Abstract: A method of forming a methanol synthesis catalyst precursor comprises forming a precipitate comprising compounds, thermally decomposable to oxides or mixed oxides, of copper, zinc, aluminum and at least one element of Group IVB and/or Group VIIB of the Periodic Table of Elements.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making tubes from flexible textile sheets by which a sheet is helically wound around two or more non-rotatable support bars. Feed rollers contacting two or more helical convolutions wind the sheet so that adjacent helical convolutions overlap and also maintain the tube upstream of the feed rollers in tension to progress the tube axially along the support bars. As the sheet is wound into helical form, successive helical convolutions are sewn together to form a continuous tube.

Abstract: A locating system 10 for locating predetermined labelled objects 20 includes a transceiver unit 12 which comprises a narrow beamwidth antenna 14 for transmitting an energizing signal 16 at a predetermined first frequency and for receiving a returned signal 22 at a predetermined second frequency from an object to be located, the energizing signal 16 incorporating a predetermined transponder category code. A plurality of label-like transponders 18 is provided, each of which is affixable to an object 20 to be located. Each transponder 18 includes logic circuitry in order that each transponder 18 in a predetermined group of labelled objects 20 constituting the category radiates a returned signal 22, including a transponder identification code, to the transceiver unit 12 in a time-delayed manner so that returned signals 22 are received serially by the transceiver unit 12.

Abstract: The invention provides a foundation raft for supporting a structure such as a low rise building on soil which is prone to heaving or settling. The raft has a pair of foundation slabs, of set cementitious material which are spaced apart by a plurality of upwardly extending webs. The webs are fast with the slabs. Each slab has a thickness A of 50-200 mm; the slabs are spaced apart by a spacing B of 100-1500 mm; and each web has a thickness C of 0.2-400 mm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blasting apparatus for activating a plurality of electrical detonators after predetermined time delays. The blasting apparatus includes a plurality of remote electrical delay devices. Each device is linked to a detonator, and is arranged to be serially programmed with a timing signal, which originates from the central control unit and which determines the time delay. A bidirectional signal harness, having ends which terminate at I/O ports in the control unit, serially links the delay devices to the control unit. In the event of a fault of discontinuity occurring in the harness prior to programming of the delay devices, the discontinuity is detected and the direction of programming along the bidirectional harness is reversed so that those delay devices which, due to the break, cannot be programmed in the initial direction, are programmed with timing signals travelling along the signal line in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A water quality improvement process is provided for acid water containing sulphate and/or sulphite ions. The water is continuously fed into a fluidized bed containing calcium carbonate particles. The water consumes calcium carbonate and has its pH increased while calcium sulphate CaSO.sub.4 and/or CaSO.sub.3 are produced.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel lithium manganese oxide compound in which oxygen anions, lithium cations and manganese cations are arranged in layers, each layer of lithium cations being sandwiched between two layers of oxygen anions, each layer of manganese cations being sandwiched between two layers of oxygen anions and each layer of oxygen anions being sandwiched between a layer of lithium cations and a layer of manganese cations. The invention also provides a method of making the compound; and an electrochemical cell employing the compound as its cathode.

Abstract: The invention provides a peristaltic metering pump for dosing metered quantitites of fluids along a plurality of flow lines. The pump comprises a set of rollers and a plurality of flexible liquid transfer tubes, the tubes being mounted on a tube mounting against which they are simultaneously compressed by the rollers. The rollers are drivingly connected to a motor, the rollers being mounted on a roller support. The motor is operable to drive the rollers so that they roll successively along the tubes and compress the tubes simultaneously against the tube mounting as they roll along the tubes. The roller support is biassed against a stop with the roller support being movable away from the stop against the bias by force exerted on at least one roller by the tubes.

Abstract: A system 10 for measuring deflection and/or deformation of a layer in a pavement structure under load is disclosed and claimed. The system comprises at least one apparatus 11 including electric coils 17 sensitive to relative movement between them and a separately anchored body 18 of ferromagnetic material. The apparatus 11 comprises two longitudinally spaced relatively moveable discs 19, 22 and a body 21 of a resilient, transversely expandable material between the discs. A nut 25 serves to urge the discs 19, 22 towards one another thereby causing the body 21 transversely to expand to secure the apparatus at a predetermined depth against a wall in a test hole.

Abstract: The invention provides a chemical process for the treatment of water containing dissolved calcium and sulphate ions, so as to produce a purified product water having a reduced sulphate ion concentration. Barium sulphide is added to the water to cause precipitation of barium sulphate from the water. The water from which the barium sulphate has been precipitated is then treated with carbon dioxide to form hydrogen sulphide in the water, and the hydrogen sulphide is stripped from the water.

Abstract: The invention provides a sintered ceria/zirconia ceramic and a method of making it. The product comprises a substantially homogeneous mixture of 76-92 mole % zirconia, 8-20 mole % ceria and 0.1-1.2 mole % lanthana and/or praseodymia. The method involves heating an artifact comprising said mixture to a temperature in the range 1200.degree.-1700.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing a lithium manganese oxide in accordance with the formula Li.sub.1-x Mn.sub.2 O.sub.4 in which 0.ltoreq.x<1 and having a spinel-type crystal structure includes forming a mixture in finely divided solid form of at least one lithium salt such as Li.sub.2 CO.sub.3 which decomposes when heated in air to form an oxide of lithium, and at least one manganese salt such as MnCO.sub.3 which decomposes when heated in air to form an oxide of manganese. The mixture is heated in an oxidizing atmosphere to a temperature in the range 200.degree.-600.degree. C. to decompose the salts and to obtain the Li.sub.1-x Mn.sub.2 O.sub.4 having a spinel-type crystal structure.