Abstract: A body waste fluid solidification device, comprising a substantially rigid, self standing medical collection vessel, having a rim, for collecting body waste fluids in the medical collection vessel. The lid closes off the rim of the medical collection vessel for sealing same from ambient condition. The device also includes a container of hollowed cylindrical shape having a chamber substantially filled with a hydrophilic xerogel composition with a chamber separating means for separating at least one disinfectant from the hydrophilic xerogel composition. The container is mounted in an opening on the lid, which has a plunger release activated by pressure and dispensing the disinfectant and subsequently the hydrophilic xerogel composition from the container into the medical collection vessel.

Abstract: A planter container for growing a house plant in soil or a growth medium which contains multiple vent pipes extending vertically from the bottom to the top of the container. Air convection occasioned by the natural water transpiration processes of the growing plant is sufficient to cause polluted air flow through the vent pipes, and the vent pipes then enhance air flow throughout the root growth medium, exposing the air to large surface areas of plant root and biologically active growth medium for enhanced microorganism removal of volatile organic chemicals.

Abstract: Slurry bubble columns equipped with downcomers which have high efficiency gas disengagement means fitted on top of the slurry liquid reaction mixture comprising an inverted channel having a gas vent extending out of the apex of the inverted channel and a liquid by-pass pipe extending from the side of the inverted channel at a point below the apex to under the liquid level and emptying into the downcomer. The inverted channel is fitted to the top of said downcomer and the bottom edge of which inverted channel is in contact with the surface of the slurry mixture in the slurry bubble column reaction zone. Improved catalyst distribution and circulation, mass and heat transfer results from catalyst in gas-lean slurry flowing through the liquid by-pass tubes in the inverted channel and flowing into and down the downcomer to the bottom of the bubble column reactor.

Abstract: Beads for use in beds in electrostatic separators for the separation of suspended particles from hydrocarbon oils. Electrostatic separators employing a bed of these beads have the capacity to remove as much as 99 weight percent of contaminating particles, such as catalyst fines, from various oil fractions to levels of less than 100 parts per million and even less than 5 ppm. A method and apparatus for purifying various FCC oils using these beads is also provided.

Abstract: An improved automated pipetting system for programmingly pipetting predetermined quantities of liquid between preselected groups of test tubes, vials or wells arranged on a horizontal table. A substantially rigid overhead frame mounted over the table on which the test tube arrays or the like are arranged. A pair of parallel X-axis guide shafts mounted in the rigid frame. A pair of helical screws rotatably mounted in the frame parallel to the pair of X-axis guide shafts. Each helical screw is driven by a stepper motor coaxially connected thereto. A pair of X-axis roller sections are movably mounted on the pair of X-axis guide shafts and support a Z-axis probe mechanism via a pair of Y-axis guide shafts and a parallel Y-axis helical screw. A stepper motor is drivingly and coaxially connected to the Y-axis screw for moving the Z-axis probe mechanism along the Y-axis guide shafts. The Z-axis probe mechanism is movably mounted on the pair of Y-axis guide shafts.

Abstract: On-stream catalyst replacement apparatus for countercurrent upstream flow of a gas and hydrocarbon liquid through a downward moving catalyst bed in a reactor vessel. A mixed feed stream of gas and liquid hydrocarbon components enters a reservoir formed between the lower end of the reactor and a conical screen supporting the lower end of a catalyst bed. A wall across the vessel divides the reservoir into a lower surge chamber for receiving the mixed feed and an upper plenum chamber for separating the components into alternate feed rings of gas and hydrocarbon liquid under the conical screen. The mixed feed enters the plenum chamber through a plurality of tubes extending downwardly from the wall to the same depth in the surge chamber that prevents establishing preferential paths for gas to independently enter the plenum chamber.

Abstract: In a steam generator for recovering heat in a hot fluidized bed of solid particles, wherein generally horizontally oriented coils of the steam generator make a 180.degree. U-bend, the U-bend portion of the coils are protected from overheating by installing an open top insulating box around the U-bend portion of the coil. In use solid particles from the circulating fluidized bed accumulate in the insulating box thus providing a non-moving layer of solid particles surrounding the U-bend which thermally insulates the U-bend portion of the coil from the higher temperature encountered in the moving fluidized bed.

Abstract: A catalyst carrier body has a honeycomb element with walls defining a multiplicity of channels through which a gas can flow. The honeycomb element has a catalytically active surface layer. The active surface layer is electrically heated for improving cold-starting properties and/or to raise the operating temperature in the catalytic converter.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with upgrading the BTU values of carbonaceous materials. The carbonaceous material is introduced into a heat exchanger and is injected with gas such as an inert gas or carbon dioxide at a high pressure to raise the pressure at which the upgrading process is carried out. The carbonaceous material is then heated to the desired temperature by circulating a heat exchange medium throughout at least one vessel which is in contact with the carbonaceous material. Water and other by-products such as tar and gases are recovered during this process. The heated water may be used as a source of pre-heating feed material in another vessel.

Abstract: In a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process riser reactor effluent is rapidly separated into spent catalyst and hydrocarbon product. The separated hydrocarbon product is immediately quenched to an unreactive temperature in the absence of quenching spent catalyst. An increase in debutanized naphtha yield is achieved. By avoiding catalyst quenching, heat duty is saved in the catalyst regenerator.

Abstract: A method of irradiating a biological specimen with ultraviolet, in particular a polynucleotide specimen selected from DNA or RNA, or optionally a protein. In the case where the specimen is DNA or RNA, or potentially proteins, the specimen is irradiated to cross-link the specimen to a substrate. In the case where the specimen is DNA, the specimen can also be irradiated to form thymine dimers. The method uses an apparatus which permits relatively precise control of the total ultraviolet dose received by the specimen, despite any changes of ultraviolet flux from the lamps which may occur from during any one experiment, or between a number of experiments. Thus, the method allows relatively highly reproducible results to be obtained.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are prepared from a feed gas of hydrogen and carbon monoxide by feeding the feed gas into a reaction zone at an elevated temperature and pressure and allowing the hydrogen and carbon monoxide to react in the presence of a catalyst retained in the reaction zone to yield hydrocarbons. A reservoir of a hydrogen-rich gas is maintained at a pressure above the pressure of the feed gas, the reservoir and the reaction zone being connected in such a way that a continuous flow of hydrogen-rich gas is maintained from the reservoir into the reaction zone. A reactor in use in the preparation is shutdown by interrupting the feeding of the feed gas, thereby allowing hydrogen-rich gas to flow from the reservoir at increased rate and quench the reactions occurring in the reaction zone.

Abstract: A medical waste fluid kit for preparing for disposal waste fluid collected from a patient comprising a substantially rigid, fixed shaped vessel having and being closed by a rigid cap having waste fluid inlet for introducing a waste fluid into said vessel and an outlet extending from and through the rigid cap; a composition comprising at least one hydrophilic xerogel in the form of a powder which includes at least one water-insoluble hydrophilic polymer for immobilizing the waste fluid; a container, having a surface area containing the hydrophilic xerogel for placement in the vessel for disposal of the waste fluid collected therein, and the surface area of the container comprising a material which breaks up when brought into contact with the waste fluid for releasing the hydrophilic xerogel into the vessel for admixing with the waste fluid, thereby immobilizing and solidifying same within the vessel and minimizing the hazards of handling the waste fluid which may be infectious.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for containing particulate material e.g.: spent catalyst when evacuating an industrial reactor vessel used in hydrocarbon processing. A containment bag (3) is provided one end of which is located adjacent the wall of the reactor housing (1) about an outlet (2) thereof. The bag (3) has a panel defining side walls (4, 5), and a top wall (6) and an end panel (7) and assumes a generally cuboid shape when inflated in use. A barrier wall (22) may be constructed in the vicinity of the outlet (2) to provide additional containment. In one embodiment, a vent outlet G is defined in the region adjacent the vessel outlet to permit venting of steam and air whilst discharged particulate material is contained within the bag.

Abstract: A refractory body assembly includes a refractory container, a refractory body having multiple gas passageways and positioned within the container, and a barrier layer in the intermediate space. The barrier layer is a rigid foam which, in a basic form, may be composed essentially of a crystalline aluminum phosphate, and may be produced by heating a mixture of a source of phosphorous, an organic liquid buffer and a source of aluminum. The assembly may further include a positioning ring for positioning and maintaining the refractory body in a central position until the barrier layer becomes rigid.

Abstract: Apparatus for regenerating spent hydrocarbon conversion catalyst. Catalyst particles in a vertically-elongated movable tapered bed are contacted with a hot oxygen-containing gas stream in order to remove, by means of combustion, coke which accumulated on the catalyst particles while they were used in a hydrocarbon conversion zone. Catalyst moves downward under the influence of gravity. The catalyst bed is tapered such that the thickness of the bed, in a dimension which is transverse to the direction of catalyst movement, varies from a minimum at the top of the tapered bed to a maximum at the bottom of the tapered bed. Gas passes through the tapered bed in a direction which is substantially transverse to the direction of catalyst movement. Substantially, all of the catalyst in the bed is in contact with the flowing gas.

Abstract: An improved sulfider is provided for receiving high temperature catalysts from the hydrocarbon cracking operation and subjecting the catalyst to a sulfur-containing gas. The sulfider unit includes a plurality of gas injector tubes each individually removable from the sulfider while gas is continually injected into the sulfider treatment chamber through other of the injection tubes. Each injector tube may extend through a lowermost end of the sulfider, and has a central tube axis arranged substantially vertically when the tube is mounted to the sulfider housing. Fluid output ports are provided in sidewalls of an upper portion of the tube, and the tubes may be continually operated for extended periods of time without significant plugging problems. A service valve and packing unit associated with each injector tube enable partial removal of the tube from the treatment chamber without leakage of hydrogen sulfide gas, followed by closing of the valve and complete removal of the tube and packing unit.

Abstract: An indoor air purifier has a base and a container on the base with a layer of soil supported above a lower water bath occupying the bottom of the container. The container is fitted on top of the base such that the container can freely rotate upon the base. Room air is drawn into the base and is passed from the base into the bottom of the container through a duct connected between the two. Air passing from the base is directed downwardly into the water bath before passing upwardly into the soil layer. The air passes through the soil layer and is discharged from the soil's surface back into the room. Contaminant gases and particulates are removed from the air through contact with the soil layer and are metabolized by microorganisms contained within the soil, producing carbon dioxide and water. The water bath humidifies the air being passed through it and maintains a stable degree of moisture in the lower portion of the soil layer.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved apparatus for stripping hydrocarbons from spent catalyst which offers ready access to stripper baffles for inspection and maintenance. The inner baffles move upwardly or downwardly on a conduit that slides over the central riser.

Abstract: Apparatus for withdrawing particulate spent catalyst particles from a packed, non-fluidized bed of such particles in contact with a liquid medium within a vessel wherein the apparatus is a withdrawal conduit or pipe which has an inlet that opens within the bottom of the bed and faces generally downwardly so that a first section extends upwardly from the inlet, and a second section extends downwardly, and the spent catalyst particles exits the packed bed through a uniform and continuous flow path opening into a solids recovery vessel whose pressure is controlled to regulate flow of such spent catalyst from the reaction vessel independent of the rate of flow through the withdrawal conduit.