Abstract: Prosthetic bone implants are fabricated to approximately replicate a patient's original bone. Medical computer aided imaging techniques are applied to generate a data base representing the size and shape of the original bone in a three dimensional coordinate system. The implantable replica is fabricated using the data base and free form manufacturing to sequentially solidify adjoining, cross-sectional intervals of a fluid material. Appropriate fluid materials include ceramic particles which may be selectively bonded by sintering or bonding with a polymer, and a monomer which is polymerized at selected regions by an incident laser beam.

Abstract: A mechanical refrigeration process in which two or more systems are connected in series to provide successively lower temperature levels. Each system utilizes mixtures of refrigerants and/or inert gases having different boiling points. The mixture is compressed to a suitable pressure and compression heat is rejected to the environment. The mixture is cooled by heat exchange with mixture returning to the compressor. The liquid and gas phases are separated and the separated gas mixture is further cooled to form liquid, by heat exchange with mixture returning to the compressor. The liquid is expanded to a given lower pressure to achieve the desired low temperature. The expanded fluid absorbs heat to provide refrigeration. The liquid expanded to the lower pressure is mixed with the used fluid which absorbed heat to provide refrigeration. The capacity of the system is controlled by throttling the compressor suction.

Abstract: Multiple refrigeration systems, each with refrigerants having a different boiling point, are connected in series to provide successively lower temperatures. Following compression and heat rejection, the refrigerant mixture is cooled by heat exchange with refrigerant returning to the compressor. Gas and liquid phases are separated and the gas is cooled further by heat exchange with mixture returning to the compressor. System capacity is controlled by throttling the compressor suction.

Abstract: Calcination of limestone to form a finely divided lime product without substantial contamination by impurities (especially carbon and ash) is accomplished in a secondary fluidized bed with reaction heat provided by recirculating entrained particles from a primary multisolid fluidized bed combustor.

Abstract: Dielectric heating with microwaves of saturated solid noncarbon adsorbents to remove the adsorbed materials results in more rapid, efficient and safe regeneration than conventional heating. The microwaves heat the adsorbents internally and in the absence of spark discharges without thermal and mechanical degradation of the adsorbent, and also in the absence of activating gas bring the adsorbents to a temperature sufficient to desorb the adsorbate. Separation of a gas mixture into two concentrated streams of its components is enabled by adsorption of one fraction by a selective adsorbent followed by removal of that fraction with dielectric heating and little or no purge gas. Useful by-products of the separation process are thereby economically recovered.

Abstract: An integrated system, process and apparatus are provided for the efficient and effective recovery of spent pulping liquors, particularly kraft black liquor, whereby in an initial stage concentrated spent liquor is subjected to combustion in a reactor equipped with a plurality of particulate materials, at least one of which is of finer particle size than the other, preferably subjecting a portion of said particulate materials to at least one further treatment in a fluidized bed unit, and treating the inorganic solid combustion products in a reducing atmosphere.