The process relates to the production of olefins by thermal cracking, in the absence of a catalyst, of a fuel value residual hydrocarbon feedstock which, prior to cracking, is extracted with a paraffinic solvent which is selective for the saturated hydrocarbon material present in the feedstock. Preferred extraction conditions include the use of supercritical temperatures and pressures. The solvent is separated from the extracted hydrocarbon material and the latter is then cracked.

Three or more tanks holding photographic processing solutions are arranged in series in a processing machine that transports photographic material sequentially in and out of each tank by turn-around assemblies inside each tank and by crossover assemblies between adjacent tanks. Each assembly includes a driven roller and an endless belt which holds the processed material against the periphery of the driven roller. Similar assemblies feed the first tank at the input end of the machine and deliver ...

A conveyor apparatus for carrying workpieces on flat trays has two parallel chains with tray supports connected at equal intervals between the two chains. Each tray support has a clamping device for clamping and releasing flat silicone rubber covered trays against itself. Cams are located between the chains to operate the clamping device to release the tray (for travel through a separate path) at one point in travel and later (when the tray returns from its separate path) to clamp it again. The ...

A laser beam of a pulse width 10 to 20 nanoseconds is irradiated and scanned relatively and two-dimensionally on a metal thin film formed on a transparent substrate from the transparent substrate side and through the transparent substrate with a superposition number of laser beam spots set up to at most 15 and to thereby remove a predetermined region of the metal thin film. The irradiated metal film begins to melt from the substrate side and is removed away explosively from the substrate, leavin...

A process for producing a detoxified protein concentrate product from defatted oilseeds, particularly those of the thioglucoside and phenolic containing types such as rapeseed, mustard or Crambe, in which dehulled, defatted seeds are extracted with an aqueous alcohol solvent under substantially non-oxidizing conditions, so as to prevent oxidation of the contained phenolic compounds and inhibit enzymic degradation of the glucosinolates. The solid residue of the extraction is dried at a temperatur...

A universal self-aligning rack for carrying and holding substrates of different sizes and shapes during the processing of the substrates. The rack includes first and second spaced substrate supports which are pivotal about parallel axes. Each support includes a pair of spaced elongated elements parallel to the axes, formed with tapered circumferential grooves oriented perpendicularly to the axes. The substrates to be supported are arranged parallel to one another in planes perpendicular to the a...

A processing vessel for mixing a liquid containing solid pieces comprises a container having a top opening and a hemispherical bottom portion, a horizontal or inclined agitator drive shaft extending into the container and a substantially circular agitator mounted on the drive shaft for rotation therewith. The agitator comprises a pair of substantially annular semicircular blades, each formed with an internal segment-shaped web and carrying at its outer periphery a plurality of scrapers which are...

An unsulfonated cross-linked polystyrene, silicic acid and a binder comprise a tobacco smoke filter for removing essentially all nitrosamines and secondary amines from the tobacco smoke passing through the tobacco filter attached to the normally unlighted end of the cigarette.

An apparatus for liquid development of latent images on sheets or webs comprises a plurality of applicator stations which sequentially deliver processing liquid to the latent image bearing surface of the sheets or webs. The latter are transported above the respective applicator stations with the concerning surface in downward direction. A controlling mechanism provides for the arrestment of the liquid supply before the trailing edge of the sheet or web has passed over the respective applicator s...

A process for treating shrimp is described that results in their having desirable moisture retention after cooking or freezing, while retaining their natural appearance, by contacting them with a mixture of sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium acid pyrophosphate salts in water, wherein the salts have a weight ratio of 80:20 to 60:40 and the mixture yields a pH in water of about 6.2 to about 7.1; optionally up to 7 wt % of ordinary salt can also be employed in the aqueous mixture of phosphate salts...