Abstract: A tracked amphibious vehicle having adjustable ballasting means for changing between a neutral-trim position and an ice-engaging-end-up trim position when floating so as to facilitate moving from floating in water to the surface of adjacent floating ice.

Abstract: Delignification of lignocellulosic material, such as wood, straw or bagasse, with a soda pulping liquor containing a diketo hydroanthracene selected from the unsubstituted and lower alkyl-substituted Diels Alder adducts of naphthoquinone and benzoquinone and a nitro aromatic compound selected from mono and di-nitrobenzenes and the amino, carboxy, hydroxy and methyl derivatives of said nitrobenzenes.

Abstract: Delignification of lignocellulosic material, such as wood, straw or bagasse, by treatment with an alkaline pulping liquor containing a diketo hydroanthracene selected from the unsubstituted and lower alkyl substituted Diels Alder adducts of benzoquinone and naphthoquinone.

Abstract: A foamed or aerated water gel explosive composition devoid of any self-explosive sensitizer is provided which is sensitive to detonation in charge diameters greater than 5.1 cm. The explosive composition retains sensitivity for long periods. The migration or collapse of air or gas entrained in the composition is substantially prevented by incorporating a blend of a foaming surfactant and a stabilizing surfactant in chosen proportions.

Abstract: Delignification of lignocellulosic material by treatment with an alkaline liquor in the presence of a cyclic keto compound such as anthraquinone.

Abstract: A bag closure clip fabricated from an elongated double ply plastic strap, one end of which serves as a loop hanger, the closure being in the form of a noose made by passing the looped end of the strap through an aperture in the opposite strap end. The clip can replace the wire closure commonly employed for closing and carrying plastic bags containing blasting agents.

Abstract: A foamed or aerated explosive composition containing a water-soluble organic nitrate sensitizer is provided which retains sensitivity for long periods in small diameter cartridges. The dissipation or migration of entrained air or gas in the composition is substantially prevented by incorporating a blend of a foaming surfactant and a stabilizing surfactant in chosen proportions.

Abstract: A gas generating composition containing nickel oxide or iron oxide and an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal azide, preferably fabricated in the form of tablets or granules. Upon ignition the composition generates nitrogen gas. The gas generating reaction takes place at a relatively low temperature and the solid products of the reaction form a sinter that is readily retained by a filter. The composition is useful for inflating the bags of automobile passive restraint systems.

Abstract: A process for the production of alkali metal amides is provided wherein liquid ammonia is reacted with an alkali metal under moderate pressure in the presence of an alkali metal azide as catalyst.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining the location of a liquid-liquid or a liquid-gas interface in tanks or cavities and has particular use in determining the position of the explosive collar level in boreholes charged with water gel explosives. The apparatus consists of a sensing element which may be lowered into a cavity. Air is exhausted from the sensing element into the surrounding medium. Any restriction to air flow caused by the surrounding medium causes an increase in air pressure which increase signals the presence of an interface.

Abstract: A process for producing an aqueous dispersion of a thermosettable, solid, water insoluble, addition polymer which comprises polymerizing in water at least one .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated main monomer, which is very slightly soluble in water, with at least one .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing a reactive group in the presence of a material selected from the group consisting of surface active agents, suspension agents and mixtures thereof and water soluble, polymerizable ionic monomers consisting of sulpho esters of the formula:R -- CO.sub.2 -- Q -- SO.sub.3 Mwherein R is selected from the group consisting of vinyl and .alpha.-substituted vinyl groups, Q is a divalent hydrocarbon radical having its valence bonds on different carbon atoms and M is a cation selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, substituted ammonium compounds of the formula NR'.sub.4 wherein R' is alkyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) or alkanolamine (C.sub.1 -C.sub.

Abstract: In the known process of preparing a slurry of calcium hypochlorite by reaction of chlorine with a slurry of calcium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide, we provide the improvement consisting of continuously pumping into a first stirred reactor an aqueous slurry of calcium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide optionally partially chlorinated and simultaneously passing chlorine gas into the reaction mixture at such a rate that the redox potential is in the range from 650-850 mV and allowing the contents of the first reactor to overflow continuously into a second stirred reactor and simultaneously passing chlorine gas into the second reactor at such a rate that the redox potential is in the range from 750-950 mV and allowing the contents of the second reactor to overflow and be removed as product; the temperature of the contents of the first and second reactor are independently maintained at a temperature in the range 15.degree. to 35.degree.C.

Abstract: A process is provided for the continuous separation of suspended basic alkali metal azide particles from a liquid reaction medium by bringing the liquid reaction medium into contact with a non-reactive mineral oil whereby the suspended metal azide particles migrate into the mineral oil phase and are thereafter separated therefrom.