Abstract: A filter device and method of filtering components from a surgery plume. The filter device is comprised of a plurality of elements which react with one or more components of a surgery plume, such as that generated during electrocautery or laser surgery. The filter device, particularly in conjunction with a separate particle filter, removes cyanide, formaldehyde, benzene, and particulates, as well as odor-causing species and moisture from the surgery plume.

Abstract: The method includes the steps of: preheating a selected volume of product to a temperature proximate to the maximum temperature of the treatment; irradiating the product with an alternating electromagnetic field in order to heat the product to approximately 50.degree. C.; maintaining the product at a substantially constant temperature for a set time; cooling the product to a temperature close to the packaging temperature. An apparatus for performing the above method includes a pair of facing emitting surfaces connected to the terminals of an oscillator operating below 1 GHz and set to heat the product to a maximum temperature of approximately 50.degree. C. The apparatus also includes a thermally insulated region to maintain the product at the maximum temperature of the treatment for a selected time adapted to ensure the complete destruction of the bacterial and sporal loads.

Abstract: A two-stage process for producing acetylene and calcium chloride from calcium carbide and water has two successive reaction steps. In step Number 1, calcium carbide is charged into an entrained flow-type reactor vessel containing water. The reaction which follows proceeds to about 60-90% completion. The entrained reaction products and the unreacted feed material are carried over to a secondary reactor to complete the reaction, and the acetylene gas is drawn off. Calcium hydroxide product is removed from the reactor and reacted with hydrogen chloride to form calcium chloride. Heat generated by the exothermic reactions of water with calcium carbide and HCl with calcium hydroxide is used to dry the calcium chloride product and improve its value. In the presence of excess water, the calcium carbide-water reaction is effectively a first order, irreversible reaction.

Abstract: Convection towers which are capable of cleaning the pollution from large quantities of air and of generating electricity utilize the evaporation of water sprayed into the towers to create strong airflows and to remove pollution from the air. Turbines in tunnels at the skirt section of the towers generate electricity. Other embodiments may also provide fresh water, and operate in an updraft mode.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting the presence of contaminants in supercritical fluid. The system is based upon the use of an absorbent module comprising an absorbent which selectively absorbs the contaminant being measured and wherein the electrical properties (i.e. conductance and/or capacitance) of the absorbent varies depending upon the amount of contaminant absorbed. A sample stream of the supercritical fluid is contacted with the absorbent material. By measuring the electrical properties of the absorbent, contaminant levels are measured and monitored.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for recovering a sterilizing gas, in particular ethylene oxide (ETO), materials to be sterilized are sterilized in a sterilizing chamber with a sterilizing gas and a gas flow is withdrawn from the sterilizing chamber. At least part of the sterilizing gas contained in said gas flow is liquefied and separated. The gas flow freed from liquefied sterilizing gas is returned to the sterilizing chamber whilst at the same time at least a part of the separated sterilizing gas is replaced by addition of inert-rendering gas, reducing the concentration of the sterilizing gas in the sterilizing chamber.

Abstract: A system for testing a fiber-optic component with infrared radiation is provided. The testing system has a source of infrared radiation, an optic coupler, a detecting circuit, and an analog tape recorder. The optic coupler directs the infrared radiation onto the fiber-optic component. The detection circuit is electrically connected to the tape recorder. The detection circuit has an amplifier, a potentiometer connected in parallel to the amplifier, and a photoelectric transducer connected in series to the amplifier. These components are mounted on a non-conductive board. A power source supplies voltage and is connected to the amplifier. The circuit operates by having the photoelectric transducer sense the infrared radiation emitted from the tested fiber-optic component and convert the radiation into an electrical signal. The amplifier then amplifies the electrical signal to the voltage necessary for driving the tape recorder.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for providing an embedded tissue specimen subsequent to fluid treatment of the specimen and preparatory to histological examination. The system includes the combination of a cassette for use in the preparation of tissue specimens for histological examination and an embedding mold having a first cavity for receiving the treated specimen and a second cavity for receiving the cassette in an interlocked position overlying the first cavity.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the manufacture of activated carbon wherein a carbonaceous raw material impregnated with a chemical activating agent is treated by controlling the rate of heat transfer to the particles via indirect heating of the activation furnace and simultaneously introducing a flow of independently controlled sweep gas at spaced intervals along the path of travel of the particles through the furnace to more precisely control the activation reaction and the level of densification of the particles during certain stages of treatment. In a more preferred embodiment, the particles are processed in a plurality of treatment stages related to the rate of evolution of water and/or the evolution of water and the chemical activating agent and the rates of heat transfer and the volume flow rate of sweep gas are closely controlled relative to achieving predetermined levels of densification of the particles during each treatment stage and selected levels of activation properties in the end product.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing data useful in evaluating the dynamics of surfactants used to reduce interfacial tension in a system having two immiscible liquids and one or more surfactants. The method involves rapidly growing a drop of a first liquid in the second liquid, but stopping the flow of the first liquid at some point before the drop detaches. The time it takes for the drop to form and detach is then measured. This process is repeated for different volume drops. The drop lifetimes can then be plotted against drop volumes, resulting in a curve which is related to the diffusional coefficient and concentration for the surfactant in the particular liquid/liquid system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described whereby a caustic-treated hydrocarbon feed mixture having a contaminating concentration of water and sulfur compounds is treated by separating the hydrocarbon feed into a first stream and a second stream. The first stream is contacted with an adsorbent material to produce a reactor feed stream having a significant reduction in the concentration of the contaminating water and sulfur compounds. The reactor feed stream is thereafter contacted in the presence of hydrogen under suitable isomerization conditions with an isomerization catalyst to produce an isomerate product.

Abstract: Not only the dialysis machine, but also its outer supply conduits and connection tubes together with the associated water distribution system can be flushed and disinfected in the present disinfection method by including these members in the cleaning circuit. Energy is saved and the amount of disinfectants is reduced during hot cleaning and chemical disinfection in a recirculatory process, and the duration of the disinfecting operations can moreover be decreased. Furthermore, a five-valve assembly is provided in or on the dialysis apparatus, in an additional apparatus with respect to the dialysis apparatus or in a water supply system integrated into the wall of a dialysis station for the dialysis apparatus so as to carry out the disinfection method, and a supply means is provided for introducing the disinfectant into the recirculatory circuit.

Abstract: By continuously or intermittently adding amounts of magnetically active moieties, e.g. iron compounds, over time so that the moiety deposits on a catalyst or sorbent in a fluid catalytic cracker or similar circulating hydrocarbon conversion unit, older catalyst, being more magnetic, can be readily separated from catalyst which has been in the system a shorter time. Separation is readily accomplished by passing the catalyst and/or sorbent through a magnetic field and discarding the more magnetic 50% by wt. or more preferably 20% by wt., while recycling the remainder back to the hydrocarbon conversion unit.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for sterilizing bio-active infectious waste matter bya) placing infectious waste in a degradable container, and positioning the container in a pressure vessel; andb) injecting steam into the vessel to wet the container and the infectious waste; andc) subjecting the wet container and infectious waste matter to sufficient microwave radiation to sterilize the waste; andd) heating the sterilized waste matter and container until they are dry; ande) granulating the waste and container to produce small unrecognizable fragment particles.