Abstract: A hole opener (10) having a tubular body (11) with threaded ends (12, 14) for connection in a drill string. The hole opener provides slots or grooves (21, 21′) along its longitudinal axis (16) into which are inserted cutter arm support members (30, 30′, 60, 60′) which may be screwed, (43) pinned (68) or bolted (168) to the body (11) to permit easy replacement of the support arms (30). The grooves (21, 21′) in the body (11) of the hole opener (10) also provide a spindle (20) spatially aligned with the groove (21, 21′) to support the proximal end of a rotatable journal body (28) supporting the cutter body (25) providing hard facing for grinding of the bore hole to be enlarged. The support arms (30) at their distal end provide further support for the cutter journals (70). The hole opener (10) also may provide pressure compensated lubrication mechanism (71) to provide grease to the bearing surfaces to increase their service life and thereby extend the useful life of the tool.

Abstract: The retrofitting of an existing methanol or methanol/ammonia plant to make acetic acid is disclosed. The plant is retrofitted to feed carbon dioxide into a reformer to which natural gas and steam (water) are fed. Syngas is formed in the reformer wherein both the natural gas and the carbon dioxide are reformed to produce syngas with a large proportion of carbon monoxide relative to reforming without added carbon dioxide. The syngas is split into a first part and a second part. The first syngas part is converted to methanol in a conventional methanol synthesis loop that is operated at about half of the design capacity of the original plant. The second syngas part is processed to separate out carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, and the separated carbon dioxide is fed back into the feed to the reformer to enhance carbon monoxide formation. The separated carbon monoxide is then reacted with the methanol to produce acetic acid or an acetic acid precursor by a conventional process.

Abstract: A color coding system and method for visually identifying and distinguishing ultrasonic dental tool inserts. The invention employs a color-coded removable cap that is used to secure a handgrip, which can also be color-coded, to the insert. The caps and/or handgrips of different inserts thus have different colors to visually distinguish one insert or type of insert from another.

Abstract: A self-leveling window support bracket for supporting window coverings within and/or over a window casing. The window support bracket comprises an L-shaped face plate, with a vertical and a horizontal section, which engages the exterior face of the window casing. Vertical and horizontal ears extend perpendicularly from the vertical and horizontal sections of the face plate. The ears are attached to the interior face of the window casing such that they are self-leveling. At least one curtain mounting projection is mounted on the face plate for supporting window coverings.

Abstract: A model airplane, airplane kit, and method of making a model airplane. The kit of the present invention enables children and adults to easily make a well-flying model airplane using recycled plastic foam moldings such as polystyrene food trays well known as 10-S in the food packaging arts.

Abstract: A method of making surfactants from lignin is disclosed by reducing lignin in the presence of a metal oxide or iron based catalyst in an organic hydrogen donor solvent to produce lignin phenol and subjecting the lignin phenol to one or a combination of several reactions such as alkoxylation, alkylation, sulfonation, sulfation, alkoxysulfation, and sulfomethylation. The lignin surfactants so produced can be employed in a surfactant system to recover oil from underground formations.