Abstract: A composition of matter suitable for increasing the viscosity of liquids comprises tendrillar carbonaceous material (TCM) having a ultra low bulk density of less than about 0.1 g/cm.sup.3 and comprises intertwined tendrils having a diameter (number average) of from about 0.05 to about 0.2 micron and a length (number average) to diameter (number average) ratio greater than about 10, the tendrils comprising carbon fibers and an iron metal component dispersed throughout the carbon fibers as nodules that are intimately associated with and at least partially bonded to the carbon fibers, the tendrillar carbonaceous material comprising from about 0.1 to about 5% by weight iron. The TCM can be used as a viscosifier and for suspending solids in such applications as drilling muds, lubricating oils and greases. The TCM can be prepared by disproportionating carbon monoxide in the presence of iron contained in a blend of (1) previously formed TCM and (2) iron containing particles.

Abstract: There is provided a slagging coal combustion system suitable for retrofitting boilers, furnaces and industrial-process heat generators originally designed to burn oil or gas. It comprises a primary combustion chamber into which oxidizer and fuel are injected to provide high-velocity, rotational-flow combustion zones, such that the fuel is burned substoichiometrically, while in flight, with up to 90% of the resultant ash being removed as molten ash. The combustion products pass from the primary chamber to chamber where slag is removed and the gaseous products are passed to end-use equipment. A coal-fired precombustor subsystem feeds partially-heated air as the oxidizer to the primary combustion chamber supply of oxidizer, at any selected temperature within the range from about 1200.degree. F. to about 2000.degree. F. The stoichiometry of this precombustor and the velocity and mass-flow rates of its output stream are independently controllable.

Abstract: In a combustion zone a fuel injector is immersed in a mixture of oxidant and products of combustion having a temperature of about 2000 degrees F. or higher. In order to maintain rapid and stable combustion, it is desirable to avoid excessive absorption of thermal energy from this mixture. To that end, the present invention provides means for impeding transfer of heat to the fuel injector from the adjacent mixture, such that portions of the mixture immediately adjacent the fuel injector may be kept at a temperature of approximately the ash-fusion temperature of the fuel, or higher, while the interior of the fuel injector is kept at a temperature substantially below the ash-fusion temperature. This means for impeding heat transfer preferably comprises at least one material having a thermal conductivity substantially lower than that of the fuel injector and, in a preferred embodiment, consists essentially of slag formed from noncombustible-mineral constituents of the fuel.

Abstract: A fluidized bed disproportionation of carbon monoxide is effected using ferrous metal component-containing catalysts in particulate form. The bed also contains an abradant to continuously remove from the surface of those particles a substantial quantity of the carbonaceous fibers formed on those surfaces. The method produces a carbonaceous material of desired carbon and ferrous metal content. The process allows the use of two beds in series for producing high carbon content products.

Abstract: Carbonaceous materials comprising major amounts of carbon, and minor amounts of hydrogen and ferrous group metal components, particularly nickel and cobalt, react with steam at low temperatures, and produce commercially attractive quantities of such gases as hydrogen, methane, carbon oxides and other light hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combusting solid fuel by introducing a mixture of fuel particles and carrier fluid into a reaction chamber near the center of one end of a combustion chamber and injecting oxidizer gas tangentially into the chamber to establish a swirling flow of gas, fuel particles, and combustion products within a region adjacent the chamber walls. The mass flow rates of oxidizer gas and fuel are regulated to maintain a relatively oxygen-rich stoichiometry within an annular region and a relatively fuel-rich stoichiometry within a central region, and to cause flow of the oxidizer gas and combustion products thru the reaction chamber with throughput residence times of the order of a few hundred milliseconds. This combination of a fuel-rich core portion and a relatively oxygen-rich annular zone effects oxidation of most of the carbon content of the fuel before it reaches the walls and avoids reduction of metal compounds in the fuel, all without overall excess-air combustion.

Abstract: A crushed hydrocarbon-bearing material containing hydrocarbon and foreign mineral constituents is dispersed in fused alkali metal caustic to remove the sulfur content and release the foreign mineral matter from the hydrocarbon material for recovery and/or upgrading of the hydrocarbon content. The process permits recovery of 80-95% of the available kerogen or other hydrocarbon in a mineral matrix such as oil shale rock and conditions a solid fossil fuel such as coal, as well as the kerogen or other hydrocarbon released from the mineral matrix, for removal of substantially all remaining ash and other foreign mineral matter by subsequent washing of the hydrocarbon product in an aqueous solution of acid.

Abstract: In-situ retorting methods include forming an in-situ mass of rubblized, hydrocarbon-containing minerals covering at least part of that mass with a nonflammable liquid such as water, uncovering part of the mass and retorting to produce hydrocarbon values from that part, and then progressively or sequentially uncovering other parts of the mass and retorting hydrocarbons from those parts. Methods for forming highly permeable rubblized masses include forming a retorting zone in a kerogen-bearing formation wherein two walls of the retorting zone form a low angle to one another, and cleaving oil shale from the upper wall beginning near the intersection of the two walls and proceeding upwardly.

Abstract: This invention relates to the distribution of electrical power to subsea petroleum recovery installations, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for sensing and limiting the electrical current drawn through power cables disposed on the sea floor. A transformer having primary winding and a secondary winding is located at a subsea power distribution module and has its primary winding connected in series with the power cable. A variable impedance device is connected to the secondary winding and is actuated, in response to a control signal indicative of the current drawn through the power cable, to substantially open-circuit the secondary winding when the current exceeds a predetermined value. Additionally, the variable impedance device substantially short-circuits the secondary winding when the load current falls to a level less than a preselected minimum value.

Abstract: A time temperature indicator in the physical form of a substantially planar label-like member that can be placed on perishable products to give a visual indication of deterioration or spoilage of the product due to its exposure to temperature. The indicator includes a galvanic cell which serves both as power source and, by virtue of a partly consumable electrode, as an indicating coulometer, indicating charge transfer wherein the charge transferred is an electrical analog of the time integral of the deterioration rate of the product as a function of temperature; the analog of the deterioration rate is the current drawn from the cell when a device having a current drain which is an approximate exponential function of temperature is connected to the terminals of the cell. The visual indication is provided by the contrast of the prearranged pattern of a protected part of the consumable electrode against the electrolyte which becomes visible when the unprotected part of the electrode is consumed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for combusting carbonaceous fuels includes a reaction chamber defining a reaction zone and means for injecting fuel and oxidizer gas in a manner to produce in the reaction zone a wheel-type flow of the fuel-gas mixture. In preferred embodiments, the high velocity wheel-type flow operates to suspend fuel or other reactant particles in the swirling gas for residence times required for substantially complete reaction of the particles prior to the particles impinging against the walls of the reaction chamber. High angular veocities and the resulting centrifugal forces operate to remove substantially all slag from the gas as it approaches the downstream end of the reaction chamber. Operating temperatures are maintained at a level to avoid excessive volatilization of slag and thereby promote separation of liquid slag from the gaseous reaction products.

Abstract: A large cathode structure having a diameter on the order of 50 cm for producing uniform plasmas in a magnetic field. The cathode is oxide-coated and indirectly heated by a plurality of heater wires disposed in insulating tubes arranged parallel to each other. The cathode is pressed against the insulating tubes thereby to maintain it substantially flat in spite of expansion and contraction due to the heating and cooling effects. Optionally, the insulating tubes carrying the heater wires may be backed up by a second set of insulating tubes disposed at right angles to the first set. An annular ring is disposed about the cathode and is provided with tungsten springs for forcing the cathode against the heater tubes. This ring may additionally serve as a heat shield and maintain the temperature more uniform about the periphery of the cathode. For large cathodes, the structure may be water cooled by the provision of two copper tubes through which the water flows.

Abstract: A plasma isotope separation process and apparatus. The plasma must be generated and moved into an excitation region for the differential heating of a selected isotope. This motion is accomplished by a crossed magnetic and electric field whereby charged particles move normal to the direction of both fields. The plasma is generated by electrons liberated from hot filaments and the electric field is generated by a plurality of electrodes forming an anode for providing an electric field in a desired direction. An alternating electric voltage may additionally be imparted to the anode to generate an alternating electric field, thereby to differentially excite the isotope of the plasma.

Abstract: Isotope separation apparatus consisting of a plurality of cells disposed adjacent to each other in an evacuated container. A common magnetic field is established extending through all of the cells. A source of energetic electrons at one end of the container generates electrons which pass through the cells along the magnetic field lines. Each cell includes an array of collector plates arranged in parallel or in tandem within a common magnetic field. Sets of collector plates are disposed adjacent to each other in each cell. Means are provided for differentially energizing ions of a desired isotope by applying energy at the cyclotron resonant frequency of the desired isotope. As a result, the energized desired ions are preferentially collected by the collector plates.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel aromatic diamine and more particularly to the use of said diamine for the preparation of thermally stable high-molecular weight polymers including, for example, polyamides, polyamideimides, polyimides, and the like. This diamine is obtained by reacting a stoichometric amount of a disodium salt of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane with 4-chloronitrobenzene to obtain an intermediate, 2,2-bis[4-(4-nitrophenoxy)phenyl] hexafluoropropane, which is reduced to the corresponding 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl] hexafluoropropane.

Abstract: A process for the in-situ recovery of minerals from subsurface deposits comprises forming a gas-tight or self-sealing chamber and injecting into it a solvent which is pressure cycled over a predetermined period of time. This pressure cycling increases the mineral extraction efficiency by improving the dissolution of material contained in blind cracks in the underground formation.

Abstract: A monopropellant fluid is ignited in a combustion chamber to form a pressurized gas volume which may include the interior of a piston valve opening into the combustion chamber. A first gas path leading out of the combustion chamber conducts gas to surface areas of the piston so as to exert pressure urging the piston valve closed. A second gas path leading out of the combustion chamber conducts gas to other surface areas of the piston so as to exert pressure urging the piston valve to open a plurality of radial exhaust ports which vent the gas out of the combustion chamber and thereby generate a sonic pulse. Periodic opening and closing of the piston valve causes a train of sonic pulses to be generated.

Abstract: An improved holographic recording instrument for recording on a holographic recording medium two successive holograms of the structure under differing stress conditions to produce a holographic interferogram containing information defining a deformation fringe pattern representing the deformations in the structure resulting from the change in stress conditions. A holographic recording unit for the instrument and for general holographic recording use.

Abstract: In a process for the recovery of resources from underground geological structures, the process is improved by fracturing the walls of the underground structure and large boulders or rocks by inducing thermal gradients in the deposits. Determination of the thermal gradients which will produce the desired fracturing pattern in each specific deposit involves subjecting a core sample to a controlled heating program. When the heating program has been established from tests on the core sample, it is then applied to the underground formation.

Abstract: A broadband waveguide mixer suitable for the microwave and millimeter wave regions is described. The mixer is characterized by having a unique dual-guide mixer mount through which extends two parallel and spaced waveguides. The RF wave and the local oscillator wave are respectively impressed on the two waveguides via a hybrid coupler. A pair of crossbars extend through each waveguide. A pair of diodes connected back-to-back are disposed in each waveguide and are connected to the respective crossbars. Each pair of diodes has a polarity opposite to that of the other pair. The output is derived from a coaxial cable connected to the adjacent ends of the two crossbars. The input signals may be applied by a folded hybrid tee or a short slot hybrid coupler to simplify the input structure. The mixer has low noise and broadband performance.