Abstract: Sulfur compounds present as sulfides and mercaptans in spent caustic streams from refinery and petrochemical processes are oxidized by contacting them with an oxygen-containing gas in a packed column recycle reactor.

Abstract: Gas mixtures having precise compositions are prepared by separately pumping the components in liquid phase through piping, vaporizing the components, blending the components and analyzing the mixture for composition. A signal sent to a control unit causes any necessary change in the rate of pumping of the liquid components to reduce the difference between the measured concentration and the desired concentration. When the composition is within desired limits it is charged into gas cylinders.

Abstract: Partial oxidation of hydrocarbons to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide is carried out by a cyclical process which includes passing air through a perovskite ceramic substance at elevated temperature, thereby adsorbing oxygen from the air, and subsequently contacting the hot oxygen-containing ceramic substance with a hydrocarbon. During the partial oxidation reaction phase of the process, the sorbed oxygen reacts with the hydrocarbon, thereby producing the desired gas products and regenerating the adsorbent for the next cycle of the process.

Abstract: An arrangement of magnets and stacks of magnets has been developed for use in magnetron sputtering devices. The arrangement may include commercially available or easily manufactured magnets. The arrangement may also include magnetic shunts to tune the magnetic field. The arrangements may be potted to provide protection from the environment, and may be incorporated into a system for cooling the magnets and target. When used in a magnetron sputtering device, the arrangement provides a magnetic field that results in nearly uniform sputtering over most of the target area. Further, the magnet arrangement provides target utilization values that are significantly higher than those provided by prior art magnet systems. Thus, the present invention also provides a method of arranging magnets for optimal performance and a method for improving target utilization.

Abstract: An improved rotary hearth furnace having a cylindrical enclosure containing a radially moving belt for transporting pellets containing metal oxide and carbon is disclosed. One or more oxy-fuel burners preferably having a flat flame shape are positioned so as to provide a mixture of fuel and oxidant to the pellets countercurrent to the direction of the pellets. The oxy-fuel burners are operated so as to provide a pre-determined quantity of oxygen in addition to that necessary for combustion so that the additional oxygen oxidizes the carbon monoxide and hydrogen present in the hot combustion gases. Oxygen injectors may also be used to introduce additional oxygen into the furnace.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved cold gas-dynamic spraying process utilizing a carrier gas and small-diameter particulates whereby the particulate-laden carrier gas is directed to a ceramic filter unit where the particulates are separated out and the particulate-free carrier gas is analyzed and returned to the spraying process or to other gas purification systems.

Abstract: A method of producing a gaseous product, for instance gaseous oxygen in accordance with a cyclical demand pattern having high and low periods of demand. During periods of high demand, liquid is vaporized against condensing air which is in turn stored. During low demand periods, product is accumulated and previously stored liquid air is introduced into the column. During both high and low periods of demand liquid product is drawn to reduce the percentage variance in the required flow rate to the booster compressor used in producing the air to be liquefied. Preferably, during periods of high demand, a turbine used in generating refrigeration can be turned down to increase the amount of air available for condensation and with a reduction in production of liquid product.

Abstract: In the processing of an item, particularly a food item, where the final equalized temperature is important to the processing a method and apparatus for predicting the equalized temperature is disclosed. A series of infrared sensors is used to measure the rate of change of the surface temperature of an item after the item is exposed to a known thermal shock such as heating or cooling. The predicted equalized temperature can be calculated from the series of surface temperatures using least squares, non-linear regression techniques. One means for applying a thermal shock to an item would be the use of cryogens such as liquid nitrogen, carbon dixoide snow or synthetic liquid air (SLA).

Abstract: The present invention provides for a multi-composite adsorbent mixture which will remove H2O, CO2 and nitrogen oxides and/or hydrocarbons from a feed gas stream. The improvement lies in the use of a third adsorbent which is selective for nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons or both.

Abstract: In an industrial furnace used to melt glass batch or glass melt least two oxy-fuel burners are employed in the roof or side-wall of the furnace. At least one oxy-fuel burner is operated with a fuel-rich mixture and at least one other oxy-fuel burner is operated with a fuel-lean mixture. The flames are directed to intersect near the surface of the batch or the melt in order to substantially complete combustion in the vicinity of the melt thereby increasing heat transferred to the material to be melted while also reducing flame temperatures near the burner block. Axisymmetric burners are employed in the crown or roof while non-axisymmetric burners are employed in the side-wall of the furnace. Alternatively, curved burners could be employed in either location to enhance control of the respective fuel-rich and fuel-lean flame interaction.

Abstract: Novel compositions of molecular sieve adsorbents are provided in which at least 50% of the exchangeable cations are selected from those of Li, Ca, Ag and Cu and which have within their pore system metal oxide, metal oxide precursors or mixtures thereof. These compositions are useful for the separation of gases and, in particular, the separation of nitrogen from air to produce oxygen or oxygen-enriched gas.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method is disclosed for providing a consistent liquid mixture according to a predetermined recipe for use at a point of use. The apparatus includes a plurality of liquid component reservoirs in which a constant gas pressure is maintained. A plurality of valves are provided, with individual valves connected to an outlet port of each reservoir. An electronic controller controls the valve actuation in a repetitive sequence to discharge predetermined doses of selected liquid components for mixing to form the consistent liquid mixture. A mixing section receives the sequence of doses to mix them together to form the liquid mixture.

Abstract: Various food processing methods and a food processing system minimize microbial growth while an animal, such as a chicken, is processed into food. During processing, temperature of an animal carcass and atmosphere surrounding the carcass are controlled by spraying gases and a mixture of ozone and water on the carcass, directing the gases through a passage in a wall to cool a processing area, and flowing the gases into atmosphere surrounding the carcass. Preferably, the gases include ozone and cryogenic gases recycled from a cryogenic freezer. The system uses a reduced amount of fresh water by recycling water used during food processing.

Abstract: An improved crucible cover for multiple pocket electron beam sources has been invented. The invention provides selection between one of the multiple pockets for evaporative heating and a noncontacting, line-of-sight blocking baffle between heated and unheated pockets. In one embodiment, the baffle is formed by the cooperation of a crucible surface groove with a cover feature that extends into the groove. In a second embodiment, the baffle is formed by a barrier extending upwards from the crucible surface between pockets that cooperates with a cover to form the line-of-sight baffle. The crucible and cover in these embodiments accommodate deposits without hindering the ability of the baffle to reduce contamination or interfere with the operation of the source. Additionally, the cover and crucible may be operated separately, with a cover lifting mechanism that lowers the cover to form a baffle and raises the cover to allow the separately controlled rotation of the crucible.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for producing a pressurized high purity liquid carbon dioxide stream in which a feed stream composed of carbon dioxide vapor is purified within a purifying filter and then condensed within a condenser. The result liquid is then alternately introduced and dispensed from two first and second pressure accumulation chambers. The first and second pressure accumulation chambers are heated by electrical heaters to pressurize the liquid to the required or desired delivery pressure of the pressurized liquid carbon dioxide stream. Such stream is alternately extracted from the first and second pressure accumulation chambers on a continuous basis in which one of the first and second pressure accumulation chambers acts in a dispensing role while the other is being filled. The pressurized liquid carbon dioxide stream can be further filtered within a particulate filter.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for freeze drying in which a solution, which can be a radioactive salt dissolved within an acid, is frozen into a solid on vertical plates provided within a freeze drying chamber. The solid is sublimated into vapor and condensed in a cold condenser positioned above the freeze drying chamber and connected thereto by a conduit. The vertical positioning of the cold condenser relative to the freeze dryer helps to help prevent substances such as radioactive materials separated from the solution from contaminating the cold condenser. Additionally, the system can be charged with an inert gas to produce a down rush of gas into the freeze drying chamber to also help prevent such substances from contaminating the cold condenser.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide is removed from gas streams comprised predominantly of gases that are less strongly adsorbed than is carbon dioxide by passing the gas stream through a bed of type X zeolite having a silicon to aluminum atomic ratio not greater than about 1.15 and at least 75% of the exchangeable cations of which are potassium ions, thereby adsorbing the carbon dioxide from the gas stream. The process is particularly advantageous when applied to the removal of low levels of carbon dioxide from gas streams at temperatures of about 0 to 80° C.

Abstract: A tote for transporting refrigerated or frozen goods, e.g., foodstuffs, comprises an insulated container and a coolant insert. The insulated container comprises a durable, impact-resistant shell, an insulation insert, an optional corrugated liner, and a cover. The coolant insert fits within the container such that it rests on the top edge of the insulation liner sidewalls, and it holds a coolant, e.g., carbon dioxide snow. The insert has a perforated bottom wall and an insulated top wall. When the tote holds frozen goods, the perforated bottom wall is opposite the interior of the container. When the tote holds refrigerated goods, the insulated top wall is opposite the interior of the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a liquid mixture in which mixture components are mixed to produce a product stream having a predetermined connection of a specified component. This mixing occurs within a fluidic network designed such that the components mix in inlet branches to form a first intermediate mixture having a lower concentration than that desired in the product stream. The specified component is metered into the intermediate product stream to produce a second intermediate product stream that is blended to produce a third intermediate product stream. The concentration of the specified component within the third intermediate product stream is measured and the metering pump is appropriately adjusted. The third intermediate product stream then passes through a recycle loop in which recycled product is mixed with an intermediate product stream to produce a liquid mixture stream that is divided into the recycle stream and a product stream.

Abstract: An improved restraining clip for holding fragile substrates has been invented. The clip can be used to provide a force on the backside of substrates during processing. The invention has a compound spring mechanism, effectively uncoupling the force used to hold the substrate from that applied by an operator to move the clip. The preferred configuration incorporates a multiple leaf spring for providing force to the substrate, a coil spring to hold the clip in place, and a lever arm for the operator to provide lifting and turning forces on the clip. This combination of features allows the clip to be used on fragile substrates, such as Ga—As, which are easily damaged by other clips.