Abstract: A tube compressor for expressing the contents of collapsible but not permanently deformable tubes is provided having upper and lower tube compressing members which can be subjected to counter-rotational movement to move the compressing members along the length of the tube to be compressed while confirming the contents of the tube to the area between the compressing members and the opening of the tube.

Abstract: A blast furnace taphole plugging composition comprising a coal tar binder, a refractory filler and a very heavy aromatic petroleum oil which fails to polymerize at the high heating rates experienced during normal application of the taphole mix to the taphole. Preferred aromatic petroleum oils useful in the present invention have a minimum boiling temperature of 700.degree. F. and above and a boiling range between 700.degree. F. and 1000.degree. F. Methods of making and using such plasticized tar bonded blast furnace taphole mixes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions for forming carbon-containing refractory brick or shape comprising a refractory filler, a binder for said filler and a hardening agent for said binder, said binder comprising a mixture of polymers formed by the homopolymerization of resorcinol. Compositions for forming a carbon-containing refractory brick or shape as above described are also disclosed in which a basic refractory filler is employed and hardening agents are unnecessary. Methods of forming carbon-containing refractory brick or shape are also disclosed involving milling of a dry binder comprising a mixture of polymers formed by the homopolymerization of resorcinol with the refractory filler or mixture of a solution of such a binder material with the refractory filler, either of which may be conducted at ambient temperature.

Abstract: A non-aqueous taphole mix comprising a binder, a non-aqueous solvent for the binder and a refractory filler, the binder comprising a mixture of polymers formed by the homopolymerization of resorcinol and a hardening agent. Also disclosed are carbon-containing specialties comprising a binder, a solvent for the binder, and a refractory filler, the binder comprising a mixture of polymers formed by the homopolymerization of resorcinol and a hardening agent.