Abstract: A method of removing solid particulate matter from the exhaust of a diesel engine, which comprises passing the engine's exhaust flow through at least a part of filter means to trap solid particulate matter contained initially in the exhaust, thereby to remove said matter from said exhaust flow, interrupting the exhaust flow through at least said part of the filter means, at a time when the preceding period of exhaust flow therethrough is of sufficiently brief duration that the trapped particulate matter has not become resistant to subsequent combustion in the engine, during said interruption backflushing at least said part of the filter means thereby to dislodge from the filter means, and entrain, said solid particulate matter for the purpose of removing it from the filter means, and transporting said dislodged solid particulate matter to the intake of said engine so that said matter can be combusted in the engine; and apparatus for accomplishing same.

Abstract: A method of increasing the adsorption resistance of a polymer having surface carboxyl or hydroxyl groups by directly contacting the surface of the polymer with an acylating agent under conditions sufficient to chemically react the carboxyl or hydroxyl groups with the acylating agent.

Abstract: Thermal storage energy powders are formed from polyolefin particles having their surfaces crosslinked in a cold plasma. The crosslinked surfaces have a heat of fusion substantially identical to the uncrosslinked portion of the particles.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage composition is provided comprising a slurry of polyolefin particles in a liquid. The particles have their surfaces crosslinked in a cold plasma so that the crosslinked surfaces have a heat of fusion substantially identical to the uncrosslinked portion of the particles.

Abstract: Fluorinated polymer surfaces are provided by a process in which ultraviolet radiation is used to assist the surface fluorination reaction.

Abstract: Polymers having a substantially completely fluorinated surface of low surface energy and substantially free of oxygen and having a thickness up to about 200 Angstroms, the remainder of the polymer comprising a non-fluorinated polymer.

Abstract: Fluorinated low energy polymer surfaces are provided by fluorinating a hydrocarbon polymer with ions or radicals of fluorinated species in a cold plasma.

Abstract: In one aspect a process for breaking an oil/water/surfactant emulsion obtained from an oilfield after chemical flooding comprises ultrafiltering the emulsion. In another aspect the oil and water phases produced from the emulsion so broken are further treated to recover the surfactant therefrom. The water phase is subjected to ultrafiltration or reverse osmosis to concentrate the surfactant. The oil phase is washed with water and then separated from the wash water and surfactant, and the surfactant is finally separated from the wash water.