Abstract: A wastewater treatment system of the activated sludge type is disclosed having an aeration basin provided with staggered partitions and of a particular geometrical design and mode of operation whereby more efficient purification of the wastewater may be achieved in a system of a given size.

Abstract: Hydrogen-containing gas mixtures are subjected to selective adsorption in a pressure swing cyclic system to remove carbon dioxide and/or hydrocarbon gases, obtaining high recovery of hydrogen at high purity. The system can also be employed for separation of methane from admixture with CO.sub.2.

Abstract: A solid, sulfur-containing carbonaceous feedstock, e.g. coal or other high carbon content solid, in a finely divided form is suspended in a hydrocarbon liquid along with a finely divided hydroconversion catalyst having a nominal particle size of less than about 10 microns. The resulting suspension and a hydrogen-containing gas are contacted at an elevated temperature and pressure and at a weight hourly space velocity of between 200 and 50,000 kg. of the suspension per kg. of catalyst per hour. The resulting product is continuously withdrawn from the contact zone and normally gaseous materials are separated. A liquid product having a substantially reduced sulfur content and containing the finely divided catalyst is recovered as desulfurized product.

Abstract: Polycarbonates, of the type formed by reacting an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic 1,2-monoepoxide with carbon dioxide and having substantially alternating units of epoxide and carbon dioxide, are improved in thermal stability by reacting the free hydroxyl groups thereon with a hydroxyl reactive organic compound.

Abstract: A process for producing liquefied natural gas from a high pressure hydrocarbon feedstock is shown. In this process, the feedstock is isentropically expanded and distilled at a pressure lower than the critical pressure to form an overhead rich in methane and a bottom fraction. The methane rich overhead is compressed utilizing the energy obtained from the expansion and then the compressed overhead is liquefied in a refrigeration cycle.

Abstract: A fluid pressure regulator for delivering a gas, e.g. oxygen, from a high-pressure source, e.g. storage cylinder, to an apparatus, e.g. welding torch, at a lower adjustably controllable pressure. The regulator is characterized in that sources of combustible materials normally used for valve seating are minimized and destruction of the seat does not open the regulator to full source pressure. An improved pressure relief valve vents the regulator to ambient atmosphere in the event of either large pressure surges or elevated temperatures inside of the regulator, regardless of pressure.

Abstract: A heat exchanger or regenerator system useable in an air separation plant to minimize infiltration of air into the low pressure nitrogen stream comprising a heat exchanger (regenerator) having at least one flow path for the reversing heat exchange fluids, which flow path has at each end, an inlet branch and an outlet branch, wherein each branch has two series connected valves with a vent pipe between each pair of valves. Fluid flow through the vent pipe is controlled, e.g. by remotely actuable switch valves.

Abstract: A fluid control valve being a combination of a needle valve and a gate valve disposed in a manifold sleeve having an inlet, a sensor outlet and a fluid outlet. The control valve is so constructed that the gate valve controls fluid flow through the inlet and the needle valve meters fluid flow through the outlet. Simultaneously, upon opening of the gate valve and needle valve and at all times when fluid is flowing through the control valve, fluid in the form of a reference pressure is present at the sensor oulet. Control valves according to the present invention are ideally suited for use in anesthesia machines for dispensing oxygen gas into the patient breathing circuit.

Abstract: This invention relates to an anesthesia dispensing device which comprises a turntable for carrying a plurality of vaporizers having an inlet and outlet port for each vaporizer, and a manifold having a feed port and an exhaust port with a passageway capable of providing communication between the feed port and an external gas supply and a passageway capable of providing communication between the exhaust port and the exterior of the dispensing device. The turntable and manifold are supported for relative rotational and reciprocal movement so that a vaporizer can be rotated into position, engaged and disengaged by simple manipulation.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a process for treating a flue gas with a spiking gas containing sulfur trioxide. In this process, the concentration of sulfur trioxide in the spiking gas is maintained in a proportion of from about 0.15 to 1.2 mol percent, and the temperature of the spiking gas is maintained such that during any stage of mixing of the spiking gas with the flue gas, the resulting temperature of the mixture is not more than 10.degree. C below the dew point, the dew point being determined by equation.

Abstract: A modified activated sludge system is provided wherein BOD-containing wastewater and recycled sludge are initially admixed under anaerobic conditions in the substantial absence of oxygen or oxidizing agents and subsequently subjected to aeration and clarification. By the disclosed operation the selective production of non-bulking biomass is favored while effective removal of phosphates is obtained. By a further alternative modification, nitrates and nitrites are also removed by interposing an anoxic treating zone between the anaerobic zone and the aerating zone.

Abstract: A piston ring having a general shape of a cylinder with the first section in the shape of an annulus for engaging a portion of the surface of a piston to provide a fluid-tight seal with the piston and a second section in the shape of a thin-walled bowl with sealing means on the outer surface of the bowl for providing a fluid-tight seal between the ring and the cylinder wall. The ring is especially constructed for use at cryogenic temperatures of -320.degree. F and below.

Abstract: Atmosphere compositions and processes utilizing the compositions for heat treating ferrous metal articles under a controlled furnace atmosphere to either maintain or change the surface chemistry of the article being treated are disclosed in the following specification.The invention features atmosphere compositions or mixtures which are blended from normally gaseous components outside the furnace and the mixture or blend is injected into the furnace to provide a carburizing, decarburizing, carbonitriding or neutral hardening atmosphere inside the furnace.

Abstract: This invention relates to an accelerator composition particularly adapted for providing extended shelf life to sheet and bulk molding compound while providing for accelerated cure rates at molding temperatures. The accelerator composition comprises in combination:A cobaltic promotor selected from the group consisting of cobaltic halides, cobaltic salts of monocarboxylic acids having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, cobaltic sulfate, and cobaltic beta-diketones; andFrom about 1 to 4,500 parts, per part of cobaltic metal in said cobaltic promoter, of a coupler selected from the group consisting of oxides and hydroxides of calcium and magnesium.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting fluid leakage past a control valve in a system for controlling and measuring the flow of a fluid in a conduit of the type having first and second control valves, a flow sensing element of the differential pressure type located in the conduit between the control valves and a differential pressure flow rate indicator connected to the flow sensing element through high and low pressure conduits. Fluid leakage past the control valve discharges from the isolated portion of the fluid conduit first through the low pressure conduit and then through a vent conduit causing a pressure drop along the low pressure conduit which causes an indication of flow on the flow rate indicator.

Abstract: Polymerization and condensation reactions of organic isocyanates are catalytically promoted by the use of N-hydroxyalkyl quaternary ammonium carbonylate salts, particularly in the production of polyisocyanurates and polyurethanes. Among the exemplary preferred catalysts are N-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium salts of carboxylic acids such as those of formic and acetic acids and of fatty acids such as hexanoic and octanoic acids and the like.

Abstract: A cryogenic refrigeration system is disclosed for being detachably mounted on a shipping container to provide in-transit refrigeration of the containerized cargo.

Abstract: Certain quaternary ammonium salts are incorporated in unsaturated polyester thermosetting molding compositions containing peroxyketal initiators to accelerate free radical initiated curing of these compositions.

Abstract: Isocyanate reactions, such as their condensation with polyols to form polyurethanes and their polymerization to polyisocyanurates, are promoted by certain hydroxyalkyl tertiary amine catalysts corresponding to the formula ##STR1## wherein Y = CH.sub.3 or ZZ = --ch.sub.2.ch.sub.

Abstract: Scrap tires containing magnetic components and non-magnetic rubber and cord components are cooled in a cryogenic freezer to the embrittlement temperature, comminuted in a comminution device and passed through a series of screening and density classification operations followed by magnetic material separation and further cryogenic size reduction to produce a product rubber crumb having a particle size of about 1/20 inch or less.