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: The subject invention relates to a coated reinforcement material comprising a SiC reinforcement having a coating of at least three layers, wherein the layers are alternately A-material layers of the general formula:Al.sub.x O.sub.y N.sub.zwherein x is up to about 60 atomic % of the coating;y is from about 20 atomic % to about 55 atomic % of the coating; andz is from about 5 atomic % to about 45 atomic % of the coating, with the proviso that x+y+z=100, and B-material layers comprising a metal alloy, such that the first and last layers of the coating are A-material layers. The invention further relates to a high strength, high temperature performance composite containing the above-specified coated reinforcement.

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 games 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 process for the manufacture of high purity, ultra-fine aluminum nitride powder by the carbo-nitridization of alumina. Agglomerates uniform in both size, chemical composition and porosity are formed containing a stoichiometric mixture of alumina and carbon with the addition of a small amount of catalyst. The agglomerates are furnaced in a controlled manner in a well-mixed reaction vessel to achieve a uniform and consistent level of conversion. Milling of the as-reacted agglomerates under a controlled atmosphere will produce high purity, micron sized aluminum nitride powder.

Abstract: A non-intrusive method for the determination of characteristics of slug flow in a multiphase flow pipeline comprising the steps of: detecting the acoustic emissions from the pipeline in the ultrasonic frequency range by means of at least one sound transducer, the output from which is an analogue electrical signal, converting the analogue signal to a digital signal, and analyzing the digital signal to determine the characteristics of the slug flow.The characteristics of slug flow which may be determined include distinguishing slug flow from wave flow, the frequency of slugging and the velocity and length of slugs. The method is particularly suitable for studying multiphase flow comprising oil, gas and water.

Abstract: The flame luminosity of a methanol fuel is appreciably enhanced by the addition thereto of at least one azo dye flame luminosity enhancing agent.

Abstract: A method employed by an expert system for batch scheduling the multiple-pass manufacture of a plurality of parts (12) by at least one parts process (22), where the parts (12) have a plurality of delivery dates and the parts (12) and parts processor (22) have a plurality of production constraints variable during manufacture, includes creating a knowledge base of select characteristics of the parts processor and parameters of the parts, and generating a plurality of rules expressing a scheduling and planning strategy that substantially satisfies parts delivery dates, substantially maximizes use of the parts processor, substantially maximizes part throughput, substantially minimizes energy utilization of the parts processor and meets the production constraints. Parts (12) suitable for simultaneous processing by the parts processor are combined into all possible preferred combinations by applying a first plurality of the rules to the knowledge base.

Abstract: Improved inorganic ceramic papers comprising heterogeneous grades of ceramic fibers, namely small, high surface area fibers and at least one larger, lower surface area ceramic fiber are bonded into a matrix with the aid of an inorganic binder system having at least one metal oxide with an average particle size below 200 nm. Multiple different grades of inorganic ceramic fibers and small particle size inorganic binders impart good tensile strength and flexibility characteristics in the same sheet.

Abstract: The efficiency of mixing vapor in a countercurrent column (1) is improved by use of one or more vapor risers (6) each incorporating a mixing device (7). The method is suitable for use in countercurrent columns operating at high pressures or under vacuum. For high pressure operation a single riser is preferred positioned in the center of the distributor tray (5).

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: A technique for measuring the coefficient of thermal expansion of calcined petroleum coke. This technique involves pressing a pellet of calcined coke to determine the coefficient of thermal expansion. It has the advantage of eliminating the graphitization and machining steps resulting in reduced manpower and turnaround time and requires less sample which allows CTE determination of laboratory scale cokers. Results show good correlation between this technique and traditional extrusion techniques.

Abstract: Metal particles are melted by mixing them with molten metal contained in a bath. A shaft-supported, rotatable impeller is immersed into the molten metal and rotated so as to establish a vortex-like flow of molten metal. Metal particles are deposited onto the surface of the molten metal in the vicinity of the rotating impeller. The particles are submerged substantially immediately after being deposited onto the surface of the molten metal. The impeller includes a thin rectangular prism having sharp-edged corners and vanes that extend upwardly from the prism. The impeller also can be used to disperse gas into the molten metal by pumping the gas through a bore extending the length of the shaft and out of the impeller along the lower surface of the impeller. The gas is sheared into finely divided bubbles as it rises along the sides of the impeller.

Abstract: A method for recovering the surfactant from a dispersion or emulsion of oil and water containing a temperature sensitive surfactant which method comprises the steps of heating the dispersion or emulsion to a temperature above the cloud point of the surfactant under conditions of temperature and aqueous phase salinity such that the dispersion or emulsion breaks and separates into an oil layer, an aqueous layer and a surfactant layer, and recovering the surfactant layer.The recovered surfactant may be recycled for use in preparing further quantities of dispersion or emulsion, thus rendering the operation more economic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing perforate, fiber reinforced composite material wherein the fiber reinforcing material is impregnated with the resin which is cured to give a strong light material.

Abstract: A process for the sintering of a body comprising silicon carbide and a boron-containing material, which comprises heating the body to an effective sintering temperature in the presence of nitrogen; removing the nitrogen by evacuation to a pressure of less than 10.sup.-2 mbar; and continuing the sintering under vacuum or in the presence of an inert gas other than nitrogen. The invention also describes a sintered body comprising silicon carbide and a boron-containing material, having a density of at least 96% of its theoretical maximum density, in which the body contains less than 0.7% w of free carbon, and has a mean silicon carbide grain size of less than 5 microns.

Abstract: A laminate having high strength and excellent resistance to moisture comprised of a fiberglass reinforced polyester panel adhesively attached with a water reactive adhesive to a tempered hardboard panel.

Abstract: A facilitated liquid membrane for the separation of olefins from a gaseous feed stream comprises a porous support structure (10, 15) and a liquid membrane which comprises an aqueous solution containing a metal salt facilitator capable of coordinating with olefin gases, and an alkyl carbonate co-solvent. A process for the separation of olefins from gaseous feed streams comprises the steps of passing a gaseous feed stream over one side of a facilitated liquid membrane according to the present invention and collecting the olefins on the other side of the membrane.