Abstract: A directly-compressed, controlled release tablet contains N-acetyl cysteine as the active ingredient.

Abstract: An optical couplers and optical coupling system for coupling a source of non-coherent light to a light distribution harness, wherein the couplers are polygonal in cross section to increase light mixing, and the coupler has inlet and outlet arms, and an intermediate bend region configured to achieve compactness and minimal light loss through the bend region. In one embodiment, the bend region is an integral part of the coupler, with the inlet arm having a different cross-sectional dimension from the outlet art in such manner that substantially all light directed from the inlet portion to the bend portion reaches the outlet arm portion, and light rays parallel to the inlet axis are reflected in the bend portion to be directed substantially parallel to the outlet axis. In a second embodiment, the bend region comprises a prism having a pair of parallel spaced surfaces, and inlet, outlet, and third surfaces that are non-parallel to the spaced surfaces.

Abstract: The thermal resistance of a zinc chloride/ammonium chloride galvanizing preflux is improved by incorporating therein boric acid, other alkali metal chlorides and an aliphatic amino derivative. An improved zinc chloride/ammonium chloride galvanizing, top-flux includes a deoxidizer such as graphite or charcoal, other alkali metal chlorides and a foaming agent. Both compositions, the preflux and the top-flux, can be used to advantage in galvanizing steel with low lead or no lead zinc.

Abstract: A novel catalyst composition comprising a crystalline aluminosilicate having a molar ratio of silica to alumina of at least 5:1, the aluminosilicate carrying gallium and copper, is useful in the conversion at elevated temperature of a C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 hydrocarbon feedstock into aromatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process for depositing a ceramic coating on a filament, which comprises heating the filament by passage of an electric current via at least two electrodes, and passing the heated filament through a deposition chamber containing gases which on contact with the hot filament deposit the required coating; characterized in that after deposition of the coating, the coated filament passes through an electrode containing a liquid metal mixture which is a mercury/indium or mercury/cadmium amalgam or a gallium/indium mixture.

Abstract: A catalyst which comprises zinc, together with an effective amount of a platinum group metal on a support which is a material having the silicalite structure, the framework of said material consisting essentially of silicon and oxygen atoms or of silicon, zinc and oxygen atoms. There is also provided a process for the dehydrogenation of a C.sub.2 to C.sub.10 paraffin to yield an alkene product which process comprises contacting the paraffin under dehydrogenation conditions with a catalyst according to the invention.

Abstract: A method for preparing vapor-liquid-solid silicon carbide whisker reinforced metal matrix composites by a squeeze casting process employing a primary pressure and then a hydrostatic pressure to form the reinforced composites. The process to make the composites comprises: 1) providing VLS silicon carbide whiskers in a mold cavity; 2) introducing a molten metal into the mold cavity; 3) subjecting the molten metal and VLS silicon carbide whiskers in the cavity to a primary pressure of about 100 psi to about 2000 psi to infiltrate the whiskers with the molten metal; 4) subsequently subjecting the VLS silicon carbide whiskers infiltrated with the molten metal to a hydrostatic pressure of about 10,000 psi to about 25,000 psi to produce a fully dense mass; and 5) solidifying the metal matrix to form a composite.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of fluid feedstreams comprises the steps of providing at least one wafer (200) comprising a central area (202) providing a plurality of members (18) arranged in a plurality of layers (201) and peripheral support means (203) encompassing the central area, arranged axially in a module (180) having first and second ports (185, 208); a plurality of separate bore fluid chambers (198, 199) generally encompassing the peripheral support means and communicable with the members within the central area, and a plurality of separate bore fluid ports (192, 193) communicable with the bore fluid chambers; directing the feedstream through the first port and over the wafer; and transferring materials between the central area in the wafer and the feedstream. Related methods employ other multi port apparatus (220, 240) as well as wafers (240, 280, 300, 320, 350, 410, 460) for use therein.

Abstract: A process for adhering high nitrile resins onto a plastic material. The process comprises the steps of selecting a high nitrile resin having a nitrile content of at least about 60 percent by weight and prepared by the copolymerization of an olefinically unsaturated monovinyl nitrile and a monovinyl monomer copolymerizable therewith in the presence of a conjugated diene rubber, preparing a solution comprising from about one to 70 percent by weight of the high nitrile resin in a photopolymerizable solvent comprising from about 30 to 99 percent by weight of the solution and from about 0.

Abstract: A fiber-optic sensor is formed from three optical fibers. The distal ends of the fibers are optically linked by bonding their cores and directing their ends to mirrors. A portion of one of the fibers near the bonded point is exposed directly to the fluid to be sensed. The transmission characteristics of this fiber, the signal fiber, is then affected by the chemical constituents of the fluid. Light directed into the proximal end of one of the other fibers, the input fiber, is split between the signal fiber and the remaining fiber, the reference fiber. The ratio of the light in the signal fiber to the light in the reference fiber provides an indication of the chemical constituents that minimizes errors introduced by factors such as bends in the fibers and temperature.

Abstract: A multi port apparatus (220,440) provides for the treatment of material.

Abstract: Polymers are disclosed which comprise the reaction product of (A) at least about 60 weight percent of at least one .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated polycarboxylic acid or anhydride; and (B) about 0.5 to about 40 weight percent of at least one acrylamide represented by the formula VI:CH.sup.2 .dbd.C(R.sup.5)C(O)N(R.sup.6)R.sup.7 (VI)wherein R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are each independently hydrogen or lower alkyl groups provided that at least one of R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 is a lower hydro-carbyl group, and further provided that the mixture is free of a vinyl sulfonic acid. The monomers react at elevated temperatures to form polycarboxylate scale inhibitors having a number average molecular weight of from about 400 to 10,000. The polymers have particular application in the inhibition of scales during oil field operations, but also may be employed in any environment where deposition of mineral scales is undesirable.

Abstract: Oxygen is separated from an oxygen-containing gas by introducing the gas into a first zone of a gas separation apparatus, the apparatus comprising first and second zones separated by a mixed metal oxide membrane, the membrane having a first surface open to the first zone, a second surface open to the second zone, and an empirical formula ofBiA.sub.x M.sub.y M'.sub.z O.sub.nwhere A is at least one of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Y, Th, U, and the lanthanide elements; M is at least one of Sc, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn; and M' is at least one of Co, Rh, Pd, Pt or Ru. The oxygen separated from the oxygen-containing gas can be recovered from the second surface of the membrane either as molecular oxygen, or it can be reacted with an oxygen-consuming substance, such as a hydrocarbon gas, which can be introduced into the second zone of the separation apparatus and brought in contact with the second surface of the membrane.

Abstract: A system to mitigate the effect of an environmental release of a contaminant gas. The system includes at least one first fluid effect device (13) positioned in the vicinity of the environmental release (33). A first fluid stream (20), a second fluid stream (23) and a flame (24) may each selectively be discharged from the first fluid device (13) in proximity to the contaminant gas. At least one second fluid effect device (25) also may be positioned in the vicinity of the environmental release (33) and the first fluid effect device (13). A third fluid stream (30) may be discharged from the second fluid device (25) proximate to the contaminant gas. A method to mitigate the effect of an environmental release of a contaminant gas employing the foregoing system is likewise embodied herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a composition comprising: (A) at least one compound represented by the formulaRO--(R').sub.n R"X.sup.- Y.sup.+wherein: R is a hydrocarbyl group of from about 6 to about 24 carbon atoms; R' is ethoxy, propoxy or a mixture thereof; R" is a divalent hydrocarbyl group of 1 to about 20 carbon atoms; X is a sulfate, sulfonate or carboxylate group; Y is a cation; and n is a number in the range of 1 to about 20; (B) at least one polymeric thickener; and (C) at least one aldehyde. The invention also relates to the foregoing compositions provided in the form of aqueous concentrates or the form of dry or substantially dry compositions, and to a method of making such concentrates or dry or substantially dry compositions. The invention also relates to an enhanced oil recovery process using the foregoing composition to provide a low-tension, viscous waterflood.

Abstract: The process for manufacturing polyamides, suitable for fibers, from an .alpha.,.omega.-dinitrile, and an .alpha.,.omega.-diamine in water in contact with a catalyst that is improved by (1) first, reacting the dinitrile and water in the presence of the catalyst at a temperature sufficient to cause substantial hydrolysis of the dinitrile and (2) subsequently adding the diamine to the reaction mixture of the dinitrile and water at a temperature sufficient to cause polymerization.

Abstract: Nylon-type polyamides are produced from a diamine and a diamide in contact with a catalyst comprising a carboxamide. For example, high quality nylon-6,6 is manufactured by contacting hexamethylenediamine and adipamide in water with a carboxamide, at an elevated temperature and pressure.

Abstract: Nylon-type polyamides are produced from a diamine and a diamide in contact with a catalyst comprising a urea, thiourea, or derivatives thereof. For example, high quality nylon-6,6 is manufactured by contacting hexamethylenediamine and adipamide in water with urea, thiourea, or derivatives thereof catalyst, at an elevated temperature and pressure.

Abstract: Conjugated dienes are polymerized by a catalyst system comprised of a transition metal complex consisting of at least one binucleating ligand attached to at least one transition metal containing nucleus; and at least one organometallic cocatalyst containing at least one element of Group IA, IIA or Group IIIA.