Abstract: A process is disclosed for quaternizing reactive substituent haloalkyl groups in hollow fiber polymer membranes wherein such haloalkyl groups are reacted with an amine quaternizing agent in the presence of an electrolyte compound and, preferably, in the presence of a cationic quaternary ammonium halide surfactant. In addition, there is disclosed a process of quaternizing the reactive haloalkyl groups in anisotropic hollow fiber polymer membranes by contacting and permeating a solution of an amine quaternizing agent from the surface of the membrane which is to be exposed to a dialysis feed solution.

Abstract: Organics are separated from aqueous solutions by contacting the aqueous solution feed with a first surface of a polymeric membrane selectively permeable to organic components; while maintaining a second and opposite membrane surface at a lower chemical potential than the first membrane surface for said organic components, permeating a portion of the organic components into and through the membrane; and withdrawing from the second membrane surface a mixture having a higher total concentration of organic components than the organic components concentration of the aqueous solution feed stream.

Abstract: A fiber bed element and the method of making the same wherein a roving of glass fibers is fed into the annulus formed by a pair of concentric cylindrical screens, the screens being rotated as the roving is fed. A packing force is applied to the roving to compact the roving to a predetermined density between the screens, the packing force being applied in a direction generally parallel to the axis of the screens such that the roving is compacted in an axial direction with each turn of the roving being sandwiched between adjacent turns. This fiber bed element is useful for removing aerosols or mists from gases.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for charging and collecting submicron particles. The particles are charged by a needle-to-plate ionizer having offset rows of needles which are spaced from the plate such that voltage gradients of 6 KV/cm and higher are achieved. Needle-to-needle spacing and effective area of the plate are such that a corona current having a density of at least 4 ma/m.sup.2 flows between the needles and the plate. Circuitry is provided that in combination with the ionizer quickly quenches arcs while maintaining the voltage across the ionizer. Charged particles are collected in a collecting section having a deflector electrode and a pair of collecting plates. The deflector electrode includes a conductor embedded in a dielectric material having a dielectric constant greater than 1, which dielectric material suppresses arcs between the deflector electrode and the collecting plates.

Abstract: Apparatus for charging and collecting submicron particles. The particles are charged by a needle-to-plate ionizer having offset rows of needles which are spaced from the plate such that voltage gradients of 6 KV/cm and higher are achieved. Needle-to-needle spacing and effective area of the plate are such that a corona current having a density of at least 4 ma/m.sup.2 flows between the needles and the plate. Charged particles are collected in a collecting section having a deflector electrode and a pair of collecting plates. The deflector electrode includes a conductor embedded in a dielectric material having a dielectric constant greater than 1, which dielectric material suppresses arcs between the deflector electrode and the collecting plates. Baffles are provided to collect efficiently and with low pressure drop those charged submicron particles not collected on the collecting plates.

Abstract: A fiber bed element and process for removing aerosols from gas streams wherein a bed of fibers is packed to a desired packing density between two foraminous screens. A substantial portion of the fibers in the bed are positioned in a generally parallel arrangement such that the element can be mounted in an operative position with such substantial portion of the fibers extending in a generally vertical direction to enhance drainage of collected aerosols from the element to thereby allow-operation at even high bed velocities with reduced re-entrainment of collected liquid and thereby increase the total collection efficiency of the element. In the process, the bed element is mounted such that the parallel fibers extend in a generally vertical direction and the gas to be treated is passed through the bed at a predetermined velocity.

Abstract: Apparatus for making a fiber bed element made up of a roving of fibers axially packed in the annulus formed by a pair of concentric screens, wherein structure is provided for holding and rotating the screens in a concentric positioning on the lowermost of a pair of vertically aligned platforms. A roving of staple fibers is fed into the annulus through a tube supported by the upper platform and a packing mechanism mounted on the upper platform packs the roving as it is fed into the annulus. The lower platform is moved downward as the roving is fed into the annulus, in order to maintain a uniform packing force.Downward movement of the lower platform is controlled by a control system which senses packing force and moves the lower platform downward in response to this packing force to maintain a uniform packing density.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are valve seals wherein an annular metallic seal member is retained in an annular recess in a valve body wall, the seal member being resiliently deformable in both axial and radial directions. A resilient annular Belleville spring portion is provided linking an inner sealing portion and an outer flange portion which is sealingly engaged by the valve body. When a valve employing this seal arrangement is closed, differential pressure acting from either direction urges a valve closure member and the seal member in a downstream direction, and forces the seal member and the valve closure member into tighter sealing engagement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removal of particulates from gas streams with high collection efficiency on even submicron particulates. The apparatus includes a grounded fiber bed of 50 to 1000 micron average diameter fibers packed to a bed voidage of at least 90%, an electrostatic or ionizing field means upstream of the fiber bed to place an electrical charge on the particulates, and irrigation means for the fiber bed, and optionally the grounded electrodes of the electrostatic means as well, to flush collected particulates from the fiber bed and optionally from the grounded electrodes. The method is suitable for separation of any particulates but is particularly advantageous for separation of insoluble solid particulates from gas streams at high bed velocities of from 6 to 15 or more feet per second (i.e., 1.8 to 4.6 or more meters per second). The preferred fiber bed is of 100 to 500 micron diameter, and advantageously 100 to 250 micron diameter, glass fibers.

Abstract: A method of connecting an electrical lead to an electrode is provided wherein the connection is mechanically tight and is protected from chemical attack. The electrical lead and a slug of electrically conductive material are compressed within a hole in the electrode to provide a tight mechanical connection. Insulating material is added to fill the remainder of the hole and a second insulating material is installed over the area of the connection to protect the area from chemical attack.

Abstract: A Batch Option Module is provided for a process control instrument. Whenever the process control instrument reaches the limits of its control range, the Batch Option Module is activated to limit the output of the instrument as a function of the process variable, the setpoint, and an adjustable bias. When the output of the instrument due to normal control action no longer trys to exceed the Batch Option Module limit, the Batch Option Module is deactivated.

Abstract: A butterfly valve assembly to be installed between pipeline flanges and secured by flange bolts is disclosed. A cylindrical valve body ring, having a cylindrical bore and a face portion at each end, has a resilient elastomer lining which covers the bore and extends over a portion of the faces. A disk is attached to a shaft which extends through the body ring and liner transverse to the axis of the body ring. The valve assembly has at least one face plate with an opening which circumscribes the portion of the liner extending over the face of the body ring.

Abstract: A solar collector is constructed of a photoelectric cell mounted within a collector of the total internal reflectance type. The photoelectric cell has the form of a rod of a monocrystalline element or compound with a generally cylindrical junction spaced at a distance radially inwardly from the outer surface of the rod. The photoelectric cell is mounted within a trough shaped collector which is at least partially filled with a transparent solid wherein total internal reflectance of incident radiation increases the effectiveness of the collector.

Abstract: A single-ported double-seated valve mechanism is a valve body means with an inlet and outlet communicated by a flow passage and a chamber for receiving valve trim. A bonnet is secured to the valve body means. Valve trim is fixedly secured to the bonnet and positioned within the chamber. The bonnet and valve trim may be removed from the valve as a unit. An outwardly extending portion of the bonnet is sized to fit within the valve body wherein the valve body serves as a support or vise.

Abstract: A solid state switch is provided which has four terminals, two for the A.C. power which is to be switched and two for signal input. The circuit comprises a full wave bridge rectifier having a light-activated silicon controlled rectifier connected across its D.C. terminals. A capacitor and a light-activated transistor are added to a zero-cross firing circuit whereby the solid state switch is protected from high voltage transients and is applicable for use with resistive, capacitive, and inductive loads.

Abstract: Described herein are fluid flow control valve trims suitable for use in a valve in which high fluid pressure drops are to be sustained without excessive noise generation or cavitation damage to valve members. The valve trim is constructed of two or more annular cages surrounding a central passageway, each outer cage circumferentially engaging the next inner cage. A valve stem carrying a valve plug member is axially movable within the central passageway, the plug member slidingly engaging the radially inward surface of the innermost annular cage. Communicating through the walls of each of the cages are flow-restricting orifices and fluid pressure recovery chambers defining two or more sequential orificial throttling stages. By the use of concentric annular cages a valve trim structure is achieved in which the flow-restricting orifices and pressure recovery chambers may readily be formed having reproducible, predetermined sizes and shapes by conventional machining operations.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a valve trim assembly wherein a valve cage member and a valve plug are provided which cannot be independently rotated. A valve stem is affixed to the plug and extends out of the cage. The cage and the stem are threaded for attachment to a valve bonnet and an actuator, respectively, and by rotation of the cage, the cage is attached to the bonnet and the stem is attached to the actuator simultaneously. The stem is prevented from unscrewing from the actuator while the valve is in use, by means of the anti-rotation feature. The trim assembly can thus be installed in, or removed from, a valve quickly and with a minimum number of tools.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to electrochemically purify gallium is disclosed where a platinum anode is inserted into an electrolytic cell which contains the unpurified gallium as an anode and the purified gallium as a cathode, the platinum anode serving to reduce the gallium ion level in the electrolyte addition.

Abstract: A capability for both a brushing and abrasive action are provided in a unitary scrubbing device for removing food deposits which have been burned or baked onto the cooking surfaces of kitchen utensils used in food preparation. The device is comprised of a molded, thermoplastic, brushing surface which is laminated to a non-woven nylon mat in which soap and abrasives have been incorporated.