Abstract: A closed tube extension or deadleg is included below the vertical tube of a hydrocarbon pyrolysis furnace. The deadleg passively collects spall coke particles to avoid plugging of the tube or its hydrocarbon inlet. Inspection or cleaning devices can be inserted through the deadleg into the tube and blocked tubes can be cleared. Pressurized steam and/or air can be injected through the deadleg to accelerate decoking of individual tubes.

Abstract: A method and composition which permits sterilization of surfaces coupled with biologically active moieties by ionizing radiation is described. The protecting composition contains a surface-stabilizing agent which adheres to the surface and has a molecular weight.gtoreq.5 kd, and an oxygen radical scavenger which is preferably a di- or polysaccharide or reduced form thereof. In the method of the invention, a surface which is coupled to a biologically active agent is protected with the invention composition, dried to a moisture content of less than 1%, and then sterilized by ionizing radiation under standard conditions. The sterilized surfaces of the invention are particularly useful in the production of medical devices intended for extracorporeal use, particularly in cell-separation techniques.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning and testing endoscopes by injecting pressurized air into the sheath and pressurized air and washing liquid into the ducts, and monitoring the same. A washing chamber is provided which contains retractable cages to hold the endoscopes during cleaning and testing. The cages include a coupler for detachably connecting tubes supplying the air and washing liquid to the endoscopes. The cages also have markings for automatically activating the apparatus when a cage containing an endoscope is inserted into the washing chamber.

Abstract: A decontamination system and method for the decontamination of a contaminated gas. The contaminated gas is characterized by a gas phase and at least one contaminant. The contaminated gas is removed from its source and is introduced into a loop through which a bio-agent is circulated. The bio-agent includes a microorganism (e.g. bacterium) effective for the biodegradation of the contaminant. The bio-agent may also include a liquid carrier. The loop may include absorption column, separator and bioreactor positioned in the loop. An oxidation means can be utilized to oxidize metals in the contaminated gas. Alternatively, the bio-agent can be replaced by a liquid which circulates through the bioreactor and which is effective for absorption of the contaminant. In other embodiments, the loop can be replaced by a conduit in a form or arrangement other than a loop.

Abstract: A simple to use, single quantity, syringe sterilization and destruction device is disclosed. A syringe is inserted into the device needle first by the operator. The device grips the syringe and holds it in place. The device heats the steel needle portion of a syringe to sterilize the needle portion. The heat also melts the steel-to-plastic fitting between the steel needle portion and the plastic barrel portion of the syringe. The plastic barrel portion separates from the heated needle portion of the syringe by force of gravity or by a light pulling force exerted by a pulling mechanism. The hole in the fitting is sealed by the molten plastic. Sealing the hole maintains the integrity of the plastic barrel/plunger container and prevents spillage of contaminated waste. The heated needle is bent into a spiral bundle so that no sharp portions protrude from the spiral bundle. The spiral bundle is deposited into a container for recycling or waste disposal.

Abstract: A method for measuring the azimuthal strike orientation of induced fractures in subterranean formations from which the maximum and minimum in situ stress direction can be inferred. The method utilizes an oriented core of a formation and computed tomography imagery for measuring the azimuthal strike orientation of induced fractures.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method for determining certain parameters necessary for fracture treatment design. The method and analysis of the present invention provide for calculation of the product of the fluid-loss coefficient and the fracture half length or the square of fracture radius. The test disclosed in this invention does not generally require the assumption of a fracture geometry and does not require the assumption of a fracture height. The information gained from performing this test may be used to properly design fracture treatments for any given well. In addition, the method of the present invention may be used in conjunction with the methods currently known in the art to provide more information than any of the methods individually.

Abstract: A catalytic reactor is used in the exhaust tract of a high pressure, high flow rate ozone asher to prevent resist deposit fouling of the exhaust tract.

Abstract: Methods of detecting and measuring in-situ elastic anisotropy in a subterranean rock formation penetrated by a well bore are provided. The methods basically include exerting pressure on the formation by way of the well bore, and measuring the incremental diametral displacements of the well bore at a location therein adjacent the formation as the pressure on the formation is increased. The magnitudes of the diametral displacements are compared to detect and measure elastic anisotropy in the formation.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for measuring polarized fluorescence emissions compensates for background emissions without separating a fluorescing material from background material. The method involves measuring the horizontally and vertically polarized components of the fluorescence emission at a primary wavelength and at least one secondary wavelength selected on the basis of the bathochromic shift of the spectrum of the fluorescence emissions from the fluorescing material as compared to the fluorescence emissions from the background. From these measurements, a factor representing the fraction of the total intensity of fluorescence emissions due to background fluorescence is determined. From this factor, the intensities of the vertically and horizontally polarized fluorescence emissions due to background fluorescence are derived and subtracted from the measurements at the primary wavelength to obtain intensities due solely to the material being analyzed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a process for treating medical hazardous wastes to process them into waste similar to domestic refuse which can be removed or disposed of like normal domestic refuse or can be supplied for recycling after sorting. The infectious refuse is passed through a microwave chamber fitted with a plurality of microwave sources disposed next to each other and subjected to a disinfection therein. To achieve a safe and reliable treatment for decontaminating medical hazardous wastes in an economical and environmentally friendly manner, the apparatus has a two-stage construction of microwave chamber and temperature maintenance chamber. The microwave chamber has a dense microwave field distribution for heating the refuse to or above a selectable minimum temperature. Connected to the outlet of the microwave chamber is the temperature maintenance chamber which holds the refuse at at least the minimum temperature during a minimum residence time.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided whereby the heat released from exothermic hydrodemetallization reactions is recovered in order to provide either a lower operating cost of a two-stage hydrotreating process or protection of process equipment against excessive operating temperatures.

Abstract: A self-contained assay device is provided, where an analyte may be detected or be quantitated by measuring the distance of a detectable signal from a predetermined site. The device employs two strips separated by a gap, where a flow path is completed by movement of a sample receiving pad into the gap. The movement of the sample receiving pad also results in release of a reagent solution which is then transported through the pad into the quantitation area where the amount of analyte may be determined. Various chemistries may be employed for providing a detectable signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to clean chlorinated hydrocarbon contaminated soils with a bioremediation system is provided. Treatment beds about one-half acre in size are provided with a gravel base on an impervious film layer. A woven polyethylene membrane is laid on the gravel base with a sand layer in between the membrane and the soil layer to be treated. An aqueous treating liquid containing selective microorganisms is sprinkled on the top surface of the soil layer. Exit gases from the bioreactor are released at zero pressure through perforated pipes laid in the base aggregate layer.

Abstract: A catalytic converter has a metallic monolith that is mounted in a canister by a heat-insulating mat of melt-formed refractory ceramic fibers that have been annealed to provide a Resiliency Value of at least 10 kPa. A mat having such Resiliency Value does not take a compression set that would allow the monolith to become loose. The ceramic fibers preferably are melt-formed from a mixture of about equal parts by weight of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and SiO.sub.2. After being annealed, the ceramic fibers can have a fine-grained crystalline structure, but significant energy savings can be realized by reducing the annealing temperatures and times such that the fibers have an amorphous structure while still attaining excellent Resiliency Values.

Abstract: A fixed bed, dual-zone radial flow catalytic reactor is disclosed. In particular, the catalyst bed configuration includes a first freeboard outwardly radial flow catalyst zone in series with a second inwardly radial flow zone separated by an interconnecting substantially impermeable catalyst chute to accommodate catalyst settling while preventing hot spots and/or fluidization in the freeboard area. A gas distributor divides the freeboard zone into segments including a bypass segment and one or more catalyst segments. The radial flow of gas through each segment is essentially unaffected by the level of catalyst so that the flow pattern is not adversely affected by catalyst setting in the freeboard zone.

Abstract: A reactor vessel for reacting a solid particulate with a liquid reactant has a centrifugal pump in circulatory flow communication with the reactor vessel for providing particulate attrition, resulting in additional fresh surface where the reaction can occur.

Abstract: An attached growth biological reactor for the growth and harvesting of filamentous fungi. The reactor contains a rigid cylinder which is partially submerged and rotated in a biological medium containing nutrients for fungal growth and which as been inoculated with a filamentous fungal medium. The filamentous fungi attaches itself to and grows upon the cylinder wherein it is removed by use of a doctoring blade. The reactor can be operated in a continuous mode by continuously supplying oxygen and nutrients to the reactor.

Abstract: An air sampling and analysis system has a plurality of air sampling tubes extending between an analytical laboratory and a number of remote locations where samples are taken. Means are provided for continually drawing air through the sampling tubes during times when they are not connected to a analytical instrument for measuring concentration of various gases. Means are also provided adjacent to the inlet of at least some of the sampling tubes for converting a vapor which may not travel the full length of the sampling tube, to a gas which will travel the full length of the tube. The concentration of the vapor can be found by measuring the composition of the air sample with conversion and subtracting a similar composition without conversion. Examples of vapors that are converted include hydrogen sulfide and ammonia.

Abstract: The invention relates to a specimen receptable (5) for a swabbing set, having reduced diameter swab compartment (3) at its lower end. When a swab device is inserted into the receptacle (5), and the upper end (6) of the receptacle is closed by a stopper (4) carried by the stick (1) of the swab device, the specimen-containing swab (2) is compressed by, and closely confined in, the compartment (3), to hinder the access of air to the specimen absorbed in the swab and thereby protect the specimen.