Abstract: Hydrocarbon fuels, especially diesel fuel compositions, contain alpha-ketocarboxylate additives such as methyl pyruvate to reduce particulate emissions therefrom when combusted in an internal combustion engine. The additives are preferably non-aromatic and metals-free.

Abstract: Accidental spills of liquid ammonia can result in the formation of deadly, fog-like ovoids of ammonia droplets that persist for an appreciably time before dissipating. The addition of a coalescing additive such as urea to liquid ammonia reduces the size and persistence of the cloud that can form if the treated ammonia is accidentally released to the atmosphere. The potential for death and injury resulting from an accidental release of ammonia is thus substantially reduced.

Abstract: Recovery of cerium values from fluoride-containing ores such as bastnasite is enhanced. The ore is ground, roasted, and leached with dilute hydrochloric acid to produce an ore concentrate. The concentrate is treated with a solution of hydrochloric acid and boric acid to solubilize cerium values and convert fluoride to tetrafluoroborate ion. Tetrafluoroborate is removed from the solution, e.g., by precipitation, and the solution is further processed for recovery of cerium values. Removal of tetrafluoroborate avoids loss of cerium as insoluble cerium tetrafluorborate during said further processing.

Abstract: Ruminants such as cattle are protected against selenium-deficient diseases by applying a sulfur-selenium composition to the rangelands or pasturelands where the cattle graze. The composition preferably contains the selenium in a solid solution in the sulfur.

Abstract: Drill cuttings are cleaned of oil-based drilling mud and oil using a cleaning agent, such as a C6-C10 carboxylic acid, that is preferentially oil soluble at one pH and preferentially water soluble at another pH. The oily cuttings are treated with the carboxylic acid and then washed with an aqueous, alkaline washing solution, which converts the carboxylic acid to its water soluble salt and, with vigorous agitation, lifts most of the oil from the cuttings. In other embodiments, the process is used for cleaning oil-contaminated soil, sand, and gravel, and for separating the oils from the solids in oily sludges.

Abstract: Solutions of sulfuric acid having a polyamide, such as gelatin, dissolved therein are less corrosive than polyamide-free solutions of sulfuric acid of equal sulfuric acid concentration, while retaining essentially all of the acidity. The polyamide-safened sulfuric acid solutions of the invention are useful in place of sulfuric acid solutions for many purposes, e.g., as cleaners and herbicides, and for the treatment of cellulosic materials.

Abstract: ICI viscosity of a paint is improved by incorporating into the paint an acrylic polymer emulsion or latex made with the use of a water soluble chain transfer agent, preferably one that comprises both sulfur functionality and hydroxyl functionality. A preferred chain transfer agent is monothioglycerol.

Abstract: The long term stability of process solutions used in H.sub.2 S-to-sulfur absorption/oxidation process, wherein the incoming hydrogen sulfide-containing gas stream is contaminated with hydrocarbons and/or organic oxygenated compounds and the process is generating an excessive amount of thiosulfate in the process solution, is improved by a method comprising contacting the gas stream and/or the process solution with charcoal to remove both the contamination and at least a portion of the thiosulfate therefrom.

Abstract: A multi-ply film including a thermoplastic polymeric substrate, and a vinylidene chloride polymer top-coat have a primer which anchors the substrate to the top-coat. The primer is a copolymer of one or more acrylic comonomers and a cross-linking copolymerizable comonomer having pendant free hydroxyl groups or groups convertible to free hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: Compositions comprising urea peroxide are effective for treating plants for fungal, bacterial, and viral infections and for infestations of mites and insects. The compositions reduce populations of ice nucleating bacteria on plants, thus protecting the plants from frost damage. The compositions are applied to the aerial portions of plants, e.g., leaves, flowers, fruits, stems, branches, vines, and trunks.

Abstract: Moist particulate sulfur is subject to microbial oxidation during extended storage, resulting in an undesirable accumulation of sulfuric acid in the sulfur. Treatment of the sulfur with an antimicrobial agent reduces or prevents the formation of the acid.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed in which a solid isocyanate compound such as toluene-diisocyanate dimer is dispersed within a polyurethane based on a hydroxy-terminated organic compound, preferably polybutadiene. The composition can be fully cured on a surface and yet provides an excess of stable material, i.e. dormant isocyanate containing groups, which are reactive on demand to strengthen interfaces with adjacent layers containing available hydroxyl groups, such as a layer of solid polyurethane-based propellant, without the need for intermediate reactive coatings.

Abstract: Dual thrust solid propellant rocket motor is described. The motor comprises a housing having a nozzle, a first propellant grain received by the housing, a second propellant grain arranged within the first propellant grain, and igniter means. The first propellant grain has projections extending into the second propellant grain for positive ignition.

Abstract: A composition and method are disclosed in which a homopolymeric isocyanate such as a toluene diisocyanate polymer is formed IN SITU within a polyurethane composition containing a hydroxy-terminated organic compound, preferably a polybutadiene, an amount of self-polymerizable polyisocyanate in excess of the stoichiometric requirement, and a polymerization catalyst therefor. The composition can be fully cured on a surface and yet provides an excess of stable material, i.e. dormant isocyanate containing groups which are reactive on demand to strengthen interfaces with adjacent layers containing available hydroxyl groups, such as a layer of solid polyurethane-based propellant, without the need for intermediate reactive coatings.

Abstract: Refractory metal diboride articles having an overall density of 50-90 percent of theoretical and a matrix of near theoretical density, e.g., 95-99 percent are described. They may be made by cold pressing and sintering an intimate mixture of submicron Group IVb metal diboride powder and finely divided solid hydrocarbon, e.g., microcrystalline petroleum wax. The hydrocarbon remains particulate in the cold pressed piece but is driven out by heat at the beginning of the sintering operation, thereby leaving voids which remain as gross pores surrounded by a dense matrix in the sintered article. Submicron boride powders capable of forming the dense matrix contain a minor proportion of a sintering or densifying aid such as carbon or a metal carbide such as titanium carbide, tungsten carbide, or boron carbide. The articles so produced are lighter in weight than non-porous articles of the same size, have high electrical conductivity and, by virtue of the dense matrix, have excellent resistance to chemical attack.

Abstract: Finely divided borides, carbides, and nitrides of metals of Groups III-VI of the Periodic Table, formed by reacting vaporous metal halide and a boron, carbon, or nitrogen source reactant at high temperatures, e.g., 1500.degree. C., are separated from gaseous reactor effluent stream at temperatures between about 200.degree. C. and 1500.degree. C. with the use of a porous sintered filter. By separating the finely divided product from the effluent stream before the stream cools to below about 200.degree. C., adsorption of impurities, e.g., unreacted metal halide or metal subhalides, on the product is reduced. The use of a filter, e.g., a porous sintered filter, avoids the size classification of product which may result when cyclones and a bag filter are used to collect product.

Abstract: Tungsten hexacarbonyl acts as a photochromic agent and an infrared absorber when incorporated in liquid allyl glycol carbonates, such as allyl diglycol carbonate, and polymerizates thereof. Photochromic, infrared-absorbing optical and ophthalmic lenses containing tungsten derived from tungsten hexacarbonyl are made.

Abstract: By-product hydrogen chloride obtained from cracking of 1,2-dichloroethane is purified of minor concentrations of acetylene by contact with activated carbon at a temperature of at least 375.degree. F. (190.6.degree. C.).

Abstract: The pH and acid acceptance of methylchloroform solvent is maintained by contact with a continuous phase of polyhydroxy alcohol.

Abstract: Silicone rubber is vulcanized by heating in the presence of an organic peroxide initiator. Known tertiary-alkylperoxy alkyl carbonates are used in the vulcanization of molded silicone rubber articles, but have not been recommended for use in hot air vulcanization. The tertiary-alkylperoxy alkyl carbonates of the present invention provide good cures with all curing methods, including hot air vulcanization.