Abstract: An electrode assembly, having improved dimensional stability, for use in the electrolytic production of manganese dioxide and comprising a hanger bar member, at least one corrugated panel member having oppositely opposed upper and lower ends, said at least one panel member being fixedly attached to said hanger bar member at the upper end of said at least one panel member and a stiffening bar member fixedly attached to said lower end of said at least one corrugated panel member.

Abstract: A method for producing carbonaceous-derived solid fuel products comprising subjecting a carbonaceous material to a temperature sufficient to remove a substantial portion of water inherent in said carbonaceous material, pyrolyzing at least a portion of the dried carbonaceous material to form a carbonaceous-based char material and simultaneously recover carbonaceous-based tar by-products and contacting at least one material selected from the group consisting of the dried carbonaceous material and the carbonaceous-based char material with a water-in-tar emulsion, said emulsion being prepared from said recovered carbonaceous-based tar by-products.

Abstract: Broadly, the present invention provides for improvements in the manufacture of compacted or molded articles of blended mixtures of additive metals for use in the preparation of alloys of base metals. The improvements comprise the addition to blended mixtures of additive metals of at least one processing aid comprising at least one polyglycol or a derivative thereof to the blended mixture of metals in a stabilizing and lubricating amount.

Abstract: Boric acid is crystallized from saturated aqueous solutions thereof by adding to the solutions small proportions of water soluble polymers which control the particle size distribution of the boric acid during crystallization.

Abstract: In the manufacture of particulated metal oxides by the vapor phase oxidation of volatile metal halides, hot gaseous effluent streams are produced which, after separation of the desired particulated metal oxide therefrom, contain residual amounts of the particulated metal oxide as well as unreacted, volatile metal halide and halogen gas. The method of this invention provides for the recovery of these materials, individually, through a succession of contacting and separating steps utilizing a recycle stream of previously recovered, unreacted, liquid metal halide. Utilization of the recycle stream of metal halide provides for both evaporative cooling of the hot gaseous effluent stream to permit recovery of the residual particulated metal oxide therein and scrubbing of the resulting off-gas to recover the unreacted volatile metal halide therein as a liquid and provide a gas phase containing the by-product halogen gas.

Abstract: A monitoring system utilizing an ultrasonic transducer wherein the power level of the transducer operating signals is raised while maintaining the gain about unity for permitting the use of relatively longer signal paths between a signal generator and the transducer.

Abstract: In the hydrometallurgical treatment of metal-bearing ores and particularly the beneficiation of iron-containing titaniferous ores wherein the ore is subjected to leaching with a dilute aqueous acid solution in a digestion zone, there is provided an improvement which comprises initiating and maintaining the mixture of ore and acid in a state of boiling. Initiation and maintenance of the mixture in a state of boiling is accomplished through the venting of the digestion zone to remove process vapors substantially in the form of water vapor. Initiation of the boiling of the mixture of ore and acid solution in the digestion zone is commenced when the temperature of the mixture and consumption of the free acid solution in said mixture have reached predetermined values. The initiation and maintenance of the mixture in a state of boiling results in an increased rate of dissolution of the contaminant values in the metal-bearing ore.

Abstract: Sodium metaborate is recovered from a boron-containing first feed solution by extraction of the first feed solution with a 1,3-diol, followed by re-extraction with a solution of an alkali metal hydroxide. Boric acid is recovered from a boron-containing second feed solution by extraction of the second feed solution with a water-insoluble aromatic polyol, followed by re-extraction with mineral acid. The boric acid and sodium metaborate are reacted to form sodium tetraborate. By exchanging sodium ions in the polyol extract with potassium ions, the potassium salts of the mineral acid may be recovered from the polyol as a by-product.

Abstract: A method of removing aqueously soluble salt by-products produced by the treatment of raw titanium dioxide particles to add a finish thereto. The finished titanium dioxide particles with the salt are subjected to demineralization with mixed bed ion exchange resins to produce finished titanium dioxide particles substantially free of salt and salt forms of ion exchange resins. The finished titanium dioxide particles are recovered and the salt forms of ion exchange resins are regenerated to produce recoverable salt and reusable resins.

Abstract: A method for reducing the amount of particles which become airborne during either or both the dismantling and moving of structures wherein a foam is sprayed on the structures prior to either or both the dismantling and moving of such structures.

Abstract: A process is provided for reducing the concentration of water soluble ionic heavy metal species and sulfate ions in aqueous waste solutions containing the same. The process comprises passing said waste solution through a treatment zone containing a porous matrix on which are retained populations of at least one bacteria of the genera Desulfovibrio and Desulfotomaculum. The passing of said aqueous solution through said treatment zone is carried out at predetermined rates of flow, and contact between said solution and said bacteria is conducted under anaerobic conditions and at predetermined pH and temperature levels. The process provides for the conversion of the water soluble sulfate ions to hydrogen sulfide and reaction between said hydrogen sulfide and water soluble ionic heavy metal species to water insoluble heavy metal species which are substantially retained on the porous matrix and which are recoverable therefrom.

Abstract: A valve for injecting fluid into a conduit carrying a slurry subject to separation to form deposits capable of plugging openings into the conduit. The valve comprises a valve body that is sealed to the conduit about an aperture formed through the wall of the conduit to receive the fluid to be injected and the valve member of the valve includes a punch portion that extends through the injection aperture to the flow passage, when the valve is closed, to provide a clear channel into the conduit, when the valve is opened, through deposits which might have formed on portions of the valve adjacent the conduit.

Abstract: A process is provided for reducing the concentration of water soluble ionic selenium species in aqueous waste solutions containing the same. The process comprises passing said waste solution through a treatment zone containing a porous matrix on which are retained populations of at least one bacteria of the genus Clostridium. The passing of said aqueous solution through said treatment zone is carried out at predetermined rates of flow, and contact between said solution and said bacteria is conducted under anaerobic conditions and at predetermined pH and temperature levels. The process provides for the conversion of the water soluble ionic selenium species to water insoluble selenium metal, which metal is retained on the porous matrix and can be recovered therefrom.

Abstract: A process is provided for reducing the concentrations of water soluble ionic selenium species, sulfate ion and ionic heavy metal species in aqueous waste solutions containing the same. The process comprises passing said waste solution through a treatment zone containing a porous matrix on which are retained populations of at least one anaerobic bacteria of the genus Clostridium and at least one anaerobic bacteria selected from the group consisting of bacteria of the genera Desulfovibrio and Desulfotomaculum. The passing of said aqueous solution through said treatment zone is carried out at predetermined rates of flow and contacts between said solution and said bacteria is conducted under anaerobic conditions and at predetermined pH and temperature levels.

Abstract: A method of recovering light organic solvent from a liquid mixture containing the solvent and a product material, such as asphaltenes or coal liquefaction products. The solvent-product material mixture is treated to separate a first vapor phase rich in solvent and a first liquid phase rich in product material. The first liquid phase is then intimately contacted with steam, under shearing conditions, in a static or dynamic mixer. The steam-liquid phase mixture is then treated to separate a second vapor phase, rich in steam and solvent, and a second liquid phase, rich in product material and substantially depleted of solvent. Solvent is recovered from the first and second vapor phases.

Abstract: A nailer for nailing at least one nail plate to a member. More particularly, the nailer includes a first and a second hammer assembly, the first hammer assembly being adapted to nail a nail plate to one end of a railroad tie and the second hammer assembly being adapted to nail a nail plate to the opposite end of the railroad tie for use in repairing railroad ties.

Abstract: A method of separating a process material comprising oils, resins and asphaltenes into at least three fractions. The process material is mixed in a mixing zone with a solvent selected from the group consisting of paraffinic hydrocarbons having between about 3 and about 8 carbon atoms. The process material-solvent mixture is introduced into a first separation zone to form an asphaltene-rich first heavy fraction and a resin-rich intermediate fraction, separated by a first liquid-liquid interface, and to form a first light fraction, rich in solvent and oils, separated from the intermediate fraction by a second liquid-liquid interface.The first heavy fraction and the intermediate fraction are withdrawn from the first separation zone. The first light fraction is introduced into a second separation zone to separate a second heavy fraction, rich in oils, and a second light fraction, rich in solvent.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of calcium chloride produced in the conversion of metal chloride by-products of chlorination to hydrous metal oxides. The hydrous metal oxides and other by-products of chlorination are insoluble in an aqueous solution of at least about 75 weight percent calcium chloride having a generally neutral pH and temperature between about 174 degrees centigrade and about 200 degrees centigrade. Calcium chloride also is readily recovered from the above solution.

Abstract: Manganese sulfate solutions of improved purity are prepared by digesting a combination of a reduced manganese ore with an aqueous acid solution in the presence of a particulate potassium-iron salt byproduct. The salt byproduct is the salt byproduct formed, in situ, by reaction of potassium impurity with ferric ion during digestion of a combination of a reduced manganese ore and an aqueous acid solution.

Abstract: A process for preparing manganese sulfate solutions having reduced concentrations of potassium impurity is disclosed wherein a digestion mixture of a reduced manganese ore, a source of water soluble aluminum ions, a source of water soluble ferric ions and an aqueous acid solution is prepared, having a solution pH ranging from about 0.5 to about 3.5. The mixture is then digested at a temperature sufficient to produce a mixed digestion product comprising a liquid phase of a manganese sulfate solution and a solid phase of digested ore residue and a particulate complex salt by-product. The liquid phase of manganese sulfate solution is then recovered from the mixed digestion product. An additional feature of this process involves conducting the digestion of the digestion mixture in the presence of at least one complex salt of the general formula:MFe.sub.n Al.sub.3-n (SO.sub.4).sub.2 (OH).sub.6where M is Na.sup.+, K.sup.+ or NH.sub.4.sup.+ and n is a number ranging from about 1 to about 3.