Abstract: A method of manufacturing an extruder barrel is disclosed which fabricates a barrel in two longitudinal sections and joins the sections together by electron beam welding. In a preferred form, the barrel sections are formed by machining conical recesses longitudinally in each section whereby a complementary bore is defined by the assembled barrel sections. The machined recesses may be formed with spiral, longitudinal or radial grooves. The recesses may be a uniform conical shape, stepped conical or a dual tapered shape.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for continuously oxidizing an aromatic alkyl in the liquid phase and under oxidation reaction conditions, for the purpose of producing a desired aromatic carboxylic acid product, is disclosed. A seriatim arranged array of reactor compartments, each of which is adapted to accommodate a gaseous phase as well as a liquid phase is contemplated. Means for separately adjusting the reaction mixture composition of each reaction compartment is provided.

Abstract: A Heater-Cooler unit that provides efficient heating and cooling in such a manner that the temperature is easily controlled. The unit's 360 degree exposure enables both fins and barrel surface to be in complete contact with cooling air. The structure of the fins provides contact with the barrel to conduct heat flowing from the heating elements to the barrel surface.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the liquid phase oxidation of an alkyl aromatic in the presence of an oxidation catalyst comprising cobalt, manganese and bromine components wherein at least a portion of the cobalt and manganese components are solid cobalt and manganese oxalates.

Abstract: A strand cutting mechanism having a pair of freely rotatable cutting discs mounted on a cutting head on opposite sides of a generally V-shaped guide notch, said cutting discs cooperating to cut strand guided into said guide notch before it reaches the apex of the guide notch.

Abstract: Winding apparatus for the continuous winding of an advancing strand, having two coaxially mounted, spaced and independently driven, removable reels and a traverse mechanism for delivering strand to the reels alternately. Each of these reels is mounted on an axle which is equipped with a machine reel and snagger means assembly which is a permanent part of the machine and each of them are mounted adjacent to the remote ends of said reels when said reels are in winding position so that the reels are disposed for rotation about a common axis between the machine reels and snagger means assembly. The traverse means is controlled so as to distribute the strand onto one of the reels until a predetermined length of strand is wound thereon. Further means is provided for rapidly moving the traverse means across the empty reel into a position for directing the strand onto the machine reel associated with the empty reel.