Abstract: A particulate porous material suitable for use as a high surface area column packing material comprises particles substantially all of which are not smaller than 5 micrometers and not larger than 1 millimeter in diameter, and each particle is in the form of a substantially cellular body and consists predominantly of an open, three-dimensional matrix of crystals of mullite which define between them interconnecting pores having a width in the range of from 5 nanometers to about 2 micrometers. The particles can be coated with a reactive layer. There is also disclosed a process for producing the particulate porous material wherein a particulate product comprising particles substantially all of which are between 5 micrometers and 1 millimeter in diameter and consisting predominantly of a mixture of mullite crystals and silica is treated with a concentrated aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide at a temperature of at least 50.degree. C.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed for use in the process wherein an organophilic clay is manufactured by reacting a smectite-type clay with a higher alkyl-containing quarternary ammonium compound. According to the improvement of the invention, the gelling properties of the resulting organoclay are enhanced, by subjecting the clay as a pumpable slurry, to high-speed fluid shear, prior to the reaction thereof with the ammonium compound.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed for use in the process wherein an organophilic clay is manufactured by reacting a sodium smectite-type clay with a higher alkyl-containing quaternary ammonium compound. According to the improvement of the invention, the gelling properties of the resulting organoclay are enhanced, by subjecting the clay to high energy pugmilling prior to the reaction thereof with the ammonium compound. This is preferably effected by passing the clay at 25 to 40 weight percent moisture content, through a pugmill which imparts at least 20 HP/hrs/ton of energy to the clay, after which the clay is subjected to the prior art processing.

Abstract: Color improved polyarylates having a reduced viscosity of from about 0.1 to greater than 1.0 dl/gm produced by a process comprising the following steps:(a) reacting an acid anhydride derived from an acid containing from 2 to 8 carbon atoms with at least one dihydric phenol to form the corresponding diester; and(b) reacting said diester with at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid at a temperature sufficient to form the polyarylate, wherein the improvement comprises carrying out said process in the presence of a particular solid adsorbent.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing a polyarylate having a reduced viscosity of from about 0.1 to greater than 1.0 dl/gm comprising the following steps:(a) reacting an acid anhydride derived from an acid containing from 2 to 8 carbon atoms with at least one dihydric phenol to form the corresponding diester; and(b) reacting said diester with at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid at a temperature sufficient to form the polyarylate, wherein the improvement comprises carrying out said process in the presence of a particular solid adsorbent.

Abstract: Optical article having a substrate with first and second surfaces and with a conductive antireflection coating disposed on the first surface. The conductive antireflection coating is comprised of at least one layer of a low index material carried by said first surface and a thin transparent conducting layer of a material having a high index of refraction carried by the layer of material having a low index of refraction. The conducting layer provides an exposed surface to which the direct electrical contact can be made. The conducting layer has an optical thickness ranging from 1.0 to 30.0 nanometers. The layer of material having a low index of refraction has its design thickness reduced to compensate for the thickness of the conducting layer whereby the conducting layer does not seriously degrade the optical performance of the coating over that which could be obtained without the use of the conducting layer.

Abstract: The present invention consists of an apparatus and method whereby fibers such as cotton or otherwise are cleaned and carded prior to yarn formation to insure that the maximum quantity of fibers are utilized while removing substantially all non-lint from the fiber. Minimum fiber loss occurs while providing a sliver of excellent quality. The process herein includes the steps of carding the fibers whereby a portion of usable fibers, lint and other foreign matter are removed and are thereafter displaced to a condenser means. After condensing, the usable fibers which are still commingled with the waste are then extracted and recycled to the carding apparatus after blending with fresh stock in a uniform manner to provide a consistent blend for sliver formation or other uses.

Abstract: In a method of dewatering by pressure filtration an aqueous suspension of a clay containing a small proportion of particles having an equivalent spherical diameter smaller than 1 micron, the improvement which comprises treating the aqueous suspension of the clay, prior to dewatering by pressure filtration at a pressure in excess of 150 pounds per square inch, with a water-soluble polyelectrolyte flocculant having a high density of positive charges.

Abstract: Significantly improved carding production capacity and materially lowered waste content in the resulting sliver is obtained by high-speed operation of the lickerin at a speed in the range of about 1400 to 2000 r.p.m. and related operation of the main cylinder at a speed such that the lickerin surface speed is in the order of 90% of the cylinder surface speed, with a stripper bar lickerin screen located specially below the lickerin.