Abstract: A spark ignited burner that includes a fuel-oxidant pre-mixing chamber upstream of both an annular ignition spark discharge gap and a main fuel outlet. A continuous ignition discharge spark is established and maintained across the annular ignition spark discharge gap and used to ignite a pre-mixed fuel-oxidant mixture, which in turn is used to ignite the main burner flame.

Abstract: A quench chute for use in heat treating objects extends from one end of a furnace into a tank filled with quenching fluid. The chute has a passage therein through which heat treated objects fall from the furnace into the tank. Laminar sheets of quenching fluid are introduced into the chute above the quenching fluid level in the tank and a portion of the chute is constructed from a screen which allows quenching fluid to exit the chute and return to the quench tank. A portion of the chute below the quenching fluid level is curved and has a plurality of fluid manifolds disposed therealong for introducing high pressure jets of fluid into the chute. As the objects fall from the furnace into the chute, they first pass through the laminar sheets of quenching fluid. The objects then fall through the quenching fluid and glance off of the curved portion of the chute. The objects are decelerated by the glancing contact with the chute and by the jets of quenching fluid introduced into the chute by the manifold.

Abstract: Process of forming prepasted wallcovering comprising a porous surface that carries a dry coating of polymer particles that become adhesive when wetted by water is made by applying to the surface a dispersion of the particles in a non-aqueous liquid that is stabilized by a polymeric stabilizer and then evaporating the non-aqueous liquid. A dried residue of the dispersion must not form a coherent film and should have a softening point substantially independent of the softening point of the polymeric stabilizer. The polymeric stabilizer is preferably an oil. The non-aqueous liquid is preferably relatively non-volatile.

Abstract: A wallcovering comprises a substrate carrying a water-moistenable coating formed of at least two layers. The layer adjacent to the substrate generally comprises unswollen particles of an anionic polymer that is substantially non-swellable in water and that is swellable in aqueous alkali and the upper layer contains an alkali which on contact with water forms an alkaline solution which swells the anionic polymer and a water soluble cationic polymer. The anionic polymer generally comprises beads of cross-linked copolymers of lower alkyl acrylates and methacrylic acid having a molecular weight of about 5 million. Processes for producing the wallcoverings comprise coating the substrate separately with an aqueous dispersion of the anionic polymer and an aqueous solution containing both the cationic polymer and the alkaline material to give at least two separate layers.

Abstract: Substantially non-ionic polyacrylamide cross linked with a low amount of cross linking agent is used as an additive for a plant growth medium.

Abstract: A method of controlling the depth of immersion of an oxygen lance in a molten bath within an electric arc furnace where noise emitted from the furnace during lancing in an acoustic spectrum ranging between 1 kHz and 15 kHz defined by a plurality of selected frequency bands is monitored. The position of the lance with respect to the bath surface is controlled by reference to the amplitudes of the output signals emitted from each of the selected frequency bands. There is a distinct change in the relationship of particular bands to provide a "lance out" signal which is directed to a control for a lance drive mechanism. Apparatus for practicing the method includes a microphone, a filter unit, a microprocessor and a lance drive responsive to signals from the microprocessor.

Abstract: The adhesive coating of a water wettable prepasted wallcovering is formed of a blend of water insoluble but water swellable anionic polymer particles and water insoluble but water swellable cationic polymer particles. The coating may be applied from a dispersion of the particles in volatile organic liquid.

Abstract: Quaternized ammonium synthetic polymers having a solution viscosity, as measured on a 1% solution in deionized water at 25.degree. C. using a suspended level viscometer of from 1 to 500 cs are used as dispersing agents in aqueous slurries of water and solid particulate carbonaceous material.

Abstract: A liquid polymeric composition comprises a suspension in an organic liquid of particulate water insoluble but water swellable polymer, the particles being less than 10 microns in size. To reduce viscosity in water the swellable polymer may be a copolymer and/or a water soluble polymer may be included. A composition of polymer particles that are swellable and contain both soluble and insoluble polymer can be made by inverse emulsion polymerization. An aqueous adhesive, that may be made by mixing this composition with water, comprises water swollen particulate polymer that may be a copolymer and that may be used with a dissolved polymer in order to reduce the viscosity. Pregummed substrates, such as wallpaper, that can be rendered adhesive by contacting with water are obtained by applying the aqueous or non-aqueous composition to the substrate and drying it on the substrate. Wallcovering can be stuck to a surface using the aqueous adhesive.