Abstract: A tank-type water electrolysis apparatus with unipolar electrodes arrangement and wherein imposed magnetic fields enhance electrolyte solution circulation, further enhanced in apparatus operation by use of immersed electrets providing partitioning structure between seperated hydrogen bubbles-producing and oxygen bubbles-producing regions in the solution. The included immersed electrets, which may be of polytetrafluoroethylene or other suitable material, perform the functions of attracting bubbles away from points of origination at the electrodes, and of promoting coelescence of smaller bubbles into larger ones of greater buoyancy.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a liquid evaporation retardant product that combines isopropanol-water azeotrope with up to 5% octadecanol by weight of the total solution, and upon which improved capability to remain precipitate free in the event of colder temperatures than normal is conferred by adding n-butanol at 10% by weight of the pre-made basic product.

Abstract: An evaporation retardant composition engineered for wide applicability to co-delivery of non-filmforming chemicals, along with filmformers, wherein the former are as beneficial to plant cultivation and/or animal husbandry in their own uses, as are fatty alcohol filmformers by saving water. A previously disclosed concept of water-induced ionization that causes mutual particles' repulsion to enhance spreading is freshly embodied with use of a dicarboxylic acid, preferably oxalic acid, as the ionic repulsion agent. Avoidance of esterification between the included alcohol and acid infiltration into soil, which is a problem known to limit usefulness of emulsified fllmforming compositions is disclosed.

Abstract: A tank-type water electrolysis apparatus with unipolar electrodes arrangement and wherein imposed magnetic fields enhance electrolyte solution circulation, further enhanced in apparatus operation by use of immersed electrets providing partitioning structure between separated hydrogen bubbles-producing and oxygen bubbles-producing regions in the solution. The included immersed electrets, which may be of polytetrafluoroethylene or other suitable material, perform the functions of attracting bubbles away from points of origination at the electrodes, and of promoting coelescence of smaller bubbles into larger ones of greater buoyancy.

Abstract: Supercapacitor modification of utility in electric vehicle powering, and directed to optimizing specific capacitance and rate capability by promoting ionic motions in electrolyte during charging and discharging, by means of a high coercivity faces-poled sheet or plate magnet comprising a magnetized metal backing part adjacent the back of a composite porous supercapacitor electrode, ie., at the side away from the region of bulk electrolyte access to pores. A portion of casing of this magnetically enhanced supercapacitor may integrate the plate magnet or the latter may be a separate component applied or fitted to the casing, removably, if desired, to facilitate possible re-magnetization. Except for the magnetized metal backing part and addition of a paramagnetic substance to the electrolyte, all the essential components are known in supercapacitors.

Abstract: Prior research into methane storage as a solute gas dissolved in special blended hydrocarbon liquids, and recent developments in use of supercritical fluids as solvent replacements, disposed the inventor to create a novel form of hydrogen packaging by dissolution in a specially blended solvent maintained at specified temperature and pressure conditions at which intermolecular attractions and related critical region phenomena permit storing nine times as much dissolved hydrogen in a given volume than pure hydrogen at the same conditions. The solvent constituents selected are ethane and hexane respectively in a nine-to-one parts by weight ratio, and the solution is prepared and intended to be maintained in its packaged state at room temperature and from twenty to fifty atmospheres of pressure. The solution may be combusted in toto as a fuel, or, if desired, known means for separation of hydrogen may be applied so as to deliver pure hydrogen to a fuel cell.

Abstract: Prior research into methane storage as a solute gas dissolved in special blended hydrocarbon liquids, and recent developments in use of supercritical fluids as solvent replacements, disposed the inventor to create a novel form of hydrogen packaging by dissolution in a specially blended solvent maintained at specified temperature and pressure conditions at which intermolecular attractions and related critical region phenomena permit storing nine times as much dissolved hydrogen in a given volume than pure hydrogen at the same conditions. The solvent constituents selected are ethane and hexane respectively in a nine-to-one parts by weight ratio, and the solution is prepared and intended to be maintained in its packaged state at room temperature and from twenty to fifty atmospheres of pressure. The solution may be combusted in toto as a fuel, or, if desired, known means for separation of hydrogen may be applied so as to deliver pure hydrogen to a fuel cell. There are three figures of drawing and four claims.

Abstract: Supercapacitor modification of utility in electric vehicle powering, and directed to optimizing specific capacitance and rate capability by promoting ionic motions in electrolyte during charging and discharging, by means of a high coercivity faces-poled sheet or plate magnet comprising a magnetized metal backing part adjacent the back of a composite porous supercapacitor electrode, ie., at the side away from the region of bulk electrolyte access to pores. A portion of casing of this magnetically enhanced supercapacitor may integrate the plate magnet or the latter may be a separate component applied or fitted to the casing, removably, if desired, to facilitate possible re-magnetization. Except for the magnetized metal backing part and addition of a paramagnetic substance to the electrolyte, all the essential components are known in supercapacitors.

Abstract: Methods for concentrating nitric acid in aqueous solution are known wherein reduction of some nitric acid initially present in the solution oxidizes nitric oxide obtained for example from exhaust vapors of heterogneously catalytically combusted ammonia, but gas effluence and solution dilution associated with such methods have necessitated recirculation piping to convey fluids of varying content to and fro between separated reactor units adapted to conduct different sub-reactions subsumed under an overall process which is inherently unworkable in batch mode operations. Herein the invention features joint execution of all necessary reactions in a single reactive solution body, and resorts to a liquid phase homogeneous catalysis involving nitrate and/or nitrosyl ions, in a process which is effective whether in continuous or batch processing.

Abstract: A process for producing in liquid phase, concentrated sulfuric acid in the liquid phase from a source of sulfur dioxide, is described. The process comprises, converting the source of sulfur dioxide to sulfuric acid. The liquid phase, comprises:a) nitric acid at a sufficient concentration to commence conversion in the presence of oxygen, of sulfur dioxide into sulfuric acid in the initial absence of sulfuric acid,b) nitric acid at a sufficient concentration to maintain conversion of sulfur dioxide in the presence of sulfuric acid either generated by said conversion or present at commencement of said conversion, andc) combined concentration of nitric acid and sulfuric acid ranging from 5M to 16M where the concentration of nitric acid is at least 5M in the initial absence of sulfuric acid, anda source of oxygen is introduced to the aqueous phase at a concentration sufficient to provide for such catalytic conversion of SO.sub.2 to H.sub.2 SO.sub.4.

Abstract: A hydrometallurgical process for converting zinc sulfide in an ore containing zinc sulfide, said zinc sulfide being chemically converted at elevated temperatures to ZnSO.sub.4.xH.sub.2 O which crystallizes substantially in the monohydrate formas ZnSO.sub.4.H.sub.2 O in a conversion solution having a high concentration of H.sub.2 S.sub.4. The process comprises:i) contacting the zinc sulfide of the ore with the conversion solution which comprises a concentration of sulfuric acid selected from the range of about 45% by weight up to about 70% by weight of the conversion solution and at the elevated temperature in the range of 90.degree. C. to less than boiling point of the conversion solution for the selected concentration of sulfuric acid;ii) maintaining the conversion solution at the elevated temperature and at the range of concentration of the sulfuric acid to ensure continued formation of the crystals of ZnSO.sub.4.H.sub.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of sulfur from a feedstock, such as sour gas, including hydrogen sulfide, in which the feedstock is contacted with an aqueous mixture of ammonium nitrate, sulfuric acid and nitric acid to produce solid sulfur and gaseous hydrogen.

Abstract: A continuous hydrometallurgical process for conversion of ore derived copper and zinc sulfides into recoverable water soluble sulfates is provided. The process comprises:i) contacting the ore derived copper and zinc sulfides with sulfuric acid and with nitric acid to form a reaction mixture in an acidic solution,ii) maintaining the reaction mixture at a temperature in the range of 110.degree. C. to 170.degree. C. while continuously mixing the reaction mixture,iii) adding sufficient sulfuric acid and nitric acid to the reaction mixture to form a light precipitate and a dark precipitate in the reaction mixture, the light precipitate comprising water soluble sulfate salts of copper sulfate, zinc sulfate and iron sulfate, and the dark precipitate being water insoluble and comprising mainly elemental sulfur and gangue,iv) introducing a source of oxygen to the reaction mixture to promote oxidation in the presence of the nitric acid, of the sulfides to sulfates and to oxidize gaseous NO.sub.

Abstract: A process for recovery of metal from a feedstock comprising copper is provided. The process comprises the steps of:(a) contacting the feedstock with an aqueous mixture comprising ammonium nitrate having a concentration greater than about 1.5M and sulphuric acid having a concentration greater than about 6M at a temperature of from about 105.degree. C. to about 130.degree. C., to produce a first residue comprising a cuprous salt and a leachate comprising copper;(b) separating the residue from the leachate; and(c) electrowinning copper from the leachate.The process may also be used advantageously to recover iron present in the feedstock in a form other than jarosite.

Abstract: Polymers and articles made therefrom having biocidal surfaces are disclosed wherein the biocidal agent is permanently bonded to the polymer surface. The polymers can be employed to inhibit microbial growth in the adjacent area of the polymer and as disinfectant for fluids such as water. Utility as a contact disinfectant is disclosed.

Abstract: An ion-permeable spacer is provided for an electrochemical apparatus. The spacer comprises a perforated or ion-permeable, relatively-thin, synthetic plastic material sheet having two opposed faces and having a plurality of magnets completely embedded in both opposed faces thereof and including at least four vertically-upwardly slanting slits extending at an upwardly-sloping angle along each of the two opposed faces and also extending transversely through the spacer between the two opposed faces, the slits having a particularly defined width and disposed at a particular angle, thereby to provide greater combined flow and mixing of electrolyte through the spacer.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of an article having a continuous metal substrate, and a coherent continuous coating thereon of a bilayer electronically-conductive continuous film comprising a continuous film of a polycarbazole on a continuous polypyrrole substrate, said process comprising:electrodepositing a continuous film of a polycarbazole on a continuous metal anode having a continuous film of a polypyrrole substrate thereon.

Abstract: A novel meter is provided for measuring erythrocyte settling rates. It includes a base supporting a rack adapted to hold an array of tubes at an optimum settling angle and at least one tube adapted to contain blood samples, the tube including an upper window of predetermined length and a lower window of predetermined length below the upper window and separated therefrom by an opaque section, each window permitting passage of ambient light therethrough. A timer is provided which is actuated by the passage of light through the windows when the tube contains blood, to determine the rate at which the erythrocytes settle.

Abstract: A novel meter is provided for measuring erythrocyte settling rates. It includes (a) a base supporting rack adapted to hold an array of tubes at an optimum settling angle and at least one tube adapted to contain blood samples, the tube including a window of predetermined length at the upper end thereof, the window permitting passage of ambient light therethrough. A timer is provided which is actuated by the passage of ambient light through the window when the tube contains blood, to determine the erythrocyte settling rate. This timing is achieved by signalling that a preset period of time has elapsed between when a minimum amount of light passes through the window, indicative of the presence of erythrocytes in the area of the window, and when a maximum amount of light passes through the window, indicative of the substantial absence of erythrocytes in the area of the window. By this invention, a blood test may be done in 5 to 15 minutes.