Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating nitrate from waters containing a significant amount of sulfate ion. Nitrate removal is accomplished by passing the water to be treated through a bed of a strong-base anion exchange resin which is a tributyl amine derivative of a copolymer exemplified by styrene-divinyl benzene. The tributyl species has been found to have an unusually high selectivity for nitrate over sulfate and provides not only a high capacity for nitrate removal but also economies in regeneration due to the ability to operate with only a partially regenerated resin bed.

Abstract: A process and system of operation for combusting nitrogen-containing fuels with resulting low NO.sub.x emissions. A fuel-rich mixture of the fuel is combusted in a catalytic bed which is carried by a support structure. Active or passive means are provided for limiting transfer of heat from the bed into the support structure for minimizing formation of NO.sub.x during combustion. The active means for limiting the heat transfer includes, in different embodiments, electrical resistance back heating, induction back heating, exhaust gas back heating, and combustion fired back heating. The passive means for limiting the heat transfer includes, in different embodiments, a body of heat insulating material between the bed and support structure, or the insulating effect of the outer cells of the bed within a recess in the support structure.

Abstract: Thermal shock resistant catalytic monolithic structures are described comprising curved-surface plates with flow-through passages. Such structures are especially useful as combustor catalysts and their use in catalytic combustors permits much more rapid start-up and cool down than with conventional monolithic catalysts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and mapping a pool of a pollutant (12) in a body of water (11) comprising the steps of scanning the bottom of said body of water with ultrasonic energy using a transducer (10) periodically pulsed to project pulse envelopes of acoustic energy downwardly to the bottom (14) of the body of water and receiving echo returns from the bottom preceded by echo returns from a reflective interface (13) with a pool of pollutant, if present. The presence of an echo return from an interface (13) as a precursor to an echo return from the bottom indicates the presence of the pool of pollutant at the navigational position of the transducer as the process of scanning continues. Locating and marking the perimeter of the pool permits rapid clean up operations to be directed.

Abstract: A particulate sample collector has a blower to draw air through ducting in which a filter collects particles. The blower is driven by a sealed inductive A.C. motor. A throttle in the ducting is controlled by a pneumatic motor in response to variation in pressure drop, to provide constant mass flow rate as the filter gradually becomes clogged.

Abstract: A distributor for distributing a fluid into the volume of a fluidized bed contained in a vessel comprises a base member in which are mounted upstanding nozzles having outlets for directing the fluid horizontally away from the nozzles into the volume of the bed, the outlets of some nozzles being arranged at a lower level than the outlets from other nozzles so that fluidizable bed material will be fluidized above a contour substantially defined between the outlets of the nozzles. Thus, there will be a "well" or depression in the countour around each nozzle, and the countour will extend to just below the outlet of each nozzle. The contour may be formed by the upper surface of unfluidized fluidizable material (e.g., from the bed) or by the upper surface of non-fluidizable material (e.g. blocks of refractory cement or metal sheeting) which may constitute at least part of the base member.

Abstract: A system for sealing and repairing leaks in ruptured containers whereby an applicator including an open-celled sponge body is inserted into the rupture and the two interacting components of a binary fluid foam composition are mixed and injected into the sponge body, thereby expanding and forming a foam composite with the latter against the rupture to effectively seal and repair same upon curing of the foam in situ.

Abstract: A system for sealing and repairing leaks in ruptured containers whereby an applicator including an open-celled sponge body is inserted into the rupture and the two interacting components of a binary fluid foam composition are mixed and injected into the sponge body, thereby expanding and forming a foam composite with the latter against the rupture to effectively seal and repair same upon curing of the foam in situ.

Abstract: Fuel gas produced e.g. in a fluid bed gasifier and which comprises deposit-forming materials such as heavy hydrocarbons (e.g. tars) and non-combustible fines is passed via conduits and solid-removing cyclones to a burner for admixture with air and subsequent combustion. Deposits formed in the conduits cyclones and burner are removed by closing off the burner outlet and air inlet, and passing a deposit-removing reactant (e.g. air) into the conduit to oxidize and thereby remove deposits, particularly from the cyclones. Preferably, there are at least two burners for the fuel gas, and they are closed off alternately to remove deposits from their respective conduits and cyclones.

Abstract: A continuously regenerating granular filter operable at high temperature and pressure includes a filter chamber with a gas inlet and gas outlet. A filter bed in the chamber located between the gas inlet and gas outlet is adapted to hold a filter medium and permit gas to flow therethrough. The filter bed includes inlet means and outlet means for enabling the filter medium to move through the filter bed. The filter also includes filter medium cleaning means for cleaning the filter medium. Filter medium transport means operates to transport the filter means from the outlet means, through the cleaning means and to the inlet means.

Abstract: A solid fuel fired gas turbine system for generating electric power which includes a generator, a turbine for operating the generator, a combustion chamber for burning solid fuel to form heated gas under pressure for operating the turbine, and a continuously regenerating granular filter for removing particulate matter from the pressurized, heated gas. The granular filter is operable at high temperature and pressure and is particularly well suited for continuously cleaning the pressurized, hot gas used to operate the gas turbine without significant loss of gas pressure or temperature.

Abstract: A system for sealing and repairing leaks in ruptured containers whereby an applicator including an open-celled sponge body is inserted into the rupture and the two interacting components of a binary fluid foam composition are mixed and injected into the sponge body, thereby expanding and forming a foam composite with the latter against the rupture to effectively seal and repair same upon curing of the foam in situ.

Abstract: A coronametric instrument includes first and second optical axes respectively responsive to first and second fields of view slightly removed from the sun. The first optical axis is adapted to be pointed at the sun, while the second axis is slightly angularly displaced from the first, having an intersection approximately at an entrance aperture of the instrument. On the first axis first and second occulting discs are respectively positioned in front of and behind the entrance aperture. The first occulting disc shades the entrance aperture from direct solar radiation. A lens system and the discs are arranged so that a slightly out of focused image of the first disc is formed on the second disc so that the second disc absorbs light diffracted from the first disc.

Abstract: An improved system for dewatering dilute slurries is disclosed. The system includes a spring-loaded sludge feed tray incorporating an adjustable flow splitter plug, along with spring-loaded sludge side guides. The sludge-cake compression section provides for a compression roller which is adjustable between two positions as a component in the backflushing of the sludge carrier screen using cake effluent. Also, a particular screen sludge solids loading range is employed which results in a significant improvement in performance and capacity of the dewatering system.

Abstract: A nozzle for uniformly distributing fluid from a high velocity and high pressure zone to a lower pressure and a relatively low velocity zone which comprises: an inner wall member that contains a plurality of orifices that communicate with an outer wall member containing a plurality of orifices, which are laterally offset from the orifices of the inner wall. The fluid is passing from the high pressure zone to the low pressure zone must impinge upon the outer wall and/or interact with the fluid in the area between the inner and outer walls to dissipate the energy from the fluid, in order to produce the lower velocity and pressure of the existing fluid.