Abstract: A system and method for verifying an identifier of a command. The method includes receiving an incoming command and sending a first alert to auto-logging hardware, wherein the auto-logging hardware sends a fetch instruction in response to receiving the first alert; retrieving an identifier of the incoming command in response to the fetch instruction and sending a second alert to the auto-logging hardware, wherein the auto-logging hardware sends a search instruction in response to receiving the second alert; and searching for the identifier of the incoming command in a table in response to the search instruction, the table storing identifiers previously assigned to other commands, wherein the incoming command is logged into the search table and marked as a searched command after the search for the first identifier in the table has completed successfully.

Abstract: An execution queue stores a write command from the host in response to issuance of the write command from the host, and is removed from the execution queue in response to a signal indicating that data designated by the write command has been written to the hard disk. A holding queue stores the write command removed from the execution queue. In response to the command being stored in the holding queue, a request is issued for an acknowledgment from the host. The write command is removed from the holding queue in response to the acknowledgment being received from the host. An outgoing queue stores the write command removed from the holding queue for deletion. The queues are controlled by queue management hardware, the request is issued by the queue management hardware, and the signal and acknowledgment are received by the queue management hardware.

Abstract: A protective article of outer-clothing (1,5) characterized in that the article: a) does not enshroud the head of the wearer; b} is not equipped with means for sensing and processing any electrical variations that the wearer's body produces; and c) incorporates an electricity conductive layer (12,14,16,17) which is selected to be of sufficiently low resistance that if, in use, prongs of a so-called stun gun are pressed against the article of clothing or located in proximity to the article and the gun is fired, the conductive layer (12,14,16,17) electrically interferes with the charge applied between the gun's prongs.

Abstract: Pigmentary titanium dioxide having a high durability when used in paint or the like exposed to solar radiation and methods of producing such pigmentary titanium dioxide are provided. The durable pigmentary titanium dioxide of the invention is comprised of rutile titanium dioxide particles having cerium oxide and dense amorphous silica deposited thereon. The particles preferably also have an outer coating of hydrous alumina deposited thereon.

Abstract: A rail-tie fastening assembly for connecting a rail having a rail flange to a tie comprising a rail seat assembly and a rail anchor. Th rail seat assembly is connectable to the tie and includes an anchor slot and a seat hook assembly. The seat hook assembly is adapted to extend a distance over an upper surface of the rail flange. The rail anchor includes an anchor hook assembly adapted to extend over on the upper surface of the rail flange in an assembled position of the rail anchor to the rail seat assembly. The rail anchor is insertable through the anchor slot in the rail seat assembly to the assembled position. The seat hook assembly is spaced a distance from the upper surface of the rail in the assembled position of the rail anchor to the rail seat assembly. The anchor hook assembly engages one side of the rail flange and the seat hook assembly engages the opposite side of the rail flange to restrain lateral movement.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to articles of manufacture comprising solid compacts, formed at elevated pressures, from homogenous, finely divided powders of spray dried water soluble inorganic compounds. The solid compacts are characterized by their readily water dissolvable, substantially nondusting and dense nature.

Abstract: The beneficiation or upgrading of an iron-containing titaniferous ore to a synthetic rutile by subjecting the ore to reduction followed by acid leaching of the reduced ore is improved by forming a mixture of the ore and an aqueous sulfuric acid solution, adding a reducing agent to this mixture and then subjecting this mixture containing the reducing agent to reduction at elevated temperatures. The resulting reduced ore, which is characterized by an increase in the ferrous iron content thereof and an increase in its specific surface area, exhibits an enhanced response to subsequent acid leaching to provide a synthetic rutile of improved purity.

Abstract: The present invention provides for boron-containing wood preserving solutions and a method for their preparation. The wood preserving solutions of the invention are noncrystallizable at ambient temperatures and are prepared from a dispersion of a particulated sodium tetraborate, phosphoric acid and water by heating the dispersion at elevated temperatures and for a period of time sufficient to provide a clear solution. The particulated sodium tetraborate and phosphoric are present in the dispersion in a specific molar ratio of 5:3, said ratio being critical to achieving the noncrystallizable characteristic of the wood preserving solutions of the invention.

Abstract: A process for reducing the sulfur oxide content of flue gases produced by combustion of sulfur-containing coal containing cations of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals or both, in ion exchangeable form. Flue gases containing sulfur oxides are recycled to contact coal awaiting combustion. Sulfur oxides are absorbed on the coal during the contact step, which is conducted in the presence of water. Sulfur oxides react with alkali and alkaline earth metal cations, and are oxidized to form sulfate reaction products. When the treated coal is burned, these sulfate reaction products are retained in the coal ash.

Abstract: A method for producing carbonaceous-derived solid fuel products comprising subjecting a carbonaceous material to a temperature sufficient to remove a substantial portion of water inherent in said carbonaceous material, pyrolyzing at least a portion of the dried carbonaceous material to form a carbonaceous-based char material and simultaneously recover carbonaceous-based tar by-products and contacting at least one material selected from the group consisting of the dried carbonaceous material and the carbonaceous-based char material with a water-in-tar emulsion, said emulsion being prepared from said recovered carbonaceous-based tar by-products.

Abstract: Broadly, the present invention provides for improvements in the manufacture of compacted or molded articles of blended mixtures of additive metals for use in the preparation of alloys of base metals. The improvements comprise the addition to blended mixtures of additive metals of at least one processing aid comprising at least one polyglycol or a derivative thereof to the blended mixture of metals in a stabilizing and lubricating amount.

Abstract: A process is provided for reducing the concentration of water soluble ionic selenium species in aqueous waste solutions containing the same. The process comprises passing said waste solution through a treatment zone containing a porous matrix on which are retained populations of at least one bacteria of the genus Clostridium. The passing of said aqueous solution through said treatment zone is carried out at predetermined rates of flow, and contact between said solution and said bacteria is conducted under anaerobic conditions and at predetermined pH and temperature levels. The process provides for the conversion of the water soluble ionic selenium species to water insoluble selenium metal, which metal is retained on the porous matrix and can be recovered therefrom.

Abstract: A process is provided for reducing the concentrations of water soluble ionic selenium species, sulfate ion and ionic heavy metal species in aqueous waste solutions containing the same. The process comprises passing said waste solution through a treatment zone containing a porous matrix on which are retained populations of at least one anaerobic bacteria of the genus Clostridium and at least one anaerobic bacteria selected from the group consisting of bacteria of the genera Desulfovibrio and Desulfotomaculum. The passing of said aqueous solution through said treatment zone is carried out at predetermined rates of flow and contacts between said solution and said bacteria is conducted under anaerobic conditions and at predetermined pH and temperature levels.

Abstract: A process for producing a flowable concentrated aqueous slurry of insoluble coal products from a dilute slurry of insoluble coal products. The dilute slurry is concentrated to form a nonflowable concentrate having a solids level in excess of 65 weight percent. The nonflowable concentrate is introduced into a mixing zone together with an alkaline agent, surfactant and diluent wherein they are admixed to form a flowable concentrated aqueous slurry having a solids level in excess of 60 weight percent. Sufficient alkaline agent is present to provide a pH level of the slurry above about 9.0. The surfactant comprises at least about 0.01 percent by weight of the solids present. The diluent can comprise any suitable aqueous stream that does not adversely react with the insoluble coal products, alkaline agent or surfactant. The concentrated aqueous slurry is easily flowable from the mixing zone.

Abstract: A process for reducing the concentration of selenium ions in the Se(VI) oxidation state in an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution is admixed with a quantity of metallic iron. The iron reduces the selenium ions from the Se(VI) oxidation state to a lower oxidation state and then dissolves in the aqueous solution. If the pH level of the aqueous solution is above about 2.3, the selenium ions are reduced to at least the Se(IV) oxidation state and the dissolved metallic iron hydrolyses to form an iron hydroxide that precipitates. The precipitated material is separated from the aqueous solution to provide a solution having a lower concentration of selenium ions. If the pH level of the aqueous solution is below about 2.3, no iron hydrolysis is observed to occur. At least a portion of the selenium in the Se(VI) oxidation state is believed to be reduced to the elemental state. The elemental selenium then is separated from the aqueous solution to provide a solution having a lower concentration of selenium ions.

Abstract: A process for producing additional liquid products from a heavy hydrocarbon material by vis-breaking of a separated asphaltene-containing fraction under controlled conditions of temperature and pressure. The asphaltene-containing fraction is obtained by contacting the heavy hydrocarbon material with a first solvent under elevated temperature and pressure conditions to separate the asphaltenes as a heavy phase from the remainder of the heavy hydrocarbon material. The products of the vis-breaking operation comprise distillable and substantially nondistillable liquid products in association with a residue including organometallic compounds. The distillable and substantially nondistillable liquid products then are separated from the residue. The distillable products can be separated by distillation. The nondistillable products are separated from the residue employing a second solvent maintained under elevated temperature and pressure conditions and then recovered as a liquid phase product.

Abstract: An improved system for deashing coal liquefaction products wherein a feed mixture (including a deashing solvent, soluble coal products and insoluble coal products) is separated in a first separation zone into a first light fraction and a first heavy fraction (including insoluble coal products and some deashing solvent). The first heavy fraction is withdrawn from the first separation zone and the pressure level of the first heavy fraction is reduced at least 100 psig for vaporizing the deashing solvent and for yielding a composition substantially comprising coal products. The composition is essentially a powdery, solid material and is capable of being transferred via a slurry or mechanical means.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing coal derived, hydrogen-rich donor fractions from fractions of coal liquefaction products for use in the hydroconversion of coal. Coal liquefaction products are subjected to a critical solvent deashing process to produce various deashed coal fractions which can only be obtained by practicing that process. Thereafter, the various deashed coal fractions are subjected to hydrogen addition to produce heretofore unavailable hydrogen-rich donor fractions. These hydrogen-rich donor fractions may be recycled to supplant a portion of the liquefaction process solvent or blended with other fractions produced by the deashing process to provide improved fuel products.

Abstract: An improved coal deashing process wherein a feed mixture comprising soluble coal products, insoluble coal products, and deashing solvent at a first temperature level is separated in a first separation zone into a first light fraction and a first heavy fraction comprising the insoluble coal products and some of the deashing solvent through admixing predetermined quantities of an additive with the feed mixture prior to separation to provide an improved yield of recoverable soluble coal products. Alternatively, the additive is admixed with the first light fraction prior to subsequent separations to provide an improved yield of recoverable soluble coal products.

Abstract: A coal deashing process wherein a feed mixture comprising soluble coal products, insoluble coal products and solvent is separated in a first separation zone into a first heavy phase and a first light phase comprising soluble coal products, solvent and some insoluble coal products. The first light phase is withdrawn and introduced into a second separation zone wherein it separates into a second heavy phase comprising insoluble coal products, soluble coal products and some solvent and a second light phase comprising soluble coal products and solvent. The second heavy phase is withdrawn and at least a portion is recycled to the first separation zone to increase the yield of separable soluble coal products ultimately recovered by the process.