solids compaction and flow stoppages, the internal inverted step extends helically along at least a portion of the converging wall to provide a continuous increase in the cross-sectional area of the container to promote solids flow.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons in a fluidized bed wherein the catalyst particles are injected in a fully fluidized suspension into an elongate reaction zone. In accordance with the process, the feedstock to be cracked is injected in a state of small droplets less than 200 microns in diameter countercurrently to the flow of the fully fluidized suspension of catalyst particles.

Abstract: A process for improving the deasphalting of a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock with a solvent by subjecting the feedstock to shearing alternatively after and/or before the addition of at least a portion of the solvent to the feedstock is disclosed. Alternative means for effecting the shearing and desired ranges of shear are also disclosed.

Abstract: Start-up method for an iron ore direct reduction process, where in the steady-state process the reducing gases are produced by steam reformation of natural gas catalyzed within the reducing zone of the reduction vessel by the reduced ore present therein. During established steady-state operation, a process gas stream is circulated in a reducing gas loop comprising the reduction vessel, a gas heater, and units to remove H.sub.2 O and CO from the gas circulating in said loop. Natural gas and water are fed directly to the reducing gas loop as make-up reactants for the reformation. At plant start-up there is a complete absence of metallic iron to catalyze the reformation reaction at any temperature, and a complete absence of H.sub.2 or CO so no effective reduction is possible to produce the needed metallic iron. In a multi-stage start-up, the reduction vessel is first charged with iron ore and pressurized by introducing natural gas to said loop. Simultaneously, the temperature is raised to the range of 400.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for catalytic cracking in a fluid phase of a hydrocarbon charge. The process comprises contacting, in ascending or descending flow, the charge and grains of a cracking catalyst in a tubular reactor, ballistically separating the spent catalyst and the cracked charge downstream of the end of said reactor, mixing spent catalyst with grains of at least partially regenerated catalyst having a temperature exceeding that of the grains of spent catalyst, stripping spent catalyst in a dense fluidized phase by means of a fluid injected counter-current into this catalyst regenerating the catalyst under conditions to effect combustion of coke deposited thereon, and recycling regenerated catalyst to feed the reactor.

Abstract: Antisnoring agent for oral or local application in the nasal/pharyngal cavities comprising an active content of a secretolytically and/or secretoproductively effective substance, as the active ingredient, together with carrier substances for diluents which are compatible with mucous membranes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sampling method and apparatus for a fluidized bed of particles in an enclosure, comprising a sampling riser pipe (4) that communicates with the enclosure (1) below the upper surface of the fluidized bed and forms an extension thereof and has a restriction (5) adapted to limit the sampling flow rate, and means (14, 15) provided for injecting a compressed gas at an adjustable flow rate into the pipe (4) between the enclosure (1) and the restriction (5) with a view to controlling, by appropriate regulation of the flow rate of the gas, the quantity of particles withdrawn.

Abstract: Graphite consumable electrode for electric arc furnaces and the like, which comprises a plurality of essentially similar graphite sections and coupled one to the other by means of threaded connections, wherein each section is provided with cooling conduits formed into it, through which a cooling fluid flows fed only through the upper portion of the electrode from a distributing header with the lower tip portion of the electrode being automatically isolated from the cooling fluid flow.

Abstract: Centrifugal treatment apparatus for mechanical treatment, e.g. grinding, polishing, cleaning and deburring of workpieces, including a workpiece receiving container, which has a mainly cylindrical casing (1) and a rotating base (2) in the form of a plate or similar, arranged coaxially thereto, whose circumferential rim abuts the cylindrical casing, the casing being removably attached to a support (3). The casing in accordance with the present invention is formed so that it can also be fixed in an inverted position with its upper rim on the support (3). In this way it is possible to use the container casing further in the inverted position after abrasion of its inner surface in the lower region, which results in the operating lifetime of the container casing being doubled or almost doubled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for injecting and conditioning regenerated catalyst particles at the base of a catalytic cracking reactor/elevator below the zone where the feedstock to be cracked is injected to give better uniformity of treatment and control of the effective C/O ratio. A first fluid is injected at a low rate into the reactor below the level where the catalyst particles coming from the regenerator are introduced so as to form a dense phase fluidized bed, and a second fluid is injected at a higher rate substantially above the zone where the catalyst particles coming from the regenerator enter so as to form a homogenized dilute phase fluidized bed of catalyst prior to subsequent contact with the feedstock to be treated.

Abstract: Antisnoring agent for oral or local application in the nasal/pharyngal cavities comprising an active content of a secretolytically and/or secretoproductively effective substance, as the active ingredient, together with carrier substances for diluents which are compatible with mucous membranes.