Abstract: A plural zone plant form converting a carbon source to synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen is disclosed. The carbon source which can consist of coal, automobile tires, or hazardous organic wastes, such as chlorinated biphenyls, polyhaloginated organics, organometallics, organic polymers, and the like is dissolved in a molten bath which can comprise iron in an oxygen deficient zone at one pressure and reacted with water, an oxygen source, or mixtures thereof in at least one other zone at higher temperatures and pressures from that present in the first zone. In one particularly advantageous embodiment, two zones, the first and the second, are at different vertical heights and circulation from one zone to the other occurs as a result of differences in density between the molten bath in the lower zone compared to that in the upper zone.

Abstract: Improved acid catalyzed alkylation reactions occur for the addition of a hydrocarbyl reactant to an alkene, by the optimized addition of an oxidizing agent, such as a peroxide, molecular oxygen, ozone, peracid, and one or more of the peroxide, molecular oxygen, ozone, or peracid mixed with at least one material selected from the group consisting of the hydrocarbyl reactant, and the alkene. The hydrocarbyl reactant contains at least one tertiary carbon atom attached to hydrogen, such as isobutane. The alkene is preferably an alkene of at least 2 carbon atoms. Suitable peroxides are found in the group consisting of: tert-butyl peroxyneopentanoate ((CH.sub.3).sub.3 C--O--OCO--C(CH.sub.3).sub.3); acetyl peroxide (CH.sub.3 CO--O--OCOCH.sub.3); di-tert-butyl peroxide ((CH.sub.3).sub.3 C--O--O--C(CH.sub.3).sub.3); hydrogen peroxide (H.sub.2 O.sub.2) and peracids of carboxylic acid having up to 10 carbon atoms, and a general chemical formula C.sub.n H.sub.2n O.sub.3, where n has values in the range 2-10.

Abstract: Improved acid catalyzed alkylation reactions occur for the addition of a hydrocarbyl reactant to an alkene, by the optimized addition of an oxidizing agent, such as a peroxide, molecular oxygen, ozone, peracid, and one or more of the peroxide, molecular oxygen, ozone, or peracid mixed with at least one material selected from the group consisting of the hydrocarbyl reactant, and the alkene. The hydrocarbyl species contains at least one tertiary carbon atom attached to hydrogen, such as isobutane. The alkene is preferably 1- or 2-butene. Suitable peroxides are found in the group consisting of: tert-butyl peroxyneopentanoate ((CH.sub.3).sub.3 C--O--OCO--C(CH.sub.3).sub.3); acetyl peroxide (CH.sub.3 CO--O--O--COCH.sub.3); di-tert-butyl peroxide ((CH.sub.3).sub.3 C--O--O--C(CH.sub.3).sub.3); hydrogen peroxide (H.sub.2 O.sub.2) and peracids of carboxylic acid having up to 10 carbon atoms, and a general chemical formula C.sub.n H.sub.2n O.sub.3, where n has values in the range 2-10.

Abstract: To determine and block the orientation of a lens located in only one location by both its refractive characteristics and lay-out properties preparatory for edge grinding relative to a template pattern, two scenes: a refractive scene and a lay-out scene are produced by light passed through such lens. One or more emissions of light are directed by one or more of the following: (1) one or more beam splitters and (2) one or more mirrors. In some embodiments, the two scenes can be observed separately, in others superimposed by optical or electronic devices. Simultaneous production of both scenes visually demonstrates Prentice's Law, P=hd. When a shadow receiver is present to receive shadows of non-marked multifocal segments in the lay-out scene, the width of the emission of light used to produce the refractive scene is defined by one or more apertures of such shadow receivers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alkylation catalyst to form adducts or alkylates of a C.sub.3 -C.sub.9 olefin with a C.sub.4 to C.sub.9 isoparaffin comprising a sulfated mixed oxide of titanium and nickel, wherein the percent by weight of titanium is at least 80%; of nickel is in the range 1-4%; and of sulfur in the range 1-10%. Also disclosed are the appropriate ratios of olefin to isoparaffin and the use of adamantane to increase yields.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alkylation catalyst to form adducts or alkylates of a C.sub.3 -C.sub.9 olefin with a C.sub.4 to C.sub.9 isoparaffin comprising a sulfated mixed oxide of titanium and nickel, wherein the percent by weight of titanium is at least 80%; of nickel is in the range 1-4%; and of sulfur in the range 1-10%. Also disclosed are the appropriate ratios of olefin to isoparaffin and the use of adamantane to increase yields.

Abstract: There are provided improved processes for the manufacture of enriched pitches, carbon fiber precursors, carbon fibers, and graphite fibers. The improvement comprises employing an elevated wiped-film evaporator in a wiped-film evaporator system comprising the wiped-film evaporator and a means for recovering enriched pitch, such as a positive displacement pump, to form an enriched pitch from catalytic pitch and regulating the operating conditions of the wiped-film evaporator system to provide the desired enriched pitch. The wiped-film evaporator is located a specific distance above the means for recovering enriched pitch. The vertical distance between the outlet of the wiped-film evaporator and the inlet of the means for recovering enriched pitch is within the range of about 10 feet to about 40 feet, preferably about 20 feet to about 40 feet.

Abstract: A calibrated spectrometer can indirectly determine a physical or chemical property of a sample based upon spectral responses measured by the spectrometer with respect to the particular sample. This invention is directed to a method for calibrating or recalibrating a first spectrometer in light of a second spectrometer, or itself, respectively. The calibration employs a unique selection and manipulation of spectral data obtained from both the first and the second instrument. The recalibration employs a unique selection and manipulation of spectral data from the same first instrument, that is obtained both before and after the need for recalibration arises.

Abstract: Producing carbon fiber precursors and carbonized fibers comprise by treating a thin film of catalytic pitch at elevated temperature conditions, treating the resulting heavy isotropic pitch by agitating with an inert gas under elevated temperature conditions to form a mesophase pitch, forming green fibers from said mesophase pitch, stabilizing and optionally carbonizing said green fibers to obtain the desired product.

Abstract: An apparatus that prepares food in cycles is achieved by tying in a timer which resets to zero and measures elapsed time from cycle to cycle.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for evacuating refrigerant for recovery from a conventional refrigeration sytems, e.g. automobile air conditions, preferably by attachment to a manifold having multiple evacuation devices, e.g. compressor, vacuum pump, transfer pump with the evacuation devices discharging through self-closing quick connect valves into at least one flexible accumulator, e.g. a bag mounted onto a manifold, and with an additional transfer pump evacuating the bag gradually to a recovery system which can be a conventional refrigerant recovery condensing unit with purification. Facilities for receiving bags filled from refrigeration systems which are remote from the system, e.g. home refrigerators, can be provided to weigh the contents into the manifold for recovery.

Abstract: Self-healing coatings are formed by first phosphating or nitriding ferrous parts, then coating with an emulsion of e.g. polysiloxane, oil, sorbitan derivative and sodium sulfonate, butyl cellosolve, oleic acid. Preferred phosphating is to a thickness of 2,000-3,000 mg Zn phosphate/square foot. This coating passes 240-plus hours in 5% salt spray (ASTM B-117) and resists wash off with car wash soap.

Abstract: Mid-distillate hydrocarbon fuels, preferably having initial boiling points above 350.degree. F., are separated e.g. by prep-HPLC into non-aromatic and aromatic fractions which are used to set 0% aromatics (the non-aromatics) and 100% aromatics (the aromatics) on an NIR spectrophotometer. From NIR aromatic band absorbances of unknown samples, their percent aromatics is determined using this two-point calibration and the Beer-Lambert equation. Preferred NIR bands of 1650-1700 and 2120-2256 exhibit excellent correlation with aromatics content.

Abstract: Closed loop sampling system using quick-connects dramatically reduces emission of sampled hydrocarbons and other fluids to the atmosphere.

Abstract: During use in hydrocarbon conversion processes, sorbents, e.g. for carbon and metals, and catalysts become contaminated with metals, e.g. heavy metals such as vanadium, nickel and sodium. Leaching of heavy metals can be sharply reduced by treatment of such spent particulate materials with alkaline earth metal compound, e.g. lime, calcium fluoride, calcium sulfate, and barium chloride. Surprisingly, calcium chloride, calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate are relatively ineffective.

Abstract: There are provided improved processes for the manufacture of enriched pitches, carbon fiber precursors, carbon fibers, and graphite fibers. The improvement comprises employing an elevated wiped-film evaporator in a wiped-film evaporator system comprising the wiped-film evaporator and a means for recovering enriched pitch, such as a positive displacement pump, to form an enriched pitch from catalytic pitch and regulating the operating conditions of the wiped-film evaporator system to provide the desired enriched pitch. The wiped-film evaporator is located a specific distance above the means for recovering enriched pitch. The vertical distance between the outlet of the wiped-film evaporator and the inlet of the means for recovering enriched pitch is within the range of about 10 feet to about 40 feet, preferably about 20 feet to about 40 feet.

Abstract: Water reducible coating compositions comprising: an oxidized slack wax, paraffin wax or petrolatum; a low molecular weight polyethylene, polybutene, or polypropylene; naphthenic or paraffinic oil; a salt of a sulfonic acid, a nitrate, a nitrite, a borate or an amine soap of a fatty acid; a mixture of mineral spirits and ethylene glycol monopropyl ether; an unsaturated fatty acid (preferably oleic acid) and a fugitive amine (preferably 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol); and water are disclosed which provides improved corrosion resistant coatings for ferrous alloys.