Abstract: The invention provides a multilayer intumescent mat or sheet that is useful as a mounting for a pollution control device or as a firestop. In one aspect, the multilayer intumescent sheet of the invention includes a non-moldable flexible non-intumescent layer and a non-moldable flexible intumescent layer including an intumescent material wherein the layers form a single sheet without the use of auxiliary bonding means. In another aspect, the multilayer intumescent sheet of the invention includes a first non-moldable intumescent layer including a first intumescent material and a second non-moldable intumescent layer comprising a second intumescent material, the first and second intumescent materials being different, wherein the layers form a single sheet without the use of auxiliary bonding means. The invention also provides a pollution control device including a multilayer sheet of the invention disposed between a monolith and a housing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for cracking hydrocarbon feedstock comprising a mixture of ethane and propane by (a) subjecting the feedstock to a fractionation process so as to separate the feedstock into an ethane rich stream and a propane rich stream, (b) steam cracking each of these streams separately under optimum cracking conditions for each stream in separate furnaces, (c) recovering the ethylene so formed in said crackers and (d) recycling the residual uncracked ethane and propane from the cracked products to the respective ethane rich and propane rich feedstreams being fed to the steam cracker. The process enables yields of ethylene to be increased.

Abstract: A catalytic converter including a cylindrical catalyst carrier having a catalyst carried therein, a retaining mat wound around an outer peripheral surface of the catalyst carrier, and a casing including a cylindrical carrier retaining portion for retaining the catalyst carrier with the retaining mat compressed. The cylindrical carrier retaining portion is an assembly which is constructed of diametrically split halves whose axially extending opposite-side edges are fitted over each other with fitted portions bonded to each other. The cylindrical carrier retaining portion has an oval cross-sectional shape with a longer diameter between both the fitted portions. Thus, the density of the retaining mat in the circumferential direction of the catalyst carrier after being compressed can be varied in an increased manner to compensate for the decreasing variation in urging force provided by the cylindrical carrier retaining portion.

Abstract: Extruded rectangular-channel ceramic honeycombs wherein the channels have a rectangular cross-section of aspect ratio 1.2:1 or greater and a hydraulic diameter D.sub.h and constant temperature Nusselt Number N.sub..mu. ("shape" heat transfer characteristic) yielding an "effective" channel surface area factor N.sub..mu. /D.sub.h of at least about 70, provide catalytic substrates for engine exhaust emissions control offering better light-off performance, enhanced conversion efficiency at current converter pressure drops, and/or equivalent efficiency at reduced pressure drops.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-metabolic functional material comprising a functional ferromagnetic particles dispersed in a fluid, each of the particles comprising a functional component and a chemically reactive ferromagnetic component with a characteristic of losing a ferromagnetism thereof by a chemical reaction proceeding with time, the functional ferromagnetic particles losing the ferromagnetism by the chemical reaction of the ferromagnetic component with time. The self-metabolic functional material has a desired function and gradually loses its function by being used. The degradation or loss of the function of the material can be detected by degradation or loss of ferromagnetism.