Abstract: Disclosed are method and fluid lift pump for raising liquids through a bundle of substantially vertical lift tubes adapted to raise liquids even while submerged less than 50% of total lift height, the tubes having about the same length extending side by side, each tube having an inside diameter of less than about one inch. The lift tubes communicate at the lower end with a housing defining a chamber capable of being filled with liquid to be raised, and the lower portion of the housing includes means for injecting a lifting fluid into the liquid in the chamber. The injecting means comprise an injecting orifice, having an inside diameter no larger than about the largest lift tube inside diameter, positioned below the lower ends of the lift tubes by a specified distance depending on the cross-sectional area of the bundle and the number of injecting orifices. Bubbles of lifting fluid rise through the liquid in the chamber, enter the lift tubes, and form rising slugs of liquid separated by slugs of lifting fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrolytic cell including first and second inclined or nonhorizontal electrodes, means for holding the first electrode in position relative to the second electrode to form an inter-electrode zone of specified dimension, wherein the first electrode is held essentially free from support by the internal surfaces of the cell, and conductive means for electrically connecting one electrode to a separate liquid pad of higher conductivity than the electrolyte.Also disclosed is an electrolytic method including establishing first and second inclined or nonhorizontal electrodes in relative position in an electrolytic cell to form an inter-electrode zone of specified dimension for containing an electrolyte, supporting the first electrode essentially free from support by an internal cell surface, and connecting one electrode electrically with a separate liquid pad of higher conductivity than the electrolyte.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in the construction of a Hall cell for the production of aluminum by electrolytic reduction of alumina in a molten salt bath wherein a conductive carbon cathode lining comprising a bottom wall and a sidewall is surrounded adjacent the outer surface thereof with an insulating layer, and a layer of conductive material overlies the inner surface of at least the bottom wall of the carbon lining to reduce the effective spacing between the cathode and one or more anodes in the cell to thereby reduce the power consumption of the cell. The improvement comprises an air passageway between the insulating layer and the outer surface of the carbon lining sidewall and an air inlet port adjacent the bottom of the passageway for passing air into the air passageway and along the outer surface of the carbon lining sidewall whereby the carbon sidewall may be cooled sufficiently to permit the formation of a protective layer of frozen bath on the inner surface thereof.

Abstract: The invention comprises an improved Hall cell for electrolytic reduction of aluminum from a molten salt bath having a carbon cathode bottom wall and sidewall, a cover over said cell, at least one anode within said cell depending from an anode support rod passing through said cover, conductive means over the carbon bottom wall to reduce the spacing between the anode and the cathode, and protective sidewall lining means relatively inert to attack by the molten salt bath on the inner surface of the carbon sidewall. Cooling means are provided to cool an upper portion of the sidewall lining adjacent the surface of the molten salt bath to promote the formation of a protective layer of frozen bath over the exposed portion of the sidewall lining adjacent the surface of the molten salt bath while retaining within the cell at least a portion of the heat removed from the sidewall lining.

Abstract: A combustion process is disclosed for burning a fuel containing sulfur characterized by low sulfur and particulate emission and formation of solid, non-toxic sulfur compounds. The process comprises mixing the sulfur containing fuel with an additive capable of reacting with sulfur; burning the mixture in a first combustion stage with less than 75% theoretical air and at a temperature below the melting point of the ash, but sufficiently high to cause reaction between the additive and any sulfur in the fuel to facilitate removal of the sulfur compounds formed; passing combustible fuel gases and particulates from the first stage to one or more further stages to complete the combustion of the fuel; and oxidizing, in a separate zone, sulfur compounds formed in the first reaction zone by reaction between the additive and the sulfur in the fuel to form non-toxic sulfates.

Abstract: A three-stage combustion process is disclosed for burning a fuel containing sulfur characterized by low sulfur emission and good ash removal. The process comprises mixing the sulfur containing fuel with an additive capable of reacting with sulfur; burning the mixture in a first combustion stage with less than 75% theoretical air and at a temperature below the melting point of the ash but sufficiently high to cause reaction between the additive and any sulfur in the fuel to facilitate removal of the sulfur compounds formed; removing at least a portion of the sulfur compounds formed in the first stage; passing combustible gases from the first stage to a second stage; burning the gases in the second stage with less than 100% theoretical air at a temperature above the melting point of the ash to form a liquid slag which is removable from the second stage; and burning combustible gases from the second stage in a third stage with an excess of air to ensure complete combustion of the fuel.

Abstract: A three-step thermal aging method for improving the strength and corrosion resistance of an article comprising a solution heat treated aluminum alloy containing zinc, magnesium, copper and at least one element selected from the group consisting of chromium, manganese and zirconium. The article is precipitation hardened at about 175.degree. to 325.degree. F., heat treated for from several minutes to a few hours at a temperature of about 360.degree. to 390.degree. F. and again precipitation hardened at about 175.degree. to 325.degree. F. In a preferred embodiment the article treated comprises aluminum alloy 7075 in the T6 condition. The method of the invention is easier to control and is suitable for treating articles of greater thickness than other comparable methods.

Abstract: A method of extracting protein from green crops such as leaves, grasses, legumes, stems of green plants and tree leaves is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of subjecting the green crops to a pulping action in an acid solution recirculated from a subsequent anaerobic fermentation step to produce a pulp comprising a protein-rich liquid and fibrous material. The protein-rich liquid in the pulp is separated from the fibrous material. The protein is separated from the protein-rich liquid by anaerobic fermentation in an acidic solution thereby providing a concentrated protein fraction suitable for preservation and an acidic solution at least a portion of which is recycled to insure further removal of protein from the fibrous material.

Abstract: An improved method suitable for extracting glucose from green crops, such as leaves, grasses, legumes, stems of green plants and tree leaves. The method comprises the steps of subjecting the green crops to a pulping action in an organic acid solution recirculated from a subsequent fermentation separation step to produce a pulp comprising a protein-rich liquid and fibrous material, separating protein-rich liquid in the pulp from the fibrous material and separating protein from the protein-rich liquid by initiating anaerobic fermentation in an acidic solution thereby providing a concentrated protein fraction suitable for preservation and an acidic solution. At least a portion of the acidic solution is recycled to the separation step, the recycling of the solution being provided for purposes of washing the fibrous material to remove residual protein therefrom.

Abstract: A method of reducing sulfurous pollutants from furnaces fired with sulfur-containing coals is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of recovering fibrous material from green crops, comprising leaves, grasses, legumes, stems of green plants and tree leaves by subjecting the green crops to a mechanical pulping action and separating juices generated by the pulping action from the fibrous material. The fibrous materials are burned with the sulfur-containing coal in the furnace thereby permitting alkaline residues from the fibrous material to react with sulfur oxides generated by the combustion of the coal, the reaction converting the oxides to sulfur salts and permitting the salts to be recovered in ash from the furnace thereby reducing the pollutants from the furnace by the reaction and by dilution of the combustion gases.

Abstract: A method of providing useful work utilizing the difference between higher and lower elevations and an attendant difference in temperature. The method includes the step of providing a working medium comprised of more than one component, the components having different temperature values at which they vaporize and condense. Vapors of the working medium are condensed at the location of the higher elevation, and are directed under the force of gravity to means at a lower elevation capable of utilizing the medium in liquid form to produce useful work. The working medium in liquid form absorbs heat at the lower elevation and produces the vapors for the condensation step, the vapors being directed from the lower elevation to the higher elevation for condensing. The composition of the working medium is adjusted to response to changes in ambient temperature to provide a system having maximum efficiency in extracting work from the working medium.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for burning a pulverized carbonaceous material containing sulfur and ash. According to this method, a slurry is formed containing the carbonaceous material, water, a reagent adapted to react during combustion with the sulfur in the material and a cementing agent adapted to reduce particulate emissions during combustion. The slurry is burned in a first stage with less than 100% theoretical air and preferably at a temperature below about 1100.degree. C. The products of combustion from the first stage are removed to a second stage and burned with additional air.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for burning a pulverized carbonaceous material containing sulfur and ash. According to this method, a slurry is formed containing the carbonaceous material, water and a reagent adapted to react during combustion with the sulfur in the material. The slurry is burned in a first stage with less than 100% theoretical air and preferably at a temperature below about 1100.degree. C. The products of combustion from the first stage are removed to a second stage and burned with additional air.