Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for treating of textile substrates with a supercritical fluid. The textile substrates are formed as spools of yarn or rolled webs, and the supercritical fluid flows over and/or through them substantially perpendicular to their spool or winding axis. At that, the treatment temperature assumes different values during the treatment period. It is provided that during the treatment period, the treatment temperature values are set by at least two functions of the treatment time, and that the supercritical fluid is conditioned differently at the time the following function takes effect.

Abstract: A high-pressure generating apparatus including a high-pressure chamber, a low-pressure chamber located beneath the high-pressure chamber and having a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of the high-pressure chamber, a tandem piston having first and second portions displaceable in the high-pressure and low-pressure chambers, respectively, for building-up pressure therein, and a yoke embracing the high-pressure and low-pressure chambers for applying a pressure force to the high-pressure chamber cover and the low-pressure chamber bottom upon built-up of pressure in the high pressure and low-pressure chambers.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for extracting ingredient substances from natural products by means of a pressurized fluid, particularly for decaffeinating tea leaves by means of carbon dioxide, wherein the ingredient substances are bound by an adsorbent, preferably activated carbon. The fluid is conducted through a product layer, the thickness of which in flow direction is small in comparision with that transversely of the flow direction and the fluid is passed through the product layer with changing, especially increasing, velocity. The apparatus includes a cylindrical high-pressure vessel with annular cylindrical baskets for accommodating the natural product and/or the adsorbent, and the gas flows from a cylindrical outer range to a cylindrical inner range. The time required for the treatment of leafy natural product is reduced, the flow paths of the fluid are shortened, thus diminishing the risk of clogging, and the fluid flow velocity is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-pressure vessel with inner closure suitable for frequent load changes due to charging and discharging, comprising a forged cylindrical shell with bulbed ends and at least one cover with a frustum-shaped top surface, the cover being centered by supporting elements of the same shape and inclination and being tightened by the prevailing inner pressure. Further features of this high-pressure vessel are the cover bottom sealing which is locally separated from the supporting segments and is radially movable by means of a retaining ring as well as a thin-walled liner with welded-on wearing ring. In view of the frequent opening and closing actions, it is advisable to provide the vessel cover with a small feed-hold cover which is tightened by the prevailing inner pressure and which may be used whenever permitted by the process material characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a closure system for pressure vessels, the closure consisting of a cover and of two clamp halves each of which can be moved into closing or open position by means of guiding elements. The clamp halves, the cover, and the pressure vessel housing being equipped with stop surfaces, the stop surfaces of the clamp halves being opposite to those of the cover and of the pressure vessel housing in closing position. The closure system is especially suitable in cases where an entirely automatic closing device is required for pressure vessels having an operating pressure of more than 10 bar.The clamp halves are connected by means of tensible flexible bearings to guiding elements to allow for a cover movement in axial direction. The tension of the flexible bearings is sufficient for automatic resetting of the clamp halves into zero position after depressurization of the vessel.

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: 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: A temperature measuring device for use at pressures in excess of 1,500 bar. It comprises a thermocouple which is sheathed, the sheath being surrounded from end to end by an open ended pressure bearing sleeve. The space between the sheath and sleeve receives a hard or high temperature solder. At the outer end of the sleeve is a rigid cone or outwardly flared surface associated with a screw threaded nut which, when tightened, forces the cone against a shoulder to effect a fluid-tight connection at a point remote from the measuring junction.