Abstract: A more efficient separation of asphaltic materials from the heptane soluble components in liquified coal and other liquified solid hydrocarbonaceous materials is accomplished by using a natural gasoline fraction, boiling in the range of from 200.degree.-400.degree. F., as a solvent extraction agent and then effecting a centrifugal separation at elevated temperatures and pressures. The resulting separated asphaltic materials will have far less heptane soluble material than the heretofore used procedures which involved the settling out of the asphaltenes in huge settling tanks.

Abstract: A more efficient separation of the asphaltenes from microcrystalline waxes in the bottoms from crude oil distillation is accomplished by using a natural gasoline fraction, boiling in the range of from 200.degree.-400.degree. F., as a solvent extraction agent and then effecting a centrifugal separation at elevated temperatures and pressures. The resulting separated asphaltenes will have far less microcrystalline wax content than the heretofore used procedures which involved the settling out of the asphaltenes in huge settling tanks.

Abstract: The use of lightweight, elastomeric closed-cell foam elements can be of particular advantage in countercurrent flow gas-liquid contactors in order to provide aeratable non-breakable forms of mobile contacting surfaces. In particular, the use of elastomeric, spherical form, closed-cell foam elements made from heating and post curing a blend of nitrile polymer and polyvinyl chloride can provide resilience to preclude sphere breakage and also provide for softness and flexibility to effect self-cleaning characteristics.

Abstract: After an initial separation of paper, plastics and the light fibrous types of materials, as well as magnetically removable ferrous metals, from refuse material, the remaining mixed solid materials are projected outwardly in a generally horizontal path and subjected to a "flight-path" type of segregation where a magnetic field is used to influence and lessen the length of the trajectory of the conductive metals in the mixture of materials. The magnetic field induces a retarding force related to the size, conductivity and to some extent to the shape of the fragments which, in combination with the force of gravity, modifies the trajectory of different materials. As a result, fragments of different types of materials will tend to "drop out" at different distances along the general flight path according to their individual electrical conductivity properties.

Abstract: After an initial separation of paper, plastics and the light fibrous types of materials, as well as magnetically removable ferrous metals, from refuse material, it is subjected to a "time-of-flight" type of segregation where a magnetic field is used to influence the downward free-fall of the remaining mixed solids materials. In combining a magnetic field with gravity fall, there is a retarding force on each conductive piece of material which is related to its conductivity and volume. As a result, different types of material fragments of about the same size will have different descent times in the drop zone which will depend primarily upon density and electrical conductivity and a rotatable diverter means, which is properly timed and synchronized in its movement with respect to the releases of unsegregated material, can provide for the deflection of the different types of materials into appropriate collecting zones.

Abstract: A processing system which can provide a continuous assembly-line procedure for placing a catalytic coating on ceramic honeycomb type members embodies the use of a plurality of pressure tight chambers such that each ceramic member can be vacuum treated and then rapidly coated, as well as pressure treated and air blown to effect rapid coating fluid removal and partial drying. After each coating operation, there is controlled drying and high temperature curing. Also, in a preferred controlled system, there is a weighing of each element before and after each coating step to determine an amount of coating retained for comparison with a predetermined standard.

Abstract: A catalytic converter system for engine exhaust gases provides an auxiliary moving bed of SO.sub.2 adsorption material such that the SO.sub.2 content of the exhaust stream can be continuously adsorbed into a segmental portion of the bed prior to reaching the catalytic conversion zone. At the same time, the higher temperature treated gases from the catalyst zone are continuously passed through another portion of the SO.sub.2 adsorption material to effect the removal of sorbed SO.sub.2 therefrom, and the energy of the exhaust gas stream flow is utilized to contact vanes or turbine type blades to provide the continuous rotational movement of the bed of SO.sub.2 adsorbing material so that it, in turn, is rotated or cycled through the adsorption zone and through the desorption zone and then back to the adsorption zone in a continuous operation as long as there is exhaust gas flow in the system.

Abstract: A tilting, adjustable passenger seat back is provided with an angularly adjustable upper headrest section which has tilting linkage and a hinge connection to the upper part of the seat back such that when the back is in a generally upright position, the headrest section is back and out of the way of a passenger's head and shoulders; however, when the seat back is moved to a recline position, the headrest section will rotate forward to provide support for the head while the passenger is in the recline position. A modified construction also has additional linkage which provides for a lumbar support that moves along with recline movement to be primarily effective to adjust seat back cushioning for upright positioning of the seat back and out of the way for the recline position.

Abstract: A fluid stream with entrained phosphorescent particles is used to transfer solar radiant energy to a light-release zone where the passage of the stream and particles through suitable light emitting containment means will permit both radiant heat and light emission into such zone. Typically, the heated fluid stream will also be passed to a heat recovery zone, as well as through at least one light releasing zone, such that a major portion of the heat content of the stream and particles can be recovered for immediate use or stored.

Abstract: A liftable housing form of pressure tight treating chamber is especially adapted to providing multiple stage treatments to catalyst support members, such as honeycomb-type elements, in order to place a catalytic coating on all of the interior surfaces of the multiple passageways through the elements. Power operated lifting of an open-bottomed housing permits the placement of members on sharp edged pin support means in the interior of the chamber such that passageways will not be blocked while the element is being subjected to vacuum, liquid coating, and air blowing stages.

Abstract: A processing system which can provide a continuous assembly-line procedure for placing a catalytic coating on ceramic honeycomb type members embodies the use of a plurality of pressure tight chambers such that each ceramic member can be vacuum treated and then rapidly coated, as well as pressure treated and air blown to effect rapid coating fluid removal and partial drying. After each coating operation, there is controlled drying and high temperature curing. Also, in a preferred controlled system, there is a weighing of each element before and after each coating step to determine an amount of coating retained for comparison with a predetermined standard.

Abstract: A control system for the incineration of pollutants in waste gases which will conserve fuel consumption and which embodies feed back signals from temperature sensing means and/or gas analyzing means in connection with the combustion gases to detect an undesired temperature deviation from a control temperature or, alternatively, detect excessive unburned pollutants and utilize optimizing-controller means to receive the resulting output signals and, in turn, provide incremental control changes to effect a change in the temperature control level and the incremental stepping down or stepping up of a set point for the control of fuel flow to the heat supplying burner of the incineration zone.

Abstract: A membrane module is made from at least one pair of spaced membrane sheets that are interposed between spaced porous material sheets and all of the layers of sheets are in turn spirally wound around an axially positioned hollow mandrel that has at least one internal flow blocking means therein and side-wall openings connective to an internal portion of one of said porous sheets such that a first fluid flow can pass outwardly from a portion of the mandrel into a portion of the connecting porous layer and into the envelope resulting from the encompassing membranes and then back into another portion of the mandrel such that at least one out-to-in flow will be made through the membrane envelope, while a second fluid stream is passed through the next adjacent porous material layers to carry the fluid which has permeated through the membranes.

Abstract: A plastic laminate form of heating panel incorporating a layer of a semiconductive carbonaceous pyropolymer, consisting of carbon and hydrogen on a high surface area refractory inorganic oxide support, with the conductive pyropolymer positioned to at least one side of at least one laminate layer and a reflective metallic layer on the other side thereof such that radiant heat is controlled and directed outwardly in a desired manner to minimize energy being wasted by a "rearward" flow.

Abstract: An emergency light system which incorporates flashing strobe type of lights located along the aisle(s) of an aircraft, or other passenger carrier, would provide flashing arrows indicating the location of emergency exits. The sequential firing of the flashing lamps will further create the effect of a moving light beam to lead passengers toward the exit area(s). Also, with programmable control means, there can be stroboscopic type flashing lights to direct egress to only those exits which are open.

Abstract: In the scrubbing of sulfur compound containing stack gases, there is an advantage to converting calcium sulfite to calcium sulfate downstream from the scrubber in order to provide for smaller sludge handling equipment and to form a more usable sludge. Thus, in the present operation, there is provided an ozonation of the withdrawn scrubber bottoms slurry to effect the conversion of calcium sulfite in such slurry to calcium sulfate.

Abstract: An electric lamp bulb or electric resistance coil is provided to radiate heat to one or more adjacent surfaces which have an active oxidation catalyst such that fumes and odors in the confines of a room that are drawn over the catalytic surface will be converted to less objectionable products. A catalytic device with an incandescent light bulb type of heating element is of particular advantage in that it can readily be screwed into a lamp base or mounted in other forms of current supplying receptacles and, in addition to a light source, will provide a heat emitting surface for heating the catalyst surface and inducing natural air convection current flow past the catalytic surface. Also, a fume control device which utilizes a resistance heating coil can readily provide both radiant heat and convection heat so that there will be the dual function of fume oxidation from air flow past a heated catalyst surface and radiant heat into a room area.

Abstract: For purposes of maintaining equipment in enclosures which generate noxious fumes, such as in connection with the handling of sewage in a lift station, there must be adequate venting means to permit entry of workmen into the enclosure without the need of gas masks. In the present integrated system, auxiliary vent capacity is provided through the use of extra fan means and at least one bed of fume absorbent material. This auxiliary fume removal, which can be switched into and out of operation, together with a catalytic or thermal fume treating section, will provide for an arrangement where the absorbent material can be used during temporary periods of venting and then subjected to a reverse out-to-in flow so that desorbed fumes will be treated in the fume incinerator section so that the absorbent material becomes regenerated for reuse at a subsequent time period.

Abstract: In order to provide seating comfort for different sized passengers, the front or leading edge of the seat cushion section of the vehicle seating unit is made to be raised and lowered to a limited degree by being provided with underlying hinged supporting means and a movable transverse lift bar member which is mounted to be movable through an arcuate path that can, in turn, adjustably raise and lower the front portion of the seat cushion section. For adjustment purposes, the transverse lift bar member can be attached to and made to extend from a pivoted arm member mounted in a manner to move in an arc and in a generally vertical plane along the side of the seating unit.

Abstract: A compact tubular-form reactor-condenser system is provided for use with a nuclear container to effect the recombining of dissociated H.sub.2 and O.sub.2 and preclude the buildup of H.sub.2 in such container. A pumping means and preheating means insure the passage of heated gaseous components through an all metal catalyst containing zone at suitable reaction and non-condensing conditions to form water vapor, while a subsequent passage through an adjacent or contiguous cooling zone provides for the condensation of the resulting vapor into liquid water for return to the container means. A preferred arrangement has thermal barrier means incorporated to prevent heat conduction from the reaction zone to the condensation section so as to assist in maintaining the latter section as cool as possible.