Abstract: An improved method for isolating the impacts of flow-altering events in corrosion transport from those due to steady state corrosion in boiler/steam cycle processes. The method includes monitoring, in real time, with a particle counter or particle monitor levels of suspended particles in a fluid flow stream and of automatically collecting insoluble particulates large enough to be captured on a 0.45 micron filter when, and only when, these levels exceed an “event threshold”. For use in subsequently characterizing flow-altering events without necessarily weighing the collected particulates for each excursion above this threshold, an average particle count/particle index is obtained and compared with the actual weight of insoluble particulates captured. When excursions are highly infrequent, concentrations of insoluble metal oxides likely to be present in the flow stream and capable of producing above-threshold PC/PIs can be determined and used to identify anomalies when particulates are captured.

Abstract: An improved method for isolating the impacts of flow-altering events in corrosion transport from those due to steady state corrosion in boiler/steam cycle processes. The method includes monitoring, in real time, with a particle counter or particle monitor levels of suspended particles in a fluid flow stream and of automatically collecting insoluble particulates large enough to be captured on a 0.45 micron filter when, and only when, these levels exceed an “event threshold”. For use in subsequently characterizing flow-altering events without necessarily weighing the collected particulates for each excursion above this threshold, an average particle count/particle index is obtained and compared with the actual weight of insoluble particulates captured. When excursions are highly infrequent, concentrations of insoluble metal oxides likely to be present in the flow stream and capable of producing above-threshold PC/PIs can be determined and used to identify anomalies when particulates are captured.

Abstract: A flexible intumescent composition for protecting a substrate against fire and thermal extremes includes an internally flexibilized epoxy binder, a carbonific, a spumific, a catalyst, and preferably additives. The compositions can be applied as coatings or can be formed into shapes, preferably sheets which are applied to or wrapped around the substrate. The sheets may be adhered to the substrate, and the ends of the wrapped sheets may be stapled or otherwise secured to each other.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for monitoring, in real time, the quality of a flowing fluid stream and of automatically taking samples therefrom when the level of particulate matter in the flow stream exceeds an acceptable limit for a predetermined period of time. The apparatus includes a particle monitor and at least one three-way valve electronically linked via a programmable logic controller to the particle monitor. Not only is the latter an instrument for continuously measuring, on-line, numbers known as particle indices which are indicative of particulate matter concentrations in the flow stream, but also the particle monitor generates electronic signals. Both these signals and the particle index are proportional to fluctuations in the intensity of a light beam traversed by particles which are present in a portion of the flow stream during a fixed interval of time. Importantly, the particle monitor can detect relatively short-lived "spikes" in the level of 0.

Abstract: An improved method of monitoring condensate quality in a condensate return system and of controlling the level of particulate matter in the condensate flow so that when this level exceeds an acceptable limit, valves for discharging the condensate flow from the system open automatically or, alternately, an alarm is sounded. Utilization of the method facilitates the conservation of hot steam condensate for reuse in a boiler while preventing water contaminated with particulate matter from returning to the boiler, thereby protecting it from certain types of deposits and corrosion. The improved method includes measuring, on a continuous basis, relative numbers of particulate-type impurities under conditions in which rust or other particles large enough to block flow into a particle counter can be produced in sudden surges. Tests show that a suitable instrument for measuring the impurities under such conditions is a particle monitor.

Abstract: A streaming current detector having a probe with an electrode holder which can be removed and replaced within only about one minute, allowing the probe to be kept on line nearly continuously even in highly contaminated wastewater. The probe also includes a reciprocating piston and a housing with both a cylindrical void and a transverse passageway. In assembled relation, the electrode holder is slidably disposed within the cylindrical void; and the piston is slidably engaged with an inner wall of the electrode holder. Capillary-sized channels formed between this inner wall and the piston communicate fluidly with the transverse passageway. From it, any test flow stream present is partially sucked into the capillary-sized channels during an upstroke of the piston and then expelled from them, back into the transverse passageway, during the succeeding downstroke.

Abstract: A method of continuously producing ammonium polyphosphate by the reaction of urea and polyphosphoric acid, over a wide range of molecular weights, in a pre-mix slurry, under controlled temperature of about 315.degree.+/-15.degree. C. The slurry is reacted on a hot, continuously moving surface and forms ammonium polyphosphate in an ammonia atmosphere. Preferably, the pre-mixed slurry is added to a screw-type extruder, where the material comes in contact with the ammonia along the preheated moving surfaces of the extruder. The ammonium polyphosphate is scraped from the extrusion screw into a container with minimum handling. The material can be ground to a finer consistency if desired.

Abstract: A streaming current detector which utilizes the test flow stream to keep the electrodes of the detector probe washed and its dielectric surfaces from becoming fouled. The test stream first enters a housing surrounding the probe at a position proximate the inlet to a transverse passageway within the probe. Most of the flow moves directly through the probe along the transverse passageway, but a small portion of this flow is sucked into capillary-sized channels within the probe by the action of a piston during its upstroke and then expelled from them back into the transverse passageway during the downstroke. The flow leaving the transverse passage plummets downwardly where it joins a smaller fraction of the test stream that did not enter the transverse passageway and together they are discharged out the bottom of the housing. There are no low velocity or stagnate areas where solids can accumulate either in the housing surrounding the probe or within the probe itself.

Abstract: Reaction of an aromatic dianhydride with a polycyclic aromatic primary diamine at a controlled reaction rate yields a diamic acid dianhydride oligomer. The oligomer may be a precursor for an imide foam which forms at low temperature, has outstanding physical characteristics, and is extremely heat resistant. The diamic acid moiety may be converted to diimide, and other modifications of the oligomer are disclosed. Other derivatives of the oligomers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Reaction of an aromatic dianhydride with a polycyclic aromatic primary diamine at a controlled reaction rate yields a diamic acid dianhydride oligomer. The oligomer may be a precursor for an imide foam which forms at low temperature, has outstanding physical characteristics, and is extremely heat resistant. The diamic acid moiety may be converted to diimide, and other modifications of the oligomer are disclosed. Other derivatives of the oligomers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of continuously producing ammonium polyphosphate by the reaction of urea and polyphosphoric acid, over a wide range of molecular weights, in a pre-mix slurry, under controlled temperature of about 315.degree.+/-15.degree. C. The slurry is reacted on a hot, continuously moving surface and forms ammonium polyphosphate in an ammonia atmosphere. Preferably, the pre-mixed slurry is added to a screw-type extruder, where the material comes in contact with the ammonia along the preheated moving surfaces of the extruder. The ammonium polyphosphate is scraped from the extrusion screw into a container with minimum handling. The material can be ground to a finer consistency if desired.

Abstract: A system for creating and displaying colored roulette curves representative of music on a screen includes an X-,Y-deflection control circuit which is driven in part by at least two musically-related fixed frequency signals. These frequencies are taken from an arithmetic progression of pseudotempered scale tones and are very nearly equal in frequency to frequencies of tones in the geometric progression of tempered scale music tones. In addition, they form a ratio of integers, one to the other, approximately equal to [N(1.0594631)n]/N, where N is an integer, n-1 is the number of tones skipped between two corresponding tones in the tempered scale, and (1.0594631)/1 is the common ratio relating adjacent tempered scale music tones as well as the common difference in various arithmetic progressions of pseudo-tempered scale tones as related to changes in musical key.