Abstract: An improved pipe is produced from phenylene sulfide/biphenylene sulfide copolymers, The improved pipe has greater flexibility and ductility than pipe produced from normal PPS resin. Such pipe is produced by preparing a phenylene sulfide/biphenylene sulfide copolymer and forming the copolymer into essentially amorphous pipe by extrusion followed by rapid and uniform quench to avoid pipe crystallization, Also disclosed is a method wherein such amorphous pipe is oriented by subsequent die extrusion.

Abstract: A post-fermentation degassing technique is provided which is directed for use in degassing foamed fermentation broths containing cultured microorganisms. Such a broth is charged while pressurized first through a heat exchanger to cool same, and then through a nozzle to form a spray suspension in a gaseous spray chamber located in a gravitationally upper part of a degassing vessel. The spray chamber is vented to the atmosphere. The spray suspension is coalesced to form a bulk liquid phase located in a gravitationally lower portion of the degassing vessel whereby the unpon surface of such bulk liquid phase forms the buttom surface of such spray chamber. The nozzle is so oriented that the spray suspension therefrom is downwardly directed towards the surface of the bulk liquid phase and the layer of foam characteristically formed thereon.

Abstract: A process and fabric for controlling soil erosion which comprises an erosion control mat formed of a scrim having a lightweight web secured thereto to be utilized by applying the erosion control mat to a soil surface. A method of producing such erosion control mat is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved rod baffle heat exchanger and method for manufacturing the same are disclosed in which the tube bundle thereof comprises a plurality of tubes supported intermediate their ends by at least one outer ring and a plurality of baffle rods carried by the outer ring and extending between parallel tube rows. The baffle rods comprise circular standard rods and circular substitute rods wherein the diameter of the substitute rods differs from that of the standard rods. The use of different sized circular rods allows firm contact to be achieved between the rods and tubes of the tube bundle in order to avoid tube vibration while also avoiding the problems of rod-to-tube tolerance buildup.

Abstract: In the adhesion of metallic materials to polymers, new adhesive agents of nitrogen containing hetrocyclic polymers such as compositions of imidazole-pyrridine, pyrrolidone-pyridine, and imidazole-pyrrolidone solutions have been discovered as useful. These agents also exhibit anti-corrosion effects. Adhesion and/or reduction of anti-corrosion can be accomplished by pre-coating the metal material with at least one of these agents prior to applying the polymer, or by preblending the polymer with at least one of these agents followed by applying the blend to the metal, under suitable conditions.

Abstract: A shell unit for use in a two pass shell and tube heat exchanger is provided. The shell unit has a return distributor means for providing direct fluid flow communication between the first pass of the two pass shell and tube heat exchanger and the second pass of the two pass shell and tube heat exchanger without excessive flow obstructions and associated pressure losses.

Abstract: A technique is provided for forming an article having a sharp, detailed edge by thermoforming thermoplastic resin prepregs containing randomly arranged reinforcing fibers and ordered, substantially continuous reinforcing fibers. The thermoforming mold used for this technique has a mold cavity with a wedge-shaped interior portion and a mold plug with a wedge-shaped exterior portion wherein the mold plug is capable of applying additional pressure along its edge section. The randomly arranged reinforcing fibers are utilized to form the sharp edge portion of the resulting article while the ordered, substantially continuous reinforcing fibers are utilized to form the remaining wall portions of the resulting article.

Abstract: An improved pipe is produced from phenylene sulfide/biphenylene sulfide copolymers. The improved pipe has greater flexibility and ductility than pipe produced from normal PPS resin. Such pipe is produced by preparing a phenylene sulfide/biphenylene sulfide copolymer and forming the copolymer into essentially amorphous pipe by extrusion followed by rapid and uniform quench to avoid pipe crystallization. Such amorphous pipe also can be oriented by subsequent die extrusion.

Abstract: A post-fermentation degassing technique is provided for use in degassing foamed fermentation broths containing cultured microorganisms. Such a broth is charged while pressurized through a nozzle to form a spray suspension in a gaseous spray chamber located in a gravitationally upper part of a degassing vessel. The spray chamber is vented to the atmosphere. The spray suspension is coalesced to form a bulk liquid phase located in a gravitationally lower portion of the degassing vessel whereby the upper surface of such bulk liquid phase forms the bottom surface of such spray chamber. The nozzle is so oriented that the spray suspension it produces is downwardly directed towards the surface of the bulk liquid phase and the layer of foam characteristically foamed thereon. Additionally, a portion of the bulk liquid phase is recycled to the upper part of the vessel through a second nozzle to form a second spray suspension which is coalesced into the bulk liquid phase.

Abstract: An improved rod baffle heat exchanger and method for manufacturing the same are disclosed in which the tube bundle thereof comprises a plurality of tubes supported intermediate their ends by at least one outer ring and a plurality of baffle rods carried by the outer ring and extending between parallel tube rows. The baffle rods comprise circular standard rods and circular substitute rods wherein the diameter of the substitute rods differs from that of the standard rods. The use of different sized circular rods allows firm contact to be achieved between the rods and tubes of the tube bundle in order to avoid tube vibration while also avoiding the problems of rod-to-tube tolerance buildup.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for providing efficient cooling of a hot body using a pulse cooling system is disclosed. A flow of compressed gas is used to atomize each pulse of fluid before it enters the cooling channel of the hot body. The atomization of the fluid pulses allows each fluid pulse to be completely vaporized within the cooling channel, and, therefore, allows the hot body to be more efficiently cooled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the level of material within a rotating cylindrical vessel are disclosed in which a rigid member means on the interior of the rotating vessel is fixedly secured to a rod having a longitudinal axis parallel to the rotational axis of the rotating vessel, and wherein the rod extends through one end wall of the vessle to the exterior at which it is fixedly secured to an indicator means. The rigid member means within the vessel is capable of resting at the top surface of the material within the vessel. As the level of material within the vessel is raised or lowered the rigid member means will rotate, thus causing an equal rotation of the rod and the indicator means on the exterior of the vessel. By monitoring the position of the indicator means, the level of material within the vessel can be determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing elongated contaminants from a stream containing pellets and elongated contaminants. The method comprising flowing the stream through a snagging zone in which the contaminants are snagged.

Abstract: A continuous mixer with twin parallel rotors, a feed end and a discharge end is disclosed which is characterized by mismatched rotors. The apexes, or points at which the rotor tips change direction, are substantially misaligned as between the individual rotors of the pair.