Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously removing liquid from an aqueous suspension; the apparatus consists of a filter housing; an electrofilter disposed within the housing to provide a crossflow chamber and filtrate chamber within the housing; an inlet for supplying a suspension to the crossflow chamber and an outlet for removing a suspension reduced in liquid content from the crossflow chamber; both the inlet and the outlet may be disposed so as to provide a crossflow of the suspension across the surface of the elecltrofilter or disposed to provide a batch process with optional stirring; and an outlet for removing liquid from the filtrate chamber. The filter material of the electrofilter is conductive so that the filter material functions as the first electrode as well as a filter. A second electrode is disposed on the filtrate side of the electrofilter.

Abstract: A method of removing liquid from a suspension by concurrently subjecting the suspension to the action of a pulsed D.C. electrical field and in a second embodiment a concurrent sonic or ultrasonic field so as to remove liquid from the suspension. The suspension is moved into a liquid removal chamber between opposing electrodes one of which is permeable to the liquid. The sonic or ultrasonic field may then be optionally applied to the suspension concurrently with the pulsed electrical field, at a frequency and amplitude adapted to cause liquid to separate from the suspension particles. The concurrently applied electrical field between the electrodes causes the particles to migrate away from the permeable electrode and liquid to migrate toward the permeable electrode. Liquid is then removed through the permeable electrode. The method requires less energy to remove a unit of liquid, has a more advantageous rate of liquid removal and achieves a lower moisture content than if a steady electrical field is applied.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing breath for introduction to a measuring device such as a mass spectrometer. The apparatus includes a mouthpiece for interfacing a subject with the apparatus; a tube for carrying exhaled breath from the subject to the inlet of a mixing chamber; a mixing chamber having an inlet, sample outlet and exit tube, that provides a residence time for the exhaled breath sufficient to mix the breath and provide an adequate sample to the measuring device; and heating apparatus for maintaining the apparatus above a temperature where condensation of vapor occurs.

Abstract: A method for producing p-dichlorobenzene using a reactor containing a catalyst/reagent to convert chlorobenzene (or benzene) to p-dichlorobenzene, the reactor having an inlet and an outlet for introducing reactants and removing product; introducing a pulse of gaseous chlorobenzene (or benzene) into the reactor and reacting the chlorobenzene with the catalyst/reagent whereby p-dichlorobenzene is formed; introducing a pulse of inert gas into the reactor; introducing a pulse of gaseous chlorine into the reactor and reacting the chlorine with the catalyst/reagent; introducing a pulse of inert gas into the reactor; repeating the pulsing steps in a sequential manner, whereby mixing of the vaporized benzene or chlorobenzene, and the chlorine gas is prevented; and continuously removing product containing p-dichlorobenzene from the outlet of the reactor.

Abstract: This invention is designed to serve as an interface between a liquid chromatograph and a conventional or tandem mass spectrometer (LC/MS, LC/MS/MS). It may also be used for liquid sampling without prior separation of analytes by a liquid chromatograph. This invention differs from prior art in that vaporization of the analytical sample (LC eluent) occurs through the action of condensing pressurized steam on the exterior of a low thermal mass metal capillary, while the aqueous LC eluent is flowing through the metal capillary. The steam is obtained by heating a small volume of water sealed within the device. LC eluent entering the capillary results in localized cooling and subsequent condensation of the pressurized steam on the outer surface of the capillary. The process of condensation deposits energy to the capillary equivalent to the latent heat of vaporization of water. This energy results in flash vaporization of the LC eluent within the capillary.

Abstract: Disclosed are new piezoelectric/pyroelectric materials of polarized homopolymer and copolymers of trifluorovinyl acetate. Also disclosed is a unique predictive relationship for determining the piezoelectricity of unknown material.

Abstract: A new class of chromatographic columns for reverse phase and ion exchange chromatography based on organotitanate coupling is disclosed along with separation processes using such media. The disclosed organo-titanate coupled matrices useful for reverse phase or ionic chromatographic separation can be made using titanate coupling agents in complete replacement of conventional silanating agents.

Abstract: Apparatus for taking smear samples of the surface of objects for sampling radiation or chemical contamination levels. Both wiping area and pressure are controlled giving reliable, repeatable samples. A carriage provided with sampling strips is slideably mounted within a frame. Constant force springs pull the carriage across a known distance upon its release while a pressure roller on the carriage presses the sample strip to the area to be sampled. The sample strip is wound on a take-up reel as each sample is taken. The device is intended for remote or hazardous environments and may be operated manually or by robotics.

Abstract: An improved ion source for characterization of a surface of a sample including a housing oriented about a central axis, Z; a magnet cooperatively disposed within the housing for producing a magnetic field along the Z axis direction an anode radially disposed within the housing and within the magnetic field of the magnet that defines an annular ionization chamber having an open annular space and further forming a central tubular space about the Z axis; a cathode cooperatively disposed at the anode and within the annular ionization chamber; an extractor grids means cooperatively disposed within the housing so as to form a boundary of the ionization chamber; annular focusing rings disposed on the housing and externally to the extractor grids for focusing ions emerging therefrom; neutralizer filament cooperatively disposed with focusing rings; a central lens cooperatively disposed about the central axis Z in the central tubular space formed by the anode and adapted to accept ions and neutrals emanating from a sam

Abstract: A method for inhibiting sulfide stress corrosion cracking and hydrogen induced stepwise cracking in a metal (e.g. pipeline steel) that comprises contacting the metal at a pH of 5.3 or below with an effective inhibiting amount of a glycolipid-containing product obtained from a fermentation using Torulopsis bombicola.

Abstract: The invention relates to antireflective coatings and to a process for depositing the antireflective coatings on solar collector cover plates, optical elements such as lenses and windows in high-energy visible and near-IR lenses and on other glass or metal or metal-alloy or single crystal surfaces, including the steps of hydrolyzing an alkoxysilane, titanium alkoxide, aluminum alkoxide, tantalum alkoxide, niobium alkoxide, or other alkoxy compounds, or a mixture thereof, depending upon the final coating composition desired; to prepare polymeric solutions of the alkoxy compound/or compounds in which the polymer molecules or macromolecules (i.e. the primary particles) grow with time; depositing layers of coatings from the polymeric solutions by state of the art processes (such as spraying, dipping or spinning method), and drying to form chemically bound microporous gel layers; thermally treating the gel-coating in a manner adapted to remove solvent, excess water and residual organics from the gel coating.

Abstract: An improved inert gas shielded tungsten arc welder is disclosed of the type wherein a tungsten electrode is shielded within a flowing inert gas, and, an arc, following ignition, burns between the energized tungsten electrode and a workpiece. The improvement comprises in combination with the tungsten electrode, a starting laser focused upon the tungsten electrode which to ignite the electrode heats a spot on the energized electrode sufficient for formation of a thermionic arc. Interference problems associated with high frequency starters are thus overcome.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel method of operating a gasifier for production of fuel gas from carbonaceous fuels. The process disclosed enables operating in an entrained mode using inlet gas velocities of less than 7 feet per second, feedstock throughputs exceeding 4000 lbs/ft.sup.2 -hr, and pressures below 100 psia.

Abstract: Process for producing high purity aluminum nitride powder by reacting aluminum sulfide with gaseous ammonia at an intermediate temperature (about 700.degree. C.) and holding at that temperature until an intermediate product (Al.sub.x N.sub.y S.sub.z) is formed where x, y, and z are integers; then further heating to a temperature above 1100.degree. C. and reacting with gaseous ammonia. A high purity, low oxygen containing, free flowing powder is produced. A posttreatment using a carbon source such as graphite further reduces the oxygen content. The oxygen content can be further reduced by reacting the aluminum nitride formed with carbon at about 1600.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of removing liquid from a suspension by concurrently subjecting the suspension to the action of a pulsed electrical field and optionally a concurrent sonic or ultrasonic field so as to remove liquid from the suspension. The suspension is moved into a liquid removal chamber between opposing electrodes one of which is permeable to the liquid. The sonic or ultrasonic field may then be optionally applied to the suspension concurrently with the pulsed electrical field, at a frequency and amplitude adapted to cause liquid to separate from the suspension particles. The concurrently applied electrical field between the electrodes causes the particles to migrate away from the permeable electrode and liquid to migrate toward the permeable electrode. Liquid is then removed through the permeable electrode. The method requires less energy to remove a unit of liquid, has a more advantageous rate of liquid removal and achieves a lower moisture content than if a steady electrical field is applied.

Abstract: A high temperature, oxidation resistant alloy useful in high temperature, oxidizing environments such as those encountered in gas turbines, advanced jet engines, high temperature furnaces and glass melting and processing equipment, among others.The alloy is characterized by selecting a refractory alloy from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten, niobium and tantalum having dispersed therein a second phase additive of titanium nitride and a third phase additive of aluminum and titanium. Alternatively, the refractory metals may be molybdenum or tungsten and the second phase additive and third phase additive may be silicon nitride and silicon, or chromium nitride and chromium respectively.

Abstract: A method of separating a solid-liquid suspension (e.g. an aqueous coal suspension, a suspension of clay in oil) by concurrently subjecting the suspension to the action of a sonic or ultrasonic field and an electrical field so as to remove the liquid from the suspension. The suspension is moved into a solid-liquid separation chamber between opposing electrodes one of which is permeable to the liquid. The sonic or ultrasonic field is then applied to the suspension concurrently with the electrical field, at a frequency and amplitude adapted to cause the liquid to separate from the suspension particles. The concurrently applied electrical field between the electrodes causes the particles to migrate away from the permeable electrode and liquid to migrate toward the permeable electrode. The liquid is then removed through the permeable electrode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for starch adhesive bonding of paper, paperboard, and natural cellulosic-fiber materials, especially liner and fluted corrugating medium, into manufactured items, particularly corrugated board. The method includes applying an adhesive coating, comprising starch and water, to a first substrate (e.g. tips of flutes of a corrugated medium), contacting the applied coating with another substrate (e.g. liner) and while so positioned contacting an exterior surface of at least one of the substrates with an ultrasonic energy generating means so as to transmit ultrasonic energy to the adhesive coating to increase coating adhesion to the substrates.

Abstract: A process for curing and densifying a sol-gel derived inorganic thin film at lower temperatures (between 10.degree. C. and 400.degree. C.) by applying the films to a substrate, drying the film at a low temperature, exposing the film to a low pressure plasma. The film may be an oxide (e.g. SiO.sub.2), nitride (e.g. Si.sub.3 N.sub.4), oxynitride (e.g. SiO.sub.x N.sub.y) or sulfide (e.g. GeS.sub.2).

Abstract: A process for simultaneous removal of SO.sub.2 and NO.sub.x from a gas stream that includes flowing the gas stream to a spray dryer and absorbing a portion of the SO.sub.2 content of the gas stream and a portion of the NO.sub.x content of the gas stream with ZnO by contacting the gas stream with a spray of an aqueous ZnO slurry; controlling the gas outlet temperature of the spray dryer to within the range of about a 0.degree. to 125.degree. F. approach to the adiabatic saturation temperature; flowing the gas, unreacted ZnO and absorbed SO.sub.2 and NO.sub.x from the spray dryer to a fabric filter and collecting any solids therein and absorbing a portion of the SO.sub.2 remaining in the gas stream and a portion of the NO.sub.x remaining in the gas stream with ZnO; and controlling the ZnO content of the aqueous slurry so that sufficient unreacted ZnO is present in the solids collected in the fabric filter to react with SO.sub.2 and NO.sub.