Abstract: Structured column packing having a fluted surface wherein the flute elevation forms a shelf sufficient to cause downflowing liquid to pool on the shelf thereby enabling more efficient countercurrent vapor-liquid mass transfer.

Abstract: Composites of flexible graphite particles and an amorphous carbon phase useful for applications such as valve packing end rings.

Abstract: A process for heating a molten material by injecting oxygen and a fuel into a molten bath of the material at a bath temperature above the spontaneous combustion temperature of the fuel, at least a portion of the fuel forming a shroud around the oxygen, and combusting the fuel to provide heat to the molten material. Where the molten material is impure copper the amount of oxygen and fuel injected may also be controlled to alternately oxidize and reduce the copper impurities and remove them from the bath. Solid material may be melted in the bath during any stage of heating or refining. In a preferred embodiment, a portion of the fuel forms a shroud around the oxygen during injection, and the oxygen forms a shroud around the remaining fuel.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for firing a furnace using oxygen or oxygen-enriched air as the oxidant gas, comprising injection into the furnace of a plurality of oxidant jets, through nozzles, in a spaced relationship to a fuel jet, at a velocity sufficient to cause aspiration of furnace gases into the oxidant jets before the latter mix with the fuel jet, in amounts sufficient to lower flame temperature.

Abstract: Steel is produced by the argon-oxygen decarburization process which has a low hydrogen content, generally below 2 ppm.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for firing a furnace using oxygen or oxygen-enriched air as the oxidant gas, comprising injection into the furnace of a plurality of oxidant jets, through nozzles, in a spaced relationship to a fuel jet, at a velocity sufficient to cause aspiration of furnace gases into the oxidant jets before the latter mix with the fuel jet, in amounts sufficient to lower flame temperature.

Abstract: A method for increasing the life of the refractory lining of a basic-refractory-lined vessel for the production of steel by blowing oxygen into a ferrous melt from above the surface of the melt, comprising:(a) introducing into the vessel slag forming ingredients, including dolomitic lime, such that the amount of dolomitic lime exceeds the amount normally used, and(b) introducing inert gas into the melt in such manner as to cause intensive interaction between the slag and the melt.The preferred inert gas is argon.

Abstract: Oxygen gas is produced at greater than atmospheric pressure by separating air into oxygen-rich and nitrogen-rich fractions in a distillation column, removing the oxygen as liquid and pumping it to the desired pressure and subsequently vaporizing the pumped liquid oxygen by means of energy absorbed from a recirculation argon containing fluid.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for adding solids to molten metal by continuously feeding both the solids and the metal into a vortex forming chamber from which the mixture is discharged at the core of the vortex as a free-falling, hollow-centered stream.

Abstract: The desired tap temperature may be obtained, without slopping, during subsurface pneumatic refining of steel by the addition to the melt of an oxidizable fuel material, such as aluminum, after decarburization has been substantially completed or after the carbon content has fallen below 0.50%.

Abstract: In the removal of particles from a gas stream by high intensity ionization and then collection by electrostatic precipitation, flow of the electrostatically charged gas entering the precipitation is restricted in a non-uniform manner.

Abstract: In the pipe-type of high intensity ionization-wet collection method and apparatus for particle removal from a gas stream, corona current is distributed between adjacent ionization and collection zones.

Abstract: Fine particles are removed from a gas stream by successive passage through an upstream plate-wire electrode type electrostatic precipitation (ESP), a high intensity ionization (HII), and a downstream electrostatic precipitation, all in accordance with a predetermined ESP particle collection area relationship.

Abstract: Back corona is controlled in high intensity ionization system for electrostatic charging of particles in gas stream by controlling purge gas flow and relative saturation content thereof.

Abstract: Slopping of emulsion from the mouth of a basic oxygen refining vessel is prevented during oxygen refining by introducing inert gas into the vessel when slopping is imminent or has begun. The preferred method is to inject argon in admixture with oxygen through the oxygen lance at a flow rate of from 5 to 30 percent of the oxygen flow rate.

Abstract: Castings of superior surface quality and internal quality can be produced by:(1) transferring the melt from the furnace into a separate refining vessel provided with submerged tuyeres, and(2) refining the melt by (a) injecting into the melt through the tuyeres an oxygen-containing gas which may contain up to 90% of a dilution gas, and (b) thereafter injecting a sparging gas into the melt through the tuyeres.Preferably, the oxygen-containing gas is surrounded by an annular stream of a protective fluid. Argon is preferred for dilution, protection as well as sparging.

Abstract: The method enables the desired tap temperature to be obtained during subsurface pneumatic refining of carbon steel or low alloy steel, without the need to reblow the heat, by adding to the melt, before starting the injection of refining oxygen, a fast oxidizing element such as aluminum, and a slow oxidizing element, such as silicon. The amount of fast oxidizing element added is such that the total amount thereof in the melt is sufficient, when oxidized, to raise the temperature of the melt to the desired temperature before substantial decarburization begins, and the amount of slow oxidizing element added is such that the total amount thereof is sufficient, when oxidized, to maintain the temperature of the melt within the desired temperature range during the decarburization period.

Abstract: Apparatus capable of producing pellets of compacted refuse having a density of at least 20 lbs./ft..sup.3 comprising:(1) a cylindrical tube having a compacted chamber whose length is shorter than the shortest "critical length" for the refuse to be pelletized, with a feed port in the side wall of the tube and a discharge port at the end of the tube,(2) a feed hopper communicating with the inlet port of the tube,(3) a reciprocating ram in the inlet end of the tube capable of exerting a pressure of at least 200 psi on each forward stroke, and(4) a refuse flow restrictor in the tube in which the degree of restriction is controlled in response to changes in the ram pressure required to advance the compacted refuse down the tube.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a control circuit employing instantaneous and delayed action bistable switching elements for use in controlling the flow of refuse in a multiple channel, extrusion type briquetting or pelletizing system wherein the refuse is supplied from a conveyor to a common chute feeding a pair of extrusion-type compactors. A vane arrangement in the common chute is driven in a reciprocating cyclical manner to feed the refuse in an alternating manner to the compactors. The control circuit disclosed herein senses the cyclical action of the reciprocating vane and controls in turn the conveyor system which supplies refuse to the chute. Certain deviating actions of the vane system indicate conditions signalling an incipient jam in the system flow. The control circuit, in sensing such actions and in concomitantly interrupting the feed of refuse, corrects the feed rate to alleviate the potential jam-producing conditions.

Abstract: A method for automatically controlling the restrictors in a ram-tube type refuse compacter or pelletizer. Variable restrictors near the discharge end of the tube control the compaction pressure exerted on the refuse as it is forced through the tube. The restrictors are capable of being moved inward and outward on each ram stroke in response to changes in the ram pressure required to advance the compacted refuse through the tube. The method comprises:(1) measuring the ram pressure during the last smallest practicable increment of forward ram travel,(2) adjusting the restrictors slightly inward if the pressure measured in step (1) is less than a predetermined pressure P.sub.1,(3) measuring the ram pressure when the ram is at the lock-out point, normally about 6 inches from the forward end of its stroke,(4) overriding step (2) by making no inward restrictor adjustment if the pressure measured in step (3) is less than a predetermined pressure P.sub.