Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions useful in immunization against pathogenic organisms of the genus Mycobacterium and for diagnostic purposes. In particular, the present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one protein which is differentially expressed in a virulent strain as compared to an avirulent strain of Mycobacteria. Furthermore, the invention relates to compositions comprising fusion proteins, antigenic fragments, nucleic acid molecules encoding the aforementioned proteinaceous compounds and/or antibodies thereto. Additionally, the invention relates to pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions comprising or employing compounds of the invention. In addition, the present invention relates to the use of the compounds of the invention for the treatment of Mycobacterium induced diseases and/or for the preparation of a vaccine for vaccination against Mycobacterium induced diseases.

Abstract: A rotary drum having a toothed rim arranged on the drum casing and supported at several peripheral points on the drum casing by evenly distributed bridge members. Each bridge member includes two clips axially spaced from one another and welded to the drum casing and a cross plate which connects the clips and is radially spaced from the drum casing. Each cross plate is rigidly connected to one clip and slideably connected in the axial direction to the other clip so that differing degrees of thermal expansion and resulting deformation of the cross plates and further strain on the cross plates, clips and connection points can be compensated for.

Abstract: Fine-grained material adapted to be fired in a furnace is discharged from a preheater into a gas conduit extending from the furnace to the preheater and through which a stream of hot gases pass. The conduit is shaped to deflect the gas stream and concentrate it along one side of the conduit in the area of introduction of the material to the conduit. Below the area of introduction of material to the conduit fuel burners provide a heating zone through which the material falls. The concentration of the gas stream along one side of the conduit assures entrainment of the material in the gas stream and passage of the material again through the heating zone. Above the area of introduction of material to the conduit the latter is shaped to deconcentrate the gas stream and permit some of the material entrained therein again to fall downwardly through the heating zone, following which such material is reentrained in the gas stream.

Abstract: Fine-grained material such as raw ground cement adapted to be fired in a rotary tube furnace is introduced to a vertical preheater and falls through a heating zone located at a level below the level at which the material enters the preheater. A stream of air enters the preheater at a level below the heating zone and passes upwardly at sufficient velocity to entrain the material that has passed through the heating zone, thereby causing such material to pass again through the heating zone. From the preheater the material is delivered to the furnace for final firing.

Abstract: A rotary kiln having a row of planetary cooler tubes disposed around its outer periphery and carried by individual metal mountings on the kiln casing, adjacent mountings abutting against each other in their areas bordering on the kiln casing and being spaced apart in their areas remote from the kiln casing, for minimizing changing temperature induced stresses imparted therefrom to the kiln casing during operation.

Abstract: A rotary kiln has a cylindrical casing interrupted along its length by annular members which are welded into and constitute part of the casing and which are provided with outwardly projecting, profiled webs adapted for attachment to the mounting structure of cooler tubes which are arranged in planetary manner about the casing.

Abstract: A plurality of cooling tubes are arranged in planetary fashion about the periphery of the kiln. An inlet for each cooling tube includes a transition member extending from one end of each tube, which transition member comprises the wall of an inclined frustum whose base lies on the end of the cooling tube in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the tube. An inlet tube has one end intersecting the wall of the kiln and its other end intersecting the wall of the transition member, two surface lines of the transition member being tangent to the inlet tube.

Abstract: Fine-grained material such as raw ground cement adapted to be fired in a rotary tube furnace is introduced to a vertical perheater and falls through a heating zone located at a level below the level at which the material enters the preheater. A stream of air enters the preheater at a level below the heating zone and passes upwardly at sufficient velocity to entrain the material that has passed through the heating zone, thereby causing such material to pass again through the heating zone. From the preheater the material is delivered to the furnace for final firing.