Abstract: A latent heat-ballasted gasifier suitable for converting biomass, coal, or low-quality fuels into a producer gas. Latent heat is stored in the reactor in ballasts containing a metal alloy with a melting point approximate the pyrolysis temperatures of the fuel. A fluidized bed reactor is used to enhance heat transfer between the latent heat material and the fuel. The latent heat-ballasts allows the reactor to be operated in a quasi-steady mode rather than a batch operation employed in the prior designs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for measuring the amount of unburned carbon in a sample of fly ash using infrared photoacoustic absorption. One preferred method according to the present invention involves directing modulated infrared radiation at a sample of fly ash and measuring the acoustic signal produced when the unburned carbon in the sample absorbs the radiation producing a thermal wave which propagates through the sample to generate a minute acoustic wave at interfaces between the carbon particles and gas surrounding the particles. One preferred apparatus includes a source of modulated infrared radiation, a chamber for containing the sample, a microphone to detect the acoustic signals, lock-in amplifier to separate the desired photoacoustic signal from noise at other frequencies, and a PC computer to provide output from the amplifier. This apparatus identifies the acoustic signal for determination of the amount of unburned carbon in the sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for directing modulated microwave radiation at fly ash which absorbs the microwave energy and, in turn, emits minute acoustical waves. Those acoustic waves are measured by a microphone to determine the carbon content of the fly ash.

Abstract: A latent heat-ballasted gasifier suitable for converting biomass, coal, or low-quality fuels into a producer gas. Latent heat is stored in the reactor in ballasts containing a metal alloy with a melting point approximate the pyrolysis temperatures of the fuel. A fluidized bed reactor is used to enhance heat transfer between the latent heat material and the fuel. The latent heat-ballasts allows the reactor to be operated in a quasi-steady mode rather than a batch operation employed in the prior designs.

Abstract: A process for producing polymers in a gas phase reactor by continuously introducing a stream of monomer and gas into a polymerization zone while maintaining the temperature within the polymerization zone below the dew point temperature of at least one monomer present in said polymerization zone.

Abstract: Rifle with interchangeable barrel having an interchangeable barrel formed by attachment of a barrel to a receiving block which has locking lugs and is provided with alignment structure for aligning the interchangeable barrel with other components of the rifle and having a threaded passageway to receive a screw such that the interchangeable barrel may be easily removed and replaced.

Abstract: Webs are provided with edge knurls whose effective height varies along the length of the web in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are shown to measure unburned carbon particles in the exhaust of a combustor. Photoacoustic absorption spectrometry is employed to measure the presence of the unburned carbon. Especially helpful in these measurements is a vertically elongated photoacoustic cell in which high flow velocities are maintained to prevent particles from settling. These measurements are useful in determining the efficiency of coal-fired combustors.

Abstract: Adhesive tape, the adhesive layer of which comprises a copolymer of (a) acrylonitrile and (b) butadiene and/or isoprene. Even though such an adhesive copolymer layer is usually substantially nontacky, it forms under moderate pressure bonds to many substrates which become stronger than the substrates. The bonds become strong more quickly when heated while the pressure is being applied. For a usefully long period of time after initiating a bond, the tape usually is repositionable.

Abstract: A means and method of controlling the load turndown in a fluidized bed combustor including a fluidized combustion bed having an independent fluidization air source. A separately fluidizable heat transfer bed surrounds the fluidized combustion bed. By independently adjusting the fluidization of the heat transfer bed, the load turndown of the fluidized bed combustor can be accurately and efficiently controlled.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for enhanced heat exchange between first and second liquids includes a shell enclosure in which is positioned a bed material supported on a plate distributor. One or more tube enclosures are positioned through the bed material of the shell enclosure, and themselves contain bed material supported upon a distributor plate. The first liquid is passed through the bed material of the shell enclosure so as to fluidize the bed material. The second fluid, of different temperature, is passed through the bed material of each tube means. Heat is transferred between the fluids, and the transfer is enhanced by nature of fluidization of both beds.

Abstract: A means and method of controlling the load turn-down in a fluidized bed combustor including a fluidized combustion bed having an independent fluidization air source. A separately fluidizable heat transfer bed surrounds the fluidized combustion bed. By independently adjusting the fluidization of the heat transfer bed, the load turn-down of the fluidized bed combustor can be accurately and efficiently controlled.In an alternative embodiment, one or more heat transfer beds are positioned in and surrounded by the combustion bed. Conduits are then positioned within the heat transfer beds to carry a circulating and heat-conducting medium therethrough.

Abstract: A means and method of controlling the load turndown in a fluidized bed combustor including a fluidized combustion bed having an independent fluidization air source. A separately fluidizable heat transfer bed surrounds the fluidized combustion bed. By independently adjusting the fluidization of the heat transfer bed, the load turndown of the fluidized bed combustor can be accurately and efficiently controlled.

Abstract: A tamper proof seal and container closure device including, in combination a seal ring and a closure, said seal ring being provided on its inner face with at least one recess and at least one stop, said closure being provided with at least one projection on the lower edge of the closure, said projection being adapted to fit within the recess of the seal so that when the combination seal ring and closure are fitted to a bottle neck the stop on the seal ring locks the seal ring, closure and bottle neck together. The combined seal ring and closure can be locked onto the bottle neck by the interaction between the stop on the seal and a complementary stop formed on the side of the base of the bottle neck.

Abstract: Firearm magazines and magazine loaders for firearm cartridges include a channel-shaped container having a bottom wall of a width of more than one and less than two cartridge diameters, and side walls corresponding in height to a cartridge shell, and having an elongate open top extending between the side walls opposite and parallel to the closed bottom wall for receiving the cartridges so that each circular bottom of each cartridge is located at the closed bottom wall, so that the shell of each cartridge extends parallel to and is retained between the side walls, and so that the bullets of the cartridges are located at the open top. A lid for closure of the open top above the bullet is provided for retention of the cartridges in the channel-shaped container preparatory to a transfer of such retained cartridges through an opening out of the channel-shaped container with the aid of an actuated or biased cartridge seater.

Abstract: This invention relates to the tracking of a pipeline pig during its movement through a pipeline carrying gas, for instance.The pig is tracked by detecting energy emission resulting from impact of the moving pig with at least two previously identified features which are located within the pipeline at known spaced intervals.The energy emission takes the form of vibrational signals which are sensed by a geophone 1 which is coupled externally to the wall or associated equipment of a gas pipeline 2. An electrical output proportional to the vibration is amplified by a preamplifier 5 and is then filtered by a unit 6 to remove unwanted frequency components of the signal. The filtered signal is fed to a chart recorder 7. The unfiltered preamplified signal is fed to an audioamplifier 9 where the signal is amplified to audible levels.

Abstract: A combined power and sensing cable for inter-connecting an EDM power supply and machine tool including a pair of power conducting leads (14,16), each having a non-conducting sleeve (18a, 20a) and a plurality of individual conductors (20) inside each such sleeve. A braided shield sleeve (22) encloses both the power leads. An external insulating jacket (12) encloses the braided shield sleeve (22). A plurality of sensing and control leads (28) are enclosed by a second braided shield (26) which in turn is enclosed by its insulating sleeve (24). The sensing and control leads (28) are aligned substantially parallel to the power conductor leads (14,16) intermediate their respective braided shield (22) and the external insulating jacket (12).

Abstract: A cycle timer circuit for electrical discharge machining. Operation of the electrode is controlled by a pair of solid state timers working in timed relationship, one with the other, to provide an up time duration of greater magnitude than the down time duration.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for recovering heat from an appliance which provides an exhaust of warm moist air, comprising an appliance exhaust duct connectable between the exhaust outlet of the appliance and a condensing chamber which is adapted to be supported on an exterior wall of a building, the chamber having means for draining condensate therefrom, and a return duct adapted to allow recovered warm dry air to flow from the condensing chamber into the building.

Abstract: Pressure-sensitive adhesive tape closures for diapers or other garments are formed from backing strips which are divided into three portions of roughly equal area. One end portion and one of the other portions are surfaced with pressure-sensitive adhesive, while the remaining portion is surfaced with a release material; the latter two portions are folded together. In use, the first end portion is adhered to one garment border, a second border juxtaposed or overlapped, the folded portion of the closure then unfolded, and the thus-exposed adhesive surface adhered to the second border. These closures may be formed by cutting parallel strips across an elongate sheet of appropriately configured convolutely wound adhesive-coated sheet material.