Abstract: A process and apparatus for leaching metal values from a particulate mineral ore containing metal values employs a fluidized bed of the particles; a leaching agent solution containing dissolved oxygen flows upwardly of the bed in a lower leaching zone, to an upper clarification zone; a velocity profile is maintained to promote settling of particles so that the particulate solids remain in the leaching zone and a clarified leachant-containing liquid low in suspended solids rises and collects in the clarification zone; the process is carried out with a minimum of undissolved gas and avoids the need for mechanical agitation, but the kinetics of the chemical leaching reaction is improved and heat loss via escaping gases is avoided.

Abstract: A process is provided for supplying nitrogen from an on-site air separation plant providing at least oxygen as a product, which entails feeding an air feed stream to an instrument-air compressor which is oversized relative to compressed air needed to feed an instrument controlling the plant, feeding at least a portion of the compressed air stream from the instrument-air compressor to a nitrogen membrane separator, thereby providing a stream of nitrogen product, and venting an oxygen-enriched air stream from the membrane.

Abstract: A gas, for example, oxygen which has low solubility in water is efficiently dissolved and reacted with a substance in a flowing liquid medium by injecting the gas into the flowing liquid at spaced apart points such that a bubble flow condition is maintained and the injected gas is dissolved and substantially consumed by reaction with the substance in the interval between adjacent injection points; in this way the gas is injected at a point at which the aqueous liquid has maximum dissolving capacity and the number of injection points can be minimized; in another embodiment oxygen injection is controlled to maintain a desired oxygen:liquid ratio effective for efficient dissolving of the oxygen while maintaining the bubble flow condition, however, this requires more injection points.

Abstract: Conventionally, such lifters are relatively long and cause problems with control of the header and proper lifting of the crops without shattering or shelling occurring. The present lifter is relatively short and is bolted to the header using one the bolts attaching the knife guard to the header. The head is floating so that the lifter rides just on the surface and just in front of the guard so that it picks up the crop and lifts them over the knife assembly and onto the header.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sampling a cryogenic liquid for determination of its molar composition involves isolating a sample of the liquid under conditions to avoid fractionation of the sample, especially isothermal conditions, removing the conditions, allowing the liquid to vaporize intact and collecting the vaporized liquid in gas form; in particular the vaporized liquid is collected in a collection vessel which may be detached from the balance of the system and transported to a site of analysis.

Abstract: An inert gas such as helium is employed as a tracer gas in a pulp and paper mill to determine the utilization of oxygen by an aqueous cellulosic pulp particularly, as well as other parameters, in an oxygen delignification or extraction in which oxygen is dissolved in the pulp and reacted to solubilize lignins and reduce the requirement for chlorine-based bleaching chemicals.

Abstract: A cutting oxygen flow control valve in a cutting torch has a poppet movably positioned in a cutting oxygen passageway upstream of a valve seat. The poppet has openings at a downstream end of the cylindrical wall thereof so that these openings are exposed upon movement of the poppet as a manually controlled diaphragm lifts off the valve seat. The progressive exposure of the openings provides for cutting oxygen flow past the valve, thereby producing a desired progression in the flow rate.

Abstract: Oil is recovered from an underground formation by the use of steam and a gas rich in oxygen. In a priming stage, high quality saturated steam or superheated steam is injected into the formation to raise the reservoir temperature, in the vicinity of injection, to the combustion temperature of the oil. Then, in a combustion stage, the injection of steam is continued and oxygen-containing gas is injected as well, so that local combustion of oil occurs. This results in further heating of the steam and the generation of hot combustion gases, increasing the mobility of the oil and creating pressure drive. The priming and combustion stages may be part of a cyclic steam stimulation ("huff and puff") method or a steam flooding method. Special expedients are provided for the safe use of oxygen and steam.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a substantially nitrogen-free process for chloride-route TiO.sub.2 pigment manufacture in which a TiO.sub.2 -containing feedstock is subjected to a fluidized-bed, high temperature carbochlorination in a chlorinator to produce TiCl.sub.4 which is thereafter converted to TiO.sub.2 by oxidation. The TiO.sub.2 -containing feedstock and a solid carbonaceous reducing agent are fed to the chlorinator under a CO.sub.2 blanketing atmosphere such that the carbochlorination is carried out in a substantially nitrogen-free atmosphere containing CO.sub.2 and a CO.sub.2 -rich flue gas is generated, the CO.sub.2 in the chlorinator assisting in controlling thermal balance of the carbochlorination reaction. The absence of significant concentrations of nitrogen in the flue gas results in a favorable condition enabling either or both the CO and CO.sub.2 contained in the flue gas to be readily recovered, purified and sold as by-products.

Abstract: In a steam generating boiler having a bottom wall supporting a char bed and sidewalls with ports through which air is admitted for combustion of combustible species in the char bed and emanating therefrom, combustion is improved by introducing an oxygen-containing gas into a lower central zone of the boiler, from at least one point remote from the sidewalls to thereby cause intimate mixing of the oxygen contained in the gas with the combustible species.

Abstract: The invention is directed to improvements in furnaces.

Abstract: An improved method for fabricating electrode structures, particularly flame-front sensors, spark plugs and the like, wherein the center electrode, the insulating housing therefor, and an outer housing are dimensioned such that a small clearance space is provided between each of the parts; a fluid glue is inserted in the clearance or spacing provided in a fixation zone at one end of the structure by capillary action, so that the device is self-centering and heat sealed and not more than 3 mm in diameter, thus facilitating quick and easy installation in engine cylinder heads and combustion chambers.

Abstract: Molten steel, normally exposed to an atmosphere of air, is protected against impurities by placing a gas containing a major amount of carbon dioxide gas in such quantities and in such proximity to the surface to cause dissociation of the carbon dioxide at a rate which provides a gas barrier or shroud isolating the steel from the surrounding atmosphere. This method may be applied to protecting certain molten steels being transferred from a ladle to a mold, or from a ladle to a tundish and from the tundish to a mold in continuous casting. In a method where a number of shrouding operations are carried out in series, gas under pressure is bled, in increments, from a storage vessel containing a body of liquid carbon dioxide in an overlying ullage space containing vapor. Each increment is ultimately expanded and dispersed at ambient temperature to form the shroud.

Abstract: Molten steel, normally exposed to an atmosphere of air, is protected against pick-up of impurities by placing carbon dioxide gas in such quantities and in such proximity to the surface to cause dissociation of the carbon dioxide at a rate which furnishes an atmosphere of carbon monoxide and gives off a negligible amount of oxygen to the steel, thus providing a gas barrier or shroud isolating the steel from the surrounding atmosphere and preventing pick-up therefrom of oxygen, nitrogen or hydrogen. This method may be applied to protecting steel being transferred from a ladle to a mold, or from a ladle to a tundish and from the tundish to a mold in continuous casting. In a method where a number of shrouding operations are carried out in series, carbon dioxide vapor, under pressure, is bled, in increments, from a storage vessel containing a body of liquid carbon dioxide in overlying ullage space containing vapor.

Abstract: Enhanced recovery of oil from subterranean sedimentary formations by an in-situ combustion method employing a pattern of an injection well and several production wells, spaced-apart by a treatment zone. Combustion is controlled by placing at least one fluid conduit in a treatment zone and introducing a control fluid through it to modify the flame front. Oxygen may be introduced to take over from combustion air initially introduced through the injection well, to sustain combustion and advance the flame front. Water may be injected through the injection well, alternating with the oxygen through the control conduit to continue a wet combustion method started with air. The strategic placing of control conduits and the introduction of appropriate fluids may be employed to improve the sweep geometry by advancing the flame front or retarding it, or invading areas behind it. Safety means is provided for introducing the oxygen at a velocity greater than the maximum flame velocity encountered in the flame front.

Abstract: What is proposed is an electrical energy generator that uses air pressure from a pressurized source for breathing purposes in an underwater or smoke environment wherein a conduit passes the air pressure to a turbine generator that operates at high speed in response to the flow rate of the pressure drop therethrough for generating an electrical output while the user of the device breathes through a mouthpiece connected via conduit to the generator.

Abstract: An oil recovery installation made up of an inner conduit for an oxidant gas and a surrounding outer conduit forming therebetween a water jacket for cooling liquid leading from an upper end at the surface through a sealing well casing to a lower end within the underground oil recovery formation. Terminal means closes the lower end of the outer conduit and provides a restricted passage in communication with the inner conduit for injecting oxygen into the formation. There is means for supplying oxidant gas under pressure to the upper end of the inner conduit and means for supplying water to circulate within the cooling jacket. There is means for controlling the supply rate of oxidant gas and means for controlling the water supply rate.

Abstract: In the injection of oxygen through a refractory lined wall into a molten metal, for example, pig iron, the injected oxygen is surrounded by a stream of a protective fluid to diminish erosion of the refractory lining; the velocities of the oxygen and protective fluid are selected to minimize eddying of the oxygen into the protective fluid so that the protective fluid retains its effectiveness for a greater distance from the injector whereby greater protection is provided to the injector and the refractory.

Abstract: In the refining of metal in a bath of the molten metal, oxygen is injected into the molten metal in a stream adjacent to a stream of a protective fluid which conveys a particulate flux, which is reactive with oxygen, into the molten metal; in this way the oxygen and particulate flux are safely introduced into the interior of the molten metal.

Abstract: A method of converting a charge of non-ferrous metal matte in a Pierce-Smith or similar converter. The fluid charge is blown with a total flow of oxidizing gas .Iadd.containing up to about 40% oxygen .Iaddend.effective to maintain autogenous converting temperatures through a plurality of spaced-apart tuyeres limited in number and individual cross-sectional area effective to maintain the gas underexpanded at a pressure within the range from about 50 to about 150 psig so that it penetrates the bath in the form of discrete steady .Iadd.unshielded .Iaddend.jets to positions remote from the tuyere tips thereby reducing degradation of the refractories and build up of accretions. The gas is injected through from three to six tuyeres.