Abstract: Primary and secondary unsaturated alcohols are converted to their corresponding aldehydes and/or carboxylic acids and ketones respectively with alkali metal (per) halate, preferably sodium periodate, in the presence of ruthenium catalyst. The process is particularly useful in the oxidation of chrysanthemyl alcohol. Any unconverted intermediate aldehyde formed may be converted to the acid by recycling or by a separate oxidation step.

Abstract: A promoter comprising from about 500 ppm to about 1% of a Group V, Group VI, or Group VIII metal on a support is combined with a hydrocarbon conversion catalyst under fluidizing conditions, in an effective proportion, to enhance the removal of carbonaceous material from the catalyst. Typically, the promoter is a mixture of platinum and palladium supported on gamma alumina and is included in a fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) unit in a sufficient proportion to provide from about 0.05 to about 50 ppm metal based on the weight of the catalyst.

Abstract: Cryopumping speed of nitrogen, helium, hydrogen and neon can be increased by omitting the chevron baffle in a conventional cryopump and preventing incident radiation of about 300.degree. K. from striking surfaces used to cryosorb helium, hydrogen and neon. An apparatus is disclosed utilizing three pumping surfaces created from open ended opposed nested cylinders. A radiation absorbent coating is placed on one of the surfaces to shield the helium, hydrogen and neon pumping surface. Refrigeration can be provided by a two-stage closed cycle cryogenic refrigerator.

Abstract: A method of preparing an oxidation catalyst which comprises combining in an aqueous solution, an acid or salt of molybdenum with a water-soluble acid or non-metallic salt of silicon, phosphorus or arsenic, which is capable of forming a polyhedra of molybdenum. An aqueous chloride ion and a compound of phosphotungstate, silicotungstate, vanadium arsenate, silicoarsenate, phosphovanadate, silicovanadate or corresponding acids thereof or mixtures thereof are then added to the mixture. The resulting combination is dried and calcined to yield the finished catalyst.The oxidation catalyst has the following empirical formulua:Y.sub.w Mo.sub.x A.sub.y O.sub.zwhere Y is phosphorus, arsenic, silicon or mixtures thereof,A is tungsten, vanadium, arsenic, when Y is not arsenic, or mixtures thereof,w ranges from 0.5 to 1.5,x ranges from 10 to 15,y ranges from 0.1 to 2.0, andz ranges from 1 to 42, and is an integer necessary to satisfy the valency requirements of the formula.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing gas concentration by measuring the steady state pressure in a dual membrane cell. A first membrane is exposed to a test gas and a second membrane to a reference gas where the first and second membranes have differing permeabilities. The test gas and the reference gas continuously counterdiffuse through the membranes and the steady state pressure in the intermembrane space is directly proportional to the gas concentration of the test gas component.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for at least partially liquefying an air feedstream for subsequent separation into its components. The process comprises compressing an air feedstream, splitting the feedstream into at least a major portion, and a minor portion, partially cooling said major portion for delivery to a distillation or separation column, sufficiently cooling said minor portion for forming a critical fluid, isentropically expanding the thus formed critical fluid in a Pelton Wheel and then combining the minor portion and major portion for forming said air feedstream at a preselected pressure and temperature.

Abstract: An aluminum coated carbon-graphite electrode for use in the air-carbon arc cutting and gouging process. Uniformly coating the electrode with commercially pure aluminum results in a lower operating noise level when the electrode is in use, a cleaner and safer work environment for the user and better performance than conventional electrodes. A further feature of the invention resides in lowering the operating air pressure in the torch when using the new electrodes to further reduce the operating noise level.

Abstract: A system for generating a magnetic tape having thereon signals corresponding to movement of a co-ordinate drive carriage driven by an optical follower tracing a line drawing. The tape is used to provide signals to an encoder connected to the drive train of a co-ordinate drive positioning system used to carry a cutting device or other apparatus over a workpiece thus reproducing the line drawing on the workpiece with the cutting device or other apparatus. An improved co-ordinate drive oxy-fuel plate cutting machine can be constructed according to the disclosure.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for use in fluid blending and dispensing devices wherein it is essential to insure that one of the fluids to be blended be maintained below a defined maximum concentration. The apparatus comprises a single valve located in the inlet line of the fluid to be controlled, which is operable upon detection of an increase in the flow rate of the fluid to be controlled or by a decrease in the flow rate of any of the other fluids with which it is being blended.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved isentropic process for liquefying a gas, preferably a cryogenic fluid, which comprises forming a critical fluid, expanding the critical fluid through a Pelton Wheel to a pressure below the critical pressure forming a liquefied gas and removing work. The improvement for enhancing the efficiency of the Pelton Wheel in removing work comprises:withdrawing the liquefied gas from the Pelton Wheel at its saturation temperature or at a temperature below its saturation temperature, andestablishing and maintaining a vapor environment about the Pelton Wheel by the method selected from the group consisting of injecting a second gas into the Pelton Wheel, said second gas being introduced into the Pelton Wheel at the saturation temperature or at a temperature slightly above the saturation temperature of the liquefied gas; and raising the enthalpy of the liquefied gas after it has been withdrawn from the Pelton Wheel to an enthalpy above the enthalpy of saturated liquid.

Abstract: Multicomponent gas mixtures containing (1) hydrogen as primary component, (2) a secondary key component that is more strongly sorbed by the adsorbent than hydrogen and (3) one or more dilute components more strongly sorbed than both hydrogen and the secondary key component, are subjected to selective adsorption in a pressure swing cyclic adsorption system for the separate recovery of high purity hydrogen and of the secondary component. A given example is the treatment of effluent gas from a hydrodesulfurization plant after removal of the sulfur, wherein hydrogen and methane are separately recovered substantially freed of C.sub.2 + hydrocarbons present in such effluent gas.

Abstract: Multicomponent gas mixtures containing: (1) hydrogen as primary component, (2) a secondary key component that is more strongly sorbed by the adsorbent than hydrogen, and (3) a minor quantity of one or more dilute components less strongly sorbed than the secondary key component, are subject to selective adsorption in an adiabatic pressure swing cyclic system for the separate recovery of high purity hydrogen and of the secondary component. A given example is the treatment of a shift converter effluent gas from a hydrocarbon reformer plant, wherein hydrogen and carbon dioxide are separately recovered as key components substantially freed of minor dilute components such as methane, carbon monoxide and nitrogen.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a process for producing ethanol by methanol homologation. The homologation is carried out by reacting methanol with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a 1-2:1 mole ratio and a temperature of from about 175-230.degree. C. and a pressure of 2,000-10,000 psig in the presence of a cobalt catalyst represented by formulas I and II.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide snow hood is disclosed for separating gaseous and solid carbon dioxide particles and depositing a uniform blanket of the carbon dioxide particles in the form of snow on articles to be cooled.

Abstract: The operating noise level of the air-carbon arc cutting and gouging process can be reduced by controlling the air velocity in the area where the air impinges on the arc column to between 90 and 170 feet per second. Velocity control can be achieved by modifications to existing air-carbon arc cutting and gouging torches.

Abstract: Novel salts of tertiary amines and alpha-substituted carboxylic acids have advantages as delayed action thermally activated catalyts such as in urethane and epoxy catalysis. Some salts of tertiary amines tend to dissociate reversibly when heated. However, the compounds of the present invention preferentially decompose, irreversibly, to generate carbon dioxide when heated.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved continuous process for producing vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer emulsions. The improvement for continuous polymerization of vinyl acetate and ethylene comprises continuously charging a reaction mixture containing vinyl acetate and ethylene to a polymerization vessel, conducting an initial polymerization of the vinyl acetate and ethylene in the presence of a seed latex under ethylene pressure and continuously removing the thus formed latex from the initial polymerization vessel at an unreacted vinyl acetate monomer content from 5-20% by weight of the latex and then effecting a post polymerization of the unreacted vinyl acetate at an ethylene pressure of not more than about 300 psia until the unreacted vinyl acetate in the latex is less than 1% by weight.

Abstract: An organic product material having a high nitrogen and phosphorous content is produced as the product of a biological system for the treatment of a BOD-containing influent which also contains phosphorous and fixed nitrogen. The biological treatment system comprises the reaction of a mixed liquor composed of an activated biomass and a BOD-containing influent initially under anaerobic conditions and thereafter treating such mixed liquor under oxic conditions. The treated material is then separated into a supernatant liquid in which the BOD is depleted and a dense, activated biomass. A portion of this biomass is employed in forming the mixed liquor for the initial anaerobic treatment, while the remaining portion of the biomass is recovered as product. The living biomass product can be used in the fermentation industries. Alternatively, the product can be used as such or further processed, e.g. dried, for employment as a fertilizer or a nutrient in animal feeds.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalyst system comprising a triethylene diamine salt of thiocyanic acid for epoxy powder coatings, the epoxy compound having a lower softening point of not less than 40.degree. C. The catalysts for these coatings have latent activity in that they remain substantially inactive during mixing and extruding, but are highly effective at the cure temperatures.

Abstract: An improved flexible vacuum bellows is provided for interconnecting flanged pipe sections which comprises a flexible tubular joint member having one or more radially inwardly extending U-shaped convolutions and having bores that align with and are penetrated by fastening means joining the tubular joint member to the pipe sections.