Abstract:
A fiber/binding agent composition comprising: individualized chemically crosslinked high-bulk fibers comprising individualized fibers chemically intra-fiber crosslinked with a crosslinking agent that is a polycarboxylic acid or is selected from the group of urea derivatives consisting of methylated urea, methylated cyclic ureas, methylated lower alkyl substituted ureas, dihydroxy cyclic ureas, and methylated dihydroxy cyclic ureas, and mixtures thereof; and from about 0.1 to about 6 weight percent of a water-borne binding agent. The water-borne binding agent is selected from the group consisting of starch, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinyl acetate latex, a polyethylene/acrylic acid copolymer, and acrylic acid polymer, an oxidized polyethylene, a polyvinyl chloride, a polyvinyl chloride/acrylic acid copolymer, an acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene copolymer and polyacrylonitrile.
Abstract:
The invention is a method for reproducing Douglas-fir by somatic embryogenesis using plant tissue culture techniques in a multistage culturing process. A suitable explant, typically the fertilized embryo excised from an immature seed, is first cultured on a medium that induces multiple early stage embryos. These are multiplied in a second culture having reduced growth hormones where the early stage embryos grow in size and vigor to advanced early stage embryos. The embryos may then be transferred direclty to a cotyledonary embryo development culture containing an adsorbent such as activated charcoal. Preferably, they are first singulated by shaking in two or more liquid subcultures containing the adsorbent prior to placing them on the development medium. After several weeks somatic embryos having the appearance of zygotic embryos will have formed. These may be germinated before or after storage and transplanted to soil for further growth.
Abstract:
A bar screen apparatus (10) having inner and outer frame assemblies (14, 16) with each frame assembly including a plurality of thin, blade-like bar elements (44). Each frame assembly (14, 16) further includes means for maintaining the blade-like bar elements under tension (58, 76). The inner and outer frame assemblies are driven by a drive system which includes a drive motor (97), a first drive shaft (109) at the infeed end of the apparatus, a second drive shaft (128) at the discharge end of the apparatus and a connecting assembly (126) for connecting the two drive shafts. Certain eccentric cams (114, 116, 118 and 120) are mounted on the first drive shaft (121) and are connected to the inner and outer frame assemblies (14, 16), while other eccentric cams (140, 142, 144 and 146) are mounted on the second drive shaft (128) and are connected to the inner and outer frame assemblies (14, 16), with the bar elements in the inner frame assembly being driven approximately 180 out of phase relative to the bar elements in the outer frame assembly.
Abstract:
The addition of relatively small quantities of reticulated bacterial cellulose to well bore drilling muds improves their rheological properties. A preferred reticulated bacterial cellulose is one produced under agitated culture conditions using strains of a bacterium from the genus Acetobacter. Reticulated bacterial cellulose may be used in place of a conventional gellant or in combination with conventional gellants to provide improved drilling muds.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an improved process for the production of microbial cellulose where a cellulose-producing organism is grown under agitated conditions in the presence of a polyacrylamide-containing polymer.
Abstract:
A bar screen (10) for sizing wood chips which includes a plurality of parallel bars (12-12) supported at their respective ends (14, 16) in such a manner and driven in such a manner that each bar moves both longitudinally and vertically. Two alternating sets of bars are included, one set being 180 DEG removed in position relative to the other set. Each set of bars alternate between relatively high and low vertical positions. When each set is in its relatively high position, the bars are moving longitudinally toward the infeed end of the bar screen (10). The bar screen (10) is inclined downwardly from the infeed end to outfeed end at an angle of approximately 15 DEG .
Abstract:
An apparatus for detecting the presence of carryover particles in an upper region of a furnace, such as a smelt bed boiler (10), includes plural spaced apart detectors (52). These detectors monitor discrete portions of the interior of the furnace for the purpose of detecting carryover particles in such monitored portions. Signals indicative of the carryover particles are processed to obtain a count of the carryover particles. The carryover particle count may then be displayed. For example, the signals from all of the detectors may be averaged with trends and overall changes in count rates then displayed. In addition, the counts from the individual detectors may also be displayed to assist an operator in locating the source of excessive carryover particles in the furnace. An image sensor (100), such as a charged coupled device (CCD) detector, may be used to provide a visual display of detected carryover particles. The information on carryover particle count may be used in controlling parameters affecting the performance of the furnace directly, or indirectly by way of operator input.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for profiling the bed (31) of a furnace involves the production of a digital image of the bed in background. The digital image is processed to determine transitions of the image which correspond to transitions between the bed and background and thereby to the boundary of the bed. Bed characteristics, such as the bed profile, the bed height, the slope of the bed and the volume of the bed are determined from the processed image. The image may be displayed for use in controlling the performance of a furnace. In addition, the determined bed characteristics with the differences being displayed, used in controlling the operation of the furnace, or in activating an indicator, such as an alarm (48) in the event the reference and determined bed characteristics differ by threshold amount.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for growing embryonic or other undeveloped plant material into autotrophic plants. Somatic or zygotic embryos are individually embedded in sterile plugs comprised of a soil-like particulate medium. A volume of aqueous nutritive medium is added to each plug. The plugs are then isolated from the ambient environment while permitting exposure to light and atmospheric gases sufficient to effect development of photosynthesis in the developing embryos in the plugs. The resulting autotrophic plants are then removed from isolation. Subsequent watering of the growth medium removes the carbon and energy source, thereby inhibiting growth of contaminating microorganisms. The plants are then transplanted. Embodiments include compartmentalized trays and covering films by which embryo-containing plugs are kept isolated from each other and from the environment during development of the embryos.
Abstract:
A hydrocolloid polymer and sorbent article containing same are disclosed. The polymer is prepared from a reaction mixture that consists essentially of (a) about 80 to about 100 mole percent water-soluble alpha, beta-monoethylenically unsaturated monocarboxy monomer containing a chain of three carbon atoms, (b) zero to about 20 mole percent water-soluble copolymerizable monoethylenically unsaturated monomer, (c) zero to about 3 percent of a copolymerizable polyethylenically unsaturated cross-linking agent, and (d) about 10 to about 25 percent by weight glycerol based upon the ethylenically unsaturated species present. The sorbent article comprises a water-insoluble fibrous web matrix having the hydrocolloid polymer coated thereon. The polymer and polymer-coated web exhibit improved water sorption and flexibility.