Abstract: A novel coronary dilation method is disclosed wherein a guiding catheter having at least one side arm is continuously flushed with heparinized saline during the dilation process except for momentary interruptions for recording coronary pressures. In accordance with the preferred embodiment method, a dilating catheter (of a balloon-type) is inserted with the guiding catheter and is also continuously flushed through an inner lumen except for periodic pauses to record coronary pressures. A stylet having a thickness substantially thinner than the inner lumen of the dilating catheter is inserted therein, which stylet terminates 3 to 5 mm. short of the end of the catheter. The outer lumen of the dilating catheter is utilized to inject dye and saline for inflating the balloon to perform the coronary dilation. Using the method of the present invention, the patient need not be entirely heparinized nor will significant difficulties be encountered in directing the dilating catheter to the obstruction to be dilated.

Abstract: In a low pressure type air separation apparatus provided with a reversing heat exchanger for removing water vapor and carbon dioxide gas in feed air, a nitrogen gas taken out of a high pressure column in a duplex type rectification tower is led to an expander for generating subcooling for the air separation apparatus, and the effluent nitrogen gas is obtained under a predetermined pressure by controlling a pressure of the effluent gas from the expander. The effluent nitrogen gas is adjusted to a temperature satisfactory for the inlet temperature conditions for the reversing heat exchanger by passing the effluent nitrogen gas through a heat exchanger, and then is passed through the reversing heat exchanger, whereby the effluent gas from the reversing exchanger is obtained as a product nitrogen gas under a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: Potassium silicate solutions combined with silanes that contain a hydrophilic functionality can be spray dried effectively to provide free-flowing powdered products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved falling strand devolatilizer apparatus having a plurality of stages for devolatilization providing polymers with lower residual monomer and/or volatile contents. The novel apparatus utilizes a final flash tank having two flash compartments that share a common heating and vacuum system wherein a recycle line transfers polymer melt from the first compartment to the second compartment for additional devolatilization.

Abstract: A distillative separation of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide is improved by adding a C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkane, a mixture of C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkanes, SO.sub.2 or SO.sub.3 to a distillation column to increase the relative volatility of carbon dioxide to hydrogen sulfide. Increasing the relative volatility facilitates the separation.

Abstract: A novel right ventricular injection catheter is disclosed having a balloon tip for disposition in a non-irritable portion of the pulmonary artery, and a distinct injection lumen terminating in a plurality of perforations located 6-8 centimeters from the tip through which materials may be injected into the right ventricle. Using this catheter, it has been found that premature ventricular beats may be avoided, thereby permitting the observation of normal intraventricular septal motion.

Abstract: A personal appliance comprises a vacuum chamber and a steam-generating chamber. Steam or other heat is applied to an area of human skin for a period which is long enough to open pores, melt any wax-like substances within the pores, and otherwise cause the skin to be cleaned. Thereafter, a mild suction is applied to the steamed area which lifts the softened debris out of the open skin pores. In some instances the suction may be applied in a pulsating manner to massage the skin.

Abstract: A solids/liquid admixture is introduced into an atmosphere (temperature and reduced pressure) in which the liquid is immediately converted to a saturated vapor and thus relieved of associated solids, which are withdrawn. The saturated vapor is then conducted to a surface on which it condenses and from which it is collected. Suitable apparatus is provided in the form of modules, which are efficiently operated in multiples of four in a common temperature-stabilizing medium.

Abstract: A method of crystallizing or freezing out a component of a mixture composed of a liquid and a dissolved or suspended solid material, or both, by passing the mixture upwardly through a column containing a mass of insoluble solid particles having a specific gravity greater than that of the mixture; by heat exchange to a cold fluid, indirectly cooling the mixture to a temperature at which the component crystallizes or freezes out of solution, as it flows upwardly in the column; said component being the liquid or dissolved solid material; and said flow of the mixture through the column being at a sufficient velocity to fluidize the insoluble solid particles into turbulent action to scour the column inside surface and thereby prevent build up thereon of the crystallized or frozen out component.Apparatus for practicing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Production of nitrogen from air, by compressing air to relatively low pressure, e.g. to about 3 atmospheres, and passing the compressed feed air to alternate passages of a reversing heat exchanger in heat exchange relation with an oxygen-rich waste stream, whereby water vapor and CO.sub.2 in the feed air are frozen on the surface of the heat exchange passage. By reversing the flow streams the low pressure oxygen-rich waste stream now flows through the feed air passage. This causes sublimation or evaporation of the CO.sub.2 and water vapor. A portion of the feed air is withdrawn at an intermediate point in the exchanger and is expanded in a turbine. The cooled feed air withdrawn from the heat exchanger is fed to a non-adiabatic fractionating device, whereby oxygen-rich liquid is condensed and withdrawn, and nitrogen is removed as overhead.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for recovering clean water and solids from aqueous solids. Aqueous solids are mixed with a low viscosity, relatively volatile, water-immiscible light fluidizing oil to obtain a mixture which will remain fluid and pumpable after removal of essentially its entire water content. The mixture of solids, water and fluidizing oil is subjected to a dehydration step by heat evaporation whereby substantially all of the water and at least part of the light oil are evaporated and subsequently recovered. The light fluidizing oil is then largely separated from the solids. Those solids carrying residual light fluidizing oil are then brought into direct contact with steam, referred to herein as "blowing steam". The presence of the blowing steam reduces the boiling point of the water-immiscible light fluidizing oil to effect its more efficient removal from the solids. Effluent blowing steam and light oil vapor removed from the solids may be used to supply heat to the overall process.

Abstract: A compact, high-efficiency, J-tube carbon dioxide snow hood has a novel diffuser at the discharge end of the J-tube for providing a well-confined, concentrated snow deposit at a reduced exit velocity. The diffuser includes a pair of juxtaposed, axially upright cylindrical baffles which intercept the fine-particle snow discharge from the J-tube in a manner to create counterswirling currents of carbon dioxide snow. An upright cylindrical tube circumscribing the cylindrical baffles, and depending substantially beyond the lower ends of the baffles, forms a mixing chamber where the segregated counterswirling currents of carbon dioxide snow interact to form desired larger-particle snow which is then passed from the chamber in a confined, low velocity, downwardly directly discharge.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a vortex includes inner and outer wall structures. The inner wall has a downward flow passageway therewithin. A plurality of vanes are provided between the wall structures to induce a vortex to form from an upward flow of liquor through the annular passageway between the walls. The wall structures form a settling trough into which solid materials may settle and accumulate.

Abstract: A fixed fluidized particulate solids bed heat recovery vessel or steam generator having indirect heat exchange means within a bed of fluidized carbonaceous solids, such as coke, pelleted carbon black and the like, and introduction of a gas containing entrained solids to effect fluidization of the bed of carbonaceous solids wherein in a preferred embodiment, the reaction effluent from a carbon black reaction zone comprising carbon black suspended in a non-oxidizing gas is preferably quenched, e.g., using water and/or cooled recycled reaction effluent and is then further cooled using a fluidized fixed bed of carbonaceous solids having a cooling coil within the fluidized bed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for cleaning and liquifying an input gas. An engine operates on a portion of cleaned gas and discharges exhaust gases. A heat exchanger transfers heat from the exhaust gases to the portion of the cleaned gas. Apparatus for liquifying the cleaned gas is powered by the engines. Molecular sieves clean the input gas to produce the cleaned gas and are regenerated by the portion of the cleaned gas.

Abstract: In an apparatus for removing a selected first gas from a chamber at a controllably variable pumping speed while maintaining a substantially constant pumping speed for removing a second gas from the same chamber, a flow restricting device is disposed between the chamber and a device that pumps the first gas. The flow restricting device comprises a stationary member having an apertured portion through which the first gas can flow from the chamber to the pumping device. Restriction of the flow of the first gas to the pumping device is accomplished by covering the apertured portion of the stationary member with a movable member to the extent necessary to provide the desired pumping speed for the first gas. The stationary member is maintained at a cryogenic temperature higher than the condensation temperature of the first gas, but at a value at which the second gas condenses.

Abstract: Ethane is removed from a feedstream comprising methane, ethane and higher components by dividing the feedstream and passing one stream directly to the de-ethanizer with the other stream being passed to a stabilizer in order to remove the heavier components of the natural gas stream. The overhead vapor from the stabilizer is then passed to the de-ethanizer. The overhead vapor stream passed to the de-ethanizer from the stabilizer can also be cooled in order to reduce the refrigeration load of the de-ethanizer.

Abstract: A process for the separation of carbon dioxide and other acid gas components, in a compound distillation column, from a gaseous mixture comprised of one or more hydrocarbons, inclusive of methane, and hydrogen. The compound distillation column is sectioned (or zoned), one section of which is operated at higher pressure than another, and hence in a relative sense is referred to as a high pressure section while the other is referred to as a low pressure section. A product, principally methane, is removed from the high pressure section while a product of principally acid gases is removed from the low pressure section. By maintaining the sections at different pressure, the separations are more efficiently made and phase separation of products in the low pressure section is easily maintained.

Abstract: A corrosive liquid such as sulphuric acid is concentrated by boiling in an evaporator vessel having a thermosyphon loop connected to the bottom of the vessel. Electrodes of carbon which is essentially free of any organic binders are located in one leg of the thermosyphon loop to heat the liquid by current conducted through the liquid. The electrodes are located well below the liquid surface so that boiling occurs only above the electrode level, reducing erosion of the electrodes. The electrodes are blanketed with air which flows through the porous carbon into the liquid, thereby protecting the seals and electrode connections and also introducing air into the thermosyphon loop to promote circulation of the liquid in the loop.

Abstract: A portion of a component of a gas stream is condensed with the remaining non-condensed gas stream being passed to an adsorber. The remainder of the component in the non-condensed stream is adsorbed in the adsorber and in a later stage of the adsorber cycle, the adsorbed component is desorbed and supplied to the inlet of a condenser together with the gas stream to promote condensation of the component by providing an increased concentration of the component in the gas stream.