Abstract: Orthopedic mixtures are prepared by mixing starting materials and a process medium in a reactor to form a supercritical fluid slurry. The starting materials include a source of calcium ions and a polymer matrix for the calcium ions. The process medium preferably is carbon dioxide which is supplied to the reactor in a supercritical state or which is heated and pressurized in the reactor to attain a supercritical state. After mixing for a period of time, the slurry either is left in the reactor or is discharged into a receiving vessel. The process medium is separated from the other materials and removed, leaving behind a finely divided product. The finely divided product can be poured into a mold and cured. Thereafter, the cured product can be used as a bone implant or a bone implant can be carved from the cured product. Alternatively, if an ultraviolet light-curable catalyst and a monomer are included in the mixture, the finely divided product can be used as bone filler and cured in situ.

Abstract: Polymer matrices for use in orthopedic, pharmaceutical, and similar mixtures are prepared by mixing two or more polymers and a process medium in a reactor to form a supercritical fluid slurry. The process medium preferably is carbon dioxide which is supplied to the reactor in a supercritical state or which is heated and pressurized in the reactor to attain a supercritical state. After mixing for a period of time, the slurry either is left in the reactor or is discharged into a receiving vessel. The process medium is separated from the polymers and removed, leaving behind finely divided particles.

Abstract: Orthopedic parts are manufactured using supercritical fluid processing techniques in which starting materials and a process medium are mixed in a reactor to form a supercritical fluid slurry. The starting materials include a source of calcium ions and a polymer matrix for the calcium ions. The process medium preferably is carbon dioxide which is supplied to the reactor in a supercritical state or which is heated and pressurized in the reactor to attain a supercritical state. A conduit connects the reactor to a mold that has a cavity of a desired shape for an orthopedic part. A flush valve interconnects the bottom of a reactor and the conduit. When the flush valve is opened, the slurry is directed through the conduit into the mold where solidification occurs very rapidly.

Abstract: A mixing vessel for a process using supercritical process media, the vessel including an agitator for mixing a batch of materials and a process media in a supercritical state in the vessel to produce a reaction mixture based on a selectable reaction process; and heat transfer system for controlling temperature of the reaction mixture, the heat transfer system comprising a liner that generally conforms to an interior surface geometry of the vessel, with the liner comprising a high thermal conductivity material; the liner comprising an interior heat transfer surface in thermal exchange with the reaction mixture, and a plurality of fluid channels; heat transfer fluid that circulates through the channels and in thermal exchange with the heat transfer surface; and a heat transfer fluid supply exterior the pressure vessel for circulating the heat transfer fluid through the channels.

Abstract: Apparatus for a process using supercritical fluid includes a pressure vessel including an agitator for mixing a batch of materials therein; a source of process media supplied to the pressure vessel in a supercritical state; first delivery devices for introducing into the pressure vessel batch materials that are mixed in the presence of the process media in a supercritical state to produce a reaction mixture based on a selectable reaction process; a receiver vessel; and second delivery devices for controlling transfer of the reaction mixture to the receiver vessel; the source comprising a tank for holding a selectable mass of the process media in a supercritical state and for supplying the process media on demand during the reaction process and during delivery of the reaction mixture to the receiver vessel.

Abstract: A control system for a process using supercritical fluid includes a reactor vessel including an agitator for mixing a batch of materials therein a source of supercritical fluid supplied to the reactor vessel, means for introducing into the reactor vessel batch material that is mixed in the presence of the supercritical fluid based on a selectable reaction process, process monitoring means for producing signals representative of the reaction in the reactor vessel; and control means for controlling the reaction in the reactor vessel based on said signals and the selected reaction process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and improved method of producing coating materials comprising the steps of providing a first organic material which is solid at room temperature, providing a second organic material which is solid at room temperature and which is substantially different in chemical composition from the first organic material, providing a source of supercritical fluid, providing a first container having a mechanical agitator, providing a second container, introducing the first and second organic materials and the supercritical fluid into the first container and mechanically agitating such materials and the supercritical fluid, and discharging the contents of the first container into the second container so as to collect substantially all of the first and second organic materials in the second vessel, the second container being maintained at a lower pressure than the first container.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and improved method of producing coating materials comprising the steps of providing a first organic material which is solid at room temperature, providing a second organic material which is solid at room temperature and which is substantially different in chemical composition from the first organic material, providing a source of supercritical fluid, providing a first container having a mechanical agitator, providing a second container, introducing the first and second organic materials and the supercritical fluid into the first container and mechanically agitating such materials and the supercritical fluid, and discharging the contents of the first container into the second container so as to collect substantially all of the first and second organic materials in the second vessel, the second container being maintained at a lower pressure than the first container.

Abstract: An improved method for scavenging dissolved oxygen from waters used to generate steam which comprises treating said waters with at least 0.3 mole of gallic acid per mole of oxygen contained in said bioler waters.An aqueous concentrate useful for treating boiler waters to scavenge oxygen therefrom which contains at least 0.3% by weight of gallic acid. This aqueous concentrate has a pH adjusted to at least 8.5.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions and methods for neutralization and solidification of hazardous alkali spills. A dry particulate composition containing an organic neutralizing acid and, materials having varying adsorption rates may be used to neutralize alkaline spills, and solidify the spills to render them harmless. These compositions may be applied to the spills by fire-extinguisher-like delivery devices which spread the compositions on the spills from a relatively safe distance without splattering the hazardous materials.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel composition and methods for neutralization and solidification of hazardous acidic spills. A dry particulate composition of varying reaction grades of alkaline compounds and varying grades of absorptive materials may be used to neutralize and solidify acidic spills, solidify the spills and render them harmless. These compositions may be applied to the spills by fire-extinguisher-like delivery devices which spread the compositions on the spills from a relatively safe distance without splattering the hazardous material.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions and methods for control and clean-up of hazardous organic spills. A dry particulate composition of activated carbon and, alternatively, absorptive materials may be used to control and contain organic spills, solidify the spills and elevate their flashpoints to render them harmless. These compositions may be applied to the spills by fire-extinguisher like delivery devices which spread the compositions and the spills from a relatively safe distance without splattering the hazardous material.

Abstract: A carbonaceous material, such as coal, is gasified through the catalytic action of an alkali metal salt. The alkali metal is provided as a sulfate which is converted to a sulfide during gasification. In one embodiment, sodium sulfate is converted to sodium sulfide at a temperature effective to form a transitory melt condition at an interface which obtains coal gasification at relatively low temperatures and material residence times for the reaction. An alkaline earth sulfate, such as a gypsum, may be concurrently converted to a sulfide during gasification. The alkali metal sulfide may then be regenerated to a sulfate for process reuse while converting the alkaline earth to a carbonate for environmentally safe disposal with concurrent recovery of valuable sulfur. The evolved carbon gases may be used for fuel, for process feed chemicals, or the like.

Abstract: A blend of polymers is disclosed which, when used as described, prevents and removes scale on heat transfer surfaces in contact with boiler waters.

Abstract: Phosphoric acid is produced by the wet process from phosphate rock containing fluochlorapatite. The rock is ground in a crusher (10) to a size such that from about 50% to about 90% by weight will be passed by a -200 mesh U.S.S. sieve before being passed into a digestor (14) where it is mixed with sulfuric acid and recycled phosphoric acid to form a slurry. A suitable reductant such as sulphur dioxide is added to the slurry to maintain the oxidation-reduction potential in the range from about +150 mv to about +750 mv. The gypsum by-products are then removed from the slurry at filter (16) and a portion of the acid is recycled to digestor (14). The remaining acid is either concentrated and further processed to make fertilizers or is further processed via path (20) to remove aluminum and/or iron impurities. Select amounts of fluoride and sodium containing compounds are added to the acid in a stirred reactor (30) to cause precipitation of aluminum, principally as Na.sub.2 AlF.sub.5.

Abstract: A method of treating hardness present in boiler waters which are in contact with heat transfer surfaces to prevent and remove scale caused by such hardness which comprises treating such waters with a water-soluble anionic vinyl polymer containing at least 30% by weight of carboxylate functionality with said polymer having a molecular weight within the range of 500-50,000 and with the amount of such polymer being within the range of 1-30 ppm per ppm hardness present in such waters.In a preferred embodiment, the boiler waters are simultaneously treated with the water-soluble anionic vinyl polymers containing carboxylate functionality and another water-soluble anionic vinyl polymer which has dispersing properties.