Abstract: The invention has to do with treatment of dilution centrifuging tailings ch are produced in connection with a hot water extraction operation for recovery of bitumen from oil sands. The tailings are subjected to induced gas flotation for a predetermined period of time to recover contained hydrocarbons as froth.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the production of intermediate hot metal suitable for further refining into steel is disclosed.The basic process includes the steps of heating a charge of ore in a reducing furnace having a reducing atmosphere therein comprising a mixture of reconditioned and recycled top gas from the reducing furnace and off-gas rich in hydrogen and carbon monoxide produced by a cupola melting unit to reduce the ore to iron, partially carburizing the reduced iron in the reducing furnace with carbon-containing off-gas produced by the cupola melting unit, and melting the reduced and carburized iron together with scrap, slag forming additives and fluxes in a cupola melting unit having a reducing atmosphere therein produced by the combustion of a rich fuel/oxidant mixture to form a molten slag and molten iron suitable for the further refining to produce steel.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for securing vapor samples, particularly from articles such as suitcases, travel bags, packages, and the like. The apparatus may include several depressor arms hinged above a station along a conveyor belt or the like. A sampling probe for sampling vapor expelled from the articles is positioned at the station. As the articles are carried by the conveyor past the station, they lift the arms which are suitably hinged above them so that the weight of the arms causes a part of the vapor accumulated in the article to be expelled. The expelled vapor is sampled by the probe at the station and may be carried to a suitable vapor analyzer for test.

Abstract: An improved gravitational separator for mixtures of immiscible liquids of different densities, particularly oil and water, includes a reaction member in the form of a dome or diaphragm immersed in more dense liquid to be separated and which floats upwardly in the more dense liquid under the influence of liquid of less density accumulated beneath the dome or diaphragm. A coalescer screen filter system is provided in the water outlet path in the separator, the coalescer screens being contained in a chamber provided with automatically operating, one-way, pressure responsive valves to ensure proper flow of water in a forward and backflush sense through the chamber. A flotation feature for the reaction member is provided, and the reaction member includes an auxiliary air chamber to prevent loss of a minimum desired residual layer of less dense fluid beneath the reaction member when air accumulates in this area. A specific inflow and outflow conduit arrangement is provided to minimize turbulence in the separator.

Abstract: Intermediate compositions useful for the preparation of improved hot melt butyl sealants are obtained by partially grafting a mixture of a butyl rubber, a different elastomer and/or a crystalline polymeric resin, and an elastomeric resin. Preferred compositions are (1) partially grafted mixtures of butyl rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, and a block copolyester elastomeric resin, (2) partially grafted mixtures of butyl rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and a block copolyester elastomeric resin, and (3) partially grafted mixtures of butyl rubber, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer rubber, and a block copolyester elastomeric resin.

Abstract: An exciter for use with a shaft speed magnetic pickup includes a strip of flexible, stretchable, sheet material having a plurality of magnetic elements attached to it that are uniformly spaced along the strip, enabling the magnetic elements to be attached to the exterior of various diameter rotatable shafts by stretching and fastening the strip about the circumference of the shaft close to the magnetic pickup which generates an electrical pulse signal whenever a magnetic element passes by it. The pulse signal is processed to produce a readout of shaft speed. Two magnetic pickups circumferentially spaced about the shaft closer than the circumferential spacing of the magnetic elements are used to provide signals that can be processed to indicate shaft direction of rotation as well as shaft speed.

Abstract: A process for regenerating waste acid, such as waste hydrochloric acid pickling liquor by producing aqueous hydrochloric acid of pickling concentration and generating iron oxide including that of pigment grade, comprises the steps of (1) concentrating the waste liquor, (2) reacting the concentrated liquor at a temperature below 1000.degree. F.

Abstract: It has been found that controlling the rate of withdrawal of tailings from a hot water process primary separation vessel with a rake torque sensor is attended by problems when the feed to the vessel is high in fine solids content. It was also found that a nuclear density gauge was much better at controlling the withdrawal with the high fines feed, but did not work as well as rake torque control with low fines feed. Therefore the withdrawal is now controlled with a rake torque sensor when the vessel is receiving low fines feed and a density gauge when it is receiving high fines feed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting intelligence over a carrier wave are disclosed in which a signal wave is combined with a carrier wave to produce a composite wave having a recognizable pattern of variations in intervals that are defined by preselected locations in the composite wave. The pattern of variations in intervals resulting from the combination of the signal wave with the carrier wave represents at least a portion of the intelligence to be transmitted over the carrier wave. The intelligence is extracted from the composite wave for subsequent utilization. In the preferred embodiment the intelligence is transmitted over an electric power distribution network utilizing the alternating wave thereon as the carrier wave. The variations in intervals defined by the preselected locations in the composite wave are detected and the detected interval variations are converted into a signal which has a characteristic that is a function of the recognizable pattern of interval variations.

Abstract: A method of preparation of printed text for optical character reading is disclosed. In addition, a method of checking for errors in the optical character reading of the prepared test is disclosed. The basis of the text preparation method is to add check symbols to each line of text during its preparation. The check symbols are produced by sequentially processing the ASC II code for the printed alpha-numeric characters as a dividend where the divisor is the bit sequence of a unique generating polynomial code. The remainder bits of this division operation are then translated to be check symbols which accompany the line of printed text. The basis of the check method is as follows: During optical character reading of the text, the line of information text including check symbols is processed in a routine manner to produce an ASC II code serial bit stream for the alpha-numeric character and check symbols. The alpha-numeric portion of the bit stream is then processed by the unique generating polynomial code.

Abstract: A cycloconverter apparatus and method is disclosed in which the cycloconverter works into an active load. The cycloconverter is connected between an external power source and a load so that the load current flows through the cycloconverter. In the preferred embodiment, the cycloconverter is used to impress a signaling voltage waveform upon the voltages of the three phases of an electric power distribution feeder. This voltage is impressed by injecting it between the common point of the wye-connected secondary of the substation transformer and the grounded neutral that serves all phases of the distribution feeder. The neutral current of the distribution feeder flows through the cycloconverter. Protective by-pass circuitry is provided to maintain the integrity of the neutral path in the event of a phase-to-neutral short circuit or a failure of the cycloconverter.

Abstract: For operating control and safety, a variable-speed close-coupled pump is direct connected to the underflow of the primary separation vessel (PSV). The desired discharge density of the PSV is 70- 80% solids in order to minimize bitumen losses. For a good pumping system, the pump discharge density should be less than 65% solids to avoid settling out of the solids in the downstream conduit. Therefore it is necessary to dilute the PSV underflow before it reaches the pump. Secondary flotation tailings, a dilute stream containing a high proportion of fine solids, is used for this purpose. The solids content of the PSV underflow is monitored by one of two alternative systems-- a torque recorder on the PSV rake shaft or a density gauge on the PSV underflow conduit. The former is used when the PSV is being fed low fines tar sand-- the latter when it is treating high fines tar sand. The close-coupled pump speed is adjusted relative to the solids content measurement to keep it at the desired 70- 80% level.

Abstract: A device for supporting and stabilizing a cylindrical, open-topped container as the container is tipped to discharge its contents into a receptacle. The device includes a pivot member connected by spaced arms to a brace member, legs extending downward from the arms, and an elastic fastening member. The legs hook about a lip on the container, and in cooperation with the fastening member, which loops about a projection on the container, hold the brace member against a side of the container. The pivot member may then rest on the edge of the receptacle to provide a stable pivotal axis for tipping the container.

Abstract: The moderator structure is placed within a core space limited by a bottom wall, a top wall and a lateral reflector and is constituted by a stack of prismatic or spherical nodules applied in mutual contact in the three dimensions which prevent relative displacements of the nodules and so arranged as to form a lattice of interstices through which the molten salt is circulated.

Abstract: A procedure and apparatus for increasing the ease and safety of making grounding connections in electrical distribution systems having access areas including switch and fuse blades removable by hot stick operation. A grounding blade physically interchangeable with standard fuse and switch blades is provided with convenient connections for receiving a grounding cable or cables, so that either end of the blade, or both ends thereof, can be grounded, whereby to ground system components connected thereto.

Abstract: The circulation of a low temperature cooling fluid is insured by thermal hon effect in a cryoalternator from within a closed loop circuit containing an inner rotating seal of the "bayonet" type with a very small radial gap. Longitudinal and radial piping within the rotor permits internal circulation of cooling fluid by thermal siphon effect across the "bayonet" type rotating inner seal in the absence of positive circulation by leakage of the coolant across the inner seal radial gap.

Abstract: According to the present apparatus and method, a silent chain having an inversely-bent internal portion is caused to be in direct pressure engagement with the external cylindrical surface of a drill pipe or other object to be spun. The chain is mounted on at least five sprocket wheels, one of which is a drive wheel adapted to rotate about a movable axis which may be locked in any desired adjusted position. The pressure between chain and pipe is caused to be sufficient to spin the pipe but insufficient to injure the pipe or prevent relative sliding movement when the joint is completed. A spring is provided to absorb shock on completion of the joint, and to cooperate with the relative sliding movement in preventing injury to the apparatus or to any user thereof. The chain is caused to encompass a very large section of the diameter of the pipe, regardless of variations in pipe diameter.

Abstract: An impeller type pump has a pump body consisting of a front casing and a back casing. Each of the casings comprises a ceramic main portion and a protection member covering the main portion. The protection members of both the main portions are interconnected with each other at their confronting marginal portions through a continuous packing. Those confronting marginal portions of both the main portions which are adjacent to a pump chamber defined by inner surfaces of both the main portions are provided each with an annular rib such that the annular ribs of both the main portions define a narrowed clearance restricting the flow of waste water therebetween, resulting in reduction of wear of the packing.

Abstract: The present apparatus, method and seals relate to an external tester for defining a sealed chamber around a pipe joint, such chamber then being filled with fluid under very high pressure. After introduction of fluid into the test chamber is terminated, a determination is made as to whether or not the pressure is reducing --any such reduction indicating that a leak is present in the pipe joint. To define a test chamber which is perfectly sealed so that fluid will not escape otherwise than through a leak in the pipe joint, there are provided longitudinal sealing elements and arcuate seal segments of special construction. The longitudinal and arcuate sealing elements interrelate with each other and with extrusion-prevention and index elements in such manner that no cracks remain through which the fluid may escape.