Abstract: The invention is for a fixed bed reactor with two phase gas and liquid flow. The reactor has at least one auxiliary bed of solid particles disposed above the main bed of solid particles. The auxiliary bed has separate liquid and gas bypasses comprised of hollow tubing extending through the auxiliary bed. Liquid receptacles provide a liquid seal above the liquid bypasses, thereby preventing gas from bypassing along with the liquid. The liquid spilled from the flow receptacles seeks its lowest level and flows through the auxiliary bed, thereby leaving only the gas to flow through the gas bypasses. This separate feed arrangement allows for a low pressure drop bypassing of the auxiliary bed, when the auxiliary bed becomes fouled and clogged. The invention is also applicable to other apparatuses which use a flow arrangement similar to fixed bed reactors, but which do not necessarily utilize a chemical reaction. One example of such apparatus is a packed absorption tower having co-current downflow of gas and liquid.

Abstract: The present invention is for a continuous system wherein spent catalyst is removed from a regeneration vessel, while fresh catalyst is added in order to maintain proper catalyst activity in a hydrocarbon processive system. The withdrawal of the spent catalyst must be achieved at a steady flow rate which is compatible with the introduction of fresh catalyst of the hydrocarbon processing system. This flow rate is controlled by a downstream pressure and venting control in the spent catalyst hopper stage acting in conjunction with a novel flow restriction zone in a discharge conduit.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon reformer furnace is provided having a plurality of vertical tubes running through a furnace firebox wherein the upper and lower ends of said tubes are connected to inlet and outlet headers respectively. The apertures through which the lower ends of the vertical tubes exit the firebox are sealed with cast-in-place refractory seals to provide an air seal and mechanical dampening of said tubes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel method of fabricating and composition for chalcogenide cathode-active electrodes. The method comprises the steps of:(a) combining the cathode-active material in particulate form with about 0.1 to about 10 percent by weight of a neutralized sulfonated ionomer, based on the total weight of the cathode-active material and the ionomer, and about 10 to about 90 percent by weight of solvent, based on the total weight of the cathode-active material, ionomer and solvent, wherein said solvent is a cosolvent system which includes one or more solvents selected from the group consisting of normal and aromatic hydrocarbons and one or more solvents selected from the group consisting of alcohols, amines, amides, nitriles, nitro-compounds, lactones and acetols;(b) forming the desired electrode configuration with the resulting mixture; and(c) drying the formed electrode so as to volatilize the solvent.

Abstract: A burner vessel or regenerator vessel is disclosed which has an elliptical bottom head which supports a particulate refractory fill which in turn supports and stabilizes an air distributor inlet manifold. The manifold is supported at radially arranged distribution pipes so that the main air header floats freely for expansion and contraction. A fluidized bed of particulate is combusted above the refractory fill layer. Other appropriate operation apparatus for the vessel are also disclosed. The burner vessel is used in a fluid coker apparatus and the regenerator vessel is used in a fluid catalytic cracking unit.

Abstract: A demulsifier and method for use in oil-spill recovery and clean-up that rapidly and efficiently separates a water/crude oil emulsion into its water and crude oil phases. The demulsifier comprises various mixtures of two components A and B. A is comprised of at least one wetting agent formulated to displace one liquid from the surface of a bi-wetted solid disposed at a boundary of a water droplet and oil phase continuum with another liquid via a reduction of the liquid-solid interfacial tension; and B is comprised of at least one surfactant effective in displacing an indigenous emulsifying surfactant film by another surfactant that permits water droplet coalescence and separation from said oil phase continuum.

Abstract: The invention is for a two phase gas and liquid mixture reacting in an improved fixed bed reactor having at least one auxiliary bed disposed above the main bed. The auxiliary beds each have separate liquid and gas bypasses comprising hollow tubing of relatively different lengths extending through the auxiliary bed. The gas bypass tubing projects to a greater height above the auxiliary bed than the liquid bypass tubing. This tubing bypass arrangement allows for a low pressure drop bypass of the auxiliary bed to the main bed by the liquid and gas when the auxiliary bed becomes fouled.

Abstract: A method, system and data network for a fluid register system used for the delivery of fluid commodities to customers at various delivery sites features a portable data capsule containing pricing information; an electrical fluid delivery volume measurement device; and a vehicular mounted calculator for retrieving the pricing data from said data capsule and calculating a billing amount for each fluid delivery with respect to a fluid delivery volume measurement.

Abstract: Shunt currents can be eliminated in electrochemical devices by introducing nulling currents via auxiliary electrodes. The invention teaches the reduction or elimination of these shunt currents in such devices with minimized power consumption. Shunt current nulling tunnels are provided which interconnect with electrolyte supply channels feeding the cells of the electrochemical device. Power consumption for the shunt current-nulling tunnels is reduced by designing the tunnels to have an increasing electrical resistance towards their mid-portions. Another embodiment of the invention features an increasing electrical resistance towards the mid-portion of the tunnels and a decreasing electrical resistance towards the mid-portion of the manifolds.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a liquid crystal composition for multiplexed twisted neumatic displays which exists in a nematic mesophase from at least about -20.degree. C. to 50.degree. C.

Abstract: A method is described for purifying electrolytes used in alkali battery systems. An electrolyte is mixed with or fed through a column containing a mercury amalgam of the alkali of the electrolyte salt. The amalgam reduces the alkali-metal reactive impurities within the electrolyte. The electrolyte is also mixed with an oxidizing agent or fed through a column containing the oxidizing agent in order to oxidize impurities in the electrolyte.Electrolytes so treated will exhibit improved cycling capabilities, because the electrolyte will now be devoid of impurities which respectively can react with the anode and cathode of the battery.

Abstract: The invention features a process and composition for reducing or eliminating moisture in fluids suitable for use in ink jet systems without significantly changing the surface tension of these fluids. It has been discovered that mixing at least one borate ester derived from an aqueously miscible organic hydroxyl-containing compound, with a substantially non-aqueous printing medium will hygroscopically stabilize the printing medium, (maintain the printing medium substantially water-free) without significantly changing its surface tension.

Abstract: A particle mass sensing element comprises a piezoelectric crystal, a portion of whose surface is coated with a mat-like mass of substantially rigid whiskers for entrapping or otherwise retaining particles while the crystal is caused to vibrate.

Abstract: A method for removing oil-based materials floating on the surface of ballast water contained in the ballast tank of a cargo carrier having vertical steel surfaces is provided comprising adding to said surface a spreading agent having a spreading force greater than said oil-based material in an amount sufficient to force substantially all of said material against said surfaces; and discharging said ballast water from said tank at a point below the surface of said water, said oil-based material being forced to deposit on said steel surfaces vacated by said discharged water.

Abstract: An electrolyte for an alkali metal electrochemical device features (a) an organic solvent; and (b) at least one electrolytically active alkali-metal complex anion salt. The salt has the formula:ZMR.sub.x Q.sub.ywherein Z is an alkali-metal; wherein M is an element selected from a group consisting of B, Al, Ga, In, Tl, P, As, Zn, Cd and Sn (stannous); wherein Q represents at least one heteroatom grouping bonded to M, the core element, through a carbon-M bond; wherein R is selected from a group consisting of: heteroatom-containing groups bonded to M, the core element, through the heteroatom site, alkyls, aryls, alkaryls, aralkyls, halogens, halogen substituted aryls, halogen substituted alkaryls, and pseudohalides; and wherein x and y are positive integers, a sum of x plus y being equal to one plus the valence of the metal M, and further, wherein x can be zero.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to silicon carbide whisker recovery from a mixture of silicon carbide whiskers and carbonaceous silicon carbide particles. The invention involves shredding the mixture down to a specified particle size, dispersing the mixture in water to form an aqueous mixture, agitating the aqueous mixture, adding surface active reagents to the aqueous mixture, agitating the resulting water-reagent mixture, subjecting the water-reagent mixture to froth flotation having at least three stages, removing tailings therefrom containing water and silicon carbide whiskers and removing float therefrom containing reagents and carbonaceous silicon carbide particles, performing a solid-liquid separation on the tailings and the float, thereby obtaining from the aqueous solution the desired silicon carbide whiskers and obtaining from the reagent solution a carbonaceous silicon carbide particle product.

Abstract: Shunt currents can be eliminated in electrochemical devices by introducing nulling currents via auxilary electrodes. In electrochemical devices including those having a circulating electrolyte, such electrodes are designed to have a generally annular shape in order to provide a substantially uniform current density profile along a common electrolyte carrying manifold. The uniform current density profile allows for the elimination of these harmful shunt currents with a minimum of power consumption.

Abstract: Monopolar battery performance may be enhanced by circulating the electrolyte. A circulating electrolyte configuration for this type of system, however, gives rise to undesirable shunt current effects when used in series arrays. A protective current is applied to reduce or eliminate the shunt currents. The application of the protective current in aqueous monopolar battery systems will result in a REDOX reaction couple, wherein water is electrically consumed at the protective current anode and electrically replaced at the protective current cathode.

Abstract: A current producing Li/TiS.sub.2 electrochemical cell is featured which has a cyclic ether-containing electrolyte, and an inhibitor against the polymerization of the cyclic ether by TiS.sub.2, which cyclic ether otherwise polymerizes in the presence of TiS.sub.2.

Abstract: A class of electrolytes for alkali-metal electro-chemical devices is featured, which contains at least one complex anion salt in an organic solvent. The complex anion salt has the general formula:ZMR.sub.x Q.sub.ywherein Z is an alkali metal;wherein M is B, P, As, and Al;wherein R is selected from a group consisting of heteroatom-containing groups bonded to the core element M through the heteroatom site, aryls, alkaryls, F, Cl, Br, fluorine substituted aryls, and fluorine substituted alkaryls;wherein Q is selected from a group consisting of SCN.sup.-, SeCN.sup.-, CN.sup.- and OCN.sup.- ; andwherein x and y are integers, the sum of x and y is equal to one plus the valence of M, and further wherein x can be zero.