Abstract: A twin roll casting machine has an end-dam structure at each end of the pair of rolls. Each end-dam structure comprises a first part which is urged into engagement with the rolls in the vicinity of the narrowest part of the gap with a contact pressure which prevents leakage of molten metal. A second part, positioned above the first part, is urged into engagement with the rolls with a contact pressure which is less than that of the first part, but which nevertheless prevents leakage of molten metal.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a vessel containing molten metal has a quantity of liquid coolant atomized by a gaseous medium and onto a surface to be cooled. The supply of gaseous medium is constant while the supply of liquid coolant to the spray nozzles is controlled by at least one valve the operation of which is brought about by a non-electrical temperature responsive element in thermal contact with the surface to be cooled. The rate at which the liquid coolant is sprayed on to the hot surface is controlled such that the volume of coolant sprayed on to the surface to be cooled does not exceed the volume of liquid that is capable of being vaporized from the surface.

Abstract: A granulator comprises a rotary atomizer on to which the molten material to be granulated is poured in a stream. The rotation of the atomizer causes the molten material to be ejected therefrom in the form of globules. No fluid jets are used to break up the molten material. The globules pass through an enclosure and partially freeze to form granules which are collected in an annular trough. A gas is injected into the trough to induce a circumferential movement of the granules within the trough towards at least one exit from the trough.

Abstract: A rolling mill (1) for rolling metal strip has provision for applying discrete levels of liquid coolant to the strip and the temperature (te) of the strip leaving the mill is compared with a target temperature (ts) and the temperature (Te) the incoming workpiece is compared with a target temperature (Ts). The difference signals are employed to control the levels of liquid coolant and the rolling speed so that the exit temperature remains substantially equal to the target exit temperature.

Abstract: A radiation pyrometer assembly and method for sensing the temperature of an elongate body, such as metal strip, moving longitudinally in the direction of its length includes a spray gun which deposits a narrow stripe of black paint of a uniform emissivity, upon one surface of the strip as it moves towards a temperature sensing station. The sensing station includes a calibration radiation pyrometer arranged to view the black stripe once the temperature of the stripe has reached the temperature of the strip. The accuracy of the apparatus may be improved by the provision of a process control radiation pyrometer directed to the opposite, unpainted surface of the strip the combined readings from the two pyrometers allow the correction of otherwise unpredictable errors in the temperature of the strip.

Abstract: The roll comprises a rotatable arbor (1) with an annular sleeve (7) shrunk onto it. There are internal passages (25) in the sleeve for the flow of liquid coolant there along. The internal passages are in communication with ducts (19, 21) in the arbor and the liquid coolant passed along the passages from the ducts forms a thermal barrier in the sleeve between the outer periphery and the interface.

Abstract: In the manufacture of metal strip, the strip is cast in a caster (1) and it is then passed through a temperature control zone (5) where the temperature of the strip is brought to a predetermined level. To adjust the temperature of the strip, as its speed of passage through the temperature control zone varies, the temperature control means must be adjusted. Until operating conditions have stabilized, it is necessary to hang a part of the strip leaving the caster in a loop so as to accommodate variations in operating conditions.

Abstract: In a rolling mill for following aluminum strip, it is desirable to apply water to the rolls on the entry side of the mill. Water should be kept off the surface of the rolled strip to avoid marking and, to this end, a moisture extraction device is arranged to collect moisture passing between the upper work roll and its back-up roll. The device includes an extractor system connected to a head assembly located in the cusp between the work roll and its back-up roll on the exit side of the mill.

Abstract: To remove moisture from an edge region (5) of moving metal strip (S), apparatus is provided which comprises a hollow housing (7) having a slot (9) in a wall which permits the edge region (5) of the strip (S) to pass through the slot (9), nozzles (19, 21) in the housing (7) direct jets of air on to the upper and lower surfaces of the strip. Any moisture on the strip (S) is blasted off the strip into the housing (7) from where it is exhausted with the air.

Abstract: An aldolisation-dehydration process is disclosed for converting an aldehyde, e.g. n-valeraldehyde, to a substituted acrolein, e.g. propyl butyl acrolein (2-propylhept-2-enal). Aldolisation and dehydration are effected in a stirred tank reactor (16; 111) using an alkali catalyst, such as sodium hydroxide. A reaction product stream (23; 113) containing both organic and aqueous phases is distilled (in column 25; 123) to yield a heterogeneous azeotrope containing water and aldehyde. On condensation and phase separation the lower water layer (34; 150) can be discharged from the plant without the need for neutralisation. From the bottom of the distillation zone a mixture (36;157) of substituted acrolein and alkali catalyst solution is obtained. The substituted acrolein is recovered as product (45;173), while the catalyst solution (47;175) is recycled to the aldolisation reactor. Part (49; 181) of the catalyst solution is purged to control the level of Cannizzaro reaction products.

Abstract: An air/oil mixture can conveniently be used as a lubricant. To produce the lubricant, oil under pressure is supplied alternately to a pair of separate oil lines (4,5) and at least one dual-line metering valve (8) is connected to the lines to receive oil from each line in turn and to inject a predetermined quantify of oil into a mixing zone each time the supply of oil is changed from one line to the other. Air under pressure is supplied to the mixing zone to mix with the oil injected into the zone.

Abstract: A granulator comprises a rotary atomiser (1) on to which the molten material to be granulated is poured in a stream. The rotation of the atomiser (1) causes the molten material to be ejected therefrom in the form of globules. No fluid jets are used to break up the molten material. The globules pass through an enclosure (6) and partially freeze to form granules which are collected in an annular trough (10). A gas is injected into the trough (10) to induce a circumferential movement of the granules within the trough towards at least one exit from the trough (10).

Abstract: Molten light metal alloy is introduced through a nozzle into the gap between a pair of counter-rotating cooled cylindrical rolls. The longitudinal axes of the rolls are in parallel planes but are inclined to each other so that the rolls apply scrubbing forces to the opposite faces of the strip produced by solidifying the metal. The scrubbing action is sideways to the direction of movement of the strip and prevents the strip from sticking to the rolls.

Abstract: In a twin roll caster, the problem of the casting sticking to one or other of the rolls can be overcome or at least reduced by adjusting the relative speed of rotation of the rolls when sticking is detected or anticipated.

Abstract: Separation of tetrahydrofuran (THF) from a mixture containing water, THF and a lower alkanol such as ethanol or methanol, is achieved by distillation in two zones, the vaporous mixture from the first zone being condensed and redistilled at a higher pressure in the second zone. Substantially pure THF is recovered from a lower part of the second zone, while the vapor from the top of the second zone is combined with the vapor from the first zone prior to condensation and the resulting condensate forms the liquid feed to the second zone. The process is suitable for recovering THF from complex reaction mixtures, containing also butane-1,4-diol and gamma-butyrolactone, obtained by hydrogenation of a dialkyl maleate.

Abstract: A roll caster comprising a pair of rotatable rolls (1, 2), and mounting means (4, 5) for moving one of the rolls towards and away from the other, so as to adjust the gap between the rolls. A nozzle assembly (9) for directing molten metal into the gap between the rolls, is mounted with its outlet end projecting into the gap, with a suitable clearance. The nozzle assembly is mounted on a carrier (13) which is moved in accordance with the movement of the rolls, by means of a mounting comprising movable links (16, 17) so as to maintain the required clearance between the nozzle and the rolls.

Abstract: In a paper making machine, a strip of paper is caused to pass around part of the periphery of a rotary device comprising a plurality of cylindrical bodies arranged side-by-side across the width of the strip and each body has means for producing a signal representing the tension in the portion of the strip which controls the body, the thickness of the portions is also measured. From this data, control signals are produced representing the stress per unit of cross-sectional area of the portions of the strip and the paper making machine is controlled to keep the control signals constant across the width of the strip.

Abstract: Liquid sulphur-containing hydrocarbon feedstock is passed through two or more hydrodesulfurization zones and connected in a series each containing a packed bed of solid sulfurized catalyst. The liquid is passed from the first zone to the next until the final zone. Make up hydrogen is supplied to a hydrodesulfurization zone (i) other than the first hydrodesulfurization zone; hydrogen-containing gas is recovered from each hydrodesulfurization zone. The first hydrodesulfurization zone is supplied with hydrogen-containing gas recovered from a subsequent hydrodesulfurization zone. Hydrogen-containing gas recovered from the first hydrodesulfurization zone is purged. Liquid material recovered from the first hydrodesulfurization zone is recycled to the inlet of the hydrosulfurization zone so as to provide diluent for admixture with liquid feedstock.

Abstract: When rolling metal strip, an emulsion of rolling oil and water is applied to opposite surfaces of the strip. A measured flow of rolling oil is introduced into a measured flow of water to cause at least partial mixing and then it is subjected to turbulence to produce emulsion immediately prior to it being applied to the strip.

Abstract: In a hydrogenation process, an organic feedstock, such as an unsaturated organic compound containing at least one unsaturated linkage selected from >C.dbd.C<, >C.dbd.O, --C.tbd.C--, and --C.tbd.