Abstract: A UV-emitting phosphor blend is provided which comprises a mixture of at least two UVA-emitting phosphors selected from SrB4O7:Eu, YPO4:Ce, and BaSi2O5:Pb wherein the sum of the weight percentages of the phosphors in the mixture equals 100%. The phosphor blend may additionally contain an amount of a UVB-emitting phosphor in an amount from 0 to 12 wt. % of the mixture. Tanning lamps containing these blends exhibit increases in initial UVA output and UVA maintenance.

Abstract: A UV-emitting phosphor blend is provided which comprises a mixture of at least two UVA-emitting phosphors selected from SrB4O7:Eu, YPO4:Ce, and BaSi2O5:Pb wherein the sum of the weight percentages of the phosphors in the mixture equals 100%. The phosphor blend may additionally contain an amount of SrCe0.08MgAl11O18 in an amount from 0 to 12 wt. % of the mixture. Tanning lamps containing these blends exhibit increases in initial UVA output and UVA maintenance.

Abstract: A UV-emitting phosphor blend is provided which comprises a mixture of at least two UVA-emitting phosphors selected from SrB4O7:Eu, YPO4:Ce, and BaSi2O5:Pb wherein the sum of the weight percentages of the phosphors in the mixture equals 100%. The phosphor blend may additionally contain an amount of a UVB-emitting phosphor in an amount from 0 to 12 wt. % of the mixture. Tanning lamps containing these blends exhibit increases in initial UVA output and UVA maintenance.

Abstract: A UV-emitting phosphor blend is provided which comprises a mixture of at least two UVA-emitting phosphors selected from SrB4O7:Eu, YPO4:Ce, and BaSi2O5:Pb wherein the sum of the weight percentages of the phosphors in the mixture equals 100%. The phosphor blend may additionally contain an amount of SrCe0.08MgAl11O18 in an amount from 0 to 12 wt. % of the mixture. Tanning lamps containing these blends exhibit increases in initial UVA output and UVA maintenance.

Abstract: In process for forming a coating of phosphor particles on a fluorescent lamp glass, a polymer is deposited on the phosphor particles and the phosphor particles are entrained in a carrier gas with the polymer in a non-adhering state, and then the phosphor particles are coated on the fluorescent lamp glass with the polymer in an adhering state for retaining the phosphor particles on the fluorescent glass and, the coated fluorescent glass is heated to a temperature above the decomposition temperature of the polymer for removing the polymer and to form a coating of phosphor particles on a fluorescent lamp glass.

Abstract: A method for providing an electric field having a desirable configuration and strength for the electrostatic coating of phosphors on a fluorescent glass envelope at a controlled temperature comprising enclosing a fluorescent glass envelope with at least one electrically conductive charge retaining member at a desired temperature for the duration of the actual electrostatic coating operation wherein charged phosphor particles are attracted to the interior of the glass envelope and the charge is dissipated to the charge retaining member which remains substantially electrically isolated during the coating process. The process is most suitable adapted to an asymmetric fluorescent glass envelope.

Abstract: This invention concerns the addition of fibrous alumina material to a phosphor or phosphor mixture before fluidization as a means of increasing the cohesiveness of the phosphor or phosphor mixture. The increase in cohesiveness can be controlled by varying the concentration of the fiber in the mixture.

Abstract: In method for enhancing heat transfer in a bed of powder comprising cohesive Geldart type C particles confined by a wall of a vertically oriented container and being fluidized by the upward flow of fluidizing gas through the bed of powder, heat is transferred between the bed of powder and the wall of the container, and, prior to fluidizing the particles, the fluidizing gas is selected so as to comprise a sufficient amount of helium, hydrogen, or mixtures thereof for obtaining a thermal conductivity of the fluidizing gas of at least four times that of nitrogen for enhancing heat transfer between the wall and the bed.

Abstract: In a method for detecting the fluidity of particles in a vertically extending bed of fluidized particles, an electric charge which is generated on the particles is dissipated through an electrically conductive means in the fluidized bed to give an indication of the fluidity of the particles in the bed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus useful for fluidizing small particulate solids having a diameter of less than about 50 microns in average particle size, and at least partially enveloping these small solids with a coating material or a precursor thereto. The basis apparatus of this invention includes a cross-current multi-stage fluid bed reactor having N fluid beds in flow communication with one another, wherein N.gtoreq.2.

Abstract: In a method of operating a fluidized bed, gas under pressure is distributed into the bed through a gas permeable member extending transverse to the bed and a gas permeable wall of a discharge conduit wherein the relative permeability of the gas permeable member and the conduit is selected so as to obtain a desired distribution of gas entering the bed and a desired effect on the fluidization pattern in the bed.

Abstract: A an europium doped yttrium oxide red phosphor in a water base phosphor coating suspension is checked for degraded phosphor by (a) centrifuging the suspension, (b) separating an aqueous portion from a solids portion, (c) exposing a surface portion of said solids to UV radiation at 254 nm or 365 nm, (d) observing the presence or absence of fluorescence from said top layer of solids wherein the absence of fluorescence is indicative of a degraded phosphor.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp phosphor product is recovered from a degraded aqueous suspension by treating a separated solids portion of the suspension with nitric acid to solubilize a decomposed portion of a rare earth activated yttrium oxide phosphor and form a remaining mixture of phosphors which may be reconstituted to a fluorescent lamp phosphor product suitable for use in a lamp.

Abstract: A method has been found which reduces substantially the degradation of the red phosphor, Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 :Eu, in water base fluorescent lamp suspension, thereby prolonging the shelf life of triphosphor suspensions. The method of the invention comprises forming a protective coating around individual particles of europium-doped yttrium oxide phosphor to inhibit degradation of europium-doped yttrium oxide phosphor in a water base phosphor coating suspension, the protective coating comprising an inorganic material and being of sufficient thickness to prevent the europium-doped yttrium oxide phosphor from reacting with the coating suspension. A preferred coating material is gamma-alumina.

Abstract: This invention concerns the addition of fibrous alumina material to a phosphor or phosphor mixture before fluidization as a means of increasing the cohesiveness of the phosphor or phosphor mixture. The increase in cohesiveness can be controlled by varying the concentration of the fiber in the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes and apparatus useful for fluidizing small particulate solids having a diameter of less than about 50 microns in average particle size, and at least partially enveloping these small solids with a coating material or a precursor thereto.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a low-pressure arc discharge lamp formed by interconnecting two or more parallel glass discharge tubes, each tube being sealed at one end. A hermetically sealed arc-containing channel between the two adjacent tubes is formed by heating opposing sections of the two tubes to soften a first and second site on each of the respective tubes. Then, one of the tubes is pressurized until a glass bubble forms from the softened site; the bubble is blown toward and onto the other tube about the softened site thereof. The pressure in the first tube is then released, and pressure is applied in the second tube to form a second glass bubble which fuses with the first glass bubble and bursts into the first tube thereby forming the sealed arc-containing channel between the two tubes. The technique may be applied to multiple tube assemblies by alternating the end of the tube at which the joint is formed.