Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for producing a product comprising a nitride compound, such as for example silicon nitride. A reactor is provided which has a chamber defined therein which is divided into a combustion zone and a reaction zone. A combustible mixture is injected into the combustion zone in a direction generally toward the reaction zone, and is accordingly combusted in the combustion zone. At least one reactant is injected at the boundary between the zones into the reactor chamber in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chamber so as to react to from raw product comprising the nitride compound. According to another aspect, a raw product powder as produced by the reactor comprises silicon nitride as the nitride compound and further comprises elemental silicon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for producing a product comprising a nitride compound, such as for example silicon nitride. A reactor is provided which has a chamber defined therein which is divided into a combustion zone and a reaction zone. A combustible mixture is injected into the combustion zone and accordingly combusted to form hot combustion products. At least one reactant (i.e. silane) is injected at the boundary between the zones so as to be carried into the reaction zone by the combustion products and react to form raw product comprising the nitride compound. The raw product can be purified by subsequent processing to remove oxygen and convert by-products to the desired nitride compound. The product of the invention has a low level of impurities and is made up of primarily submicron, highly uniform particles. This makes the product particularly useful for fabrication of sintered ceramic parts.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a carbide compound, such as silicon carbide. A reactor is provided which has a chamber defined therein which is divided into a combustion zone and a reaction zone. A combustible mixture comprising carbon monoxide and an oxidant is injected into the combustion zone and accordingly combusted to form hot combustion products. At least one reactant is injected at the boundary between the zones so as to be carried into the reaction zone by the combustion products and react to produce a precursor product powder comprising an oxide, such as silicon dioxide, and carbon. This precursor product powder is heated in an inert atmosphere to yield the desired carbide compound.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the relative wettability of a sample of a porous media with respect to a first liquid and a second liquid. The method includes the steps of providing the sample at a partially saturated state with respect to the first liquid; obtaining a first nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) parameter value for the partially saturated sample; exposing the partially saturated sample to the second liquid for a predetermined period of time, wherein the second liquid is treated with a paramagnetic species such that the presence of the second liquid in the sample does not substantially affect the NMR signal response of the sample; obtaining a second NMR parameter value for the sample after exposure to the second liquid; and determining the relative wettability by comparing the first and second NMR parameter values.

Abstract: An ethylene dimerization process is provided wherein ethylene is contacted with an organonickel(II) compound, a phosphite compound and an alkylaluminum compound in a solvent to produce a precursor reaction mixture, followed by contacting ethylene with the precursor reaction mixture and a fluorinated organoacid to produce a product reaction mixture comprising a C.sub.4 fraction of predominantly 2-butenes.

Abstract: A method is provided for separating fibers from a solid sample which includes a solid material having fibers embedded therein. A first chamber, containing the sample, and a second chamber are defined within an appropriate vessel(s) such that the first chamber is positioned generally above the second chamber, and a filter is positioned between the chambers. At least one conduit, having at least one valve associated therewith, is further provided which is in fluid communication with the second chamber. Closure of such valve(s) substantially seals the second chamber except for fluid communication of the second chamber with the first chamber through the filter.

Abstract: A molding apparatus and method are provided which are of the type which utilize a die set comprising at least one die which defines at least one mold cavity for receiving resin impregnated fibers therethrough. Any one die of the die set comprises first and second mold base sections which are positionable with respect to one another so as to form a mold base which defines a channel therethrough. A mold insert defines a mold cavity completely therethrough and is adapted to be removably mounted in the channel. The die set is removably clamped between first and second clamp members so as to enable easy and convenient addition or removal of dies to or from the die set if desired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for producing a product comprising a carbide compound, such as for example silicon carbide. A reactor is provided which has a chamber defined therein which is divided into a combustion zone and a reaction zone. A combustible mixture is injected into the combustion zone and accordingly combusted to form hot combustion products. At least one reactant (i.e. silane) is injected at the boundary between the zones so as to be carried into the reaction zone by the combustion products and react to form raw product comprising the carbide compound. The raw product can be purified by subsequent processing to remove oxygen and convert by-products to the desired carbide compound. The product of the invention has a low level of impurities and is made up of submicron, highly uniform particles. This makes the product particularly useful for fabrication of sintered ceramic parts.

Abstract: A molding apparatus and method are adapted to mold an article having a hollow blow molded portion and a substantially solid compression molded portion. Defined within a mold is at least a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion. A parison is positioned within the mold and blow gas is injected into the interior of the parison to inflate the parison within each of the cavity portions. A compression member is then moved from a retracted position within a recess in the mold to an extended position outside of such recess. The compression member presses a first portion of the parison against the mold interior surface which defines the first cavity portion so as to compression mold a first portion of the parison. Inflation of a second portion of the parison in the second cavity portion accomplishes blow molding of such second parison portion.

Abstract: A molding apparatus and method are provided for molding hollow articles. Resin impregnated fibers are passed through a mold cavity as defined by a heated die and around a mandrel which extends through the mold cavity. The mandrel is stabilized by a mandrel stabilizer fixedly positioned downstream from the inlet end of the die. The mandrel stabilizer includes a plurality of elongated members spaced around the mandrel, wherein each elongated member has an end in contact with the outer surface of the mandrel.

Abstract: A fractional distillation column and method for its use are provided which employ n sets of trays, where n is an integer and n.gtoreq.2. An equivalent number n of separate liquid streams are passed generally downwardly through the column so that each liquid stream flows onto and between individual trays of its corresponding set of trays.

Abstract: A layered geosystem and method employ at least one layer of geotextile which has at least one surface friction-treated with a treatment material in a manner described herein. Contact of the friction-treated surface with an adjacent layer of, for example, geonet or geomembrane assists in preventing movement of such a layer which can occur on sloped terrain.

Abstract: Cathodic corrosion protection of a metallic structure in contact with the earth employs a backfill material which is a mixture of a carbonaceous solid and a clay. The backfill mixture is used to fill around at least one anode which is positioned in a borehole in the earth. A DC voltage is applied to the metallic structure and anode to provide the corrosion protection. The backfill mixture is highly electrically conductive and is relatively impermeable to water so as to assist in preventing intermingling, and possible contamination, of different aquifers through which the borehole penetrates.

Abstract: A molding apparatus is provided which is operated to mold an article having a hollow blow molded portion and a substantially solid compression molded portion. A mold is provided which has defined therein at least a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion. A parison is positioned within the mold and blow gas is injected into the interior of the parison to inflate the parison within each of the cavity portions. A compression member is then moved from a retracted position within a recess in the mold to an extended position outside of such recess. The compression member presses a first portion of the parison against the mold interior surface which defines the first cavity portion so as to compression mold a first portion of the parison. Inflation of a second portion of the parison in the second cavity portion accomplishes blow molding of such second parison portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided which are capable of independent adjustment of the heat and power in a combined system. Intermediate heat and pressure exhaust is extracted from an intermediate point in the main turbine system. This exhaust goes to a regenerator and then an auxiliary turbine. The exhaust that is not extracted continues to power the main turbine system and flows from the low pressure end to the turbine system to a waste heat boiler.

Abstract: A combustion apparatus and method are provided which can achieve highly effective and complete combustion of combustible gases therein. In accordance with the invention, a stream of oxidant gas is directed along and in contact with the exterior surface of a hollow member having inlets communicating with the interior thereof. The oxidant gas is then directed through the inlets into the interior of the hollow member. Oxidant gas swirl vanes are provided within the hollow member to impart swirling motion to the oxidant gas. A nozzle extends into the hollow member and also contains swirl vanes which impart a swirling motion to at least one combustible gas which is passed through the nozzle. Swirling combustible gas exiting the nozzle outlet mixes with the swirling stream of oxidant gas to produce a combustible mixture. The combustible gas in such mixture is combusted and combustion products are discharged through an outlet of the hollow member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided wherein a cavity defined by a rotating hollow member, such as a draw roll in a fiber processing system, is supplied with a hot fluid so as to heat the exterior surface of the hollow member. The fluid is withdrawn from the cavity and passed through a rotating syphon conduit which is fixedly connected to the hollow member. The temperature of fluid flowing within the syphon conduit is detected by a suitable temperature detector positioned within the syphon conduit so as to indicate a drop in fluid temperature when normal fluid flow to the hollow member cavity is interrupted.

Abstract: A seismic method for determining the thickness of a subterranean layer of interest and the velocity of seimic in the layer. Seismic waves are transmitted into the layer, and a plurality of waves are detected wherein each detected wave is reflected from a different point along the lower boundary of the layer. Two parameters, .DELTA.x and .DELTA.T, are determined for each reflected wave. .DELTA.x is defined as the horizontal distance a wave travels between the upper boundary and the lower boundary of the layer, and .DELTA.T is defined as the one way travel time of a wave between the upper boundary and the lower boundary of the layer. A set of data pairs are obtained, wherein each data pair includes a (.DELTA.x).sup.2 value and a (.DELTA.T).sup.2 value. These pairs are fitted to a linear function so as to yield slope value and intercept values. These values may be utilized to calculate the wave velocity and thickness of the layer.

Abstract: A 3-D seismic prospecting method is provided which employs an areal array of sources and receivers by which seismic traces are generated. The areal array is segregated into a plurality of shells and angularly separted sections from which a preselected number n.sub.1 of source-receiver pairs are selected for a particular common midpoint. By means of the shells and sections, the source-receiver pairs so selected have associated therewith a wide range of offsets and azimuth angles for the preselected fold n.sub.1. The seismic traces corresponding to the selected source-receiver pairs are summed to give a stacked trace corresponding to the common midpoint.

Abstract: A process is provided wherein a carbonaceous material, such as oil shale, is coated with a hydrocarbon liquid, such as shale oil, prior to introduction of the carbonaceous material to a water containing, sealed system, through which the carbonaceous material is transferred to a high pressure vessel, i.e. a retort. The liquid hydrocarbon coating on the carbonaceous material effectively minimizes water absorption by the carbonaceous material in its passage through the water containing system.