Abstract: A method of drying hydrated crystalline magnesium sulfate to reduce its surface moisture content is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) fluidizing a bed of hydrated crystalline magnesium sulfate particles by continuously passing a heated gaseous medium in a generally upwardly direction through the particles at a superficial velocity at least sufficient to maintain turbulent fluidization and mixing of the particles throughout the bed; (b) transferring a dispersed form of hydrated crystalline magnesium sulfate to be dried into the fluidized bed; (c) maintaining the amount of crystalline magnesium sulfate within the fluidized bed at a constant depth; (d) controlling the temperature and relative humidity of the heated gaseous medium to maintain a bed temperature and humidity sufficient to vaporize at least a portion of the surface moisture from the hydrated crystalline magnesium sulfate without removing waters of hydration; and (e) removing dried hydrated crystalline magnesium sulfate from the bed.

Abstract: High density, dead burned refractory magnesia (MgO) is produced by sintering compacts formed by simultaneously thermally dehydrating and mechanical working an aqueous slurry of magnesium hydroxide.

Abstract: Organic material having a normal boiling point in excess of 200.degree. C. and a relative volatility with respect to water of at least one is removed from water contaminated therewith. The process comprises passing a current of vapor, sufficient to vaporize at least a portion of the organic material, through a moving stream of the contaminated water. In a preferred embodiment, the process comprises adjusting the pH of the contaminated water to a level sufficient to prevent substantial dissociation of the organic material. The contaminated water is then countercurrently contacted with a sufficient vapor flow to vaporize at least a portion of the organic material. The resulting organic material-containing vapor can be recovered, and the organic material removed. Illustrative of the process is the removal by air stripping of pentachlorophenol from waste water contaminated with about 250 parts per billion thereof.

Abstract: An improved method for producing calcium bromide by reacting hydrogen bromide with calcium hydroxide in the presence of water and carbonate ions is disclosed. The improvement comprises maintaining a sufficient pH in the reaction mixture to convert at least a portion of the carbonate ions to a gaseous carbon-oxygen compound thereby removing the carbonate ions from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in an electrolytic cell having an anode positioned within an anode chamber and an oxidizing gas depolarized cathode positioned within a cathode chamber adapted to contain a catholyte, said cathode chamber spaced apart from the anode chamber by a cation-permeable partition. The improved cell comprises the cathode having a cellular metal structure comprising a continuous interconnected network of electrolytically deposited metal defining therebetween a plurality of substantially convex and substantially electrically nonconductive cellular compartments. The arrangement of the compartments is adapted to permit passage of the oxidizing gas to the catholyte. The cellular metal structure is further characterized in that the deposited metal interfaces the cellular compartments within the cellular metal structure.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for recovering hydrogen bromide gas from a gaseous stream. The method comprises contacting the gaseous stream with a nonaqeous hydrogen bromide absorbent containing acetic acid to absorb at least a portion of the hydrogen bromide. The hydrogen bromide containing absorbent is then heated to desorb at least a portion of the hydrogen bromide.

Abstract: A method of providing a particulate suitable for use in, for example, coating compositions, such as paints. The described method comprises depositing a metal on a substrate by, for example, electroless or vapor deposition methods. The metal deposit is then removed from substrate to provide a plurality of distinct metal platelets suitable for combination with a carrier and use in a coating composition.

Abstract: A method for separating contaminants from steam is disclosed. The method comprises conveying water at the saturation temperature of the contaminated steam into an enclosed treatment scrubber containing a plurality of baffles. The water is continuously passed through the baffles at a predetermined velocity. Contaminated steam is counter-currently passed upward through the baffles to contact at least a portion of the contaminants with at least a portion of the water. Water, contaminants, and steam are recovered from the scrubber.

Abstract: A process for extracting non-ferrous metal values from an oxide ore. The process comprises leaching the ore with a solution containing at least one alkali metal chloride or alkaline earth chloride salt in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas at a temperature and pressure sufficient to solubilize the non-ferrous metal values into the solution of the metal chloride salt.

Abstract: An electrical method to determine the suitability of a diaphragm for use in an electrolytic cell. The method comprises inserting the diaphragm between a primary anode and a primary cathode immersed in an electrolyte and then impressing a known direct current electromotive force between the electrodes. The change in electrical properties across the electrolyte resulting from insertion of the diaphragm is determined. Such change is indicative of the suitability of the diaphragm for use in an electrolytic cell and can be a measure of diaphragm uniformity.

Abstract: An improved method to prill calcium chloride comprising feeding a molten, aqueous calcium chloride solution into a boiling refrigerant with a boiling temperature less than the freezing temperature of the solution. The solution is fed into the boiling refrigerant from an opening positioned upwardly from and spaced apart from the upper surface of the refrigerant.

Abstract: A process of reducing the total sulfur content of coal is disclosed. The process comprises hydrogenating the coal to remove at least a portion of the recoverable sulfur combined as pyritic sulfur. The hydrogenated coal is subsequently contacted with a sufficient amount of an aqueous inorganic acid solution to remove at least a portion of the remaining sulfur initially combined as pyritic sulfur.

Abstract: Insulating members such as plastic foamed boards or panels are positioned on curved surfaces by affixing the panels or planks to strap members attached to and positioned adjacent the surface to be insulated. This technique is particularly suitable for the insulation of tanks and like containers.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for reducing the dimensions of a workpiece using rotatable work means. The apparatus comprises in combination: a portable electric drill motor having a shaft-receiving chuck; a work means rotatable about its longitudinal axis and supported by the chuck and a journalled support member; a guide member supporting the drill motor; a base member adapted to receive and support (1) the guide member adjacent one end, (2) the journalled support member adjacent the other end, and (3) a working element support between the guide member and the journalled support member; the base member having retentive parallel positioning rails extending longitudinally along each lateral edge of a face of the base member; the guide member being slidable longitudinally of the base member whereby the drill motor is adjustably positionabletoward the journalled support member to allow the working means to be rotatably supported.

Abstract: A cellular metal structure comprising a continuous interconnected network of electrolytically deposited metal defining a plurality of substantially convex cellular compartments therebetween is disclosed. The metal structure is produced by positioning a cellular array of substantially convex and substantially electrically nonconductive particles having a plurality of interstitial spaces therebetween between the anode and cathode of an electrolytic cell. The array is at least partially immersed in an aqueous solution of an electrolyte suitable for the electrolytic deposition of the metal. A direct current potential is applied between the anode and cathode to electrolytically deposit a continuous interconnected network of metal in the interstitial spaces defined between the cellular array of substantially convex particles.

Abstract: By providing about 1 percent of an extremely finely divided powder, e.g. less than about 60 microns, disposed throughout a body of sodium chloride particles, the salt particles can be heated without caking to temperatures higher than otherwise obtainable without experiencing caking. Suitable powders include those binary oxides, carbonates, sulfates, phosphates and hydroxides of Group II and Group IV elements, which are solids within the temperature range to be encountered.

Abstract: A continuous balanced flow electrophoresis apparatus utilizes a fixed, colloid-permeable boundary membrane across which net liquid flow is minimized. The apparatus is employed in electrophoretic separation of colloids such as blood plasma proteins in which fluid flow rates are controlled and balanced to minimize or prevent liquid transfer across the boundary membrane.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the repetitive use of a single packed chromatographic column for the separation of a first solute from at least one second solute of differing polarity, said solutes being commingled in a sample solution. The sample solution is introduced into the inlet end of a single re-usable chromatographic column packed with a charge of porous adsorbent material suited to preferentially adsorb the first solute. A series of different eluants are then passed through the stationary phase to selectively stepwise elute the second solute, and the first adsorbed solute, and to regenerate the stationary phase before introduction of a subsequent sample solution into the column. A control means coordinates the respective sequential processing of each of a plurality of sample solutions through the same charge of porous adsorbent material in the column.

Abstract: A body of particles of sodium chloride (1) initially containing sodium sulfate and/or sodium carbonate, and/or (2) exposed to compounds capable of reacting in situ with the sodium chloride and/or with each other to form sodium sulfate and/or sodium carbonate, is maintained free from caking at temperatures within the range of from about 610.degree. C to at least about 700.degree. C by maintaining such a body substantially free from sodium sulfate and/or sodium carbonate. One or more compounds, at least one of which contains calcium ion, are provided in the system to react with any sodium sulfate and sodium carbonate present in the system initially, and with any compounds in the system which would otherwise react to form sodium sulfate and/or sodium carbonate.

Abstract: A method of coating an electrode with an activating oxide comprising admixing an oxide particulate of titanium and ruthenium with a solution of titanium and ruthenium halides in an alcohol with a boiling temperature less than that of water, applying a layer of the mixture to a surface of a valve metal substrate, removing the liquid portion from the layer and then oxidizing the remaining portion of the layer.