Abstract: A microsurgical instrument is constructed to an extremely small scale with serrations formed on opposed operative microsurgical surfaces of the instrument by electric discharge machining.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for discharging ash from a plurality of fossil-fuel boiler hoppers through actuator opened gate valves by opening only selected gate valves during a given discharge cycle and bypassing other hoppers. The time required to discharge a given hopper is determined and compared with a desired time range that would be required to discharge the hopper, if the hopper was filled to a desired percentage. Opening of a given hopper during subsequent cycles is based on a comparison of the actual discharge time with a desired discharge time range. If the actual discharge time is less than the minimum time of the desired time range, a time increment is assigned to the given hopper, and the hopper is bypassed on subsequent cycles until the assigned time increment has expired.

Abstract: Removal of combustion deposits from a fossil fuel boiler surface is optimized by using a sootblower to direct a cleaning medium in accordance with adjustable operating parameters against a surface of the boiler to remove accumulated deposits. Following the sootblowing operation, a parameter indicative of the extent of deposits remaining on the surface is measured to determine the efficiency of the sootblowing operation with the operating parameters used. If deposit removal is inadequate, at least one of the sootblower operating parameters is adjusted to increase its aggressiveness. If deposit removal is acceptable, at least one of the sootblower operating parameters in adjusted to decrease its aggressiveness, thereby reducing operating costs and/or the risk of damage to boiler surfaces. Additional steps of periodically measuring deposit accumulation and initiating a subsequent sootblowing operation when the deposit accumulation reaches a predetermined level can be included.

Abstract: Information relating to combustion conditions within a fossil-fueled boiler that includes a plurality of burners adapted to produce flames combining to form a fireball is provided by acquiring data relating to the physical and temperature characteristics of the fireball with at least one imaging camera having optical and temperature measuring capabilities; receiving, storing and processing data received from the camera to provide data representative of the NO.sub.x content of the hot gases produced by the fireball; and transmitting the processed data from the processor to a monitor for display. Transmitted, processed data may include current, historical and target information relating to the physical appearance and temperature profile of the fireball.

Abstract: An unburned carbon and other combustibles monitoring and control system for a fossil-fueled boiler, such as a pulverized coal fired boiler. An infrared imaging camera counts the moving hot particles entrained in the hot gases exiting the boiler and provides a first signal representative of the number of hot particles in the hot gases over a predetermined period of time. A signal processor is connected to the infrared imaging camera for counting the hot particles for receiving the signal representative of the number of particles in the hot gases and providing a second signal representative of the unburned carbon and other combustibles content of the fly ash produced by the boiler.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for drying a natural gas stream such as water containing natural gas introduces triethylene glycol into a high speed gas stream at a pressure in excess of that of the gas stream to achieve a drying effect by impaction and rapid expansion and turbulence in a mixing zone. The triethylene glycol and water are removed by a centrifugal separator.

Abstract: Alkyl esters of aminosalicylic acid, said alkyl group having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms in chain length; alkenyl esters of aminosalicylic acid, said alkenyl group selected from the group consisting of vinyl, allyl, undecenyl, oleyl and linolenyl groups, and cyclic esters of aminosalicylic acid, said cyclic group being the cyclohexyl, phenyl and menthyl groups, having ultra-violet screening properties to absorb light rays within the wave-length range of 2950 A. to 3200 A. while transmitting the light rays beyond the 3200 A. range to permit the desirable tanning of the skin without solar burn. The respective esters of aminosalicylic acid are prepared by the reduction of the appropriate nitro-salicylic acid ester with Raney nickel and hydrogen in the presence of ethyl acetate. The respective esters are obtained as oils or solid crystalline substances and are soluble in alcohols, chloroform, acetone and benzene but insoluble in water. The ultra-violet absorption spectra for the respective compounds are described.

Abstract: Choline salicylate sulfite and choline salicylate alkali metal sulfite-containing compounds of the formula, ##STR1## wherein Me represents the sodium, potassium or lithium ion and R represents the sulfite, bisulfite metabisulfite, dithionate, hydrosulfite and hyposulfite groups are described. Said compounds are stable and inhibit the formation of color in pharmaceutical preparations containing the same. The method for the preparation of choline salicylate sulfite and choline salicylate alkali metal sulfite-containing compounds, and pharmaceutical dosage forms containing the same are disclosed together with a method for their use to inhibit color formation.