Abstract: A catalytic converter suitable for use in controlling automotive exhaust emissions including honeycomb heaters which are respectively disposed upstream and downstream of a main monolithic catalyst. Each honeycomb heater includes a honeycomb structure with at least two electrodes provided thereon to supply a current to the honeycomb structure.

Abstract: Liquid transport system with constant fluid flow rate provided by cam driven pump. Multiple cams on common cam shaft are driven by a source of constant power and coordinate timing and operation of multiple system elements.

Abstract: A resistance adjusting type heater including a honeycomb structure with at least two electrodes provided thereon to supply a current to the honeycomb structure and with resistance adjusting elements provided between the electrodes. The resistance adjusting elements are formed such that a cross-section of a heating portion of the heater is substantially the same as that of a main monolithic catalyst. A catalytic converter includes the resistance adjusting heater which is disposed upstream of a main monolithic catalyst or between main monolithic catalysts. Also, the catalytic converter includes a resistance adjusting heater which is disposed downstream of a main monolithic catalyst. This resistance adjusting heater comprises a honeycomb structure with a catalyst carried thereon, with at least two electrodes provided thereon to supply a current to the honeycomb structure and with a resistance adjusting elements provided between the electrodes.

Abstract: A catalytic converter suitable for use in controlling automotive exhaust emissions including a honeycomb heater disposed downstream of a main monolithic catalyst or between main monolithic catalysts. The honeycomb heater includes a honeycomb structure with a catalyst carried thereon and with at least two electrodes provided thereon to supply a current thereto. A catalytic converter also includes a monolith catalyst for ignition which is disposed downstream of the honeycomb heater. A catalytic converter includes, in place of the honeycomb heater and the monolithic catalyst, a module which is composed of a catalyzed light-off honeycomb heater or of a honeycomb heater and a light-off monolithic catalyst. The module is removably disposed upstream or downstream of a main monolithic catalyst, or between main monolithic catalysts.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating a sewage sludge-derived oil having a particular chemical composition, to reduce its odor. The method includes the first step of distilling the sewage sludge-derived oil to 150.degree. C. to remove water and volatile organic components, and then the essential step of circulating a gas consisting essentially of carbon dioxide gas therethrough.

Abstract: A room air sterilizer mounts on the wall of the room and traps airborne particulate in a HEPA filter. An ultraviolet germicidal lamp destroys any biocontamination on the trapped particulates. The sterilizer has an elongated vertical housing with a return air grille near or at its lower end and a HEPA filter assembly disposed at an outflow port at its upper end. The HEPA filter is preferably a quarter cylinder and the sterilizer lamp is situated to expose the inner or intake side of the filter to the sterilizing ultraviolet radiation. A prefilter can be situated ahead of the blowers for the sterilizer, and can have an associated ultraviolet sterilizer lamp.

Abstract: A component for deodorizing air or gas having a coexist compound as a deodorizing element, said coexist compound comprising a metal and a reaction product of the metal and an acid, wherein the metal is selected from at least one of Fe, Mn, Cr, Ni, Zn, Al and Cu, and the acid is selected from at least one of ascorbic acid, gluconic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, tannic acid, gallic acid, EDTA and malic acid, wherein clean air or gas is passed through the deodorizing element to restore its deodorizing effect after a period of time sufficient for the deodorizing element to lose its deodorizing power.

Abstract: An apparatus for solvent extraction processes utilizing countercurrent flow of streams of an aqueous phase and an organic phase, such as the Purex process for uranium recovery. The invention comprises contouring the fluid passing orifices in the column phase dispersing perforated plates to impede droplet coalescence of the dispersed phase.

Abstract: A method of converting a side by side FCC arrangement adds a new reactor vessel and uses the regenerator vessel and reactor vessel to provide a regeneration section having at least three stages of regeneration that is used as part of an enlarged FCC process. In simplest form, the conversion method calls for the use of the regeneration vessel as a first-stage regeneration zone, the use of the reactor vessel as a second-stage regeneration zone, and the use of the spent catalyst stripper as a third stage of regeneration. This arrangement provides a second stage of regeneration that is positioned to facilitate the addition of partially regenerated catalyst to the stripping zone to facilitate the operation of a hot catalyst stripping section.

Abstract: This invention relates to gas treatment apparatus and methods and particularly, but not exclusively, to such apparatus and methods for use with exhaust products from semi-conductor manufacturing process.A reactor column 10 has an inlet 11 at the bottom and an outlet 12. Between the inlet and outlet it is divided into three sequential stages containing: silicon or silicon containing materials; lime or soda lime and copper oxide or copper oxide reagents.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying device which is provided with catalytic converter and a fuel injector which are disposed upstream of a particulate matter trap. The fuel injection injects fuel to the catalytic converter to rise exhaust gas temperature by its oxidation reaction heat when the exhaust gas temperature is slightly lower than a predetermined regeneration temperature. Further, a closable bypass passage is communicated with the passage between the catalytic converter and the trap and functions to allow to bypass exhaust gases in accordance with the trap condition and the exhaust gas temperature.

Abstract: In a catalytic converter operating method according to the present invention, a heater is energized at a predetermined power level or above and thereby heated substantially concurrently with the operation of an engine. During the heating, an oxidizing gas is introduced into the catalytic converter. When the temperature of the heater exceeds a value at which a main catalyst of the catalytic converter or light-off catalyst carried on the heater functions, the power level is reduced by an output adjuster and supply of the oxidizing gas is suspended.

Abstract: A filter filters the gas generated by an air bag inflator. The gas comprises an alkali metal oxide. The inflator comprises a non-woven metal fibrous mat and small particles of a silicon compound, reactive with the alkali metal oxide, adhered to strands of the mat.

Abstract: A filter for the separation of impurities from exhaust gases, and in particular, from the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, is disclosed. The filter is provided with a filter body comprising a plurality of compression-moulded and sintered filter plates having high temperature stability. The plates are made from powdered metal, metal filings, metal fibers or a mixture thereof, which are disposed over one another or behind one another, and are spaced by spacers to form a plurality of flow ducts between them. The flow ducts are open on one end and closed on the other, with the walls of the filter plates lying between the inlet and outlet ducts representing filter surfaces. One insert or several inserts consisting of catalytic materials or coated with catalytic materials are inserted into the outlet ducts.

Abstract: A honeycomb heater having integrally formed and/or integrally sintered electrodes comprises a honeycomb structure having a desired honeycomb configuration, and electrodes which are integrally sintered with the honeycomb structure at predetermined positions thereon. The honeycomb heater having integrally sintered is manufactured by joining or contacting the electrode-like formed bodies to the formed honeycomb body, and then by sintering the formed honeycomb body with the electrode-like formed bodies attached or contacted thereto. The electrodes are made of the same material as that of the honeycomb body, or of a material having an electric resistance lower than that of the material comprising the honeycomb body.

Abstract: A resistance heater according to the present invention comprises a honeycomb structure having a large number of passages. The honeycomb structure is provided with at least two electrodes through which a current is supplied thereto. The honeycomb structure also has a means to attain a current density of 5 A/mm.sup.2 or above between the electrodes such as slits within the honeycomb structure. A current is supplied between the electrodes at a current density of 5 A/mm.sup.2 or above.

Abstract: It has now been discovered that the undesirable odor in thiocarbamate compounds can be suppressed or mostly eliminated by the process of this invention. Generally, the process of this invention involves mixing an aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite or chloramine-B with the odorous thiocarbamate compound for a sufficient period of time, followed by a second step of mixing citric acid, maleic acid or oxalic acid with the treated thiocarbamate compound to eliminate chlorodialkylamine compounds produced in the first step.

Abstract: The tube, known as a straw, according to the invention, is conventional in its form, and is constituted by a rectilinear length of transparent tubular envelope. In the vicinity of a first end, the straw contains a sliding stopper with a quantity of powder gellable by hydration between two porous pads. The tubular envelope is extruded from an ionomer resin marketed under the brand name of Surlyn 8921. Ionomer resins have, above and below a transition zone extending from 45.degree. C. to 60.degree. C. approximately, states that are respectively thermofusible and crosslinked. Thus, the straw can be closed by fusion of the ends clamped by heated jaws, while presenting suitable properties of rigidity at ambient temperature. Furthermore, the ionomer resin used does not have an embrittlement temperature, so that it can be manipulated at cryogenic temperatures (77 K) without the need for taking any particular precautions. The filling and sealing of the straws can be automated, to ensure the safety of the operators.

Abstract: The dental implant system of the present invention has a decreased surface contact angle and includes a biocompatible titanium implant which has been treated by the plasma cleaning and sterilization process of the present invention.An implant that has experienced plasma cleaning and sterilizing has improved retentive abilities over traditionally cleaned implants. The surface of the implant is now free of all organic debris, has increased wettability, contacts more bone-forming cells upon placement, and has stronger bonds between the metal surface and the bone-forming liquid cells. As a result, the implant becomes more intimately involved with the surrounding bone and tissue structure.The implant is comprised of an inert, biocompatible titanium material that is designed of such dimensions and angulations to maximize contact the bone cells and subsequently attach a well-suited mechanical prosthetic system to it.

Abstract: A dispenser (10) and method for washing dishes and utensils in a dishwashing machine are disclosed. The dispenser (10) is comprised of a container (11) and lid (12), the dispenser containing a solid detergent composition (13). A slot (23) in a side wall (17) and baffle (26) allow for controlled drainage of the detergent solution. The lid (12) has a plurality of openings (18) through which water from the dishwashing machine enters, so as to dissolve the solid detergent (13). The dispenser (10) is positioned within the washing chamber (20) of a dishwashing machine (19).