Abstract: The invention relates to a pipette in which a piston is reciprocated in a cylinder by means of an electric motor. The pipette is preferably provided with a volume adjustment nut comprising locking mechanism to prevent accidental volume adjustment. According to another preferable embodiment the pipette is provided with contact switches for automatically stopping the motor. According to a third preferable embodiment the pipette comprises a cylinder assembly comprising a mechanism for ejecting a tip reservoir of the cylinder.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus comprising (FIG. 3):a substantially vertical reactor (1),means (2) for introducing solid particles into the upper part of the reactor,means (4) for withdrawing solid particles from the lower part of the reactor,at least one funnel defining a flared zone (25), whose apex is turned downwardly, andmeans (7 and 8) for introducing a fluid charge, formed of a liquid and a gas, into the lower part of the reactor under the funnel (25).The apparatus is characterized by the presence of a charge injection device, comprising:at least one substantially vertical leg or pipe (24) passing through the funnel, anda cap (26) covering the upper end of pipe (24), the lower part (or fringe) of the cap comprising several indentations or a series of indentations arranged over the major part of its perimeter.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the catalytic treatment of hydrocarbon oils comprising the use of by-pass means allowing the transport of oil inside the reactor from above the uppermost catalyst bed to outlet means without contacting catalytic material during transport.

Abstract: A recirculating high velocity hot air sterilization device includes a housing having a chamber therein. A corrugated, perforated jet curtain plate is disposed within the chamber and partially defines an air supply plenum positioned outwardly of the chamber, the plenum having an electric heating element operatively positioned therein. Spaced apart from the jet curtain plate within the chamber is a nonperforated deflector plate which extends parallel to the jet curtain plate and may be of a flat or corrugated configuration. A blower is connected to the housing and creates therein a recirculating flow of heated air which sequentially flows into the air supply plenum across the heating element, outwardly in a forward direction through the perforations in the jet curtain plate and into the housing chamber, back into the blower, and then into the air supply plenum.

Abstract: An FCC or fluidized catalytic cracking process and apparatus for converting heavy metals laden crudes is disclosed. The heavy feed, conventional catalyst and an additive or vanadium getter contact the feed in a riser reactor. The additive is segregated from conventional FCC catalyst upstream of the conventional FCC regenerator. An elutriating, upflow riser reactor may be used with a coarse, rapidly settling getter. A fine, slowly settling getter may be used, with getter segregation achieved by using an elutriating cyclone on the riser outlet, an elutriating catalyst stripper, a sieve, or the like. The spent getter may be used once through, regenerated in a separate getter regenerator, or used as a source of fuel. Alumina and sponge coke are preferred getters.

Abstract: An inside lining for the reaction chamber of an electric low shaft furnace, particularly for producing high-purity silicon from silicon oxide by carbothermic reduction, is provided which has a melting crucible of dense graphite and a thermal insulation, whereby at least the floor of the reaction chamber has an inside lining of high-purity carbon. The inside lining is constructed from graphite, graphite grits or lampblack. The inside lining provides good thermal insulation and does not further contaminate the molten metal due to furnace materials. The inside lining prevents a loss of material in that seepage of molten metal into the insulation is prevented by a rapid dropoff of the temperature in the insulation below the melting point of the metal.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for burning sulfur to sulfur dioxide and generating sulfurous acid comprising a primary sulfur-burning chamber, a sulfur feed tank closely coupled to the primary chamber, a secondary sulfur burning chamber, and an absorption tower, Air is drawn into the primary chamber under turbulent, high velocity negative pressure conditions. Gas passes through the secondary chamber under turbulent negative pressure flow conditions. The apparatus is capable of converting sulfur to sulfur dioxide at a rate in excess of 25 pounds of sulfur per hour per square foot of surface area of the molten pool of sulfur in the primary chamber.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for forming hydrophilic polymeric solutions wherein a vessel is provided with a mixing assembly comprised of co-axially and vertically-disposed inner and outer cylindrically-shaped wall members mounted to a bottom wall member wherein the inner wall member defines a mixing chamber and is provided with orifices about a lower portion thereof to provide fluid communication to a solution chamber defined between the wall members and wherein an upper portion of the outer wall member defines a weir to the vessel and wherein an agitator is positioned within the mixing chamber to admixed feed hydrophilic polymer and solvent in a vortex of polymeric solution contained in the mixing chamber and to cause the polymeric solution to overflow the weir into the vessel.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively and precisely placing a chemical analysis probe (such as a fiber optic probe): (1) in a liquid sample contained in an open-mouthed sample vessel positioned on a sample support, or (2) in a wash collection chamber. Any residual sample remaining on the probe can be washed from it with a stream of volatile wash liquid when the probe is in the wash collection chamber and jets of gas can be directed onto the washed probe to speed the evaporation of any residual wash liquid from the probe. A latch can be used to hold the probe in the wash collection chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and apparatus for fluid catalytic cracking (FCC). Output of an FCC riser feeds a riser cyclone. A downstream end of the riser and the riser cyclone are located within a reactor vessel (disengaging vessel) having sidewalls. Cracked hydrocarbons in the output pass from the riser into a riser cyclone and discharge from the reactor vessel without being added to a reactor vessel atmosphere. A stripper cap divides the reactor vessel atmosphere into upper and lower portions. The stripper cap and a lower portion of the reactor vessel sidewalls define a stripping zone. A riser cyclone dipleg extends through an opening in the stripper cap into the stripping zone. A chimney vent conduit is provided for conducting stripped hydrocarbons out of the stripping zone without being added to the atmosphere of the reactor vessel above the stripper cap.

Abstract: Corrosion of metals such as silver and copper by sulfur and chlorine containing entities are substantially prevented by surrounding these materials with a suitable polymeric structure. The structure should be a polymer containing a material such as copper or aluminum that reacts readily with corrosive gases. In one advantageous embodiment a polymer bag containing approximately 35 weight percent of dispersed, powdered copper is employed to enclose a metal containing structure such as a printed circuit board. Use of this expedient substantially reduces corrosion of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sterilizing articles includes a sealed first enclosure made at least partially of a gas-permeable plastic film and a sealed container releasably containing a gaseous sterilant under pressure, the container being enclosed within the first enclosure. An openable second enclosure made at least partially of a gas-permeable plastic film is also provided and the first enclosure and the articles to be sterilized are disposed in the second enclosure. The sterilant which is characterized by toxicity and flammability when released from its container diffuses from the first enclosure into the second enclosure at a rate capable of establishing sterilization conditions in the second enclosure during a sterilization cycle to thereby effect sterilization of the articles in the second enclosure. A third enclosure is also provided in which the second enclosure containing the articles to be sterilized is disposed.

Abstract: A continuous reactor system useful for treating petroleum oil in a multi-phase fixed bed catalytic reactor comprising a system for:feeding the oil and a reactant gas at production flow rates above a first bed of porous solid catalyst particles under conversion conditions for cocurrent downward flow therethrough, collecting and withdrawing the treated oil from the first bed and redistributing at least a portion of the treated oil to at least one succeeding catalyst bed while permitting the gaseous phase to flow directly to the succeeding lower catalyst bed, recycling a quantity of treated oil collected below a catalyst bed and reapplying the treated oil at a preceding redistribution zone above the bed from which treated oil is collected, whereby the total of oil production flow rate and recycled treated oil flow rate is maintained at a predetermined minimum sufficient to effect uniform catalyst wetting. This technique is useful for hydrodewaxing of oils over zeolite catalysts.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved apparatus for stripping hydrocarbons from spent catalyst which has been used in effecting hydrocarbon conversion reactions prior to the regeneration of this catalyst by combustion of carbon deposits upon the catalyst. The invention is described in terms of its use in FCC processes, since such processes are the most common application of the invention. In order to better distribute stripping gas, which is normally steam, so that the gas contacts and passes through substantially all of the catalyst, distribution ports are added to the skirts of the stripper baffles which direct catalyst flow in a generally side-to-side manner as it moves downward through a stripping vessel. The ports are sized to vary penetration of the stripping gas into the stream catalyst that moves past the grids. Use of these ports increases the amount of hydrocarbons removed from the spent catalyst and/or decreases stripping gas requirements.

Abstract: A succession of low profile catalyst chambers each housing a reservoir of catalyst are alternately connected in sequence by openings below the levels of the catalyst reservoirs and openings thereabove. The catalyst in all reservoirs is fluidized by a gas moving upwardly therethrough. Separate portions of the sequence of chambers are operated as reactor and regenerator sections according to the gas used to fluidize the catalyst in those sections. Other portions of the sequence of chambers are used to create inert atmospheric seals between the reactor and regenerator sections. The entire apparatus is configured as a low-profile catalytic cracker wherein the fluidized flow of the catalyst moves throughout the apparatus in an alternating lifting and dropping sequence.

Abstract: An automatically controlled recirculating high velocity hot air sterilization device includes a housing having a sterilization chamber with a temperature sensor mounted therein, a hot air plenum including a blower in fluid communication with a heating element and sterilization chamber for inputting hor air into and receiving hot air from the sterilization chamber for recirculation, and a control chamber having a temperature sensing circuit connected to the temperature circuit for producing electrical inputs representative of the sterilization chamber temperature, power circuits connected to the heating element and blower, a controller connected to the temperature sensing circuit for monitoring the temperature, and to the heating element and blower circuits for controlling their operation, and a control panel including cycle selection switches for operation, an on/off switch, and temperature and timer/error displays.

Abstract: A method for analyzing marker dye present in the parts per million range in gasoline is provided using a solid-phase extraction technique with formation of the colored complex in the extraction column as well as a method for detecting the adulteration of gasoline containing the marker.

Abstract: A floating recycle pan is provided to control the flow of the feed into and out of the downcomer even while the oil liquid level in the ebullated bed reactor is varied to provide continuous ebullation and enhance the efficiency and yield of the process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flow-through system for use with at least one sealable pressure or nonpressure container. The system can be used to selectively sterilize, humidify and aerate the container and can be integrally or releasably attached to the container. The system includes at least one liquid reservoir for holding a sterilant, such as an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide. A second liquid reservoir for holding water for humidification may be provided. The system also includes a unit which houses a heater for vaporizing incoming liquid and optionally heating incoming air and a converter for converting selected vapors to a form suitable for disposal. A vacuum motor draws air from the container to reduce pressure therein so that air from an air supply is drawn through an air filter into the heater and into the container. A substantial portion of the withdrawn air from the container is diverted to the converter.

Abstract: An improved fluidized bed reactor and a method for its use characterized by a variable thickness inert liner surrounding the fluidized bed reaction zone. Such liner generates heat that is transferred to the reaction zone. The heat is generated in the inert liner by passing an electrical current through the inert liner. The inert liner is thicker at the top than at the bottom and therefore more heat is generated at the bottom of the reaction zone than the top of the reaction zone due to the increased resistance of the thinner portions of the inert liner.