Abstract: A composition comprising a particulate fuel, typically pulverized coal, carried in water is formed such that it is readily able to be pumped without adding emulsifiers or lubricants to the composition. The composition typically includes at least 25% water and preferably 30 to 50% water. The composition is pumped to a burner 2 and is atomized therein, typically by means of a stream of oxygen supplied through a passage 6 in the nozzle 6 of the burner. This oxygen is taken from that supplied to a further passage for supporting combustion of the particulate fuel. A relatively short and intense flame can be produced at relatively low coal concentrations in the composition such that the need to use expensive emulsifiers etc. is avoided.

Abstract: A tool setting-aid comprising an anodized aluminum "button" and a support therefor is set up at a predetermined datum position on the worktable of a computer controlled machine tool, the machine program including a check cycle which sends the cutting tool around and over the button or, if the tool is oversize or set wrongly, into contact with the button. The button is supplied with electrical current via a cable having a resistor coupled to the button end thereof by an electronic detector circuit which includes a sensor for detecting current increase due to contact between button and cutting tool and a sensor for sensing interruption of such current due to cable breakage or a failure to properly connect it to the setting-aid.

Abstract: Adiponitrile is separated from impurities of boiling point close to that of adiponitrile, especially 5-cyanovaleric acid and 2-cyanocyclopenten-(1)-ylamine, by reacting the impurities with a primary or secondary amine to give compounds of higher boiling point and then fractionally distilling to separate the adiponitrile.