Abstract: An improved method for agglomerating finely divided carbonaceous solids is disclosed. The method comprises mixing the solids with oil having a softening point above about 100.degree. C in an aqueous medium at a temperature above about 120.degree. C and at a pressure greater than about 1000 mm Hg.

Abstract: In a process for hydrocracking heavy carbonaceous materials by contacting such carbonaceous materials with hydrogen in the presence of a molten metal halide catalyst to produce hydrocarbons having lower molecular weights and thereafter recovering the hydrocarbons so produced from the molten metal halide, an improvement comprising injecting into the spent molten metal halide, a liquid low-boiling hydrocarbon stream is disclosed.

Abstract: A start-up method for a methanation process wherein a plurality of catalyst beds are used. The method comprises heating a first catalyst bed to a suitable temperature and thereafter charging a synthesis gas in mixture with an inert diluent to the first catalyst bed. The product stream from the first catalyst bed contains an excess of hydrogen and is passed to a second catalyst bed thereby heating the second catalyst bed. At least a portion of the product stream from the first catalyst bed is recycled to form the inert diluent used with the synthesis gas stream passed to the first catalyst bed.

Abstract: An improved adiabatic reactor for exothermic catalytic reactions is disclosed. The improvement in the reactor comprises the use of multiple injection devices to inject additional reactant streams into the reactor at a plurality of locations at which the reaction is substantially complete. A method for using the reactor is also disclosed.

Abstract: Liquefaction of coal is effected by extraction of coal by a distillable solvent in the presence of hydrogen under conditions selected to produce a coal liquefaction product, the major portion of which is distillable. The effluent slurry product is vacuum distilled to recover the distillables including the solvent. The bottoms fraction is subjected to solvent treatment or fractionation to selectively recover the lower molecular weight portion, which portion is hydrogenated to yield distillate fuels. The remainder of the bottoms fraction is used as feed to a gasifier to make a hydrogen-rich gas or a methane-rich gas as desired.

Abstract: A flexible body means having a substantially conical-shaped bristle means positioned on one of its ends for maintaining a flower on said end of said body means.

Abstract: Improved recovery of spent molten zinc halide hydro-cracking catalyst is achieved in the oxidative vapor phase regeneration thereof by selective treatment of the zinc oxide carried over by the effluent vapors from the regeneration zone with hydrogen halide gas under conditions favoring the reaction of the zinc oxide with the hydrogen halide, whereby regenerated zinc halide is recovered in a solids-free state with little loss of zinc values.

Abstract: Production of a low ash liquid or liquefiable fuel from coal is effected by solvent treatment and separation of the undissolved solids. The latter are removed by first agglomerating the non-settling finely divided solids, and then effecting separation of the agglomerates in a downwardly moving ebullated bed of agglomerates where the upflowing fluidizing liquid is a wash solvent which preferably is a mixture of precipitating solvent and coal liquefaction solvent.

Abstract: An oil leak scavenger apparatus for collecting oil drippings of automobile vehicles which is mounted externally to engine crankcases, transmission housings, and other oil containing units is provided. The scavenger apparatus comprises: (a) an oil collector; (b) a reservoir in fluid communication with the oil collector; (c) a vacuum source in fluid communication with the reservoir; and (d) a vacuum metering valve positioned intermediate the vacuum source and the reservoir. In one embodiment the reservoir is also in fluid communication with the oil containing unit of the automobile, and a check valve is positioned intermediate the reservoir and the oil containing unit of the automobile thus allowing the collected oil to return to its source when the engine is not running.

Abstract: Sodium, potassium and ammonium thiosulfates may be converted to a mixture of the corresponding carbonates and sulfides by first partially reducing the thiosulfate with CO to formate in a first reduction zone, and then using the formate so produced to effect further reduction of the thiosulfate in a second reduction zone.

Abstract: A method for locating subterranean sulfide mineral ore deposits by analyzing the soil at a plurality of locations in an area of interest to determine the ratio between mercury present in the soil as mercury sulfide and the total mercury present in the soil and, thereafter, comparing the ratios to determine the location of sulfide mineral ore deposits.

Abstract: In a process for the production of hydrogen-rich gas from a fuel gas containing carbon monoxide and other components, the fuel gas is contacted in a formate synthesis zone with an aqueous solution containing sodium or potassium carbonate and/or bicarbonate under conditions effective to produce an effluent aqueous solution of the corresponding formate and an effluent gas containing the other components of the fuel gas. The aqueous formate solution is thereafter subjected to catalytic decomposition in a formate decomposition zone under conditions effective to produce a hydrogen-rich gas and an aqueous solution which consists essentially of carbonate and/or bicarbonate solution.

Abstract: An improved smoking pipe tamper means is provided wherein the tamper means is attached externally to any conventional lighter mechanism, said tamper means being adapted to slideably move between a first position wherein an enlarged tamper head means of the tamper means is contiguous to the exterior portion of the body member of said light mechanism and a second position wherein said enlarged tamper head means is spaced away from said light mechanism. In one embodiment the improved smoking pipe tamper means is adapted so that same can be interchangably placed upon a rectangular shaped lighter mechanism without damage to said tamper means or said lighter mechanism.

Abstract: An improved multi-section heat exchanger unit for use in combination with a radiant furnace unit or direct fired heaters which comprises a first heat exchange section having a plurality of bare heat exchange pipes positioned therein and in fluid communication with a first heat exchange fluid inlet and a first heat exchange fluid outlet to provide fluid flow through the bare pipes; and a second heat exchange section having a plurality of extended surface heat exchange tubes positioned therein in fluid communication with a second heat exchange fluid inlet being in fluid communication with the outlet of the first heat exchange section, the second heat exchange section being further characterized as having a gradually reduced internal cross section towards its upper portion so that the velocity of gas flow therethrough is maintained substantially constant.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus for determining fluid levels and pressures in a fluid-containing vessel wherein the sensor apparatus comprises a mounting member having a fluid passageway positioned therein; a pressure sensor in operative contact with one end of the mounting member and a pressure fluctuation dampening device operatively positioned on the other end of the mounting member. The dampening device comprises an arrangement of fluid passageways arranged so that the fluid passageway through the mounting member substantially perpendicularly intersects a second fluid passageway intermediate the ends of the second fluid passageway with the second fluid passageway being intersected at each of its ends by third and fourth fluid passageways.

Abstract: In pump-down tools for use in well maintenance operations wherein fluids are injected into a well and wherein the tool includes a tubular member having locomotives positioned thereabout and a fluid passageway positioned therethrough and is connected to a fluid injection member positioned in fluid communication with the fluid passageway and the well; the well being equipped with a first tubing member and a second tubing member which are in fluid communication near their lower ends so that the tool is readily moved through the first tubing member by pumping fluid sequentially through the first tubing member, the junction between the first and second tubing member and the second tubing member and is moved in the opposite direction by reverse circulation, an improvement comprising positioning on the tubular member above the locomotives a sealing ring which is releasably maintained in position at a suitable angle from the axis of the tubular member.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting organic materials from a sample of a solid matrix containing such organic materials, the apparatus comprising an outer tubular member containing a permeable sample support positioned intermediate the first and second ends of the outer tubular member, and a method for the extraction of such organic materials by applying heat to one end of the outer tubular member while cooling the other end of the outer tubular member. Optionally a solvent is used in the extraction in conjunction with alternate heating and cooling of the ends of the outer tubular member.

Abstract: An improved flower corsage frame is provided with at least one spirally wound multistrand wire member body member, a substantially conical shaped bristle member extending from one end portion of the body member, a plurality of stems firmly but flexibly secured to the body member, and leaves secured to one end portion of each of said stems.

Abstract: A connector for joining a tool to a substantially rigid metal tubing, the connector comprising a substantially rigid cylindrical member having an outer diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the metal tubing, a tool fitting attached to one end of the cylindrical member and a tubularly shaped clamp which is maintained in a fixed position relative to the cylindrical member so that when the clamp is tightened, the connector is joined to the metallic tubing.

Abstract: A high-porosity, high-surface area, low-density alumina and a method for preparing said alumina. The alumina typically has a surface area from about 260 to about 400 m.sup.2 /g, a pore volume from about 1.0 to about 2.75 cc/g, a loose bulk density from about 7.5 to about 25 lb/ft.sup.3, and is produced by contacting aqueous alumina slurries with an effective amount of an organic solvent and drying the resulting solvent-aqueous alumina mixture.