Abstract: An improved chemical generation apparatus particularly adapted to the generation of chlorine dioxide. This apparatus includes a generation vessel having at least two reducing couplings attached thereto by leak-proof joints thereby forming at least one inlet and at least one outlet to said vessel. The reducing couplings advantageously have surfaces which form an angle of at least 110.degree. with the vessel walls to create a geometry which prevents chemical buildup during operation of the apparatus. The apparatus also has sources of supply for each of the reactive materials connected to said inlet of the vessel though a metering means and an injection check valve.

Abstract: Process and device for detecting impurities in the atmosphere by an inteny-time rate technique whereby chemiluminescent reaction curves are developed and found to be representative of specific materials. Hence, by comparing known intensity-time rate curves with curves had by actual measurings, the invention enables the user to discern many more materials never before detected.

Abstract: Contact lens sterilizer has a timer operating a catch for holding a capsule containing contact lenses in sterilizing solution in a sterilizing position. In this position, the capsule is inclined toward inversion. When the timer releases the catch after a predetermined period of time, the capsule swings to a substantially inverted position. In this position, a catalyst contained in one end of the capsule contacts the sterilizing solution to neutralize the same. Optionally, a lock mechanism prevents removal of the capsule from the sterilizer until neutralization is complete.

Abstract: A catalytic, gas treating apparatus in which a unitary ceramic catalytic element having gas flow passages therethrough, is positioned within a metallic casing in a manner providing a space between the casing and the catalytic element. A resilient member which is compressible both radially and longitudinally is positioned around the catalytic element in said space to resiliently hold the catalytic element. A plug member is positioned at least partially in said space, and, for instance, around the catalytic element at opposite end portions of the catalytic element, in a manner which longitudinally compresses said resilient member to a substantial extent to increase the holding force exerted on the catalytic element by the resilient member and thereby inhibit axial movement of the catalytic element during use.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a lactulose powder with a low hygroscopicity by mixing ethyl alcohol to a highly hygroscopic lactulose-containing powder followed by allowing the resulting mixture to stand or stirring it for at least 1 hour, separating the lactulose-containing material insoluble in ethyl alcohol from the mixture and removing ethyl alcohol from the material separated.

Abstract: In a method for detection and/or assay of hydroperoxides (or, indirectly, of substances, such as cholesterol or glucose, which react to liberate hydroperoxides) using an assay reagent comprising a water-soluble iodide, a redox catalyst and a stabilizer, an improvement is provided wherein when the determination is made in the presence of protein, the redox catalyst concentration in the reagent is 5-500 .mu.M and the stabilizer concentration in the reagent is 5-100 mg/l. A corresponding improvement in the assay reagent is also provided.

Abstract: A circular decanter includes a stationary hollow column rotatably supporting a bridge which spans the decanter. A trough is integral with the bridge and rotates therewith, whereby sludge drawn by vacuum from the bottom of the decanter is collected in the trough. A sludge evacuation duct is positioned centrally within the hollow column. That portion of the trough which is closest to the column is formed as a siphon having an upstream branch extending downwardly into the sludge collection chamber of the trough and a downstream branch extending downwardly into the sludge evacuation duct. An electric motor for rotating the bridge, trough and siphon is positioned above the column and includes rotating elements attached to the siphon and non-rotating elements. The power supply cables for the electric motor are led upwardly through the column, the sludge evacuation duct and the downstream branch of the siphon and are enclosed within a stationary casing and tube.

Abstract: The operation of a battery of coke ovens with regenerative change of draught on heating flues includes adjustably controlling the combustion of gases in the heating flues to insure uniform vertical heating of the coking coal in the coke oven chambers. Control elements for the operation of discrete heating flues in each heating wall are adjusted to insure uniform heating of the coking coal along the length of the heating walls. A gas supply rate is selected for the delivery of gas into the heating flues to define a carbonizing time corresponding to a high output capacity of coke from the coke oven battery. The heat consumption by the coking coal in the coke oven chambers is reduced during each regenerative half period by interruptions to the supply of gas at the gas supply rate without modifying or adjusting the control elements employed to insure uniform heat distribution in the heating flues.

Abstract: In a dry type method and apparatus for quenching coke wherein hot coke charged in a coke quenching installation is cooled by circulating cooling gas in the installation through a closed circulating system including a blower and a heat exchanger, the composition of the cooling gas is analyzed and compared with a reference gas composition and air or nitrogen gas is supplemented to the closed circulating system in accordance with the result of comparison. A portion of the circulating gas is discharged to the atmosphere when air or nitrogen gas is supplemented. Air is supplemented on the high temperature discharge side of the circulating cooling gas while nitrogen gas is supplemented on the low temperature inlet side. The cooling gas is discharged to the atmosphere before the supplementation of the nitrogen gas.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for receiving and transporting hot coke in a coke oven pushing operation and controlling emissions resulting therefrom comprising a one spot quench car having a receptacle which is tiltable to a coke receiving position, a travel and quench position, and a coke discharging position. A hood structure is provided to confine the gases during pushing and a collecting main removes the gases to a remote location for cleaning thereof.

Abstract: Combustible element analyzer for determining the combustible element concentration of a sample gas. The sample is routed through an inlet conduit, mixed with a source of air, heated to an elevated temperature and analyzed by the combustible element analyzer. The analyzer includes a number of series connected thermocouples forming a thermopile. Exothermic reactions induced in the sample by catalyst elements create temperature variations along the thermopile. These variations cause a voltage difference along the thermopile whose value can be correlated to the combustible element concentration within the sample. Means are included for maintaining uniform sample flow past the analyzer and for maintaining analyzer calibration should the flow rate vary.

Abstract: A disposable liquid sterilizer unit incorporating an ultra-violet tube designed to generate radiation at approximately 2537 Angstroms. The unit comprises an elongated cylindrical plastic jacket opaque to ultra-violet radiation concentrically mounted about the tube to provide a chamber between the jacket and the tube for the flow of liquid to be exposed to radiation generated by the tube. The tube extends beyond the ends of the jacket and includes electrical connectors at each end for removably mounting the unit to make electrical connection with electrical connections in a casing. A seal is provided adjacent each end of the jacket against liquid flow from the chamber between the tube and the walls of the jacket to the exterior of the jacket. Inlet and outlet connections for the flow of water to and from the chamber are provided as well as a viewport through the plastic jacket. The jacket includes a central portion and two integral injection moulded end portions fixed to the central portion by an adhesive.

Abstract: A carbon black producing apparatus in which a quench fluid is introduced into a reaction zone for cooling hot smoke which contains solid carbon black particles which are produced by the pyrolysis of a carbon black make hydrocarbon by the heating of same with a combusted air/fuel mixture. The quench fluid is introduced into the reaction zone in a generally tangential direction and in a direction counterrotational to the direction of the vortex flow of the hot smoke flowing along the length of the reaction zone. The cooled smoke is passed to a heat exchanger for further cooling of the smoke after which the smoke is separated into an off-gas phase and a carbon black particle phase by filtering means. The carbon black can then be pelleted and dried for use.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for producing ethylene from lignite and subbituminous coal by chemical condition and temperature control using cellulosic material within the treated mass or added thereto whereby ethylene gas is evolved from such carbonacous feed and recovered with other products.

Abstract: Means for reducing intersample contamination in an automatic chemical testing apparatus, in which liquid from a sample is aspirated from a sample source into a reservoir, and aliquots of the sample are each dispensed into individual reaction containers for analysis by well-known means. A cylindrical reservoir is utilized with a piston therein shaped for pushing out virtually all of the remaining sample from the cylinder after dispensing the sample liquid through a hollow needle, communicating with the cylinder. A solid pin coaxially mounted within the piston is projected through the needle and has minimum clearance therewith, for pushing remaining sample out of the needle. The portion of the pin projecting through the needle is retracted into the piston prior to aspiration of liquid from a next sample.

Abstract: An oily water separator method and means using a suction pump to withdraw oil and water from a ship's bilge or sump. To decrease emulsification of the mixture, the pump is positioned downstream of an initial filter and the separator. The pump draws the oil-water mixture by suction through a particulate filter and then into a separator. Fluid flow is slowed by the specially configured baffled separator to allow the majority of the inter-mixed oil to separate from the water by gravity before reaching the pump. The suction pump draws the water from the lower portion of the separator housing and pumps the now almost oil-free water through two additional filter stages. Means are included for reversing the pump direction to force accumulated oil floating on water from the separator housing to a holding tank.

Abstract: Process and apparatus to control the chemical state of a material. Bulk control of the chemical state of such material which permits maintenance of chemicals including enzymes by both restoration and stabilization. Optical and electrical power sources act in the presence of chemical mediators to control the rate of charge transfer to substances including metals contained in proteins, for example. Controlled charge transfer to the proteins enables construction of devices including small molecule detectors, e.g., electrically restored ferrous deoxyhemoglobin in a discrete component electrooptical circuit to monitor, for example, oxygen and carbon monoxide partial pressures. Restoration of chemical activity in molecules which have deteriorated enables construction of chemical reactors composed of stabilized catalysts and enzymes, e.g., restored functional nitrogenase in solar energy conversion devices which evolve molecular hydrogen or in chemical reactors which convert molecular nitrogen into ammonia.

Abstract: A carbonaceous material with high characteristics of surface area and activity is produced in a continuous process by heating and drying ground pit coal at 200 to 300.degree. C. for 15 to 120 minutes in air, and then heating in two further stages in fluidized bed reactors. The first of these further stages is 400 to 600.degree. C. for 10 to 60 minutes while the second is 800 to 1100.degree. C. for 10 to 60 minutes. Tar is condensed from the offgases of the first further stage and the residual gas is divided and 10 to 95% recycled to the first further stage. Similarly, 10 to 95% of the off-gases from the second further stage are recycled.

Abstract: Coal not normally used for coking is, prior to feeding to coking batteries, processed in a vertical suspension preheater heated by combustion gases from the coking batteries; the coal particles are separated from these combustion gases in two alternately operating sets of primary and secondary cyclone separators and are then supplied to coking batteries together with part of the combustion gases which serve as carrier gases for the coal particles.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for catalytically oxidating grease, fats, oils and/or other hydrocarbons in fumes rising from a source thereof. In particular, grease and odor-laden air streams, i.e. hydrocarbon-laden air streams, emanating from a source such as a cooking grill or the like are heated to a temperature at which passage over a catalyst causes flameless oxidation of the organic material in the air stream at a temperature below combustion temperature, the organic material being converted essentially to carbon dioxide and water, with release of at least some heat energy. The oxidized and heated air stream is ducted in countercurrent relation or in identically parallel direction, to the relatively cooler hydrocarbon-laden air stream which is being ducted toward the catalyst, heat exchange from the oxidized air stream to the hydrocarbon-laden air stream thereby occurring to at least partially heat the hydrocarbon-laden air stream.