Abstract: An asphalt blend in which a butadiene-styrene elastomeric block polymer can easily be dispersed at between about 325.degree. F. and about 400.degree. F. and, after cooling, forms a stable material useful as a roofing composition and having a flash point of greater than about 450.degree. F., said blend being composed of a propane extracted asphalt and from about 5 weight % to about 45 weight % of a fluid bed catalytic petroleum cracker bottoms oil comprising a major proportion of oils boiling above 700.degree. F. and, optionally, a minor proportion of oils between about 350.degree. F. and 700.degree. F.

Abstract: An improved process and system for drying moist particulate carbonaceous materials. The invention has particular application to staged drying processes wherein the particulate material is entrained in one or more serially connect hot gas streams having a temperature above the degradation point of the carbonaceous material. The improvement includes providing contactors between the stages which intimately mix and contact the variously sized particles resulting in partial cooling of the smaller hot and dry particles and partial heating of the larger cool and relatively moist particles. The contactor may be provided by a rotating drum, moving bed, fixed bed or fluidized bed. The contactors prevent overheating of small particles during moisture removal and reduce hydrocarbon loss from small particle devolatilization.

Abstract: In processes for retorting oil shale using recycled heat carrying ceramic balls having a critical heat flux value, efficient operation, without heat shock damage to the balls, is obtained by operating at a weight ratio of balls to shale which is greater than but substantially equal to the ratio corresponding to the critical heat flux value; and this ratio is a function of both the heat transfer coefficient at the inlet to the retort and also the difference in temperature between the heat carrying balls and the oil shale. Implementing apparatus includes arrangements for controlling the ratio of heat carrying balls to shale, as by ball feed control apparatus and/or oil shale feed control apparatus, in accordance with the difference in temperature between the ceramic balls and the shale.

Abstract: Pyrolysis process and system for recovering product gases and liquids from solid carbonaceous particles.Dual stage fluidized bed retort is disclosed having frusto-conical stages serially connected to promote uniform pyrolysis. Product gases and oil are removed from final fluid bed stage in series. Process includes various energy efficient aspects involving recycle of dilute phase combusted solids as the heat carrier, heavy oil recycle and use of steam and/or product vapors as the source of fluidizing gas for the staged retort.

Abstract: A dual stage combustion system and process for achieving high fuel combustion efficiency and reduced nitric oxide emissions. Combustion is carried out in two stages. A first partial combustion carried out in an oxygen deficient atmosphere followed by a second complete carbon combustion in an oxidizing atmosphere. The second combustion step achieves complete fuel utilization, but generates a nitrogen oxide containing flue gas. The nitrogen oxide containing flue gas is passed to the first combustion step where it is removed by interaction with the partially combusted solids.

Abstract: A card reader capable of accurately reading a data card inserted in any of four possible orientations includes a card with two data tracks, a card reader producing two corresponding data pulse trains, and two differentiation networks for producing two differentiated data pulse trains. The differentiated data pulse trains are combined to form a clock pulse train and, further, are latched to produce two latched data trains. A first selector circuit assigns a first binary code value to the latched data train exhibiting the first appearing pulse and a second selector circuit sets a storage direction flag dependent upon the position of a subsequent data pulse. The latched data train assigned a first binary code value, the clock pulse train, and the storage direction flag are received by a serial to parallel converter which stores least significant digit first or most significant digit first dependent upon the flag.

Abstract: A data card and data card reader combination including a data card incorporating two data tracks consisting of a plurality of perforations spatially arranged to represent encoded data. A card reader incorporates at least one radiant energy source, two radiant energy detectors, and guide means for guiding the movement of the data tracks between the radiant energy source and the radiant energy detectors whereby a first data pulse train and a second data pulse train corresponding to the perforations of said data tracks may be produced. An "OR" circuit receives the first data pulse train producing a clock pulse train, which in turn is fed to a holding shift register. A selector circuit selects the data pulse train exhibiting the first appearing pulse and in turn feeds the selected data pulse train to the holding shift register.

Abstract: An improved golf tee device incorporating a body member constructed of metallic wire surrounded by a protective elastomeric coating and generally describing a uniformly spaced concentric spiral. A golf ball supporting portion extends from one end of the body member and an insertion portion extends from the other end. The body member cooperates with a separate and attached line-of-flight indicating member incorporating a generally triangular planar surface with a bore therethrough adjacent the midpoint of a base of said triangle. The spiral body member passes through the bore and slidably engages the indicating member such that axial rotation of the body member results in translation of the indicating member along the axis of said body member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dowel hole boring guide for precision boring of dowel holes in ends and abutting surfaces of workpieces and is composed of a boring support incorporating a plurality of appropriately sized and spatially related tool guide openings and which support is hingedly connected to a workpiece clamping means with parallel clamping surfaces and wherein the rotational axis of the hinge is perpendicular to the clamping surfaces.

Abstract: A refrigerant dehydrator, in combination with a refrigeration system of the type including a compressor, a condenser, a refrigerant expansion device, and an evaporator, incorporating a body member, of generally U-shaped configuation, surrounding a refrigerant conducting bore operationally interposed between the refrigerant expansion device and the evaporator. A sump member is connected to a lower portion of the body member and extends downward therefrom. The bore of the body member and the bore of the sump member communicate through an orifice defined by a wall of the body member. A drain valve is sealably connected to the lower end of the sump member.