Abstract: Acid Phosphates are used, in either the gas or liquid phase, to catalyze the alkylation of phenols by an alcohol to selectively form alkyl aryl ethers.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a process for preparing hydroxy mononuclear aromatic compounds by reacting an alkali metal hydroxide with a mononuclear aromatic compound, e.g., benzene, xylene or toluene. The reaction is carried out in the presence of a metallic hydrogenation catalyst, suitably copper, nickel, rhodium or cobalt, the metal being present in an amount sufficient for catalyzing the reaction. The hydroxy mononuclear aromatic compound is then formed by adding a protonating agent to the resulting reaction product, with the protonating agent liberating the hydroxy compound from the salt.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a process for preparing polyhydroxy aromatic compounds by reacting an alkali metal hydroxide with a hydroxymononuclear aromatic compound, e.g., phenol or resorcinol. The reaction is carried out in the presence of a metallic hydrogenation catalyst, suitably nickel, or cobalt, the metal being present in an amount sufficient for catalyzing the reaction. The polyhydroxy aromatic compound is then formed by adding a protonating agent to the reaction product, with the protonating agent liberating the hydroxy compound from the salt.

Abstract: A cryopump of vertically tiered individual generally conical shaped sections with linearly increasing base diameters arranged smaller to larger base diameter as the distance increases from the coldest end of elongated refrigeration source. Individual cryopanels are a surface of revolution with tapered bayonet joint interlocking portions to permit ease of assembly while maintaining good thermal contact between sections.

Abstract: A flow tube to distinguish between different gases or gas mixtures flowing through the tube, the tube being sized so that a first or control gas or gas mixture is selected and the properties of the control gas or gas mixture are such that when the control gas or gas mixture flows through the tube a shock wave of a given magnitude is formed at the discharge end of the tube. A second gas flowing in the tube forms a shock wave of different magnitude at the discharge end of the tube; detection of a difference in the magnitude of the shock wave being the operative distinguishing means.

Abstract: An exhaust system for a cryogenic freezer is set forth wherein the system senses the temperature of an aperture in the freezer to detect any outward passage of cryogenic vapors and based upon that sensing, controllably operates an exhaust fan to remove such cryogenic vapors.

Abstract: To improve the column dynamics of commercial pelleted sodium aluminosilicate zeolite adsorbents used in gas separation, the pellets are treated by washing in dilute aqueous mineral acid. The treatment is most effective as applied to sodium mordenite pellets, employing hydrochloric acid of about 0.1 normality.

Abstract: Method of separating oxygen or nitrogen from air using as an oxygen acceptor composition a molten solution of alkali metal salt of a cation composition of sodium and potassium cations and an anion composition of 50 to 94% nitrate, 4 to 25% nitrite and combined oxide, peroxide and superoxide wherein said oxides are present in less than 1 mol % based on sodium peroxide.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the solvent content and increasing the sticking temperature of polyvinyl alcohol, which is prepared from the alcoholysis of polyvinyl acetate, charged to a dryer. The polyvinyl alcohol from the alcoholysis reaction, without prior vacuum drying at an elevated temperature, is slurried in a liquid medium comprising methanol, methyl acetate, water and, optionally, a nonsolvent for polyvinyl alcohol. The slurry is heated to at least 60.degree. C. for at least 5 minutes. The polyvinyl alcohol burnt particle count is reduced in the subsequent drying step and a product is afforded which has a reduced ash content and increased cold water solubility and low temperature solubility.

Abstract: A plant for producing gaseous oxygen which plant comprises a heat exchanger (6) for cooling feed air, a double distillation column (7) having a high pressure column (8) for receiving at least part of said feed air, and a low pressure column (15), a liquid oxygen storage vessel (19) communicating with said low pressure column (15) and a liquid storage vessel (37) communicating with said high pressure column (8), characterized in that said plant further comprises an expander (27) arranged to expand vapor from said high pressure column (8) and pass the expanded vapor through said heat exchanger (6) and further characterized in that said plant comprises means to control the flow of vapor through said expander (27).

Abstract: Novel construction is disclosed for a thermally insulated chamber for batch treatment of materials therein at low temperature wherein frequent opening and closing of the outer door of the chamber is practiced. The chamber walls as well as the insulated outer door of the chamber are constructed of rigid but relatively light metallic frames which remain at near ambient temperature. These frames are covered by sheet metal linings on their outer faces and by a plurality of abutting sheet metal inner liners spaced from the outer liners, the space therebetween being filled with insulating material. Buckling and warping of the walls and door as a result of shrinkage is avoided by limiting the maximum linear dimension of each inner liner, by provision of flexible expansion joints in the inner surface and flexible support members which attach the linings to the basic framework, so arranged that paths of only low thermal conductance occur.

Abstract: An apparatus for shielding a stream of molten metal during teeming comprises a housing (106) and a ceramic ring (105). The ceramic ring (105) is made of compressible material and is tapered so that on insertion in the housing (106) it readily forms a seal with lips (107) and (113) which project inwardly from the outer wall (111) of the housing (106).

Abstract: An automatic air carbon-arc cutting and gouging torch having a fixed drive wheel for moving an electrode through an insulated housing and through a nozzle adapted to conduct air in a semi-circular pattern along the electrode. Electrical current is supplied to the electrode through a contact shoe supported by and biased to the electrode by a lever arm, the shoe causing the electrode to frictionally engage the drive wheel. Alternately idler rollers can be used in combination with the contact shoe to position the electrode for movement by the drive wheel. Means are included to reposition the electrode in the event of electrode "stub-out".

Abstract: A continuous chemical air separation is performed wherein oxygen is recovered with a molten alkali metal salt oxygen acceptor in a series of absorption zones which are connected to a plurality of desorption zones operated in separate parallel cycles with the absorption zones. A greater recovery of high pressure oxygen is achieved at reduced power requirements and capital costs.

Abstract: A plant for producing gaseous nitrogen, which plant comprises a heat exchanger (6) for cooling feed air, a distillation column (8) for receiving at least part of said feed air, a vessel (21), a reflux condenser (12) disposed in said vessel (21) and arranged to receive, in use, vapor from said distillation column (8) and return liquid reflux thereto, a line (18,20) connecting the lower portion of said distillation column (8) to said vessel (21) and having an expansion valve (19) mounted therein, a line (14) for withdrawing nitrogen product from said distillation column (8) and bringing said nitrogen product into heat exchange with said feed air, a crude liquid oxygen (LOX) storage tank (27) communicating with said vessel (21), a liquid nitrogen (LIN) storage tank (34) communicating with said distillation column (8), a line (22) for conveying waste gas from said vessel (21), means to warm said waste gas, an expander (24) to expand said waste gas, means to control the flow of waste gas through said expander, and

Abstract: A method for shipping flexible polyurethane foam product comprising (a) reacting a flexible polyurethane foam composition containing a polyisocyanate, a polyether polyol, a surfactant, a catalyst and water to provide a foam product, (b) conditioning the foam product to develop substantially full cure, (c) applying a force to compress the product to a fraction of its original size, (d) shipping the compressed product and (e) removing the compression force so that the product may return to its original size, the improvement for reducing the conditioning time or temperature prior to compressing the foam product while ensuring the substantial restitution of the foamed product when the compression force is removed which improvement comprises employing as the catalyst in the flexible polyurethane foam composition a polyurethane catalyst which is N-alkyl morpholine or N-(dialkylaminoalky) morpholine.

Abstract: A method is provided for overcoming problems heretofore encountered in systems for continuous cryogenic deflashing of molded articles. Such previous problems include the cracking of the articles as a result of thermal shock suffered by spraying the liquefied gas coolant directly on the article to effect embrittlement of the flash and that of blasting media sticking to the articles. The now disclosed system avoids thermal shock by more gradual cooling of the article and by effecting the desired embrittlement by contact with gaseous coolant obtained by vaporization of the liquefied gas within the treating chamber prior to its contact with the articles. The arrangement of the spray nozzles for the coolant is designed to provide an adequate precooling period to avoid thermal shock and to obtain a temperature profile such that insufficient cooling of the mold release wax is avoided.

Abstract: In the blasting of articles with impact media, the mixture of used media and fragments of material thereby removed from said articles fall to the bottom of the thermally insulated treating chamber. Novel structure is herein disclosed for discharging such mixture through an opening in the bottom of the chamber, utilizing a rotating sweeping device having a plurality of sweep arms extending outwardly from a central hub each of the arms being formed of segments to approximate the shape of an ogee curve. Heat leakage into the chamber is minimized by driving the sweeping device from below the bottom of the chamber by an enclosed shaft passed through the insulated bottom of the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention involves a process for separating and purifying gas mixtures comprising H.sub.2, CO and C.sub.1 + hydrocarbons. The gas is initially cooled in a high pressure dephlegmator to condense and rectify the C.sub.1 + hydrocarbons leaving a combined H.sub.2 --CO vapor. The condensed C.sub.1 + hydrocarbons are partially vaporized and subsequently recondensed in a second, low pressure dephlegmator with further rectification. This process yields H.sub.2 --CO vapor streams and a C.sub.1 + liquid hydrocarbon product at purities suitable for subsequent commercial operations.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for liquefying natural gas using two closed-cycle, multicomponent refrigerants; a low level refrigerant which cools the natural gas and a high level refrigerant which cools the low level refrigerant wherein the improvement comprises phase separating the high level refrigerant after compression and fully liquefying the vapor phase stream against external cooling fluid after additional compression.