Abstract: An improved particulate material loading system for transferring particulate material from a storage assembly to a vehicle having a storage bin wherein the material is protected from the outside environment during the transfer. The storage assembly includes a temporary cover which is operatively engagable with the vehicle to protect the storage bin of the vehicle when a hatch door of the vehicle is moved from a closed position to an open position to enable transfer of the material thereto. The vehicle is constructed to slidably receive the temporary cover of the storage assembly.

Abstract: A process for removing hydrogen sulfide from a sour gas stream wherein the sour gas stream is contacted with an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution containing a stoichiometric excess of the alkali metal hydroxide to provide a sweet gas substantially free of hydrogen sulfide and a partially spent aqueous alkali metal solution. The partially spent aqueous alkali metal solution is contacted with a second sour gas stream in a countercurrent absorber to provide a second sweet gas and a substantially caustic-free aqueous solution of the alkali metal hydrosulfide.

Abstract: A process for producing additional liquid products from a heavy hydrocarbon material by vis-breaking of a separated asphaltene-containing fraction under controlled conditions of temperature and pressure. The asphaltene-containing fraction is obtained by contacting the heavy hydrocarbon material with a first solvent under elevated temperature and pressure conditions to separate the asphaltenes as a heavy phase from the remainder of the heavy hydrocarbon material. The products of the vis-breaking operation comprise distillable and substantially nondistillable liquid products in association with a residue including organometallic compounds. The distillable and substantially nondistillable liquid products then are separated from the residue. The distillable products can be separated by distillation. The nondistillable products are separated from the residue employing a second solvent maintained under elevated temperature and pressure conditions and then recovered as a liquid phase product.

Abstract: A solid fuel burning device having a combustion chamber and a heat exchange chamber. The two chambers are joined by a tunnel composed of refractory material through which hot flue gases pass from the combustion chamber to the heat exchange chamber, causing the tunnel walls to be heated to the point of incandescence. As the flue gases pass through the tunnel there is a substantial reduction in uncombusted material by pyrolysis. The tunnel has an outside wall adopted to transmit energy by radiation.

Abstract: A process for producing and then separating distillable and substantially non-distillable coal liquefaction products into various fractions employing a series of extraction solvents. At least one fraction comprises a portion of the non-distillable coal liquefaction products and is suitable for use as a coal solvent, either with or without additional hydrotreating, in the coal liquefaction process. In one embodiment, the coal liquefaction products are contacted with a cascade of extraction solvents, having successively fewer carbon atoms in their molecular structure, at elevated temperatures and pressures to separate the products into various fractions. In another embodiment the coal liquefaction products are contacted with a cascade of extraction solvents, having an increasing number of carbon atoms in their molecular structure, at elevated temperatures and pressures to separate the products into various fractions.

Abstract: A borehole survey method and apparatus for use in drilling substantially horizontal boreholes through a mineral deposit wherein a dip accelerometer, a roll accelerometer assembly and a fluxgate are disposed near the drill bit, which is mounted on a bent sub, and connected to a surface computation and display unit by a cable which extends through the drill string. The dip angle of the borehole near the drill bit, the azimuth of the borehole near the drill bit and the roll angle or orientation of the bent sub are measured and selectively displayed at the surface while the drill string is in the borehole for utilization in guiding the drill bit through the mineral deposit along a predetermined path.

Abstract: A label positioner is provided to finally position tubular labels which have been partially applied to cylindrical containers by conventional label application machines. Incomplete application which may result from tight fitting tubular labels such as heat shrinkable sleeves, is corrected by a pair of rollers mounted parallel above a conveyor which carries the containers from the label application machine. The rollers are mounted horizontally and spaced apart to tangentailly contact the containers conveyed therebetween. The rollers have soft outer surfaces, and when the rollers are driven in opposite rotational directions, they apply a light brushing stroke which slides the labels to the bottom of the containers.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming concrete articles of uniform density, which includes means for forming concrete into the form of the articles, and means for sensing the density of concrete in each area of formation in the forming means as the article is being formed, comparing the sensed density to a preset density, and compensating for variation of the sensed density from the preset density responsive to such comparison, such that the density of concrete in each area of formation in the forming means as the article is being formed equals the preset density.

Abstract: A gate latch comprises a tubular support and a latch member having a shaft portion mounted within the tubular support for rotation therein and a latch portion, extending axially outwardly from the shaft portion, having at least one peripheral projection extending axially outwardly from the shaft portion. Spacing defined by the at least one projection is such as to permit entry therein of a complemental gate locking bar extending from a complemental gate. The locking bar has a locking element at its free end to engage within the spacing defined by the at least one projection in order to lock the gate relative to the tubular support. A combination of the gate latch with the complemental gate locking bar and gate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing wet process phosphoric acid containing acid soluble impurities preparatory to solvent extraction for the recovery of valuable minerals. The acid is introduced into a vessel containing crystal seed bed of the impurities. A portion of the acid then is withdrawn and concentrated to effect supersaturation of the impurities contained therein. The supersaturated acid is returned to the vessel to mix with the remaining solution and cause additional impurities to precipitate. Thereafter, a portion of the solution, containing precipitated impurities, is withdrawn and introduced into a separator. In the separator, the solution is separated into an essentially solids-free stream containing unprecipitated soluble impurities and a solids-containing stream.

Abstract: An improved process for beneficiating titaniferous material whereby formation of fines during leaching of the titaniferous material is minimized. The titaniferous material and mineral acid reactants each are heated to an elevated temperature prior to admixing in the leaching operation. The heated reactants then are admixed in a leaching zone and further heated to a leaching temperature of from about 110.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. The preheating causes at least a portion of the acid-soluble titanium values in the titaniferous material to be hydrolyzed upon dissolution and to form an acid-insoluble precipitate. At least a portion of the precipitate is caused to deposit upon the titaniferous material such that fines or slime formation in the leach liquor is minimized. The leaching is continued for a sufficient time to dissolve most of the acid-soluble impurities contained in the titaniferous material. The solid residue remaining in the leaching zone is recovered as the beneficiated product.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating a solvent from a bituminous material by pressure reduction and steam stripping without carry-over of entrained bituminous material. A fluid-like phase comprising bituminous material and solvent is reduced in pressure by passage through a pressure reduction valve to vaporize a portion of the solvent. The reduction in pressure also results in dispersing a mist of fine particle size bituminous material in the vaporized solvent. The stream of vaporized solvent, fine particle size bituminous material and fluid-like bituminous material then is introduced into a steam stripper through an inlet horn that imparts a centrifugal motion to the stream. The inlet horn contains a plurality of corrugated vanes which utilize the centrifugal motion to create turbulence in the stream within the inlet horn.

Abstract: A process for effecting deashing solvent recovery from insoluble coal products and preparing a slurry of the insoluble products. An elevated temperature and pressure stream comprising insoluble coal products and deashing solvent is admixed with a makeup liquid to dilute the stream. The diluted stream is reduced in pressure and introduced into a first treatment vessel containing sufficient slurry to provide a hydrostatic pressure to prevent boiling of the diluted stream upon entry therein. The solvent then is permitted to flash and cool the remainder of the slurry. A portion of the cooled slurry is recycled to provide the makeup liquid and a second portion is introduced into a second treatment vessel to permit diffusion of solvent infused into the insoluble coal products in the slurry. The slurry of insoluble coal products in the second vessel then is introduced into a thickener to concentrate the slurry and provide a feed suitable for a gasifier.

Abstract: An energy efficient process for separating a hydrocarbonaceous material into various fractions. The hydrocarbonaceous material is admixed with a solvent and the mixture is introduced into a first separation zone maintained at an elevated first temperature and pressure. The feed mixture separates into a first light phase comprising solvent and at least a portion of the lightest hydrocarbonaceous material and a first heavy phase comprising the remainder of the hydrocarbonaceous material and some solvent. The first heavy phase is introduced into a second separation zone maintained at a second temperature level above the first temperature level and at an elevated pressure. The first heavy phase separates into a second light phase comprising solvent and a second heavy phase comprising at least a portion of the hydrocarbonaceous material. The separated hydrocarbonaceous material fractions are recovered.

Abstract: A polypropylene closure for glass containers. The enclosure has a top end wall and a depending annular skirt wall. A substantially rigid V-shaped sealing fin of triangular cross-section projects downwardly from the top end wall to engage the finish of a glass container neck in sealing relation when the closure is applied to the container. The closure is threaded onto the container neck and the sealing fin comes into contact with the finish. The application of additional closure torque causes the sealing fin to deform and be crushed.

Abstract: A process for drilling spaced horizontal boreholes in a coal or other mineral deposit in excess of 1500 feet in length in a pattern determined to maximize gas removal. Directional guidance is provided by a continuous downhole survey tool connected to data display devices by an internal drill rod cable system. Directional drilling control is provided by a positive displacement motor positioned at the end of the drill string and operated by a flow of drilling fluid through the drill string from the drilling rig. The mineral strata surrounding the borehole is periodically hydrofractured to permit effective removal of the gas. The hydrofractionation is effected without removal of the drill string or survey instruments from the borehole. Upon completion of the borehole, the drill string is removed and gas which enters the borehole from the surrounding deposit is withdrawn.

Abstract: A process for the production of sodium carbonate wherein sodium bicarbonate is recovered from a brine containing sodium carbonate by carbonation of the brine under controlled conditions. The sodium bicarbonate is crystallized from the carbonated brine in a multi-stage carbonating, cooling and crystallization process after which it is filtered to produce wet cake. The wet cake is subjected to predrying to provide a predried wet cake of a specified free moisture content and mixed with recycle light ash to provide a dryer feed of specified moisture content to alleviate problems of product fouling or plugging of the dryer. The light ash from the dryer then is bleached and subjected to recrystallization, screening, centrifuging and drying to provide a dried sodium carbonate possessing, after evaporation of the water of hydration and free moisture, less than 0.10 percent moisture and chemical and physical properties meeting commercial dense ash specifications.

Abstract: An improved particulate material loading system for transferring particulate material from a storage assembly to a vehicle having a storage bin wherein the material is protected from the outside environment during the transfer. The storage assembly includes a temporary cover which is operatively engagable with the vehicle to protect the storage bin of the vehicle when a hatch door of the vehicle is moved from a closed position to an open position to enable transfer of the material thereto. The vehicle is constructed to slidably receive the temporary cover of the storage assembly.

Abstract: A process for effecting a deep cut in a heavy hydrocarbon material without a decrease in the quality of the extracted oil caused by the presence of undesirable entrained resinous bodies and organometallic compounds. The heavy hydrocarbon material is contacted with a solvent in a first separation zone maintained at an elevated temperature and pressure to effect a separation of the feed into a first light phase and a first heavy phase comprising asphaltenes and some solvent. The first light phase is introduced into a second separation zone maintained at an elevated temperature and pressure to effect a separation of the first light phase into a second light phase comprising oils and solvent and a second heavy phase comprising resins and some solvent. A portion of the second heavy phase is withdrawn and introduced into an upper portion of the second separation zone to countercurrently contact the second light phase.

Abstract: A mining apparatus for excavating material from an earth formation having a miner which is removably connectable to a carrier by a coupling assembly, the mining apparatus including other carriers which are interconnected by the coupling assembly of the present invention. The coupling assembly includes a male connector and a female connector, the male connector being disposable in a portion of the female connector in an insert position and the male connector being movable from the insert position to a connected position for interconnecting the male and the female connectors.