Abstract: Method for manufacturing a stable, fluid, highly concentrated aqueous suspension of calcined clay which has satisfactory rheological properties and calcined clay particles having desirable low abrasiveness. A dispersed fluid aqueous suspension of the clay containing about 50 to 55% solids is recirculated through one or more vertical agitated mills containing a particulate grinding medium such as 1/16-inch zirconia spheres. Portions of dry calcined clay are added in increments to the suspension during recirculation until the desired high clay solids level, usually 60 to 70%, is obtained.

Abstract: AMP (2-amino, 2-methyl, 1-propanol) or a related amino hydroxy compound is used with a sodium condensed phosphate dispersant in the preparation of stable aqueous suspensions of acidic, acid-treated montmorillonite clay pigment particles. The suspensions are used in the manufacture of carbonless copying paper.

Abstract: A method for effecting combustion of carbonaceous fuel is operative to sustain the combustion at a predetermined rate or rates of total fuel demand, the fuel being distributed between two combustion stages to make up the required total feed rate. Thus one portion, usually about 20-70 percent, of the total fuel is fed to a thermal combustion stage. Sufficient air is supplied simultaneously to the thermal combustion stage, preferably about 125 to 185 percent of the stoichiometric amount of air, to effect substantially complete combustion of that portion of the fuel and produce a heated effluent. An additional amount of relatively cool air is mixed with this effluent, and the resulting cooled mixture continues through the mixing zone, the additional air being sufficient to inhibit preburning of the remaining portion of the fuel which is added downstream in the mixing zone.

Abstract: A thick film thermocouple matching the performance of solid wire thermocouples and capable of operating at high temperatures with minimal drift is produced by (1) forming two powdered metal pastes of differing compositions, each including a frit which is substantially neutral with respect to the metal components of the respective paste and has essentially no effect upon the thermoelectric EMF, (2) applying the pastes to a surface to form a pair of thick film elements overlapping at one point which form a thermocouple upon firing, (3) firing the applied pastes, and (4) attaching leads to the fired elements and assembling the finished thermocouple. Optionally, the thermocouple elements or legs may be overglazed to protect them against damage to the metal films and to improve stability during continuous use at high temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for recovering vanadium, niobium, tantalum and zirconium from vanadiferous residues arising from the chlorination of titaniferous ores. Such residues contain chlorides of these metals and/or titanium, aluminum, iron, chromium and manganese together with carbon and unreacted titaniferous ore. The method comprises first moistening these residues with water and then treating them with hot water for a sufficient period of time to extract substantially all the vanadium into solution which is separated from insoluble material comprising carbon and unreacted titaniferous ore together with substantially all the niobium, tantalum and zirconium.

Abstract: Catalytic compositions particularly useful in the production of hydrogen from methanol, especially by steam reforming, which comprises a mixture of zinc oxide, copper oxide, thorium oxide and aluminum oxide whereby the activity and activity maintenance of the catalytic composition is superior relative to a composition otherwise substantially the same but lacking thoria.

Abstract: A catalyst system capable of operating at very high temperatures is disclosed. The catalyst is divided into upstream and downstream portions, the upstream portion being protected against both thermal conduction and radiant heat transfer from the downstream portion. Advantageously, the upstream portion may use a more active catalyst composition than the downstream portion.

Abstract: Catalysts having good high temperature stability which are particularly useful for selected high temperature reactions are disclosed as are methods for their preparation and use. The catalytically-active materials include platinum group metal deposited on a catalytic slip or composite which contains a mixture of alumina, selected VIB metal oxides, and a metallic oxide or oxide mixture wherein the metal or metals are selected IIA, IVA, and IIA-IVA mixtures, selected IIA and IVB mixtures and selected IVA and IVB mixtures. The slips or carrier compositions are calcined at a temperature of at least 500.degree. C. before deposition of platinum group metal and characterized by having a surface area of at least 20 m.sup.2 /g after calcination at a temperature of 1200.degree. C. for 2 hours.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for concentrating stibnite (antimony sulfide) and separating it from iron sulfide minerals such as pyrite by froth flotation using untreated recirculated water or mine water which is acidic and may be heavily loaded with metal salts. The process features the use of a water-soluble zinc-cyanide complex salt to depress iron sulfide minerals. A conventional xanthate collector is employed. The process may also be applied to separate sulfides of arsenic, bismuth, tin and lead, as well as complexes of sulfides of arsenic, antimony, tin or bismuth, or mixtures of the aforementioned, from iron sulfide minerals or from sulfides of copper, zinc and nickel, or mixtures of the aforementioned.

Abstract: Ethylenediamineplatinum(II) 2,4-dioxopyrimidine complexes are characterized by high anti-tumor activity and low mammalian toxicity.

Abstract: Thick film resistive elements are prepared from an intimate admixture comprising silica, lead oxide and ruthenium dioxide or iridium dioxide which is heated to a temperature sufficient to provide a lead-containing glass having dispersed therein lead ruthenate or lead iridate. The lead-containing glass is comminuted and a resistor paste is formed which can be subsequently coated and fired on to a desired substrate to form the thick film resistive component. The method of this invention may facilitate the production of thick film resistors exhibiting a low temperature coefficient of resistivity, relative freedom from noise and drift, and high moisture resistance.

Abstract: An improved method for producing iron hydrosulfite liquor by reduction of sulfur dioxide with metallic iron is disclosed. Also disclosed are improvements in the conversion of the iron hydrosulfite liquor to produce sodium hydrosulfite bleach liquors.

Abstract: Non-paraffinic hydrocarbons, such as aromatic hydrocarbons, in a stream of paraffinic hydrocarbons are removed in an operation adaptable for continuous operation by contacting the paraffinic hydrocarbon stream with an oxidation system comprising an aqueous solution of hypochlorite, such as sodium hypochlorite, and a ruthenium species, such as ruthenium dioxide, as the oxidation catalyst. The ruthenium species is oxidized by the hypochlorite to a higher oxidation state with resulting selective oxidation of the non-paraffinic hydrocarbons to water-soluble compounds and/or CO.sub.2. A stream of paraffinic hydrocarbons having a substantially reduced content of or substantially free of non-paraffinic hydrocarbons is recoverable and, if desired, a stream of recovered paraffinic hydrocarbons may be recycled for additional contact with the oxidation system.

Abstract: Synthetic natural gas and high octane motor fuel blending stock is produced by catalytically reforming naphtha at low severity to maximize production of aromatics and minimize hydrocracking, and then converting the remaining paraffins to methane in a methanation zone. The effluent from the methanation zone is separated into synthetic natural gas and motor fuel blending stock.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for starting a combustion system utilizing a catalyst, and at the same time provide low emissions of unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide.The method is particularly applicable to starting such combustion systems which are subject to intermittent operation, such as for example, gas turbines used to power automotive vehicles in which carbonaceous fuels are combusted to provide the motive fluid, or furnaces which are used intermittently. In the method, heat, such as produced by electrical means or by thermal combustion of a carbonaceous fuel, is employed to bring the catalyst to an operating temperature which will permit rapid oxidation of the carbonaceous fuel. When the catalyst has been heated to reach such operating temperatures, the start-up heating may be terminated and the normal operation of the combustion zone including the catalyst may proceed.

Abstract: Bauxite fines, preferably uncalcined, are mixed with an acid anion-containing alumina hydrosol having an aluminum/acid anion ratio in the range of from about 0.5:1 to about 2:1. The mixture is formed into particles by extrusion and then dried and calcined.

Abstract: Catalysts having good high temperature stability which are particularly used for selected high temperature reactions are disclosed as are methods for their preparation and use. The catalytically-active materials include platinum group metal deposited on a catalyst slip or composite which contains a mixture of alumina, a rare earth metal oxide, and a mixture of metallic oxides of selected IIA and IVA metals and selected VIB metals. The slips or carrier compositions are calcined at a temperature of at least 500.degree. C. before deposition of platinum group metal and characterized by having a surface area of at least 20 m.sup.2 /g after calcination at a temperature of 1200.degree. C. for 2 hours.

Abstract: A method for combusting nitrogen-containing fuel by: combusting a first fuel-air mixture in the presence of a catalyst in a first stage, operated fuel-rich so that the amount of air in the first stage is substantially less than the amount needed for complete combustion; adding additional air to the effluent gas from the first stage to form a second mixture with an amount of air at least sufficient to combust fully the effluent from the first stage; and then combusting the second mixture in a second stage. The first mixture is sufficiently fuel-rich, and the second mixture contains sufficient additional air, so that the combustion temperature in the first stage is below a temperature that would result in any substantial formation of oxides of nitrogen or other fixed nitrogen compounds from atmospheric nitrogen present in the mixture being combusted, and the second stage temperature also is below that for substantial nitrogen oxide formation therefrom.

Abstract: Preparation of so-called "reduced charge" montmorillonite or bentonite pigment from a naturally-occurring crude clay containing dioctahedral montmorillonite by ion-exchanging cations in the clay with hydrogen ions while the clay is in slurry form, filtering, pugging the filter cake with a preselected amount of a neutral or alkaline lithium salt, preferably the oxide, hydroxide or carbonate, and heat treating to collapse the mineral structure.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system for ion-exchanging cations in zeolitic particles of a size useful in fluidized bed processes; for example, zeolitic microspheres of the type employed in fluidized bed hydrocarbon conversion processes. The zeolitic particles are ion-exchanged by a stagewise countercurrent contact with ion-exchange liquid as they are moved in series over a continuously moving horizontal vacuum belt filter in the form of a thin porous cake, then into an agitated tank where the cake is formed into a slurry, and to another continuously moving vacuum belt filter where the microspheres are again formed into a thin porous cake. The latter cake is contacted with incoming ion-exchange liquid that percolates through the cake, passes to the agitated tank and is charged to the cake on the first belt filter.