Abstract: A glass manufacturing system is described herein that has a forming device (e.g., isopipe) which is made from a zircon refractory material that has an improved creep resistance property. The zircon refractory material has a composition with at least the following elements: ZrSiO4 (98.75–99.68 wt %); ZrO2 (0.01–0.15 wt %); TiO2 (0.23–0.50 wt %); and Fe2O3 (0.08–0.60 wt %).

Abstract: A glass manufacturing system is described herein that has a forming device (e.g., isopipe) which is made from a zircon refractory material that has an improved creep resistance property. The zircon refractory material has a composition with at least the following elements: ZrSiO4 (98.75–99.68 wt %); ZrO2 (0.01–0.15 wt %); TiO2 (0.23–0.50 wt %); and Fe2O3 (0.08–0.60 wt %).

Abstract: A modified in-line adsorber system capable of meeting the California ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) standard using a combination of burn-off catalyst and a modified adsorber constructed with an open flow region of substantially unobstructed flow having a hole or a region of larger cell openings to increase the amount and rate of contact between the exhaust gas and the burn-off catalyst, and thereby reduce the light-off time of the burn-off catalyst. For best effect, the open flow region of the adsorber is positioned along the exhaust stream between the engine and the burn-off catalyst as defined by the exhaust flow path of least resistance.

Abstract: A modified in-line adsorber system capable of meeting the California ultra-low emission vehicle (REV) standard using a combination of burn-off catalyst and a modified adsorber constructed with an open flow region of substantially unobstructed flow having a hole or a region of larger cell openings to increase the amount and rate of contact between the exhaust gas and the burn-off catalyst, and thereby reduce the light-off time of the burn-off catalyst. For best effect, the open flow region of the adsorber is positioned along the exhaust stream between the engine and the burn-off catalyst as defined by the exhaust flow path of least resistance.

Abstract: Flow diverter methods and apparatus useful, for example, in adsorber systems capable of meeting the California ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) standard, are described, the adsorber systems incorporating a combination of a burn-off catalyst and a modified adsorber constructed with an open flow region of substantially unobstructed flow having a hole or a region of larger cell openings, the flow diverter acting to control exhaust flow through the adsorber to both increase adsorption and reduce the light-off time of the burn-off catalyst.

Abstract: A body made up of substantially continuous high strength multicellular support having porous cell walls, and pores in the cell walls having an average pore diameter of which have active material embedded therein, and an outer surface. The body is made of material which can be ceramics, glass, glass-ceramic, cermet, metal, oxides, and combinations of these. The active material can be molecular sieve, activated carbon, and combinations these. A method for producing a pore-impregnated body which involves providing the substrate having a wall porosity greater than about 45% by volume, and an average pore diameter of about 15 to 30 micrometers, providing a slurry of active material dispersed in a medium, contacting the support with the slurry at subatmospheric pressure to substantially fill the open pores of the substrate with the active material, removing excess slurry from the outer surface and the non-pore surfaces of the cell walls, followed by drying.

Abstract: A engine exhaust system is disclosed for reducing the amount of hydrocarbons emitted during engine start-up (cold-start), before the catalytic converter has attained its effective operating temperature. The system includes a flow diverter, in particular a secondary air jet adapted to direct substantially all of the engine exhaust through a molecular sieve structure during cold-start, and to direct the engine exhaust stream directly from the light-off catalyst to the burnoff catalyst, bypassing the molecular sieve structure after light-off.

Abstract: A carbon body and method for making the body. The body is characterized by carbon particles bonded together with bentonite clay and a cured epoxy resin. The bentonite content is about 5% to about 30% by weight based on carbon. The epoxy resin and curing agent content as measured before curing is about 5% to about 40% by weight based on carbon. The curing agent as measured before curing makes up about 5 parts to about 40 parts per 100 weight parts based on the epoxy resin. The resin has an average functionality of at least 3. The body has higher strength after exposure to temperatures of up to about 250.degree. C. in air than bodies absent the bentonite and resin. Additionally, the body has the properties of surface area retention after exposure to high temperatures, and water resistance.

Abstract: A body made of carbon particles bonded together with bentonite clay and cellulose fibers, wherein in weight percent based on carbon, the bentonite content is about 4% to 20%, and the cellulose fiber content is about 2% to 10%. A method of making the body which involves forming an aqueous mixture having a composition in weight percent based on carbon of about 5% to 8% organic binder which can be cellulose ethers, cellulose ether derivatives, and combinations of these, about 4% to 20% bentonite clay, about 2% to 10% cellulose fibers, and the balance being activated carbon particles, forming the mixture into a body, and drying the body.

Abstract: Novel method and apparatus are disclosed for dielectrically drying green ceramic or wet honeycomb structures, by rotating such structures about their longitudinal axis between a pair of parallel dielectric electrodes and simultaneously blowing heated air through the longitudinal cells of the honeycomb structure. Preferably the dielectric electrodes are oriented parallel with the longitudinal axis of the honeycomb structure, and the rotation thereof between the electrodes accordingly results in a more uniform energy transfer to the honeycomb structure by leveling out the non-uniformities and variations in the dielectric field.

Abstract: A method of stiffening plastically deformable material, newly forming or formed into a shaped body, is disclosed. The method includes; exposing the material, which includes body-forming matter, polar molecules, and a polymeric agent having a thermal gel point, to electromagnetic radiation within the frequency range 10.sup.7 to 10.sup.13 Hertz. The radiation is applied while plastically deformable material is contained in, or as it emerges from a forming member in the shape of a body.

Abstract: An improvement in a method and apparatus is provided in extruding a powder material to form an article, in which the material is passed through an extruder and then through a die, wherein the material is provided in the form of a mixture which includes a vehicle, the improvement comprising having one or more gear pumps in succession between the extruder and the die, so that the powder material passes through the gear pump(s) after it leaves the extruder and before it enters the die. The gear pump(s) can have one or more pair of gears which are arranged sequentially with respect to the flow of the material.

Abstract: Porous ceramic articles are made by a method that allows the formed green body to be dried in a dielectric oven without arcing or shorting occurring while maintaining favorable physical properties. The method includes adding water insoluble cellulose and graphite to the ceramic-forming precursors as a burnout material. The method is particularly useful in forming porous cordierite articles that are extruded to form a honeycomb structure conventionally used as a particulate filter for the exhaust fluids of diesel engines. Such articles have a matrix of thin walls forming a multiplicity of open-ended cells extending from one end to another end of the honeycomb. The thin walls have a substantially smaller coefficient of thermal expansion in the direction parallel to the axes of the open-ended cells than in the direction transverse to the thin walls.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in a gear pump comprising a pair of intermeshing gears enclosed in a housing, the improvement comprising having at least one additional pair of intermeshing gears, wherein the gear pairs are non-meshing with one another.

Abstract: A body is disclosed which is at least about 90% by weight cordierite, has a mean pore size of less than about 10.0 microns, and a coefficient of thermal expansion of no greater than about 9.0.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree.C. from about 25.degree. C. to 1000.degree. C. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating the body. Raw materials are selected to form a composition consisting essentially of in percent by weight about 12 to 16 magnesium oxide, about 35 to 41 aluminum oxide, and about 43 to 53 silica. The raw materials are absent of clay and talc. The magnesium oxide is supplied by a magnesium oxide component having an average particle size of no greater than about 15.0 micrometers in diameter. The aluminum oxide is supplied by an aluminum oxide component having an average particle size of no greater than about 8.0 micrometers in diameter. The composition is capable of forming cordierite in the subsequent firing step.

Abstract: Novel calcium dialuminate/hexaluminate ceramic structures in the form of blends, laminates and composites, and processes for making these structures are disclosed. The ceramics of the invention exhibit relatively lower levels of thermal expansion, high strengths, and good thermal shock resistance over wide temperature ranges.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the preparation of ZrO.sub.2 bodies partially stabilized through the inclusion of 0.5-10% Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 with 1-10% of a secondary stabilizer selected from the group of MgO, CaO, CuO, ZnO, and CeO.sub.2. The method comprises sintering a shaped batch at 1600.degree.-1800.degree. C., quickly cooling the sintered shape to 1000.degree.-1475.degree. C., holding said shape within that temperature range to cause precipitation of tetragonal ZrO.sub.2 as islands within cubic ZrO.sub.2 grains, and then cooling to room temperature. The final product exhibits a microstructure consisting essentially of about 50-70% cubic ZrO.sub.2, greater than 20% and up to 50% tetragonal ZrO.sub.2, and less than 10% monoclinic ZrO.sub.2.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the making of ceramic articles through extrusion utilizing a self-cleaning, intermeshing, co-rotating, twin screw extrusion apparatus. The invention is particularly directed to the extrusion of honeycomb structures wherein the batch consists of cordierite or cordierite-mullite compositions with water and a hydroxypropyl cellulose binder/plasticizer having a viscosity at 20.degree. C. in a 2% aqueous solution between 25,000-100,000 centipoises. Preferably, the hydroxypropyl cellulose will have a viscosity of at least 50,000 centipoises such as to permit a working temperature during operation of the extrusion apparatus of at least 40.degree. C.

Abstract: A solder glass suspension for sealing glass or other ceramic parts is provided having the characteristics of a reversible gel, exhibiting high viscosity during storage and after extrusion onto a sealing surface, but relatively low viscosity under shear stress during extrusion. The use of the suspension for sealing glass or ceramic parts is also described.

Abstract: A solder glass suspension for sealing glass or other ceramic parts is provided having the characteristics of a reversible gel, exhibiting high viscosity during storage and after extrusion onto a sealing surface, but relatively low viscosity under shear stress during extrusion. The use of the suspension for sealing glass or ceramic parts is also described.