Abstract: Thermoplastic powder entrained in a stream of carrier gas is conveyed through a carrier gas line extending between a flame spray applicator and a remote supply hopper. A bypass line is included to divert the carrier gas before it reaches the hopper and introduce it into the carrier gas line immediately downstream of the hopper, whereby powder supply from the hopper can be terminated while the carrier gas continues to purge the carrier gas line downstream of the hopper to remove contained powder. The flame applicator delivers fuel gas, combustion air and a carrier gas-powder mixture in separate streams to maximize the quality of the flame and the surface coating. The carrier gas-powder mixture is delivered as a central stream, the combustion air as a generally concentric annular stream around the central stream and the fuel gas as an outermost generally concentric annular stream. The body member is formed with a first central bore for delivering the carrier gas-powder mixture.

Abstract: A corrugated metal-clad sandwich panel with a wafer composite core is provided. The single stage process for the panel manufacture involves utilizing a press platen system which is mechanically convertible between a planar and a corrugated configuration. The metal sheet is first placed on the lower platen which is in the planar configuration. The wafers and an isocyanate resin in admixture are uniformly distributed over the metal sheet. Optionally, a second metal sheet is placed over the wafer/resin mat. The platens are biased together to precompress the mat. Finally, the platens are converted from the planar to the corrugated configuration, thus forming the corrugated metal-clad sandwich panel having a waferboard core in a single stage.

Abstract: An improvement in the process for the oxidative coupling of methane is provided. Typically, the reaction takes place in a reactor that includes a catalyst zone. A primary CH.sub.4 /O.sub.2 stream is fed into the entrance of the reactor and reacted at a temperature of 600.degree. C.-1000.degree. C. and a pressure of between 101 kPa and 800 kPa. The improvement comprises introducing an auxiliary oxygen stream directly into the catalyst zone and one or more points to thereby selectively increase the yield of C.sub.2+ products.

Abstract: A method for prolonging a hydroconversion catalyst life-time is provided. An additive functional to partially redirect the deposition of catalytic poisoning agents on the catalyst is utilized. The additive may comprise a chemically inert, porous carbonaceous material or ferruginous clay.

Abstract: There is provided a process for improving the thickness swelling properties of a manufactured waferboard panel. The process is based on the discovery that a correlative relationship exists between the relative thickness swelling properties versus the parametric properties of time and temperature. Thus the process involves subjecting the manufactured board to a post-heat treatment at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time in order to obtain the desired percentage reduction in thickness swelling.

Abstract: A `high density` corrugated wafer board panel is provided. The wafer board panel has a substantially uniform density ranging from between about 700 kg/m.sup.3 to 900 kg/m.sup.3. As a result of increasing the density of the panel without changing the panel weight per projected unit area, a panel having improved overall flexure performance properties is provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for drying and passivating wet coals, for example bituminous, subbituminous or lignite. The wet coal is introduced into a heating zone at a controlled rate, then is contacted with a heavy hydrocarbonaceous treatment material having a softening point of at least 60.degree. C. The particles and treatment material are simultaneously intimately mixed and are heated to a temperature of at least 200.degree. C. but below the coal decomposition temperature while being moved along the heating zone in a plug flow manner. The particles are then cooled in a cooling zone.

Abstract: A corrugated metal-clad sandwich panel with a wafer composite core is provided. The single stage process for the panel manufacture involves utilizing a press platen system which is mechanically convertible between a planar and a corrugated configuration. The metal sheet is first placed on the lower platen which is in the planar configuration. The wafers and an isocyanate resin in admixture are uniformly distributed over the metal sheet. Optionally, a second metal sheet is placed over the wafer/resin mat. The platens are converted from the planar to the corrugated configuration, thus forming the corrugated metal-clad sandwich panel having a waferboard core in a single stage.

Abstract: The sulphur emissive capability, on combustion, of coke which is formed during upgrading of sulphur-containing heavy crude oils, including oil sands bitumen, and residua, is decreased by the addition of calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide or calcium oxide, in particulate form, to the heavy crude oil prior to coking, and uniformly dispersing the same therein. The presence of the calcium compound leads to an increased yield of liquid distillates from the coking process under the coking conditions. For calcium carbonate, the Ca:S ratio is about 1:5 to 1:1 and the coking temperature is about 400.degree. to 500.degree. C. For calcium hydroxide and calcium oxide, the Ca:S ratio is about 1:3 to 1:1 and the coking temperature is about 450.degree. to about 500.degree. C.

Abstract: The sulphur emissive capability, on combustion, of coke which is formed during upgrading of sulphur-containing heavy crude oils, including oil sands bitumen, or residua is decreased by the addition of slaked lime or calcium oxide to the heavy crude oil prior to coking. The presence of the slaked lime or calcium oxide leads to an increased yield of liquid distillates at coking temperatures of about 450.degree. to about 500.degree. C. Ash remaining after combustion of the coke may be leached to recover nickel and vanadium values therefrom.

Abstract: The sulphur emissive capability, on combustion, of coke which is formed during upgrading of sulphur-containing heavy crude oils, including oil sands bitumen, and residua, is decreased by the addition of calcium carbonate, preferably in the form of limestone, to the heavy crude oil prior to coking. The presence of the limestone leads to an increased yield of liquid distillates from the coking process under preferred coking conditions. Ash remaining after combustion of the coke may be leached to recover nickel and vanadium values therefrom.

Abstract: Poisoned catalyst is regenerated by first subjecting it to an oxidative burn-off and then soaking it in a base, preferably NaOH. The dried product is comparable in Claus activity to fresh catalyst.

Abstract: A fluid communication channel is developed between injection and product wells in a heavy oil formation by simultaneously injecting a solvent for the oil and passing electric current through the formation.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of trans-3-formylbut-2-enenitrile (V), a key intermediate in the synthetic pathway leading to trans-zeatin (I) and dihydrozeatin (II), both of which are naturally occurring cytokinins. The process involves a base catalyzed condensation of a dialkyl or cyclic acetal of pyruvaldehyde (III) with acetonitrile to yield the corresponding dialkyl or cyclic acetal of 3-formylbut-2-enenitrile (IV). The reaction proceeds regioselectively to form the favored trans-isomer in good yield. The .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated nitrile thus formed is hydrolyzed under acidic conditions to yield trans-3-formylbut-2-enenitrile (V), which can be easily distilled without contamination of the cis-isomer. The trans-3-formylbut-2-enenitrile can be selectively or exhaustively reduced to form either trans-3-hydroxymethylbut-2-enylamine (VI) or 3-hydroxymethylbutylamine (VII), which compounds can be condensed with 6-chloropurine (IX) by known methods to form trans-zeatin or dihydrozeatin respectively.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of trans-3-formylbut-2-enenitrile (V), a key intermediate in the synthetic pathway leading to trans-zeatin (I) and dihydrozeatin (II), both of which are naturally occurring cytokinins. The process involves a base catalyzed condensation of a dialkyl or cyclic acetal of pyruvaldehyde (III) with acetonitrile to yield the corresponding dialkyl or cyclic acetal of 3-formylbut-2-enenitrile (IV). The reaction proceeds regioselectively to form the favored trans-isomer in good yield. The .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated nitrile thus formed is hydrolyzed under acidic conditions to yield trans-3-formylbut-2-enenitrile (V), which can be easily distilled without contamination of the cis-isomer. The trans-3-formylbut-2-enenitrile can be selectively or exhaustively reduced to form either trans-3-hydroxymethylbut-2-enylamine (VI) or 3-hydroxymethylbutylamine (VII), which compounds can be condensed with 6-chloropurine (IX) by known methods to form trans-zeatin or dihydrozeatin respectively.

Abstract: A three step process is provided for producing high strength metallurgical coke from high volatile caking coals. Firstly, the caking coal is oxidized by heating the coal in an oxygen-containing atmosphere for a period of time. Secondly, the oxidized caking coal is blended with fresh or relatively non-oxidized caking coal. Thirdly, the blend is carbonized to yield metallurgical grade coke.

Abstract: A chlorine source is provided in a reactor in combination with a ground oxidized ore and a particulate carbonaceous reductant. The amount of chlorine provided is significantly less than the stoichiometric requirements for reaction with the total iron content of the ore; the amount of the reductant is greater than that required to effect the reduction of the total iron content of the ore. The reactor is operative to retain the reaction gases in intimate contact with the feedstock mixture without significant dilution of said gases in order to provide a reducing atmosphere. The mixture is indirectly heated to a temperature below 950.degree. C., preferably in the range 700.degree.-950.degree. C., and the mixture is retained in the reactor for a period of time sufficient to cause the major portion of the iron to be transported out of the ore and to be deposited on or near the solid reductant and form discrete metal particles.

Abstract: A process is provided for recovery of oil from an oil and water bearing formation wherein spaced injection and production wells penetrate the formation and a drive fluid is injected through the injection well into the formation. A unidirectional electrical potential gradient is maintained between anode means in the production well and cathode means in the injection well adjacent the formation. In this manner, water flow toward the production well is retarded to enhance recovery efficiency. The process is particularly applicable in heavy-oil-bearing formations. In this case the formation is first preheated and heated drive fluids injected to improve the oil mobility within the formation.