Abstract: An institutional sprinkler head nipple adapted to place an assembly of the institutional sprinkler head and a nipple in an institutional wall by placing the nipple and the sprinkler head under tension between one side of the wall and the other side of the wall. The improved fire sprinkler nipple comprising a cylindrical hollow pipe of a first internal diameter and a first outer diameter and having first and second ends, the wall of the pipe being swaged down towards the first end to the cylindrical section of a second inner diameter less than the first inner diameter of the pipe, the first end being internally threaded and adapted to receive an externally threaded inlet of an institutional fire sprinkler head, the second end adapted to be joined with a fire sprinkler pipe fixture, a cylindrical externally threaded sleeve is received on and secured on the pipe proximate its first end, the sleeve adapted to receive a retaining washer and threaded nut.

Abstract: A structural, insulating, insect resistant, dimensionally stable composite wall panel for building construction comprising a regular tetragonal body of polymer foam having two opposing primary wall surfaces bounded on its sides by two parallel side walls and on its ends by two parallel end walls; and at least one light metal gauge hollow stud in the body, each light metal gauge stud extending at least from one end wall to the other end wall and parallel to the side walls of said body, the polymer foam extending into the center of the stud to secure the stud to the body, at least one side wall of each stud forming a portion of the same primary wall surface of said body.

Abstract: A clean refractory metal sponge fines product is made from refractory metal sponge fines free of refractory metal oxides, carbides, nitrides and binary iron alloys; silicon carbide, oils, greases and organic compounds; salt; dust; dirt; pieces of iron, iron alloy and tungsten carbide; and light contaminants. The sponge fines are vigorously washed and rinsed with a displacement wash to remove the bulk of the wash fluid and subject to a counter-current wash to yield clean refractory metal sponge fines. The clean sponge fines can be pressed into briquettes and sintered at elevated pressures, or mixed with an alkali metal refractory metal halide slat, pressed at elevated pressures into sponge fines/salt briquettes and dried or pressed into briquettes, dried and packaged, or pressed into briquettes and stored wet. The briquettes are non-pyrophoric.

Abstract: A bend detector for detecting a bend in headed rod members such as nails, screws, bolts, rivets and terminals. A guide plate, a base plate and a beam are mounted on a base which is being vibrated. Thus, a nail set in the bend detector is vibrated and rolls on the inclined edge of the guide plate and the base plate, which extends parallel to the edge of the guide plate. An air blower is provided under the head of the nail to lift it up from the edge of the guide plate by blowing air. If the nail is straight, it can roll smoothly on the edge of the guide plate and the base plate without its head disengaging from the edge of the guide plate even though it is lifted up from the edge of the guide plate by the air blower. If the nail is bent, its head will jump up until its shank abuts the beam when the crest of the bent portion faces downward while the nail is rolling. Its head will thus disengage from the edge of the guide plate, so that the nail will drop into the gap between the guide plate and the base plate.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an improved corrugated stent which is designed to maximize expansion ratio, source of expansion, and flexibility, while minimizing the shortening which generally takes place with prior art stents which effect is achieved by alternating between transversely and longitudinally oriented limbs down the length of the stent.

Abstract: An anal patch for controlling fecal incontinence comprising a polymeric body member adapted to be fitted into the natal cleft about the anal opening and secured to the natal cleft with a releasable adhesive material.

Abstract: A system for generating electricity in a vehicle when the vehicle is not moving at a sufficient speed to drive the on board generators and when the wind is insufficient to drive the generators. In one embodiment, a control unit receives input signals from sensors which determine the vehicle speed and the speed and direction of the wind. In another embodiment, the control unit receives input signals from sensors which determine the total current produced by the generator. Based on these signals, the control unit controls the discharge of air from storage tanks on the vehicle to power the generators. The generators produce electricity which is stored on the vehicle and is used to run the vehicle.

Abstract: A clean refractory metal SWARF particle product is made from refractory metal SWARF. The SWARF particles are produced with coolant at a temperature less than 650.degree. C. to prevent formation of refractory metal oxides and nitrides. The SWARF particles are comminuted to reduce the particle size of the SWARF slivers and to liberate residual coolant The comminuted SWARF slivers are washed with a displacement wash to remove the bulk of the coolant and subject to a counter current wash to remove substantially all of the coolant components to produce to clean SWARF particles. The clean SWARF particles can be pressed into briquettes and sintered at elevated pressures or mixed with an alkali metal refractory metal halide salt, pressed at elevated pressures into SWARF/soft briquettes and dried. The briquettes are non-pyrophoric.

Abstract: Coke formation and coil corrosion in pyrolysis furnaces is controlled by adding a mixture of a Group IA metal salt, a Group IIA metal salt and an aluminum salt thereof to the hydrocarbon feedstock for the pyrolysis furnace.

Abstract: Direct contact heat transfer process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines or other hot aqueous solutions of a non-volatile solute, or for desalination, using staged evaporator-condenser units operating with a low boiling water-immiscible liquid hydrocarbon. Each stage comprises a closed vessel divided into two compartments, an evaporator and a condenser, by a bubble cap tray similar in construction to those used in distillation. In one embodiment, hot geothermal brine or other hot aqueous liquid is introduced into the liquid hydrocarbon contained in the lower compartment of each stage, causing boiling of the hydrocarbon. Hydrocarbon vapors pass from the evaporator compartment through the bubble caps to the upper condenser compartment where they are condensed in contact with a cooler water stream. The heated water stream under substantial pressure is fed to an expander or turbine to produce work.

Abstract: High quality phosphoric acid is produced from phosphate rock and high alumina pebble which is a byproduct of phosphate rock mining operations. The rock or pebble with or without comminution is digested in phosphoric and sulfuric acid and the resultant phosphoric acid contains the metallic ions normally present in the treated rock and pebble. The metallic ions are then extracted from the acid by ion exchange with a water-immiscible organic sulphonic acid compound (preferably in the presence of an organophosphate or phosphonate). After phase separation the organic phase containing the extracted metallic ions can be regenerated. The process is especially useful when the digestion is done at a P.sub.2 O.sub.5 concentration and temperature which produces calcium sulfate hemihydrate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for pyrolyzing agglomerative coals which comprises introducing a fluidized bed of hot char particles into a pyrolysis chamber or reactor, and injecting upwardly into the chamber a high velocity jet of agglomerative coal particles in a carrier gas, the fluidized hot char particles surrounding the high velocity coal jet and heating the coal particles to yield gaseous products and char. The hot char particles in the fluidized state and disposed around the coal jet are entrained in the upwardly expanding coal jet and mixed with the coal particles, so that by the time the coal particles contact the pyrolysis chamber wall, such coal particles being heated by the char have passed through the tacky state and are no longer tacky and do not adhere to the chamber wall. The gaseous product and char formed during pyrolysis are rapidly removed from the pyrolysis chamber, and such char can be separated, e.g.

Abstract: A process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines or other hot aqueous solutions of a non-volatile solute, by direct contact heat transfer using staged evaporator-condenser units operating with a low boiling water-immiscible liquid hydrocarbon. Each stage comprises a closed vessel divided into two compartments, an evaporator and a condenser, by a bubble cap tray similar in construction to those used in distillation. Hot geothermal brine or other hot aqueous liuqid is introduced into the liquid hydrocarbon contained in the lower compartment of each stage, causing boiling of the hydrocarbon at a temperature difference of 2.degree.-4.degree. F. Hydrocarbon vapors pass from the evaporator compartment through the bubble caps to the upper condenser compartment where they are condensed in contact with a cooler water stream, and the condensed hydrocarbon is returned to the lower compartment.

Abstract: A process and system for obtaining fresh water from salt water such as sea water, by direct contact heat transfer using staged evaporator-condenser units operating with a low boiling water-immiscible liquid hydrocarbon. Each stage comprises a closed vessel divided into two compartments, an evaporator and a condenser, by a bubble cap tray similar in construction to those used in distillation. Relatively hot fresh water is introduced into the liquid hydrocarbon contained in the lower compartment of each stage, causing boiling of the hydrocarbon at a temperature difference of 2.degree.-4.degree. F. Hydrocarbon vapors pass from the evaporator compartment through the bubble caps to the upper condenser compartment where they are condensed in contact with a colder saline stream, and the condensed hydrocarbon is returned to the lower compartment.

Abstract: A monolithic bipolar membrane having elastic properties is immersed in a polar solvent or an electrolyte, such as water. An electric field is used to control the transfer rate of neutral or ionized molecules in solution in the electrolyte through the membrane in response to an applied external electromotive force. By adjusting the external electromotive force the membrane can be controlled to selectively pass one type of molecule while rejecting other molecules in solution. A separation between molecules of two or more materials in solution in the electrolyte can thus be achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the purification of glass, obtained by froth flotation from shredded municipal trash; more particularly, the present invention relates to a process for removing aluminum oxide, especially corundum, and silicon carbide particles or stones, of a size greater than 60 mesh, as impurities from the glass. The process comprises subjecting the froth-floated glass to magnetic separation, especially high intensity magnetic separation, such as that produced by employing a high intensity induced roll magnetic separator. Since such impurities function unexpectedly as magnetics in relation to glass, the refractory impurities are removed from the glass during such magnetic separation. The resulting purified glass can then be employed as glass cullet for production of finished glass articles.

Abstract: Process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines and other water containing or hot water sources, which comprises direct contact heat exchange between the brine or hot water, and a working fluid, e.g. n-butane, in a heat transfer column, the heat transfer column being operated in the subcritical pressure region of the working fluid, preferably close to or approaching the apex of the saturated vapor curve for such working fluid on the Mollier enthalpy-entropy diagram for such fluid. The heated working fluid exiting the top of the heat transfer column is expanded through an expander to produce work. The discharge from the expander is cooled to condense working fluid which is separated in an accumulator, from condensed water vapor present in the working fluid, and the condensed working fluid is pressurized and fed back to the heat transfer column. Water from the accumulator can be fed to an H.sub.2 S removal system where good quality water can be recovered.

Abstract: Phosphate rock and sulfuric acid are reacted under conditions which result in the formation of calcium sulfate hemihydrate and phosphoric acid of about 35% to about 55% P.sub.2 O.sub.5. A two vessel reaction system is used in which the reaction slurry undergoes intra- and inter- vessel circulation (preferably through a draft tube). The solution portion of the slurry in the first vessel (the "dissolver") is preferably maintained at a negative sulfate concentration (i.e. excess Ca.sup.+2) and the solution in the second vessel (the "crystallizer") is preferably maintained at a positive sulfate ion concentration. Also preferred is that the second vessel be maintained at a reduced pressure, (e.g. to provide evaporation cooling). Better filtration rates can thus be obtained due to the favorable shape, dominant size and size distribution of the hemihydrate crystals. Most preferred is that a crystal modifier (e.g.

Abstract: An apparatus for reacting phosphoric acid and ammonia to form a molten reaction mixture, to which water can be added to produce an ammonium polyphosphate product, comprises:(A) fluid reactor means having a plurality of inlet means suitable for administration of reactants and positioned to provide for rapid ammoniation of the phosphoric acid with evolution of heat and aperatures to the other end providing exit means for the reaction mixture, said reactor means being adapted to the expulsion of the reaction mixture by steam generated in situ;(B) means for separating the steam from the liquid product solution and removal of said steam from the apparatus; and(C) columnar vessel means having outlet means at one end and enclosing at the other end the exit means of said fluid reactor means and a plurality of barrier means partially blocking said columnar vessel means in spaced-apart relationship and having aperatures therein for passage of reaction product therethrough and inlet means suitable for introduction of a