Abstract: An essentially self-contained mobile tube cleaning machine which is remotely operable so that there is no need for operating personnel to be in close proximity to cleaning nozzles or other high pressure lines during tube cleaning operations. As a consequence, significantly higher water pressures and significantly higher water flow rates can be utilized thereby not only accelerating the rate of cleaning but also the efficiency and the effectiveness of the cleaning operation. Through the provision of a nozzle head at the end of an articulatable boom, it is possible to adjust the location of the nozzle through movement of the boom in order to clean the face of a tube bundle, the shell side of a tube bundle and the interior of the tubes themselves.

Abstract: A remote telemetry unit (RTU) for use in an automated telemetry paging system for providing remote pager notification of changes in selected operating parameters measured at a specific site location. The selected parameters and the unacceptable changes therein are provided in the form of a plurality of electrical status signals each representative of one of the selected parameters. The RTU includes a programmed microprocessor, including data input/output circuits, a memory circuit, a central processing unit (CPU) and a real time clock. The RTU also includes a status signal receiving circuit for receiving and electronically isolating and digitally shaping the received status signals. An interrogation circuit controlled by the CPU scans the digital status signals, and a discrimination circuit controlled by the CPU reads the digital status signals and determines if a valid deviated or changed status signal is present.

Abstract: A fried food article having improved crispness. Inner and outer pastry shells are provided, the inner shell sealedly containing a desired filling, and the outer shell being disposed thereabouts. Means are provided in the outer shell design for decreasing deep frying time to achieve desired outer shell crispness while avoiding undesirable drying out of the filling. In one embodiment, such means takes the form of a plurality of apertures in the outer shell to facilitate frying oil substantially contacting both the inner and outer surfaces of the outer shell. In an alternate embodiment, spacing means are provided alone or in combination with the apertures providing heat insulation between the inner and outer shells in the former case, and additional space for hot oil in the latter case, both to enance the resultant crispness of the food article upon frying.

Abstract: An improved method of treating streams having mercaptan or mercaptan-based compounds therein particularly adapted for the processes of sweetening sour hydrocarbons and regenerating spent caustic solutions is described. The invention comprises contacting a first stream having the mercaptan or mercaptan-based compounds therein with a second stream in the presence of effective amounts of a nitrogen-based promoter to promote the extraction and/or the catalytic oxidation of the mercaptan compounds therein. The invention herein disclosed and described is applicable in a wide variety of apparatus and processes adapted for sweetening and regeneration operations.

Abstract: A method of producing high quality, homogenous asphalt comprising the steps of mixing and heating a hydrocarbon feedstock not normally suited for asphalt production with elemental sulfur and agitating the resulting mixture. A halide catalyst may be added to the mixture to promote the reaction of the hydrocarbon feedstock with the sulfur. If desired, the agitated mixture may be air blown in any conventional manner to increase its hardness.

Abstract: An apparatus and process where a sour hydrocarbon distillate stream is treated in two oxidation zones within the same reaction vessel to oxidize mercaptans. The initial treatment is in the presence of a fiber bundle and the subsequent treatment over a bed of supported oxidation catalyst which can be in an annular arrangement surrounding a portion of the fiber bundle.