Abstract: An aqueous solution of metal chlorate, mineral acid and a reducing agent are continuously or intermittently sprayed, in a pattern to achieve intimate mixing, into a spherical chamber creating an aqueous foam reaction mixture generating chlorine dioxide which is removed in a direction 90 degrees to the axis of the spray nozzles. A baffle plate may be used to reduce the open cross sectional area of the exit port to increase reaction efficiency. The reactants are a mineral acid and an alkali metal chlorate or chloric acid and a reducing agent such as hydrogen peroxide. The mineral acid is either diluted or concentrated sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, nitric acid or a blend thereof. The ratio of acid is greater than one and less than 3 kg acid per kg of ClO2 formed. The chlorine dioxide may be removed with a stripper column.

Abstract: Methods for removing carbonyl sulfide (COS) from a synthesis gas stream are disclosed. The method entails raising the water level of a wet scrubber so that hydrolysis of the COS may occur in the scrubber itself instead of a COS reduction chamber and no additional catalysts other than those naturally occurring in the production of the synthesis gas need be introduced into the scrubber. The water is raised, in one example, to a level such that water within an inner tube of the wet scrubber flows over an upper end of the inner tube. Raising the water level in the scrubber ensures intimate and vigorous interaction between the water, the COS, and the naturally occurring catalyst, and promotes the hydrolysis of the COS. In one example, the naturally occurring catalyst (e.g., alumina oxide) is present in the coal ash produced when coal is the fuel gasified that creates the synthesis gas stream.

Abstract: A writing nib for pens and marking implements having an elongated body of generally rectangular configuration and reinforced by layers of relatively rigid solid material laminated to opposite surfaces of a relatively soft wicking material. The nib is formed by continuously forming layers of the relatively rigid material on opposite surfaces of a strip of wicking material, shaping both edges of the laminated strip and severing the laminated strip transversely, the shaped edges of the laminated strip ultimately forming a writing tip at each end of the nib body at which the wicking material projects beyond the corresponding ends of the rigid material.

Abstract: A writing nib for pens and marking implements having an elongated body of generally rectangular configuration and reinforced by layers of relatively rigid solid material laminated to opposite surfaces of a relatively soft wicking material. The nib is formed by continuously forming layers of the relatively rigid material on opposite surfaces of a strip of wicking material, shaping both edges of the laminated strip and severing the laminated strip transversely, the shaped edges of the laminated strip ultimately forming a writing tip at each end of the nib body at which the wicking material projects beyond the corresponding ends of the rigid material.

Abstract: A process is provided to form spherical thermoplastic particles that involves dispersing a thermoplastic powder in a liquid that is a partial solvent for the thermoplastic, breaking the dispersion into droplets, forming thermoplastic spheres by heating the droplets to a temperature sufficient to at least partially solubilize the thermoplastic and to evaporate the solvent. Unique products, including porous structures, may be produced from material formed by this process.