Abstract: A clarifier tank having a center column is provided with a center-driven bottom rake mechanism for settled sludge removal, a rotating scum rake mechanism comprised of pipes with longitudinal openings for scum removal via the center column, the rake mechanisms rotating in the same or opposite directions at different speeds, and submerged effluent pipes projecting from the sidewall of the tank toward the center of the tank to drain the clarified sewage into an effluent launder exterior of the tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the discharge time of a fluid activated diaphragm pump. The control system regulates the discharge time, by measuring the discharge time and comparing the measured time with a predetermined desired discharge time. The control system includes, inter alia, a programmable logic controller, an upper and lower proximity switch, a target, a rod to hold the target, a pilot controlled pressure regulator, a set of digitally controlled solenoids which control a pilot valve, a solenoid, and a pressure switch. The rod is secured to the diaphragm of the diaphragm pump, and the proximity switches respond to the movement of the rod to detect the movement, or stroke, of the diaphragm. The pressure supplied to the diaphragm pump is automatically, and continuously, adjusted to maintain a desired discharge time.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved flotation cell design for the mining industry. The flotation cell includes a cylindrical froth flotation unit and a unique hexagonal overflow froth launder. The unique design optimizes the froth flotation process and allows for the economical utilization of a honeycomb nesting arrangement.

Abstract: High-rate washing centrifuges are employed in a corn wet milling process to accomplish displacement washing of the starch and a sharp classification into starch and gluten.

Abstract: A drum centrifuge has a housing, a drum in the housing, an axially extending outer foraminous side wall in the interior of the drum forming an outer chamber, and a transversely extending foraminous end wall in the drum forming a bypass chamber radially inward of the outer chamber. A suspension is fed to the interior of the drum while same is rotating so that the suspension is thrown centrifugally against the outer wall and separates into a radially outer body of filter cake having an inner surface and a radially inner body of liquid sitting on the inner surface. A drainage chamber is formed at the end wall and a drain passage extends between the drainage chamber and the outer chamber while a bypass passage extends between the drain chamber and the bypass chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of qualitative and quantified monitoring of the instant local physical state of a substantially incompressible fluid material such as a liquid or pasty substance (for instance slurry or pulp) and a device for carrying out this method and the various applications and uses resulting from the working of the method and/or device for the automatic control of said physical state. The invention is also directed to the various equipment and systems provided with at least one such device.

Abstract: A corn steeping process is conducted in a fluidized bed apparatus with steeping liquor introduced at the bottom of the apparatus and removed from the top of the apparatus after traversing the body of fluidized corn grains.

Abstract: A method for treating ash produced by waste coal fluidized bed boilers in which hot ash fines and heated secondary air are introduced into the boiler as the coarse ash is cooled. An ash treatment system for cooperation with a fluidized bed boiler operating on waste fuel having a high ash content receives and classifies hot ash from the boiler, returns ash fines to the boiler, cools coarse ash fines for disposal and burns carbon associated with the ash received from the boiler.

Abstract: Corn or sorghum kernels are steeped in warm water containing sulfur dioxide in the presence of an enzyme preparation including one or more phytin-degrading enzymes, such as phytase and acid phosphatases, to eliminate or greatly reduce phytic acid and the salts of phytic acid.

Abstract: A vacuum filter for the separation of solids from liquids, comprising an endlessly circulating array of troughs which constitute a common horizontal filter surface, on which an endless filter cloth is laid, in which each trough has an elastic sealing strip on that rimless edge which extends along the trough bottom transversely to the direction of movement. A good vacuum seal between two successive troughs with easy replaceability of the sealing strip is provided wherein the sealing strip is releasably clamped by a spring-loaded movable clamping bracket against the leading and/or rear edge of one of the adjacent troughs.

Abstract: A method of dewatering filter cake in which the cake is supported on a positively driven pervious conveyor belt or filter cloth. The cake is guided about the circumference of a drum, with the drum positively driven at a variable speed of rotation. In the region of the drum, the pervious conveyor belt or filter cloth holds the cake against the periphery of the drum and additional pressing rollers press the filter cloth and cake against the drum. The drum drives the filter cloth in this region through the medium of the filter cake and induces shear effects in the cake. The speed of rotation of the drum is regulated in dependence on the tension existing in the filter cloth.

Abstract: A rake classifier provides reciprocating movement using crank-mounted drive shafts to establish translatory forward movement as well as lifting and rearward movement of the rake structure.

Abstract: A solid state double layer capacitor includes an organic electrolyte doped with a soluble salt to render the electrolyte ionically conductive.

Abstract: Double layer capacitors incorporate electrolytes having relatively high pH whereby reduced leakage current is attained as well as greatly extended back-up times.

Abstract: An electrically augmented crossflow filter device in which a feed stream containing solid particulate matter is flowed between opposed walls while a pressure differential is imposed across a first of said walls comprising a filter medium to produce a flow of filtrate therethrough in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow of the feed stream. At the same time, an electric field is imposed on the feed stream in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the flow of the feed stream, causing the solid particulate matter in the feed stream to tend to move toward the second of said walls which comprises an ion-pervious member. Cake formation on the latter ion-pervious wall is limited or precluded by the velocity of the feed stream while the feed stream thickens in passing between the walls to form the product stream. The electrode which is located behind the second, or ion-pervious, wall is immersed during operation in a protective stream of a selected electrolyte.

Abstract: New porous semiconductor dopant carriers are disclosed together with a method for the diffusion doping of semiconductors by the vapor phase transport of an n or p type dopants, such as phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, boron, gallium, aluminum, zinc, silicon, tellurium, tin and cadmium to the semiconductor host substrate; wherein the dopant source comprises a dopant containing porous, inert, rigid dimensionally stable and thermal shock resistant reaction sintered Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 carrier material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved electrical double layer energy storage cell comprising a pair of electrodes, at least one of which is a carbon paste electrode, a porous ionically conductive separator and an ion insulated connector, the improvement wherein said carbon paste electrode comprises carbon exhibiting a pore volume of less than about 0.45 cc/gm and a median pore radius of less than about 150 Angstroms.

Abstract: New porous semiconductor dopant carriers are disclosed together with a method for the diffusion doping of semiconductors by the vapor phase transport of an n or p type dopant, such as phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, boron, gallium, aluminum, zinc, silicon, tellurium, tin and cadmium to the semiconductor host substrate; wherein the dopant source comprises a dopant containing porous, inert, rigid dimensionally stable and thermal shock resistant carrier comprised of SiC, elemental silicon or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A cyclone for use at elevated temperature and pressure has a refractory lining and a metallic vortex finder supported by a thermal sleeve.

Abstract: A fused abrasive grain, useful for inclusion in coated abrasives and bonded abrasives, consists essentially of alumina; titanium oxide containing from about 0.42 to about 0.84% titaniun, by weight of the abrasive grain, present as a reduced titanium oxide having an average oxidation state lower than in Ti.sub.2 O.sub.3 ; from about 0.05 to about 0.3% by weight carbon; from about 0.02 to about 0.1% by weight Na.sub.2 O; and from 0 to about 0.1% by weight total of calcium and silicon oxides. The grain before roasting has a gain on ignition of from about 0.4 to about 0.7% by weight, and is produced in an electric furnace by fusing high-purity titania, alumina containing Na.sub.2 O as the only significant oxide impurity, and carbon, followed by crushing and roasting the fused grain.