Abstract: A process and system for removing hydrogen sulfide from a gaseous stream such as one of natural gas. A sour gas stream containing H.sub.2 S is contacted with a nonaqueous, water-insoluble sorbing liquor which comprises an organic solvent for elemental sulfur, dissolved elemental sulfur, an organic base to promote the reactions, and an organic solubilizing agent an agent suitable for maintaining the solubility of polysulfide intermediates which may otherwise separate when they are formed during operation of the process. Hydrogen sulfide (H.sub.2 S) gas is sorbed into this liquor and then reacts with the dissolved sulfur in the presence of the base to form polysulfide molecules. The solution is then sent to a reactor where sufficient residence time is provided to allow the polysulfide forming reactions to reach the desired degree of completion. From the reactor, the solution flows to a regenerator where the solution is oxidized (e.g., by contact with air), forming dissolved elemental sulfur and water.

Abstract: A fastener assembly, such as a nail assembly, includes a row of fasteners held together and maintained in position by an extrudable thermoplastic adhesive composition containing a particulate filler, an extrudable thermoplastic resin reacted with a polar compound, and optional quantities of an additional thermoplastic resin. The adhesive composition provides the fastener assembly with increased rigidity, reduced bending and buckling, and reduced shearing requirements for separating an individual fastener from the row. The invention also includes an adhesive composition useful in the fastener assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting fuel and oxidant into a combustion burner. At a fuel exit plane of a fuel discharge nozzle, fuel is discharged in a generally planar fuel layer which has an upper boundary and a lower boundary. At an oxidant exit plane, oxidant is preferably discharged in both a top layer along the upper boundary of the fuel layer and a bottom layer along the lower boundary of the fuel layer. In a downstream flow direction, the fuel and oxidant preferably converge in a generally vertical plane and diverge in a generally horizontal plane. The discharged fuel and oxidant form a fishtail or fan-shaped flame configuration. The fuel exit plane can be moved upstream or downstream with respect to the oxidant exit plane to vary the flame characteristics and the flame shape. A refractory manifold can be used to further enhance the fishtail or fan-shaped flame configuration.

Abstract: A process for dehydrating gaseous fluids, such as natural gas, in which the gaseous fluid is contacted with a substantially anhydrous composition having a glycol and an aromatics solubility depressant. The glycol is preferably ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for combustion of a fuel/oxidant mixture in which at least a portion of the fuel is preheated and, thereafter, burned with any remaining portion of fuel in a flame having fuel-rich zones, thereby forming soot within the resulting flame to produce a luminous, high heat transfer, low NO.sub.x flame.

Abstract: Stable high conductivity functionally gradient compositionally layered solid bodies suitable for use as electrolytes and membranes and providing improved oxygen-ion conductivity for electrolytes and improved mixed oxygen-ion and electronic conductivity for membranes. The electrolytes provide solid oxide fuel cells with high efficiency operation at 300.degree. to 800.degree. C.

Abstract: A medical instrument for removing deposits on the walls of arteries and/or veins having at least one partially hollow body that can be introduced into the arteries and/or veins and a plurality of cutting bodies with cutting edges for removal of the deposits. A base body protrudes at least partially into the partially hollow body and the cutting bodies and pivotally connected to the base body.

Abstract: A process for dehydrating gaseous fluids, such as natural gas, in which the gaseous fluid is contacted with a dehydrating composition having a glycol and a dissolved salt of at least one alkali metal carboxylate. The glycol is preferably ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and mixtures thereof. The dissolved salt preferably constitutes up to about 33% by weight of the dehydrating composition.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjustably mounting an arrow rest wherein a pivot shaft is mounted within a through bore of a sleeve, so that the pivot shaft can pivot or rotate between a normal rest position and a maximum forward position. The sleeve is mounted with respect to a bracket that is fixed with respect to an archery bow riser. Opposing end portions of the pivot shaft extend beyond corresponding end surfaces of the sleeve. One of the end portions of the pivot shaft is housed within an end cap bore. A spring has one end foot attached or mounted with respect to the end cap and an opposing end foot attached or mounted with respect to the one end portion of the pivot shaft housed within the end cap bore. A pair of keeper elements and a wave washer or other spring element are attached to or mounted with respect to the pivot shaft to significantly reduce horizontal movement or longitudinal play of the pivot shaft with respect to the sleeve and thus of the arrow rest within a corresponding shooting window.

Abstract: A system and method for installing metal deck framing. One or more deck panels are secured with respect to and between two elongated structural framing members to form a deck panel structure. The deck panel structure is then positioned between two primary structural members in a position such that each structural framing member is suspended from a support arm or a support structure that is supported by a corresponding one of the primary structural members. At least each corner portion of the deck panel structure can be mechanically adjusted to vary a vertical position of the deck panel structure.

Abstract: A transport vase which has a moisture container for storing cut flowers. The moisture container is constructed of an outer flexible wrapper which forms a relatively thin water-tight pouch. An absorbent material is positioned within the flexible wrapper and the absorbent material can be saturated with water or liquid nutrients.

Abstract: A filter unit for fluids, the filter unit comprising a filter housing with at least one filter disposed therein, at least one fluid feed line, at least one purified fluid outlet line, and at least one unpurified fluid outlet line, each of which lines is provided with a valve. The filter is sealingly seated in the filter housing in an area between the fluid feed line and the purified fluid outlet line. The filter is in the form of a conical cylinder. The wide opening of the filter faces toward the fluid feed line and the underside of the filter forms a narrower opening sealingly disposed in an intermediate plate in the filter housing. A dirt funnel is disposed below the intermediate plate. A cleaning element is rotatably seated inside the filter housing which can be lowered into the filter from a filtration position into a cleaning position.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for starting internal combustion engines having one to three cylinders by first activating a reverse direction motor to drive the power system of the engine in reverse to its normal operating direction until it is positioned at or near the backside of a prior compression stroke and then activating a starter motor, preferably at initial high torque, and continuing operation until the engine is started. The apparatus and process achieves a significant decrease in the size and power requirements for starters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the removal of hydrogen sulfide (H.sub.2 S) from gaseous streams, particularly concentrations of H.sub.2 S lower than 100 ppm. The invention is particularly useful for removing H.sub.2 S from natural gas. The invention involves contacting a gaseous stream containing hydrogen sulfide with a sorbent solution comprising a substantially non-aqueous solvent having a low vapor pressure and a high donor number, such as dimethyl sulfoxide, a concentration of a polyvalent reducible metal ion in an oxidative state sufficient to oxidize the hydrogen sulfide to form at least one soluble sulfur compound, such as Fe.sup.3+, and a counter-ion for the metal ion, such as Cl.sup.- ; and regenerating the oxidative state of the metal ion reduced by the hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for single screw solid state shear extrusion pulverization of polymeric materials in which the polymeric materials are heated to a temperature suitable for forming a continuous thin film of said polymeric material, and then cooled, and normal and shear forces sufficient to form powder of the polymeric material are applied by a single cylindrical or conical mesh screw. The resulting powder is fluidized upon its discharge.

Abstract: A method for packaging cans or tubes continuously delivered from a production installation to pick-up elements, which are moved in steps, of an intermediate station. A gripper device brings the cans or tubes in groups according to the desired number of pieces in a packaging layer to a delivery station. Each can or tube is deposited into a support element, after which the cans or tubes are pushed together out of the support elements into a loading station. The cans or tubes are placed at equal distances into the pick-up elements, wherein individual support elements are placed apart from each other at a predetermined distance. The cans or tubes are then deposited into the support elements at distances predetermined by the pick-up elements. The support elements are subsequently moved together until they touch each other, whereupon the cans or tubes are then pushed into the loading station. This method allows the use of the same apparatus for different can diameters with minimal changing effort.

Abstract: A communications system that uses electromagnetic waves. The communications system preferably operates in the millimeter-wave frequencies, and provides relatively high signal restoration and isolation. The communications system can use polarization diversity to increase the capacity of a channel. Isolation and restoration features in the transceivers eliminate or reduce the effects of precipitation and/or reflection and diffraction from objects, and thus is well-suited for an urban environment.