Abstract: A water-in-oil emulsion explosive composition is provided containing sorbitan mono-oleate, sorbitan sesquioleate and glycerides of fatty acids as the emulsification agent and also containing a highly clorinated paraffinic hydrocarbon as an emulsification promoter. The presence of the clorinated hydrocarbon produces improved sensitivity even in small diameter cartridges.

Abstract: Improved process for the preparation of aqueous emulsions of addition copolymers having functional groups to provide thermosetting capability via condensation. The process improvement resides in reducing the amount of unwanted premature condensation of the functional group. The process has two steps, one consisting of polymerizing a portion of the monomer reactants at a temperature not above 60.degree. C. if the functional group is present and the other of continuing the polymerization with the addition of the remaining monomer reactants at a temperature not above 60.degree. C. and at a pH in the range of from 1 to 7. The process is of use in producing improved thermosetting enamels.

Abstract: A method is provided for the explosive welding together of sections of large diameter metal pipe of the kind used in the construction of high volume oil and gas pipelines. In the method, internal and external band charges of welding explosive are simultaneously detonated adjacent to overlapped telescoped pipe ends. The welding charges are detonated simultaneously by means of very high detonation velocity initiation explosive charges placed along a leading edge of each welding explosive charge. The initiating explosive charges are each set off by a single detonator means. The velocity of detonation of the initiating explosive is selected so that welding charges are simultaneously detonated around the pipes while maintaining the detonation fronts at superimposed locations and at a large angle to the pipe axis. This avoids unbalancing forces on the pipes and minimizes the collision of circumferential shock waves thus preventing pipe damage and imperfect welds.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for effecting in a continuous manner the three operations of extruding, biaxially stretching and surface coating a seamless tubing of thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, etc. The coating material in a molten state is applied to the tubing while a formative state and prior stretching. A coated film is obtained which is dimensionally stable and is useful for food packaging.

Abstract: A method is provided for the explosive welding together of sections of large diameter metal pipe of the kind used in the construction of high volume oil and gas pipelines. In the method, internal and external band charges of welding explosive are simultaneously detonated adjacent to overlapped telescoped pipe ends. The welding charges are detonated simultaneously by means of very high detonation velocity initiation explosive charges placed along a leading edge of each welding explosive charge. The initiating explosive charges are each set off by a single detonator means. The velocity of detonation of the initiating explosive is selected so that welding charges are simultaneously detonated around the pipes while maintaining the detonation fronts at superimposed locations and at a large angle to the pipe axis. This avoids unbalancing forces on the pipes and minimizes the collision of circumferential shock waves thus preventing pipe damage and imperfect welds.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for handling a continuous, stuffed, flexible casing and especially stuffed with explosives material. The apparatus includes pairs of split necking plates on either side of a casing path adapted for opposed reciprocal movement for engaging the casing in the path and necking the casing. The necking plates are mounted by a parallelogram linkage suspended from an overhead frame, and linkage means are provided for simultaneously moving the necking plates through said parallelogram linkage to neck the casing. Each pair of necking plates is adapted to move apart in a direction parallel to the axis of the path of the casing such that when the casing is necked by the necking plates, the neck so formed on the casing can be elongated by moving the plates apart.

Abstract: Aqueous thermosetting coating compositions comprising a blend of (1) an aqueous latex of an acrylic copolymer, (2) an amine-neutralized acrylic copolymer, and (3) a melamine-formaldehyde resin.

Abstract: In a process for manufacturing sulphuric acid by catalytic conversion of gaseous sulphur dioxide to sulphur trioxide in the presence of dry air and under high pressure, the improvement comprising feeding the converted gas stream under high pressure to an absorbing unit, circulating essentially sulphur dioxide-free sulphuric acid through the absorbing unit to absorb the sulphur trioxide and unconverted sulphur dioxide from said converted gas stream, depressurizing the acid, simultaneously stripping the sulphur dioxide from the acid by means of air or a sulphur dioxide-free gas and removing moisture from said air or sulphur dioxide-free gas by means of said acid, cooling the resulting essentially sulphur dioxide-free acid and recirculating at least part of it to the absorbing unit. In a preferred embodiment, the process comprises the additional step of condensing part of the sulphur trioxide and unconverted sulphur dioxide constituting the converted gas stream and feeding the remainder to the absorbing unit.

Abstract: A mobile mixing and delivery apparatus for bulk slurry explosive compositions is provided. The apparatus comprises a vehicle body upon which is mounted a rotatable drum mixer. Explosive ingredients are fed into the mixer, mixed and then delivered close to the point of use where they are pumped through a hose into boreholes. Provision is made for the addition of thickness or other additives to the slurry during pumping.

Abstract: A slurry explosive composition is provided which has improved water resistance and thermal stability and resists segregation. The composition consists of an inorganic oxygen-supplying salt, a liquid carrier or solvent for the salt, a solid or liquid fuel and, as a thickener a sulfonated guar gum derivative.

Abstract: A process for separating molybdenite from copper sulphide and other metal sulphide minerals with which it is associated in a metallurgical concentrate through use of a copper sulphide depressant which is a compound having at least one nitrogen atom, at least one thio group and at least one hydrophilic group. Some examples are 2-thiouracil, pseudothio-hydantoin, and 2-imino-4-oxo-5-thiazolidineacetic acid.

Abstract: The hydrogen overpotential of a steel cathode for use in the electrolysis of aqueous alkali metal solutions in diaphragm electrolytic cells is reduced by depolarization in a highly alkaline electrolyte. The reduction results in an appreciable reduction of the overall electrical energy required to effect electrolysis of said solutions.

Abstract: Flexible plastic valve bags having a valve opening spaced from an edge of the bag are placed on filling spouts by first advancing the bag towards a filling spout on a carriage, and means are provided for blocking the communication of the valve opening with the body of the bag and means are provided for blowing open and billowing the valve opening of the bag while it is being moved towards the spout, and the blown-open valve is in direct alignment with the spout. Another embodiment provides for the location and placing of bags on at least two spouts by mounting the carriage on a lateral traveller such that when one bag is placed on a first spout, the traveller and carriage will be activated to move into alignment with a second spout.

Abstract: A novel method of excavating underground chambers in strong rock is provided which is particularly suitable for use in stope and pillar mining operations. The method takes advantage of blasting techniques and specifically the use of large diameter spherical explosive charges by locating a spherical charge in a cavity provided in the ceiling or roof of an underground chamber. Upon detonation of the charge, an optimum volume of cavity is produced in the chamber ceiling from which well fragmented ore rock is displayed by gravity to the floor of the chamber from where it is easily removed.

Abstract: A thickened, aqueous slurry explosive composition containing a soluble organic nitrate sensitizer is provided which has improved rheological properties. Use in the composition as a thickener, of a mixture of an unmodified guar gum and a hydroxypropyl-modified guar gum provides a composition which retains flowability for an hour or more for easy extrusion packaging yet achieves a high level of gel strength and cartridge rigidity within a day after packaging.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for rejuvenating and reclaiming useful hydrocarbon oils from contaminated waste oils. The process comprises dehydrating the waste oil and thereafter dissolving the dehydrated oil in a selected amount of isopropanol or N-propanol at a temperature of from 45.degree. C. to 80.degree. C. The undissolved waste matter is separated and the residual oil/solvent fraction is distilled to recover the decontaminated oil and the solvent. The recovered oil can be further clarified by treatment with a bleaching clay or activated carbon at elevated temperatures. The process is more efficient and economic than those known heretofore resulting in high yields of reclaimed oil and more environmentally acceptable waste products.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of copper minerals from oxidized ores by flotation employing sulphidization of the oxidized minerals followed by flotation employing a tetraalkylammonium halide as collector. Preferably, a prior flotation step with a xanthate collector is employed, especially when the ore contains substantial amounts of unoxidized sulphide minerals. Using the preferred embodiment of the process it is possible to recover 10% more copper from an oxidized copper ore than is possible with sulphidization and xanthate flotation steps alone.

Abstract: A machine for severing individual plastic bags from a length of bags joined by perforated junctures. The length of bags is extended and severed by the action of two spaced apart sets of rollers, each set grasping the bags, the second set rotating with a higher surface speed than the first. During extension and severing the bags are supported by two overlapping conveyor belts travelling at speeds intermediate the surface speed of the two sets of rollers. The conveyor belts minimize the whipping of the severed edges of the bags. The bag severing machine is suited to operate in conjunction with equipment for folding plastic bags and inserting the folded bags in packages.