Abstract: An apparatus for treating a waste solution which contains a nonvolatile substance such as a toner used for development of an electrophotographic film and a liquid which is difficult to volatilize at normal temperatures such as isoparaffin. The waste solution heated from below a multiplicity of vertically elongated guide chambers disposed in a waste solution container rises upward through the guide chambers in the form of vapor and is oxidized by a catalyst. After ignition, even if the heating of the waste solution by a heater is stopped, the waste solution in the waste solution container continues to be heated by oxidation heat.

Abstract: A method and system of alignment of two mechanical members of a mechanical structure, particularly the primary and secondary mirrors (22, 24) of a telescope (20), is provided by a set of auxiliary optical elements (40) disposed on the primary mirror and a corresponding set of detectors (42) disposed on the secondary mirror. The array of detectors corresponds in configuration to the array of auxiliary optical elements so that there is correspondence between positions of auxiliary optical elements with positions of detectors about a common central axis (38) of the two mirrors. A source (44) of light disposed on the axis between the two mirrors illuminates the auxiliary optical elements to develop a set of eight beams, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, which are directed to the optical elements.

Abstract: A convenient method of producing porous silica particles is disclosed. The particles produced by the method can have impurity levels in the parts-per-billion range, and can have substantially uniform size. The particles are advantageously used to produce silica-containing glass bodies such as optical fiber preforms, silica tubes, lenses, rods and the like. The method comprises forming a silica-containing sol in comminution device or forming such a sol and introducing it into a comminution device, causing a gel to form from the sol, and comminuting the gel in the comminution device such that substantially dry, porous particles result.

Abstract: A gas fired reformer includes a plurality of bayonet type reformers, each having a vertical outlet tube posted on a common outlet header. Three outlet header continuation members pass downwardly through the reformer shell to a ground support, at least one of these being a reformer gas outlet line.

Abstract: A process for disposing of sewage sludge by heating and shearing an aqueous mixture of sewage sludge in a tubular-shaped processing means containing a plurality of rotating agitators to produce a pumpable aqueous slurry of sewage sludge. The aqueous slurry of sewage sludge is mixed with solid carbonaceous fuel or an aqueous slurry of solid carbonaceous fuel to produce a pumpable aqueous slurry of sewage sludge and solid carbonaceous fuel. The aqueous slurry of sewage sludge and solid carbonaceous fuel is heated in a first steam jacketed rotary disc mixing-heating means. Alternately, first and second hoppers are filled with said heated aqueous slurry of sewage sludge and solid carbonaceous fuel and cycled between a second steam jacketed rotary disc mixing-heating means; wherein while one hopper is being filled the contents in the other hopper are being dewatered. The thickened pumpable slurry is burned in a partial oxidation gasifier, furnace, boiler, or incinerator to produce a hot effluent gas steam.

Abstract: A zero compensation circuit particularly is used in an oxygen sensing apparatus and method employing a sensing cell including two pairs thermistors and a source of an inhomogenous magnetic field. One thermistor of each pair is electrically heated and is positioned inside the magnetic field, and the second thermistor of each pair is positioned adjacent to the respective first thermistor of each pair, substantially outside the magnetic field. When oxygen is present in the sensing cell, the thermistors inside the magnetic field generate a gas flow in the direction of the adjacent thermistors of each pair positioned outside the magnetic field, thus tending to reduce the temperature of the thermistors inside the field and increase the temperature of the thermistors outside the field.

Abstract: A process for disposing of sewage sludge comprising the steps of, (1) dewatering the sewage sludge to produce an aqueous slurry of sewage sludge having a solids content of about 10 to 30 wt. %; (2) simultaneously heating and shearing said dewatered sewage sludge at about 150.degree. F. to 210.degree. F. in the absence of air for 0.5 seconds to 60 minutes while being continuously passed through a tubular-shaped processing means containing a plurality of rotating agitators, thereby producing a pumpable slurry having a viscosity of less than about 2000 centipoise; (3) dewatering the sewage sludge if necessary; (4) mixing at a temperature in the range of about ambient to 180.degree. F. in a ribbon or in-line static mixer the slurry of sewage sludge from (2) and/or (3) with a supplemental solid carbonaceous fuel e.g. coal and/or petroleum-coke to produce a pumpable aqueous slurry of sewage sludge and supplemental fuel having a solids content in the range of about 50 to 60 wt.

Abstract: An improved gasifier adapted for gasifying a predetermined charge of non-gaseous fuel into fuel gas. Each charge of non-gaseous fuel, which may have optional conditioning materials added to it, is intermittently fed to a gasifier chamber where each charge is partially burned with high-pressure air supplied thereto. High-pressure and temperature fuel gas is produced which is cleansed prior to passing out of the gasifier chamber. After gasification of the charge of fuel is is ended, the gasifier chamber is vented. The residue of the burned charge in the gasifier chamber is removed, along with the contaminated or reacted conditioning materials, and replaced by a fresh charge. The subject invention provides a feasible way of continuously fueling an internal combustion engine with gasified fuel and is compact enough to be practical for even mobile applications.

Abstract: A seal plate within a gas fixed reformer divides an upper plenum and a lower plenum to force combustion products along the heat exchange surface of the reactors. The seal plate has a sealed horizontal central portion and a vertical perpendicular portion extending to the bottom of the shell. The entire seal plate is exposed to gas in the discharge plenum, whereby differential expansion of various seal plate portions is avoided.

Abstract: A process for disposing of sanitary sewage sludge by producing a pumpable slurry of sewage sludge with or without solid carbonaceous fuel and burning said slurry as fuel in a partial oxidation gas generator, furnace, or boiler. The aqueous slurry of sewage sludge is concentrated by removing water by means of a conventional belt filter press, centrifuge, or hydroclone. The dewatered slurry of sewage sludge is preheated and sheared; hydrothermally treated; and its solids content increased. A chelating agent, for example an aminopolycarboxylic acid or a hydrocarboxylic acid is mixed with the aqueous slurry of sewage sludge during the preheating and shearing step and/or the step for increasing its solids content. By means of the subject process, the viscosity of the slurry of sewage sludge with or without solid carbonaceous fuel is reduced and coagulation is suppressed.

Abstract: A rapid method of determining the efficacy of a sterilization cycle, and an indicator adapted to perform such method, comprising subjecting to the sterilization cycle a source of active enzyme having activity which correlates with the viability of a microorganism commonly used to monitor sterilization, and incubating the enzyme source, following the completion of the sterilization cycle, with an effective amount of a substrate system capable of reacting with any residual active enzyme to produce a detectable enzyme-modified product.

Abstract: Hot raw fuel gas is produced by the partial oxidation of liquid or gaseous hydrocarbonaceous fuel or an aqueous slurry of solid carbonaceous fuel with substantially pure oxygen. The raw fuel gas is cleaned, cooled in a plurality of indirect heat exchangers, and purified to produce clean sulfur-free fuel gas. Water is the coolant in one of said indirect heat exchangers and is thereby heated. Dry nitrogen gas is humidified with the warm water and the humidified nitrogen gas is separately introduced into the combustor of a combustion turbine. The clean sulfur-free fuel gas is passed in indirect heat exchange with the raw fuel gas, expanded to reduce its temperature and pressure, and separately introduced into the combustor where it is burned with air while in the presence of the water humidified nitrogen gas. Flue gas containing water humidified nitrogen gas and a substantially reduced amount of NO.sub.x gases is produced and passed through a power-producing expansion turbine as the working fluid.

Abstract: A process for the partial oxidation of a sulfur- and silicate-containing carbonaceous fuel to produce a synthesis gas with reduced sulfur content which comprises partially oxidizing said fuel at a temperature in the range of 1900.degree.-2600.degree. F. in the presence of a temperature moderator, an oxygen-containing gas and a sulfur capture additive which comprises a calcium-containing compound portion, a sodium-containing compound portion, and a fluoride-containing compound portion to produce a synthesis gas comprising H.sub.2 and CO with a reduced sulfur content and a molten slag which comprises (1) a sulfur-containing sodium-calcium-fluoride silicate phase; and (2) a sodium-calcium sulfide phase.

Abstract: A reactor (7) for gasifying materials that contain carbon under pressure has a tube wall (20) that has coolant flowing through it and is lined with a refractory material (21). The outlet (9) from the reactor (7) points down and opens into a cooler (10). The reactor is accommodated in a pressurized vessel (1) along with the cooler (10) and can be released and removed independently.

Abstract: A reactor capable of continuously producing activated species of oxygen molecules, specifically those known in the prior art as "Delta Singlet Oxygen". Uses of "Delta Singlet Oxygen" include the maintenance of high oxidation potential during the deposition of layers of high temperature superconductors. Such species are particularly effective in obtaining ultra smooth surfaces when used as the etching gas in plasma milling of a diamond-like carbon film. The use of a film of this type has been found to be the ideal insulating barrier for construction of high temperature superconducting Josephson junctions. The reactor uses toroidal pipes to generate mutual impingement between a reaction machine and chlorine gas.

Abstract: A process for disposing of sewage sludge comprising the steps of, (1) dewatering the sewage sludge to produce amorphous sewage sludge having a solids content of about 28 to 50 wt. %; (2) heating said amorphous sewage sludge at about 150.degree. F. to 510.degree. F. in the absence of air for 3 seconds to 60 minutes and mildly shearing the sewage sludge, thereby producing a pumpable feed slurry of sewage sludge having a viscosity in the range of about 400 to 1500 centipoise and a higher heating value in the range of about 5000 to 9500 BTU/LB; and (3) burning said pumpable slurry from (2) in a partial oxidation gasifier, furnace, boiler, or incinerator to produce an effluent gas stream. In one embodiment, the effluent gas stream is cleaned and purified and non-contaminating fly-ash and slag are separated. The fly-ash may be mixed with the sewage sludge in the process to facilitate separation of water during pressing and to encapsulate the non-combustible materials in the sewage sludge.

Abstract: A process for disposing of sewage sludge comprising the steps of, (1) dewatering the sewage sludge to produce an aqueous slurry of sewage sludge having a solids content of about 10 to 50 wt. %; (2) heating and mildly shearing said dewatered sewage sludge at about 150.degree. F. to 210.degree. F. in the absence of air for 3 seconds to 60 minutes by a rotor/mixer at a speed of about 15 to 1000 r.p.m., thereby producing a pumpable slurry having a viscosity of less than about 2500 centipoise; (3) mixing at a temperature in the range of about ambient to 200.degree. F. the slurry of sewage sludge from (2) with a supplemental fuel to produce a pumpable slurry of sewage sludge and supplemental fuel having a solids content in the range of about 50 to 65 wt. % and a higher heating value in the range of about 6,000 to 18,000 BTU/LB; and (4) burning said pumpable slurry from (3) in a partial oxidation gasifier, furnace, boiler, or incinerator to produce an effluent gas stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for gasifying coal is disclosed. Lock hoppers which are in fluid communication with each other are provided. A pressure recovery device is arranged to recover energy while depressurizing one hopper and pressurizing another.

Abstract: Cryogenic liquefied natural gas (LNG) is used as a source of refrigeration and methane in the production of dry sulfur-free, methane-enriched synthesis gas or fuel gas. Raw syngas is indirectly and directly contacted with cryogenic liquefied natural gas (LNG) and cooled thereby below the dew point. Water is thereby condensed out and separated from the process gas stream. Further, the liquid LNG vaporizes and increases the methane content of the dewatered synthesis gas. Cold liquid absorbent solvent contacts the dry CH.sub.4 -enriched synthesis gas in an absorption column and absorbs the acid gases e.g. H.sub.2 S and COS and optionally H.sub.2 S+COS+CO.sub.2. In a preferred embodiment, the rich solvent absorbent is regenerated in a stripping column and the released acid gases are sent to a Claus unit for the production of elemental sulfur. In a second embodiment, the regenerated lean liquid absorbent solvent may be mixed with the dry, purified synthesis gas leaving from the top of the absorption tower.

Abstract: An improved steam sterilization indicator is provided. The indicator includes a fusible material in tablet form, deposited in an embossment in one end of a thin aluminum backing. A wicking strip is attached to the backing with one end of the strip being in close proximity to the fusible tablet. A clear plastic material covers the tablet and the strip and is adhered to the backing. The melting point of the fusible tablet is depressed in the presence of saturated steam. Upon melt, the material in the tablet is absorbed by the wicking strip, producing a color front to provide an indication of the integration of time and temperature in the presence of steam. Various amounts of a binder are used in the tablet to provide a device which may be adjusted to reflect the thermal death curves of various types of microorganisms. The cover and the wick are bonded to the backing by an acyclic adhesive which also affects the rate of the indicator.