Abstract: A system for insulating the walls of furnaces and other heated structures with ceramic fiber insulation including an improved insulation anchor. The anchor includes a pin which is attached to the furnace wall such as by stud welding with the pin having an elongated aperture at its outer end. A retaining rod extends through the aperture and into the adjacent ceramic fiber modules. The rectangular shaped rod includes an improved means for locking the rod in the aperture which comprises a crimp at about the midpoint of the rod. This provides a narrow section of the rod which permits the rod to be turned in the aperture and locked. The crimp method of forming the narrow section does not remove any metal from the rod and does not weaken the rod.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide is separated from light hydrocarbons such as methane and ethane by absorbing CO.sub.2 gas with water at a pressure of at least 500 psia thus avoiding the CO.sub.2 --C.sub.2 H.sub.6 azeotrope problem. The CO.sub.2 is recovered from the absorbing water by pressure reduction and flashing and/or by heating and flashing. The process is particularly applicable to the recovery of high pressure pure carbon dioxide from the wellhead products of carbon dioxide flooding used in enhanced oil recovery. The high pressure pure carbon dioxide is liquified and reinjected to the well at the desired pressure.

Abstract: A fastening device of the type used to fasten panels together, such as the lid on a trunk, which is essentially recessed in both the locked and unlocked positions thus avoiding any protrusion of the assembly parts. The operating mechanism, which may be of the cam type, is fixed within the recess of the base plate. The slide member which is moved by the operating mechanism is bent upwardly toward the rim of the recess and terminates in a hinge member also within the recess. A catch member is hinged to the slide member and spring loaded so that the spring will rotate the catch member into the recess in the unlocked position.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide is cryogenically separated from methane and then is separated from the ethane by liquid extraction with water at high pressures of 500 to 2250 psia thus avoiding the CO.sub.2 --C.sub.2 H.sub.6 azeotrope problem. The process is particularly applicable to the recovery of high pressure pure carbon dioxide from the wellhead products of carbon dioxide flooding used in enhanced oil recovery. The high pressure pure carbon dioxide liquid is pumped for reinjection to the well.

Abstract: A getter-lubricant coating system between the nuclear fuel and the fuel cladding minimizes the pellet-clad stress concentration and renders fission gases and impurities unreactive to the cladding. The getters are matched to the lubricant matrix such that they are homogeneously dispersed in the matrix and are physically and/or chemically bound in place. A preferred form of the getter is a graphite or boron nitride intercalate of the getter material.

Abstract: Aluminum dross containing chlorides and combustible volatile material is agglomerated and sized to produce a compact which is then treated in a direct fired rotary kiln in excess of 1800.degree. F. to volatilize the chlorides and burn the combustible volatile material and to produce a refractory material. The flue gases containing the volatilized chlorides are then treated in a condenser where the chlorides are condensed out of the remaining flue gases. The refractory product from the kiln may be passed through a cooler wherein the heat is transferred to the combustion air.

Abstract: A refractory composition for use in contact with molten aluminum alloys containing a refractory aggregate, a binder and 9Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.2B.sub.2 O.sub.3. The aluminum borate may be of the type produced as a by-product in the production of ferro-boron alloys and known as aluminum boron slag.

Abstract: A cryogenic process for separating methane from ethane and heavier hydrocarbons in which a high pressure gas feed is divided into two gas streams. The gas is cooled either before or after it is divided and this step may include some condensation in which case the condensate is separated from the gas. One of the divided gas streams is expanded through a work expansion machine down to the pressure of the fractionation column. Any separated condensate is also expanded to the column pressure. The second divided gas stream is further cooled by heat exchange and then expanded down to an intermediate pressure whereby a portion is condensed. This condensate is separated from the remaining gas and then expanded to the column pressure. The remaining gas is further cooled and expanded and fed to the column as the top feed.

Abstract: A ceramic fiber composition for use in contact with molten aluminum alloys is disclosed which is lightweight and porous. The composition contains ceramic fibers, binders and an additive containing 9Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.2B.sub.2 O.sub.3. The additive is preferably aluminum boron slag which is a by-product of the production of ferro-boron.

Abstract: A ceramic fiber composition suitable for use in the temperature range of 650.degree. C. to 1100.degree. C. formed from aluminum silicate and feldspar. The aluminum silicate is preferably calcined kaolin and comprises 65 percent to 95 percent by weight of the mixture with the remainder being the feldspar.

Abstract: Sheathed electrical heating elements containing MgO heat conductive, electrical insulating material having a high degree of calcination together with additives in the form of a clay and fumed silica to increase the electrical resistivity, density and flow properties.

Abstract: The metal shell of a furnace or cupola is cooled by means of water flowing down over the exterior surface of the metal shell. In order to reduce heat loss and thus decrease the energy consumption, the interior surface of the metal shell is lined with a fired refractory shape. The thermal conductivity of the refractory material and its thickness are selected such that the amount of refractory material remaining upon reaching equilibrium conditions will be sufficient to maintain the mechanical and structural integrity of the lining. Refractory materials of different conductivities may be selected for various locations in the furnace depending upon the temperatures to be encountered.

Abstract: A flexible cover for a carbon bake pit has a flexible, expanded metal backing to which is attached a blanket of insulating ceramic fibers. This construction allows the cover to flex in order to conform to the surface of the material in the pit. Lifting means are attached to the expanded metal backing in a manner so as to permit this flexibility.

Abstract: Sheathed electrical heating elements containing MgO heat conductive, electrical insulating material having an additive of fine particles of spherically shaped fused ZrO.sub.2 to increase the electrical resistivity and maintain favorable tap density and flow properties. The spherically shaped ZrO.sub.2 particles are formed by gravitationally separating the ZrO.sub.2 particles from ground fused zircon (ZrO.sub.2.SiO.sub.2).

Abstract: A process for recovering nonferrous nickel, copper and cobalt from deep sea nodules to obtain a concentrate rich in the nonferrous metals, a middlings less concentrated in the nonferrous metals and a tailings with a very low concentration of the nonferrous metals. The crushed nodules are mixed with middlings, a carbonaceous reductant and a chlorinating agent which is a mixture of sodium chloride with either calcium carbonate or calcium hydroxide. In a non-oxidizing atmosphere, the mixture is roasted at a temperature about 850.degree. C. and then cooled. The roasted material is finely ground, slurried and magnetically separated into the three fractions.

Abstract: A flexible ceramic fiber board is formed from fibers with a homogeneous latex binder coating. The coating is formed from a slurry of the latex, a cationic acrylamide base copolymer and aluminum sulfate solution. The cationic copolymer aids the aluminum sulfate in homogeneously depositing the latex and forming a uniformly flexible board. The shape that is formed is dried dielectrically. The crystalline, high Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 fibers may be mixed with non-crystalline, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.SiO.sub.2 fibers.

Abstract: An anchor assembly for supporting an insulation panel or blanket on furnace walls which includes an extension member adapted to be fastened to an existing anchor member in order to extend the length of the anchor assembly to accommodate insulation of greater thickness. The extension member has attaching means which engage notches in the existing anchor to hold to extension in position. Different species of the attaching means are disclosed.

Abstract: Fusion cast refractories are formed by first displacing the air from the mold cavity with an inert, heavy gas, preferably argon. The molten fusion cast refractory is then poured into the mold cavity and allowed to solidify. This procedure minimizes the evolution of gases from molds which have an organic binder and thus reduces the formation of pores in the solidified refractory.

Abstract: A high alumina, plastic refractory mixture containing 30 to 70 percent crushed fused alumina chrome grog, 10 to 30 percent glass industry grade chromite, 3 to 12 percent alumina, 2 to 6 percent bond clay and 3 to 18 percent of an acid phosphate binder.

Abstract: .Iadd.A nuclear reactor with control rods in channels between fuel assemblies wherein the fuel assemblies incorporate guide rods which protrude outwardly into the control rod channels to prevent the control rods from engaging the fuel elements. The guide rods also extend back into the fuel assembly such that they are relatively rigid members. The guide rods are tied to the fuel assembly end or support plates and serve as structural members which are supported independently of the fuel element. Fuel element spacing and support means may be attached to the guide rods..Iaddend.