Abstract: Hydrogenation reaction apparatus comprising a housing having walls which define a reaction zone and conduits for introducing streams of hydrogen and oxygen into the reaction zone, the oxygen being introduced into a central portion of the hydrogen stream to maintain a boundary layer of hydrogen along the walls of the reaction zone. A portion of the hydrogen and all of the oxygen react to produce a heated gas stream having a temperature within the range of from 1100.degree. to 1900.degree. C., while the boundary layer of hydrogen maintains the wall temperature at a substantially lower temperature. The heated gas stream is introduced into a hydrogenation reaction zone and provides the source of heat and hydrogen for a hydrogenation reaction. There also is provided means for quenching the products of the hydrogenation reaction. The present invention is particularly suitable for the hydrogenation of low-value solid carbonaceous materials to provide high yields of more valuable liquid and gaseous products.

Abstract: A gas-shielded, metal-arc, pulse welding process which comprises establishing an arc with a consumable metal electrode in a gas-shielded environment. A direct current in the range of from about 15 to 80 amps is applied to the electrode and pulsated at a frequency of from about 5000 to 25,000 pulses per second to a first maximum amplitude of from 100 to 125% of the minimum current required to produce a spray transfer of metal from the electrode. The pulsating current applied to the electrode is cyclically increased at a frequency of from about 90 to 400 cycles per second to a second maximum amplitude of from about 150 to 600% of the minimum current required to produce a spray transfer of metal from the electrode and is maintained at the second maximum amplitude for a time within the range of from 5 to 50% of each cycle. The process is particularly applicable to automatic welding processes wherein the weld must be accomplished out-of-position.

Abstract: A method of producing high yields of olefins from hydrocarbon feedstocks which is particularly applicable to heavy hydrocarbons. In accordance with the present method, a stream of gaseous oxygen is introduced into a first reaction zone and a cocurrent flow of hydrogen is introduced about the periphery of the gaseous oxygen stream, the hydrogen being introduced at a temperature at which it will spontaneously react with the oxygen. The hydrogen and oxygen are introduced in amounts to provide a gas stream of reaction products having an average temperature within the range of from about 1,000.degree. to 2,000.degree. C. and which comprises a major amount of hydrogen and a minor amount of water vapor. The gas stream so produced is introduced into a second reaction zone and impinged upon a stream of hydrocarbon which is heated to a temperature in excess of its melting point but below the temperature at which any substantial coke or tar forms.

Abstract: A process for the decomposition of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) with negligible environmental pollution. The process comprises feeding the PCB and a source of oxygen to a molten salt comprising an alkali metal carbonate and preferably also an alkali metal sulfate to decompose the PCB by pyrolysis and oxidation. Some of the resulting decomposition products react with and are retained in the molten salt; the remaining gaseous products pass through the melt and are safely exhaustable to the atmosphere or, alternatively, the PCB is introduced into a first zone for partial pyrolysis and oxidation and then into a second reaction zone for further oxidation of any remaining combustible gases.

Abstract: Disclosure is made of a method and apparatus for reacting carbonaceous material such as pulverized coal with heated hydrogen to form hydrocarbon gases and liquids suitable for conversion to fuels wherein the reaction involves injection of pulverized coal entrained in a minimum amount of gas and mixing the entrained coal at ambient temperature with a separate source of heated hydrogen. The heated hydrogen and entrained coal are injected through a rocket engine type injector device. The coal particles are reacted with hydrogen in a reaction chamber downstream of the injector. The products of reaction are rapidly quenched as they exit the reaction chamber and are subsequently collected.

Abstract: A new composition of matter comprising europium carboxide and method of preparing the same and other lanthanide carboxides, wherein a particulate mass of the lanthanide and carbon monoxide gas in an amount sufficient to form a lanthanide carboxide of the formula M.sub.2 CO, wherein M is at least one element having an atomic number of from 57 thru 71, inclusive, are introduced into a reaction zone. The reaction zone is maintained at a temperature of from about 400.degree. to 1500.degree. C. for a time sufficient to form the desired lanthanide carboxide.

Abstract: The rechargeable electrical energy storage device including spaced-apart negative electrode and positive electrode structures immersed in an electrolyte which is molten at the operating temperature of the device wherein the positive electrode structure comprises a housing for containing a body of electropositive active material, said housing having at least one open face, an electrolyte permeable member affixed to the housing and covering said open face for retaining said active material in said housing and said housing and electrolyte permeable member comprising material selected from the group consisting of steel, nickel, copper and alloys thereof having at least an 8 .mu.m thick electroless nickel coating thereon. In accordance with the present invention it has been found that such an electroless nickel coating permits the use of relatively inexpensive conductive materials such as steel, nickel, copper and alloys thereof and provides the corrosion resistance required in the molten electrolyte.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage system and method for storing substantial quantities of heat for extended periods of time. The system includes a heat collecting liquid which is in a heat-exchange relationship with a source of heat or thermal energy, a housing containing a large volume of particulate material such as rocks for the storage of thermal energy, a heat transfer gas in a heat-exchange relationship with the rocks and means for causing the heat collecting liquid and the heat transfer gas to flow in counter-current, indirect heat-exchange relationship with one another, the means further includes provisions for reversing the direction of flow of the liquid and gas for the introduction and removal of heat from a portion of the body of rock.

Abstract: A method for reacting pulverized coal with heated hydrogen-rich gas to form hydrocarbon liquids suitable for conversion to fuels wherein the reaction involves injection of pulverized coal entrained in a minimum amount of gas and mixing the entrained coal at ambient temperature with a separate source of heated hydrogen. In accordance with the present invention, the hydrogen is heated by reacting a small portion of the hydrogen-rich gas with oxygen in a first reaction zone to form a gas stream having a temperature in excess of about 1000.degree. C. and comprising a major amount of hydrogen and a minor amount of water vapor. The coal particles then are reacted with the hydrogen in a second reaction zone downstream of the first reaction zone. The products of reaction may be rapidly quenched as they exit the second reaction zone and are subsequently collected.

Abstract: A process for removing sulfur oxides from a hot gas by sequential absorption of the sulfur oxides in two zones. In each zone the hot gas is contacted with an aqueous scrubbing medium which may be a solution or slurry containing an absorbent for the sulfur oxides. The absorbent is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal carbonates, bicarbonates and mixtures thereof. The preferred absorbent is sodium carbonate. The aqueous solution is introduced into the first zone in an amount to produce (1) a dry powder reaction product containing alkali metal sulfites, and sulfates, substantially free of unreacted absorbent and (2) a substantially water-unsaturated gaseous reaction product of reduced sulfur oxide content.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of collecting and storing oxide impurities contained in high-temperature liquid alkali metal. A method and apparatus are provided for nucleating and precipitating oxide impurities by cooling, wherein the nucleation and precipitation are enhanced by causing a substantial increase in pressure drop and corresponding change in the velocity head of the alkali metal. Thereafter the liquid alkali metal is introduced into a quiescent zone wherein the liquid velocity is maintained below a specific maximum whereby it is possible to obtain high oxide removal efficiencies without the necessity of a mesh or filter.

Abstract: A method for the dense-phase flow of particulate solids utilizes a pressurized feeder and flow splitter which transports and equally divides particulate material at essentially the bulk density with only the gas contained in interstices of the solid particles being used to transport the particles. The feeder comprises a vessel which is pressurized, a gas source for pressurization and an outlet line with a full opening valve located immediately adjacent to the feeder. The loaded vessel containing particulate matter is pressurized, followed by opening the valve adjacent the feeder, the valve and relatively empty downstream line when flow is initiated being the key to successful operation of the dense-phase feeder. The downstream flow divider evenly distributes the dense-phase material to, for example, a multiplicity of feed passages in a multi-passage injector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the concentration of a component of a gas stream. The gas stream to be monitored is heated to a desired temperature and passed through an insulated gas passageway of a conduit member. The heated gas passes sequentially through a perforate metal shield and a body of a particulate catalyst. The temperature of the heated gas entering and leaving the conduit member is monitored and any increase in temperature is correlatable with the component concentration in the gas stream. The method and apparatus are particularly suitable for monitoring the concentration of hydrogen or oxygen in a gas stream.

Abstract: Disclosure is made of an apparatus for reacting carbonaceous material with heated hydrogen to form hydrocarbon gases and liquids suitable for conversion to fuels wherein the reaction involves injection of carbonaceous material such as pulverized coal entrained in a minimum amount of gas and mixing the entrained coal at near ambient temperature with a separate source of heated hydrogen. The hydrogen is heated in a coil having an increasing inside diameter. The heated hydrogen and entrained coal are injected through a rocket engine type injector device. The coal particles are reacted with hydrogen in a reaction chamber downstream of the injector. The products of reaction are rapidly quenched as they exit the reaction chamber and are subsequently collected.

Abstract: A method of testing fibrous elements for their ability to effectively coalesce and separate water from an impure petroleum compound selected from the group consisting of crude oil and distillate fractions thereof. The method comprises introducing a reproducible emulsion consisting essentially of water and a substantially pure organic solvent into contact with a fibrous, coalescer element contained in a test zone. Separate streams of coalesced water and organic solvent are withdrawn from the zone. The predominant stream is passed between a source of light and a light-measuring means. The intensity of the light received by the light-measuring means is indicative of, and used as, the criterion for determining the acceptability of the coalescer element.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of copper or lead from a sulfide ore concentrate containing the same. The ore concentrate, a carbonaceous material, an alkali metal carbonate and gaseous oxygen are introduced into a reaction zone to form a reaction mixture. The amount of carbonaceous material introduced is sufficient to reduce all of the copper or lead constituent of the sulfide ore to its elemental state in a single stage. A sufficient excess of carbonaceous material is provided to react with the oxygen and generate heat in situ to maintain the reaction zone at a temperature of from about 600.degree. to 1350.degree. C. thereby causing reduction of the metal sulfide to substantially pure copper or lead for recovery. The sulfur constituents of the ore react with the alkali metal carbonate to form sulfides. The other metal constituents of the ore are retained in the molten reaction mixture.

Abstract: A method of treating an aqueous alkali metal sulfide-containing liquor to remove the sulfur values therefrom. Broadly, the method comprises introducing an alkaline liquor containing an alkali metal sulfide into a neutralization zone where it is intimately contacted and reacted with a sufficient amount of a gas containing a major amount of H.sub.2 S and a minor amount of CO.sub.2 to produce a product liquor of reduced alkalinity consisting essentially of a slurry of alkali metal bicarbonate and alkali metal bisulfide. The product liquor is withdrawn from the neutralization zone and introduced into a carbonation zone where it is contacted with a sufficient amount of a CO.sub.2 -containing gas to produce a product stream comprising a slurry of alkali metal bicarbonate crystals substantially free of alkali metal bisulfide and an H.sub.2 S-rich product gas containing a minor amount of CO.sub.2. The H.sub.

Abstract: A method of assembling a lithium alloy/molten salt/metal chalocogenide, high-energy density electrochemical device. Broadly, the method comprises providing a negative electrode structure in intimate contact with an electrolyte, which is conductive at elevated temperatures. There also is provided in contact with the electrolyte a positive electrode structure which includes a current-collecting substrate containing a sulfur and oxygen compound of at least one alkali metal in intimate admixture with a particulate metal. An electric current is passed from one electrode to the other to cause such device to be in a desired state of elecrochemical charge, whereby when said device is in a charged state a negative electrode active material comprises an alkali metal alloy and the positive electrode active material comprises a mixture of oxides and sulfides of the particulate metal.

Abstract: An organic waste containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of strontium, cesium, iodine and ruthenium is treated to achieve a substantial reduction in the volume of the waste and provide for fixation of the selected element in an inert salt. The method of treatment comprises introducing the organic waste and a source of oxygen into a molten salt bath maintained at an elevated temperature to produce solid and gaseous reaction products. The gaseous reaction products comprise carbon dioxide and water vapor, and the solid reaction products comprise the inorganic ash constituents of the organic waste and the selected element which is retained in the molten salt. The molten salt bath comprises one or more alkali metal carbonates, and may optionally include from 1 to about 25 wt.% of an alkali metal sulfate.

Abstract: An electrochemical device for sensing fluid components, particularly gases, comprises a composition with which the component reacts to liberate elemental chlorine, bromine, fluorine or iodine. The chlorine, bromine, fluorine or iodine passes through a particulate layer of vitreous carbon and activates the positive electrode of a solid ionic electrolyte battery of the type: halogen/solid ionic electrolyte/metal electrode, whereby a voltage is generated across a measuring device, the voltage being a known measure of the concentration of the fluid component.