Abstract: The regeneration responses of diesel engine exhaust filters are mapped by conducting multiple regeneration runs under controlled conditions of soot loading, exhaust temperature, exhaust flow rate, exhaust oxygen content and/or other regeneration condition variables to generate a multivariate response surface or filter map that can be used to predict regeneration response under other conditions and aid in the design and active management of the filters to improve filter efficiency and extend filter service life.

Abstract: The regeneration responses of diesel engine exhaust filters are mapped by conducting multiple regeneration runs under controlled conditions of soot loading, exhaust temperature, exhaust flow rate, exhaust oxygen content and/or other regeneration condition variables to generate a multivariate response surface or filter map that can be used to predict regeneration response under other conditions and aid in the design and active management of the filters to improve filter efficiency and extend filter service life.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing the durability of a catalytic converter incorporating a catalyst support honeycomb supported by a resilient mounting material within an exterior converter enclosure, the method comprising vibrating the exterior of the converter enclosure while the converter is heated to a predetermined testing temperature and while the force or acceleration applied to the catalyst support honeycomb by the vibrating exterior enclosure and resilient mounting layer is measured.

Abstract: Ceramic honeycombs used as catalyst supports for combustion engine exhaust pollution control are provided with insulating porous refractory thermal barrier coatings disposed on and bonded to at least a portion of the external skins of the honeycombs, reducing the outer barrier coating surface temperature to provide thermal protection for the resilient fiber support materials used to mount the supports in catalytic converter enclosures.

Abstract: Plasticized inorganic powder batches comprising a cellulosic binder, water, and at least one inorganic powder exhibiting relatively high water affinity are compounded by combining the inorganic powder, prior to any contact with the water or cellulosic binder, with an organic surface treatment agent to decrease the water affinity thereof; subsequent mixing of the treated powder with the water and the cellulosic binder forms a plasticized inorganic powder batch with improved extrusion, molding, or other shaping characteristics.

Abstract: In a process of forming cordierite-containing bodies, the water absorption capability or shrinkage of the bodies is controlled using the alumina-yielding ingredients. The process of controlling the water absorption capability or shrinkage includes the steps of providing alumina-yielding ingredients in the form of two aluminas having different particle sizes, wherein the ratio of the two particle sizes is in the range of from about 3:1 to 30:1 or 1:3 to 1:30. Next, a linear relationship between the cordierite-containing body's water absorption capability or shrinkage and the relative percentage of the alumina-yielding ingredients made up by the two aluminas is determined. After determining the linear relationship, a water absorption capability or shrinkage of the cordierite-containing body is selected in accordance with that relationship by adjusting the relative percentages of the two aluminas.

Abstract: Highly uniform prepreg mats comprising inorganic fibers and powered ceramic matrix materials, useful for the manufacture of ceramic matrix composite articles, are provided by a process wherein continuous fiber tows infiltrated with a thermoplastic suspension of the matrix powder are preheated, uniformly collected on a heated drum or other support, and then cooled and compacted with a pressure roller or the like to achieve a prepreg mat structure characterized by a homogeneous distribution of fibers and ceramic matrix material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel thermostable alpha amylase having a low requirement for calcium ions, and a novel Bacillus microorganism that produces it extracellularly. This amylase is useful in high temperature, low calcium applications, e.g., in detergent compositions.