Abstract: A liquid-liquid extraction column for use for example, in the solvent extraction of uranium and/or plutonium from an aqueous phase, comprises a perforated plate packing in which each plate (10) has flanges (18) associated with its perforations, which flanges (18) project upstream with respect to the disperse phase flow direction (arrows 14) so as to define a collecting zone (20) for disperse phase droplets (16) which thereby form a film or layer of the disperse phase component on the upstream face of each plate (10). In this way, droplet formation at the perforations of each plate (10) is not significantly influenced by variations of the wetting characteristics of the plate with time.

Abstract: This invention is a transfer system for controlling and initiating the flow of metered amounts of materials. The aforementioned materials may be radioactive ash, radioactive calcined salts, cement, flour, or pharmaceuticals. The apparatus of this invention comprises: a vertical non-converging conduit which acts as a storage hopper; a stationary platform located at the downward end of the conduit to allow the radial outward flow of the material; a translatable hollow piston that acts externally but coaxially to the conduit and platform to interrupt the radial flow of material; a hopper located below the platform for accepting the material; and a housing that encloses and supports the hopper and platform and provides a dust tight seal around the apparatus of this invention.

Abstract: A multi-reactor hydrocarbon catalytic conversion system includes at least three reactors, a feed source for providing hydrocarbon feed to the reactors and apparatus for sequentially backwardly rotating the reactors during process mode operation of the reactors. In each of a series of sequential cycles, at least one reactor currently operates in a regeneration mode position, while other reactors operate in process mode positions. A reactor having freshest catalyst is in a last process mode position, and a reactor having relatively least fresh catalyst is in a first process mode position. The reactor having relatively least fresh catalyst receives fresh feed first from the feed source, and the reactor having freshest catalyst receives the partially converted feed last. Method and apparatus are provided for rotation of the reactors, without the necessity of stopping operation of the catalytic conversion process while the shifting of the reactors is being performed.

Abstract: A mixing head is supplied with two or more synthetic resin components from respective supply vessels. When one of these components is highly filled and an obstruction may be expected upstream of the metering piston unit between the supply vessel and the mixing head, the recirculating line from the mixing head is connected to the duct between the supply vessel and the piston unit at a position close to a two-way valve at the piston so that recirculating flow clears any obstruction from the duct.

Abstract: A method of packaging baked goods for commercial distribution is particularly suitable for brown and serve bakery products, which are more suscepticle to microbiological spoilage than fully baked products, and especially for brown and serve french bread, because the method alleviates the need for the addition of microbiological inhibitors while maintaining high product quality, the characteristics of European-style bread and long shelf life. Such advantages are achieved by packaging the product, while hot enough to inactivate microbial organisms, in a specially adapted container.

Abstract: Alkylate is produced by catalytically converting oxygenate feedstock, such as methanol, to lower olefins comprising C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 olefins. Ethene is separated by interstage sorption of C.sub.3 + components and an isoparaffin is alkylated with C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 olefins derived from sorbate. The system comprises means for fractionating an olefinic feedstream containing ethene and C.sub.3 + olefinic components by contacting the olefinic feedstream in a sorption zone with a liquid hydrocarbon sorbent to selectively sorb C.sub.3.sup.+ components; means for reacting C.sub.3.sup.+ olefins with excess isoparaffin in a catalytic alkylation reactor to produce C.sub.7 + alkylate hydrocarbons; fractionating the alkylation reactor effluent to provide a liquid hydrocarbon fraction rich in C.sub.7.sup.+ alkylate. Liquid recycle or C.sub.5.sup.+ liquid coproduced with the lower olefin may be passed to the sorption zone as lean sorbent. C.sub.7.sup.+ alkylate product and C.sub.5.sup.

Abstract: Process for inhibiting the corrosion of a mass of metal (2) in contact with an acid bath (3) containing ferric ions, according to which at least a part of the bath (3) is circulated through a stack of felts (10) made of carbon or graphite, alternating with perforated plates made of iron or an iron alloy (9). The process applies to the pickling of metallurgical products made of steel in hydrochloric acid baths.

Abstract: A new reactor for the production of carbon black, a method for the production of carbon black, and a carbon black are disclosed. The carbon blacks are characterized by a surface area preferably in the range of 70 to 150 m.sup.2 /g and "G" values of either less than 1.20 or greater than 1.85, corresponding to very narrow or very broad aggregate size distributions, respectively. The reactor is preferably for axial flow of combustion gases and is characterized by serial arrangement of a cylindrical combustion zone, a frustoconical converging zone, a throat, an abrupt diverging zone and a cylindrical pyrolysis zone. In certain aspects of the invention, the combustion gases are formed by combusting low BTU fuel and forcing these gases through the throat at a velocity approaching Mach 1. In one method of carbon black production, the feedstock is introduced into the converging zone. In another method, it is introduced as a spray.

Abstract: Apparatus for installing pipes in multipipe type gas-liquid contact equipment comprises a bush which can be mounted on the inner peripheral surface of a pipe installation bore formed in a deck for pipe installation within the multipipe type gas-liquid contact equipment, a cylindrical head which is provided on the upper end of the pipe, the head being capable of penetrating in conjunction with the pipe through the bush, and a collar member which can be fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical head. In this apparatus, the collar member is fitted to the cylindrical head, and the installation of pipes is performed by rotating the collar member.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilization comprises a treatment chamber (1) with constant temperature control (3, 4, 5) connected to a source of vacuum (6, 7, 8, 9), and to a circuit for admitting a carrier gas comprising a means (10) for sterilizing a gas and a means (14) for heating the gas at constant temperature as well as a steam generator (16) connected to a water supply (19) and to a system (20) for controlling the temperature and/or pressure (20). In addition, a sterilizing gas generator (21) contains a solution of a sterilizing agent (22) and is equipped with means for heating and/or cooling and for temperature control (24, 25, 26, 27). Also, suitable means (33) for circulating the atmosphere in the chamber (1) in contact with the solution (22) are provided.

Abstract: An improved grid plate flow distributor assembly for use in a pressurized catalytic reactor in which gas and liquid materials flow uniformly upwardly through the grid into the reactor ebullated catalyst bed. The grid plate assembly contains multiple vertical flow tubes each covered at its upper end by a cap which is spaced outwardly from the tube upper end and preferably has tapered sides. The cap can have any horizontal cross-sectional shape, such as circular, polygonal, rectangular or triangular. If desired, a horizontal elongated cap can be used which covers at least two adjacent vertical flow tubes. Such elongated caps can be provided as concentric circular shapes above the grid plate. Also, if desired, a thermocouple can be provided extending upwardly above the cap, such as through selected caps to monitor the temperature distribution of the ebullated bed above the grid plate assembly.

Abstract: A container assembly used for the storage of food products plus additives such as spices, etc. therefor, wherein the additives are stored in segregated relation to one another and the food product. The container assembly is designed for the storage of the food product such as by freezing and also for the cooking of the food product in a manner which facilitates the automatic and selective mixing of the additives with the food product wherein the food product and additives may be stored for prolonged periods prior to cooking and user of the device need not come into direct contact with the food product until it is ready for consumption.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decomposing a sodium aluminate liquor supersaturated with alumina, obtained from alkaline action on bauxite by the Bayer process, is initiated by introduction of alumina trihydrate seed, thereby forming a suspension. The suspension is fed in at the top of a non-agitated reactor described as a "decomposer", and removed from the bottom of the decomposer; the speed at which the suspension moves downwardly is regulated at 1.5 to 10 meters per hour. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical-conical reactor which is fitted with an arrangement for feeding in the suspension at the top, and with an arrangement for taking out the suspension at the bottom. In one embodiment of the apparatus the suspension is taken from the base of the decomposer through an internal tube, with air injected into the bottom of it, is raised to the level of the top of the decomposer and is then sent downstream.

Abstract: A gas-solids separator to remove particulate solids from a mixed phase stream of solids and gas which has a frusto-conical chamber having substantially conical walls tapering downwardly and outwardly and means defining at least one opening in said conical walls for conveying through the conical walls substantially solids free gas separated from the mixed stream of solids and gas.

Abstract: An assembly for removing substantially all oil contamination from bleed air flowing at a temperature of the order to 600-650 degrees Fahrenheit from a bleed air port of a gas turbine aircraft engine to a duct leading to the cabin ventilation system of an aircraft. The assembly comprises a gas turbine engine and a catalytic converter interposed between and sealably coupled to the bleed air port of the engine and the ventilation duct, at a location near the engine. The catalytic converter comprises at least one catalytic converter matrix element through which the bleed air must flow at high temperature and at a mean velocity, each matrix element comprising a parallel array of slender tubules, which are coated internally with a catalytically active coating which produces oil-breakdown at the temperatures and residence time produced by the engine at continuous maximum thrust.

Abstract: The energy consumption of conventional reactors for heterogeneous synthesis, e.g., ammonia synthesis and methanol synthesis, wherein the synthesis gas flows substantially axially through catalyst beds, is substantially reduced by inserting in at least one catalyst bed: two concentric cylindrical substantially perforated walls to laterally delimit the bed; a bottom closure between these walls; and optionally a diaphragm on top of the bed. Optionally also, a catalyst granulometry gradient may be employed in the upper part of the bed. An upper minor portion of at least one of the cylindrical walls may be unperforated. The synthesis gas now traverses the bed substantially radially.

Abstract: Removable apparatus for cleaning excrescent material from air ports in a chemical recovery furnace. A metal cleaning head having a cage-like configuration is pivotally mounted inside a wind box associated with the furnace to a frame adjacent an air port, and is adapted for insertion into the air port for cleaning the peripheral edges of the air port without blocking air flow through the port or obstructing the viewing path through the air port of sensing devices mounted exteriorly of the wind box. The frame to which the cleaning head is attached rests inside the wind box on the floor thereof, and is adjustably attached for positioning adjacent the air port to a mounting plate affixed to the outer wall of the wind box. The mounting plate pivotally carries an actuating cylinder which is coupled to the cleaning head by an actuating rod.

Abstract: An apparatus and process where a sour hydrocarbon distillate stream is treated in two oxidation zones within the same reaction vessel to oxidize mercaptans. The initial treatment is in the presence of a fiber bundle and the subsequent treatment over a bed of supported oxidation catalyst which can be in an annular arrangement surrounding a portion of the fiber bundle.

Abstract: A method of providing a durable, long lasting chemically resistant, pH tolerant, corrosion inhibiting film on the surfact of copper or copper containing metal in contact with an aggressive aqueous system is disclosed. The copper or copper containing metal generally composes a structure of dynamic cooling water system, and protection is afforded thereto by intermittently feeding to the aqueous medium a sufficient amount of a C.sub.3 to C.sub.6 alkyl substituted benzotriazole.

Abstract: A portable foam generator is provided for admixing air under pressure with a foamable liquid under pressure in order to foam the liquid and the foamed liquid is supplied to a spray nozzle for spray applying the foamed liquid to differently oriented surfaces which are to be cleaned and/or disinfected. The foam generator incorporates a feature which enables the "wetness" of the foam discharged from the nozzle to be varied and to thereby enable the foamed liquid applied to downwardly facing surfaces, inclined surfaces and vertical surfaces to experience extended liquid to surface to contact time.