Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the forming of a powder composition of a sulfonated polymer, wherein the powder has a volume density of about 15 to about 30 pounds/cubic foot and a water content of less than 2 wt. % wherein the polymer is selected from neutralized sulfonated elastomeric and thermoplastic polymers.

Abstract: An electrical indicator device for providing simultaneous relatively coarse analog, and higher-resolution, digital readings of a particular electrical parameter, all in one instrument. The device includes either a d'Arsonval meter movement or a servo-motor or other motivated electro-responsive device which carries a pointer movable over a predetermined portion of a calibrated meter scale plate, and a liquid crystal display having multiple digits, each digit being constituted of multiple segments. The segments are disposed completely within the confines of the meter scale plate, but lie substantially completely outside of the said predetermined portion thereof. The display is driven or energized by a digital voltmeter having its terminals connected to receive and monitor the same parameter that is being measured by the motivated electro-responsive device.

Abstract: A programmable controller (41) based logic system places two electronic output converters (14,18) in series for redundant protection against the inadvertent energization, due to the failure of an image register (66,68) or due to the shorted failure of a triac (10,12) on the output converters (14,18), of an energize-to-start, deenergize-to-stop field device (28). A control and monitor circuit monitors the image registers (66,68) and the output converter (14,18) triacs (10,12) that switch power on and off to the field device (28) to assure that the triacs (10,12) have not failed in an unsafe mode or that the image registers (66,68) have not failed. The monitor circuit continuously monitors both image registers (66,68), the first triac (10) and the series combination of the two triacs (10,12). The monitor circuit intermittently monitors the second image register (66) and the second triac (12). A failure of either or both triacs (10,12) or either or both image registers (66,68) energizes an alarm.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are cracked by contacting same, at elevated temperature with a solid acid catalyst having primarily Bronsted acidity which comprises at least one catalytic metal oxide component selected from the group consisting essentially of oxides of (a) tungsten, niobium and mixtures thereof and (b) mixtures of (a) with tantalum, hafnium, chromium, titanium, zirconium and mixtures thereof, supported on pyrogenic alumina. The exceptional high temperature steam stability of these catalysts permits the use of steam in the reaction zone, if desired.

Abstract: A rotor 10 rotates inside a stator 13 eccentric with respect to the rotor. Retractable elements 11 in the form of blades are mounted pivotably on the rotor. The blades cooperate with the internal surface of the stator. The machine is useful as a pump, compressor, etc. The region where the rotor 10 and the stator 13 are in permanent fluid-tight contact is recessed in the wall of the stator, in which the rotor is partly embedded. Thus fluid-tightness between the admission and the delivery is produced not along a tangent line, but throughout a sector Z. The blades are withdrawn during passage through the zone Z.

Abstract: Improved electrodes for electrically coalescing water-in-oil emulsions in an AC electrical field, wherein the improvement comprises insulated electrodes having a dielectric constant of at least about 3 and a hydrophobic surface in contact with the emulsion. This invention results in faster coalescense of emulsions than can be obtained with insulated electrodes having a lower dielectric constant even if the surface of the electrode at the electrode-emulsion interface is hydrophobic. Formation of spongy emulsion and decomposition of the oil phase under the high voltages required for rapid coalescense is minimized and even eliminated.

Abstract: A method for improving the separation of a feed into a distillate and a bottoms product is disclosed. The subject invention includes a first distillation zone and a second distillation zone, each having rectification and stripping zones. Bottoms from the first stripping zone are passed into the second distillation zone. Distillate from the second rectification zone is removed utilizing a fluid evacuation means and returned to the first stripping zone.

Abstract: Solid acid catalysts having primarily Bronsted acidity which comprise at least one catalytic metal oxide component selected from the group consisting essentially of oxides of (a) tungsten, niobium and mixtures thereof and (b) mixtures of (a) with tantalum, hafnium, chromium, titanium, zirconium and mixtures thereof, supported on pyrogenic alumina. These catalysts are useful cracking catalysts and have exceptional high temperature steam stability.

Abstract: A contact insertion and extraction tool for use with multi-pin connectors is provided with an elongate handle having one fixed extension to which a first semi-circular tubular segment is attached and a sliding extension attached to a second semi-circular segment which, when articulated, opposes the longitudinal edges of the first tubular segment. When the segments are abutted against each other a cylindrical, hollow guide is formed which may grasp the lateral surfaces of a lead for insertion or extraction into the insulator block of the connector.

Abstract: Supercooling of sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate is prevented by adding thereto naphtharene or naphthol and/or at least one of calcium sulfate, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium bromide, sodium bromide, potassium iodide, and sodium iodide, or a pyridine.

Abstract: A process for the optomization of the amount of sulfur introduced into a cyclic, or semi-cyclic reforming unit consistant with the dual objective of sulfiding a sulfur-sensitive polymetallic platinum catalyst, and minimizing the average sulfur present in the unit during an operating cycle. In accordance with such process, a sulfur-containing naphtha feed between reactor swings is first hydrofined to reduce the sulfur content of the feed, the product therefrom is then passed through a guard bed or reactor and contacted with a sulfur adsorbent essentially completely remove the feed sulfur to maximize catalyst activity, catalyst stability and C.sub.5.sup.+ liquid yield.

Abstract: The present invention is a heat transfer apparatus adapted for installation in a mobile liquid container such as a railroad tank car. The apparatus includes inlet and outlet ports at opposite ends of a continuous finned pipe. The continuous finned pipe extends within the container to provide a surface for conductive heat transfer from the heat transfer fluid flowing through the pipe to the contents of the container.The continuous finned pipe is provided with shock absorbers and flexible loop portions to prevent damage to the apparatus from inertial shocks to the container. A preferred embodiment is designed particularly for use in railroad tank cars adapted to carry molten sulfur. The apparatus is used to remelt the sulfur, which has solidified in transit, for unloading. The present invention accomplishes this purpose in a shorter time period, more economically and with lower construction and maintenance expense than prior art apparati.

Abstract: Production of aromatic polyisocyanates is achieved by a multireaction process comprising sequentially; the ammoxidation of a methylated aromatic, e.g. toluene; hydrolysis of the aromatic nitrile; conversion of the resultant amide to a carbamate; condensation with aldehyde; decomposition of the condensation product; and, recovery of the aromatic polyisocyanate.

Abstract: A process for reforming, with hydrogen, a naphtha in a reforming reactor provided with a rhenium promoted platinum catalyst over which the naphtha is contacted and reacted at reforming conditions to produce a C.sub.5.sup.+ liquid product of improved octane. The catalyst is contacted, on initiation of the reforming reaction, with a maximum of about 75 percent of the rate of hydrogen required for maintaining the optimum C.sub.5.sup.+ liquid yield over the length of the operating cycle. The hydrogen rate is increased not later than the time of line-out of the C.sub.5.sup.+ liquid yield to that required to maintain said optimum C.sub.5.sup.+ liquid yield.

Abstract: A folding apparatus and method for folding a flat sheet so that an exact interior height is provided between the two folded portions is disclosed. The flat sheet is folded about a shim having a folding edge which is rounded and which has a thickness corresponding to the desired interior height. The flat shim is positioned on the flat sheet with the edge of the shim located along the line where the fold in the sheet is to be made. Initially, the portion of the sheet away from the shim is folded approximately 90.degree. by tangential bending on the folding edge of the shim. Next, a die having a facing edge mating with the folding edge of the shim is pushed onto the folding edge of the shim. The portion of the sheet which was folded 90.degree. is thus folded onto the top of the shim to approximately 180.degree.. With this two step folding, an exact interior height adjacent the fold is provided.

Abstract: Sheathed electrical heating elements containing MgO heat conductive, electrical insulating material having an additive of fine particles of spherically shaped fused ZrO.sub.2 to increase the electrical resistivity and maintain favorable tap density and flow properties. The spherically shaped ZrO.sub.2 particles are formed by gravitationally separating the ZrO.sub.2 particles from ground fused zircon (ZrO.sub.2.SiO.sub.2).

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge in a movable print point printer remains stationary while the ribbon moves to and from the print point along a path of fixed length. The path length is established by a first flexible leader which extends from the cartridge to the print point and a second flexible leader which extends from the print point back to the cartridge. The cartridge includes a supply reel for storing ribbon before the ribbon advances to the movable print point and a take-up reel for storing ribbon after it returns from the movable print point. The flexible leader comprises a steel member having a transverse curvature for preventing the leaders from assuming a reverse curvature and maintaining a curvature of substantially constant radius.

Abstract: A well packer which is anchored downhole within the bore of a casing string by opposing slips. The well packer is hydraulically set. One embodiment of the invention allows the packer to be released from its downhole location by cutting the packer mandrels below the packing elements. The invention is particularly adapted for use with a dual string well packer. However, the anchoring and releasing mechanism of the present invention can be readily adapted for use with a single string well packer. Use of the present invention with a dual string packer is particularly desirable because it allows combining the features of hydraulic setting downhole, opposing slips for better resistance to differential pressure in either direction, and selective releasing of the packer from the downhole location.

Abstract: A blending installation is described in which the grade of fuel is adjusted to enable an engine to use the most economical grade of fuel at any time. A circuit is connected to two reservoirs containing different grades of fuel. The fuel is constantly circulated by a pump in the circuit and fed to the engine. A pump meters the appropriate quantity of the higher grade fuel into the circuit and the balance of lower grade fuel is supplied by gravity feed into the circuit.

Abstract: A fluidized bed process is disclosed which comprises subjecting a bed comprised of solid particulate magnetizable, fluidizable material within an external force field wherein at least a portion of the bed containing said solid particulate magnetizable and fluidizable material and fluidizing fluid are subjected to a nontime varying and substantially uniform applied magnetic field having a substantial component along the direction of the external force field such that said solid particulate magnetizable and fluidizable material has a component of magnetization along the direction of the external force field and wherein at least a portion of said bed containing the solid particulate magnetizable and fluidizable material is fluidized by a flow of fluid opposing said external force field at a superficial fluid velocity ranging between:(a) more than the normal minimum fluidization superficial fluid velocity required to fluidize said bed in the absence of said applied magnetic field; and,(b) less than the superficia