Abstract: Process, apparatus and article for treating an aqueous solution containing biological contaminants. The process includes contacting an aqueous solution containing a biological contaminant with an aggregate composition comprising an insoluble rare earth-containing compound to form a solution depleted of active biological contaminants. The aggregate includes mote than 10.01% by weight of the insoluble rare earth-containing compound. The insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. A suitable insoluble cerium-containing compound can be derived from a cerium carbonate, a cerium oxalate or a cerium salt. The composition can consist essentially of cerium oxides, and optionally, a binder and/or flow aid. The aggregate includes no more than two elements selected from the group consisting of yttrium, scandium, and europium when the aggregate is to be sintered.

Abstract: Apparatus, process and article for treating a gas containing one or more of a chemical and/or biological contaminant. The process includes contacting the gas with an aggregate composition comprising an insoluble rare earth-containing compound to form a gas depleted of chemical and active biological contaminants. The insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. The composition comprises no more than two elements selected from the group consisting of yttrium, scandium, and europium when the aggregate has been sintered. A suitable insoluble cerium-containing compound can be derived from cerium carbonate. In one embodiment, the aggregate composition consists essentially of one or more cerium oxides, and optionally, a binder. Although intended for a variety of fluid treatment applications, such applications specifically include the treatment of breathing gases such as air that may contain chemical and/or biological contaminants.

Abstract: An aggregate composition and process for making the aggregate composition. The aggregate composition includes an insoluble rare earth-containing compound and a polymer binder. The insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. A suitable insoluble cerium-containing compound can be derived from cerium carbonate or a cerium salt. In a specific embodiment, the aggregate composition consists essentially of one or more cerium oxides, the polymer binder and optionally a flow aid. A process for making the composition includes mixing the insoluble rare earth-containing compound with a polymer binder to form a mixture, and subjecting the mixture to mechanical, chemical and/or thermal treatment to adhere the rare earth compound to the polymer binder. The aggregate composition can be used in a variety of fluid treatment applications to remove one or more chemical and biological contaminants in a fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus, process and article for treating an aqueous solution containing a chemical contaminant. The process includes contacting an aqueous solution containing a chemical contaminant with an aggregate composition comprising an insoluble rare earth-containing compound to form a solution depleted of chemical contaminants. The insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. A suitable insoluble cerium-containing compound can be derived from a cerium carbonate, cerium oxalate and/or a cerium salt. The aggregate composition can include more than 10.01% by weight of the insoluble rare earth-containing compound, and in a particular embodiment consists essentially of one or more cerium oxides, and optionally a binder and/or flow aid. Although intended for a variety of fluid treatment applications, such applications specifically include removing or detoxifying chemical contaminants in water.

Abstract: The present invention is a secondary battery having a high specific capacity and good cycleability, and that can be used safely. The secondary battery is manufactured to include an anode formed from a host material capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium in an electrochemical system such as a carbonaceous material, and lithium metal dispersed in the host material. The freshly prepared anodes of the invention are combined with a positive electrode including an active material, a separator that a separates the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and an electrolyte in communication with the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The present invention also includes a method of preparing a freshly prepared anode and a method of operating a secondary battery including the anode of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention includes lithium cobalt oxides having hexagonal layered crystal structures and methods of making same. The lithium cobalt oxides of the invention have the formula LiwCo1?xAxO2+y wherein 0.96?w?1.05, 0?x?0.05, ?0.02?y?0.02 and A is one or more dopants. The lithium cobalt oxides of the invention preferably have a position within the principal component space defined by the relationship axi+byi?c, wherein xi={right arrow over (S)}i•{right arrow over (P)}c1; yi={right arrow over (S)}i•{right arrow over (P)}c2; the vector {right arrow over (S)}i is the x-ray spectrum for the LiwCo1?xAxO2+y compound; the vectors {right arrow over (P)}c1 and {right arrow over (P)}c2 defining the principal component space are determined by measuring the x-ray powder diffraction values {right arrow over (S)}i between 15° and 120° using a 0.

Abstract: A non-linear shaped charge perforator for use in perforating an oil and gas formation into which a wellbore has been drilled comprises a monolithic, axisymmetric metal case in which is disposed a main explosive charge between the front of the case, which is closed with a concave metal liner, and the closed back end of the case. The main explosive charge contains multiple initiation points, preferably two initiation points located about 180° apart on the outside surface of the charge, so that when the perforator is detonated the main charge is initiated such that the metal liner is collapsed into a non-circular jet, preferably a fan-shaped jet, that pierces the casing of the wellbore and forms non-circular perforations, preferably slot-shaped perforations, in the surrounding formation.

Abstract: The present invention is a secondary battery having a high specific capacity and good cycleability, and that can be used safely. The secondary battery is manufactured to include an anode formed from a host material capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium in an electrochemical system such as a carbonaceous material, and lithium metal dispersed in the host material. The freshly prepared anodes of the invention are combined with a positive electrode including an active material, a separator that a separates the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and an electrolyte in communication with the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The present invention also includes a method of preparing a freshly prepared anode and a method of operating a secondary battery including the anode of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention includes lithium cobalt oxides having hexagonal layered crystal structures and methods of making same. The lithium cobalt oxides of the invention have the formula LiwCo1−xAxO2+y wherein 0.96≦w≦1.05, 0≦x≦0.05, −0.02≦y≦0.02 and A is one or more dopants. The lithium cobalt oxides of the invention preferably have a position within the principal component space defined by the relationship axi+byi≦c, wherein xi={right arrow over (S)}i&Circlesolid;{right arrow over (P)}c1; yi={right arrow over (S)}i&Circlesolid;{right arrow over (P)}c2; the vector {right arrow over (S)}i is the x-ray spectrum for the LiwCo1−xAxO2+y compound; the vectors {right arrow over (P)}c1 and {right arrow over (P)}c2 defining the principal component space are determined by measuring the x-ray powder diffraction values {right arrow over (S)}i between 15° and 120° using a 0.

Abstract: The present invention is a composition comprising pellets, each of said pellets consisting essentially of an integral mass of polycrystalline material of randomly disposed crystals of hydrated alumina infused with an amount of LiX to produce LiX/Al(OH)3 having up to a mol fraction of 0.33 of LiX in the so-produced LiX/Al(OH)3, wherein LiX is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of Li hydroxide, Li halide, Li nitrate, Li sulfate, and Li bicarbonate. The present invention further includes methods of preparing the composition and methods of recovery lithium values from brine using the composition.

Abstract: The molecular weight of a polyolefin such as polypropylene is reduced, as evidenced by lowered viscosity and increased melt flow rate, by treatment with an inorganic peroxygen selected from metal persulfates, ammonium persulfates, and any mixtures thereof. The treatment avoids or minimizes the color or odor attendant treatment with organic peroxygens and the toxic products of organic persulfate decomposition, and avoids the special handling required with organic peroxides.

Abstract: Elastic solids having reversible stress-induced fluidity are prepared, e.g., by combining liquid formulations with a crystalline mixed metal hydroxide conforming substantially to the formulaLi.sub.m D.sub.d T(OH).sub.(m+2d+3+n.multidot.a) (A.sup.n).sub.a .multidot.xH.sub.2 Owhere m is amount of Li, d is amount of divalent metal D, T is a trivalent metal, A represents at least one anion or negative-valence radical of valence n and a is the amount of A, and xH.sub.2 O represents excess waters of hydration, if any. These make useful coatings.The instantly reversible fluidization of these unique elastic solids may be expressed as:.sigma.=k.sub..alpha. .epsilon. when .epsilon.<F, for the solid phase; and.sigma.=f(d.epsilon.'/dt) when .epsilon.'>F, (this equation represents a generalized form for the usual theological equations); for a cycle of .epsilon., -xF <.epsilon.<xF, and when .epsilon.' equals 0 the liquid phase changes back to the solid phase, andwhere the symbol .sigma. represents stress; k.

Abstract: The invention provides composites of organic polymeric compositions including a matrix of an organic polymer and a filler distributed throughout the matrix, the flier being present in the matrix substantially as separate particles, each about the fundamental particle size of the filler. The fillers are unique mixed metal hydroxide compositions that are obtainable in sub-micron size particles. These particles are layered and have a BET specific surface area in excess of about 100 m.sup.2 /g. An anion of the particulates is selected to be compatible with the organic polymer thereby providing ease of dispersion of the filler particles throughout the polymer matrix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pseudoplastic fluid composition including water, a mixed metal layered hydroxide dispersed in the water to impart preselected rheological properties to the fluid and a fluid loss additive composition including one or more of a carboxymethyl substituted vegetable starch, a carboxymethylated cellulosic compound or mixtures thereof in an amount effective to inhibit loss of fluid and with the degree of substitution being selected so that the carboxymethyl substituted compound is soluble in the fluid at the concentration of use without materially adversely affecting the rheological properties of the fluid and so that the fluid is resistant to fermentation. The improved composition includes a crosslinked carboxymethylated vegetable starch which has a degree of substitution in the broad range from about 0.3 to about 0.8 and in a narrower range of about 0.4 to about 0.

Abstract: Pellets of a polycrystalline hydrated alumina, especially Gibbsite, are infused with LiOH to obtain loadings up to 0.33 mol fraction of LiOH in the LiOH/Al(OH).sub.3. The so-prepared material is useful for mixing with a LiX-containing brine solution, producing an interaction of the LiOH infused in the alumina pellets with the X ion (where X represents an acid salt moiety, especially halide) of the LiX-containing brine. The LiX interaction product is efficiently removed from the alumina pellets by water washing, leaving rejuvenated LiOH which can be used in yet another cycling of LiX formation/water removal. A plurality of loading and unloading cycles are achieved, yielding an appreciable amount of the lithium values derived from the brine.

Abstract: Described are preferred processes which produce methyl mercaptan from methyl bromide and aqueous mediums of metal hydrosulfide. The processes can be used to simultaneously consume methyl bromide byproduct and aqueous NaSH byproduct while producing methyl mercaptan.

Abstract: Elastic solids having reversible stress-induced fluidity are prepared, e.g., by combining liquid formulations with a crystalline mixed metal hydroxide conforming substantially to the formulaLi.sub.m D.sub.d T(OH).sub.(m+2d+3+n.a) (A.sup.n).sub.a.xH.sub.2 Owhere m is amount of Li, d is amount of divalent metal D, T is a trivalent metal, A represents at least one anion or negative-valence radical of valence n and a is the amount of A, and xH.sub.2 O represents excess waters of hydration, if any. These make useful coatings.The instantly reversible fluidization of these unique elastic solids may be expressed as:.tau.=ka.epsilon.,When .epsilon.<F, for the solid phase; and.epsilon.=f(d.epsilon.'/dt)when .epsilon.'<F, (this equation represents a generalized form for the usual rheological equations); for a cycle of .epsilon., -xF<.epsilon.<xF, and when .epsilon.' equals 0 the liquid phase changes back to the solid phase, andwhere the symbol .sigma. represents stress; k.sub.

Abstract: Coating formulations which behave as elastic solids having reversible stress-induced fluidity are prepared by creating a fluid having distributed therein effective amounts of ionic charge sites and countercharge sites. For instance, elastic solids having reversible stress-induced fluidity are prepared by combining liquid formulations with a dispersion of a small, but effective, amount of at least one crystalline mixed metal hydroxide conforming substantially to the formulaLi.sub.m D.sub.d T(OH).sub.(m+2d+3+n.multidot.a) (A.sup.n).sub.a .multidot.xH.sub.2 Owhere m is zero to one, D is a divalent metal, d is from zero to 4, T is a trivalent metal, A represents at least one anion or negative-valence radical of valence n and a is the amount of A, where n is 1 or more, (m+2d+3+n.multidot.a) is equal to or greater than 3, (m+d) is greater than zero, and xH.sub.2 O represents excess waters of hydration, if any.

Abstract: Morphologically altered pellets of a polycrystalline hydrated alumina, intercalated with LiX (where LiX is a lithium salt, preferably LiCl), is prepared by contacting the polycrystalline structure with LiX solution carried in NaCl brine, the LiX creating lithium-specific sites of intercalation in the crystalline structure, and the material is used in a LiX absorption process involving unloading LiX from the pellets, and then passing a LiX-containing brine through the pellets to capture more LiX in the Li-depleted active sites, and repeating the unloading and loading of the LiX a plurality of cycles. The unloaded LiX is collected as crude product which can be concentrated by evaporation and removing precipitated NaCl.

Abstract: Novel compositions useful as fluid gelling agents, especially for use in subterranean applications such as drilling fluids, are prepared by reacting an aqueous dispersion of a clay, such as bentonite, with an aqueous gel of a monodispersed mixed metal layered hydroxide of the formula Li.sub.m D.sub.d T(OH).sub.(m+2d+3+na) A.sub.a.sup.n, where D is a divalent metal, such as Mg, T is a trivalent metal, such as Al, and A represents other monovalent or polyvalent anions, the formula being described in detail in the disclosure.