Abstract: A valve apparatus that has a longitudinal axis therethrough comprises a valve seat member, a valve closure member, a fluid flow path, and a resilient valve insert member. The valve seat member comprises a hollow bore and a first frustoconical contact surface that has an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter. The valve closure member comprises a valve body and a second frustoconical contact surface that is adapted to seal against the first frustoconical contact surface in a strike face area. The valve closure member is movable along the longitudinal axis of the valve apparatus. The fluid flow path extends through the bore of the valve seat member and between the valve seat member and the valve closure member. This fluid flow path is closed when the second frustoconical contact surface is sealed against the first frustoconical contact surface.

Abstract: A folding carpenter's level is disclosed which has two level segments, each of which has a smooth flat top and bottom surface, that are hingeably attached at a distal tip by means of a recessed, flat hinging means. The two level segments can be rotated laterally in the plane of the level so as to be oriented with respect to each other at angles of from 0 to 180 degrees, thus effectively doubling the length of the level. At least one of the level segments has one or more tubular spirit vials attached to the segment for measuring the levelness of the top surface with respect to horizontal. The level segments usually have additional tubular spirit vials oriented vertically to allow the tool to be used to measure plumb. Such tubular spirit vials are generally located in apertures so that the spirit bubble in the vials can be seen from the front or the back of the folding level.

Abstract: A modular automated assistive guitar is described comprising a base assembly, a pick assembly, a strumming mechanism and a fretting mechanism which, in combination with a standard guitar or similar stringed musical instrument (e.g., banjo, steel guitar, ukulele), forms a musical device that can be played by an individual with a range of independence, cognitive and physical abilities. The base assembly accepts, positions, and secures a standard guitar. The pick assembly includes quick attach and spring-loaded features for attaching and detaching picks, in addition to flexibility for smooth interaction with the guitar strings. The strumming mechanism provides cyclic motion and speed control to create pleasant and variable rhythm from the mounted guitar. The fretting mechanism allows a user to change chords and tone. An unmodified, traditional guitar is preferably used in the musical device. The guitar is easily interchangeable with another guitar or other stringed instrument, at the convenience of the user.

Abstract: Elastic substantially linear olefin polymers are disclosed which have very good processability, including processing indices (PI's) less than or equal to 70 percent of those of a comparative linear olefin polymer and a critical shear rate at onset of surface melt fracture of at least 50 percent greater than the critical shear rate at the onset of surface melt fracture of a traditional linear olefin polymer at about the same I.sub.2 and M.sub.w /M.sub.n. The novel polymers have higher low/zero shear viscosity and lower high shear viscosity than comparative linear olefin polymers.

Abstract: Substantially linear olefin polymers having a melt flow ratio, I.sub.10 /I.sub.2, .gtoreq.5.63, a molecular weight distribution, M.sub.w /M.sub.n, defined by the equation: M.sub.w /M.sub.n .ltoreq.(I.sub.10 /I.sub.2)-4.63, and a critical shear stress at onset of gross melt fracture of greater than about 4.times.10.sup.6 dyne/cm.sup.2 and their method of manufacture are disclosed. The substantially linear olefin polymers preferably have at least about 0.01 long chain branches/1000 carbons and a molecular weight distribution from about 1.5 to about 2.5. The new polymers have improved processability over conventional olefin polymers and are useful in producing fabricated articles such as fibers, films, and molded parts.

Abstract: The irreducible water saturation profile across the length of a core sample of coal is determined from four series of X-ray attenuation measurements made over the length of the core sample. The X-ray attenuation measurements are made while the core sample is at a pressure simulating a formation overburden pressure. The first series of X-ray attenuation measurements are made while the core sample is saturated with distilled water or formation brine. The distilled water or formation brine is then displaced with humidified, inert, substantially nonadsorbing gas and a second series of X-ray attenuation measurements are made. The core sample is then saturated with an aqueous sodium iodide solution and a third series of X-ray attenuation measurements are made. The aqueous sodium iodide solution is then displaced with a humidified, inert, substantially nonadsorbing gas and a fourth series of X-ray attenuation measurements are made.

Abstract: An improved aqueous catalytic oxidation-reduction composition for oxidizing hydrogen sulfide to produce elemental sulfur and a method of removing hydrogen sulfide from a gas stream whereby a gas stream containing hydrogen sulfide is brought into contact with an aqueous catalytic oxidizing reaction composition containing a water soluble polyvalent metal salt having metal in the highest valence state and at least one nonionic surfactant having an HLB of from about 8 to about 10, preferably about 8.5 to about 9, which is adapted to wet the elemental sulfur formed. The nonionic surfactant is present in the reaction solution in an amount sufficient to substantially prevent formation of sulfur froth at the surface of the reaction solution and to cause the sulfur to precipitate as a granular solid that can be recovered by filtration, by centrifucation, or other similar means.

Abstract: Sulfur species are removed from a Claus plant tailgas stream by contacting with ZnO producing ZnS. ZnS is regenerated to ZnO by contacting with dilute O.sub.2 under conditions for reducing the volume of regeneration recycle to the Claus plant.

Abstract: Succinic acid or succinic anhydride grafts of linear ethylene polymers are blended with other polymers or resins, e.g. polyesters and the like, to form blends having useful adhesive properties. The adhesive properties are useful in various laminates and in bicomponent fibers which comprise a core of a performance fiber, especially a polyester such as PET or PBT and polyamides, and a sheath of the grafted LDPE, HDPE or LDPE. The succinic acid or succinic anhydride groups are provided by grafting, respectively, maleic acid or maleic anhydride onto the LDPE, LLDPE, and HDPE, especially by a process wherein the grafting is done in a twin-screw, co-rotating extruder with the maleic acid or maleic anhydride being injected into a pressured zone of the extruder. The acid containing grafted polymer is dyeable in contradistinction to ungrafted polymer.

Abstract: Sulfur species are removed from a Claus plant tail gas stream by contacting with zinc oxide in the presence of sufficient reducing equivalents for conversion of sulfur compounds to hydrogen sulfide. In another aspect, sulfur compounds are converted to hydrogen sulfide prior to contacting with zinc oxide.

Abstract: A remedial treatment for coal degas wells is described which enhances the production flow of gas and/or water from the wells. The treatment comprises the steps of: (a) injecting an aqueous foam through the wellbore and into the coal seam(s) at a pump rate of about 10 to about 40 BPM; and (b) flowing back the well at the maximum rate through an open, unrestricted choke.

Abstract: A portion of the acid gas feedstream to a Claus plant is passed through Claus catalyst to strip residual sulfur and sulfur compounds from the catalyst. The resulting gas-in-process containing the stripped compounds can then be provided to a Claus conversion step.

Abstract: A method of producing coalbed methane by injecting inert gas, such as nitrogen, through an injection well into the coal seam and recovering coalbed methane from a production well(s). Methane desorption from coal is achieved by reduction in methane partial pressure rather than by reduction in total pressure alone.

Abstract: Viscous oil is recovered from a subterranean formation by (a) establishing flow communication between an injection well and a production well in a flow path along the lower portion of a formation pay zone containing the viscous oil, (b) heating the flow path and adjacent portions of the pay zone with hot water or low quality steam, (c) injecting alternating slugs of hot water and steam through the injection well and into the pay zone overlying the heated flow path to cause the oil to liquify and drain into the heated flow path and to be displaced toward the production well, (d) displacing substantially all of the oil in the heated path by hot water, and (e) recovering produced fluids through the production well. The flow path is conveniently created by placing a horizontal well from the vertical injection well into the pay zone.