Abstract: An improvement is disclosed in a method for forming a press-fitted pipe joint by flaring the bell end of one pipe section and forcing the unflared pin end of the other pipe section into the bell end until the sections are overlapping for a substantial length. The improvement comprises forming the bell end so that it has a greater wall thickness than the pin end.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for heating an air stream flowing through a conduit which minimizes the introduction of noxious burner exhaust emissions into the air stream. The apparatus utilizes a refractory radiant-type burner disposed within the air stream which includes means for supplying a combustible fuel to the burner and means for igniting the combustible fuel within the burner. The apparatus also includes means for removing the hot products of combustion from the burner and venting these products to the outside atmosphere until the temperature of the burner reaches steady state operating conditions. When steady state operating conditions are reached, a damper means on the burner opens and directs the products of combustion into the air stream to heat the air stream. When the burner is turned off, the damper means closes and directs the products of combustion to the outside atmosphere.

Abstract: A pre-stressed impact testing device designed to measure the energy which is absorbed during fracture of metal samples under pre-stressed conditions. The device includes a base portion and a pendulum supporting portion which is positioned thereabove. The base portion includes first and second elongated and horizontally spaced-apart beams having opposite ends with a third beam secured to and extending between the first and second beams at one end thereof. A hydraulic ram is secured to and extends between the other ends of the first and second beams for selectively moving the other ends of the first and second beams away from each other so that the first and second beams will be elastically stressed. Connectors are provided on each of the first and second beams for attachment to the opposite ends of the sample material whereby the sample material will be placed in stress when the first and second beams are elastically stressed.

Abstract: A powder level measurement probe is described for use in a polypropylene gas phase reactor. The apparatus comprises a support tube which extends downwardly from the upper end of the reactor and which has a non-metallic powder probe holder mounted on the lower end thereof. The holder is provided with upper and lower recessed areas formed therein. A metal proximity sensor is positioned in the upper recessed area and is operatively connected to a signal device such as a light or the like which is positioned remote from the reactor. A metal plate is movably positioned in the lower recessed area of the holder and has a probe secured thereto which extends downwardly therefrom which is adapted to be engaged by the powder within the reactor. Movement of the probe by the powder causes the metal proximity sensor to be activated which in turn activates the signal device connected thereto.

Abstract: An improved method for reducing the halogen content of a particulate polyolefin formed by catalytic polymerization of an olefin in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst is taught which comprises the steps of causing the polyolefin in the dry state to flow into a gas phase fluidized bed, contacting the polyolefin in the fluidized bed with a gas comprising 0.05% to 0.2% alkylene oxide, 5% to 30% water, and the balance inert gas such that the alkylene oxide reacts with halogens present in the polyolefin to form an alkylene halohydrin, removing the alkylene halohydrin from the fluidized bed and thus reducing the halogen content of the polyolefin. The improvement comprises regenerating the alkylene oxide by contacting the inert gas containing alkylene halohydrin with a caustic solution in alcohol or water and recovering therefrom alkylene oxide formed by the reaction of the alkylene halohydrin and the caustic solution.