Abstract: A method of making feeder for supplying a plurality of streams of molten inorganic material to be attenuated into filaments is disclosed comprising inserting elements in apertures in a member; sealing said elements and member within a coating adapted to isostatically transmit pressure to said assembly; applying isostatic pressure to the hermetically sealed elements and member to mechanically join the elements to the member; joining the pressed member to other sections to form the feeder; installing the feeder at a fiber forming position to receive molten glass; and then energizing the feeder to fuse the elements to the member to prevent the unwanted passage of molten glass between said elements and said member, said elements having an orifice to permit the passage of molten glass therethrough to establish said streams.

Abstract: A method of making an orificed discharge wall for supplying a plurality of streams of molten glass to be attenuated into filaments comprising inserting elements in apertures in a member; sealing said elements and member within a water soluble glass coating capable of isostatically transmitting pressure to said member and elements; hot isostatically pressing to the sealed elements and member to intimately bond the elements to the member; forming an orifice in said elements to permit the passage of molten glass therethrough to establish said streams.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing low density, ceramic bodies in the nature of hollow or solid beads which may be used as such or bonded into a unitary mass. The bodies are composed of ion-exchanged, synthetic mica crystals wherein large cations, such as K.sup.+, have been exchanged for lithium and/or sodium ions from the mica. The method involves forming a gel by dissolution of a synthetic mica in a polar liquid, releasing droplets of the gel into a fluid to form shaped bodies, effecting the indicated ion exchange, and drying the beads thus formed.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a system for at least partially drying or curing wet glass strand as it is being wound into a package wherein streams of heated gas, such as air, are directed into contact with the outer layer of strand being collected on a rotating collet. Preferably, the streams of gas have a specific orientation with respect to the layers of strand and are supplied at predetermined temperatures and velocities to maximize the drying effect.

Abstract: The application discloses an apparatus and a process for the manufacture of continuous fibers by mechanical attenuation. It is especially useful in obtaining a strand composed of a mixture of filaments of differing cross sections in constant and definite proportion. This is obtained by employment of a bushing having a lower surface comprising a multiplicity of fiberizing centers of varying configurations, each fiberizing center being formed by a zone perforated by a group of orifices from which at least one filament can be attenuated in a stable manner. The strands produced are particularly adapted for the reinforcement of plastic materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides aluminum bronze glassmaking molds. The molds are substantially free of zinc and lead, consist essentially of manganese, nickel, iron, aluminum and copper, and exhibit superior wear resistance, durability, pitting and oxidation resistance, and machinability as compared to prior art glassmaking molds. Further, the aluminum bronze glassmaking molds of the present invention have a heretofore unavailable range of thermal conductivities at elevated temperatures so as to optimize the rate of glass forming in, e.g., Hartford Individual Section glass forming machines.

Abstract: A process for converting solid wastes to gases suitable for use as a town gas comprising the steps of (1) pyrolyzing solid wastes at 550.degree. C. or higher in a pyrolyzing furnace to produce pyrolysis gases containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and dioxide, methane and other hydrocarbons as well as chlorine-containing compounds, sulphur-containing compounds and other impurities, (2) washing the pyrolysis gases with an aqueous alkaline solution or the like, (3) refining the washed pyrolysis gases with the hydrogen contained in the pyrolysis gases, (4) reforming the refined pyrolysis gases by steam reforming, CO conversion and/or methanation and (5) separating the excess steam and carbonic acid gas from the reformed gases. In one embodiment, the washing (2) and refining (3) may be substituted by the high-temperature steam reforming of the pyrolysis gases in hot state supplied directly from the pyrolyzing furnace.

Abstract: The present invention embraces apparatus for the production of mineral fibers. A bushing for the manufacture of mineral fibers, such as glass fibers, comprises an orificed bottom wall for the passage of streams of molten mineral material therethrough for attenuation into fibers, upwardly extending sidewalls and an orificed member, positioned above the bottom wall and extending between the sidewells, for passage of the molten mineral material therethrough to the bottom wall. The ratio of the poiseuille resistance to flow of the orificed member to the poiseuille resistance to flow of the bottom wall is in the range of from about 0.5 to about 1.0.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for the manufacture of fibers from attenuable materials, such as glass making materials, by centrifugation. In a process in which the attenuable material is directed onto the peripheral surface of a centrifugation wheel which is enveloped by a gas current produced by a blowing crown, the invention comprises the projecting onto the fibers of a liquid composition from a centrifugation element, the projection being carried out close to the wheel in the form of drops which penetrate and are atomized by the gas current. The apparatus of the invention includes a projection element rotating with the centrifugation wheel for centrifugal delivery of the drops of liquid composition. The invention provides a very uniform treatment of the fibers, particularly by means of liquid binder compositions.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming fibers from attenuable materials, such as molten glass, by attenuating streams of glass from the bottom of a bushing wherein the bottom has downwardly presented wall portions at upper and lower levels. According to the disclosure the upper and lower wall portions are formed into series of elongated channels, separated by grooves in the underside of the bushing. Filamentary material is manufactured by drawing at least one filament from each of a plurality of orifices formed in spaced rows in the bottom walls of the channels. Temperature differences existing in the molten material within the bushing are evened out by differential cooling of the material as it flows through the channels to the orifices. Cooling is effected in various ways including the placement of solid elongated cooling fins underneath the grooves between channels.

Abstract: A method of reclaiming chemically coated glass scrap is disclosed. The scrap is introduced into the oxidizing atmosphere of a hydrocarbon-fuel fired glass melting furnace. Some of the glass is melted with the unmelted portion being melted with the glass batch as it moves through the furnace.

Abstract: In apparatus for filling a container suitable for storage with radioactive solid wastes arising from atomic power plants or the like, a plasma arc is irradiated toward a portion of the wastes to melt the portion of the wastes; portions of the wastes are successively moved so as to be subjected to irradiation of the plasma arc to continuously melt the wastes; and the melts obtained by melting the wastes are permitted to flow down toward the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A method of exfoliating the coating of a coated optical fiber is described. A crack in the coating layer of the optical fiber is produced by bending means, cleaving the coating into a plurality of cleaved strip pieces while longitudinally enlarging the crack, and then cutting the strip pieces with an advantageous exfoliating tool. The exfoliating tool thus used is constructed to conveniently cleave the coating layer of the optical fiber and to cut the cleaved strip pieces. It does not damage the optical fiber upon exfoliating of the coating layer from the coated optical fiber, and can efficiently exfoliate the coating of the optical fiber.

Abstract: In a reactor, for the continuous polymerization of feed materials to higher viscosity process fluid, comprising a vertical, hollow vessel having an inlet for the introduction of feed materials, an outlet for the discharge of process product and an exhaust for reaction vapors; and means for heating the vessel; the improvement comprising a draft tube, partially immersed vertically in the process fluid, the non-immersed end of the tube having at least one annular plate on the periphery thereof which overhangs the process fluid; and an impeller, located within the draft tube and propelling the process fluid up the draft tube and over the plate.

Abstract: A laminated wall for a feeder for supplying streams of molten glass to be attenuated into filaments is provided comprising: a refractory metal core having an oxygen impervious, precious metal sheath intimately bonded thereto by hot isostatic pressing to form a laminate, said laminate having at least one aperture extending therethrough adapted to permit said molten material to flow therethrough.

Abstract: A method of making foam glass by impregnating diatomaceous earth, fly ash or mixtures thereof, and insoluble modifiers, if any, with at least one water soluble glass former in an amount expressed as its oxide of about 2.5 to 20 weight percent of the impregnated diatomaceous earth, fly ash or mixtures thereof; at least one water soluble flux in an amount expressed as its oxide of about 8 to 20 weight percent of the impregnated diatomaceous earth, fly ash or mixtures thereof; and at least one gas generator. The diatomaceous earth, fly ash or mixtures thereof is impregnated by mixing diatomaceous earth, fly ash or mixtures thereof and an impregnating solution comprising at least one water soluble glass former in an amount expressed as its oxide of about 3 to 14 weight percent; at least one water soluble flux in an amount expressed as its oxide of about 10 to 20 weight percent; at least one gas generator, and water in an amount of about 50 to 80 weight percent.

Abstract: Apparatus for rotating a spinner for centrifuging mineral fibers for molten mineral material comprises a quill upon which the spinner is mounted, a pin for engaging the quill and applying torque thereto, a pin carrier for holding the pin and applying rotational force thereto, a pin carrier housing for urging the pin carrier, and thus the pin, upwardly with respect to the quill, and a spindle, separate from the pin carrier housing, for rotating the pin carrier.

Abstract: Method for making shaped foam glass bodies from ground glass by hydrolysis in a hydrolysis mixture with solid alkali silicate and water, in which at least one foaming agent is added to the hydrolysis mixture, or to a resulting slip to form a foam producing mass, and in which the foam producing mass is foamed at an increased temperature. A mixture of two types of glass, namely (a) glass containing more than 16% by weight alkali oxide, and (b) glass containing less than 16% by weight alkali oxide, 95% of each having a grain size of less than 0.1 mm, at a weight ratio of a:b=1.1.5 to 1:20 is mixed with water at temperatures from 50.degree. to 100.degree. C. until the mixture thickens, the ratio of water to total solids being 1:1.4 to 2.5. The resulting mass into shaped foam glass bodies.

Abstract: A process of cleaning the film transport rolls of developing apparatus having a transport system comprising a plurality of pairs of rolls for transporting the film from an inlet through successive aqueous baths and a drying section and out of a discharge, some of the rolls being above and others below the liquid level in the baths comprises passing lengthwise through the transport system of the apparatus a rectangular sheet of fleece material having fibers oriented parallel to one another and to the longitudinal edges of the sheet. The fibers are made of a material which is substantially free of swelling by the action of the baths of the developing apparatus. However, the liquid of the baths is absorbed in the interstices between the fibers of the fleece material so that as the cleaning material passes along the transport system it moistens those rolls which are above the liquid level and may have dried out. Any soluble impurities on such rolls are thereby dissolved.

Abstract: A method of forming a laminated wall for a feeder for supplying molten streams of glass to be attenuated into filaments comprising: providing a refractory metal core; providing oxygen impervious, precious metal sheathing material around said core, said sheathing material and said core having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough; inserting oxygen impervious, precious metal elements into said apertures to form a loose assembly; and hot isostatically pressing said assembly to form said laminated wall having an oxygen impervious, precious metal sheath and inserts intimately bonded thereto.