Abstract: A process and apparatus for the production of reformed gases. Natural gas and oxygen are combusted in a first stage to produce carbon dioxide and water. The products of combustion are conveyed to a second stage. Reforming gas and oxygen are injected into the second stage and mixed with the products of combustion to react with the carbon dioxide and water to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The process and apparatus are particularly adapted for use in supplementing the reform gases produced in a Direct Reduced Iron plant wherein iron ore is reduced to iron inside a shaft furnace. The process and apparatus may also be used to provide heated enrichment natural gas for use as a source of carbon in the shaft furnace to provide for carburization of the iron. Additionally, the process and apparatus may be used as a process control device for controlling the temperature of the reformed gases flowing to the shaft furnace.

Abstract: An adjustable height table which comprises a table top having an upper work surface. The table includes at least one leg supporting said table top, the leg including a main leg segment. At least one removable leg segment is provided for insertion between the main leg segment and said table top. A connection between said table top and each said main leg portion clamps the removable leg segment between the table top and the main leg segment, The removable leg segment and the main leg segment present the profile of a continuous one-piece leg when said table top is clamped thereto.

Abstract: An adjustable table including a table top supported by support members removably attached to the table top by a plurality of removable fasteners. The top may be adjusted in height and may be attached to the support members in either a horizontal or tilted position. The support members are provided with a series of fastener receiving apertures in a configuration to provide a plurality of sets of apertures. Each set of apertures provides for a given height of the table top. A plurality of second sets of apertures provides for the tilting of the table.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of a vapor of an alkyl ester of phosphoric acid, particularly tributylphosphate, in ambient air. A sample of ambient air is heated to convert any alkyl ester of phosphoric acid to an alkene. The heated sample of air is then passed to a sample loop. Carrier air periodically carries a fixed volume of sample from the sample loop through a chromatographic column to a photoionization detector which detects the presence and amount of the alkene in the sample.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a vapor of an alkyl ester of phosphoric acid, particularly tributylphosphate, in ambient air. A sample of ambient air is heated to convert any alkyl ester of phosphoric acid to an alkene. The heated sample of air is then passed to a sample loop. Carrier air periodically carries a fixed volume of sample from the sample loop through a chromatographic column to a photoionization detector which detects the presence and amount of the alkene in the sample.

Abstract: An electrode and an electrolytic cell in which the electrode includes a plate having electrode material attached to at least one side thereof. A header opening is provided in the electrode plate and has a plurality of slots radiating therefrom towards the center of the plate. The electrolytic cell includes an electrode spaced from a separator such as a membrane or diaphram by a gasket member of universal design. The electrodes, separator and gaskets have a header opening extending therethrough with slots radiating from the header openings in the anode and cathode plates to provide fluid communication between anode and cathode chamber and the header.

Abstract: The formation of whiskers during tin or tin-lead solder electroplating of a copper base alloy substrate in a methane sulfonate solder plating bath is inhibited by passivating the surface of the substrate prior to electroplating. Preferred passivating solutions include an aqueous solution of sodium dichromate and phosphoric acid, and an aqueous solution of chromic acid and phosphoric acid. Passivation is preferably followed by treatment with a basic solution having a pH of at least 8.

Abstract: A method of casting metal material wherein metallic metal is deposited on a foil moving underneath the feeding means for the molten metal and is supported on a supporting substrate. The foil is formed with side edges before receiving a deposit of molten metal to contain the flow of molten metal thereon in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the foil.

Abstract: A porous, high surface area electrode comprising a fine fibrous conductive substrate having a density less than about 50% and a specific surface area to volume ratio of greater than about 30 cm.sup.2 /cm.sup.3. The individual fibers of the substrate have a length to diameter aspect ratio greater than 1000:1. An electrocatalyst covers at least a portion of the substrate. A current distributor is electrically connected to the coated substrate. The method of fabricating the electrode includes fabricating a fine fibrous conductive substrate, preparing the surface of the substrate for receiving an electrocatalyst covering thereon, preparing the electrocatalyst for application to the substrate and applying the electrocatalyst to the substrate. Optionally, the electrode may be further treated to promote adhesion of the electrocatalyst to the substrate.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for propelling a subcaliber penetrator through a gun tube which has a portion of the propellant charge contained in an annular cavity surrounding the sabot is disclosed. The annular cavity is defined by the scoop shaped front bourrelet, the aft bourrelet which has three radially extending support posts and bore riding shoes, and a combustible tubular case extension over the aft bourrelet extending forward to the front bourrelet. The assembly includes cartridge case having a multistrand ignition system having a plurality of flexible combustible ignition strand. The strands extend through the propellant charge in the case and extend between the posts of the aft bourrelet into the annular cavity to simultaneously ignite the propellant charge contained therein with the portion of the charge in the cartridge case.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for propelling a subcaliber penetrator through a gun tube which has a portion of the propellant charge contained in an annular cavity surrounding the sabot is disclosed. The annular cavity is defined by the scoop shaped front bourrelet, the aft bourrelet which has three radially extending support posts and bore riding shoes, and a combustible tubular case extension over the aft bourrelet extending forward to the front bourrelet. The assembly includes cartridge case having a multistrand ignition system having a plurality of flexible combustible ignition strand. The strands extend through the propellant charge in the case and extend between the posts of the aft bourrelet into the annular cavity to simultaneously ignite the propellant charge contained therein with the portion of the charge in the cartridge case.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for propelling a subcaliber penetrator through a gun tube which has a portion of the propellant charge contained in an annular cavity surrounding the sabot is disclosed. The annular cavity is defined by the scoop shaped front bourrelet, the aft bourrelet which has three radially extending support posts and bore riding shoes, and a combustible tubular case extension over the aft bourrelet extending forward to the front bourrelet. The assembly includes cartridge case having a multistrand ignition system having a plurality of flexible combustible ignition strand. The strands extend through the propellant charge in the case and extend between the posts of the aft bourrelet into the annular cavity to simultaneously ignite the propellant charge contained therein with the portion of the charge in the cartridge case.

Abstract: An elongated, generally vertically extending cocurrent reactor vessel for the production of hypochlorous acid by the mixing and reaction of a liquid alkali metal hydroxide and a gaseous halogen is provided wherein an atomizer is mounted near the top of the reactor vessel to atomize the liquid alkali metal hydroxide into droplets in the vessel. The vessel has a spraying and reaction zone immediately beneath the atomizer and a drying zone beneath the spraying and reaction zone to produce a gaseous hypochlorous acid and a substantially dry solid salt by-product.

Abstract: A method and system for treating liquid chlorine to remove inert gases therefrom. Liquid chlorine is treated by passing it through a molecular sieve having a molecular pore diameter greater than the molecular diameter of the inert gases and smaller than the molecular diameter of chlorine so that the inert gases are adsorbed by the sieve while the liquid chlorine passes therethrough. The sieve may be regenerated by heating the sieve and evacuating by vacuum, followed by a purging with a gas and then a further vacuum evacuation.

Abstract: A process of operating an electrochemical cell with a particular catholyte flow pattern is disclosed wherein the cell is angled from the horizontal and the catholyte is fed into a gap in the cathode compartment between the liquid metal cathode and the membrane on the lower first end and exits the gap on the opposing higher second outlet end.

Abstract: A method of casting metal wherein molten metal is deposited on a moving planar substrate to form a strip thereon. The strip is removed from the moving substrate onto an open mesh support prior to the strip becoming completely solidified throughout its thickness. Ideally, the strip is removed as soon as it forms a solidified shell on its bottom which is thick enough not to fracture under the weight of the remaining molten metal. This arrangement overcomes the problem of cooling the bottom surface of the cast metal due to an air gap forming between a solid supporting substrate and the cast metal.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is disclosed having a cell bottom or baseplate that has at least one drain hole therein which is fed by drain canals adjacent an end of the catholyte chamber such that the drain holes are gradually inclined to increase in depth laterally downwardly from the opposing sides of the cell toward the center and longitudinally downwardly from the opposing end of the cell toward the drain hole to permit removal or the addition of the liquid metal cathode from the angled electrolytic cell without requiring disassembly of the cell.

Abstract: In a backup mode of operation a process control program sends messages, via a local area network, to a process control program running in an active mode for the purpose of obtaining current values of process control data and configuration information. If the active process control program fails to respond to an interrogation by the backup process control program the backup program automatically activates itself to assume the active role. The activation procedure includes a sequence that transmits a control pulse of predetermined width on a line of an associated process control bus to a novel digital data switch. The receipt of a valid control pulse causes the digital data switch to allow access by the backup (now active) data processor to process control I/O unit(s) while simultaneously isolating the active (now backup) data processor from the I/O units.

Abstract: The spray casting of metal wherein an atomized spray of metal droplets is caused to be deposited upon a moving metallic foil substrate. The metallic foil substrate is maintained under tension as it passes in a position to receive the deposit such that thermal distortion is eliminated without causing tensile failure. In the second embodiment, the leading edge of the spray is positioned such that it does not contact the foil whereby the low mass density thereof does not contribute to deposit helping to eliminate bottom porosity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a shape such as a cavity in a workpiece. An aperture is provided in the area in which the cavity is to be formed. Thereafter, the cavity is depressed into the metal causing the metal to flow into the area from which metal was removed by the aperture formation. If desired, after formation of the original aperture, the cavity may be partially depressed, and the aperture requalified to a circular shape. Thereafter, the cavity may be depressed into the workpiece to its final depth.