Abstract: A process is disclosed for reducing the concentration of o-ethylphenol in m,p-cresol by partially t-butylating a mixture of the above and equilibrating the resultant mixture to convert o-ethylphenol and its 6-t-butyl derivative to the thermodynamically most stable 4-t-butyl-o-ethylphenol. The resultant mixture may then be separated by fractional distillation to isolate m,p-cresol low in o-ethylphenol, optionally, the mono-t-butylated derivatives of m,p-cresol and leave behind the 4-t-butyl-o-ethylphenol, along with di-t-butylated derivatives of all the phenols.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making resorcinol and substituted resorcinols by a first reaction step of vapor-phase cyclization of a delta-keto carboxylic acid ester over a carbon catalyst bed to form a 1,3-cyclic dione intermediate. The delta-keto ester is conveyed through the catalyst bed by a vaporized carrier characterized by being liquid at 25.degree. C. and having a sufficiently high boiling point that the vaporized carrier is easily condensable under ambient conditions. In a second reaction step, a liquid solvent containing the 1,3-cyclic dione intermediate is contacted with a supported noble-metal catalyst to form resorcinol or a substituted resorcinol.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for purifying the tar acid mixture that is obtained from the Lurgi process of coal gasification. The tar acid is treated with dilute aqueous sulfuric acid solution to form non-volatile tar base salts from the tar base component and to hydrolyze the neutral oil component and then distilling the tar acid component off from the non-volatile tar base salts and the hydrolysis products of the neutral oil component.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for separating closely-boiling chlorinated phenolic compounds from other chlorinated and unchlorinated phenolics by treating a mixture of the phenolics with a metal halide salt. The metal halide salt preferentially forms a complex with one of the phenolics over other related closely-boiling phenolics in the mixture. The preferentially-formed complex of one of the phenolics may then be isolated from the mixture and the complex decomposed to provide a product substantially enriched in, or substantially entirely composed of, one phenolic. The process is particularly suitable for resolving a mixture comprising phenol or cresol from their closely-boiling ortho-chlorinated derivatives, or a mixture of two isomeric chlorinated phenols or cresols or a mixture of closely-boiling mono- and dichlorinated phenols or cresols.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for separating 5-isopropyl-m-cresol from other isopropylated m-cresols by treating a mixture of the isopropylated m-cresols with a metal halide salt. The metal halide salt preferentially forms a complex with 5-isopropyl-m-cresol over other related closely-boiling isopropylated m-cresols in the mixture. The preferentially-formed complex of 5-isopropyl-m-cresol may then be isolated from the mixture and the complex decomposed to provide a product substantially enriched in, or substantially entirely composed of, 5-isopropyl-m-cresol. The process is particularly suitable for isolating 5-isopropyl-m-cresol from closely-boiling isomers, and diisopropylated m-cresols.

Abstract: A coke oven door seal in which a leaf spring is fixed to the inner end of a continuous concave seating structure which is peripherally mounted on the door frame. A terminally convex ridge structure extends endwise from the door jamb to flex the leaf spring sufficiently so as to form a continuous gas tight seal around the door. The leaf spring is flexed by the ridge by an amount that is greater than the deflection which would result only from the application of pressure on the leaf spring by coke oven gases. The leaf spring is also flexed by an amount that is less than the amount which would surpass its elastic limit. In an alternate embodiment, the leaf spring and seat structure are mounted on the door jamb while the ridge is mounted on the door frame.

Abstract: An improved bundle former for corrugated paperboard boxes in which the timing of the lift mechanisms and the squaring plates is completely independent of the timing of the flexo-folder-gluer. Also, the stacking belt drive roll is mounted near the pull roll so its top periphery is below the path of box travel. This permits the folded box to contact the stacking belt tangentially, thereby easing the box's entry into the stacking station and providing an assist in squaring the box in the stack. The improved bundle former also includes simpler and more easily maintained elements.

Abstract: Enclosure and exhaust apparatus is provided to enhance control and removal of coke-side emissions during a push in the operation of a coke oven battery. The gaseous and entrained particulate emissions are initially confined to a first longitudinally extending containment zone where the emissions are directed, under the influence of its gaseous thermal drive, upwardly and laterally outwardly away from the coke-side face of the battery. The emissions are then transferred, at the peak of the first containment zone, laterally, through a gas expansion throat, into a second longitudinally extending containment zone that is adjacent and parallel to the first containment zone. Contemporaneously with entering the second containment zone, a portion of the emissions is removed therefrom through an exhaust conduit located at the upper reaches or peak portion of the second containment zone.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for separating closely-boiling dihydric phenol compounds by treating a mixture of dihydric phenols with a metal halide salt. The metal halide salt preferentially forms a complex with one of the dihydric phenols over other related dihydric phenols in the mixture. The preferentially-formed complex of one of the dihydric phenols may then be isolated from the mixture and the complex decomposed to provide a product substantially enriched in, or substantially entirely composed of, one dihydric phenol. The process is particularly suitable for resolving a mixture comprising hydroquinone and catechol, or a mixture of hydroquinone and resorcinol, or a mixture of homocatechol and hydroquinone, or a mixture of catechol and resorcinol.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of producing phenolic foams comprising introducing into a substantially closed volume a phenolic resole resin foamable composition and allowing the composition to foam in this volume wherein a pressure in excess of ambient atmospheric pressure is achieved within this volume. This pressure in excess of ambient atmospheric pressure generally is in excess of about 2 pounds per square inch, typically in excess of about 5 pounds per square inch, and preferably in excess of about 6 pounds per square inch, gauge pressure.The present invention is also directed to foams produced by the method of the invention.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for separating t-butylated phenolic compounds from other t-butylated and unbutylated phenolics by treating a mixture of the phenolics with a metal halide salt. The metal halide salt preferentially forms a complex with one of the phenolics over other related phenolics in the mixture. The preferentially-formed complex of one of the phenolics may then be isolated from the mixture and the complex decomposed to provide a product substantially enriched in, or substantially entirely composed of, one phenolic. The process is particularly suitable for resolving a mixture comprising phenol or cresol from their ortho-t-butylated derivatives, or a mixture of two isomeric t-butylated phenols or cresols or a mixture of mono- and di-t-butylated phenols or cresols.

Abstract: An improved half-keystone compression ring for use in an internal combustion engine. The improved ring's bottom side is essentially flat, radially and circumferentially, in the closed operating position.

Abstract: An internal partitioning wall for a blast furnace stove in which a layer of insulating material is interposed between two layers of refractory material. Buttressing means such as integral, refractory ledges are provided at periodic vertical intervals from one layer of refractory material to the other. These refractory ledges protect the insulating layer from damage due to radially directed compressive forces found to exist in this wall and also reduce deterioration of this insulation due to sagging and vertical compression.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the top or bottom horizontal section of a coke oven door seal ring and which applies approximately constant pressure to all points along its lateral path. A cleaning head is pivotally mounted on the terminal end of an arm member which is, itself, pivotally mounted to oscillate in a horizontal arc on a base structure. An extension of the door cleaner frame is suspended above the arm and on this frame there is mounted a spring. A vertical, spring driven link is attached at its upper terminal end to this spring and at its lower end to the base. This link is also medially attached to the frame so as to pivot in a vertical arc about this point of attachment. A second idler link which is pivotally connected at its top to the frame and at its bottom to the pivoting base keeps the cleaning head from being vertically displaced out of contact with the seal ring.

Abstract: A continuous metal casting machine having a starter bar handling apparatus which includes a first pivoting arm member generally suspended over the downwardly oriented, generally arcuate strand conveying structure and a second pivoting arm member generally suspended over the upwardly oriented, generally arcuate starter bar receiving structure. Releaseable starter bar engagement means are mounted on the terminal ends of these pivoting arms so that as the first arm pivots downwardly through a vertical arc generally coplanar with the strand conveying structure, the starter bar is moved from the mold to the straightener apparatus. A guide structure or other such control means is mounted in the path of the first arm member so that its terminal engagement means will release the starter bar as it is engaged by the straightener apparatus.

Abstract: A quaternary alloy consisting of zirconium, titanium, manganese and iron is characterized in having C14 hexagonal crystal structure and ZrMn.sub.2 stoichiometry. Members of a preferred class of compounds, represented by the empirical formula Zr.sub.1-x Ti.sub.x Mn.sub.2-y Fe.sub.y wherein "x" has a value between 0.05 and 0.3 and "y" has a value between 0.1 and 1, are particularly suitable for use as hydrogen storage materials.

Abstract: A high efficiency checker brick for use in a coke oven regenerator. A unique configuration is disclosed which results in the brick having rows of longitudinal slots with vertically corrugated surfaces. The front and rear side surfaces are similarly corrugated, and separator surfaces are provided to space the brick from other bricks so that other vertical gas conveying slots are formed. Although the disclosed brick has an unusually large surface area, it has adequate mass and structural strength and may be manufactured by the economically attractive re-press or dry press methods.

Abstract: A ternary alloy comprised of zirconium, manganese and a third element selected from cerium, praseodymium and neodymium is characterized in having AB.sub.2 hexagonal crystal structure and stoichiometry. Members of a preferred class of compounds, represented by the empirical formula Zr.sub.x-1 M.sub.x Mn.sub.2 wherein "x" has a value between zero and about 0.3 and M is one of the selected metals, are particularly suitable for use as hydrogen storage materials.

Abstract: N-methylolated/methoxymethylated aryldisulfonamides useful as rubber crosslinking agents are provided of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein x is between about 1 and 2, and y is between about 1 and 3, z is between about 0 and 1.5, the total of x, y and z being about 4.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for one-step preparation of substituted tetraselenafulvalenes by reaction of carbon diselenide with acetylenic compounds under pressures of at least about 1,000 atmospheres. Substituted tetraselenafulvalenes made by this process are useful as precursors to very pure tetraselenafulvalene and are useful in forming complexes with certain inorganic anions to provide charge-transfer salts having very high electrical conductivity.