Abstract: Novel compositions useful as fluid gelling agents, especially for use in subterranean applications such as drilling fluids, are prepared by reacting an aqueous dispersion of a clay, such as bentonite, with an aqueous gel of a monodispersed mixed metal layered hydroxide of the formula Li.sub.m D.sub.d T(OH).sub.(m+2d+3+na) A.sub.J.sup.n where D is a divalent metal, such as Mg, T is a trivalent metal, such as Al, and A represents other monovalent or polyvalent anions, the formula being described in detail in the disclosure.

Abstract: Crystalline layered mixed metal hydroxides (LMMHs) which are substantially free of unbound water and which conform substantially to the general formulaLi.sub.m D.sub.d T(OH).sub.(3+m+d),wherem represents an amount of Li of from 0 to 3,D represents a divalent metal cation, and d represents an amount of D of from 0 to 8.0,T represents a trivalent metal cation, and (3+m+d) represents an amount which substantially satisfies the valence requirements of Li, D and T, andwhere m+d does not equal zero,are prepared, in an organic reaction medium which is essentially free of unbound water, by mixing predetermined metal organo compounds in predetermined ratios and reacting the metal organo compounds with at least one reagent which supplies OH.sup.- ions to replace the beginning anions in the mixture of metal compounds.A preferred LMMH is one which conforms substantially to the generic formula Mg.sub.d Al(OH).sub.(3+d), where d represents the amount of Mg per each unit of Al.

Abstract: A hopper discharge outlet unit for railroad hopper cars useful for breaking up large chunks of agglomerated material and permits continuous off-loading of the railroad hopper cars including a delumper mounted inside of a pneumatic hopper discharge outlet housing in conjunction with standard pneumatic hoses and an external detachable motor. The apparatus prevents large chunks of material from plugging the pneumatic outlets.

Abstract: Improved injection-molded LLDPE articles, especially those having a wall thickness in the range of about 0.15 mm to as much as 1.5 mm, are prepared using an LLDPE containing a sufficient amount of at least one C.sub.5 -C.sub.12 1-alkene copolymerized with the ethylene to provide a density in the range of 0.91 to 0.945 g/cc, a melt flwo rate in the range of 60 to 200 g/10 minutes, and an I.sub.10 /I.sub.2 ratio of 7.2 to about 18. Articles such as lids and containers are prepared having improved properties.

Abstract: Aqueous-based functional products or corrosive products such as cleansers, household products, commercial products, and personal care products are thickened or viscosity-modified by the addition of at least a small, but effective, amount of at least one crystalline mixed metal hydroxide conforming substantially to the formulaLi.sub.m D.sub.d T(OH).sub.(m+2d+3+n.a) A.sub.a.sup.n.xH.sub.2 Owhere m is zero to one, D is a divalent metal, d is from zero to 4, T is a trivalent metal, A represents at least one anion or negative-valence radial of valence n, where n is 1 or more, (m+2d+3+n.a) is equal to or greater than 3, (m+d) is greater than zero, and xH.sub.2 O represents excess waters of hydration.

Abstract: Aqueous-based dye-depletion formulations such as bleaches, oxidizing agents or reducing agents are thickened or viscosity-modified by the addition of at least a small, but effective, amount of at least one crystalline mixed metal hydroxide conforming substantially to the formulaLi.sub.m D.sub.d T(OH)(m+2d+3+n.multidot.a)(A.sup.n).sub.a .multidot.xH.sub.2 Owhere m is zero to one, D is a divalent metal, d is from zero to 4, T is a trivalent metal, A represents at least one anion or negative-valence radical of valence n, where n is 1 or more, (m+2d+3+n.multidot.a) is equal to or greater than 3, (m+d) is greater than zero, and xH.sub.2 O represents excess waters of hydration.The dye-depletion formulations have highly beneficial gel-thinning and gel-setting properties which render it capable of being used in pattern-dying, pattern-bleaching, and the like.

Abstract: In a metallothermic process for reducing rare earth metal salts to produce pure rare earth metals and metal alloys, e.g. neodymium or neodymium/iron alloy for use in manufacturing neodymium/boron/iron permanent magnets, including adding pure metallic iron, such as iron flake, to a mixture of metal salt, such as neodymium chloride, and a reducing metal source, such as calcium/magnesium alloy, heating in a crucible in a preheated high temperature furnace with stirring to a temperature of 900 degrees C. under a flow of argon, separating the metal from the salt formed, and purifying the metal via distillation.

Abstract: Novel monodispersed crystalline mixed metal layered hydroxide compounds of the general formula are prepared:Li.sub.m D.sub.d T(OH).sub.(m+2d+3+na) A.sub.a.sup.n, where m is an amount from zero to 1; D is a divalent metal; d is the amount of D ions of from zero to 4; T is a trivalent metal; A represents anions or negative-valence radicals of valence n; na is from zero to -3; (m+d) is greater than zero; and (m+2d+3+na) is equal to or greater than 3. The D metal is preferably Mg and the T metal is preferably Al. These compounds are useful as gelling agents which impart beneficial thixotropic properties to various fluids, such as drilling fluids, especially when employed along with fluid loss agents.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process and apparatus for determining the temperature of a sample such as urine without contacting the sample itself. A portable device is used to carry the temperature measuring apparatus. The sample of urine is placed in a plastic container on an adjustable support and the temperature is measured by an infrared pyrometer.

Abstract: A high density brine useful as a drilling fluid for deep wells is rendered corrosion resistant by the incorporation of a soluble aliphatic or aromatic aldehyde with or without olefinic unsaturation and with the use of alkali metal thiocyanates or ammonium thiocyanates. The aldehyde can be reacted with a primary amine prior to use.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus is disclosed including a sample container with a removable cap; an inlet conduit adapted for introducing a stream of fluid into the sample container; an outlet conduit adapted for removing a stream of fluid from the sample container; a valve in the inlet conduit for passing a stream therethrough and into the sample container; a valve in the outlet conduit for passing a stream therethrough and out of the sample container; and a controller for actuating the valve in the inlet and outlet conduits at a predetermined time interval such that a stream of fluid is passed into the sample container until the container is filled with the fluid. A method of collecting samples with a zero headspace in the collection sample container is also disclosed utilizing the above sampling apparatus.

Abstract: A storage, transportation and installation apparatus for ion exchange membranes for bipolar ion-exchange membrane chlorine cells which protects the ion-exchange membrane from the environment. The apparatus includes a container which allows the wet membrane, or a series of membranes separated by plastic sheets to lay flat inside the container protected by a plastic sheet. The container has a roller tension bar across one end which allows each membrane to be pulled out of the container directly into the area between the anode and cathode of the cell for mounting into place.

Abstract: Succinic acid or succinic anhydride grafts of linear ethylene polymers are blended with other polymers or resins, e.g. polyesters and the like, to form blends having useful adhesive properties. The adhesive properties are useful in various laminates and in bicomponent fibers which comprise a core of a performance fiber, especially a polyester such as PET or PBT and polyamides, and a sheath of the grafted LDPE, HDPE or LDPE. The succinic acid or succinic anhydride groups are provided by grafting, respectively, maleic acid or maleic anhydride onto the LDPE, LLDPE, and HDPE, especially by a process wherein the grafting is done in a twin-screw, co-rotating extruder with the maleic acid or maleic anhydride being injected into a pressured zone of the extruder. The acid containing grafted polymer is dyeable in contradistinction to ungrafted polymer.

Abstract: A combination electrolysis cell seal member and electrolysis cell frame cover member suitable for use as a gasket/cover member in an electrolytic cell of the filter press type. The gasket/cover member used for a filter press-type electrolytic cell includes two gasket/cover load-bearing sections integral with a peripheral frame cover section. The gasket load-bearing sections contains a first and second side. The first side contacts a electrolysis cell membrane member and the second side contacts an electrolysis cell frame member. The membrane is interposed between two electrolysis cell frame members each having a gasket/cover member secured thereto.

Abstract: Fine denier fibers and/or multi-filaments prepared from linear low density polyethylene copolymers (LLDPE) are found to offer advantages over other forms of polyolefins.

Abstract: Useful compositions are prepared by incorporating into organic materials, crystalline lithium aluminates which conform substantially to the empirical formula(LiA.sub.x).sub.y.2Al(OH).sub.3.nH.sub.2 Owhere A represents one or more anions and/or negative-valence radicals,where x represents a quantity of A ions and/or radicals sufficient to substantially satisfy the valence requirements of the Li,where y is a numerical value sufficient to maintain the crystalline structure,and where n represents the number of waters of hydration, if any.

Abstract: Carbon monoxide-containing ethylene polymers are blended with vinyl alcohol polymers, including vinyl alcohol homopolymers and copolymers, to prepare oxygen barrier resins having good processability.

Abstract: Articles useful as RF-sealable packaging materials comprise a halopolymer barrier layer coated onto, or adhered to, a carbon monoxide-containing polymer, wherein the carbon monoxide-containing polymer provides RF-sealability to the structure. Other layers of materials may be employed as part of the packaging material.

Abstract: A substrate is coated with a solution of metal oxide precursor compounds and an etchant for etching the substrate, the metal oxide precursor compounds are thermally concentrated by removing volatiles therefrom, and the so-concentrated metal oxides precursors are thermally oxidized in-situ on the substrate. The so-formed compositions are useful, e.g., as electrode material in electrochemical apparatuses and processes.

Abstract: A method of producing layered structures of metal hydroxides (one or more metals) free of chloride or chlorine is disclosed. A specific ratio layered structure hydroxide is obtained from mixing first and second metals (respectively in the form of hydroxide, oxyhydroxide carbonate or nitrate as to the first metal and a hydroxide or alkali metal oxide as to the second) in proportions yielding a precipitated layered structure. The precipitators metal hydroxides with any excess of metal over 1:1 forming a segregated phase. Processing involves mixing, maintaining as a suspension up to about 48 hours at temperatures above about 40.degree. C. followed by cooling to recover the precipitate.