Abstract: A method of making an anisotropic or isotropic carbon foam include introducing at least one reinforcing additive which may be carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, chopped graphite fibers, crushed green coke, crushed calcined coke or combinations thereof during the process of manufacturing the carbon foam to enhance selected strength properties of the resultant foam. A resultant product is also disclosed.

Abstract: A graphite of anisotrophy selected between substantially isotropic to highly anisotropic, or calcined coke graphitizable to such a graphite, or a pitch convertible into such a coke or graphite, is derived from bituminous coal. A first coal is extracted in NMP or like solvent to give a first extract that when carbonized alone produces a substantially isotropic coke. A second coal (the same or different as the first coal) is hydrogenated and similarly extracted to give a second extract. The extent of hydrogenation is controlled so that the second extract when carbonized alone produces a highly anisotropic coke. Test samples are prepared by combining the two extracts in differing ratios including one sample in a ratio at each range end of the range. The solids of each sample are recovered, carbonized into coke, and then optionally converted into graphite, and its degree of anisotrophy analyzed. Comparison of the analyzed degrees for the different coke or graphite samples gives an correlation (e. g.

Abstract: A method of making anisotropic carbon foam material includes de-ashing and hydrogenating bituminous coal, separating asphaltenes from oils contained in the coke precursor, coking the material to create a carbon foam. In one embodiment of the invention, the carbon foam is subsequently graphitized. The pores within the foam material are preferably generally of equal size. The pore size and carbon foam material density may be controlled by (a) altering the percentage volatiles contained within the asphaltenes to be coked, (b) mixing the asphaltenes with different coking precursors which are isotropic in nature, or (c) modifying the pressure under which coking is effected. In another embodiment of the invention, solvent separation is employed on raw bituminous coal and an isotropic carbon foam is provided. A related carbon foam product is disclosed. The carbon foam materials of the present invention are characterized by having high compressive strength as compared with prior known carbon foam materials.

Abstract: Ultra-clean isotropic coke is obtained from bituminous coal by extracting such coal following the extraction procedure described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,272,346, issued Jun. 9, 1981, to Stiller et al., using, for example, N-Methyl Pyrrolidone as the extraction solvent, and subjecting the extracted solids after separation of the solvent to a conventional coking heat treatment. The isotropic coke thus obtained can be ground, mixed with conventional binder pitch and shaped into carbon products which can be used directly, e.g. as carbon electrodes, or can be subjected to a graphitizing heat treatment under the usual conditions to produce isotropic graphite structures of high purity and high quality. The graphitization can be a multi-stage procedure and the porous intermediate stage products can be impregnated with a conventional impregnating pitch for increased density, the impregnating pitch being graphitized in the subsequent stage.

Abstract: A bicycle drive mechanism which converts linear or elliptical reciprocating motion of the bicycle's pedals to rotary motion of the spindle and the wheels. The mechanism uses a simplified Cardan gear arrangement. There are two arms which rotate in opposite directions to each other. One of the arms is attached to the spindle and the other arm is rotatably connected to the first arm. The pedal is on the opposite end of the second arm from the first arm. The rotation of the two arms relative to each other is achieved through a planetary gear system. Thus the pedals define a linear or elliptical reciprocating path depending on the length of the second arm while imparting rotary motion to the spindle.

Abstract: Oscillatory motion apparatus has a first reciprocating rod oriented generally perpendicularly with respect to a second reciprocating rod. A first trammel gear is pivotally secured to the first and second rods. Reciprocation of the rods produces responsive rotation of the trammel gear. An output gear may be rotated responsive to rotation of the trammel gear. The invention may be embodied in an engine block and two or more pairs of opposed cylinders each containing pistons adapted for reciprocation therein is provided. The rods, which may be connecting rods, connect pairs of opposed pistons. The connecting rods are preferably oriented generally perpendicularly with respect to each other. The connecting rods are rotatably connected to the trammel gear. Reciprocation of the pistons results in rotation of the trammel gear which is operatively associated with an output gear to produce rotary output.

Abstract: Oscillatory motion apparatus has a first reciprocating rod oriented generally perpendicularly with respect to a second reciprocating rod. A first trammel gear is pivotally secured to the first and second rods. Reciprocation of the rods produces responsive rotation of the trammel gear. An output gear may be rotated responsive to rotation of the trammel gear. The invention may be embodied in an engine block and two or more pairs of opposed cylinders each containing pistons adapted for reciprocation therein is provided. The rods, which may be connecting rods, connect pairs of opposed pistons. The connecting rods are preferably oriented generally perpendicularly with respect to each other. The connecting rods are rotatably connected to the trammel gear. Reciprocation of the pistons results in rotation of the trammel gear which is operatively associated with an output gear to produce rotary output.

Abstract: Oscillatory motion apparatus has a first reciprocating rod oriented generally perpendicularly with respect to a second reciprocating rod. A first trammel gear is pivotally secured to the first and second rods. Reciprocation of the rods produces responsive rotation of the trammel gear. An output gear may be rotated responsive to rotation of the trammel gear. The invention may be embodied in an engine block and two or more pairs of opposed cylinders each containing pistons adapted for reciprocation therein is provided. The rods, which may be connecting rods, connect pairs of opposed pistons. The connecting rods are preferably oriented generally perpendicularly with respect to each other. The connecting rods are rotatably connected to the trammel gear. Reciprocation of the pistons results in rotation of the trammel gear which is operatively associated with an output gear to produce rotary output.

Abstract: A process for treatment of anthracite coal when combined with cinders and/or klinker type ash produced by old cleaning plant boilers comprising sizing of the mixture and magnetic separation of the ash from the mixture thereby improving the combustion value. Use for treatment in existing anthracite and cinder waste piles is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for electrochemical neutralization of acid electrolyte, such as acid mine drainage. A vessel is provided with an anode electrically connected to a cathode with the cathode material being of lesser electroactivity than that of the anode. An acid-containing electrolyte is introduced into the vessel. A voltage gradient is established between the anode and cathode by causing the electrolyte to interact chemically with the anode to effect an oxidation reaction. The cell is caused to convert hydrogen ions into elemental hydrogen and the electrolyte is withdrawn at a pH higher than the pH it had when it entered the vessel. In a preferred embodiment iron is employed in the anode to serve as a sacrificial anode with respect to pyrite which is used in the cathode. A plurality of anodes and cathodes may be provided with electrically nonconductive inert material interposed between adjacent anode and cathode elements or between adjacent anode and cathode pairs.

Abstract: Subdivided coal, oil shale or tar sands is extracted under non-thermally destructive conditions with a solvent liquid containing a compound having the general formula: ##STR1## where R, R.sub.1, and R.sub.2 are each hydrogen atoms, lower alkyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) groups, or phenyl groups; provided that the compound has a decomposition temperature higher than the temperature of the extraction, and the extraction temperature is below the softening or decomposition temperature of the material being extracted.

Abstract: Oil shale or tar sands is extracted under non-thermally destructive conditions with a solvent liquid containing a compound having the general formula: ##STR1## where M is a carbon, sulfur, or phosphorus atom,R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group,R and R.sup.1 are each a lower alkyl group, another ##STR2## a monocyclic aromatic group, or R.sup.1 can be another ##STR3## or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together can represent the atoms necessary to close a heterocyclic ring, andn=1 where M=phosphorus and is otherwise 0,to substantially remove the non-fixed carbon content of the oil shale or tar sands, leaving a solid residue of fixed carbon, ash minerals, and non-extractable matter.

Abstract: Sub-divided coal is extracted under non-thermally destructive conditions with a solvent liquid containing a compound having the general formula: ##STR1## where M is a carbon, sulfur, or phosphorus atom,R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group,R and R.sup.1 are each a lower alkyl group, another ##STR2## a monocyclic aromatic group, or R.sup.1 can be another ##STR3## or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together can represent the atoms necessary to close a heterocyclic ring, andn=1 where M=phosphorus and is otherwise 0,to substantially remove the non-fixed carbon content of the coal, leaving a solid residue of the fixed coal carbon, ash and non-extractable matter.