Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling the reaction rate and/or reactivity of a hydrocarbon to an intermediate oxidation product, such as an acid, within predetermined limits, are disclosed. Control of the reaction rate and/or reactivity within predetermined limits is achieved by monitoring and controlling the oxidant consumption rate. According to the present invention, examples of ways to determine the oxidant consumption rate include, but are not limited to, monitoring the flow rates of incoming and outgoing oxidant, monitoring pressure differentials after temporarily ceasing entry and exit of gases, and monitoring the flow rates of incoming and outgoing gases, and monitoring the rates of incoming and outgoing hydrocarbon.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and reactor devices for controlling the oxidation of hydrocarbons to dibasic acids, in the presence of a cobalt catalyst and a monobasic acid, such as acetic acid, by treating the catalyst from the reaction mixture, outside the oxidation zone, after the oxidation has taken place at least partially. In one preferred embodiment, the catalyst is reduced to contain, preferably predominantly and more preferably substantially, cobalt ions in valence II, and at least partially precipitated by de-watering and/or thermal treatment. In a different preferred embodiment, the catalyst in the reaction mixture is first oxidized or maintained, preferably predominantly and more preferably substantially, at valence III, the reaction mixture is de-watered, the catalyst is reduced preferably predominantly and more preferably substantially, to valence II, causing precipitation either spontaneously at a predetermined temperature or after further thermal treatment.

Abstract: This invention relates to oxidative methods for controlling the oxidation of a class of compounds, including hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane for example, alcohols, such as cyclohexanol for example, ketones, such as cyclohexanone for example, and peroxides, such as cyclohexylhydroperoxide for example, to intermediate oxidation products, such as adipic acid for example, by the removing the catalyst, such as cobalt compounds for example, from the oxidation mixture, outside the oxidation zone, after the oxidation has taken place at least partially. The catalyst is at least partially precipitated by following the steps of changing the temperature to be within a specific range, and sequentially reducing the water level to such a degree that causes the catalyst to precipitate. The precipitated catalyst is thereafter preferably filtered from the oxidation mixture and recycled to the oxidation zone.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and reactor devices for controlling the oxidation of hydrocarbons to dibasic acids, in the presence of a cobalt catalyst and a monobasic acid, such as acetic acid, by treating the catalyst from the reaction mixture, outside the oxidation zone, after the oxidation has taken place at least partially. In one preferred embodiment, the catalyst is reduced to contain, preferably predominantly and more preferably substantially, cobalt ions in valence II, and at least partially precipitated by de-watering and/or thermal treatment. In a different preferred embodiment, the catalyst in the reaction mixture is first oxidized or maintained, preferably predominantly and more preferably substantially, at valence III, the reaction mixture is de-watered, the catalyst is reduced preferably predominantly and more preferably substantially, to valence II, causing precipitation either spontaneously at a predetermined temperature or after further thermal treatment.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling the reaction rate and/or reactivity of a hydrocarbon to an intermediate oxidation product, such as an acid, within predetermined limits, are disclosed. Control of the reaction rate and/or reactivity within predetermined limits is achieved by monitoring and controlling the oxidant consumption rate. According to the present invention, examples of ways to determine the oxidant consumption rate include, but are not limited to, monitoring the flow rates of incoming and outgoing oxidant, monitoring pressure differentials after temporarily ceasing entry and exit of gases, and monitoring the flow rates of incoming and outgoing gases, and monitoring the rates of incoming and outgoing hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Methods for controlling the reaction rate of a hydrocarbon to an acid by making phase-related adjustments are disclosed. In order to improve reaction rate of the oxidation, a single phase at the operating temperature is attained and maintained by adjusting one or more of gaseous oxidant flow rate, pressure in the reaction zone, temperature in the reaction zone, feed rate of hydrocarbon, feed rate of solvent, feed rate of water if water is being fed, feed rate of the catalyst. The preferred hydrocarbon is cyclohexane, the preferred acid is adipic acid, the preferred solvent is acetic acid, and the preferred catalyst is cobalt acetate. Other hydrocarbons include, but are not limited to, methylated benzene, methylated structures involving two benzene rings, and methylated naphthalene.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fastener, which expands by the insertion of an expanding member, preferably a screw. The fastener comprises a substantially flat head and two expandable legs. The head has an upper side and a lower side, preferably separated by a gap. The head also has an oblong hole in which the expanding body engages for securing one object to another object. The oblong hole represents a plurality of regular generally round holes, so that it becomes easy for the fastener to be located in difficult positions of the objects to be connected. The oblong hole has sides on different planes, and each side has an edge. Preferably, at least one of the two edges contains arcs for better guidance of the expanding member. Additional engagement may be provided at lower portions of the fastener for improving pulling force and/or prevailing torque. Further, an elastic body may be integrally molded at least at the lower side of the head of the fastener, and preferably throughout the head of the fastener.

Abstract: This invention discloses fasteners characterized by the use of barbs to secure a primary object in place. More particularly, the barbs which are used are critically shaped barbs resulting in considerable increase of the holding force without sacrificing the flexibility of the barbs, and without sacrificing the broad acceptability of various thicknesses of the primary object to be fastened.

Abstract: This invention relates to sheet metal reversed L-shaped segments, two of which may be assembled to form a T-shaped structure or fastener having a single layered head. The single-layered head has a hole engageable to an expanding member, such as a screw for example. The engageable hole is formed by two half holes, each half hole belonging to each L-shaped segment. Further, the fastener has legs, which expand upon insertion of the screw into the engageable hole. The T-shaped structure is adaptable to be securely locked in a slot of a metal sheet. This strong locking is realized by two sets of levers acting in opposite directions, and having as common fulcrum the region at the edges of the slot. One set of levers is formed by the action of the screw on the two half holes which form the engageable hole, while the other set of levers is formed by the action of the screw on the legs of the two L-shaped segments.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and reactor devices for controlling the oxidation of hydrocarbons to dibasic acids, in the presence of a catalyst and a monobasic acid, by removing the catalyst from the reaction mixture, outside the oxidation zone, after the oxidation has taken place at least partially. Initially, the catalyst is partially precipitated and removed by reducing the water level in the reaction mixture and/or subjecting the reaction mixture to a temperature, at which or over which catalyst precipitates. After the initial partial precipitation of the catalyst, the mother liquor remaining is subjected to a thermal treatment during which at least the major part of the monobasic acid is removed leaving behind molten dibasic acids, in which the remaining catalyst precipitates substantially in its totality, and it is removed. The precipitated catalyst in the two precipitation stages may be recycled in miscellaneous ways.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and reactor devices for controlling the oxidation of hydrocarbons to dibasic acids, in the presence of a cobalt catalyst and a monobasic acid, such as acetic acid, by treating the catalyst from the reaction mixture, outside the oxidation zone, after the oxidation has taken place at least partially. In one preferred embodiment, the catalyst is reduced to contain, preferably predominantly and more preferably substantially, cobalt ions in valence II, and at least partially precipitated by de-watering and/or thermal treatment. In a different preferred embodiment, the catalyst in the reaction mixture is first oxidized or maintained, preferably predominantly and more preferably substantially, at valence III, the reaction mixture is de-watered, the catalyst is reduced, preferably predominantly and more preferably substantially, to valence II, causing precipitation either spontaneously at a predetermined temperature or after further thermal treatment.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of controlling the oxidation of cyclohexane to adipic acid in the presence of a monobasic acid solvent, by removing the catalyst from the reaction mixture, outside the reaction zone. Substantially all the unreacted cyclohexane along with at least the majority of the monobasic acid solvent are removed. A substantially non-solvent for the catalyst (first constituent), and water are added into the resulting mixture, in such amounts as to maintain one solids-free single liquid phase. This process is highly facilitated in the presence of considerable amounts of adipic acid. The catalyst may then be extracted with water from the solids-free single liquid phase. A water phase containing dissolved catalyst may also be formed by addition of small amounts of a solvent which is substantially non-solvent for the catalyst and substantially non-solvent for the dibasic acids (second constituent), and/or dropping the temperature.

Abstract: Devices for controlling the reaction rate of a hydrocarbon to an acid or other intermediate oxidation product by pressure drop rate adjustments. The devices incorporate a reaction chamber, different means for monitoring miscellaneous parameters, means for feeding ingredients including gases, means for exiting products and gases, means for stopping the feeding and exiting of gases at predetermined time intervals, means for measuring the pressure drop rate during the period that the feeding and exiting of gases takes effect, and a controller, the function of which is to conduct adjustments in one or more of temperature, feeding rates of hydrocarbon, solvent, catalyst, promoter, and the like until the pressure drop rate and the reaction rate fall within desirable predetermined limits.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and devices for removing acetic acid from cyclohexane in the direct oxidation of cyclohexane to adipic acid, especially after recycling catalyst which is precipitated by introduction of additional cyclohexane. The removal of acetic acid is preferably conducted by use of rather small amounts of wash-water in one to three stage extractors. A two stage reactor is preferable as being more efficient.

Abstract: A solid imaging apparatus and method produces an integral three-dimensional object from a multiplicity of cross sectional portions of the object by selectively exposing successive layers of a liquid photoformable composition to actinic radiation. The apparatus includes a vessel for containing the composition so as to present a free surface, and a movable platform disposed within the vessel below the free surface. Part of the composition is transferred above the free surface by lowering and raising a dispenser at predetermined positions located away from the platform. A doctor blade contacts the composition transferred above the free surface, and then moves over the platform to form a substantially uniform layer of the composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of preparing dibasic acids, such as adipic acid for example, by oxidizing a hydrocarbon with a gas containing an oxidant, preferably oxygen. A respective hydrocarbon is reacted with a gaseous oxidant to form dibasic acid in a mixture which preferably contains a solvent, a catalyst, and an initiator. The temperature of the mixture is then lowered to a point at which solid dibasic acid is precipitated, while maintaining a single liquid phase. At least part of the formed acid is then removed.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for controlling the oxidation of hydrocarbons to intermediate oxidation products, such as adipic acid for example, by removing the catalyst from the reaction mixture, outside the reaction zone, after the oxidation has taken place at least partially. The catalyst is at least partially precipitated by reducing the water level in the reaction mixture and subjecting the reaction mixture to a temperature, at which or over which catalyst precipitates.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for controlling the oxidation of hydrocarbons to dibasic acids, in the presence of a catalyst and a monobasic acid, by removing the catalyst from the reaction mixture, outside the oxidation zone, after the oxidation has taken place at least partially. Initially, the catalyst is partially precipitated and removed by reducing the water level in the reaction mixture and/or subjecting the reaction mixture to a temperature, at which or over which catalyst precipitates. After the initial partial precipitation of the catalyst, the remaining catalyst is subjected to a thermal treatment, during which at least part of the monobasic acid is removed leaving behind molten dibasic acids, in which, at least a major part of the remaining catalyst is precipitated, and it is removed. A minor part of remaining catalyst is removed by methods, which include but are not limited to ion exchange, precipitation with a base or appropriate salt, and electrodialysis.

Abstract: Methods for controlling the oxidation rate of a hydrocarbon to an acid by adjusting addition of a rate-modulator are disclosed. In order to control oxidation rate, the ratio of hydrocarbon to rate modulator is appropriately adjusted. Preferably, this ratio is adjusted continually based on feedback relative to oxidation progress parameters. It may be kept substantially constant at steady state conditions of the oxidation, or it may take a path of predetermined values. The rate-modulator preferably comprises a hydrocarbon oxidation initiator.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of recycling catalyst in oxidations of hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane for example, to respective intermediate oxidation products, such as adipic acid for example, by a direct process. The catalyst remains in solution despite removal of water from the composition, since the water removal is controlled at such temperatures and such remaining water levels that prevent catalyst from precipitating. The water removal is preferably conducted before removal of the intermediate oxidation product. Also, preferably, some, and more preferably all steps of the process are conducted in a single liquid phase region.