Abstract: Apparatus useful for heat exchange by evaporative cooling when employed in conjunction with a conventional cooling tower. The arrangement includes a header pipe which is used to divert a portion of the water in the cooling tower supply conduit up stream of the cooling tower to a multiplicity of vertical pipes and spray nozzles which are evenly spaced external to the cooling tower so as to produce a uniform spray pattern oriented toward the central axis of the cooling tower and thereby induce an air flow into the cooling tower which is greater than otherwise achieved. By spraying the water to be cooled towards the cooling tower in a region external to the cooling tower in a manner such that the spray falls just short of the cooling tower basin, the spray does not interfere with the operation of the cooling tower, proper, and the-maximum increase in air velocity is achieved just above the cooling tower basin where it is most effective.

Abstract: A process for effectively and economically separating an ionic component such as acid from a nonionic component such as sugar in polar solutions using ion exclusion technology whereby the viability of using hydrolysis to convert wood and agricultural waste products such as corn stover into fuel alcohol is substantially effective. Underlying the gist of this invention are newly discovered methods by which dispersion, caused by shrinkage of resin within ion exclusion columns, is controlled resulting in operation of such columns, over a wide range of process conditions to produce separate and distinct elution profiles for the acid and sugar. Successful operation of these new ion exclusion methods, techniques, and systems can replace lime precipitation which currently is being used in acid hydrolysis processing.

Abstract: An improved flowmeter system is described, together with circuitry, hardware, and techniques for its utilization for determining the rate of flow of fluids in conduits at a situs substantially remote from the information gathering and analysis situs. Arrangements are provided for utilization of the system in conduits, including deep water wells, having diameters as small as 2 inches, and wherein very low flowrates of liquid therein can be quite accurately measured to depths in the range of hundreds to thousands of feet.

Abstract: Inclusion of a certain finely powdered by-product of the citrus fruit processing industry, notably a waste product consisting of processed peel, stems, seeds, and pulp, with relatively inexpensive, finely-powdered soluble iron sulfate [FeSO.sub.4 or Fe.sub.2 (SO.sub.4).sub.3 ] significantly improves the efficiency of iron source fertilizer materials for iron-sensitive plants growing on iron-deficient soils and can maintain supply of available iron to growing plants for substantially extended periods of time. These compositions may be band applied in powdered or granular form in or near the seed row at or prior to planting or spot placed in the root zone of growing plants in soil.

Abstract: An improved flowmeter system is described, together with circuitry, hardware, and techniques for its utilization for determining the rate of flow of fluids in conduits at a situs substantially remote from the information gathering and analysis situs. Arrangements are provided for utilization of the system in conduits, including deep water wells, having diameters as small as 2 inches, and wherein very low flowrates of liquid therein can be quite accurately measured to depths in the range of hundreds to thousands of feet.

Abstract: A process for oxidizing aqueous elemental phosphorus containing residues (sludges) to produce orthophosphate containing slurries suitable for subsequent reaction with ammonia to produce nitrogen- and phosphorus-containing fertilizer products. It comprises reacting aqueous elemental phosphorus containing residues with certain special mixtures of concentrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid to effect the conversion of the elemental phosphorus content of the residues into mostly orthophosphoric acid and very little orthophosphorous acid with the relative ratios of orthophosphoric acid to orthophosphorous acid produced being dependent upon the weight ratio H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 :HNO.sub.3 employed in the processing. The reaction is conducted at the boiling point of the resulting aqueous reaction medium.

Abstract: Inclusion of certain hydrophilic organic gel-forming polymers, notably polyacrylamides, with relatively inexpensive soluble iron sulfate [FeSO.sub.4 or Fe.sub.2 (SO.sub.4).sub.3 ] significantly improves the efficiency of iron source fertilizer materials for iron-sensitive plants growing on iron-deficient soils and can maintain supply of available iron to growing plants for periods up to about 12 weeks. These polymers may be mixed with iron-containing solutions to form suitable gels which are band applied in or near the seed row at or prior to planting or spot placed in the root zone of growing plants in soil. Other soluble fertilizers of micronutrients such as copper, manganese, or zinc also may be included instead of, or with, iron sulfates in hydrogels of these polymers.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes inexpensive, low-quality by-product ammonium sulfate (AS) characterized as having poor storage, handling, and use properties and normally unsuitable for use as a solid fertilizer because crystals thereof are very fine and of a undesirably high-moisture content. This invention involves production of high-quality, long-storing suspension intermediates directly from AS slurries or AS crystals, followed by storage of the resulting suspensions as intermediate raw materials, and further followed by production of solution fertilizers from such suspension intermediates.

Abstract: A process for producing high-analysis dicalcium phosphate containing phosphatic fertilizers and by-product calcium nitrate. It comprises reacting phosphate rock with nitric acid, followed by pyrolysis of the resulting acidulate to effect liberation of approximately one-half of the initially consumed nitric acid. Recycling of this liberated nitric acid allows production of available phosphate with approximately one-half the acid equivalents normally consumed during sulfuric acid processing. The calcium nitrate in the resulting pyrolyzate is separated from the phosphatic constituent by dissolution in water followed by filtration. Depending upon the initial HNO.sub.3 :CaO acidulation ratio, the available phosphate content of the resulting solid phosphatic fertilizers is high enough (48% P.sub.2 O.sub.5) to allow their use either for bulk blending with nitrogen and potash salts to produce complete grade fertilizers or for direct application as a phosphate nutrient.

Abstract: The technique of the instant invention includes the preparation of a new mechanical seal life prolonger (SLP) by the compounding of a relatively few, inexpensive, and readily available materials. The instant technique is simply and easily placed into practice by, for example, applying relatively small amounts of such compound to the outside edges or peripheral portions of the relative movement interface between the seal faces of mechanical seals in association with fluid handling devices while such devices are in an operating mode. Depending on the degree of disruption of the sealing surfaces, a single application of such compound is sometimes sufficient to obtain the desired results or it may be necessary to subsequently apply such compound to the leaking seal at regular intervals subsequent to the first application thereof, until such time as it may be convenient to replace such seal faces.

Abstract: A tent-free technique, system, and apparatus for effecting protection of humans from airborne asbestos and other particulate contamination is disclosed. It comprises a first transparent cowling means operatively associated with drilling means and at least one filtration unit flow connected therewith. The first cowling means comprises two members slidably disposed relative to one another, with the first member thereof being more or less substantially fixed relative to the drilling means housing and the second member adapted to be more or less substantially fixed temporarily to the plane of the material first engaged by the drill bit. A second cowling means, also flow connected to said filtration unit, is operatively associated with the instant apparatus and more or less substantially fixed temporarily to the plane of the material lastly engaged by said drill bit. A third cowling means is operatively associated with sawing means and fixed relative to the housing thereof and adapted for enclosing the saw blade.

Abstract: The technique of the instant invention includes the preparation of a new mechanical seal life prolonger (SLP) by the compounding of a relatively few, inexpensive, and readily available materials. The instant technique is simply and easily placed into practice by, for example, applying relatively small amounts of such compound to the outside edges or peripheral portions of the relative movement interface between the seal faces of mechanical seals in association with fluid handling devices while such devices are in an operating mode. Depending on the degree of disruption of the sealing surfaces, a single application of such compound is sometimes sufficient to obtain the desired results or it may be necessary to subsequently apply such compound to the leaking seal at regular intervals subsequent to the first application thereof, until such time as it may be convenient to replace such seal faces.

Abstract: Unusually high-analysis low-temperature-stable solution-type fertilizers are produced by mixing urea and phosphoric acid with urea-ammonium nitrate solution (UAN). The ratio of P.sub.2 O.sub.5 to total nitrogen and the ratio of CO(NH.sub.2).sub.2 --N(nitrogen) to NH.sub.4 NO.sub.3 --N(nitrogen) must be maintained within broad specified parameters in order to ensure the production of the instant high-analysis clear-liquid fertilizers which are stable at temperatures as low as 0.degree. C. For example, to produce a 35 percent total plant nutrient (TPN) product, the weight ratio for P.sub.2 O.sub.5 :N (total) must be within the range of about 0.316 to about 0.538, the weight ratio of urea-N to NH.sub.4 NO.sub.3 --N+P.sub.2 O.sub.5 must be in the rang of 1.41 to 1.59, and the weight ratio of CO(NH.sub.2).sub.2 :NH.sub.4 NO.sub.3 must be in the range of 15.25 to 3.75. Similar solutions may be produced by dissolving solid urea and ammonium nitrate in pure or impure phosphoric acid or by utilizing urea.H.sub.3 PO.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, teaches a technique, and provides apparatus eminently useful for the installation/removal, from a remote and protected location, of nozzle dams onto and from nozzle holddown rings within the channel heads of certain steam generators, including the types typically used in conjunction with the operation of pressurized hot-water nuclear power plants.

Abstract: A tent-free technique, system, and apparatus for effecting protection of humans from airborne asbestos and other particulate contamination is disclosed. It comprises a first transparent cowling means operatively associated with drilling means and at least one filtration unit flow connected therewith. The first cowling means comprises two members slidably disposed relative to one another, with the first member thereof being more or less substantially fixed relative to the drilling means housing and the second member adapted to be more or less substantially fixed temporarily to the plane of the material first engaged by the drill bit. A second cowling means, also flow connected to said filtration unit, is operatively associated with the instant apparatus and more or less substantially fixed temporarily to the plane of the material lastly engaged by said drill bit. A third cowling means is operatively associated with sawing means and fixed relative to the housing thereof and adapted for enclosing the saw blade.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and implementation, including apparatus comprising a two-stage, single-unit, and energy-efficient rotary drum-type granulator-dryer device having a granulator section and a separate dryer section in a new and novel combination designed for continuously granulating and/or ammoniating, and subsequently drying, respectively, a variety of materials together with specific processes for effecting such granulating and/or ammoniating, and subsequent drying.

Abstract: A process for granulating finely divided particulate sulfate or chloride salts of potassium to produce therefrom agricultural products having exceptionally satisfactory physical and chemical properties in regard to bulk blending with other fertilizer blend materials and also in regard to storage and handling properties. The instant methods involve introducing fine-sized, particulate feedstock together with recycle material into a conventional granulator and granulating the solids with use of a water solution comprised of the potassium salt to be granulated and portions of lignosulfonate, which solution has been found to bind the solids material together in a manner and form highly desirable. Drying of the resulting granulation material is required. Nominal grades of the sulfate and chloride granular products are about 47 and 57 percent by weight K.sub.2 O equivalent, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a technique and provides for apparatus eminently useful for reducing the amount of sulfur currently needed by industry to sulfur coat water-soluble fertilizer materials such as, for example, granular or prilled urea. A further advantage of and benefit derived from the practice of the instant invention relates to the production of sulfur-coated urea products which have substantially higher nitrogen values than do urea products produced by prior art processes.