Abstract: An integrated plant including a microalgae production plant for growing, harvesting and drying algae and a fossil fuel-motor-generator plant producing electrical energy. A fossil fuel engine produces hot exhaust gas from which sensible heat dries the algae. The drying may be direct from the exhaust gas or may be indirect with the hot exhaust gas exchanging sensible heat with a recirculating stream of inert gas. Carbon dioxide from the exhaust gas is recovered for use as a nutrient in the microalgae production plant. Electrical energy from the generator is used to drive motors and/or produce artificial illumination and/or drive pumps, motors and controls in the microalgae production plant.

Abstract: Growth of mammary adenocarcinoma in a mammal can be inhibited by orally administering a therapeutically effective dosage of pyruvate in the form of sodium pyruvate, calcium pyruvate or organic esters of pyruvate or precursors of pyruvate.

Abstract: Certain incidents in mammals trigger the generation of free-radicals which are associated with cell death. Animals experiencing such medical incidents are dosed with pyruvate salts or esters in an amount of 5 to 20 weight percent of the total carbohydrate intake. The dosage of pyruvate may be provided to the animal before the medical incident, during the medical incident and after the medical incident. In addition to the known property in pyruvate for scavenging free-radicals, this disclosure points out the unexpected effectiveness of pyruvate as an inhibitor of free-radical generation.

Abstract: Protective mat assemblies are formed from lightweight beads which are secured together in a generally rectangular array. The beads have unobstructed longitudinal central openings to receive a rope. Certain of the beads have permanent rope members including an eyelet at each end of the rope member. The beads are secured by a forming rope which passes alternately through plain beads and through eyelets of second beads. Fastening elements are provided along one side of the resulting rectangular mat.

Abstract: A discharge opening for a reheat furnace is shielded with a pair of metal woven wire mesh curtains each secured above the discharge opening and hanging to the bottom of the opening. Each curtain preferably is formed from multiple parallel coplanar ribbons, each extending from above the discharge opening to the bottom of the discharge opening. The mesh curtains are fabricated from a sag resistant metal alloy. Embodiments are described for accommodating slots which receive discharge lifter members for removing heated metal workpieces from the furnace. A preferred mounting apparatus employs one or more fibrous thermal insulation strips above the discharge opening. A counterweight mounting apparatus urges the fibrous thermal insulating strips against the outer wall of the furnace.

Abstract: A method for treating a medical patient prior to or during heart trauma, e.g., myocardial infarction, angina and ischemia. An effective dosage of pyruvate is introduced into the patient to increase the patient's cardiac output and stroke volume, to decrease the patient's heart rate and to reduce the oxygen demand of the patient's heart. The dosage may be introduced intravenously into the patient or orally as a component of the patient's diet. The oral feeding method is especially useful for surgical patients prior to surgical procedures which are likely to encourage cardiac trauma and useful for patients exhibiting symptoms of chronic congestive heart failure.

Abstract: Tall work-supporting elements, riders or buttons, for reheat furnaces increase the unshadowed area of radiation exposure for the under surface of steel workpieces and thereby significantly reduce the "skid mark" phenomena of workpieces. The tall supporting members are secured to horizontal water-cooled skids and have internal flow passageways to receive cooling water.

Abstract: A rider for use with lengthwise generally horizontal supports in a furnace is formed from an anchor block and a cover block and a locking means. The anchor block is secured to the lengthwise generally horizontal support surface. The cover block fits vertically onto the anchor block and can be moved forwardly into a locking position which prevents vertical, forward, or lateral movement of the cover block. A locking means between the anchor block and the cover block prevents rearward movement of the cover block. The cover block is replaceable without requiring removal and replacement of the anchor block.

Abstract: Activated carbon regeneration is carried out in a downwardly moving bed with superheated steam moving upwardly through the bed. The superheated steam is maintained in a closed loop which comprises the steam treatment vessel, a steam pump and a steam superheater. The superheated steam is supplied at low pressure (e.g. less than about 10 psig) and provides the heat for volatilizing water and desorbed organic volatiles. The resulting dry, partially regenerated activated carbon may be re-used directly, but preferably is treated in a vacuum chamber to remove residual water and additional adsorbate.

Abstract: Novel food products are disclosed which result from microwave-core-heating of dried foods such as pasta, beans, rice, cereal and pulses. The dried, raw foods are piled in a container and placed in a microwave oven chamber. The raw foods are exposed to microwave energy until they become browned and develop a toasty taste which is different from the taste of the dried, raw food products. The microwave cooking kit of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,985,990 and 4,880,951 is suited for the described core-heating.

Abstract: A process for providing a relatively smooth, tough, elastomeric coating over one surface of a fibrous batt employs a heated ironing surface which engages an uncured coating of a composition of cross-linkable elastomeric aqueous emulsion applied as a foam or froth to an exposed surface of a fibrous batt. The heated belt causes dewatering and cure of a film of the coating which is in contact with the ironing surface. The fibrous batt thereafter is heated in a curing oven to drive off substantially all of the moisture and substantially cure all of the elastomeric coating composition. The resulting coated fibrous batt has a smoother and tougher surface than similar batts formed from similar compositions without the interposed ironing treatment. A preferred ironing element comprises a continuous stainless steel belt.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for in-situ regeneration of particulate adsorbent in a vessel including: heating the adsorbent, passing inert gas through heated absorbent to collect vaporized adsorbate, chilling the inert gas to condense adsorbate, thereafter lowering the pressure within the vessel, collecting withdrawn gases containing volatilized adsorbate, and chilling the withdrawn gases to condense adsorbate.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing a contaminant from a container having a liquid inventory including the contaminant as a minor ingredient and having an elevated temperature at the top of the liquid inventory. A treatment vessel contains a supply of particulate adsorbent for the contaminant. A first conduit connects the top of the container with the treatment vessel. A second conduit connects the treatment vessel with the bottom of the container. The temperature difference between the top and bottom of liquid in the container provides the driving force for continuing movement of liquid from the top of the container through the first conduit, the treatment vessel and the second conduit back to the bottom of the container. The apparatus is particularly useful for removing PCB from retrofilled transformers containing minor quantities of PCB.

Abstract: Earth solids which have been contaminated by volatile organic contaminants can be treated by a method and in an apparatus of this invention. The apparatus includes a rotary kiln, a baghouse filter, a high temperature incinerator and a recycle conduit to recycle a major portion by volume of the hot exit gases from the rotary kiln back to the gas inlet end of the rotary kiln. The remainder of the rotary kiln exit gases is delivered through a baghouse filter to remove gas-borne particulates and the substantially particulate-free kiln exit gas is discharged through a high temperature incinerator which converts unburned volatile organic contaminants to innocuous products of combustion. Recycling the kiln exit gas to the gas inlet end of the kiln permits use of a larger kiln with accompanying increased solids throughput by permitting use of smaller baghouse filters and a smaller incinerator. In the preferred embodiment the entire system preferably is mounted on a frame suitable for highway mobility.

Abstract: Keyways can be eliminated from rolling mill sleeves by undercutting the existing keyway to a generally trapezoidal cross section and preparing a corresponding keyway filler from comparable metal. The keyway filler is thicker than the keyway. The excess metal from the keyway filler is removed after the keyway filler is press fitted into the undercut keyway.

Abstract: A process for lowering the blood cholesterol of hyperlipidemic patients by oral ingestion of pyruvate and a confection (cereal bar, fruit bar, candy) containing pyruvate as the ingestion medium.

Abstract: A two-stage process for baking/crusting food products is proposed. The First Stage is carried out in a microwave oven chamber; the Second Stage is carried out beneath a gas or electric broiler. In both stages, the food is placed on a browning/crusting device which provides a metal cooking surface, heated by adherent microwave lossy materials or on a smooth surface of one or more blocks of microwave lossy ceramic or microwave lossy igneous rock which is supported in a metal tray. In the First Stage, a First Stage kit includes a microwave transparent cover, a microwave transparent thermal insulating support and the browning/crusting device. In the Second Stage, only the browning/crusting device is used to complete the overall process. The browning/crusting device is pre-heated in a microwave oven to achieve an elevated browning/crusting temperature before applying food to the browning/crusting device.

Abstract: A two-chamber vessel provides for separate treatment of a fluid stream with particulate solids. Separate means are provided to introduce and remove particulate solids into each chamber. Separate means are provided to introduce and recover fluids from each chamber. The chambers may be operated in series or in parallel or for unrelated treatments. In a preferred embodiment, all of the inlet conduits for both chambers are presented at one end of the vessel.

Abstract: Heat curable adhesive compositions which include liquid polybutadiene polymer, powdered sulfur, organic accelerators and inert fillers are improved by adding blocked polyisocyanates or capped polyisocyanates. The addition improves resistance to "popping" of the cured or uncured adhesive when exposed to high temperature, e.g., spot-welding. The addition does not alter the beneficial flow properties and rheological properties of the adhesive. The adhesive is particularly useful on zinc coated steel, both electroplated zinc and hot-dip galvanized zinc coatings. Inclusion of zinc borate will activate the cure accelerators and retard the "popping" phenomenon at welding temperature.

Abstract: A tendon approximator employs two connected, normally closed clamps, which are each formed from two extruded elements. The two extruded elements are connected together in their mid-region by means of non-circular cam on a base element and a corresponding non-circular cam surface on a clamping element. In the normally closed position of the individual clamps, the cam and cam surface urge the device into a jaw-closed position with the handles being spaced apart. In a preferred embodiment two of the clamps are connected by means of rods extending through corresponding handle portions of the two clamps.