Abstract: A tube loading assembly for use in loading a tube on a flexible mandrel of a tube bending machine; said assembly comprising mandrel receiving means for receiving said mandrel; mandrel alignment means for aligning said received mandrel to be co-axial with said tube; and means for feeding said tube on said co-axially aligned mandrel. The assembly is of use with tubes to be bent for use in automotive exhaust systems, heat exchangers and aircraft hydraulic systems, and provides for improved automatic loading speeds.

Abstract: Process for bleaching lignocellulosic material comprising an oxygen bleaching treatment and an enzymatic treatment with a substantially cellulase-free xylanase, which process is compatible with, and can be incorporated into, conventional bleaching sequences. The process provides a delignified and bleached pulp using lower amounts of chlorine-containing compounds, and the opportunity of eliminating the use of elemental chlorine, thereby reducing the polluting effluent from a pulp mill employing the process. Also, a greater extent of delignification can be achieved while retaining acceptable pulp strength properties. The oxygen bleaching treatment and the enzynmatic treatment are done in series.

Abstract: A continuous two-stage peroxide bleaching process operated in a single bleach plant for producing a bleached pulp of high brightness, having a second stage bleaching step using a high charge of peroxide followed by a washing stage to recover the residual liquor containing a substantial amount of the applied peroxide. The residual liquor is recycled and used for bleaching in the first stage. Only a portion of the pulp bleached in the first stage is treated in the second stage. Two or more bleached pulp products can be produced simultaneously. The bleached pulp products can be used to form different layers of a multi-layer paper products.

Abstract: Process for separating sulphate from a contaminating chromium component contained in an aqueous liquor by the crystallization of a sulphate compound. The sulphate may be separated substantially free of chromium component by adjustment of the pH to the range of from about 2.0 to about 6.5, followed by cooling of the liquor to precipitate the sulphate compound from solution which sulphate is subsequently removed. The process provides an effective method for the separation of sulphate from dichromate, and is particularly useful in the production of chlorate.

Abstract: An exploding bridge wire (EBW) initiator assembly is provided which is particularly adapted for the initiation of an attached length of low energy shock wave conductor. The EBW comprises a hollow tube having an exploding bridge wire in one end of the tube, which directly initiates a length of shock wave conductor inserted into the opposite end of the tube. The entire assembly may be housed within a protective enclosure adapted for snap-fit connection with a source of electrical energy. The initiator can be initiated by relatively low voltage power supplies and is significantly safer than conventional EBW initiators.

Abstract: A process for the production of a chemically gassed emulsion explosive wherein a chemical gassing agent is added to the emulsion as an essentially dry particulate powder. The process allows for the production of stable emulsion explosives which have more controllable emulsion explosive characteristics.

Abstract: A chemically sensitized dry explosive is provided, which can be used as a blasting agent, per se, or can be used in the production of a wide variety of explosive compositions. The compositions are typically manufactured from an unstable emulsion explosive and have a chemical sensitizer in either the continuous or discontinuous phase. The compositions are characterized in that they comprise 5 to 30% water in the discontinuous phase after crystallization of the composition.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for the manufacture of a coarse emulsion blasting agent and a method for the conversion of same into a sensitive blasting explosive. The apparatus comprises a low shear mechanical mixer in which a coarse emulsion can be continuously prepared. The coarse emulsion is then passed though a fine emulsification motionless mixer for conversion into sensitive explosive.

Abstract: An emulsion explosive composition comprising a discontinuous oxidizer phase and a continuous fuel phase is provided wherein the fuel phase comprises a nitroalkane compound. The composition essentially contains as the emulsifying agent a polyisobutylene succinic anhydride-based compound in admixture with an ester of 1-4 sorbitan and oleic acid. The composition demonstrates high explosive strength and excellent stability.

Abstract: An emulsion explosive composition comprising a discontinuous oxidizer phase and a continuous fuel phase is provided wherein the fuel phase comprises an aromatic hydrocarbon compound. The composition essentially contains as the emulsifying agent a polyisobutylene succinic anyhdride-based compound in admixture with an ester of 1-4 sorbitan and oleic acid. The composition demonstrates high explosive strength and excellent stability.

Abstract: Vesiculated granules of cross-linked carboxylated polyester resin prepared by the free radical polymerization of a dispersion of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a carboxylated unsaturated polyester resin having an acid value of from 5-50 mg KOH/g and an alkyl acryloyl derivative. Aqueous compositions comprising the granules are used in conjunction with fibrous cellulosic or non-cellulosic materials for the preparation of paper containing the vesiculated polymeric granules dispersed therein. The paper has improved optical opacity.

Abstract: A rapid, single stage process for the bleaching of high yield lignocellulose pulp (mechanical pulp) to enhanced brightness levels with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of magnesium sulphate and sodium silicate, with a substantial reduction in the wasteful, non-bleaching reactions of hydrogen peroxide. The residual hydrogen peroxide liquor may be recycled to a pulping or bleaching process.

Abstract: An improved plastic film cartridge for flowable explosives is provided. The cartridge comprises a recessed or indented end configuration which recess can be enlarged to provide a locating and retaining pocket for a blasting cap without any penetration of the cartridge film wall. The recess is maintained by means of an internal, elastic cord or strip attached between the sealed ends of the cartridge.

Abstract: An improved plastic film cartridge for flowable explosives is provided. The cartridge comprises a recessed or indented end configuration which recess can be enlarged to provide a locating and retaining pocket for a blasting cap without any penetration of the cartridge film wall. The recess is maintained by means of an internal, elastic cord or strip attached between the sealed ends of the cartridge.

Abstract: Vesiculated granules of cross-linked carboxylated polyester resin prepared by the free radical polymerization of a dispersion of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a carboxylated unsaturated polyester resin having an acid value of from 5-50 mg KOH/g and an alkyl acryloyl derivative. Aqueous compositions comprising the granules are used in conjunction with fibrous cellulosic or non-cellulosic materials for the preparation of paper containing the vesiculated polymeric granules dispersed therein. The paper has improved optical opacity.

Abstract: Vesiculated granules of cross-linked carboxylated polyester resin prepared by the free radical polymerization of a dispersion of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a carboxylated unsaturated polyester resin having an acid value of from 5-50 mg KOH/g and an alkyl acryloyl derivative. Aqueous compositions comprising the granules are used in conjunction with fibrous cellulosic or non-cellulosic materials for the preparation of paper containing the vesiculated polymeric granules dispersed therein. The paper has improved optical opacity.

Abstract: A natural gas storage and retrieval system which comprises natural gas storage means adapted to receive and store natural gas under pressure and a natural gas displacing liquid under pressure; means for feeding natural gas under pressure to said natural gas storage means whereby said stored displacing fluid is displaced; means for feeding said displacing liquid under pressure to said natural gas storage means whereby said stored natural gas is displaced; and means for collecting said displaced natural gas. The system provides a fast fill compressed natural gas station in which the storage inventory is significantly reduced with consequent improvement in environmental safety.

Abstract: A process for removing dichromates from chlorate-rich solutions containing hypochlorite and dichromate ions and produced by the electrolysis of brine. The dichromate is reduced in a two-stage process by the addition of ammonia under controlled conditions of pH and temperature to a mixed di- and trivalent chromium hydroxide which is precipitated from solution and removed. The process provides an economical method of recovering chromium from electrolytically produced chlorate solutions.

Abstract: Absorption and drying towers for treating sulphur trioxide process gases and air, respectively, with concentrated sulphuric acid in the manufacture of sulphuric acid. Each tower has a suitably shaped downwardly angled gas delivery duct protruding into a lower chamber of the tower to prevent acid from entering inside the duct. Each tower also has its lower chamber defined by the base of the tower and a suitably formed packing support. Additional packing is interposed between the lower walls of the tower and the packing support. Improved corrosion resistance of the metal components is obtained.

Abstract: A novel heterogeneous, cap-sensitive high explosive is provided which comprises a crystalline inorganic nitrate salt having dispersed throughout the matrix of the salt crystal a hydroxyalkyl nitrate fuel. Particularly preferred are ammonium nitrate crystals having dispersed therein ethylene glycol mononitrate. The crystalline high explosive is dry and free flowing and may be used per se, in admixture with bulking agents or fluidizing agents or may be used as a replacement for a substantial amount of nitroglycerine in conventional dynamite compositions.