Abstract: A method of forming an activated carbon or graphite structure is provided by (1) forming, such as extrusion, of a plasticized mixture of: binder selected from cellulose ether and derivative thereof, starch, and mixture thereof; furfuryl alcohol and/or polyfurfuryl alcohol; and carbon, graphite, or a carbon-containing material; and (2) subjecting the formed mixture to a carbon-forming pyrolysis step. The use of furfuryl alcohol allows extrusion at ambient temperatures and provides a "reactive" solvent that provides carbon upon pyrolysis.

Abstract: An engine exhaust system disclosed which is designed to reduce hydrocarbon emissions caused by the evaporation of fuel from the fuel tank and by the inefficiency of combustion and catalytic conversion during cold engine start-up. This system utilizes molecular sieves, such as high-silica zeolites, which adsorb hydrocarbons evaporating from the fuel tank or emitted during engine start-up, before the catalytic converter has attained an effective operating temperature. This system is designed so that hydrocarbons that would otherwise be emitted to the atmosphere from the fuel tank or by passing through the converter unconverted are held within the system either for combustion in the engine or passage through the converter once it is operating efficiently.

Abstract: A method of preparing a precursor or cordierite-forming particulate raw material mixture is improved upon by characterizing the talc particles utilized in the raw material mixture in accordance with a Morphology X-ray Diffraction Index or the surface area of the talc particles. Talc particles having a predetermined or desired Morphology X-ray Diffraction Index or surface area are utilized in preparing the raw material mixture. A cordierite article is produced having pores therethrough, which pores have shapes that are "blocky" or "platy" as a result of the talc morphology. "Platy" pores in the fired cordierite article result in higher Water Absorption values and an increase in coatability by high surface area washcoat and catalyst; conversely, "blocky" pores result in lower Water Absorption values and a decrease in coatability by high surface area washcoat and catalyst.

Abstract: An engine exhaust system and method of controlling hydrocarbon emissions are provided. The system and method are based on the use of two catalytic converter chambers, a first chamber containing a catalytic material and a second chamber containing catalyst as well as molecular sieves capable of adsorbing hydrocarbons during engine start-up and of having hydrocarbons desorbed therefrom when the catalysts reach an effective converting temperature. According to the invention, engine exhaust is selectively conveyed to each of the two converters in a manner such that initially produced hydrocarbon is withheld in the system by the molecular sieves in order to be recycled through the converters and brought into contact with the catalyst after an effective converting temperature has been attained.

Abstract: A monolithic ceramic structure, useful as a support for catalytic material or as a fluid filter, has a high surface area phase which consists essentially of a porous metal oxide material, at least 50% by weight of which is alumina, titania, and/or zirconia, and phosphate dispersed substantially throughout the porous metal oxide material. The presence of the phosphate stabilizes the porous metal oxide material against thermal degradation during sintering or exposure to elevated temperatures encountered in catalytic service and thereby aids in the retention of higher overall surface area in the monolithic structure.

Abstract: Ceramic honeycomb structures having channels that are selectively sealed at alternate faces of the honeycomb are prepared by applying an end cap made up of green ceramic material to each face of a green ceramic honeycomb body, followed by exposing the openings of certain channels of the honeycombs through the cap at one face and exposing the remaining channels through the cap at the other face. Thereafter, the composite capped structure is fired. The honeycombs are useful in a variety of filtering, separating, or concentrating operations in which a work fluid or component thereof is intended to pass through the walls of the channels.

Abstract: A monolithic ceramic structure, useful as a support for catalytic material or as a fluid filter, has a high surface area phase which consists essentially of a porous metal oxide material, at least 50% by weight of which is alumina, titania, and/or zirconia, and phosphate dispersed substantially througout the porous metal oxide material. The presence of the phosphate stabilizes the porous metal oxide material against thermal degradation during sintering or exposure to elevated temperatures encountered in catalytic service and thereby aids in the retention of higher overall surface area in the monolithic structure.

Abstract: Ceramic honeycombs made of a ceramic material of a solid electrolyte nature having at least some of the honeycomb channels sealed at one of the faces are useful for the concentration or separation of oxygen from air or other oxygen-containing gaseous mixture. The oxygen-containing gas is introduced into a first set of channels at one face of the honeycomb, a first voltage is applied to the interior walls of those channels, and a second voltage applied to the interior walls of the second set of remaining channels, thereby creating an electrical potential across the ceramic material separating any adjacent channels of the two sets. The electrical potential drives oxygen ions through the channel walls releasing concentrated oxygen into the second set of channels for collection therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for producing liquid droplets having a narrow size distribution. Thin liquid streams are forced under pressure through a plurality of orifices in an orifice plate, the largest of which orifices has a diameter not greater than about three times the diameter of the smallest of those orifices. Also the thin liquid streams are vibrated to cause the breakup of each stream into droplets having a narrow size distribution.

Abstract: Magnesia partially-stabilized zirconia ceramic materials can be prepared from "unpurified" zirconia which contains at least about 0.05 weight percent silica. Despite the relatively high silica content, a thermal shock resistant material can be produced by a firing schedule which includes heating to a top temperature at a specified rate and cooling back to room temperature at specified rates and which incorporates a thermal aging step at 1000-1200.degree. C. Differences in microstructure and monoclinic zirconia content, with consequent differences in physical properties of the ceramic material, can be attained by variations in the firing and thermal-aging schedules.

Abstract: A method is provided of crystallizing strong-bound zeolites on the surfaces of a monolithic ceramic substrate by hydrothermally treating the substrate, in the presence of active silica, with a caustic bath to zeolitize the silica. According to various embodiments of the invention, the active silica can be present as a component of the caustic bath, in the form of a dried coating pre-deposited on the substrate, or as a separate phase of the monolithic substrate, homogeneous dispersed within the ceramic material.

Abstract: Mono-sized barium titanate powders which have high density and substantially pure stoichiometry are provided. The powders can be produced by reacting barium hydroxide with titanium dioxide in a protic solvent at a temperature of at least 100.degree. C. for a period of at least 48 hours, or by reacting barium hydroxide with a titanium alkoxide in a protic solvent at a temperature of about the boiling point of the alkyl alcohol corresponding to the alkoxide for a period of at least about 240 hours.

Abstract: Silicon-containing 1,2,4-triazoles having broad-spectrum fungicidal activity have been discovered.

Abstract: Silicon-containing imidazoles having broad-spectrum fungicidal activity have been discovered.

Abstract: A portable instrument quantitatively determining the distinctness of image of a sample paint film by providing comparison of the film with several standard films of known distinctness of image is provided. The instrument displays the sample and one of the standards within an enclosed casing while an image forming pattern is projected simultaneously on both by a light source within the instrument. By changing the standard which is displayed, an observer compares the distinctness of image of the sample with the known values of several standards until a match is found.