Abstract: A method for the preparation of a low temperature catalyst suitable to synthesize methanol or mixtures of methanol and dimethyl ether, comprising forming an alloy containing 35 to 60%, preferably 44 to 50%, by weight of aluminium, 0.1 to 25%, preferably 13 to 17%, by weight of zinc and the remainder being substantially all copper and extracting the alloy with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide, preferably sodium hydroxide, preferably at atmospheric pressure and a temperature of from 50.degree. to 80.degree. C., preferably from 65.degree. to 75.degree. C.The resultant novel catalyst is used to produce methanol or a mixture of methanol and dimethyl ether by a process comprising contacting the catalyst with a gaseous mixture of carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide, or a mixture thereof, with hydrogen. This reaction is preferably carried out at a temperature of from 200.degree. to 290.degree. C. and a pressure of from 1500 to 7500 kPa and linear hourly space times of from 0.001 to 0.5 hours.

Abstract: A cold trap for use in a high vacuum system to analyze the vapor component or components of the gases in, or introduced into, the vacuum system, including the assessment of the partial pressure of any specific component which may be present in the said gases, comprising a chamber closed at its upper end by a thin metallic diaphragm dished inwardly to receive a liquid coolant such as liquid nitrogen, an outlet to interconnect the chamber with a high vacuum system, and means to introduce successive doses of liquid coolant into the diaphragm. This construction allows the trap to be rapidly cycled. It is shown to be advantageous for the radius of curvature of the lowest part of the diaphragm to be such that the area of the diaphragm which remains at the temperature of the coolant until all the coolant has evaporated is larger than the effective area of the outlet.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a low temperature catalyst suitable to synthesize methanol or mixtures of methanol and dimethyl ether, comprising forming an alloy containing 35 to 60%, preferably 44 to 50%, by weight of aluminium, 0.1 to 25%, preferably 13 to 17%, by weight of zinc and the remainder being substantially all copper and extracting the alloy with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide, preferably sodium hydroxide, preferably at atmospheric pressure and a temperature of from 50.degree. to 80.degree. C., preferably from 65.degree. to 75.degree. C.The resultant novel catalyst is used to produce methanol or a mixture of methanol and dimethyl ether by a process comprising contacting the catalyst with a gaseous mixture of carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide, or a mixture thereof, with hydrogen. This reaction is preferably carried out at a temperature of from 200.degree. to 290.degree. C. and a pressure of from 1500 to 7500 kPa and linear hourly space times of from 0.001 to 0.5 hours.

Abstract: A process for the production of construction material comprising the steps of:1. heating soil to a temperature sufficient to destroy substantially the property of the soil to swell with changing levels of moisture without causing any of the soil constituents to melt, which temperature will normally lie between 500.degree. and 750.degree. C. depending upon the soil type,2. adding to the soil, either before or after the heating step, iron oxide in a finely divided form, to form a mixture and3. introducing into, or creating within, the mixture a solution of sodium silicate, such as by adding an aqueous solution of sodium silicate to the mixture or by adding to the mixture a strong solution of sodium hydroxide and a silica source.The construction material formed by the process, and articles formed thereform, form part of the invention.

Abstract: An ideal or near ideal radiation concentrator for a distant source of radiation or a radiation distributor in which a non concave linear radiation absorber or source is arranged between facing reflecting side walls to receive radiation reflected from the side walls or to emit radiation. One side wall is made up of at least a portion the curvature of which is in accordance with equation (2) of the specification and the other side wall including at least a portion the curvature of which is in accordance with equation (3) of the specification. Where a circular or other convex section absorber or source is employed it is preferred that each side wall commence at a point on the absorber or source, the curvature of the side wall adjacent the absorber or source being the involute of the cross-section of the absorber or source.

Abstract: A method of identifying a material, such as a gemstone by applying a thermocouple to a stone, the thermocouple comprising two dissimilar metals having junctions spaced close to each other, heating one of said junctions, applying the other junction to the stone via a high thermal conducting tip and, recording the thermoelectric e.m.f. developed between the junctions which recorded value provides a determination of the type of material.

Abstract: A method of connecting a shunting diode in parallel with a solar cell for the purpose of improving the tolerance of an array of solar cells to mismatch in cell output, whether caused by physical differences in the cells, cell breakage, or the effect of shading, is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of forming a plurality of interconnected solar cells on a single sheet of semiconductor material, wherein if required, each cell in the array of cells may be shunted by a diode.

Abstract: A method of seismic surveying which provides a horizontal profile of reflector surfaces located between two spaced apart drillholes which profile appears similar to that of a marine type seismic reflection profile. The method comprising raising and lowering a seismic source and receiver in adjacent drillholes to provide a profile of reflectors which are located between the drillholes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation curable composition for coating onto leather. The composition comprises from 40 to 90% by weight of a first compound which is a prepolymer or co-prepolymers and from 60 to 10% by weight of a second compound which is mutually soluble with the first. The prepolymer or co-prepolymer is derived from monomer units of which at least 80% are an acrylate or methacrylate monomer and of which the balance, if any, may be styrene or its derivatives or isoprene. Preferably, at least 50% by weight of the prepolymer is butyl acrylate and up to 20% by weight is styrene. The second compound is one or more of urethane acrylate, epoxy acrylate; a rosin derivative; a monomer of vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate, vinylidene chloride or methyl methacrylate or copolymers of such monomers. The composition may be cured after coating onto leather by U.V. or electron beam radiation.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the purification of effluent waters containing organic pollutants by a rapid biological oxidation (activated sludge) process characterized in that the liquid to be purified is introduced into a tank containing a liquid having a high biomass concentration. Liquid is drawn from the tank and reintroduced through an aerating device in such a way as to produce rotation of the liquid in the tank to the extent that a vortex is produced on the surface. A part of the liquid taken from the tank is strayed on to the vortex and a proportion passed to a mechanical separating means that separates sludge from the liquid and a proportion of the separated sludge is reintroduced directly in to the tank. The liquid from which the sludge has been removed constitutes the purified effluent.

Abstract: A solar radiation concentrator consisting of a refractor in the form of at least one strip of transparent material having on it a pattern of prismatic parallel grooves arranged to refract incident solar radiation onto a trough shaped reflector the opening of which is closed by the said strip, a linearly extending target being arranged within the reflector parallel to the axis of the said strip, the strip and the concentrator having optical properties such that in combination the concentration of solar radiation of the target is maximized so as to permit stationary operation of the concentrator without sun-tracking or seasonal orientation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method whereby ultra low frequency dielectric measurements allow a determination to be made of the parameters (dielectric constant, thickness and conductivity) characterizing electrically distinct layers with membranes such as bimolecular lipid or protein membranes (i.e. the major components of the membranes of living cells).The location and effect of chemicals such as anaesthetics, tranquilizers, hormones and other substances of pharmacological and general biological interest which are adsorbed into these or other membranes can be determined. The effects of these chemicals can be quantitatively specified in terms of this effect of the substructural dielectric parameters.

Abstract: A process for extracting valuable wool wax as a product having the specifications of lanolin from wool grease as found, for example, in the liquor from the scouring of raw wool. The process, apart from removing wool grease/wool wax from wool scouring effluent, avoids the production of pollutants in the extraction process, and in the case of the treatment of wet sludge containing wool grease produces a virtually grease-free solid product suitable for disposal as an environmentally safe soil.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for directly measuring percentile values of a time varying analogue signal by recursively estimating a predetermined percentile level from said analogue signal. In particular, the apparatus continuously estimates the percentile sound levels from the analogue output of a sound level meter so as to monitor sound pollution levels in a particular locality during a specified time period.

Abstract: A novel approach to sample deposition in furnace atomization is disclosed which obviates the need for skilled application of microvolumes by syringe. By means of the apparatus and method disclosed, the analyte in aerosol form is deposited under controlled conditions on the internal surface areas of graphite furnaces. Precision approaching that of flame atomization systems is achieved and at the same time, concentrational sensitivity may be increased simply by extending the deposition time. The amount of analyte deposited in the furnace is restricted only by the sample volume available and the matrix concentration. A single standard can be used to construct a calibration curve by simply varying the aerosol deposition time.

Abstract: A breakwater, or similar structure, comprising a core of rubble, and an armouring layer overlying said core, said armouring layer being composed of individual armour units of hexagonal outer cross-section arranged in a honeycomb array, each of said armour units having an elongated, concrete body with longitudinal through water-passage means so that the porosity of the exposed face of the armouring layer is solely determined by the ratio of the cross-sectional area of said water passage means to the cross-sectional area of the concrete body.

Abstract: A navigation aid consists of only three, namely first, second, and third indicia bearing members, the latter being respectively a transparent ground speed member bearing a ground speed scale having an origin, a transparent true air speed member bearing a true air speed scale having an origin, and a transparent wind speed and direction member bearing a wind speed scale and a wind direction indicator and having an origin, one of the first and second members bearing above the origin of its scale a compass rose which carries a drift scale which measures the angle between the ground speed scale and the true air speed scale, the three members lying in parallel juxtaposed planes, and only two connections being provided, one of the connections connecting two of the above members together at the origins of their scales by a connection having one rotational degree of freedom, and the other of the connections connecting the remaining member to one of the other two members at the origin of its scale by a connection havin

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring and controlling the relative humidity of exhaust air from an industrial drier in which exhaust air is passed across a dry bulb and a wet bulb thermocouple from which a voltage is derived providing a measure of the relative humidity in the air in the sample. This voltage is used to control the amount of exhaust air from the drier to atmosphere. The wet bulb thermocouple is cyclically dipped in a bowl of water under the control of a timer system of the voltage to control the amount of exhaust air discharged until the wet bulb thermocouple is equilibrated with the exhaust air sampled after dipping.

Abstract: Samples to be analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry, are introduced into an electrothermally heated furnace for sample atomization by means of a filament arranged to be passed longitudinally through the furnace and to be heated by an electrically heated current. A plurality of liquid samples are deposited at regular intervals along the length of the filament which is then heated to simultaneously dry and ash the samples and is thereafter advanced through the furnace sample by sample to enable rapid sequential analysis to be carried out in this furnace. Preferably the filament is provided along its length with means such as short coils of filament material that act to hold the liquid samples.

Abstract: A pilot's kneepad for use as an aid to navigation by pilots and navigators of aircraft and other vessels consisting of a plate which has means for attaching it to the upper surface of the thigh of a seated pilot, the plate having on its upper surface information for use in navigational calculations and having hingedly attached to it along one edge a second plate the underside of which also carries information for use in navigational calculations and which has on its upper side means for attachment of a writing pad. Preferably, along one edge of the plate is provided a slide rule that can be used for making inflight calculations.