Abstract: An apparatus for refining molten glass that includes a housing having a vertically oriented longitudinal axis and a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Molten glass is received at an upper end of the housing and is discharged from a lower end of the housing. A guide extends at least partway across the housing and directs molten glass in a generally downward direction through the housing and in a parallel or oblique direction relative to the transverse axis of the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for refining molten glass that includes a housing having a vertically oriented longitudinal axis and a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Molten glass is received at an upper end of the housing and is discharged from a lower end of the housing. A guide extends at least partway across the housing and directs molten glass in a generally downward direction through the housing and in a parallel or oblique direction relative to the transverse axis of the housing.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for refining molten glass that includes a housing having a vertically oriented longitudinal axis and a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Molten glass is received at an upper end of the housing and is discharged from a lower end of the housing. A guide extends at least partway across the housing and directs molten glass in a generally downward direction through the housing and in a parallel or oblique direction relative to the transverse axis of the housing.

Abstract: The disclosure herein includes methods of preparing ceramic beads, useful as proppant materials, by mixing ceramic precursors, such as slag, fly ash, or aluminum dross, forming bead precursors from the mixture, and heating the bead precursors to drive a chemical reaction between the ceramic precursors to form the ceramic beads. The resultant ceramic beads may be generally spherical particles that are characterized by diameters of about 0.1 to 2 mm, a diametral strength of at least about 100 MPa, and a specific gravity of about 1.0 to 3.0. A coating process may optionally be used to increase a diametral strength of a proppant material. A sieving process may optionally be used to obtain a smaller range of sizes of proppant materials.

Abstract: A method of fracturing or frac-packing a subterranean zone surrounding a well bore includes fracturing the subterranean zone with a fracturing fluid to form fractures; pumping proppant slurry comprising ultra-light, ultra-strong proppant into the fractures of the subterranean zone; and releasing pressure after pumping to form propped fractures.

Abstract: An insulated-gate field-effect transistor comprising a semiconductor substrate, a source region, a drain region, where the source region is spaced apart from the drain region to thereby form a channel, and both the source region and the drain region are located at or near one surface of the substrate, a gate insulator deposited over said channel, and a gate electrode, said gate electrode including a material that demonstrates appreciable change in resistivity relative to the concentration of acetylene, where the gate electrode covers the gate insulator.

Abstract: A method for detecting an unsaturated compound, the method comprising monitoring change in electrical properties of a substance that reacts or interacts with unsaturated compounds.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for refining molten glass that includes a housing having a vertically oriented longitudinal axis and a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Molten glass is received at an upper end of the housing and is discharged from a lower end of the housing. A guide extends at least partway across the housing and directs molten glass in a generally downward direction through the housing and in a parallel or oblique direction relative to the transverse axis of the housing.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting the presence of unsaturated compounds, the sensor comprising: a semiconductor material doped with a metal halide in electrical connection with a monitoring device.

Abstract: A plurality of soda-lime glass batch materials are formed into granules that include a core and a shell surrounding the core. The core comprises a first portion of the plurality of glass batch materials, and the shell comprises a remaining portion of the plurality of glass batch materials. These core-shell granules can be melted in a glass furnace to produce molten soda-lime glass in less time and at a lower temperature than conventional soda-lime glass batch preparations.

Abstract: A method for detecting an unsaturated compound, the method comprising monitoring change in electrical properties of a substance that reacts or interacts with unsaturated compounds.

Abstract: A catalyst and its use for the abatement of carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons in the exit stream of a combustion device, such as an automobile and spray paint booths are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a method for detecting an unsaturated compound, the method comprising monitoring change in electrical properties of substances such as halides of copper that reacts or interacts with unsaturated compounds such as acetylene. Other embodiments provide a sensor for detecting acetylene gas comprising a substrate having a surface, electrodes in electrical communication with said surface, and a sensor layer formed of metal halide.