Abstract: An air compression system for use in chemical processing operation. A primary air compression system module includes, on a common shaft, a multi-stage high pressure ratio compressor for supplying compressed air for the process, a pair of bearings support the common shaft and straddle the multi-stage compressor, a steam turbine is located on one end of the common shaft for providing start-up and supplemental power to the air compression module when necessary, and a radial inflow hot gas expander is provided on the opposite end of the common shaft which receives hot gas from the process for expansion thereof to provide the main power source for the air compression module. The air compression module is characterized by high power, relatively high speed operation suitable for applications in chemical processing industries and is a skid-mounted unit for ease of installation, and minimum overall reliability maintenance.

Abstract: Liquefaction of a vapor such as carbon dioxide gas is achieved by utilizing the refrigeration available in liquefied natural gas (LNG) to sub-cool liquid carbon dioxide, which in turn is sprayed into carbon dioxide gas in a condensing vessel thereby liquefying the gas. Suitable control means are provided for maintaining a predetermined temperature within the condensing vessel and for regulating the flow rate of LNG in response to variations in the flow of liquid carbon dioxide before the sub-cooling of liquid CO.sub.2 by LNG is effected.

Abstract: Aliphatic ether compounds having a formula selected from the group consisting of ##EQU1## wherein each of a and d is 2 or 3; each of b, c, e, i, j and k is 0 or 1; each of f and g is 0, 1, 2, or 3; h is 0, 1, or 2; a + b + = 3; d + e = 3; f + g + h = 3; i + j + k = 1; and X is F or Cl; with the provisos that when a and d are both 3, then i is 1, f is 0, 1, or 2, and g is 0, 1, or 3; when g is 2, then f is 1; when c is 1, then f is 3 and k is 0; when j is 1, then c is 1; and when both b and e are 1, then i is 1, are useful as solvents and dispersants for fluorinated materials. In addition, the compounds methyl 1-bromo-1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropyl ether and methyl 1,2-dichloro-1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoroisopropyl ether are useful as inhalation anesthetics.

Abstract: A superconducting compound of the A-15 crystal structure type is obtained in a composite by a high temperature diffusion between a first metallic component and a second metallic component contained in a bronze alloy. Stability is achieved by including in the composite a quantity of high-conductivity normal material. Diffusion of the second metallic component into the normal material with a resultant degradation of conductivity of the normal material is prevented by placing an impervious barrier layer between the bronze alloy and the normal material. In a specific embodiment, the barrier layer takes the form of an annular shell comprising at least two sectors of dissimilar metals, one of which reacts with a component of the bronze alloy to form a layer of said superconducting compound, and the other of which is substantially non-reactive. Thus, a discontinuous superconducting ring is formed on the barrier layer which prevents flux trapping.

Abstract: A planar magnetron sputtering apparatus is provided with an additional, variable magnetic field normal to and substantially throughout the erosion region of a cathode plate. Application of the foregoing variable magnetic field effects continuous variations in the general location of the points at which magnetic lines of flux are parallel to the cathode plate which correspondingly results in variations in the points of maximum cathode plate erosion. By producing a less acute erosion pattern over a wider cathode plate area, a greater portion of the cathode plate material may be sputtered from any particular planar cathode plate.

Abstract: A fail safe system for preventing erroneous activation of a device, such as a respirator, is provided to inhibit continuous or free running operation of the device as well as precluding activation of the device within an initial, predetermined portion of a phase in a cycle of operation. A circuit is provided for inhibiting the production of an output activation signal in the event that an input signal is continuously present or present at least at the start of a phase. In addition, a further circuit is provided for establishing a predetermined delay period commencing with the start of a phase for precluding the production of an output activation signal during such a period. Thus, only upon sensing the occurrence of a particular external condition after the aforementioned delay period has expired, will an output activation signal be produced.

Abstract: Hexafluoro-t-butyl difluoromethyl ether of the formula ##EQU1## is useful as an inhalation anesthetic.

Abstract: An oxygen-fuel cutting torch comprises an integral aluminum body extruded to form three straight-through gas feed passages. The passages connect with a laterally mounted gas dispensing tip assembly and have dead-end terminal seals. Source oxygen is divided between a first passage and a second passage for supplying cutting oxygen and preheat oxygen respectively. Fuel gas fed through a third passage mixes with the preheat oxygen within the tip assembly, the preheat oxygen and fuel gas flow rates being adjusted by respective throttling valves. Each valve is seated in a transverse bore hole in the torch body that intersects the corresponding gas passage. Cutting oxygen is fed to the torch tip through a bore-seated valve in the first passage that is opened against spring bias by a manually operated lever.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to novel ethers of the formula:CF.sub.3 CH.sub.a X.sub.b --O--CF.sub.2 CH.sub.c F.sub.d Cl.sub.ewherein X is fluorine, chlorine or bromine, preferably fluorine, a is 1 or 2, b is 0 or 1, a plus b are 2, preferably both a and b being 1, c is 0 or 1, d is 0 to 2, e is 0 to 2, c plus d plus e are 3, preferably each of c, d, and e is 1, and a plus c are 1 or 2, preferably 2, with the proviso that when e is 1 or 2, X is fluorine or bromine, preferably fluorine. The compounds having less than eight fluorine atoms per molecule are useful as anesthetics, and all of the compounds are useful as solvents and dispersants for fluorinated materials. A highly preferred compound useful as an anesthetic is 1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl 1',1',2'-trifluoro-2'-chloroethyl ether.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating a liquid with a gas wherein a liquid feed is introduced to the initial stage of a multi-stage device for dissolving the gas in the liquid. Efficient mass transfer is achieved by effecting a gas-liquid counter flow in serial stages of the dissolution device. The effluent from the dissolution device exhibits a relatively high dissolved gas concentration which gas is subsequently consumed by the liquid in a reaction tank. A liquid recycle line is provided for returning and combining treated liquid with the incoming feed thereby enabling further dissolution of the gas in the liquid. In the course of treating wastewater with ozone, a flotation clarifier may be provided with the initial stage of the dissolution device to enable the surface coagulation of impurities in the wastewater feed. The coagulants may be skimmed prior to introducing wastewater into subsequent stages of the dissolution device, thereby substantially reducing the ultimate ozone demand of the wastewater.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing and distributing a slurry of finely divided unagglomerated carbon dioxide particles suspended in liquid carbon dioxide include the production of liquid CO.sub.2 from carbon dioxide gas. A CO.sub.2 slurry is then formed in a reactor by introducing liquid CO.sub.2 therein, agitating the same and concurrently controlling the rate of evaporation. The slurry so formed is pumped to a storage vessel wherein the solids concentration of the slurry may be increased. Slurry is subsequently pumped into a trailer for transport to a customer location with excess CO.sub.2 liquid within the trailer being decanted and returned to the storage vessel thereby increasing the solids content of transported slurry to 60-80 percent. During transport, the slurry is permitted to settle within the trailer and upon reaching a customer location, the settled slurry is reslurried prior to discharge from the trailer.

Abstract: A method for recovering a usable alloy consisting of 2.5 - 3.5% aluminum, 1.7 - 2.50% tin and balance titanium from titanium scrap is disclosed. The method comprises cleaning the scrap, charging the cleaned scrap into an electron beam furnace and refining the charge under a hard vacuum so as to attain a predetermined composition.

Abstract: A valve is provided for use in an anesthesia breathing circuit and is located between the breathing bag or ventilator and the remaining parts of the circuit. The valve comprises a housing having an inlet connectible to the bag or ventilator and an outlet which is connectible to the remaining circuit. The valve has essentially two parallel flow paths for gas; in one path there is a check valve to allow gas to pass only in a direction away from the bag or ventilator, and in the other path is located a diaphragm valve which is spring biased to a closed position and is opened at a predetermined pressure in that path. The valve allows the retention at all times of a predetermined pressure within the patient circuit and thus the operator can select the lowest pressure which the patient's lungs will reach during ventilation to insure the lungs will always be expanded to more than their normal resting state.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating wastewater, such as municipal sewage, are provided in which an oxygen enriched feed gas is supplied to an oxygenation chamber wherein oxygen is efficiently dissolved in wastewater (mixed liquor) by means of a static mixing device. The chamber is preferably submerged in a large body of wastewater being treated, such as is commonly found in the secondary stage of an activated sludge wastewater treatment system with the chamber being adapted to receive such wastewater from a location slightly below the surface thereof. Oxygenated wastewater is discharged from the chamber in either a radial or multi-directional pattern at a sufficient velocity to effect a thorough mixing of the oxygenated wastewater and the large body of wastewater contained in the secondary stage treatment tank.

Abstract: Methods for providing an expendable refrigerant which is emitted from a snow horn at a low velocity thereby enabling snow agglomeration at a close proximity to the horn exit and accurately delivering a charge of snow with minimum vapor loss. The desired snow is produced by introduction of the relatively warm liquid refrigerant into an insulated compartment and in heat exchange relation with a tube therein having a plurality of length/diameter ratios. The liquid refrigerant is effective to warm the tube walls and results in a slight cooling of such liquid which is then passed to a sub-cooler and returned to the tube inlet for expansion in several stages therein to form the snow. The product snow is emitted from this horn at a relatively low velocity and may be accurately directed into cavities of such products as eviscerated fowl.