Abstract: A method for removing organic foulants such as organic sulfonates from an anion exchange resin comprises treating the anion exchange resin at an elevated temperature with a defouling solution containing at least 6% ammonium sulfate (wt/wt sulfate). The method is useful for removing organic foulants from the anion exchange resin used for polishing condensate water in power plants.

Abstract: A sprinkler head adapter comprising an internally threaded plastic fitting, a metal insert with both internal and external threads, and a sealing gasket is disclosed. The internally threaded passageway of the insert tapers inwardly. The diameters of the internally threaded fitting and of the externally threaded insert are substantially constant. The threads of the fitting and the corresponding external threads of the insert can be straight threads. The internal threads of the insert can be tapered threads corresponding to the threads of a metallic sprinkler head.

Abstract: Polyimides having a high thermal and oxidative stability are prepared by reacting a mixture of monomers comprising (a) a dialkyl, trialkyl, or tetraalkylester of an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid, (b) an aromatic diamine, and (c) an end cap compound. The ratio of (a), (b), and (c) is chosen so that upon heating the mixtures, low molecular weight prepolymers are formed, the prepolymers having only one end cap radical and being suitable for chain extension and crosslinking to form high molecular weight, thermally stable polyimides. Upon heating, the prepolymers form polyimide resins, which can have T.sub.g in excess of 600.degree. F. and superior physical properties.

Abstract: In a method for separating and regenerating a mixed bed of exhausted anion and cation resins, substantially all of the cation and anion resins in the bed are separated by their respective buoyancies using an amine salt solution having a density between the densities of the anion and cation resins. A composition formed during this method comprises the anion resin, the cation resin, and the amine salt solution.

Abstract: A device for warming at least a portion of the top surface of a bucky table of a mammography machine is provided. The device has two substantially parallel, spaced apart, heat-conductive plates adapted to be removably placed onto the table. A heating pad is placed between the two plates for warming at least a portion of the upper surface of the table. Means are provided for releasably holding the plates together so that the heating pad can be placed between the plates and removed therefrom.

Abstract: A chair comprising a combination of metal and wooden members provides a pleasing aesthetic warm appearance and a durable structure with a pivotal rocking action for the seat and backrest. A cut-out portion of the front leg houses a rectangular metal post constituting a metal bracket to support the pivotal function of a frame for the seat and backrest. A plate or panel can overlay the metal post inset in the front leg to retain an overall substantially wooden appearance to the chair.

Abstract: Medical devices which are currently proposed to use elements made from shape memory alloys may be improved by the use of stress-induced martensite alloy elements instead. The use of stress-induced martensite decreases the temperature sensitivity of the devices, thereby making them easier to install and/or remove.

Abstract: In a process for reducing the sulfur and ash contents of coal, coal is sequentially contacted with fused alkali metal caustic, water, carbonic acid, and a strong acid. Caustic removed from the coal by the water and the carbonic acid is recovered as anhydrous caustic for again contacting coal.

Abstract: A therapeutic garment is adapted to be worn on a human torso for therapeutic treatment of back pain. The garment has at least one pocket in the lower back section of the garment. The pocket is capable of removably receiving a packet to create a thermal change in the pocket. The distance between the pocket and the upper back section of the garment is adjustable so that the garment can be used by persons of different torso length.

Abstract: A hand tool is useful for extracting upwardly a shaft of a pop-up sprinkler that is biased downwardly into a cavity in the sprinkler and for maintaining the shaft in an extracted position. The tool comprises a pair of elongated members pivotally connected to each other at a pivot point to form a pair of opposed handles and a pair of opposed grippers. Biasing means are provided for biasing the grippers together. Each gripper has a projection extending outwardly from its nose end for gripping an inside wall of the shaft. Each gripper also includes a cut-out portion on its inside surface so that the two cut-out portions form an opening shaped to firmly grip the outside wall of the extracted sprinkler shaft. When the tool is placed on the sprinkler shaft, due to the force of the biasing means, the tool firmly grips the sprinkler shaft and prevents it from dropping downwardly into the recess.

Abstract: A wheelchair comprises front legs, rear legs and a rearwardly directed support. Large non-swiveling front wheels are located ahead of small swivel wheels which are affixed to the rear frame. The seat and backrest portions are pivotally attached to the front legs. The front legs are hollow tubes with rods passing through to engage rotatable rollers at the floor engaging ends of the legs. The rollers can be locked against rotation to brake the chair or be freely rotatable when the rods are elevated and the chair is to be moved. The structure provides a refined and aesthetically pleasing wheelchair suitable for long term, geriatric use. A foot support is foldable between an extended position ahead of the seat and a position below the seat, the foot support blending neatly with the seat portion of the chair.

Abstract: A piano truck has a supporting structure comprising four elongated supports interconnected to form an adjustable parallelogram-shaped frame on which the piano can be supported. A wheel is mounted on each of the four supports so that no two wheels are colinear. The truck is compact and lightweight so that the piano can easily be maneuvered and transported through narrow doorways. Members are provided for fixedly attaching the supporting structure to a piano to avoid tipping over of the piano.

Abstract: A chair comprising a combination of metal and wooden members provides a pleasing aesthetic warm appearance and a durable structure with a pivotal rocking action for the seat and backrest. A cut-out portion of the front leg houses a rectangular metal post constituting a metal bracket to support the pivotal function of a frame for the seat and backrest. A plate or panel can overlay the metal post inset in the front leg to retain an overall substantially wooden appearance to the chair.

Abstract: There is provided a slagging combustion system for generating high purity working fluid suitable for driving gas turbines. The system consists of a precombustor for preheating oxidant tangentially fed to a primary slagging combustor where a solid carbonaceous material is combusted under substoichiometric slagging conditions. Slag is collected in the primary slagging combustor and products of combustion passed to a transition section where tertiary oxidant and sulfur-gettering agents are added, and then to a cyclonic secondary combustion chamber.

Abstract: The generation of acid rain precursors, i.e., SO.sub.x and NO.sub.x, and slag during the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel, e.g., coal, is counteracted in a slagging combustor apparatus and process. The fuel is combusted in a primary combustor under substoichiometric combustion conditions and at a temperature greater than the fuel's ash fusion temperature. The substoichiometric combustion conditions suppress the formation of NO.sub.x. Most of the noncombustibles are separated from the gaseous products of combustion, in the form of liquid slag, to form treated gaseous combustion products having a noncombustible content that is substantially reduced with respect to the noncombustible content of the fuel. The temperature of the treated gaseous combustion as it leaves the primary combustion is above the ash fusion tmeprature of the fuel. A sorbent is introduced into the treated gaseous combustion products and calcined. The calcined sorbent removes SO.sub.x from the treated gaseous combustion products.

Abstract: A process for the catalytic production of hydrogen, from a wide variety of low heating value fuel gases containing carbon monoxide, comprises circulating a carbonaceous material between two reactors--a carbon deposition reactor and a steaming reactor. In the carbon deposition reactor, carbon monoxide is removed from a fuel gas and is deposited on the carbonaceous material as an active carbon. In the steaming reactor, the reactive carbon reacts with steam to give hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The carbonaceous material contains a metal component comprising from about 75% to about 95% cobalt, from about 5% to about 15% iron, and up to about 10% chromium, and is effective in suppressing the production of methane in the steaming reactor.

Abstract: A fine iron powder, being a carbonyl iron powder is electrolessly plated with an oxidatively resistant metallic coating. The coating is obtained from a bath containing nickel and copper salts. Oxidation resistance is improved at temperatures greater than 100.degree. C. Products containing these fine powders include liquids to provide increased oxidation resistance for coating a substrate, and articles formed by such powdered metals with or without other materials, such as ceramic or refractory materials.