Abstract: An aqueous stripping solution and method for selectively removing a titanium compound from a base metal. The aqueous solution contains a source of hydrogen peroxide, an alkali source of hydroxyl ions and an acid with the components in a concentration such that the pH of the solution is above 8.

Abstract: Spent or inactive alumina-supported catalysts removed from a catalytic hydrotreating process and having carbonaceous and metallic deposits thereon are reactivated. After a solvent wash to remove process oils, the spent catalyst is treated with an organic solvent, such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, at a temperature of 200.degree. to about 500.degree. F. for a period of about 1 to about 12 hours to form the reactivated catalyst suitable for reuse in a catalytic hydrotreating process. Optionally, the solvent treated catalyst can be regenerated by contact with an oxygen-containing gas at a temperature of about 700.degree. to about 900.degree. F. to remove carbon deposits from the catalyst, or, alternatively, the solvent treated catalyst can be acid leached to remove undesired metals and then contacted with an oxygen-containing gas at an elevated temperature to remove carbon deposits.

Abstract: A single wafer processor supports a semiconductor wafer having at least one surface that is to be subjected to contact with a fluid. The equipment includes a portable module including a gripper assembly that is rotatable about the axis of a portable housing and is capable of mechanically engaging or disengaging the edge of an individual wafer. The portable module is complementary to a receiving base having an open bowl provided with liquid jets for discharging processing liquids or reagents in parallel streams directed toward the outer surface of a rotating wafer. The bowl can also be filled with liquid for immersion treatment of a wafer, which can be held stationary or rotated at slow speeds. The portable unit is moved between base units by a robotic arm. All elements associated with holding of the wafer are physically shielded to minimize wafer contamination from environmental contact.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous cleaning of bag making machinery is provided. A single roll with a cleaning material attached thereto contacts a rotating drum to remove debris from the surface thereof. When the portion of the cleaning material in contact with the drum becomes saturated with debris, the roll is rotated to present fresh cleaning material to the surface of the drum. The compact design of the cleaning apparatus permits its use in the limited space found around bag making machinery.

Abstract: An integrated process is disclosed which produces both crystalline fructose and a liquid-phase sweetener such as High Fructose Corn Syrup from a feed stream comprising dextrose. A portion of the dextrose in the feed stream is isomerized to fructose and the resulting dextrose/fructose stream is fractionated to produce a high fructose stream. A portion of the fructose in the high fructose stream is crystallized out and the mother liquor remaining after crystallization is blended with dextrose-containing streams to produce the liquid-phase sweetener.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing asphalt that has improved low temperature properties. More specifically, the penetration and Penetration Index of an asphalt can be increased if the asphalt is heat soaked in the presence of a dehydrogenation agent at a temperature above the temperature at which oxidation of the asphalt occurs and below the temperature at which coking is initiated. Polyvinyl chloride and a chlorinated wax are preferred dehydrogenation agents.

Abstract: A method of removing halogenated organic contaminants from contaminated solids in which the solids are comminuted as necessary to resolve them into particles with a top size of typically not more than 15 cm. The particulate solids are slurried with a contaminant extraction agent which is a mixture of an alcohol solvent, an alkali hydroxide, and a sulfoxide catalyst in an environment which results in contaminant(s) being scrubbed from the solids particles larger than 2 mm can then be separated out and processed separately, typically by surficial cleaning. A slurry of the remaining particles and the contaminant extraction agent is agitated for a period which is sufficiently long to separate additional contaminant(s) from the smaller sized particles. The slurry is thereafter resolved into a predominantly liquid phase containing fines and one or more less contaminated, separately treatable fractions in which solids predominate.

Abstract: A process for removing molybdenum from uranium bearing solutions reduces molybdenum contamination of uranium product. The process employs solvent extraction techniques to remove molybdenum by using a molybdenum-selective extraction reagent of the chelating hydroxy-oxime type. The molybdenum-loaded extractant is stripped with dilute alkali for reuse. Where the uranium bearing solution originates from a solvent extraction process, a pretreatment stage is applied using an agent to remove entrained uranium extractant.

Abstract: A composition consisting essentially of a carbonaceous solid containing at least one carboxyl group is heated with subcritical liquid water at decarboxylation conditions including a temperature of at least about 300.degree. F. to substantially decarboxylate the solid, thereby producing a stream comprising a decarboxylated solid and water. The water is separated from the decarboxylated solid prior to liquefying the solid.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a solid surface which is effective for a substance to be cleaned having a complicated structure and which uses no solvent such as CFC or the like which is harmful to the environment of the earth. A cleaning liquid is obtained by mixing insoluble particles in a liquid and brought into an eddy-flow state so that a surface to be cleaned can be uniformly cleaned.

Abstract: Process for the remanufacture of transformers of the type having a coil/core assembly immersed in a tank of mineral oil. Contaminants such as water, air and dirt are removed from the coil/core assembly by means of a hot mineral oil bath which is maintained in a temperature range between the boiling point of water and the boiling point of the mineral oil, typically 212.degree. F. to 295.degree. F.

Abstract: A plurality of liquid jet nozzles are positioned in spaced apart relation to each other about a portion of the exterior surface of a pipe to be cleaned. High pressure liquid is supplied to the nozzles to cause liquid jets to be emitted, with the liquid jets being directed toward the exterior surface of the pipe. Each nozzle can be rotated about an axis which is at least substantially normal to the exterior surface of the pipe, while the nozzles are being moved longitudinally relative to the pipe. The liquid jets from the nozzles simultaneously impinge on the exterior surface of the pipe along prescribed paths located in an annular region extending around the circumferential extent of the pipe.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating salt-containing aluminum dross to remove potassium and sodium chloride salts therefrom. The process generally comprises treating the dross in a first treating step with a leaching solution having a pH maintained in the range of about 6-7 to remove a portion of the salt content thereof; filtering the residual solids from the first leaching solution; and treating the filtered solids in a second treating step with a second leaching solution having a pH maintained above about 8, and preferably above about 9. The pH of the first leaching solution is maintained in the desired range by the addition of hydrochloric acid, and the pH of the second leaching solution is maintained in the desired range by the addition of potassium and/or sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: Propylene can be prepared in high yield and selectivity by dehydrating isopropanol in the presence of a .gamma.-alumina catalyst having a mean pore diameter of from 30 to 150 .ANG. with a standard deviation (.sigma..sub.n) of from 10 to 40 .ANG. based on statistic calculation from pore diameter and pore volume.

Abstract: A process for turbulently flowing together reactants in uniform proportions in a reactor vessel. A process for producing ethylbenzene by reacting ethylene and benzene in the presence of a catalyst in a reactor vessel from which useful heat generated by the reaction is transferred to a heat transfer medium flowing through the reactor and in which the reaction occurs in a relatively short time period. In one embodiment, polyethylbenzenes produced in the reactor vessel are not recycled into the vessel. A reactor for a reaction of reactant materials that are uniformly and turbulently mixed together.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for the separation of aromatic hydrocarbons from feedstreams containing mixtures of aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbons using extractive distillation with an aromatic selective solvent in order to separate the aromatic hydrocarbons from the non-aromatic hydrocarbons. A rich solvent stream comprising the aromatic hydrocarbons and solvent is withdrawn from the extractive distillation column and passed to a steam stripping column to provide a regenerated lean solvent stream, a side-cut stream comprising the aromatic hydrocarbons and a stripper overhead stream comprising non-aromatic hydrocarbons which are passed as a reflux stream to the extractive distillation column. Various solvents are disclosed and an especially preferred solvent is sulfolane.

Abstract: Titaniferous solid containing titanium (IV) oxide, for example ilmenite, is reacted with silicon tetrafluoride gas at 800.degree. C. or more and at a pressure of at least 1 atmosphere to produce titanium tetrafluoride vapor and silica. The vapor is rapidly removed from the reaction zone, preferably by rapid cooling to solid titanium tetrafluoride, at a sufficient distance from the reaction zone so as not to quench the reaction. The titanium tetrafluoride may be hydrolysed to produce titanium dioxide and hydrogen fluoride which is combined with silica to regenerate silicon tetrafluoride. It is preferred to pretreat the titaniferous solid by grinding and then roasting at 700.degree. C. to 750.degree. C. in air. Products of the reaction may be separated and purified by condensation and resublimation.

Abstract: A method is provided which includes infusing oxygen into pitch material without stabilizing the oxygen-infused pitch material. In addition, the invention includes further processing steps (including heat stabilization in either an inert atmosphere or an oxygen-containing atmosphere, deformation, pyrolysis, and/or composite formation) performed after or in conjunction with the oxygenation process. Moreover, the invention includes the composition of matter (in any of a number of different physical forms such as powder, fiber, shaped article, composites) resulting from the practice of this oxygenation process, either alone or in conjunction with the further processing steps. The composition has a homogeneous distribution of oxygen and can be heat stabilized in an inert atmosphere.

Abstract: Cleaning a closed space such as safety cabinets, clean boxes, safes and wafer storage spaces are performed by irradiating a photoelectron emitting member with ultraviolet rays and/or other forms of radiation to emit photoelectrons into the closed space, electrically charging the fine particles in the closed space with the emitted photoelectrons, and removing the charged fine particles from the closed space.

Abstract: A washing process for an automatic dishwashing machine, includes the steps of feeding a predetermined volume of water into the wash tub of the machine, adding a predetermined amount of detergent to the water to form a washing solution, heating the so formed washing solution, and subjecting the articles to be washed to the chemical and a mechanical action of the washing solution. After having reached a predetermined temperature, the washing solution is partially discharged and is replenished with a corresponding quantity of water. The detergent is added in two steps, respectively, before and after the partial discharge of the washing solution.