Abstract: A reactor for nitration of saturated hydrocarbons having less than five con atoms, alone or in admixture, in the gaseous phase under pressure is made up of a reaction enclosure, in which a tube or pipe bank is in contact with a heated fluid of high heat-exchange capacity. The inside perimeter of the tubes does not exceed 800 mm, and if circular not in excess of 250 mm, and the ratio of the surface of the tube bank, in contact with the reaction medium, to the volume of the reaction enclosure is 1:1 to 3:1.The reactor apparatus further includes a mechanical means to uniformly distribute the delivery of reaction medium gases to the various tubes of the bank so that the load difference between the most loaded tube and that of the least loaded tube is equal to 10% at the most.The reactor also includes a tube bank injector which feeds the tube bank to assure homogeneous mixing of all the reaction fluids in the tube bank.

Abstract: A reactor for nitration of saturated hydrocarbons having less than five con atoms, alone or in admixture, in the gaseous phase under pressure is made up of a reaction enclosure, in which a tube or pipe bank is in contact with a heated fluid of high heat-exchange capacity. The inside perimeter of the tubes does not exceed 800 mm, and if circular not in excess of 250 mm, and the ratio of the surface of the tube bank, in contact with the reaction medium, to the volume of the reaction enclosure is 1:1 to 3:1.The reactor apparatus further includes a mechanical means to uniformly distribute the delivery of reaction medium gases to the various tubes of the bank so that the load difference between the most loaded tube and that of the least loaded tube is equal to 10% at the most.The reactor also includes a tube bank injector which feeds the tube bank to assure homogeneous mixing of all the reaction fluids in the tube bank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for polymerizing in an aqueous phase using heterogeneous catalysis and to a spherical reactor for carrying out said process. At least one monomer which is gaseous under the reaction conditions is just in contact with a solid catalyst in an agitated polymerization zone. The polymerization zone is defined by a spherical wall and the agitation is effected by means of a turbine unit having blades driven in rotation. The blades extend alongside the wall on 10 to 60% of its surface. The particles of the catalyst and the growing polymer powder are driven by centrifugal force onto at least a part of the spherical wall and fall back into the central part of the spherical zone, thereby ensuring a thorough and uniform mixing without any dead zone. The invention is useful for prepolymerizing or polymerizing olefins.

Abstract: Locking device for securing cargo in containers or pallets, comprising two latches hinged together and hinged to the locking device frame, one by a fixed hinge pin and the other by a hinge pin which can move in translation.The latches are constantly acted on by a spring which draws them into the cargo locking position, in which the latches project up above the frame, by a spring and are changed over, by downwards pressure on the latches, to the cargo unlocking position, in which they are retracted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for beneficiating a mixture of coal and a denser material are provided. The coal and ash mixture and a liquid medium are deposited into a rotating, sloping barrel having internal spiral flights and foraminous end sections. Coal and medium travel downwardly and the denser material is screwed upwardly. The positions of deposit of the mixture and the medium are adjustable, as are the rates of rotation of the barrel and the angle of the barrel.

Abstract: A lock for stowage of freight in a vehicle includes two latches pivotally mounted transversely between two supporting spars and provided with anchor flanges for the freight. The latches are pivotable between open and closed positions. The lock includes a manual locking member mounted to be able to rotate about the pivot axis of the two latches, one latch cooperating with a locking lever which is able to rock about a transverse pivot fixed to the spars. The latches have bearing surfaces which cooperate with the locking member in the open and closed positions. The lock in accordance with the invention is specially applicable to the stowage of freight in the bays of freight aircraft.