Abstract: In a catalytic converter, a sheet metal housing has a pair of shell members enclosing a pair of sheet metal catalyst pellet beds each having an inner bed member and an outer bed member with the inner bed members also forming a plenum between the beds. At least one of the inner bed members has the area containing its perforations displaced away from that of the other inner bed member to form the plenum therebetween. A tube receiving cavity is further formed between the inner bed members that is open on opposite sides to the plenum. An air tube extends through an opening between the flanges on the outer bed member and an opening between mating peripheral flanges on the inner bed members and the housing shell members and is received in the tube receiving cavity between the inner bed members. The air tube has a closed end in the plenum and has holes spaced along the length thereof which open to the plenum to deliver air thereto.

Abstract: In Czochralski crystal growing operations, particularly those involving growth of silicon crystals, projecting formations of silicon monoxide, which sometimes form on the surface of the melt-containing crucible just above the surface of the melt, are avoided by perturbing the formation conditions at the region of probable formation. Such perturbations may include increasing the temperature of the crucible at the region of probable formation. The increase in temperature may be provided by including an aperture in the housing which surrounds and supports the crucible to enable locally greater radiative heating of the crucible in the region of probable formation. Other expedients for locally increasing the temperature of the crucible include, without limitation, selective frosting and other techniques for locally changing the emissivity characteristics of the crucible and/or the surrounding material.

Abstract: In a catalytic converter, a short closed-end air tube which extends across the path of the exhaust gases ahead of an oxidizing catalyst is provided with three linear circumferentially-spaced rows of holes with the holes in one of the rows facing upstream into the exhaust gases while the holes in the other two rows face in opposite directions transverse to the exhaust gas flow. The holes in each of the rows are equally spaced along the length of the tube and decrease in size toward the closed end so as to deliver substantially equal amounts of air. In addition, the holes in the three rows are sized in relation to each other so that the two rows of transversely directed holes deliver substantially equal and cooperatively greater amounts of air than the row of holes facing into the exhaust gases.

Abstract: Apparatus for sterilizing laboratory and hospital glassware, liquids, instruments, garments and the like comprising a sterilizer enclosure having a steam jacket surrounding the same, a source of steam and means, connected in parallel, to supply steam to said jacket at one of two predetermined pressures, means for interconnecting said jacket and said interior of said sterilizer, and means responsive to a predetermined temperature setting for the interior of the sterilizer to selectively initiate and discontinue the supply of steam to said jacket in response to the temperature in said sterilizer.

Abstract: This invention is a method for inhibiting corrosion in aqueous systems containing components composed of aluminum, copper, iron, or alloys thereof. The method comprises (a) incorporating in the aqueous medium 2-10 ppm by weight of tolyltriazole; an effective amount of a biodegradable organic biocide; 500-1000 ppm by weight of sodium metasilicate; 500-2000 ppm by weight of sodium nitrite; and 500-2000 ppm by weight of sodium tetraborate, all of these concentrations being based on the weight of water in the system; and (b) maintaining the pH of the resulting system in the range of 7.5 to 8.0. The method permits longterm operation with very low corrosion rates and bacteria counts. All of the additives to the system are biodegradable, permitting the treated aqueous medium to be discharged to the environment without violating current regulations. The method has special application to solar systems in which an aqueous medium is circulated through aluminum-alloy heat exchangers.

Abstract: In a catalytic converter, a sheet metal housing encloses a pair of sheet metal catalyst pellet beds and a stud extends through aligned openings in the members of the housing and both inner and outer member of each bed to reinforce these members and also maintain a certain spacing between the members of each bed. The inner bed members are self-piloted and fixed together in alignment at their respective stud openings prior to their assembly in the converter. An enlarged diameter portion is provided on the stud to maintain predetermined spacing between the inner and outer members of one of the beds and a spacer is added which cooperates with the enlarged diameter stud portion to hold the inner bed members in position while also maintaining a predetermined spacing between the members of the other bed. Then on external clamping of the housing members to the outer bed members at the stud, such clamping and spacing is permanently retained by welding the housing members to the ends of the stud.

Abstract: In a catalytic converter, a sheet metal housing encloses a pair of sheet metal catalyst pellet beds each having an inner bed member and an outer bed member with the inner bed members having mating peripheral flanges and also forming a plenum between the beds. A shoulder is formed integral with and extends across each of the outer bed members and is engaged on its inner bed side by the flange on one of the inner bed members while the remaining portions of the mating flanges are received between flanges on the outer bed members. The inner bed members thus cooperate with the respective outer bed members to completely separate the pellets in the beds while relative expansion with heat is permitted between the inner bed members and the outer bed members and also between the inner bed members and the housing members.

Abstract: Low strain heteroepitaxy of (111) silicon on (111) lithium aluminum between the reconstructed 7.times.7 surface of (111) silicon and a 6.times.6 array of aluminum atoms on the surface of the (111) lithium aluminum. The 7.times.7 reconstructed (111) silicon surface contains 36 silicon atoms and 13 vacancies for every 49 surface sites. The 36 silicon atoms on an area averaged basis match the 36 aluminum atoms in the 6.times.6 aluminum diamond structure (zero vacancies) present at the (111) surface of lithium aluminum to within about 1%.

Abstract: In an installation for the catalytic decontamination of exhaust gases of internal combustion engines, especially of motor vehicle internal combustion engines, in which a preferably cylindrical catalyst-monolith is supported in a corresponding housing under interposition of radially elastic elements, the housing is thereby detachably connected at least at one open side with an adjoining pipe or structural part and each monolith is inserted from that side into the housing by means of a separate insert housing and is then axially fixed by the detachable pipe or structural part.

Abstract: A distributor device for effecting the uniform distribution of a mixed-phase vapor/liquid reactant stream across the upper surface of a fixed-bed of catalyst particles. Mixed-phase reactants or components are first separated into a principally vapor-phase and a principally liquid-phase. These separated phases are then re-mixed in a manner which creates a vapor/liquid froth; the latter being re-distributed to the upper surface of the bed of catalyst particles. Briefly, the distributor comprises three chordal-form, catalyst-free volumes which are defined by the interior surface of the chamber and three pairs of spaced-apart, parallel chordal baffles.

Abstract: A coking plant in which steam is injected into the ascension pipe of each coking chamber during charging of coal into the chamber and during an initial portion of the coking time, in order to maintain a slightly sub-atmospheric pressure in the chamber. Timing means which stops the injection of steam at the end of a suitable period of time after charging is actuated to start timing this period by a command signal sent from the coke pusher machine, which also levels the coal after charging, via induction coils provided for ascertaining the correct alignment of the coke pusher machine and the coke chambers.

Abstract: A process for the production of granular sulfur in a rotating drum in which molten sulfur at a temperature within the range of about 110.degree. to 160.degree. C. is sprayed in a contact zone onto a bed of moving sulfur particles and a continuous curtain of said particles and resulting particles are passed to a cooling zone prior to discharge. A countercurrent flow of substantially inert cooling gas at a temperature in the range of about 10.degree. to 50.degree. C. and containing not more than 8% by volume oxygen is introduced to the cooling zone and a portion or all of said cooling gas is passed through the contact zone. The contact and cooling zones can be formed in a single rotating drum and separated from each other by a retaining ring or formed in separate vessels.Discharge particles from the cooling zone are separated according to size and undersized particles are recycled as fines to the contact zone at a ratio of 4:1 to 2:1 of fines to product granules.

Abstract: A batch process for the sterilization of particulate solid materials, in which a batch of particulate solid material to be sterilized is introduced into a rotary vessel shaped so that rotation of the vessel imparts a tumbling action to the solid material; the solid material is heated in the vessel while rotating the same to subject the material to a tumbling action; a lubricant liquid is injected under pressure into the vessel at a temperature in excess of the temperature of the solids; the lubricant liquid and solid material are held at a sterilization temperature while maintaining the tumbling action; and the sterilized solid material is withdrawn from the vessel under aseptic conditions.

Abstract: A relatively large volume horizontal liquid separation chamber is provided as an intermediate part of the downcomers used to transfer the denser liquid phase between contiguous trays of a countercurrent liquid-liquid extraction column. The downcomers also include two smaller vertical conduits which carry the liquid into and out of the opposing ends of the chamber. The downward flowing denser liquid phase is thereby subjected to a separation step within the downcomers to produce a stream of the less dense liquid released above the upper tray.

Abstract: A arrangement for the sterilization of a web of packing material is provided which includes a container having an outer wall including an opening. A bath of sterilizing liquid is disposed within the container, with said liquid being conveyed onto the web by a rotary brush as the web is conveyed across the opening. Means to collect sterilizing liquid within the container after having contacted the web may also be provided.

Abstract: Urine drainage bags connected to indwelling catheters are maintained in bacterially sterile condition by periodic addition of small quantities of 3% U.S.P. hydrogen peroxide solution. The method protects both the bladder and the hospital environment from bacterial contamination.

Abstract: Apparatus and continuous process for converting hydrocarbons in the presence of a granular catalyst including a metal from group VI a, VII a or VIII, deposited on a carrier, comprising passing a charge of hydrocarbons with hydrogen through a series of at least two vertical catalytic zones in which the catalyst bed moves progressively downwardly, withdrawing progressively the catalyst from the bottom of the last catalytic zone, and reintroducing the same, after regeneration, at the top of the first catalytic zone.

Abstract: Apparatus for the production and catalytic oxidation of gaseous hydrocarbon/air mixtures to form dicarboxylic acid anhydride. Hydrocarbon/air mixtures are formed in an evaporator and introduced into a shell-and-tube catalytic reactor fitted with a concave reactor hood to more effectively and safely distribute the gaseous mixture to and through the catalyst-filled tubes of the reactor.

Abstract: Described is a mixing apparatus and its use in the hydration of liquid polymers. The apparatus includes two packed mixing columns, each having two reducing couplings attached thereto to form an inlet and an outlet to each column. The outlet of the first mixing column is connected to the inlet of the second mixing column via means of a reducing passageway. The apparatus also has sources of supply for liquid polymer and water connected to the inlet of the first mixing column through metering means and injection check means. The apparatus provides controlled mixing velocity during the hydration with non-shearing agitation and without a chemical buildup.

Abstract: Bodies are press-molded from a mixture of particulate fuel and a binder. These bodies are heated to a temperature between about 600.degree.-900.degree. C. in a rotary furnace to degas them. The degassing is carried out without subjecting the bodies to mechanical stresses and without permitting combustion of the expelled volatile gases. The resulting shaped coke has a greatly improved abrasion resistance.