Abstract: An internal partitioning wall for a blast furnace stove in which a layer of insulating material is interposed between two layers of refractory material. Buttressing means such as integral, refractory ledges are provided at periodic vertical intervals from one layer of refractory material to the other. These refractory ledges protect the insulating layer from damage due to radially directed compressive forces found to exist in this wall and also reduce deterioration of this insulation due to sagging and vertical compression.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the top or bottom horizontal section of a coke oven door seal ring and which applies approximately constant pressure to all points along its lateral path. A cleaning head is pivotally mounted on the terminal end of an arm member which is, itself, pivotally mounted to oscillate in a horizontal arc on a base structure. An extension of the door cleaner frame is suspended above the arm and on this frame there is mounted a spring. A vertical, spring driven link is attached at its upper terminal end to this spring and at its lower end to the base. This link is also medially attached to the frame so as to pivot in a vertical arc about this point of attachment. A second idler link which is pivotally connected at its top to the frame and at its bottom to the pivoting base keeps the cleaning head from being vertically displaced out of contact with the seal ring.

Abstract: A quaternary alloy consisting of zirconium, titanium, manganese and iron is characterized in having C14 hexagonal crystal structure and ZrMn.sub.2 stoichiometry. Members of a preferred class of compounds, represented by the empirical formula Zr.sub.1-x Ti.sub.x Mn.sub.2-y Fe.sub.y wherein "x" has a value between 0.05 and 0.3 and "y" has a value between 0.1 and 1, are particularly suitable for use as hydrogen storage materials.

Abstract: A continuous metal casting machine having a starter bar handling apparatus which includes a first pivoting arm member generally suspended over the downwardly oriented, generally arcuate strand conveying structure and a second pivoting arm member generally suspended over the upwardly oriented, generally arcuate starter bar receiving structure. Releaseable starter bar engagement means are mounted on the terminal ends of these pivoting arms so that as the first arm pivots downwardly through a vertical arc generally coplanar with the strand conveying structure, the starter bar is moved from the mold to the straightener apparatus. A guide structure or other such control means is mounted in the path of the first arm member so that its terminal engagement means will release the starter bar as it is engaged by the straightener apparatus.

Abstract: A high efficiency checker brick for use in a coke oven regenerator. A unique configuration is disclosed which results in the brick having rows of longitudinal slots with vertically corrugated surfaces. The front and rear side surfaces are similarly corrugated, and separator surfaces are provided to space the brick from other bricks so that other vertical gas conveying slots are formed. Although the disclosed brick has an unusually large surface area, it has adequate mass and structural strength and may be manufactured by the economically attractive re-press or dry press methods.

Abstract: A ternary alloy comprised of zirconium, manganese and a third element selected from cerium, praseodymium and neodymium is characterized in having AB.sub.2 hexagonal crystal structure and stoichiometry. Members of a preferred class of compounds, represented by the empirical formula Zr.sub.x-1 M.sub.x Mn.sub.2 wherein "x" has a value between zero and about 0.3 and M is one of the selected metals, are particularly suitable for use as hydrogen storage materials.

Abstract: N-methylolated/methoxymethylated aryldisulfonamides useful as rubber crosslinking agents are provided of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein x is between about 1 and 2, and y is between about 1 and 3, z is between about 0 and 1.5, the total of x, y and z being about 4.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for one-step preparation of substituted tetraselenafulvalenes by reaction of carbon diselenide with acetylenic compounds under pressures of at least about 1,000 atmospheres. Substituted tetraselenafulvalenes made by this process are useful as precursors to very pure tetraselenafulvalene and are useful in forming complexes with certain inorganic anions to provide charge-transfer salts having very high electrical conductivity.

Abstract: A coke oven flushing liquor decanter apparatus that has a vertically elongated vessel that has a variable cross-sectional dimension so as to separate the flushing liquor into a lower liquid phase and an upper liquid phase. A vertical tube extends downwardly into the tar phase and a second vertical, downwardly extending tube concentrically surrounds the first vertical tube but concentrically surrounds the first vertical tube but does not extend into the tar phase. A lateral tube connects with first lateral tube in the tar phase to remove tar from the vessel, and a second lateral tube connects with the second vertical tube in the liquid from the vessel.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making 1,3-cyclic diones by vapor-phase cyclization of delta-keto carboxylic acid esters over a carbon catalyst bed. The delta-keto ester is conveyed through the catalyst bed by a carrier gas characterized by being liquid at 25.degree. C. and having a sufficiently high boiling point that the carrier gas is easily condensable under ambient conditions. The delta-keto ester is highly soluble in the liquid carrier, while the cyclic dione product of the ester has very low solubility in the liquid carrier. Use of the described carrier in vapor-phase cyclization of delta-keto esters allows efficient separation of cyclic dione product and unreacted starting material from the carrier after the cyclization reaction.

Abstract: Shaft sealing for a materials processing rotor at the juncture of the rotor's shaft with its surrounding machine housing. The sealing apparatus includes a seal stator carried on the machine housing and through which the shaft of the rotor extends. A seal impeller, having a plurality of elongated, oblique impeller vanes forming its perimeter, is carried on the rotor shaft within the seal stator. Fluid restraining means extends between the machine housing and the rotor shaft, at a location outboard of the seal impeller, to provide a fluid dam, and fluid injection means extends from the exterior of the machine housing to a position between the fluid restraining means and the seal impeller.

Abstract: Para-cresol is separated from a mixture comprising meta-cresol and various other methylated and ethylated phenols by preferentially complexing the para-cresol with one or more anhydrous or dehydrated inorganic salts selected from the group consisting of calcium bromide, lithium bromide, manganese bromide and magnesium chloride. The anhydrous inorganic salt is added to the phenolic mixture in an amount to give a mole ratio of salt to para-cresol in the mixture in the range of about 0.5 mole to one to about 1.5 mole to one. The para-cresol and salt form a complex and the complex is removed from the mixture of methylated and ethylated phenols. Then the complex is decomposed to recover the para-cresol and salt; the recovered salt may be recycled to complex with more para-cresol.

Abstract: A coke oven charging hole that dissipates heat emanating from the oven so that the cover resists warping due to overheating. The concentration of large amounts of heat directly above the charging hole is also avoided. A lower concave housing member fits into the charging hole and is partially filled with insulation. A circular plate is fixed to this housing member so as to form an insulating air space between this plate and the insulation. One or more other plates are superimposed over this plate so as to form heat air spaces which are open to ambient air so that a laterally directed flow of air is established in these air spaces.

Abstract: A charging hole cover sealing structure in which a disc-shape cover is superimposed over the charging hole and an annulus-shaped charging hole frame. The frame has on its top surface a peripheral medial groove and an inner planar surface. The cover has a lip with a terminal downwardly projecting peripheral tongue that engages the medial groove on the frame as the lip abuts its inner planar surface so that dual gas tight seals are established. A primary continuous seal is established at the point where the lip abuts the inner planar surface on the frame. The groove is filled with a heat resistant particulate material which will cause any coke oven gases escaping through this primary seal to be condensed so as to form a particularly effective sealant material made up of a mixture of the resultant tarry condensation with the particulate material.

Abstract: Catalytic material is prepared by impregnating porous silica with an aqueous solution containing vanadyl oxalate (VOC.sub.2 O.sub.4), potassium sulfate (K.sub.2 SO.sub.4) and potassium bisulfate (KHSO.sub.4). A free-flowing dry-appearing powder is provided comprising particles having substantially all compounds deposited from the impregnating solution attached to the silica particles within pores of the particles. Subsequent calcining of the powder provides a mixture of compounds within the particle pores containing at least one oxide of vanadium and at least one sulfate of potassium. Catalytic material prepared by the disclosed process is characterized in having a substantially uniform concentration of deposited compounds within the pores of the silica support. The catalytic material is particularly useful in a process for fluid bed oxidation of naphthalene to phthalic anhydride, in which oxidation process the catalyst provides high product yield at a low catalyst attrition rate.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for promoting isomerization of sym-octahydrophenanthrene (s-OHP) to sym-octahydroanthracene (s-OHA) in the presence of a catalyst provided by aluminum chloride or aluminum bromide, or a mixture of these two compounds. The rate of isomerization is increased by having the reaction run in the presence of an aralkyl halide such as benzyl chloride.

Abstract: A process for removing sulfur oxides from waste gas is provided. The gas is contacted with a sorbent selected from sodium bicarbonate, trona and activated sodium carbonate and, utilizing an alkaline liquor containing borate ion so as to reduce flow rates and loss of alkalinity, the spent sorbent is regenerated with an alkaline earth metal oxide or hydroxide.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for promoting isomerization of sym-octahydrophenanthrene (s-OHP) to sym-octahydroanthracene (s-OHA) in the presence of a catalyst provided by aluminum chloride or aluminum bromide, or a mixture of these two compounds. The rate of isomerization is increased by having the reaction run in the presence of an aroyl halide, such as benzoyl chloride or isophthaloyl chloride.

Abstract: A filter bag tensioning device for use in a bag house is disclosed. The tensioning device comprises a straight lever arm adapted to be pivotally mounted in the upper reaches of a bag house and carrying, on the end of the lever arm opposite that of filter bag attachment, a semi-fixed counterweight. The semi-fixed counterweight is prevented from rotating as its end of the lever arm moves in an ascending direction from a horizontal position but is free to rotate as its end of the lever arm moves in a descending direction from horizontal, to thereby continuously maintain a desired design tension on an attached filter bag. In a preferred embodiment, the lever arm can also be rotated to a vertical position and then moved longitudinally of its pivot to substantially lower the filter bag attachment point, thereby greatly facilitating attachment and replacement of filter bags and, in a further preferred aspect, to permit these operations to be performed by a workman having both hands free.

Abstract: A process for removing sulfur dioxide from waste gas is provided. The gas is first contacted with an alkaline scrubbing liquor consisting essentially of a sorbent salt in which the cation is sodium or potassium, and one of the anions is borate. The clean gas is vented and the sorbent liquor regenerated for recycle by treatment with lime to precipitate insoluble calcium-sulfur compounds for disposal and regenerate the alkalinity of the scrubbing liquor.