Abstract: A method for controlling the magnesium content of molten aluminum includes the steps of injecting a halogen gas into the molten aluminum, sampling a portion of the resulting gases evolved from the molten aluminum, detecting the presence of constituents in the sampled gases and/or characteristics of the sampled gases indicative of the imminent evolution of unreacted halogen gas, and adjusting the rate of halogen gas injection to approach the point where unreacted halogen gas is about to be evolved. In the preferred embodiment, the halogen gas is chlorine; the detected constituents are gaseous hydrogen chloride (CHl) and aluminum chlorhydrate compounds (Al.sub.2 Cl.sub.x .multidot.(OH).sub.6-x); and the detected characteristic is the opacity of the sampled gases. The invention includes a technique for adjusting the rate of halogen gas injection so as to approach the optimal rate. The invention also includes (1) a sensor for detecting the content of HCl and Al.sub.2 Cl.sub.x .multidot.(OH).sub.

Abstract: A torque coupling system includes an impeller that is connected to one end of an impeller shaft without the use of threads. The connection is made by cement and dowels. A drive system for the shaft includes a hollow coupling into which the other end of the shaft can be fitted. The shaft includes longitudinally extending slots formed at its end. The coupling includes spaced, longitudinally extending keys adapted to be fitted into the slots formed in the shaft. The drive system also includes a torque limiter that is conected intermediate the coupling and a drive motor. If the drive motor is an electric motor, the motor can be provided with automatic shut-down circuitry that is activated in the event of a current/torque overload. Visual and aural alarms are provided to alert the user that a shut-down has occurred.

Abstract: A spray nozzle for fire control produces a spray of gas and liquid having an oval transverse cross-section and comprises a mixing chamber having an oval transverse cross-section adapted to induce a toroidal mixing pattern in pressurized gas and liquid introduced to the mixing chamber through a plurality of inlets. In a preferred embodiment the mixing chamber is toroidal. The spray may be used in fire control systems in vehicles or other confined spaces.

Abstract: An improvement in the conversion of high boiling liquid organic materials to low boiling materials, and more particularly, in the process of converting heavy hydrocarbon oil feedstocks to fuel range liquids is described. In its broadest aspects, the invention comprises a process for converting high boiling hydrocarbons to lower boiling materials characterized by an increase in aromatic content and a lower pour point which comprises contacting said high boiling hydrocarbons with water at a temperature of from about 600.degree. F. to about 875.degree. F. at a pressure of at least about 2000 psi in the absence of any externally supplied catalysts, and wherein the weight ratio of water to high boiling hydrocarbons is from about 0.5:1 to about 1:1, and the water and high boiling hydrocarbon form a substantially single phase system under the elevated temperature and pressure conditions utilized.

Abstract: High surface area open microporous, partially crystalline, partially amorphous, solid ceramic materials containing silicon carbide with or without silica with or without carbon may be prepared by controlled pyrolysis of (RSiO.sub.1.5).sub.n gels in an inert atmosphere. The silica and carbon content, surface area, and pore size and distribution may be altered by optional subsequent processing steps to selectively remove carbon and/or silica.

Abstract: Erasable optical memories for storing information are prepared from organic materials having two stable crystalline forms. Each crystalline form has at least one different optical characteristic and the materials are reversibly thermally convertible between the crystalline forms. Information is recorded or erased with a laser beam that heats a film of the organic material in a local area to change the crystalline form. Information may also be recorded or erased by melting a local area or all of the film and quickly cooling it to restore the original crystalline form. Examples of such organic compounds are biaryl compounds, such as binaphthyls, bianthryls and biquinolyls.

Abstract: A process for the selective hydrocarboxylation of propylene to produce predominantly isobutyric acid in the liquid phase is provided. The reaction of propylene, carbon monoxide and water is effected at a temperature of about 10.degree. C. to about 80.degree. C. and at a pressure of about 75 psi to about 1500 psi in the presence of a strong acid and a metal phthalocyanine co-catalyst.

Abstract: A process is provided for the oxydehydrogenation of saturated carboxylic acids with oxygen in the presence of iron phosphorus oxide catalysts containing promoters selected from the group Ag, Al, B, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ga, Ge, In, Mn, Ni, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, Zn, Zr, rare earths and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are upgraded to valuable organic compounds, such as methanol, methane, propylene, and the like, by a thermochemical process comprising:(a) contacting the carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide with hydrogen sulfide to form carbonyl sulfide,(b) contacting the carbonyl sulfide with oxygen to form carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide, and(c) hydrogenating at least one of carbon monoxide and carbonyl sulfide to the desired organic compound.

Abstract: A process for the selective oxidation of olefins comprises the steps of forming a suspension of semiconductor powder in a solvent media, adding an olefin to the solvent media in the presence of an oxidant to form a mixture and, photochemically activating the mixture with illumination having an energy at least equal to the band gap of the semiconductor powder wherein the selectivity is controlled by the selection of A, of the solvent and of the oxidant. The process is one carried out at about ambient temperature and with gentle agitation. The semiconductor powder has the general formula A.sub.x B.sub.y C.sub.z where A is selected from Bi, Sn, Pt, Pd, Cu, Fe, W, V, Sb, Mo, Ru or Ag and mixtures thereof; B is Te, Sb, Ti, Cd, Mo, V or W and mixtures thereof; C is O or S; x equals 0 to 5; y equals 1 to 3; and z is a number necessary to satisfy the other elements, and is optionally metallized by an element selected from Pt, Pd, Cu or Ag.

Abstract: Novel catalyst for the photochemical conversion and storage of radiant energy through the conversion of strained cyclic non-conjugated carbon containing compounds to their corresponding conjugated forms comprises ionically bonding a transition metal complex having a square planar geometry and multiple sites of coordination with an anion-exchange resin. A method is provided for the preparation of the novel catalyst and comprises forming an acid salt derivative of the transition metal complex and mixing it together with an anion-exchange resin. A process wherein the novel catalyst is added to a strained cyclic non-conjugated carbon containing compound resulting in the release of heat energy through the conversion of the non-conjugated carbon containing compound to its conjugated form. A process and sealed container means wherein the non-conjugated carbon containing compound and the catalyst are in compartments and are separated until heat energy is required.

Abstract: A method for preparing a molecular sieving metallosilicate is disclosed which comprises(A) providing a mixture comprising: water; an oxide of silicon source; a mineralizing agent and/or synthesis directing agent; and a heteropolymetallate of the formulaA.sub.a L.sub.l M.sub.m J.sub.z O.sub.y .dH.sub.

Abstract: A process for the generation of halogens from halide-containing solutions includes the step of conducting electrolysis of the solutions in an electrolytic cell having a platinum based amorphous metal alloy anode having the formulaPt.sub.p A.sub.a D.sub.dwhereA is Cr, Mo, W, Fe, Os, Cu, Ni, Ag, V, Au and mixtures thereof;D is B, Si, Al, Ge, P, As, Sb, Sn and mixtures thereof;p ranges from about 40 to 92;a ranges from about 0 to 40; andd ranges from about 8 to 60, with the proviso that p+a+d=100.Such amorphous metal alloy anodes are also based on the formulaPt.sub.p E.sub.e F.sub.fwhereE is Cr, Mo, W, Fe, Os, Ir, Cu, Ni, Rh, Pd, Ag, Ti, Ru, Nb, V, Ta, Au and mixtures thereof;F is B, Al, Ge, As, Sb, Sn and mixtures thereof;p ranges from about 40 to 92;e ranges from about 0 to 40; andf ranges from about 8 to 60, with the proviso that p+e+f=100.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising the mixed oxides of ruthenium, palladium or platinum and alkali metals are provided which are useful in the subject process for the upgrading of synthesis gas, particularly for obtaining alkanes and alcohols having at least two carbon atoms, in addition to methane and methanol. Also provided is a temperature gradient reactor useful in synthesis gas upgrading reactions for increasing selectivity to higher carbon number products.

Abstract: Thin films of Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x Te with controlled x greater than 0.5 are cathodically deposited on a thin CdS film over a conductive film of ITO deposited on a glass substrate. Depositing a conductive film on the electrodeposited Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x Te treated to provide a Te-rich surface for a good ohmic contact forms an improved solar cell.

Abstract: Amorphous metal alloy powders are synthesized by solid state decomposition reactions. At least one precursor compound is thermally decomposed at a temperature below the crystallization temperature of the amorphous metal alloy to be formed. The decomposition product comprises an intimate mixture of the elements of the alloy and, after heat-treating if necessary, exhibits amorphous characteristics.

Abstract: A process is provided for the thermochemical conversion of biomass to useful gaseous and liquid organic products. The inventive process utilizes a catalyst to obtain increased yields of gaseous and liquid organic products and decreased yields, if any, of solid and semisolid tar/oils.

Abstract: A process for the selective hydrocarboxylation of propylene to produce predominantly isobutyric acid in the liquid phase is provided. The reaction of propylene, carbon monoxide and water wherein a water to propylene ratio is maintained of from about 0.01 to a value less than 1.0 is effected at a temperature of about 75.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. and at a pressure of about 250 psi to about 5000 psi in the presence of a carboxylic acid solvent and a catalyst comprising a coordinating palladium compound, an organo-arsine and a hydrogen halide.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of aliphatic acetate esters and gaseous alkanes comprising contacting acetic acid and synthesis gas in the vapor phase at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalyst containing the mixed oxides of ruthenium and nickel, and optionally an alkali metal oxide and the oxides of cobalt, cadmium, zinc or mixtures thereof. Other carboxylic acids may be substituted for acetic acid as desired.

Abstract: A method is provided for the deposition of coatings upon substrates utilizing a high pressure, non-local thermal equilibrium arc plasma including the steps of generating a non-LTE arc plasma at a pressure greater than about 0.1 atmospheres, introducing a coating material into the arc plasma, positioning a substrate material proximate to the arc plasma whereby activated species of said coating material formed by the arc plasma contact the substrate to form a coating.