Abstract: An apparatus for the remote biological decontamination of a space with formaldehyde and subsequent generation of a formaldehyde neutralizing agent so as to permit immediate access to the space is disclosed. The apparatus is completely self-contained and includes a control mechanism for automatically sequencing the various steps in the biological decontamination of the space.

Abstract: An autoclave for treating products, such as sterilizing cans and ampoules, the apparatus having a chamber into which a supply conduit is connected provided with a medium, such as steam, and a further supply conduit provided with at least one control medium, for example compressed air. The apparatus is also provided with a discharge conduit and a vent conduit. The apparatus and method achieves the intended sterilization of the products by operating the system as near as possible to the temperature tolerance of the plastic packaging of the products being treated.

Abstract: Conditioning of goods for subsequent sterilization with a biocidal agent in a sealable chamber includes removal of air, and moistening and heating the goods to the desired temperature levels. Controlled evacuation of the chamber and coordinated admission of conditioning vapor into the chamber provides cyclic variations in chamber pressure between preselected subatmospheric pressures to subject goods in the chamber to a plurality of cyclic subatmospheric pressure pulses. The time required for the cyclic pressure variations is responsive to load characteristics, including heat and moisture absorption characteristics of the goods being conditioned, and is independent of prescribed times or direct measurement of load temperature. The subatmospheric pressure levels are selected based on the temperature-pressure relationship of the conditioning vapor so that chamber temperature during cyclic pulsing does not exceed the desired sterilization temperature.

Abstract: Systems and methods for directing waste gases to a by-pass conduit from a conduit to a waste gas purifier in response to signals indicating predetermined conditions which are harmful to the waste gas purifier to which the waste gases are normally directed while at the same time maintaining a substantially uniform pressure at the source of the waste gases. Preferably, the source of the waste gases is a scrubber unit for a maleic anhydride production unit. The waste gas purifier is preferably a catalytic oxidation unit for oxidizing hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in the waste gases.

Abstract: The high pressure furnace comprises a cylindrical pressure vessel with front and rear pressure closures. An electrical heating element is supported within the interior of the pressure furnace. The front closure supports a relatively thin-walled inner container opening only to an aperture in the front closure. A small closure plugs the aperture. A reaction frame secures the various closures. Blanket gases are introduced into the furnace chamber and process gases into the process chamber defined by the interior of the inner container. Means are provided for minimizing the pressure difference across the inner container to enable it to maintain its original shape.

Abstract: In a mixed-phase hydrocarbon hydroprocessing catalytic reaction system, wherein a guard-bed of particulate matter is employed above one or more individual beds of catalyst particles, the adverse detrimental effects of excessive reaction zone pressure drop are overcome by sensing the differential pressure across the guard-bed. Vaporous stream components are withdrawn from the reaction chamber through a locus above the guard-bed and at a rate proportional to the differential pressure. These withdrawn vaporous components are reintroduced into a substantially particle-free void volume below the guard-bed and above the bed of catalyst particles.

Abstract: A container is disclosed with a valve opening at its bottom wall to permit steam to circulate into the container and to permit any condensation to drain from the container while the valve is open. The valve is closed by an expandable chamber in response to the pressure drop at the end of a sterilizing cycle. A valve controlling the flow of steam into the expandable chamber closes when subjected to the high temperature steam, thus capturing steam within the chamber. This steam expands when the pressure drops to close the valve in the container. The container lid and gasket permit steam to be withdrawn from the container but prevent air flow into the container. A vacuum created in the container at the end of the sterilizing cycle holds the container lid in place and holds the valve closed.Also disclosed is a bimetallic spring valve which opens when steam is applied to a container and closes when the temperature drops as steaming ceases.

Abstract: A metal hydride fuel system incorporating a plurality of storage elements that may be individually replaced to provide a hydrogen fuel system for combustion engines having a capability of partial refueling is presented.

Abstract: A control and monitoring system for an oxygen generation device having a plurality of chemical oxygen generation elements sequentially decomposed to continuously generate oxygen.

Abstract: A fluid-wall reactor for high temperature chemical reactions is described, the reactor comprising (A) a porous reactor tube, at least a portion of the interior of which defines a reaction zone, the tube being made of a fabric of a fibrous refractory material; (B) a pressure vessel enclosing the reactor tube to define an inert fluid plenum, the pressure vessel having at least one inlet for admitting the inert fluid which is directed under pressure through the porous tube wall to provide a protective blanket for the inside surface of the reactor tube; (C) means for introducing at least one reactant into the reaction zone, the reactants being directed in a predetermined path axially of the reactor tube and being confined by the protective blanket substantially centrally within the reaction zone; (D) means disposed within the plenum for heating the reactor tube to the temperature level at which it emits sufficient radiant energy to initiate and sustain the desired chemical reaction, the radiant energy being direc

Abstract: A direct-steamed laboratory minidigester and a method of operating it are disclosed. This unit may be used to predict process parameters, e.g., yield and Kappa number, for operation of commercial direct-steamed digesters. Runs may be made rapidly and with small quantities of wood and chemicals. A plurality of units may be operated in parallel to generate replicate data points for statistical analyses or operated simultaneously, each under different conditions, to screen process variables, e.g., chemical charge, wood furnish, pressure, temperature, steam rate, and cooking time.

Abstract: A method for the dense-phase flow of particulate solids utilizes a pressurized feeder and flow splitter which transports and equally divides particulate material at essentially the bulk density with only the gas contained in interstices of the solid particles being used to transport the particles. The feeder comprises a vessel which is pressurized, a gas source for pressurization and an outlet line with a full opening valve located immediately adjacent to the feeder. The loaded vessel containing particulate matter is pressurized, followed by opening the valve adjacent the feeder, the valve and relatively empty downstream line when flow is initiated being the key to successful operation of the dense-phase feeder. The downstream flow divider evenly distributes the dense-phase material to, for example, a multiplicity of feed passages in a multi-passage injector.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for growing oxide on silicon wafers or silicon-coated wafers or other semiconductors for the semiconductor industry wherein the oxide growth is produced under high pressure and high temperature conditions within a reaction chamber by oxidizing gases which are maintained in a continuous flow condition into and through the chamber.

Abstract: In a fractionation system in which pressure fluctuations within the fractionation vessel can result in alteration of the fractionator product composition, fractionation column pressure is monitored and converted to a temperature requirement signal representative of the temperature required within a preselected portion of the fractionation column in order to provide the desired product constituent distribution. The temperature requirement signal is utilized to provide a required heat signal which is representative of the direction and magnitude of any change necessary in the heat input to the fractionation column to maintain the required temperature. The required heat signal is utilized to provide fast changes in the heat input to the fractionation column in response to pressure fluctuations in the fractionation column.

Abstract: In a fractionation system in which pressure fluctuations within the fractionation vessel can result in alteration of the fractionator product composition, fractionation column pressure is monitored and converted to a temperature requirement signal representative of the temperature required within a preselected portion of the fractionation column in order to provide the desired product constituent distribution. The temperature requirement signal is utilized to provide a required heat signal which is representative of the direction and magnitude of any change necessary in the heat input to the fractionation column to maintain the required temperature. The heat input to the fractionation column is controlled in response to the required heat signal, corrected as necessary by actual analysis of the product.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing molten materials comprising a storage tank; inlet and outlet means associated with the storage tank to provide access and egress for the molten material; steam supply means for providing steam to the storage tank; vapor removal means providing for exit of vapor from the vapor space of the storage tank; a liquid powered eductor in fluid communication with the vapor removal means acting to urge vapors from the storage tank through the vapor removal means; and a liquid supply means associated with the eductor to provide liquid to operate the eductor, the amount of liquid supplied being controlled in response to the vapor pressure within the storage tank.An improved method for storing molten materials is also disclosed.

Abstract: 1. A chemical canister for generating gas in a noisemaker beacon comprising canister case for holding a chemical for generating a buoyant gas, a canister cover adapted to be mounted on said case, a watertight seal between said cover and said case, means for ejecting said cover from said case, and means for temporarily locking said cover and said canister; said ejecting means comprising a conical spring adapted to be compressed within its outer diameter, and said locking means comprising a rod extending from the bottom of said canister to said cover, a groove in said rod near said cover, a locking pin mounted in said cover having one end adapted to lock with said rod by means of said groove and having a piston at the other end, and a locking pin ejecting spring mounted on said pin for moving said locking pin out of engagement with said rod by means of said groove.

Abstract: The disclosed gas flow sensor has an orifice connected in an oxygen conduit and a pressure switch connected to the conduit by having a pressure chamber communicating with the conduit. The chamber terminates at a diaphram which is operatively coupled to a normally open microswitch by a spring loaded rod. As the flow rate of oxygen flowing through the conduit drops below a permissible minimum magnitude, back pressure on the orifice decreases so as to close the microswitch to provide a control signal. A bypass valve is connected across the orifice to prevent the oxygen pressure within the conduit from excessively increasing.

Abstract: Three chlorate candles are connected to a common conduit to which a normally open pressure switch is connected on the downstream side. The switch closes in response to a flow rate less than its predetermined minimum magnitude of oxygen from each candle flowing through the conduit. The pressure switch and one thermal switch for each candle except the last one are serially interconnected across a DC source through a resistor. When that candle first ignited is weakened in generation of oxygen, the next candle is ignited with the closure of the two serially connected switches and through the resulting heating of the associated resistor. The third candle is similarly ignited.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for steam sterilizing articles having an inner chamber for receiving said articles and an outer space between the outer wall of the chamber and the inner wall of the chamber. A constant pressure difference is maintained between the chamber and the outer space. This constant pressure difference permits the thermodynamic optimum steam flow to the chamber with a minimum of energy losses.