Abstract: A pyrometallurgical vessel suitable for continuous or semicontinuous smelting and/or conversion of molten base metal sulfide feed materials. The top blown, bottom stirred vessel includes oxidizing gas lances and feed pipes directing their respective contents directly or indirectly into bath eyes opened up in the molten bath by gas injected through porous plugs disposed at the base of the vessel. Low space velocities in the vessel result in reduced dusting.

Abstract: The invention provides an In-The-Hole hydraulic drive unit for rotating a rock drill. A hydraulic motor having a fixed rear trailing end and a rotating front drilling end converts hydraulic power into a rotational drive force. The hydraulic motor receives high pressure hydraulic fluid through a receiving inlet and discharges lower pressure hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic outlet. A drive shaft connected to the rotating front drilling end is disposed within the hydraulic motor. A fluid transfer conduit within the drive shaft transfers hydraulic or pneumatic drill fluid to power the rock drill. The fluid transfer conduit bypasses the hydraulic motor for independent supply and operation of the rock drill. The fluid transfer conduit receives the drill fluid from the surface and transfers the drill fluid toward the rock drill. The drive shaft contains a drill rotator attached to the front drilling end adapted to receive and rotate the rock drill.

Abstract: A process for varying the density of porous plated metal foams. Especially useful for battery plate applications, a plated foam is coated with a slurry of predetermined size metal power, particularly nickel, and then sintered. The resultant density of the metal foam may be adjusted as needed.

Abstract: A nickel-base alloy having characteristics midway between selected stainless steels and INCONEL.RTM. alloy 625LCF.RTM.. Flexible and particularly useful for exhaust system bellows, wires and braids, the alloy includes about 24-42% nickel, about 18-28% chromium, 1.5-6% molybdenum, 0.2-1 % titanium, up to 1% aluminum, the balance iron, and up to about 1.4% silicon. The alloy demonstrates a novel characteristic of becoming stronger and more ductile during contemplated service temperatures of about 800.degree.-1400.degree. F. (427.degree. C.-760.degree. C.).

Abstract: This process produces nickel hydroxide from elemental nickel. Introducing elemental nickel into at least a 4N aqueous ammonia solution forms a mixture. Activating the nickel powder of this mixture allows the nickel to react with oxygen in the solution. This results in the dissolving of the nickel, producing a loaded solution containing nickel and hydroxyl ions. The redox potential of the solution remains negative during the dissolution of nickel. Distilling the loaded solution to vaporize the aqueous ammonia solution results in the precipitating of nickel hydroxide.

Abstract: The process provides a method of removing arsenic from solutions containing sulfur dioxide in an environmentally acceptable manner. This process first oxidizes arsenic, iron and sulfur dioxide contained in an aqueous solution to prepare the solution for precipitation and to improve process control. Recycled neutralized precipitate seeds the oxidized aqueous solution. A calcium-containing base precipitates products of neutralization on the seeds. The final neutralized precipitate contains a stable ferric arsenate compounds.

Abstract: The apparatus provides a unique and novel vessel and process that concentrate solids, produces paste and stores paste from mixtures of solids and liquids. The vessel or tank includes a vertical shaft mounted within the tank and a variable speed drive for rotating the shaft for circulating paste. The shaft includes a helical pump for lifting the paste and a rake arm extending outwardly from a lower portion of the shaft for moving the paste radially inward. A vertical flow director within the tank is connected to the shaft for maintaining paste flow and facilitating paste circulation at outer portions of the tank. A paste exit port through a lower portion of the tank is used for removing paste. The method forms a paste by first introducing a mixture of solids and liquids into a tank. A portion of the solids and liquids are lifted vertically to establish a circulation pattern within the tank.

Abstract: A yielding head for reducing the need to recondition a rock mass. The yielding head includes a mine hole cradle and a longitudinally movable bar therein. The bar, which is connected to an extension bolt, is registered with a collapsible bubble serrated yielding element circumscribing the bar. As the rock mass is displaced the bar is drawn into the mine hole. The yielding element absorbs the stress on the bar in a controlled manner.

Abstract: There is provided a guided drilling system and an in-the-hole shock absorber adapted thereto. The guided drilling system includes a drill string configured to continuously and accurately bore a hole in the ground without the need to periodically break the connection of the drill string. In order to protect the components of the drilling system a hollow core shock absorber for percussive drill strings has been designed. A centrally disposed coil spring transmits the necessary thrust to a percussive hammer while providing a resilient cushion for vibration displacement. Pressurized fluid flows through the center of the shock absorber through a poppet valve.

Abstract: The invention provides a new method for casting alloys containing a finely divided phase. A bath of the molten metal having a melting point is provided. A finely divided solid metal having a melting point greater than the melting point of molten metal is introduced into the molten metal. The finely divided metal is reacted with the molten metal to form a solid phase within the molten metal. The molten bath is then mixed to distribute the solid phase within the molten metal. The molten alloy is then cast into a solid object containing the solid phase. The solid phase is insoluble in the matrix and has a size related to the initial size of the finely divided solid. The alloy of the invention advantageously consists essentially of, by weight percent, about 3 to 40 aluminum, about 0.8 to 25 nickel, about 0 to 12 copper and balance zinc and incidental impurities. The alloy has a zinc-containing matrix with nickel-containing aluminides distributed throughout the matrix.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of regenerating dithiophosphorus extractants such as dithiophosphoric acids, dithiophosphonic acids and dithiophosphinic acids from their sulfur-sulfur bonded oxidation products contained in an organic solution. The process generates active hydrogen for regenerating the spent dithiophosphorus extractants. Advantageously, this active hydrogen originates either from introducing a reactive metal into a liquid mixture containing the organic solution and an acidic aqueous solution to form nascent hydrogen or from using hydrogen gas in the presence of a catalyst in the organic solution. The active hydrogen generated in the process breaks the sulfur-sulfur bonds of the dithiophosphorus molecules to form the corresponding dithiophosphorus acids.

Abstract: The invention provides a tractor for locomoting a drilling apparatus. The tractor includes a retractable body for transporting and pressurizing a drill attached to a front drilling end of the retractable body. The retractable body is longitudinally extended and contracted for length adjustment. A drill stabilizer is attached to a rear trailing end of the retractable body. The drill stabilizer is extended to secure said retractable body during drilling and retracted for allowing movement of the rear trailing end of the retractable body. A position stabilizer is attached to the front drilling end of the retractable body. The position stabilizer is transversely extendable against the sidewalls of the drill hole for periodically stabilizing the retractable body. The position stabilizer retracts for operation of the drill when the drill is stabilized with the drill stabilizer.

Abstract: The method of the invention produces nickel structures from nickel-coated polymer substrates. The nickel-coated polymer substrate has a nickel outer layer and initially has a temperature where the outer nickel layer lacks burst openings. Rapidly exposing the nickel-coated polymer substrate to a temperature of at least about 600.degree. C. thermally decomposes the polymer substrate and bursts holes through the outer nickel layer. The gases resulting from the thermally decomposed polymer substrate escape through the holes through the outer nickel layer to leave a nickel structure. Finally, annealing the nickel structure increases strength of the nickel structure to produce a ductile foam product.

Abstract: The apparatus provides a unique and novel vessel and process that concentrate solids, produces paste and stores paste from mixtures of solids and liquids. The vessel or tank includes a vertical shaft mounted within the tank and a variable speed drive for rotating the shaft for circulating paste. The shaft includes a helical pump for lifting the paste and a rake arm extending outwardly from a lower portion of the shaft for moving the paste radially inward. A vertical flow director within the tank is connected to the shaft for maintaining paste flow and facilitating paste circulation at outer portions of the tank. A paste exit port through a lower portion of the tank is used for removing paste. The method forms a paste by first introducing a mixture of solids and liquids into a tank. A portion of the solids and liquids are lifted vertically to establish a circulation pattern within the tank.

Abstract: A porous nickel electrode substrate having a central high conductivity core sandwiched between two layers of porous conductive material such as nickel foam or nickel felt. The porous conductive material is plated with nickel and then sintered. By selectively controlling the plating of nickel on the porous material, variable conductivities may be designed into the substrate.

Abstract: The alloy of the invention provides a low coefficient of thermal expansion alloy having a CTE of about 4.9.times.10.sup.-6 m/m/.degree.C. or less at 204.degree. C. and a relatively high strength. The alloy contains about 40.5 to about 48 nickel, about 2 to about 3.7 niobium, about 0.75 to about 2 titanium, about 0 to about 1 aluminum, about 3.7 or less total niobium plus tantalum and a balance of iron and incidental impurities. Alloys of the invention may be aged to a Rockwell C hardness of at least about 30.

Abstract: A traction aggregate suitable for antiskidding applications where reduced dust generation is desired. An expanded substrate is saturated with a liquid absorbed dust suppressant and sealed with a liquid water repellant sealant/dust suppressant. The aggregate traction material may be dispersed over thoroughfares to provide adequate traction for vehicles and, once the snow/ice melts and the roadway dries, leaves behind a non-dusting material that will remain a dust suppressant material during and after subsequent vehicular degradation.

Abstract: A pyrometallurgical vessel suitable for continuous or semicontinuous smelting and/or conversion of molten base metal sulfide feed materials. The top blown, bottom stirred vessel includes oxidizing gas lances and feed pipes directing their respective contents directly or indirectly into bath eyes opened up in the molten bath by gas injected through porous plugs disposed at the base of the vessel. Low space velocities in the vessel result in reduced dusting.

Abstract: The invention provides an aluminum-base composite material. The aluminum-base material contains a uniform distribution of carbide particles and lubricating phase particles such as carbon or graphite. The carbide particles increase hardness for improved wear resistance. The lubricating phase particles provide improved wear resistance and especially improve unlubricated wear resistance under increased loads. Finally, a dispersoid of nickel aluminide intermetallic phase may also be used to provide additional hardness and wear resistance. The composite is formed by introducing carbide particles and lubricating phase such as graphite into a molten aluminum alloy to neutraliize buoyancy and to form an aluminum-base mixture. Mixing the aluminum-base mixture to uniformly distribute carbide and carbon particles throughout the molten aluminum. Carbide and carbon particles counteract each other to remain uniformly distributed throughout the aluminum-base alloy despite prolonged holding or cooling times.

Abstract: The invention produces a light metal alloy composite having a nickel coated graphite or carbon with a nickel-containing intermetallic phase within a portion of a casting. A mold is provided to cast a light metal into a predetermined shape. A nickel coated carbon phase structure is placed into a portion of the mold. The light metal is cast into the mold around the carbon structure to wet an interface between the light metal and the nickel coated carbon structure. A nickel-containing intermetallic phase is formed in the light metal proximate the nickel coated carbon to provide increased wear resistance. The light metal is then solidified to form the metal matrix composite.