Abstract: In the desulfurization of flue gas utilizing limestone as absorbent in a double loop system, in which the flue gas is introduced into a quenching zone for contact with a first slurry of the limestone, and thereafter passes to an absorbing zone for further contact with a second limestone slurry, the two slurries being supplied from a mixing zone into which water and limestone are charged, and in which air is introduced into the quenching zone to convert the calcium sulfite present in it to gypsum, air is also supplied to the mixing zone to convert calcium sulfite in it to gypsum, and limestone is directly added to the quenching zone.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing chemical analysis wherein a cuvette holds a sample under examination and a support carries a dispenser head carrying two one-shot dispensers each in the form of a pressurized container holding a liquid reagent, of which a metered does is delivered into the cuvette through a discharge tube fixed to the dispenser head when the body of the container is displaced relative to said discharge tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for supporting a ceramic honeycomb element which is anisotropic in modulus of elasticity and in strength. The support apparatus comprises a shock absorber which is interposed between a casing and the honeycomb element so that a force of pressure acts on the honeycomb element in high-strength directions of the honeycomb structure thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polymerization reaction apparatus which is composed of a vertical cylindrical vessel, a rotating shaft inside the vessel, a plurality of agitating blades attached to the shaft, and a large number of plate-like heat transfer elements attached to the inner wall of the vessel, disposed radially between the agitating blades, and internally equipped with a passage for a heat transfer fluid, and in which apparatus a polymerizing mass passes through a gap between the rotating shaft, the agitating blades, and a large number of the plate-like heat transfer elements and exchanges heat with a heat transfer fluid circulating inside the plate-like heat transfer elements, effecting uniform removal of the reaction heat or uniform heating of the polymerizing mass and preventing vertical mixing.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the thermal incineration of oxidizable substances in a process gas are proposed, whereby the process gas is conveyed through an afterburning apparatus (10) comprising, inter alia, a combustion chamber (18) chamber and a process gas outlet (24) in order to remove purified exhaust gas from the process gas outlet (24), and to mix said purified gas in which the process gas in order to maintain a constant concentration of the process gas.

Abstract: A chemical oxygen generator has a chemical mixture based on an alkali-metal chlorate (NaClO.sub.3) which constitutes the charge of a cartridge having an ignition device and an oxygen outlet. This oxygen generator is improved so that the charge is insensitive to shock and so that it can be configured in any desired outer form and size and that an advancing reaction zone is assured without a further assisting device. The charge includes a tight bed of chemical pellets which lie one against the other to form the smallest possible contact surfaces.

Abstract: A unitary centrifuge tube and separable sediment dispenser comprises a generally tubular portion with a conical taper connected by a short tube to a sediment receptacle. The receptacle is designed to be easily separated from the centrifuge tube by twisting the receptacle and centrifuge tube with respect to each other. A short segment of the connecting tube which remains attached to the sediment receptacle allows convenient dispensing of the enclosed sediment by squeezing two opposed walls of the container. A second pair of opposed transverse sidewalls is designed to resist flexing during the separation.

Abstract: A system for remediating water contaminated with combustible hydrocarbons, particularly groundwater contaminated with gasoline, operates by separation of hydrocarbons from the water by spray aeration of a heated water stream under vacuum. The air-hydrocarbon vapor mixture produced by spray aeration is combusted in an internal combustion engine which generates heat to heat the inlet water and power to drive the vacuum pump and the water lift pump. The exhaust from the engine can be catalytically reacted before exhaust to the atmosphere. The components of the system can be mounted on a portable support and moved to a site and operated continuously to remediate contaminated soil and water.

Abstract: The invention provides novel chemical compositions for use in primary, optical/capacitance hygrometric devices. It also provides methods for using these compositions as sensors for the precise measurements of the humidity of gases as well as the apparatus. The chemical compositions, which of themselves sense the change in water vapor pressure, are birefringent, translucent, and anisotropic at a first water vapor pressure/temperature, but non-birefringent, optically clear, and isotropic at a second vapor pressure/temperature. Optical changes which accompany these phase changes may be amplified. Some compositions, exhibit abrupt and large increases in their dielectric constant coincident with the optical changes which occur at the phase shift point. Others show a large and precisely linear change in dielectric constant over many decades of relative humidity (RH), but the optical shift occurs at a precise point within the range.

Abstract: A catalytic cracking process is disclosed which comprises catalytically cracking a hydrocarbon charge stock in a catalytic cracking unit possessing at least one reaction zone, stripping zone and catalyst regeneration zone to provide a gasiform product employing as catalyst a mixed catalyst system which comprises, as a first catalyst component, particles of a cracking catalyst which requires relatively frequent regeneration and is relatively hydrothermally stable, and as a second catalyst component, particles of a catalyst which requires less frequent regeneration than the first catalyst component, physical characteristics(s) of particles of first catalyst component differing sufficiently from physical characteristics(s) of particles of second catalyst component as to permit their separation in the stripping zone.

Abstract: According to this invention, a quench assembly having improved mixing efficiency comprises a series of mixing zones: quench fluid inlet zone; quench mixing zone; a jet stirred mixing zone; and a distributor zone. In the quench fluid inlet zone, quench fluid is introduced to fluid from the catalytic bed above. The quench fluid is introduced through holes in a quench pipe, creating jets of quench fluid which entrain and mix the reactant fluid, typically partially reacted, from the bed above. This mixing zone is separated from the quench mixing zone by means of a horizontally disposed plate having a central opening therein. The reaction fluid and quench fluid enter the quench mixing zone through the central opening in the plate separating the two zones and impinge on a bottom quench mixing zone plate, where the gases are turned radially outward and passed over and around a series of mixing baffles.

Abstract: A disposable mixing cell and method for evaluating the thermal hazard due to mixing substances includes a first container adapted for the accommodation of a sample of one substance and a second container in the form of a syringe adapted to accommodate a sample of a second substance. The syringe is operable to discharge the second substance into the substance in the first container and includes a paddle by means of which the two substances may be mixed. The syringe is sealed within the first container, except for the outer end of its operating plunger which is accessible externally of the first container. The mixing cell is placed in a batch type fluid calorimeter which is capable of indicating the thermal reaction resulting from the mixing of the two substances. A gas conduit may be provided to conduct gas evolved from the mixing of the two substances outward of the cell.

Abstract: A biosensor includes an elastic substrate, a sensor tip, and a piezoelectric actuator. The sensor tip is mounted on one end of the substrate. The piezoelectric actuator is provided on the other end of the substrate.

Abstract: A new mechanism for supplying in sequence unused regions of an analytical tape by predetermined length to an analytical section arranged in an apparatus for biochemical analysis of a liquid sample is disclosed. The mechanism comprises a driving means for moving the analytical tape to supply its unused regions to the analytical section; a means for detecting length of the unused regions of the tape supplied to the analytical section comprising a roller which is arranged in contact with a surface of the tape so that it rotates with movement of the tape for the supply of the unused regions to the analytical section and a means for detecting number or angle of the rotation of the roller, and a means for controlling operation of the driving means according to the detected number or angle of the rotation of the roller.

Abstract: In a flow injection analysis apparatus, the flow of reagent to a measuring apparatus is generated by means of a peristaltic pump. A sample liquid which is contained in a loop of tubing is introduced into the flow of reagent by a change-over valve with the loop being connected in a conduit of a carrier liquid. The measuring apparatus measures the reaction between sample liquid and reagent. The peristaltic pumps are driven by stepper motors. The stepper motors are controlled by control electronics such that nonuniformities of the delivery of the peristaltic pumps caused by geometry are compensated by inverse nonuniformities of the angular rates. For that purpose the frequencies of the switching pulses are varied depending on position sensors.

Abstract: There is described a cartridge for receiving test elements sensitive to improper orientation. A key and keyway are provided on the inside surface of a wall of the cartridge and on the test element in an asymmetric disposition, so that test elements can be inserted only with a proper orientation.

Abstract: A metal catalyst carrier body assembly and a method of producing the same includes a metal catalyst carrier body having a given length, two end surfaces and a honeycomb structure formed of textured metal sheets through which gas can flow. A jacket tube surrounds the honeycomb structure and is shorter than the given length. At least a portion of the end surfaces is brazed. The jacket tube has ends each being disposed at a distance from a respective one of the end surfaces being greater than the brazed portion.

Abstract: A modular multi-channel automated medical analyzer device is disclosed, characterized by use of an ion selective electrode and/or enzymatic electrode/wash cell system which permits rapid analysis of various substances of interest contained within undiluted body fluids such as whole blood, serum and/or plasma. The ion selective electrode and/or the enzymatic electrode are disposed upon a probe which automatically axially reciprocates downwardly in a simple manipulative motion between an open-ended reference wash cell and a sample cup bearing the body fluid specimen to be analyzed. The wash cell includes an inlet port and one or more outlet ports through which is circulated an aqueous solution bearing a known concentration of the substance to be measured to provide a reference calibration medium as well as a probe washing medium.

Abstract: The ability to provide a random assortment of chemical analyses is provided by an improved photometric analyzer system. The analyzer has a rotary sample holding means which periodically indexes to place a different cuvette in the optical path of the photometer. An improved cuvette is provided which permits preloading of the samples and reagents without mixing.

Abstract: A converter for treating gases to remove pollutants or particulate matter having layers of normally nesting corrugated thin metal foil, with or without a catalyst supported thereon, and characterized by spaced strands of wire or nonvitreous inorganic ceramic thread interposed between the layers to maintain them in spaced relation for the passage of gas, e.g., exhaust gas from an engine or plant, therethrough. The principal advantages are the relatively high particulate trap efficiency, the relatively low back pressure, and the low cost of manufacture.