Abstract: A method for manufacturing Li.sub.2 M.sub.b Mn.sub.2-b O.sub.4 which comprises the steps of providing LiM.sub.b Mn.sub.2-b O.sub.4 ; providing a lithium salt; forming a mixture of the LiM.sub.b Mn.sub.2-b O.sub.4 and lithium salt in a liquid medium; adding a reducing agent to the mixture; heating for sufficient time to effect substantially complete conversion; and separating the product Li.sub.2 M.sub.b Mn.sub.2-b O.sub.4.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing Li.sub.2 M.sub.b Mn.sub.2-b O.sub.4 comprising the steps of providing LiM.sub.b Mn.sub.2-b O.sub.4 ; providing a source of lithium; dissolving lithium from the lithium source in a liquid medium in which lithium generates solvated electrons or the reduced form of an electron-transfer catalyst; and contacting the LiM.sub.b Mn.sub.2-b O.sub.4 with the liquid medium containing the dissolved lithium and the solvated electrons or the reduced form of the electron-transfer catalyst, wherein M is selected from the group Al, Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu.

Abstract: A process for producing a conductive, fluorine-doped titanium dioxide product which is doped throughout, said process comprising the steps of: (a) reacting the precursors in a system to form fluorine-doped TiO.sub.2, said precursors consisting essentially of a titanium alkoxide and a fluorine source; (b) reducing the fluorine-doped titanium dioxide product at a temperature sufficient to form said conductive, fluorine-doped titanium dioxide product; and (c) recovering the reduced product.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing Li.sub.2 Mn.sub.2 O.sub.4 which comprises the steps of providing LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4 ; providing a lithium salt; forming a solution or suspension of the LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4 and lithium salt in a liquid medium; and adding a reducing agent to the solution or suspension.

Abstract: A process of converting high molecular hydrocarbon feedstock into lower molecular weight components in the presence of a homogenous catalysis system is disclosed. The catalysis system comprises a catalyst complex formed by the interaction of a metal halide-type Lewis acid, a protic Bronsted acid or Bronsted acid donor and a fluid hydrocarbon selected from a C.sub.2 -C.sub.14 alkane dissolved in a fluid hydrocarbon. The homogeneous catalysis system can be produced as a liquid phase or a supercritical fluid solution. The process is especially useful where the hydrocarbon feedstock consists of deasphalted oil or mixed paraffins. The hydrocrackate, especially that derived from paraffin feedstocks, has a carbon number distribution equivalent to that of the fluid hydrocarbon of the catalyst complex.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing TiO.sub.2 by reacting O.sub.2 and TiCl.sub.4 in a reactor tube wherein pressure fluctuations in the flow of fluids through the reactor tube are sensed and output signals are generated proportional to the sensed pressure fluctuations. The flow of at least one of the TiCl.sub.4 or O.sub.2 is then varied through the reactor tube in response to predetermined pressure fluctuations so as to increase the efficiency of the reaction between TiCl.sub.4 and the O.sub.2. The efficiency of the reaction between O.sub.2 and TiCl.sub.4 in the reactor tube is achieved by a control apparatus operably connected to the reactor assembly which is capable of monitoring pressure fluctuations in TCl.sub.4 and O.sub.2 through the reactor assembly so that the flow of at least one of the TiCl.sub.4 or O.sub.2 can be varied in response to predetermined pressure fluctuations. The control apparatus includes a sensor assembly, a signal conditioning unit and a signal processing unit.

Abstract: Improved methods and polymer compositions are provided whereby ultraviolet radiation degradation of substrates formed of the compositions is attenuated.In accordance with the invention, ultraviolet scattering and absorbing particles having a particle size in the range of from about 0.001 micrometer to about 0.20 micrometer in diameter are dispersed in at least a surface layer of a polymer substrate.

Abstract: Thermoplastic concentrates comprising inorganic pigments, such as titanium dioxide, treated with a partial ester polyol and unsaturated monocarboxylic acid treating agent, of the formula R(OH).sub.x COOR', wherein R is an alkyl or aryl radical containing from about 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, R' is an unsaturated alkyl radical containing from about 6 to about 20 carbon atoms, and x is a number from about 2 to about 6, are disclosed. Such treatment improves the dispersibility of the pigments in thermoplastic resins. The treatment also enables the production of thermoplastic concentrates comprising a high percentage of treated inorganic pigment dispersed in a thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing TiO.sub.2 by reacting O.sub.2 and TICl.sub.4 in a reactor tube wherein pressure fluctuations in the flow of fluids through the reactor tube are sensed and output signals are generated proportional to the sensed pressure fluctuations. The flow of at least one of the TiCl.sub.4 or O.sub.2 is then varied through the reactor tube in response to predetermined pressure fluctuations so as to increase the efficiency of the reaction between TiCl.sub.4 and the O.sub.2. The efficiency of the reaction between O.sub.2 and TiCl.sub.4 in the reactor tube is achieved by a control apparatus operably connected to the reactor assembly which is capable of monitoring pressure fluctuations in TCl.sub.4 and O.sub.2 through the reactor assembly so that the flow of at least one of the TiCl.sub.4 or O.sub.2 can be varied in response to predetermined pressure fluctuations. The control apparatus includes a sensor assembly, a signal conditioning unit and a signal processing unit.

Abstract: A method for milling a powder in a high energy mill which includes steps of forming a milling slurry including a naturally occurring zirconium silicate sand grinding medium having a density in the range of from about 4 g/cc absolute to about 6 g/cc absolute. Also provided is a grinding medium including naturally occurring zirconium silicate sand characterized by a density in the range of from about 4 g/cc absolute to about 6 g/cc absolute.

Abstract: A discrete catalyst and processes for the alkylation of isoalkanes with alkenes under homogenous fluid conditions. The catalyst is formed by contacting, under fluid conditions, a homogenous fluid containing a paraffin hydrocarbon having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms with a Lewis acid/protic Bronsted acid pair to produce a discrete catalytic complex that is soluble in the fluid. The discrete catalyst is the reaction product of the acid pair and alkanes and includes hydrocarbon ligands of limited chain length rendering it soluble in the fluid. The catalyst is active for the alkylation of isoalkanes, under homogenous fluid conditions.

Abstract: A method for producing a milled powder including imparting an electrostatic charge to the starting powder and milling the electrostatically charged starting powder is provided.

Abstract: Improved methods and polymer compositions are provided whereby ultraviolet radiation degradation of substrates formed of the compositions is attenuated. In accordance with the invention, ultraviolet scattering and absorbing particles having a particle size in the range of from about 0.001 micrometer to about 0.20 micrometer in diameter are dispersed in at least a surface layer of a polymer substrate.

Abstract: A rail-tie fastening assembly for fastening a rail to a concrete tie comprising a rail seat assembly and a rail anchor. The rail seat assembly includes a rail seat basin and a rail seat wherein the rail seat is disposed in the rail seat basin and bonded thereto with an elastomeric material having a void formed therein between the bottom of the rail seat and the bottom of the rail seat basin so as to produce a shear spring which transfers applied vertical load from the rail to the tie. The rail seat assembly is embedded in the tie and the rail anchor is adapted to engage a portion of the rail and to interlock with the rail seat assembly so as to cooperate with the rail seat assembly to fasten the rail to the tie.

Abstract: A rail-tie fastening assembly for fastening a rail to a concrete tie comprising a rail seat assembly and a rail anchor. The rail seat assembly includes a rail seat basin and a rail seat wherein the rail seat is disposed in the rail seat basin and bonded thereto with an elastomeric material having a void formed therein between the bottom of the rail seat and the bottom of the rail seat basin so as to produce a shear spring which transfers applied vertical load from the rail to the tie. The rail seat assembly is embedded in the tie and the rail anchor is adapted to engage a portion of the rail and to interlock with the rail seat assembly so as to cooperate with the rail seat assembly to fasten the rail to the tie.

Abstract: A method of preconditioning manganese dioxide for use in a rechargeable alkaline electrochemical cell. The method includes the step of contacting unreduced manganese dioxide (e.g., electrolytic manganese dioxide) with a solution of hydroquinone in an environment having a pH greater than or equal to 5 that is essentially free of dissolved oxygen to partially reduce the unreduced manganese dioxide to manganese dioxide generally represented by the formulaMnO.sub.xwherein x is between about 1.80 and about 1.92. Partially reducing the manganese dioxide to an oxidation state in this range before the cell is finally assembled and sealed lessens the degree by which the capacity of the cell is decreased as the cell is cycled and improves the overall performance of the cell.

Abstract: A discrete catalyst and processes for the isomerization of alkanes and the alkylation of isoalkanes under homogenous fluid conditions. The catalyst is formed by contacting, under fluid conditions, a homogenous fluid containing a paraffin hydrocarbon having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms with a Lewis acid/protic Bronsted acid pair and a transition metal to produce a discrete catalytic complex that is soluble in the fluid. The discrete catalyst is the reaction product of the acid pair and alkanes and includes hydrocarbon ligands of limited chain length rendering it soluble in the fluid. The catalyst is active for the isomerization of alkanes and olefins, and the alkylation of isoalkanes, under homogenus fluid conditions.

Abstract: A pigment composition of improved dispersibility in thermoplastic resins and concentrates of the pigment composition in thermoplastic resin are provided. The pigment composition is comprised of an inorganic pigment such as titanium dioxide having an organophosphate ester treating agent deposited thereon.

Abstract: The invention discloses a simply designed oven which uses forced air convection as a heating mechanism. One or more drums can be installed in the oven over a catch basin of sufficient volume to include the contents of at least one drum. A gear or similar pump is provided to agitate the contents, as well as to perform the pump-out feature. An inert gas blanketing system is provided for each drum so that additional inert gas is supplied to replace the contents being pumped out of the drum while excess vapors created from the warming process, which could ignite if placed adjacent an ignition source, can be piped to a safe place remote from the oven interior.