Abstract: This invention relates to methods and devices of preparing acids, such as adipic acid for example, by oxidizing a hydrocarbon, such as cyclohexane for example, with a gas containing an oxidant, preferably oxygen. A respective hydrocarbon is reacted, preferably at a steady state, with a gaseous oxidant to form an acid in a liquid mixture which preferably contains a solvent, a catalyst, water, and an initiator. The ratio of solvent to hydrocarbon may be controlled in a manner to maintain in the reaction zone maximum reaction rate and/or reactivity, or reaction rate and/or reactivity within a desired range, or reaction rate and/or reactivity directed toward a desired range. In addition, the ratio of solvent to hydrocarbon is controlled in a manner to maintain in the reaction zone substantially maximum selectivity and/or yield, or selectivity and/or yield within a desired range, or selectivity and/or yield directed toward a desired range.

Abstract: Apparatuses are disclosed and claimed for coating egg-yolks, natural or artificial, preferably in the form of disks. The apparatuses comprise a vessel for containing a first coating liquid, in which the egg yolk disks are dispensed. A preferably continuous belt is synchronized with the dispenser so that the back part of the belt is immersed in the liquid when the egg-yolk is being dispensed, while it rises during the period of time that the dispenser is getting ready to dispense a new egg-yolk, thus transferring the yolk out of the liquid. The belt has preferably perforations in its middle portion and it is pivoted in the vicinity of the front end of the vessel. The apparatuses of the present invention are useful for coating articles other than egg-yolk disks.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling the oxidation of a hydrocarbon to an acid by regulating the temperature hold-up time, and conversion in consecutive reaction zones. The temperature in the consecutive reaction zones progressively decreases, while the hold-up time increases. Preferably, the conversion also increases. One of the major advantages of the methods and devices of the present invention is that an outstanding balance between productivity and selectivity/yield of the desired acid may be achieved. In this respect high yields and selectivities may be obtained without sacrificing productivity.

Abstract: Methods for oxidizing a hydrocarbon to an intermediate oxidation product by utilizing an activated initiator. The initiator is activated by partially oxidizing a first mixture of the initiator and a hydrocarbon, which mixture contains a rather large amount of initiator. The first mixture may even be just initiator. The first mixture, after the partial oxidation, is mixed with a second mixture containing hydrocarbon and a smaller amount of initiator. The second mixture may even contain no initiator at all. The oxidation is continued to a desired degree. Preferably, at least one of the two mixtures, and even more preferably both reaction mixtures contain an oxidation catalyst and an acidic solvent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling exothermic reactions involving a first reactant contained in a liquid and a second reactant in a gas to form a reaction product by atomizing the liquid in an environment of a gas and removing heat of reaction by condensing vapors of the liquid in a reaction chamber. Preferably, the condensation takes place on a simultaneously atomized second liquid of lower temperature than the atomized liquid containing the first reactant. The compositions of the two liquids are preferably similar. This invention provides waste minimization and considerable environmental improvement.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of 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: 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 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: Methods and apparatuses for controlling exothermic reactions involving a first reactant contained in a liquid and a second reactant in a gas to form a reaction product by atomizing the liquid in an environment of a gas and removing heat of reaction by condensing vapors of the liquid in a reaction chamber. Preferably, the condensation takes place on a simultaneously atomized second liquid of lower temperature than the atomized liquid containing the first reactant. The compositions of the two liquids are preferably similar. This invention provides waste minimization and considerable environmental improvement.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling the reaction rate of a hydrocarbon to an acid or other intermediate oxidation product by pressure drop rate adjustments. The pressure drop rate measurements arc conducted at predetermined time intervals, after stopping the feeding and exiting of gases. The pressure drop at a predetermined time interval is measured or the time it takes for the pressure to drop by a certain degree. Adjustments are then made in one or more 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: The described method of treatment relates to the field of cardiovascular disease and is a cure for various forms of heart fibrillation. The method consists of sectioning the heart into independent conduction zones such that electrical communication between the zones is terminated. The communication between the zones is then reestablished in such a manner as to restore normal heart rhythm, by way of a pacing mechanism, thereby eliminating the fibrillation.

Abstract: Methods for oxidizing a hydrocarbon to an intermediate oxidation product by utilizing an activated initiator. The initiator is activated by partially oxidizing a first mixture of the initiator and a hydrocarbon, which mixture contains a rather large amount of initiator. The first mixture may even be just initiator. The first mixture, after the partial oxidation, is mixed with a second mixture containing hydrocarbon and a smaller amount of initiator. The second mixture may even contain no initiator at all. The oxidation is continued to a desired degree. Preferably, at least one of the two mixtures, and even more preferably both reaction mixtures contain an oxidation catalyst and an acidic solvent.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling the oxidation of a hydrocarbon to an acid by regulating the temperature, hold-up time, and conversion in consecutive reaction zones. The temperature in the consecutive reaction zones progressively decreases, while the hold-up time increases. Preferably, the conversion also increases. One of the major advantages of the methods and devices of the present invention is that an outstanding balance between productivity and selectivity/yield of the desired acid may be achieved. In this respect high yields and selectivities may be obtained without sacrificing productivity.

Abstract: Methods of making intermediate oxidation products by atomizing a first liquid (in the form of droplets) containing a reactant into a gas containing an oxidant in a manner to form an intermediate oxidation product different than carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide. The oxidation is controlled by monitoring the pre-coalescing temperature (temperature of the droplets just before they coalesce into a mass of liquid), or transient temperature difference (difference between the pre-coalescing temperature and the temperature of the droplets just before atomized), or transient conversion (conversion taking place in the time interval between the formation of the droplets and their coalescence into a mass of liquid) or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling the reaction rate of a hydrocarbon to an acid or other intermediate oxidation product by pressure drop rate adjustments. The pressure drop rate measurements are conducted at predetermined time intervals, after stopping the feeding and exiting of gases. The pressure drop at a predetermined time interval is measured or the time it takes for the pressure to drop by a certain degree. Adjustments are then made in one or more 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: Simulated egg yolk in the nature of a thermoreversible, preferably homogenized, gel which is non-flowable at room temperature is extruded into disk-like shapes. A restrictive barrier is formed around the egg yolk disks by a reverse method of first contacting the non-flowable yolk with a setting agent such as calcium chloride in water and then with a film former such as sodium alginate in water. The resulting simulated egg yolk looks and behaves like natural egg yolk and may be incorporated into natural egg white while preserving a separate phase, so one can make "sunny side up" and "easy over" eggs.

Abstract: Devices are claimed for producing egg-yolk containing artificial egg-yolk materials and egg-white or other thermally non-reversible gel formers. The egg-yolk is produced in the form of a cylinder, which is useful to be cut into disks, which after being encapsulated into an edible membrane, are used in combination with egg-white to form egg-products which may be fried or poached in a similar manner as real eggs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for coating egg-yolk disks containing egg-yolk materials. The egg-yolk is initially produced in the form of a cylinder, which is cut into disks, which disks after being encapsulated into an edible membrane, are used in combination with egg-white to form egg-products which may be fried or poached in a similar manner as real eggs. The methods and apparatuses of the present invention are useful for coating articles other than egg yolk disks.

Abstract: Methods of making intermediate oxidation products by atomizing a first liquid (in the form of droplets) containing a reactant into a gas containing an oxidant in a manner to form an intermediate oxidation product different than carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide. The oxidation rate is controlled by monitoring and adjusting the temperatures and/or conversions at critical points of the process.

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.