Abstract: In an industrial glass furnace which contains recuperators, regenerators, electric boost or other devices for providing heat to glass batch material an oxy-fuel burner mounted in the roof of the furnace provides additional heat to melt the batch material. A method of mounting and using such a roof-mounted oxy-fuel burner including the operating parameters to maximize heat transfer while minimizing the disturbance of the batch material is disclosed.

Abstract: Nitrogen oxides and low molecular weight hydrocarbons are removed from air by subjecting the air to a temperature swing adsorption process using as the adsorbent a composite zeolite product containing both zeolite type A and zeolite type X. The composite zeolite product is prepared by crystallizing a sodium ion- or sodium ion- and potassium ion-containing alumina-silica hydrogel under conditions which result in the production of a zeolitic composite which contains both zeolite type A and zeolite type X crystal domains. In a preferred embodiment, calcium ions constitute a substantial number of the composite's exchangeable cations and the type X portion of the composite zeolite product has a silicon-to-aluminum atomic ratio in the range of 0.9 to less than 1.15. The nitrogen oxide- and hydrocarbon-selective adsorbent can be incorporated into an atmospheric air prepurification plant downstream of a water vapor-selective adsorbent and a carbon dioxide-selective adsorbent.

Abstract: Nitrogen oxides and low molecular weight hydrocarbons are removed from air by subjecting the air to a temperature swing adsorption process using as the adsorbent a composite zeolite product containing both zeolite A and zeolite X. The composite zeolite product is preferably prepared by forming a mixture of an agglomerate of silica and sodium zeolite X having a Si/Al atomic ratio in the range of about 0.9 to less than about 1.2 and a water-soluble sodium aluminate salt; maintaining the mixture at a temperature in the range of about 25 to about 100° C. for a period of time sufficient to convert at least 50% of the silica to sodium zeolite A; and at least partially exchanging the zeolite A-containing product with divalent cations, preferably calcium ions.

Abstract: A method of combustion and an apparatus therefor in which separate streams of very lean and very rich fuel/oxidant mixture are combusted separately, the products of combustion therefrom being thoroughly mixed before final combustion takes place. The lean/rich primary combustion minimizes combustion temperatures and pollutant formation, whilst the final combustion is substantially stoichiometric.

Abstract: An apparatus for refrigerating goods in a container storing a cryogenic fluid and means for discharging the fluid into the container in order to reduce the temperature therein, characterized in that the storing means is adapted to operate at atmospheric pressures but not at pressures substantially greater than atmospheric. Such a system provides a single and inexpensive means for refrigerating goods in a transportable container, which may be divisible into smaller compartments, and may also be provided with eutectic plates to act as a thermal “buffer” whenever the container/a compartment is opened for loading/unloading.

Abstract: An improved method for preparing and activating monolith adsorbents is disclosed. A regeneration gas is passed through the formed monolith adsorbent at a temperature sufficient to decompose at least part of the binding agents in the adsorbent. The present invention also provides for the use of the treated adsorbent monoliths in separating gases in cyclical separation processes such as vacuum swing adsorption processes.

Abstract: Zeolites exchanged with lithium cations and polyvalent cations are prepared by first partially ion-exchanging a sodium-containing zeolite, a potassium-containing zeolite or a sodium- and potassium-containing zeolite with polyvalent cations, then heat-treating the partially polyvalent cation-exchanged zeolite, then ion exchanging the heat-treated zeolite with ammonium cations, and then reacting the ammonium cation-exchanged zeolite with a water-soluble lithium compound under conditions which result in the removal of ammonia from the reaction zone.

Abstract: A container for cooling/refrigerating produce comprising at least one panel made from metal foam for storing a cryogenic fluid under pressure and means for discharging said fluid into the container in order to reduce/maintain the temperature within the container.

Abstract: A method for treating a gas stream containing one or more perfluoro-organic compounds to remove the perfluoro-organic compound(s) therefrom, which comprises bringing the gas stream in to contact with an alkali metal fluoride in the presence of carbon and water vapor at a temperature of 350° C. to 1000°C.

Abstract: An equipment skid for mounting ancillary equipment to support a semiconductor processing tool. The equipment skid comprises a plurality of equipment sections and a service section. The ancillary equipment is mounted within the equipment sections and the plurality of equipment and service sections are connected to one another in an in-line relationship to define a framework to allow external connections between the ancillary equipment and the semiconductor processing tool to pass through a region overlying the footprint of the service section. The equipment and service sections are preferably covered by an enclosure to contain leakage.

Abstract: There is provided a feed distributor for feeding liquid to a liquid distributor. The feed distributor has an elongated body sized to extend across the liquid distributor and an inlet defined in the one of the ends thereof. One or more passageways are provided within the body extending between the ends of the body. Each passageway has an elongated outlet configured to discharge the liquid across the liquid distributor. Each passageway has a taper configured to promote a constant liquid velocity within the passageway. As a result, a uniform liquid distribution of the liquid out of the elongated outlet and therefore to the liquid distributor are promoted.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a process for purifying atmospheric air prior to its separation by cryogenic distillation. The process utilizes three adsorbent layers, the first primarily removes water; the second primarily removes CO2; and the third layer is designed to remove displaced gas components such as N2O and hydrocarbons which are displaced by the second layer. It has been found that CaX type adsorbents provide the removal of N2O and hydrocarbons in the third layer.

Abstract: A method for optimising a mineral recovery process. A slurry 10 is fed to a conditioning step 20. The condition slurry 30 is then provided to a flotation circuit 40 to recover a concentrate 50. The remainder of the slurry is then rejected as tail 60 or passed for further processing. The present invention provides apparatus for analysing a sample stream 100 of the slurry. A sample stream 100 is provided to an analysis device 200 which treats the sample with an oxidising gas similar to the oxidative treatment 20. Several parameters are measured before and/or after the oxidative treatment of the slurry. The flotability characteristic of the slurry is then determined as a function of the measured parameter(s). The result is used to optimise mineral recovery. This apparatus can be used intermittently or continuously to provide on-going optimisation of the mineral recovery circuit.

Abstract: Sulfur compounds present as sulfides and mercaptans in spent caustic streams from refinery and petrochemical processes are oxidized by contacting them with an oxygen-containing gas in a packed column recycle reactor.

Abstract: A brazing method for joining to or more pieces of metal together includes running a molten brazing solder into a space between the pieces, heating at least the adjacent surfaces of the pieces to be joined to brazing temperature in a reducing atmosphere and preheating at least the adjacent surfaces to about 600° C. in an oxidizing atmosphere prior to said heating to the brazing temperature.

Abstract: Gas mixtures having precise compositions are prepared by separately pumping the components in liquid phase through piping, vaporizing the components, blending the components and analyzing the mixture for composition. A signal sent to a control unit causes any necessary change in the rate of pumping of the liquid components to reduce the difference between the measured concentration and the desired concentration. When the composition is within desired limits it is charged into gas cylinders.

Abstract: Partial oxidation of hydrocarbons to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide is carried out by a cyclical process which includes passing air through a perovskite ceramic substance at elevated temperature, thereby adsorbing oxygen from the air, and subsequently contacting the hot oxygen-containing ceramic substance with a hydrocarbon. During the partial oxidation reaction phase of the process, the sorbed oxygen reacts with the hydrocarbon, thereby producing the desired gas products and regenerating the adsorbent for the next cycle of the process.

Abstract: An arrangement of magnets and stacks of magnets has been developed for use in magnetron sputtering devices. The arrangement may include commercially available or easily manufactured magnets. The arrangement may also include magnetic shunts to tune the magnetic field. The arrangements may be potted to provide protection from the environment, and may be incorporated into a system for cooling the magnets and target. When used in a magnetron sputtering device, the arrangement provides a magnetic field that results in nearly uniform sputtering over most of the target area. Further, the magnet arrangement provides target utilization values that are significantly higher than those provided by prior art magnet systems. Thus, the present invention also provides a method of arranging magnets for optimal performance and a method for improving target utilization.

Abstract: An improved rotary hearth furnace having a cylindrical enclosure containing a radially moving belt for transporting pellets containing metal oxide and carbon is disclosed. One or more oxy-fuel burners preferably having a flat flame shape are positioned so as to provide a mixture of fuel and oxidant to the pellets countercurrent to the direction of the pellets. The oxy-fuel burners are operated so as to provide a pre-determined quantity of oxygen in addition to that necessary for combustion so that the additional oxygen oxidizes the carbon monoxide and hydrogen present in the hot combustion gases. Oxygen injectors may also be used to introduce additional oxygen into the furnace.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved cold gas-dynamic spraying process utilizing a carrier gas and small-diameter particulates whereby the particulate-laden carrier gas is directed to a ceramic filter unit where the particulates are separated out and the particulate-free carrier gas is analyzed and returned to the spraying process or to other gas purification systems.