Abstract: A magnetic coupling for a stirrer drive in a high pressure autoclave in which the magnet shaft is in the form of a sleeve-like bush fixed on the end of the stirrer shaft. A portion of the magnet shaft serves as a carrier of segmented permanent magnets on the outside. An inner coupling part, including the magnet shaft, is covered by a hood and the outer coupling part comprises a bell equipped with permanent magnets on the inside. The bell covers the hood.

Abstract: Magnesium-bearing phosphate rock in small grain size is converted into phosphoric acid so that no by-products, which are difficult to dispose of are produced. The crushed rock is mixed with water and subsequently acidified with nitric acid, the reaction product being filtered and washed before the neutralization point is reached. The wet and filtered rock is treated with nitric acid to form phosphoric acid and a slurry of calcium nitrate tetrahydrate. The previously formed filtrate is mixed with the calcium nitrate tetrahydrate slurry and this mixture is reacted with ammonia and carbonic acid to form ammonium nitrate, magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate, which are then separated into an ammonium nitrate solution and a mixture of magnesium and calcium carbonates.

Abstract: Valve for use with a tubular chemical reactor operating at pressures of over 1000 bar and temperatures of more than 250.degree. C. The actual wall thickness of the lower valve part within the area of the inlet/outlet duct is at least 35% less than the wall thickness of adjacent wall areas, the undersize being compensated by the prestress applied by the tightening bolts of the upper valve part. A lens type seal is located between the lower valve part and the upper valve part and simultaneously (1) seals the connection between the valve parts and (2) comprises the valve seat. The thermal conductivity of the seal is at least 50% lower than that of the valve material.

Abstract: Freshly mined phosphate rock is subjected to screen classification in at least two stages. Only coarse grained phosphate rock with a grain size over 2 mm from the last screen classification step is fed to a plain-roller grinding mill. The rollers of the grinding mill run at different peripheral speeds, so that the grains are ground by radial and tangential forces. This produces a fine grained phosphate rock whose natural moisture content is advantageous when further processed to phosphoric acid by means of sulphuric acid.

Abstract: Apparatus for the gasification under pressure of bituminous coal, especially fine coal, comprising a generator which has a container to receive the coal to be gasified and a feed device which supplies the coal to the container, while keeping the container closed off so as to maintain the pressure in the generator. The feed device includes a briquette forming device located on the container, and a continuously operable screw conveyor which feeds the coal to be gasified through the briquette forming device and directly into the container in the form of briquettes. The feed device is encapsulated and, together with the fine coal and briquettes within it, forms a gas tight closure for the container to maintain the pressure therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for the fermentative conversion of a nutrient mixture by means of microorganisms in the presence of a gas containing oxygen. The nutrient mixture and gas are mixed to yield a phase state with a relative density of less than 0.3 referred to water. The process is carried out in a closed reaction vessel having inlet and outlet pipes for the nutrient mixture, its components and the product. The vessel is also provided with inlet and outlet pipes for the oxygen-bearing gas. A paddle wheel within the vessel provides the distribution device.

Abstract: A process for the production of hydrogen/deuterium-containing gas in which the enriched condensate obtained from the production of a hydrogen/deuterium-containing gas mixture is collected and subjected to a direct exchange of isotopes with the feedsteam admitted to the process. Such condensate can be brought into direct exchange of isotopes with the gas water vapor mixture within the process, viz. ahead of the CO conversion section. The exchange of isotopes may be performed according to the counter-current principle. If it is intended to maintain in the hydrogen/deuterium-containing gas a certain definite content of water vapor whose phase condition is superior to the condition achieved when using normal cooling water, this gas, at least 0.6 kg/m.sup.3 of gas, is subjected to an exchange of isotopes with the water fed additionally into the process.

Abstract: An electrically heated vaporizer having a pair of prongs to be plugged into a wall socket for vaporizing a chemically treated diffusable tablet for deodorizing, disinfecting, perfuming or otherwise treating air of a room, is formed of a hollow dome-like casing suitably foraminous so that air currents induced by a heater pass about the tablet to effect diffusion thereof. The casing is separated into two compartments by a shelf in the form of a row of laterally spaced pins or tines. On the under side of such shelf is an electrical heater for inducing the air currents, air inlet ports being on one side of the shelf and air outlet ports on the other side. The electrical heater is carried by a back plate which has hook-like catches adapted to snap into edges of the air ports for securely holding the parts in assembled relation. Cooperative locators insure proper positioning of the back plate and casing.

Abstract: A reaction vessel for heating by helium under pressure comprising an upright container provided with an upper part and with a lower part constituting a heating space. In the lower container part are vertically spaced inlet and outlet openings for heated helium under pressure. The upper container part has spaced walls providing a space therebetween and two covers. The upper end of the lower container part is closed and catalyst-filled reaction tubes pass through such closure into the heating space. Inlet and outlet pipes for the reaction tubes extend in coaxial manner from the reaction tubes head through the inner wall of the upper reactor part below the cover of such inner wall, and thence through the space between the inner and outer walls and finally to the outside through the outer wall of the upper part below the cover for the outer wall. The length of the inlet and outlet pipes inside the space is more than the distance of the walls, and the coaxial pipes may be disposed in serpentine fashion.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for incinerating contaminated salt-bearing solutions in a fluidized bed to which streams of solution, of fuel required for incineration and of combustion air are injected and the quantities of these streams and the quantity of the fluidized bed material are adjusted to safeguard incomplete combustion in the fluidized bed, to maintain the temperature of the bed below the fusion temperature of the salt and to achieve a post-combustion temperature of 800.degree. C and more of the gas emanating from the fluidized bed and reaching the free space above the bed, i.e. the afterburner.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for controlling the temperature of the fluidized bed in a thermal reaction furnace. An igniting flame is directed horizontally and radially at the fuel within the bed in the lower third of the bed above the grate. The ignition burner and fuel pipeline are arranged closely together and enter the furnace through a common fitting or flange. In operation, the ignition flame is ignited before fuel is fed to the fluidized bed.

Abstract: In a multi-cylinder pump for conveying concrete, the flow of concrete to and from the cylinders is controlled by a pivot body containing a pressure channel. The pressure channel is bounded by blades, each of which has a blade plate shaped in accordance with the flow of material and sealed to the pump casing wall at its edges. Each blade also has a base whereby it is attached to the pivot body shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus for the gasification under pressure of bituminous coal, especially fine coal, comprising a generator which has a container to receive the coal to be gasified and a feed device which supplies the coal to the container, while keeping the container closed off so as to maintain the pressure in the generator. The feed device includes a device for agglomerating the coal to be gasified located on the container, and a continuously operable screw conveyor which feeds the coal to be gasified to the agglomerating device which delivers the formed agglomerates, in a green condition, into the container. The feed device is encapsulated and, together with the fine coal and agglomerates within it, forms a gas tight closure for the container to maintain the pressure therein.

Abstract: A manual regulator for power steering devices of automobiles comprising a valve assembly equipped with a rotary plug valve having a suitable channel and passages enabling selective free or predetermined restricted flow between the hydraulic pump and the steering mechanism, thereby to regulate the effort required of the driver to effect turning of the vehicle. This militates against oversteering and manually adjusts the effort required for the steering operation suitable to the individual driver. Manual adjustment requires only the turning of the valve and subsequent locking of the valve in the adjusted position.

Abstract: Apparatus for tightening and releasing one of the clamping nuts which act to maintain a pre-established pressure-tight sealing of a flanged reactor pressure vessel, the bolts for which clamping nuts are held and pretensioned in the flange of the vessel. The clamping nut has teeth and is turned on its bolt, via a reduction gearing cooperating with the teeth, by a three phase motor whose rotor has the smallest number of poles for a small moment of inertia and a high speed of rotation. A connecting lead for the motor has a current sensor disposed in one phase thereof, and a triac contactor responsive to an output signal from the current sensor and arranged to open-circuit the connection lead when the sensed current exceeds a predetermined threshold at a limit position of the nut. The apparatus also includes an override means which acts to prevent the motor being automatically switched off in response to start-up current during a preselected period from switch-on of the motor.

Abstract: A truck has a rear wheel-carrying chassis frame, on which is mounted a sub frame provided at its rear with a tipping member to which the rear end of the truck body is pivoted for vertical tilting movements. The tipping member can pivot about an axis longitudinally of the chassis frame and the mechanism for that purpose is located between the chassis frame and the tipping member.

Abstract: A drainage device for irrigation of the ear comprises a receptacle of clear flexible plastic which has an inner wall formed with an opening through which the outer ear projects, thereby aiding in positioning and supporting the same. A band or tie strings on the upper edge of the inner receptacle wall embraces the patient's head and supports the weight of the receptacle. From the bottom of the receptacle extends a drainage tube which can be conveniently clipped to the patient's garment. To enable the receptacle to fit in leak-proof manner, surgical appliance adhesive secures the receptacle around the front and lower part of the outer ear.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cleaning gases, especially those generated by the pressurized gasification of coal, to remove impurities therefrom, especially tar, dust and salts, in which the gases are washed with a liquid, preferably water, in a scrubbing unit and the wash liquid is cleaned to yield a major clean liquid stream which is recycled by a circulating means to the scrubbing unit and a minor impurities concentrate stream from which the impurities are removed, in a separator unit. Preferably the wash liquid is cleaned using a plurality of hydrocyclones which may be arranged in series or in parallel. Optionally the liquid recovered from the impurities concentrate stream is returned to the scrubbing unit, although if the quantity of this liquid is equal to the quantity of liquid required for the de-salting of the wash liquid, no recovered liquid is returned to the scrubbing unit.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a nuclear reactor of the cavern type comprises a double walled vessel disposed within a steel liner. The vessel contains a large number of reaction tubes provided with a catalyst through which the material to be reformed flows. The outlet pipes of the reaction tubes act as a heat exchanger in the outer space of the vessel, which is filled with water. The vessel rests upon a bracket on the lower part of the liner, and the space between the liner and vessel in the region of the bracket is sealed by a double flange structure. At the top of the vessel, seal is effected by a cover, membrane ring, and a double flange arrangement. The annular space between the liner and vessel is sealed by a packing against the recycle gas nozzle leading from the interior of the vessel.