Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for moving particulate material such as alumina toward an outlet to a container while minimizing dispersion of dust into the atmosphere. The apparatus includes at least one coil spring which is disposed generally horizontally in the container with one end anchored to the container and the other end, which is disposed near the outlet, connected to a lever arm and crank for cyclically extending and contracting the spring. Such cyclic extension and contraction of the spring moves or at least encourages the flow of the particulate material to the outlet for gravity discharge therefrom and essentially eliminates problems of bridging and rat holes in the material.

Abstract: Metal chlorides such as aluminum chloride (AlCl.sub.3) are separated from a mixture containing metal chlorides including AlCl.sub.3 and ferric chloride (FeCl.sub.3). In order to effect this separation, the mixture is subjected to a fractional distillation process utilizing an array of distillation columns. According to this process, the mixture is introduced into a first distillation column which is operated at temperatures and pressures sufficient to separate FeCl.sub.3 from the mixture while avoiding the formation of a solid solution of FeCl.sub.3 and AlCl.sub.3 within the column. At least one additional distillation column is then employed to separate metal chlorides from the remaining mixture from the first column.

Abstract: A particulate refractory mixture is disclosed which is suitable for combination with water to form a castable refractory having high strength, low porosity and enhanced resistance to molten aluminum. The mixture consists essentially of 79.5-89.5% by weight alumina, 10-20% by weight calcium aluminate and 0.5-1.5% by weight borosilicate frit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for blanking, folding and inserting induction heat sealable membranes, having a disc and integral tab portion, in container covercaps in one continuous punch stroke. The tab portion is blanked from foil stock and folding of the tab is initiated during tab blanking along a fold line located at the periphery of the disc portion. The disc portion of the membrane is then blanked while continuing to fold the tab portion to an intermediate reverse folded position. The blanked membrane is then inserted into an overcap to press the tab between the membrane disc portion and the covercap to further fold the tab along the fold line.

Abstract: A cathode for an electrolytic cell operated at elevated temperature, the cathode comprising a refractory hard metal (RHM) body embedded in a carbonaceous base. The cathode is provided with an intermediate layer of fibrous material between a side wall of a seat in the base and a wall segment of the RHM body. The layer preferably comprises low-density carbon felt, and the layer prevents breakage of the RHM body by providing a cushion against differential thermal expansion and contraction of the base and body, especially during cell start-up.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for maintaining a predetermined energy balance in a device, such as an aluminum reduction cell. The apparatus includes a relatively short and thin heat flow sensor having a first and second thermocouple located within opposite closed ends of a hollow thermally conductive body. Each thermocouple is composed of two wires of the same dissimilar metals. The sensor is secured by one closed end of the sensor body to an outside surface of the wall member to extend substantially perpendicular to the location on the wall without significantly affecting the heat flow from the wall surface being measured. A first wire of each thermocouple is of the same metal for electrically connecting the junctions of each thermocouple. The second wire of each thermocouple extends to a location intermediate the closed ends of the sensor body and is electrically connected to an instrument responsive to the electrical potential between the first and second thermocouples.

Abstract: A container construction and combination in which a container for confining water is provided with a metal heat exchanger disposed vertically within the container. The heat exchanger is comprised of inner and outer tube structures joined together in heat exchange relationship by fins extending between the tube structures, the fins having cross sections sized to conduct all the heat of a refrigerant in the inner tube structure to water located adjacent the outer tube structure. In addition, the outer tube structure has outwardly directed fins extending in a vertical direction within the container. The heat exchanger has upper and lower ends within the container, and means are provided for connecting the upper end of the heat exchanger to a source of heated refrigerant through an upper opening in the wall of the container, the refrigerant being vaporized when heated, and condensed when cooled in the heat exchanger.

Abstract: The ultrasonic soldering of continuously drawn coilable aluminum tube to provide soldered socket joints is improved where the tube, after continuous and sequential drawing to produce a work hardened tube, is subjected to a burnishing operation by being drawn through a burnishing die. The burnishing operation differs from the drawing operation used to produce the continuously drawn tube in that the burnishing does not substantially alter the wall thickness of the tube. The burnishing dies condition the outer tube surface to be more wettable by molten solder metal in fluxless ultrasonic soldering processes.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting transducer heads in a transducer measuring device that is used for measuring or monitoring characteristics of a continuously produced or processed strip material. The apparatus occupies a minimum amount of space and provides for angularly raising the upper transducer head from its measuring position in a direction which is coincident with the direction of travel of the strip material in order to minimize the danger of damage to the head and give ready access to the strip material.

Abstract: A method of reducing sulfurous pollutants from furnaces fired with sulfur-containing coals is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of recovering fibrous material from green crops, comprising leaves, grasses, legumes, stems of green plants and tree leaves by subjecting the green crops to a mechanical pulping action and separating juices generated by the pulping action from the fibrous material. The fibrous materials are burned with the sulfur-containing coal in the furnace thereby permitting alkaline residues from the fibrous material to react with sulfur oxides generated by the combustion of the coal, the reaction converting the oxides to sulfur salts and permitting the salts to be recovered in ash from the furnace thereby reducing the pollutants from the furnace by the reaction and by dilution of the combustion gases.

Abstract: An anti-rotation device having a bracket adapted for attachment to a platform and a blade projecting generally upward from the bracket for a wedge-like engagement in an opening in the neck of a cylindrical fuel tank to prevent rotation of the tank about its longitudinal axis and limit the longitudinal movement of the tank when attached to the platform.

Abstract: A method of providing useful work utilizing the difference between higher and lower elevations and an attendant difference in temperature. The method includes the step of providing a working medium comprised of more than one component, the components having different temperature values at which they vaporize and condense. Vapors of the working medium are condensed at the location of the higher elevation, and are directed under the force of gravity to means at a lower elevation capable of utilizing the medium in liquid form to produce useful work. The working medium in liquid form absorbs heat at the lower elevation and produces the vapors for the condensation step, the vapors being directed from the lower elevation to the higher elevation for condensing. The composition of the working medium is adjusted to response to changes in ambient temperature to provide a system having maximum efficiency in extracting work from the working medium.

Abstract: A method for purifying silicon comprises the steps of providing a body of molten silicon-rich material and extracting heat therefrom to provide a solid phase containing silicon in crystal form and to concentrate impurities in a molten phase. After a desired amount of heat has been extracted, a substantial part of the molten phase is separated from the solid phase. A fraction or portion of the solid phase is remelted for purposes of removing solvent metal, including impurities, from the crystals, and at least one fraction of the remelted material is separated from the crystals.

Abstract: A method of removing phosphorous impurity in a process for purifying silicon wherein silicon is crystallized from a solvent metal is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a molten body containing silicon, the remainder aluminum and impurities, and treating the body with a source of chlorine to remove phosphorous therefrom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a liner from a formed metal closure by at least partially everting the closure with an advancing punch adapted to temporarily couple the everted closure. By everting the closure, the liner becomes accessible to be retained within the closure support and is separated from the closure when the punch is retracted. A stripper is provided adjacent the punch to separate the everted metal portion of the closure from the punch.

Abstract: A method for purifying silicon comprises the steps of providing a body of molten silicon-rich material in a vessel having an upwardly removable first bottom therein and extracting heat therefrom to provide a solid phase containing silicon in crystal form and to concentrate impurities in a molten phase. After a desired amount of heat has been extracted, a substantial part of the molten phase is separated from the solid phase. A fraction or portion of the solid phase is remelted for purposes of removing solvent metal, including impurities, from the crystals, and at least one fraction of the remelted material is separated from the crystals. The crystals are removed from the vessel by upwardly withdrawing the removable bottom.

Abstract: A method of removing boron impurity in a process for purifying silicon is disclosed wherein silicon is crystallized from a solvent metal. The method comprises the steps of providing a molten body containing silicon, the remainder aluminum and impurities and providing a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, vanadium and zirconium therein, the metal from the group forming a reaction product with boron and permitting the reaction product to settle in the body for removal purposes.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for burning a pulverized carbonaceous material containing sulfur and ash. According to this method, a slurry is formed containing the carbonaceous material, water, a reagent adapted to react during combustion with the sulfur in the material and a cementing agent adapted to reduce particulate emissions during combustion. The slurry is burned in a first stage with less than 100% theoretical air and preferably at a temperature below about 1100.degree. C. The products of combustion from the first stage are removed to a second stage and burned with additional air.

Abstract: A metal such as aluminum is produced by electrolysis of a compound of the metal in a solvent such as a molten salt. Electrolysis is carried out by passing a current from an anode to a cathode between which the solvent bath is situated. The cathode or cathode member is composed of a graphite substrate coated with a refractory hard metal such as titanium diboride. The coating adhesion of the TiB.sub.2 is improved through control of the manufacture and structure of the graphite substrate to favor a higher coefficient of thermal expansion and to have the density of the graphite fall within a range of 1.6 to 1.85 grams per cubic centimeter. The steps in producing the graphite may include working it so as to provide a grain direction. One embodiment includes aligning the refractory hard metal coated graphite in the electrolytic cell with the graphite grain direction parallel to the direction of current flow from anode to cathode.

Abstract: A metal such as aluminum is produced by electrolysis of a compound of the metal in a solvent or bath such as molten salt. Electrolysis is carried out by passing a current from an anode to a cathode between which the solvent bath is situated. The cathode is composed of a composite comprising graphite and a refractory hard metal such as titanium diboride. The properties and performance of the composite cathode are improved through careful manufacturing controls and selectivity with respect to electrode configuration and cell operating conditions.