Abstract: Disclosed is a filter aid or medium and a method of filtering liquid wastes having good filtration, good flow rates through the filter area, and heat value of the resulting filter cake containing the filtered solids of at least 5000 Btu per pound of filter aid. The filter aid comprises rubber particle sizes effective to filter solids of different sizes from the liquid, generally in a size range of from about 5 mesh to 325 mesh, alone or with up to about 70% silicious particles. Preferably a wetting agent is used for the filtration especially for water-based liquids.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of facing a surface of a weldable iron based material with a consumable iron based electrode and alloy forming elements by creating an electric arc between the electrode and the surface of the weldable base material effective to form a weld puddle of which the weldable base material provides from about 35% to about 80% by weight, and preferably a major portion, of the weld puddle formed by the electrode and the base plate and by depositing and melting a predetermined quantity of alloy forming elements in the weld puddle to form an alloy abrasion resistant or corrosion resistant facing. Also disclosed are plates having abrasion or corrosion resistant surfaces in which from about 35% to about 80% and preferably a major portion of the weld puddle formed by the electrode and the base material is the weldable iron based material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plug valve adapted to be placed in a chamber or vessel containing fluidized particles to control flow of the fluidized particles between the chamber or vessel and the open end of a conduit which has a contained purging system in a sealed space between the valve stem and guide tube effective to keep the fluidized particles out of the space. A purging medium is provided under pressure to the sealed space as a backup and only purges the space of fluidized particles which enter it due to leakage of one or both of the stuffing boxes. Other features of the plug valve are described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid to liquid coalescing separator (10) in which the liquid flows through sides of upright perforated tubes (20). One of the liquids coalesces on the inner walls of the tubes until large enough to break away and flow out of internal passages in the tubes, and the other liquid free of coalesced liquid flows through the tubes and to an outlet (22).

Abstract: Disclosed is a circular gravity clarifier for and method of clarifying liquids of entrained liquid droplets and solids. The clarifier has an upright cylindrical body, a cylindrical baffle extending substantially the depth of the body forming an annular flow path, a rotating stilling well in which the liquid to be clarified is introduced and flows downwardly in a generally cone shaped pattern, the liquid droplets rising to the surface where they are removed, and the clarified liquid flows upwardly in the annular flow path and is discharged. A number of features of the clarifier and the method is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are iron based, austenitic alloys of substantially reduced cobalt content compared to current cobalt based alloys, such as Stellite 1 and 6, which are substantially less expensive than current cobalt based alloys, which are machinable using standard machine processes and procedures, which can be deposited as a hard surface with a tight crack pattern or a smooth surface, which does not stress crack upon cooling, which provides substantially reduced radiation exposure by plant maintenance workers in nuclear power plants, and which has a superior hardness, lower friction coefficiency, metal to metal wear loss and erosion loss than cobalt based alloys, such as Stellite 1 and Stellite 6. The alloying content comprises from about 38.0 to 62.0 percent by weight, and has a cobalt content of from about 3.00 to 9.00 percent by weight.

Abstract: Disclosed is an acoustic practice mute for brass musical wind instruments having a bell end which is of simple construction, light weight, acoustically transmits muted or dampened sound to the ears of the player without any electrical or membrane amplification, in which the sound transmitted is not distorted or changed from a natural sound, in which the volume of sound to the player's ears can be regulated, and which can be used by the player as a normal mute.

Abstract: Disclosed is a slide valve for high temperature and/or abrasive service having a metal shell and a liner of refractory material forming a flowway having an inlet and an outlet and an orifice opening between them. A side opening closed by a removable bonnet intersects the flowway at the orifice opening and is provided with grooves extending transversely from the side opening to each side and beyond the orifice opening and forming upstream and downstream guide and slide shoulders. An orifice plate with an orifice is slidable into and out of position through the side opening, a slide or disc is slidable in the guides for movement to open, closed, and throttling positions. The orifice plate has a seal around its orifice which sealingly engages the upstream shoulder.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of hardfacing and hardfaced tool joints used for connecting together drilling pipe for drilling bore holes in the earth, such as drilling to possible oil and gas formations. The hardfacing is welded to the outer surface of the box member of the tool joint and forms a surface harder than silicious earth particles but a surface which does not cut casing through which the drilling pipe and tool joints move. Hardfacing alloys having the foregoing properties contain primary carbides in a matrix which are present in an amount to form a plurality of cracks of not less than one in 3 inches on cooling from molten to solid state are satisfactory. Such cracking causes no damage to the box member, provides an indication of the primary carbides present and hence the abrasion resistance of the hardfacing and provides a long wearing service life for the box member.

Abstract: The present invention describes a filter medium and a method of filtering metals from liquids, such as waste water, in which the metals are filtered from the liquids and are chemically fixed in the resulting filter cake in a nonhazardous and nontoxic form so that they may be disposed of in nonhazardous landfills. When all or a portion of the metals are dissolved, they are first precipitated and then filtered and chemically fixed.

Abstract: An improved, rapid method for preparing substantially spherical multilamellar liposomes of a defined and adjustable size within the range of 2 to 100 micrometers, suitable for encapsulation and targeting of drugs.

Abstract: The present invention describes a filter medium and a method of filtering metals from liquids, such as waste water, in which the metals are filtered from the liquids and are chemically fixed in the resulting filter cake in a nonhazardous and nontoxic form so that they may be disposed of in nonhazardous landfills. When all or a portion of the metals are dissolved, they are first precipitated and then filtered and chemically fixed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of and means for an improved internal combustion engine performance and of substantially reduced or eliminated pollutants. A relatively slow and long burning combustion is provided which produces an exhaust of high pressure which can be utilized to drive a turbocharger or cylinder or subsequent cylinders. Ideally, the compression ratio is reduced with respect to current internal combustion engines, and the maximum temperature in the power or combustion cylinder can be below the temperature at which NO.sub.x is formed. Preferably the pressure during combustion remains substantially constant and the air or air/fuel mixture is externally compressed 40 to 100% of its compression pressure in the combustion cylinder. This results in a controlled energy release tailored to a change in volume per unit of time which results in more torque and horsepower, less fuel consumption and drastically decreases pollution, both chemical and heat to the atmosphere.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of and apparatus for obtaining adequate vaginal secretions from the vaginas of prepubertal females for laboratory tests without causing iatrogenic damage to the genital tract and without frightening or causing trauma to the females. The apparatus comprises an inner flexible catheter having a passage within an outer flexible catheter, the catheters having fluid communicating sampling ports, the injection, aspiration, and withdrawal of fluids and secretions in or from a child being through the passage in the inner flexible catheter, the outer flexible catheter maintaining its shape in use effective to prevent the inner flexible catheter and hence the outer catheter from being forced or sucked against the child's vaginal walls during such injection of fluid, aspiration and withdrawal of vaginal fluid. The method describes the use of the apparatus in obtaining the fluids and secretions.

Abstract: Disclosed is the solidification and chemical fixation of wastes using biogenetic primarily amorphous silica to the waste at ambient temperature and pressure in the presence of a strong alkali and sufficient water in the waste which converts the biogenetic silica into a soluble silicate and sufficient water to form the soluble silicate, and in the presence of a polyvalent metal ion in the waste which reacts with the formed soluble silicate to provide a cementitious product of the waste. In the event there is insufficient strong alkali or water present in the waste to convert the biogenetic amorphous silica to a soluble silicate, and insufficient polyvalent metal ion in the waste to harden and form a cementitious product, amounts of these components as necessary can be added along with the biogenetic silica to the waste.

Abstract: Disclosed are aqueous aerosol droplets containing liposome or interacted liposome-drug or medication combination particles in a continuous phase of air or oxygen-enriched air advantageous for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases. The drug or medication is interacted with the liposome membrane so that on its rupture the drug or medication is not lost from the liposome. Different methods of preparation of the aerosol particles containing the liposome and interacted liposome-drug combination particles are described which can be used in small particle aerosol treatment. The majority of the aerosol droplets containing the liposome particles alone or with drugs has a diameter less than 5 microns and has an aerodynamic mass median diameter ranging from about 1 to 3 microns, and the liposome and interacted-liposome drug particles are substantially uniform in size and less than 1 micron in diameter.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for generating seismic waves in a well bore, which apparatus includes a tubular expandable and contractible outer anchor wall, a seslf-contained anchor setting hydraulic system to expand the anchor into anchored position in the bore hole, a self-contained vibrator hydraulic system operable to cycle pressure impulses to the interior of the tubular expandable and contractible outer anchor wall effective to produce and radiate seismic waves, a cable including electric lines for locating the apparatus in the well bore, and switch means at the surface for controlling the operation of the apparatus. The apparatus is useful for geophysical investigation including vertical seismic profiling and cross hole tomography.

Abstract: Disclosed is the solidification and chemical fixation of wastes using biogenetic primarily amorphous silica to the waste at ambient temperature and pressure in the presence of a strong alkali and sufficient water in the waste which converts the biogenetic silica into a soluble silicate and sufficient water to form the soluble silicate, and in the presence of a polyvalent metal ion in the waste which reacts with the formed soluble silicate to provide a cementitious product of the waste. In the event there is insufficient strong alkali or water present in the waste to convert the biogenetic amorphous silica to a soluble silicate, and insufficient polyvalent metal ion in the waste to harden and form a cementitious product, amounts of these components as necessary can be added along with the biogenetic silica to the waste.

Abstract: Disclosed is a soft tissue augmentation material from human placenta homogenized to pass through a surgical needle, preferably a 30 gauge surgical needle, and cross-linking collagen molecules of the material by gamma irradiation. Also disclosed are methods of making the injectable soft tissue augmentation material and using it in human beings.

Abstract: Disclosed are safety debris collectors for collecting dust and debris, such as concrete particles and dust, rock chips, steel particles, radioactive particles, insulation and other particles and dust when drilling, chipping, and using stud guns, drills, piston drive devices and other operating tools used in the construction industry which create working dust or debris and the like. The safety debris catcher does not rotate or move with the operating portion of the tool, it is easily and readily connected to and detached from an operating tool or device, it can be used in confined spaces, such as spaces between beams, braces, and ceilings at different elevations, and it can be used at any angle and effectively collect debris, dust and other particles.