Abstract: A rail-tie fastening assembly for fastening a rail to a concrete tie comprising a rail seat assembly and a rail anchor. The rail seat assembly includes a rail seat basin and a rail seat wherein the rail seat is disposed in the rail seat basin and bonded thereto with an elastomeric material having a void formed therein between the bottom of the rail seat and the bottom of the rail seat basin so as to produce a shear spring which transfers applied vertical load from the rail to the tie. The rail seat assembly is embedded in the tie and the rail anchor is adapted to engage a portion of the rail and to interlock with the rail seat assembly so as to cooperate with the rail seat assembly to fasten the rail to the tie.

Abstract: A discrete catalyst and processes for the isomerization of alkanes and the alkylation of isoalkanes under homogenous fluid conditions. The catalyst is formed by contacting, under fluid conditions, a homogenous fluid containing a paraffin hydrocarbon having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms with a Lewis acid/protic Bronsted acid pair and a transition metal to produce a discrete catalytic complex that is soluble in the fluid. The discrete catalyst is the reaction product of the acid pair and alkanes and includes hydrocarbon ligands of limited chain length rendering it soluble in the fluid. The catalyst is active for the isomerization of alkanes and olefins, and the alkylation of isoalkanes, under homogenus fluid conditions.

Abstract: A method of preconditioning manganese dioxide for use in a rechargeable alkaline electrochemical cell. The method includes the step of contacting unreduced manganese dioxide (e.g., electrolytic manganese dioxide) with a solution of hydroquinone in an environment having a pH greater than or equal to 5 that is essentially free of dissolved oxygen to partially reduce the unreduced manganese dioxide to manganese dioxide generally represented by the formulaMnO.sub.xwherein x is between about 1.80 and about 1.92. Partially reducing the manganese dioxide to an oxidation state in this range before the cell is finally assembled and sealed lessens the degree by which the capacity of the cell is decreased as the cell is cycled and improves the overall performance of the cell.

Abstract: A pigment composition of improved dispersibility in thermoplastic resins and concentrates of the pigment composition in thermoplastic resin are provided. The pigment composition is comprised of an inorganic pigment such as titanium dioxide having an organophosphate ester treating agent deposited thereon.

Abstract: The invention discloses a simply designed oven which uses forced air convection as a heating mechanism. One or more drums can be installed in the oven over a catch basin of sufficient volume to include the contents of at least one drum. A gear or similar pump is provided to agitate the contents, as well as to perform the pump-out feature. An inert gas blanketing system is provided for each drum so that additional inert gas is supplied to replace the contents being pumped out of the drum while excess vapors created from the warming process, which could ignite if placed adjacent an ignition source, can be piped to a safe place remote from the oven interior.

Abstract: A preinstalled, adjustable conductor guide for offshore platforms. A conductor guide is provided with apertures spaced around its circumference. A rectangular tube is rigidly attached to the conductor guide at each aperture such that the tube extends upwardly from the conductor guide at an angle. The tube is provided with a plurality of offset slotted holes along its length on opposing sides. A slide having a plurality of offset holes along its length is received in the tube and movable between a first retracted position and a second inserted position. A bolt, received through the holes in the tube and slide, and nut are used to retain the slide in either the first or second position.

Abstract: A method of increasing the hydrophobicity of solid materials. The inventive method comprises the steps of: (a) metal ion activating the surface of a solid substrate material to provide reactive metal sites on the surface and (b) chemically bonding a surfactant to the surface at the reactive metal sites. Titanium dioxide pigments and other particulate property modifiers treated in accordance with the inventive method are more readily dispersed in polymer compositions.

Abstract: Improved methods and polymer compositions are provided whereby ultraviolet radiation degradation of substrates formed of the compositions is attenuated. In accordance with the invention, ultraviolet scattering and absorbing particles having a particle size in the range of from about 0.001 micrometer to about 0.20 micrometer in diameter are dispersed in at least a surface layer of a polymer substrate.

Abstract: A titanium dioxide production method, a novel titanium dioxide product produced by the inventive titanium dioxide production method, a method for producing a plastic product using the novel titanium dioxide product, and a novel plastic product formed by the inventive plastic product production method. The inventive titanium dioxide production method comprises the steps of: (a) forming a mixture comprising a titanium dioxide material in a liquid medium; (b) wet milling the titanium dioxide material in the liquid medium; (c) after step (b), reducing the pH of the mixture to a value not exceeding 4.0; (d) after step (c), adding an effective amount of a base to the mixture to cause the titanium dioxide material to flocculate; (e) removing the flocculated titanium dioxide material from the mixture; and (f) washing the titanium dioxide material. The titanium dioxide material used in step (a) is an agglomerated titanium dioxide material which has been produced by a reaction process.

Abstract: A pigment composition of improved dispersibility in thermoplastic resins and concentrates of the pigment composition in thermoplastic resin are provided. The pigment composition is comprised of an inorganic pigment such as titanium dioxide having an organophosphate ester treating agent deposited thereon.

Abstract: An inventive process for forming a conductive, particulate, fluorine-doped, zinc oxide product which is doped throughout. The process comprises the step of reacting vapor phase reactants in a vapor phase oxidation system and at a temperature sufficient to form the conductive, particulate, fluorine-doped, zinc oxide product. The vapor phase reactants used in the inventive process comprise: elemental zinc vapor; at least one fluorine source; and at least one water source.

Abstract: A method of preconditioning manganese dioxide for use in a rechargeable alkaline electrochemical cell. The method includes the step of contacting unreduced manganese dioxide (e.g., electrolytic manganese dioxide) with a solution of hydroquinone in an environment having a pH greater than or equal to 5 that is essentially free of dissolved oxygen to partially reduce the unreduced manganese dioxide to manganese dioxide generally represented by the formulaMnO.sub.xwherein x is between about 1.80 and about 1.92. Partially reducing the manganese dioxide to an oxidation state in this range before the cell is finally assembled and sealed lessens the degree by which the capacity of the cell is decreased as the cell is cycled and improves the overall performance of the cell.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for producing titanium tetrachloride vapor admixed with a desired particular amount of aluminum trichloride vapor for use in the production of rutile titanium dioxide. The vapor mixture is derived from a titanium tetrachloride solution containing the desired particular amount of aluminum trichloride. The solution is produced continuously by dissolving aluminum trichloride in a heated stream of liquid titanium tetrachloride utilizing a cyclic aluminum trichloride bed switching and recharging process.

Abstract: A rail-tie fastening assembly for connecting a rail to a tie including a rail seat assembly and a rail anchor. The rail seat assembly is connectable to the tie and the rail seat assembly includes a seat hook assembly which extends over a portion of the rail flange. A portion of the rail seat assembly is formed on a first radius to provide a rail seat curved bearing surface. The rail anchor has an anchor hook assembly which extends over a portion of the rail flange. The rail anchor has a portion formed on a second radius to provide a rail anchor curved bearing surface. In the assembled position of the rail seat assembly and the rail anchor, the rail seat curved bearing surface engages the rail anchor curved bearing surface to form a rocking bearing seat.

Abstract: A colloidal sulfur particle opacifying extender scatters light across the visible spectrum to result in an overall colorless appearance. A process for opacifying and extending a matrix which can be a water-borne emulsion or a coating, using the colloidal sulfur particles, and opacified and extended water-borne emulsions and coatings including the colloidal sulfur particles are also provided.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of refinery oily sludges to produce an oily fraction that is reprocessed in the refinery into (i) salable products and (ii) a solid residue meeting environmental regulatory agency requirements for disposal in non-hazardous solid waste landfills. The process includes mixing the refinery oily sludge with a particulate filter aid and preferably a single solvent selected from refinery intermediate and product streams and contacting this mixture with plate filters in a closed filter vessel. A cake residue forms on the filter plates and a filtrate mixture of oil, water and solvent is produced. The filtrate is separated into an oily fraction and a water fraction. The oily fraction is rerouted to refinery operating units for processing into salable products. The water fraction is routed to a refinery water treatment system. When filter cake residue has built to a predetermined level, charge to the filter vessel is discontinued.

Abstract: A colloidal sulfur particle opacifying extender scatters light across the visible spectrum to result in an overall colorless appearance. A process for opacifying and extending a matrix which can be a water-borne emulsion or a coating, using the colloidal sulfur particles, and opacified and extended water-borne emulsions and coatings including the colloidal sulfur particles are also provided.

Abstract: A method of increasing the hydrophobicity of solid materials. The inventive method comprises the steps of: (a) metal ion activating the surface of a solid substrate material to provide reactive metal sites on the surface and (b) chemically bonding a surfactant to the surface at the reactive metal sites. Titanium dioxide pigments and other particulate property modifiers treated in accordance with the inventive method are more readily dispersed in polymer compositions.