Abstract: A humidity sensor with an excellent water-repelling property is presented by covalently bonding a monomolecular film containing fluoroalkyl groups to the surface of a humidity sensing element, used for the sensor, via siloxane bonding. A chemically adsorbed monomolecular film containing fluoroalkyl groups is formed on the surface of a humidity sensing element via siloxane bonding after dipping and holding the element in a surface active solution such as heptadecafluorotridecyl trichlorosilane, and removing the unreacted material.

Abstract: A broad spectrum, non-toxic, microbiocidal composition effective in killing or inhibiting the growth of a wide variety of microorganisms including viruses, bacteria, yeasts, molds and fungi and algae, that includes a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R is alkyl, aryl, aralkyl and alkaryl groups including, but not limited to, straight chain, branched chain or cyclic alkyl groups having from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene having from 2 to 32 ethylene oxide or propylene oxide units respectively, alkyl phenoxy polyoxyethylene containing 2 to 32 ethylene oxide units, alkyl phenoxy polyoxyethylene containing ethylene oxide units and 1 to 24 carbon atoms in the phenolic alkyl chain, and polyhydroxy compounds, including but not limited to, ethylene glycol, glycerol, or sorbitol.

Abstract: A polymer synthesis apparatus (20) for building a polymer chain including a head assembly (21) having an array of nozzles (22) with each nozzle coupled to a reservoir (23) of liquid reagent (24) , and a base assembly (25) having an array of reaction wells (26). A transport mechanism (27) aligns the reaction wells (26) and selected nozzles (22) for deposition of the liquid reagent (24) into selected reaction wells (26). A sliding seal (30) is positioned between the head assembly (21) and the base assembly (25) to form a common chamber (31) enclosing both the reaction well (26) and the nozzles (22) therein. A gas inlet (70) into the common chamber (31), upstream from the nozzles (22), and a gas outlet (71) out of the common chamber (31) , downstream from the nozzles (22) , sweeps the common chamber ( 31 ) of toxic fumes emitted by the reagents.

Abstract: The catalytic process for producing maleic anhydride employs a catalytic device formed of pairs of vertically extending vapor permeable walls which define flow channels between the pairs of walls. In addition, each pair of walls defines an interspace which contains a catalyst. A mixture of air and n-butane is passed through the flow channels while a heat exchange medium, such as a molten salt, is passed in heat exchange relation to the catalytic device while effecting an exothermic catalytic reaction of the mixture within the catalytic device. The resulting gaseous maleic anhydride is produced as a product.

Abstract: A manually operable device that is used to cut a synthetic material and also singe the end of this newly cut material to prevent it from unravelling. This tool incorporates a separate crimping assembly, cutting assembly, and burning assembly for each of these steps. The crimping assembly holds the material in place during the cutting and burning stages and also aids in fusing the melted ends of the material into a uniform mass. The cutting assembly cuts the material where desired, trims any stray fibers from the cut and/or fused end, and also removes any excess burn from this fused end. The burning assembly, connected to a reservoir, burns a flammable fluid so as to burn or singe the material placed thereover.

Abstract: A method of degrading an organic nitrogen compound to its reduction products, in which the compound is caused to react with a reducing agent in the presence of a complex of a corrin containing a metal-centered ring system. Preferred complexes are cobalt-centered hydrolysis products of Vitamin B12, such as cobyrinic acid, and in one embodiment these complexes are immobilised on a substrate. Using the method environmental pollutants such as nitrobenzenes may be rapidly reduced.

Abstract: An air bag inflator for inflating an air bag includes a housing for generating gas having only two walled chambers, including a centrally disposed ignition chamber and an outer chamber in coaxial relation therewith. The outer chamber provides a dual function of containing a quantity of gas generating material in an inner portion thereof and holding a filter for cooling and collecting contaminants from the generated gas in an outer portion thereof. The filter is mounted with an inlet face of substantial area in direct contact with and surrounding a body of gas generating material and no wall is provided between the filter and the generating material.

Abstract: A low-temperature thermal desorption (LTTD) system remediates highly contaminated soils. The system (1) reduces the concentration of vaporized contaminants exhausted from the primary treatment unit (PTU) and (2) precisely controls the concentration of vaporized contaminants exhausted from the PTU so as to permit the safe oxidization of contaminants in a secondary treatment unit without oversizing the secondary treatment unit or the baghouse. The concentration of vaporized contaminants exhausted from the PTU is reduced by drawing the vaporized contaminants into a low-pressure region of the PTU so as to contact the burner flame and by supplying this area of flame contact with a modulated supply of air to oxidize a designated portion of the vaporized contaminants within the PTU.

Abstract: The method of controlling the flow of a fluidizable particulate solid, e.g., FCC catalyst, which comprises: (a) passing a fluidized stream of the particulate solid downwardly from a source of the particulate solid, e.g., an FCC regenerator, in a first conduit to a junction with a second conduit where the solid particulate is mixed with a stream of a fluid transport medium from a third conduit; (b) passing a stream of the resulting mixed solid particulate/transport medium upwardly in the second conduit at an angle less than 90.degree. from the first conduit for a distance at least as great as the diameter of the first conduit at the junction into a fourth conduit; (c) transporting the particulate solid/fluid transport medium stream in the fourth conduit to a desired location; and (d) controlling the mass flow of the particulate solid in the fourth conduit by setting the flow rate of the transport medium in the third conduit.

Abstract: A sterilization process for moisture sensitive products employing a closed system and moving unsealed products to be sterilized through a sterilizer, degassing chamber and a storage and package sealing chamber while maintaining the products in a dry pathogen free atmosphere.

Abstract: A fingerprinting system comprising means capable of releasably retaining a liquid and a liquid composition releasably retained in said means, said liquid composition comprising a leuco color-former coupound, a dialkyl phthalate wherein the alkyl group contains 1-3 carbon atoms, a substrate for receiving fingerprints associated therewith, said substrate being coated on at least a portion of one surface thereof with a color developing substance comprising a phenol/aldehyde condensation product produced by the reaction together of an alkyl-substituted salicylic acid, an alkyl-substituted phenol, and an aldehyde, said condensation product having been reacted with a metal source.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a scent to a compartment comprising a reusable holder having a connecting means and a scented card insertable into the holder. The connecting means can be a clip which is connectable to a louver of an air duct outlet register of a forced air system or to a fan guard of a utility fan. The apparatus can also be modified to attach to an interior surface of a refrigerator and may even be adaptable for use as costume jewelry. The scented card is produced by a process wherein a heat extrudable thermoplastic material is mixed with a chemical blowing agent and at least one fragrance and optionally a coloring agent, the mixture of material and fragrance is heated and extruded to produce a flat fragrant sheet of material which after being trimmed, forms a relatively rigid but flexible card insertable into the holder and removable therefrom.

Abstract: A combination is provided of a reaction vessel and apparatus for processing it. Preferably, the latter features a temperature control device comprising two surfaces to contact a reaction vessel sandwiched between them, a heater element being disposed on one side of one of the surfaces, a cavity being provided at the heater element, and pressure means for delivering cooling gas to the cavity and the heater element and for removing the air after it has cooled the heater element. Most preferably, there is further included means for providing relative movement between the control device and a reaction vessel so sandwiched between the two surfaces.

Abstract: A device for removing heavy metals and slags from synthesis gas produced from refinery wastes includes a gas deflecting device (3, 4), in which the hot synthesis gas, flowing vertically in the downward direction, is deflected into the horizontal direction and enters a known waste heat cooler (2). The gas deflecting device is arranged under a prior-art synthesis gas reactor (1). A ceramic deflecting wall (5), around the lower end of which the synthesis gas is guided, is built in within the deflecting device (3, 4). Since synthesis gas produced from refinery wastes contains a relatively high percentage of heavy metals and slags, there is a risk that these particles will contaminate the [heat] exchanger walls of the subsequent waste heat cooler (2). The heavy metals and slags are separated frown the gas flow in the deflecting device (3, 4).

Abstract: A combined reformer and shift reactor comprises a cylindrical reforming chamber arranged within and on the axis of a cylindrical vessel. An annular steam generator is arranged within, and coaxially with, the vessel. The steam generator is arranged around the reforming chamber. A plurality of shift reactors extend axially, with respect to the vessel, through the steam generator. Methane and steam are supplied via helically coiled pipe to the reforming chamber and air is supplied via helically coiled pipe. The methane and steam mixture and air flowing through the pipes are preheated by the reforming chamber product gases flowing in annular passage. The shift reactors convert carbon monoxide and water in the product gases to carbon dioxide and hydrogen and the heat produced is transferred to the water in the steam generator to produce steam.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus reduces particles in exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine by passing the exhaust gases through a microwave energy field in a resonator for applying energy and burning the particles. In order to improve the application of energy, the particles are agglomerated beforehand in a high-voltage field of an electrostatic filter.

Abstract: A stopper for sealing an open end of a small internal diameter blood collection tube. The stopper includes a needle lead-in hole that guides the needle through an upper portion of the stopper to a penetration location at the bottom of the lead-in hole and to the open end of the small internal diameter tube. The stopper also includes a tube receiving chamber in its lower portion for receiving and sealing the open end of the tube. After the needle has penetrated the penetration location it passes through a resealable diaphragm section before entering the open end of the tube. The lead-in hole and tube receiving chamber both have beveled edges on their openings that aid in directing the needle and tube, respectively, into the stopper.

Abstract: A catalytic reactor in which liquid media can be continuously introduced, evaporated and fed to catalytic reactions, wherein the reactor space is formed by a tubular reactor casing which is open at one end and can be closed by a reactor lid having a through-opening. A pipe acting as evaporator stage is arranged so as to extend from the region of the through-opening until deep in the reactor space and is provided with a baffle and a baffle holder at the end extending into the reactor space. The rest of the reactor space is filled at least partially with catalyst and forms a catalysis stage. The pipe, baffle and baffle holder are made of ceramic material and the pipe and baffle holder are constructed as a single piece.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are converted in a novel catalytic distillation zone comprising two or more cylindrical beds of dense loaded catalyst. Each catalyst bed is penetrated by a plurality of vertical vapor passageways which provide a means for vapor communication between fractionation sections located above and below the catalyst beds. The dense loading of the catalyst provides a low cost method of placing a large quantity of catalyst into the apparatus.

Abstract: A resistance adjusting type heater including a honeycomb structure having a large number of passages, at last two electrodes for energizing the honeycomb structure, and a resistance adjusting mechanism such as a slit provided between the electrodes to heat the gas flowing through the passages formed in the honeycomb structure. A catalytic converter includes a main monolith catalyst and the above-described heater placed adjacent to and upstream of the main monolith catalyst. A catalytic converter includes a honeycomb structure having a large number of passages, a catalyst carried on the honeycomb structure, at least two electrodes for energizing the honeycomb structure, and a resistance adjusting mechanism provided between the electrodes. A catalytic converter includes a main monolith catalyst, and a heater placed adjacent to and upstream of the main monolith catalyst.