Abstract: The present invention relates to a foamlike mineral building and structural material based on a substantially uniformly foamed alkali-silicate and/or ammonium-silicate matrix encompassing an open and/or closed porous structure. In addition, the present invention relates to a method of producing a foamlike mineral building and structural material comprising the following steps: adjusting the water content of the alkali-silicate and/or ammonium-silicate starting material to a specific value, and foaming the pretreated alkali-silicate and/or ammonium-silicate material, and to an apparatus for carrying out the method which comprises: a conditioner for adjusting the water content of the alkali-silicate and/or ammonium-silicate starting material and a heating means for the foaming step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lightweight materials which contain lightweight granules, in particular mineral foam granules, and an organic binder, the volume amount of the lightweight granules in the material being at least 50%, and that the components are bound in the material in a structurally dense manner. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the production thereof by the following steps: introducing the lightweight granules into a workpiece mold, optionally heating the grain feed of lightweight granules, introducing the binder into the workpiece mold filled with the lightweight granular bulk material, solidifying the binder, and to a composite material containing a core of the lightweight material according to the invention and a surface surrounding the core completely or in part and consisting of steel, stainless steel, fiber laminates or plastics.

Abstract: Household or industrial refuse is first passed through a device which rips open garbage bags, breaks open cardboard boxes, and breaks up bundles. Then this refuse is passed through a magnetic separator that extracts all the ferromagnetic elements. Thereafter the refuse is subjected to a coarse comminution and passed through a sieve to eliminate particulate material. The sieved refuse is then fed to an air-classifier which separates it into heavy, medium-heavy, and light fractions. The medium-heavy fraction is more finely communited, then passed through a zig-zag air-classifier and a cyclone to recover material usable in the production of paper, which is combined with the light fraction from the air classifier for reclamation.

Abstract: A method of operating a filter centrifuge or centrifugal filter in which a hydrostatic head is provided at the filtering surface so as to control liquid passage therethrough. The head may promote movement of the liquid through the filter layer or may induce reverse flow of liquid for backwashing or rinsing. In addition, a hydrostatic balance may be provided at this surface through control of the head to limit passage of the liquid through the filter layer. Preferably the head provides a suction augmenting centrifugal filtration.

Abstract: A method of operating a filter centrifuge or centrifugal filter in which a hydrostatic head is provided at the filtering surface so as to control liquid passage therethrough. The head may promote movement of the liquid through the filter layer or may induce reverse flow of liquid for backwashing or rinsing. In addition, a hydrostatic balance may be provided at this surface through control of the head to limit passage of the liquid through the filter layer. Preferably the head provides a suction augmenting centrifugal filtration.