Abstract: The present invention is a device and method for providing an interactive session with a customer in a retail environment. The invention provides a presentation to a customer in a retail environment that is customized to the unique interests of that customer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mining of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-containing clathrate such as is found on the ocean floor. The hydrocarbon containing clathrate is disaggregated from sediment by first disrupting clathrate-containing strata using continuous mining means such as a rotary tilling drum, a fluid injector, or a drill. The clathrate-rich portion of sediment thus disrupted from the sea floor strata are carried through the apparatus to regions of relative lower pressure and/or relative higher temperature where the clathrate further dissociates into component hydrocarbons and water. The hydrocarbon is recovered with the assistance of a gas that is injected and buoys the hydrocarbon containing clathrate helping it to rise to regions of lower pressure and temperature where hydrocarbon is released. The sediment separated from the hydrocarbon returns to the ocean floor.

Abstract: A method of purifying alkali metal chloride brine containing calcium ion impurities which comprises adding to the brine a proportion of an alkali metal carboxylate compound to form an insoluble calcium carboxylate precipitate, separating the insoluble carboxylate precipitate from the brine to purify the brine and recovering the resulting purified brine. The alkali metal carboxylate compound has the formula: ##STR1## wherein Me is an alkali metal and n is an integer from 0 to 6.

Abstract: A process for removing dissolved halogen gas and oxyhalide ions from an aqueous alkali metal halide solution containing them which comprises reacting said aqueous alkali metal halide solution with an inorganic peroxide, and adjusting the pH of said aqueous alkali metal halide solution to a pH within the range from about 6 to about 11 with an inorganic base, whereby a purified alkali metal halide solution of reduced concentration of said dissolved halogen gas and oxyhalide ions is produced.

Abstract: Current efficiency in an electrolytic membrane cell for the production of concentrated potassium hydroxide is considerably increased by employing in the electrolytic membrane cell a membrane selected from a group consisting of an amine modified perfluorosulfonic acid membrane such as a primary amine, diamine, or polyamine modified perfluorosulfonic acid membrane, and a laminated perfluorosulfonic acid acid membrane, and a laminated perfluorosulfonic acid membrane comprised of at least two unmodified perfluorosulfonic acid membranes of different thickness and different equivalent weight.

Abstract: Improved current efficiency is obtained in an electrolytic membrane cell for the production of potassium hydroxide by employing in combination:(a) a membrane comprised of a carboxylic acid substituted polymer prepared by reacting a fluorinated olefin with a comonomer having a functional group selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid and a functional group which can be converted to carboxylic acid;(b) a potassium chloride brine feed through the anolyte chamber of the cell having a concentration in the range from about 250 to about 300 grams of potassium chloride per liter;(c) a cell operating temperature in the range from about 90.degree. to about 100.degree. C.

Abstract: Aqueous waste streams containing recoverable chlorine are reacted with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hypohalite, such as sodium hypochlorite, to form an aqueous salt solution of an alkali metal halide, such as sodium chloride, and an alkaline earth metal hypohalite, such as calcium hypochlorite. Thereafter the aqueous salt solution is admixed with an organic alcohol to form an organic-aqueous salt solution. A gas containing chemically bound oxygen, such as carbon dioxide, is reacted with the organic-aqueous salt solution to form a slurry of solid particles of calcium carbonate suspended in a liquid mixture. The solid particles of calcium carbonate are separated from the liquid mixture.The aqueous phase containing sodium chloride may be recycled for use as a reactant in a chlor-alkali electrolytic cell. The organic phase containing organic hypochlorite may be used as a chlorinating agent or may be treated with an acid, such as hydrochloric acid, to reclaim free chlorine.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for recovering recoverable chlorine from chemical plant waste streams.An aqueous stream containing recoverable chlorine is reacted with an alkali metal hydroxide, such as sodium hydroxide, to form a slurry of solid particles of alkaline earth metal hydroxide, such as calcium hydroxide, suspended in a liquid. The calcium hydroxide is filtered or otherwise separated from the liquid. The liquid is admixed with an organic alcohol to form an organic-aqueous solution. A halogenating agent, such as chlorine, is reacted with the organic-aqueous solution to form a solution of organic hypochlorite in an organic phase and an aqueous phase.The solution of organic hypochlorite is phase separated to form aqueous and organic phases. The aqueous phase containing sodium chloride may be recycled for use as a reactant in a chlor-alkali electrolytic cell.

Abstract: Calcium hypochlorite useful as a commercial sanitizing agent and swimming pool disinfectant is produced by a process wherein calcium hydroxide and organic hypochlorite are reacted in a first reaction zone to produce calcium hypochlorite. The portion of the calcium hydroxide remaining unreacted is recovered along with product calcium hypochlorite in a mixture of solids.In a second reaction zone, an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide is reacted with an organic hypochlorite to form an aqueous phase containing sodium hypochlorite and an organic phase. The aqueous phase is separated from the organic phase.Chlorine is reacted with the mixture of solids of the first reaction zone and the aqueous phase of the second reaction zone in a third reaction zone to produce an aqueous slurry of calcium hypochlorite particles. The calcium hypochlorite particles are thereafter recovered and dried in granular form.

Abstract: An electrolytic process for preparing organic hypohalite compounds from an aqueous brine and organic alcohol solution in a multi-chamber membrane type cell. For example, tertiary butyl hypochlorite is prepared in a membrane cell from tertiary butyl alcohol and a sodium chloride brine. An organic solvent such as carbon tetrachloride can be used to extract the organic hypohalite formed in the aqueous brine phase either during or after electrolysis.

Abstract: An electrolytic process is described for preparing organic hypohalite compounds from an electrolyte comprised of aqueous brine, organic alcohol, and organic solvent solution in an undivided cell. For example, tertiary butyl hypochlorite is prepared in an undivided cell by the electrolysis of tertiary butyl alcohol and aqueous sodium chloride brine. High product yield, high cell current efficiency, and high cell current density are achieved by proper selection and use of a suitable inert organic solvent in the cell during electrolysis, proper selection of anode to cathode gap distance, and proper control of the pH of the electrolyte solution. The organic hypohalite formed in the cell is recovered for use after electrolysis.