Abstract: An anti-pollution device includes a cylindrical chamber attached in line with the exhaust of an automotive vehicle, which in conjunction with the velocity and heat of emitted exhaust gases further heats and burns emitted gases exiting the tail pipe into relatively harmless non-polluted vapors. The chamber is affixed in line with the exhaust tail pipe of an automotive vehicle near the exhaust manifold and consists of a cylindrical outer and inner shell with insulation therebetween with a three stage system constructed internally along the length of the chamber for progressively heating and burning of exhausted gases and finally cooling thereof.

Abstract: An acidic organic agricultural product is made by conditioning organic sewage sludge with amounts of FeCl.sub.3 and sugar factory waste lime to provide an acidic conditioned sludge, of pH greater than 3.0 but less than 5.7 and then mechanically dewatering the conditioned sludge.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the recovery, for re-use, of metallic conductors such as copper and aluminum from insulated cable, particularly scrap telephone cable, the process utilizing a unique combination of mechanical and chemical operations protective of both the recovered metals and the environment. The invention has particular utility in the processing of cable of the type which includes as a filler a petroleum gel or similar material employed as a moisture barrier. It is an important feature of the invention that this petroleum jelly or petrolatum can be effectively removed in a regulated solvent extraction step, the specific process being highly effective to remove such organic material essentially quantitatively from pre-chopped scrap material. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the process is a continuous one, making feasible efficient, economical recovery of valuable conductors in an unoxidized state and petrolatum filler.

Abstract: Glass lined reactors for use with chemical reactions which require special conditions such as high temperatures or temperature control. These reactors include an integral baffle which improves the carrying out of such reactions without sacrificing advantages resulting from use of such equipment.

Abstract: Apparatus for distributing the flow of gas, usually air, in a fluidized bed includes a plurality of vertically upstanding distributor members extending upwardly from a manifold member to which they are threadedly engaged. The members are of closed end, generally tubular shape and have a helical slotted opening extending along their length. The width of the slotted openings is less than the diameter of the majority of particles utilized in the associated fluidized bed.

Abstract: A method of supplying plants with iron which comprises applying to the plants, or to the substrate in which they grow, at least one ferrocene derivative of the formula ##STR1## wherein R represents alkyl with 3 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably 7 to 20 carbon atoms, alone or in admixture with a diluent or carrier.

Abstract: An organic digester apparatus is provided for the production of liquid fertilizer and methane gas from organic waste materials. The apparatus includes a plurality of digesters each having a gas sealing well between the tank and the roof member of the digester. In addition, each digester includes means for supporting the roof with pressurized gas, for rotating the roof, for washing the digester, and for observing the interior of the digester.

Abstract: An apparatus for catching coke oven spillage, generally comprised of a hopper movable along the bench floor located on the pusher side of a coke oven battery. The apparatus is positionable along the bench floor adjacent to any one of the ovens which comprise a coke oven battery such that coke released from the oven on the pusher side during the removal of the coke oven door and return stroke of a pusher ram is captured in the hopper. The apparatus is capable of depositing captured coke back into the particular coke oven.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing trash and the like from an elongated collection chamber provided on an open-end spinning apparatus. The trash, after separation from the fibrous material, is deposited in the collection chamber. A conveyor belt running through the collection chamber removes the large, coarse trash particles therefrom. A pneumatically intermittently operated collecting device removes the finer trash particles from the collection chamber without adversely affecting the separation operation wherein the trash is initially separated from the fibrous material. In one particular embodiment, a stripper cooperates with the conveyor belt that is used for removing the coarse trash particles for successively positioning a stream of air through the collecting chamber for removing the finer trash particles therefrom. A mechanical stripper is utilized with the stream of air for removing the fine trash particles from the walls of the chamber.

Abstract: Liquid manure is deodorized and harmful gases removed therefrom by introducing formaldehyde and a peroxy compound into the manure one or more times.

Abstract: An improved dishwashing system includes operating methods and apparatus for water and energy conservation and elimination of spot-reducing chemicals in the rinse water. Return water from the rinse cycle is stored in insulated tanks and rinse water flowing to the dishwasher absorbs heat from the return water to thereby conserve the heat energy of the return water while simultaneously cooling the return water to a selected temperature in preparing a feed solution for membrane separation. A controlled quantity of make-up water is added to the feed solution which is raised to a selected pressure to provide for reverse osmosis purification and deionization. The reverse osmosis effluent is accumulated and, when needed, boosted in pressure to a desired operational dishwasher pressure, and heated to sanitizing level so as to achieve desired bacterial count levels during rinse cycles. Rinsing with the purified and deionized water results in film-free and spot-free dishes after drying.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning surfaces and crevices of teeth wherein at least one tuft of filaments is rotated in a controlled reciprocating manner whereby the tuft is rotated a number of revolutionsin one direction and then rotated the same number of revolutions in the opposite direction. An alternative embodiment comprises a plurality of tufts of filaments, each of which is rotated in a controlled reciprocating fashion about its own central axis. Furthermore, immediately adjacent tufts are contrarotated. Each tuft is rotated about its own central axis, and placed in contact with the teeth whereby the filaments develop a twisting action dynamically and serially progressing from the base of each tuft to the opposite free ends of the filaments. The plurality of tufts are positioned in two parallel rows, each of which has adjacent tufts staggered with respect to each other.

Abstract: According to the invention, the productivity of cultivated plants is controlled by a microbiological process. At least one telluric microorganism having a favorable rhizospheric effect on a plant is embedded in a polymer gel. Fragments of the gel are then inoculated into the rhizosphere of the plant. The invention also relates to a process for preparing the required fragments of polymer gel. Polymerization of the gel is carried out in the presence of a culture of the desired microorganism, and the polymer block is thereafter broken up prior to use.

Abstract: This relates to the treatment and purification of refuse by composting in the form of thermal retting. Conventional refuse is treated by the addition of moisture, preferably in the form of sludge, after which it is crushed in a mill and is screened in tube screens with large particles being removed and discarded, intermediate particles being returned to the crushing mill, and small particles being delivered for composting. Metals, particularly ferrous metals, are removed from each of the three classes of screened material and are salvaged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving the smooth functioning of drip irrigation utilizing some nitrogen-based compositions.The method consists in providing to the solution supplied to drip irrigation, a pH from about 0.05 to about 3.0, utilizing an aqueous solution of urea nitrate having a weight concentration from about 28 to 0.1 percent respectively.The aqueous solutions utilized in drip irrigation may also contain various fertilizer substances thus providing the desired N:P:K formulations.

Abstract: Pressurized air is directed into a generally spherical combustion chamber to rotate an electrical arc within a circular aperture formed within an electrode element disposed within the center portion of the chamber. The air is directed through the aperture and the whirling arc to produce a nitrogen dioxide gas which is immediately aspirated into a recirculating flow of water. The water is directed through an elongated tube forming an absorption coil where the gas is absorbed into the water to form a dilute acid solution usable as a nitrate fertilizer.

Abstract: A fertilizer composition for supplying plants with nutrient iron containing as an active ingredient at least prussiate of the formula ##STR1## in which M represents an alkali metal ion, alkaline earth metal ion, heavy metal ion or ammonium ion or a proton,R.sup.1, r.sup.2, r.sup.3 and R.sup.4, independently of one another, each represent hydrogen, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl or aralkyl orR.sup.1, together with R.sup.2, and/or R.sup.3, together with R.sup.4, represent an alkylene group, a bis-alkylene ether group or a bis-alkylene thioether group or, together with the adjacent nitrogen atom, form an unsaturated heterocyclic ring, orR.sup.2 and R.sup.4 each represent hydrogen, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl and at the same timeR.sup.1 and R.sup.

Abstract: A strip is continuously passed through a molten salt bath in a main tank having a central longitudinal baffle providing passageways at each end thereof. A sink guide roll is provided for the strip at the exit half of the tank. A heating tank is located along one longitudinal side of the main tank at the entry end thereof and has front and rear connecting openings with the main tank. An agitator is positioned at the front end of the heating tank. A forward tank section located along the other side of the tank has a bottom opening connecting therewith. An intermediate tank section has upper and lower compartments, the upper compartment serving as a sludge settling basin. A rear tank section has an agitator therein and is connected to the forward tank section through the lower compartment. Small openings adjacent the top of the upper compartment open into the main tank and to the rear tank section.

Abstract: A method of aerobic decomposition of organic solids involves mixing material containing the organic solids to be decomposed with relatively drier material in order to set an upper limit to the dampness of the mixture to be processed. An apparatus for aerobic decomposition includes a decomposition reactor in the form of a tower which tapers in the upward direction. The bottom of the reactor is square or rectangular in cross section and its top is oval or circular in cross section. The bottom of the reactor is made in the form of a roller grid. A mixing section is provided for mixing the material to be decomposed with relatively drier material.

Abstract: Bulk tree bark removed as a preparatory procedure to pulping wood for use in the paper industry is converted into a useful humus by-product through the use of a system and method wherein the bark is delivered to a receiving station in an aerobicly untreated state. This material then is adjusted to optimize the nitrogen content thereof through the addition of nitrogenous material. Additionally the pH level thereof as well as the moisture level is optimized through the utilization of a mixing arrangement which agitates and retains the materials over a predetermined time interval. The material then is transferred to a digester apparatus where it undergoes aerobic thermophilic phase digestion under the influence of induced atmospheric air and agitation. Two digester arrangements are described.