Abstract: Fatty acids, esters of fatty acids and naturally occurring triglycerides are continuously hydrogenated to fatty alcohols in a fixed-bed reactor in the presence of hydrogen in excess and hydrogenation catalysts under static pressures of 200 to 300 bar and at temperatures of 80 to 150° C. The liquid product is cooled and the excess hydrogen is returned to the reactor entrance by a gas circulation pump as a recycle gas after separation of the liquid product. The expense involved in cooling and reheating the recycle gas is eliminated without any reduction in the quality of the fatty alcohol produced providing the recycle gas is returned to the reactor entrance without reheating. The fatty alcohol produced contains a minimum amount of diol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid distributor in the form of a channel distributor with drainage outlets. To ensure that the uniformity of distribution of the liquid is largely independent of disturbance factors, for example blockages of the drainage outlets, the drainage outlets are in the form of drainage pipes having a cross-section which tapers in the shape of a nozzle. The inner wall of the nozzle-like tapering of the drainage outlets being made of plastic, or another material resistant to the adherence of solids which would block the flow of liquid through the outlet.

Abstract: A liquid distributor, for a substantially vertical reactor with a fixed bed catalyst, in the form of a channel distributor with drainage outlets and further comprising an internal cleaning mechanism with cleaning elements to be lowered into the openings of the drainage outlets, is disclosed.

Abstract: Naturally occurring fats, oils and fatty derivatives are continuously hydrogenated to fatty alcohols in a fixed-bed reactor in the presence of hydrogen in excess and hydrogenation catalysts under static pressures of 50 to 300 bar and at temperatures of 160 to 320° C. The liquid product is cooled and the excess hydrogen is returned to the reactor entrance by a gas circulation pump as a recycle gas after separation of the liquid product. The expense involved in cooling and reheating the recycle gas is eliminated without any reduction in the quality of the fatty alcohol produced providing the recycle gas is returned to the reactor entrance without reheating and the hydrogenation reaction is carried out under static pressures of at least 200 bar.

Abstract: A method for the removal of a spent catalyst from a fixed-bed reactor is disclosed, wherein a suction hose, in which a high pressure hose comprising a high-pressure nozzle is integrated, is introduced into the reactor, the catalyst is then size-reduced by water under high pressure passed through the nozzle, the catalyst/water mixture is removed under suction and is optionally collected in a separator.

Abstract: An apparatus for scraping solid materials from a conveyor belt comprising an elongate segmented scraper blade formed from a plurality of individual component blades which are aligned adjacent one another in a blade holder and which are supported to engage the conveyor belt under variable linear pressure, each component blade being adjustably attached by a flexible member to provide an elongate segmented scraping edge, the segments of which can independently and automatically flex to provide an elongate scraping edge which conforms to an irregular conveyor surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a web guide roller for a web which is required to be moved at a high speed, having cavities arranged on its surface for receiving the air carried with the moving web, whereby a finely branched network of compression chambers is arranged on the surface between plateau-like smoothly ground and polished areas on which the web lies in contact. Further the invention relates to a process for the production of this web guide rollers for use at high speed.

Abstract: The electrical conductivity of the surface of eloxated aluminium rollers in the pores of the eloxation layer a metal is deposited which has little or no tendency to corrosion.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for cambering the edge of webs of thermoplastic materials on one or both sides wherein the edges of the web are continuously guided through stamping units and the edges are provided with stampings. The thermoplastic cambering is made by utilizing the energy of ultrasonic vibration. The stamping unit consists of a stamping wheel with pressure apparatus for the wheel and a stationary ultrasonic head arranged beneath it with a sonotrode. A calibration apparatus can be arranged downstream of the stamping unit.