Abstract: A coking process in which tar impregnated refractory products are heated in a muffle within a furnace to a temperature sufficient to cause emission or release of the volatile constituents in the tars and pitches used for impregnation, whether by decomposition or distillation, for a time which is sufficient to remove substantially all of such constituents from the products, characterized by heating the refractory products in a muffle within the furnace while maintaining a positive pressure within the muffle during the emission of the volatile constituents, and thereafter cooling the refractories in a substantially nonoxidizing atmosphere. After the temperature of the refractory products is low enough to avoid any thermal shocking of the brick the brick are removed from the furnace and the muffle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for accumulating hydrocarbon vapor and rendering the vapor environmentally safe by combustion. An internal combustion engine is attached to an interface which accumulates hydrocarbon vapor present in the soil after a spill or leakage from a storage tank or transfer lines. The vacuum of the internal combustion engine present in the intake manifold is used to draw the hydrocarbon vapors from the soil into the interface and then into the engine where they are burned. A catalytic converter of conventional design cleans the end exhaust removing any remaining hydrocarbon pollutants.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel process for manufacturing stable, fluid highly concentrated dispersed aqueous suspensions of calcined clay. The process utilizes the micromixer described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,052 to Edward H. Cumpston, Jr. Dry calcined clay is fed to the inlet hopper of the micromixer and mixed with water and one or more conventional clay dispersants before the clay enters the centrifugal zone of the micromixer. A smooth but extremely dilatant paste is discharged from the mill after this first pass. The paste is then recirculated through the micromixer a plurality of times at a higher throughput rate than that used in the first pass.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a stable, fluid, highly concentrated aqueous suspension of calcined clay which has satisfactory rheological properties and calcined clay particles having desirable low abrasiveness. A dispersed fluid aqueous suspension of the clay containing about 50 to 55% solids is recirculated through one or more vertical agitated mills containing a particulate grinding medium such as 1/16-inch zirconia spheres. Portions of dry calcined clay are added in increments to the suspension during recirculation until the desired high clay solids level, usually 60 to 70%, is obtained.