Abstract: The specification discloses a method for forming a rubber concentrate which can be incorporated in relatively high percentages into rubber reinforced polymers without adversely affecting processability. A rigid polymer forming monomer system is polymerized in the presence of a mixture of a low molecular weight rubber (weight average molecular weight of from about 2,000 to about 50,000) and a higher molecular weight rubber (weight average molecular weight of from about 100,000 to about 400,000). The resulting rubber concentrate can be incorporated into a rigid polymer blend which is compatible with the rigid polymer forming monomer phase of the rubber concentrate. The resulting new composition has significantly improved impact strength and acceptable processability.

Abstract: A steam turbine-generator power plant is described wherein solar energy is used to preheat feedwater to a steam generator. Two parallel feedwater supply branches are proposed for preheating the feedwater upstream from the steam generator. A first preheater branch utilizes extraction steam from the steam turbine for preheating feedwater and is called an extraction branch. A second preheater branch utilizes solar energy for preheating feedwater and is called a solar branch. The two branches are joined upstream from the steam generator and the proportion of flow from each branch is based on the temperature difference between the extraction branch and the solar branch. A variable speed pump is used to pump feedwater from the solar branch at a rate proportional to the temperature difference between the two branches.