Abstract: A machine for circulating cooling water through manufacturing process equipment includes a combination pump and heat exchanger assembly. The machine has a cast metal pump case with two upwardly opening sockets receiving the lower ends of two tanks, one of them "the suction tank" communicating through the case with the pump impeller intake, and the other "the discharge tank" communicating with the impeller discharge. The tanks are constructed to function as heat exchangers, and they are readily and removably secured to the pump case by threaded fasteners and are sealed therein by compression seals. The discharge tank has electrical heating elements. The suction tank has a motor-operated modulator valve precisely fixed thereon, so as to enable discharging excessively warm water from the process to drain while cool make-up water from city water supply is admitted through the suction tank to the pump.

Abstract: A continuous boiling apparatus (1) for organic materials, e.g., fish or offal from abattoirs, comprises at least one annular boiling zone (15) with an inlet opening (13) for the raw material and a discharge opening (4) for the heat-treated raw material. The annular boiling zone (15) is defined by circular, con-centric heating plates (5), each made up of circular, con-centric parts (6, 7) between which a heating medium is introduced (8). In the boiling zone (15) there are provided a number of feeding elements (10) with self-regulating scrapers (16) which lie up against heating surfaces (6) and divide the boiling zone (15) into sub-zones.

Abstract: A soil heat exchanger for effecting an energy exchange between earth soil and an energy exchanger and including a thermoinsulated flow duct arranged in a borehole formed in ground, a pump provided at an end of the flow duct, a shroud pipe surrounding the flow duct and the pump, and a return flow region for return water located radially outwardly of the shroud pipe and including return flow pipes and a porous filling, with the return flow pipe means extending down to a bottom of the borehole and having lateral opening means communicating with an interior of the shroud pipe through the inlet openings of the shroud pipe, with the shroud pipe having its lower end spaced from the bottom of the borehole, and with the lateral openings of the return flow pipes being beneath the lower end of the shroud pipe, and with the porous filling extending from the borehole bottom and at least up to a level above the inlet openings of the shroud pipe.

Abstract: An air conditioning system. The system comprises an indoor section and an outdoor section arranged in side-by-side arrangement. The indoor section includes an indoor tangential fan having an axis aligned in a first direction, an indoor heat exchange coil, and a supply air aperture which longitudinally extends in the first direction and avoids line of sight noise transmission from the indoor fan. The system includes an axis commonly supporting and operably coupling the indoor fan and the motor, and a scroll housing within the indoor section and arranged about the indoor tangential fan. The indoor tangential fan, motor and axis are assembled to form a first module, the scroll housing forms a second module and the first module is independently removable from the second module without the necessity of disengaging any connection between the first and second modules. The system includes a fan support bracket supporting a first end of the axis, and the motor supporting a second end of the axis.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for transferring particulate product contained in a compatible media and then separating or straining the particulate product from the compatible media. A housing is provided for containing the compatible media at an optimum level and includes an inclined portion having a particulate product inlet at a lower end thereof and separate particulate product and compatible media outlets at an upper end thereof. The compatible media outlet is located below the particulate product outlet. The housing contains a particulate product conveyor unit which includes a perforated tube and auger assembly for transferring the particulate product from the particulate product inlet to the particulate product outlet. The particulate product is heated or cooled while it is submerged within the compatible media and cross currents of media are supplied to increase heat transfer and conveyance of the product.

Abstract: A CPU cooling apparatus comprises a rectangular cooling plate and two corrugated cooling fins. The cooling plate has an underside that is attached to an integrated circuit chip for absorbing heat generated by the IC chip in operation. The cooling fins are mounted on the upper surface of the cooling plate such that the cooling fins are parallel to each other. The cooling fins are provided respectively with a plurality of first cooling ducts contiguous to one another and are further provided therebetween a second cooling duct so as to bring about an increase in the cooling area to enhance the cooling efficiency. The apparatus further comprises a cooling fan and a plurality of cooling ducts which are different in orientation from the first cooling ducts and the second cooling duct for maximizing the cooling effect of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the transfer of heat with the aid of rotating surfaces. The fluid with which an exchange or transfer is to be made is introduced in parallel in one or more gaps or channels defined between the rotating surfaces. Rotation of the surfaces causes the major part of the fluid flow to pass through a rotating, flow mechanical boundary layer adjacent the rotating transfer surface in lamellar or turbulent flow.

Abstract: A housing is provided for an air conditioning condenser of the type providing a fan creating an upward path of air movement through the housing, a heat exchange coil having and inlet and an outlet for connection to a source of hot refrigerant in a refrigerant loop and means for spraying water on the coil. The housing is made of rotomolded plastic and comprises a base, a plurality of identical walls and a top. The base and top are rotocast as a single piece and then cut horizontally with a saw to provide the two pieces. The base includes a U-shaped foot arranged to receive fork lift tines and oriented so the fork lift does not damage the inlet and outlet to the heat exchange coils.

Abstract: This apparatus for gas-liquid reactions includes a vessel (1) which is gas-tight and capable of withstanding pressure, a rotatory agitator device (3) to provide for the gas-liquid contact and a heat exchanger device. This heat exchanger device is provided as an assembly of plates (4) positioned approximately vertically around the agitator device, in such a manner as to form an angle of 0 to 70.degree. with respect to the radius, in the direction of rotation of the agitator device, and a heat exchanger fluid circulates inside these plates.

Abstract: A wound plate heat exchanger includes a series of air cooling passages defined between the convolutions of its windings such that, when rotated about a longitudinal axis through the center of the windings, cooling air is drawn through the cooling air passages.

Abstract: Cooling system for a liquid-cooled combustion engine including a radiator having at least one inlet and one outlet, a coolant pump and at least a control valve for controlling the flow of coolant through the radiator depending on the coolant temperature. The coolant pump and the radiator are integrated into a single unit. The coolant pump is preferably integrated in a radiator end cover, into which the control valve may also be incorporated. Such an integrated end cover may be obtained by e.g. injection molding of a thermoplastic polymer, preferably a polyamide. The number of hose connections is greatly reduced by the integration.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for agitating and thermally conditioning containers that are carried along a conveyor and engage agitating apparatus in the form of two rollers positioned above the conveyor and adjacent one another and rotatably drive to cause the container to roll against the conveyor and the rollers to effect agitation of the container and the contents while being engaged by a thermal conditioning fluid to effect a temperature change of the container and its contents. One of the two rollers is movable between such a container agitating position and a container passing position that will permit the container to pass over the rollers to move beyond the agitating station and toward an exit from the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for enforced heat transmission between a solid or liquid alimentary body and an ambient gas takes place in connection with cooling/freezing or when cooking, frying or drying the entire part or parts of the alimentary body. This method and arrangement uses a low-frequency standing sound wave. The apparatus uses a low-frequency sound generator having a pulsator part and a resonator part. The resonator part is acoustically virtually closed and is designed so that the alimentary body, which is to be exposed to enforced heat transmission, is located within a zone inside the resonator part where the standing sound wave has a particle velocity anti-node.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating and/or cooling a particulate material, e.g. vegetables, by heat exchange with a liquid comprises a horizontal tubular chamber of waisted internal cross-section containing a rotatable mesh cylinder having an auger blade corotatable therein. A row of inlets for heat exchange liquid along the bottom of the chamber are connected via external pipe work to a row of outlets for heat exchange liquid at the top of the chamber. Upward flow of heat exchange liquid causes suspension of particulate matter as it is conveyed through the chamber by the auger, thus minimizing rubbing contact on the particulate material. The apparatus includes a heating section defined by inlets A-D, a holding section defined by inlets E to L, and a cooling section defined by inlets M to Q, all within a common chamber. Within each section, each outlet is connected externally to the alphabetically preceding inlet except for the leftmost outlet which is connected to the rightmost inlet.

Abstract: A belt travels forwardly upon the upper faces of a pair of laterally spaced, stationary sealing strips. Heat exchange liquid is sprayed against a bottom surface of the belt between the sealing strips to exchange heat with material traveling on the top surface of the belt. The upper faces of the sealing strips are provided with grooves which are inclined obliquely forwardly and inwardly so that moisture tending to migrate laterally outwardly along the belt bottom surface is returned inwardly by the grooves. Hold-down elements press downwardly against the top surface of the belt to press the belt bottom surface against the sealing strips. The hold-down elements contain obliquely inclined grooves for displacing moisture outwardly away from the center of the belt.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously liquefying a gelled photographic material for coating on a substrate is disclosed. The material is advanced throughout the liquefaction apparatus and on to the substrate coating system as a substantially undisrupted mass. The technique is particularly useful for liquefying small amounts of material at a time, because system hold-up volume and waste is minimized.

Abstract: A combination pump and heat exchanger assembly in a manufacturing process temperature controller uses a cast metal pump case with two upwardly opening sockets receiving the lower ends of two tubes, one of them communicating through the case with the pump impeller intake and the other with the impeller discharge. Closed circuit and open circuit versions are shown. In both types, the tubes are constructed to function as tanks, at least one being a heat exchanger unit, and they are readily and removably secured to the case by threaded fasteners and are sealed therein by compression seals. The heat exchanger tubes employ electrical heating elements or chilled liquid piping units therein. A controller including a microcomputer responds to temperature of liquid pumped from the assembly through a process to be temperature controlled, and returned to the assembly, to control an electric heater and/or a motor-operated modulator valve discharging to drain while cool make-up water is admitted.

Abstract: A combination pump and heat exchanger assembly uses a cast metal pump case with two upwardly opening sockets receiving the lower ends of two tubes, one of them communicating through the case with the pump impeller intake and the other with the impeller discharge. The tubes are constructed to function as heat exchanger units and are removably secured to the case by threaded fasteners and are sealed therein by compression seals. The heat exchanger tubes may employ electrical heating units or chilled liquid piping units therein.

Abstract: A method of circulating a heat transfer medium through a caterpillar and a plate treating apparatus using the caterpillar. A rotary shaft is arranged to transversely project into the caterpillar arranged in an article conveying direction. The caterpillar is provided with a group of strip shaped hot plates disposed closely in parallel to each other, each hot plate having an inlet and outlet of the heat transfer medium. A heat transfer medium passage is formed in each hot plate to communicate the inlet and the outlet thereof. The rotary shaft includes a heat transfer medium supplying portion and a heat transfer medium discharging portion separately formed therein from one end thereof to the other end. The heat transfer medium is sent from the supplying portion of the rotary shaft to the inlet of each hot plate through a corresponding connecting tube, and then the medium is discharged from the outlet of the hot plate to the discharging portion through another connecting tube.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a cylindrical vessel provided at one end with an inlet and at the other end with an outlet for the mixture. A conveyor mechanism acting selectively on the solid pieces in the mixture is disposed in the vessel. The conveyor mechanism has a rotor in the form of a shaft coaxially rotatable in the vessel and provided with at least one series of rotor arms on the shaft, extending radially and lying substantially next to one another and spaced apart in the axial direction. The conveyor mechanism also has a stator in the form of at least one series of stator arms extending radially inwards from the wall of the vessel and lying substantially next to one another and spaced apart in the axial direction. The stator arms extend between the rotor arms and reach to a point close to the rotor shaft. The mutual distance between the rotor arms and the mutual distance between the stator arms, in the axial direction, varies from the inlet to the outlet, the variation occurring mainly in one direction.

Abstract: The heat exchanger, gas to fluid, consists of a cylindrical wall separating fluid from gas and a helical strip forming secondary exchange surfaces which carry additional heat exchange members forming tertiary heat exchange surfaces to increase the active surface and the heat transfer coefficient in the gas compartment.

Abstract: A process for continuous fabrication of thermoplastic webs from at least one extruded thermoplastic web heated to processing temperature. This thermoplastic web is cooled under the application of area pressure down to a temperature at which smoothing of the surface is terminated. A calibrating and smoothing mechanism in the device for performing the process according to the invention consists of a double-band press which includes an apparatus for conducting heat away from the thermoplastic web in the reaction zone in which the area pressure is applied.

Abstract: An apparatus for the cooling of dust or finely granular bulk material, having a vertical cylindrical cooling jacket, the externally cooled cylindrical surface of which is fed with the material to be cooled from the inside by means of an annular conveyor worm which conducts the material upward and presses it by centrifugal force against the heat exchange surface. In order to be able to materials which are subject to explosion safely with the apparatus, the conveyor worm is arranged on the cylindrical surface of a cylindrical hollow body which is closed at its ends, fills the greatest part of the inside of the cooling jacket, and is driven by a motor.

Abstract: An air conditioner for a vehicle which has a fan of a centrifugal blower used in the air conditioner, the fan having upper and lower fan secitons split by a shield plate with respect to a rotational shaft direction, a normal air intake port formed at either one side of the upper and lower fan section, an increasing air intake port formed at the other of the upper and lower fan sections, and a damper formed at least in the increasing air intake port, the damper being opened only when air intake quantity is necessarily increased or air intake resistance is necessarily decreased. Thus, the air conditioner can increase the effective air intake volume to raise the efficiency of a blower and to simultaneously obtain sufficient air blowing quantity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid to solids heat exchanger and to a process for retorting carbon-containing solids (e.g. oil shale) using such heat exchanger. The heat exchanger contains a liquid pool reservoir, heat source or heat sink for heating or cooling the liquid pool, a support for the solids such that there is heat exchange between the solids and the liquid pool without direct contact of the solids and the liquid pool, and oscillators or vibrators to cause the solids to be conveyed while exchanging heat with the liquid pool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pumping and exchanging heat at an accelerated rate between two fluid streams. The apparatus comprises opposite peristaltic pumps moving a separate fluid on their respective side of a linear heat-conductive platen. Each pump consists of a flat elastomeric diaphragm clamped by its edges on the platen; the clamping squeeze displaces the elastomer and makes the diaphragm bulge. Closely spaced pins in combination with fixed cams, flatten and contract the bulge across to form a variable cross-section working chamber. Inlet and outlet are formed by the elastomer bulging into end block cavities leading to ports. In a typical operation, conveyed rollers depress the pins which in turn completely contract the bulge to sealing contact with the platen and form shrinking volumetric chambers, wherein a gas or mixed-phase fluid is compressed progressively on one side of the platen; on the other side similar operation occurs but volumetric chambers circulate a non-compressible liquid.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying particulate material from a pressurized container (1) to a collecting container (20) under considerably lower pressure, comprises conduit means (17) arranged between the containers (1 and 20) and typically built up of a number of tube parts in such a way that, at the transition between the tube parts, a gas/particulate material stream flowing therethrough is bent through an angle, usually either 90.degree. or 180.degree..

Abstract: The heat exchanger is composed of a plurality of heat conducting finned discs materially shaped and joined to form concentrically and annularly disposed, circumferential passages for isolated flow of fluid streams in indirect countercurrent, cocurrent, and series heat exchange relationship. The circumferential passages are provided with axial flow apertures for axial transport of fluid streams through the rotary heat exchanger and enable recovery of the mechanical energies transferred to the fluid streams by the rotative surfaces. The energy recovery feature facilitates high speed designs in which large relative velocities are maintained between the fluid streams and rotative surfaces. Enhanced heat transfer with low friction losses is achieved.

Abstract: An arrangement for recovering the sensible heat of dumpable hot stock includes a continuous conveying belt guided about at least two deflection pulleys and formed by articulately connected plates. The carrying run of the conveying belt with the hot stock applied thereon and the empty lower run each are guided through a cooling zone. In order to recover the sensible heat from the hot stock to an extent as large as possible and with a high efficiency, without having to use a bed covering material, the plates of the conveying belt are designed to include at least two layers, an outwardly carrier layer receiving the hot stock and an inwardly arranged insulation layer.

Abstract: A pump for a spa or swimming pool adapted to heat the liquid being pumped includes a rigid plastic housing fabricated from (1) a first housing part having a volute portion defining a suction chamber enclosing a pump impeller and having an outlet therefrom and a boss defining an inlet thereto and (2) a second housing part having a discharge outlet and a tubular inlet. A sleeve extends between the tubular inlet and volute portion boss to define a suction inlet to the suction chamber. A body extension inserted between the first and second housing parts defines a pressure chamber surrounding the suction inlet and suction chamber and in communication with the suction chamber outlet and discharge outlet. An electrical heater is positioned in the pressure chamber to heat the liquid pumped by the impeller and is controlled by temperature and pressure sensing devices positioned in the pressure chamber.

Abstract: There is proposed a device for fusion of electrodeposited coatings of printed-circuit boards, comprising a means to impart a desired direction to the flow of a heat-transfer agent, and a mechanism for traversing the boards being handled. According to the invention, said means to impart a desired direction to the flow of the heat-transfer agent is made as a chamber having an inlet and an outlet for the heat-transfer agent to come in and come out, respectively, and openings for the boards to pass across the direction of flow of the heat-transfer agent, while the traversing mechanism is accommodated inside the chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for cooling or heating articles carried on a spiral conveyor helically rotating round the outer periphery of a drum, wherein the diameter of the drum is reduced, a blower port and a suction port being provided on the peripheral wall encircling the spiral conveyor, said blower port and suction port being adapted to communicate with each other with interposition of a heat exchanger and fans, air cooled or heated in the heat exchanger being blown through the blower port, the air being spontaneously bifurcated to both sides of the small diameter drum to be recombined at the suction port, the recombined air being cooled or heated in the heat exchanger for circulation through the blower port so that the drum is cooled or heated speedily and efficiently through the whole periphery thereof, thereby enabling not only to economize the cost and time required for cooling or heating but also to minimize the dimensions of the whole apparatus for the reduction of the space necessitated for the installation.

Abstract: An apparatus for melting refrigerated butter, cream, or similar substances. A block of butter to be melted is forced by a mechanically energized punch through a grating. This grating includes heated tubes that are substantially triangular in transverse section. The block of butter is faced by angular top edges of the tubes. The wall of the grating tubes facing away from the block of butter is preferably furnished with a heat barrier, the angular edges of this wall being as sharp-cornered as possible and preferably equipped with aprons which are at least substantially perpendicular to the plane of the grating.

Abstract: In a conveying arrangement for accommodating and conveying slabs, including a roller supporting chain whose chain links, at their ends, are connected by articulation pins and have projections that overlap each other, each chain link is provided with a cover plate having load supports that rise above the projections in terms of height.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for conveying very fine material, for example, a material where 100 percent of the material is less than fifty microns in diameter, and 50 percent of the material is less than five microns in diameter. The method utilizes a vibratory conveyor, on the surface of which is formed a bed of relatively large particulate material (50 mesh or larger in diameter, for example), and the very fine particles are introduced onto the bed. Under vibratory conveying motion, the fine material filters into the interstices formed by the larger particles and thus the fine material is conveyed along with the coarser material to a point of delivery. Another aspect of the invention includes the step of separating the fine material from the particulate material and recirculating the latter. Also, the recirculating particulate material may be chilled during recirculation and thus acts as a cooling agent when reintroduced to the conveyor.

Abstract: A controller for a system of the type including a variable temperature heat source arranged in heat exchange relation with a fluid circulating circuit, and a variable speed pump disposed in said circuit for varying the flow rate of fluid therethrough in response to variations in the temperature of the fluid. The controller includes a probe for sensing a temperature indicative of the temperature of the fluid in the circuit and for generating a first signal indicative thereof; means for generating a reference signal indicative of a predetermined temperature; means for comparing the first two signals and generating a third signal indicative of the difference therebetween; means responsive to the third signal for generating an analog control signal; means responsive to the analog control signal for varying the pump speed as a function of the control signal for equalizing the first and second signals.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising a casing wherein a bank of tubes is arranged and provided with means for conducting a first medium through the tubes of the bank from a supply opening for said medium in the wall of the casing, and means for conducting a second medium from another supply opening in the wall of the casing around the tubes of the bank towards a discharge opening in the wall of the casing, whereby the means for conducting the second medium through the apparatus comprise a pump impeller arranged centrally at the bottom of the casing, said impeller being connected to a pump shaft projecting upwardly within a cylindrical inner jacket disposed centrally in the casing and which is driven above the casing by a motor arranged in situ, while the tube bank for the first medium is an annular bank which is arranged around the cylindrical jacket, whereby the tubes of the bank are tubes of the bayonet type.

Abstract: A steaming plant for the treatment of continuous webs of textile material which contain thermoplastic synthetic fibers, especially polyacrylic nitrile fibers of the like. The steaming plant includes a steaming chamber and a vat-shaped, bath-free cooling device which when viewing in the direction of movement of the web through the plant is located behind the steaming chamber. Air from the outside passes through the cooling device in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the web, while between the steaming chamber and the cooling device there is arranged an air or steam floodgate or charging valve lock or seal (also identifiable as air-lock or steam lock as well as air-trap or steam trap) from which conduit means lead to a chimney or flue and/or to a blower.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for heat treatment of unpackaged food products by means of a fluid, especially a liquid, which has a temperature different from that of the unpackaged products and which supplies heat to the product or remove heat therefrom. The product is placed on a support of high thermal conductivity and is covered by a thin, flexible and fluid-tight covering layer which can be brought to closely follow the product. Upon flushing of such fluid towards the underside of the support and towards the top side of the cover, the fluid is adapted to cause the cover to adhere closely to the products thereby establishing a maximized contact surface for the exchange of heat between the fluid and the products.

Abstract: A cooler for mixtures of crystals and crystallizing liquid in the production of sugar and related products comprises a bundle of vertical pipes for the passage of such a mixture from a bottom chamber to a top chamber. The vertical pipes are surrounded by a cooling medium, and in the interior of the pipes plungers are provided which have a somewhat smaller diameter than the inner wall of the pipes so as to form a slot-like passage along the inner wall of each pipe. The plungers are moved up and down through the pipes. The cooler is especially adapted for promoting crystallization by a rapid drop of temperature.

Abstract: For supporting and cooling the reverse surfaces of belts in apparatus for continuously casting metal strip between such belts, means enclosing the reverse surface of a belt includes a multiplicity of guiding faces that are distributed closely both crosswise and lengthwise of the belt to define an intended belt path, and that have nozzle openings through which liquid coolant is projected against the belt, rapidly flowing out in a layer over the guiding face and being withdrawn at localities close to all of the guiding faces. The belt, which may be forced toward the faces to stabilize it in its desired path, thus rests on a layer of rapidly moving liquid coolant, which affords efficient heat removal and an essentially complete liquid bearing, such apparatus and procedure being also deemed applicable to cooling other surfaces.

Abstract: A dual-belt system for cooling a continuous layer or strip of a product. A treatment zone is formed by co-extensive runs of two endless steel belts, which are mounted upon end rolls and are positioned in predetermined relationship. The coolant liquid exerts the desired pressure on the layer of the product to insure the proper heat-exchange relationship between the product and the coolant. The cooling liquid is supplied to headers having a belt run as one wall, and variations in the thickness of the layer of the product do not change the pressure exerted on the product.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring heat between solid particles includes an inclined cylindrical drum in which is disposed a helical auger. The outer lip of the auger, which is maintained in contact with the interior wall of the drum, is curved in the upward direction of the incline axis. The auger blade includes a plurality of apertures of generally uniform size. A feed bin is provided to introduce a first granular material into the upper end of the drum, with the particles of such granular material generally being of a size less than the size of the apertures in the auger blade. A second feed bin is provided to introduce a second granular material into the lower end of the drum, with the particle size of the second granular material generally being greater than the size of the apertures. The drum and auger are rotatable about the incline axis.

Abstract: Power generating plants discharge steam or hot water typically from a steam turbine to a condenser system for the purpose of cooling the discharged fluid prior to its being recirculated. The condenser system receives water from an ambient source pumped using a circulating water pump, said water being elevated to a temperature on the order of 115.degree. F. to 125.degree. F. upon passing through the condenser system. The condenser system can operate in basically two different states to provide either single pressure, single pass condenser operation when the waste hot water is discharged to the source and not used, or multi-pressure, multi-pass condenser operation to maintain an elevated hot water supply that is fed to a load (utilization equipment). Valve controls are provided for enabling serial-to-parallel and, vice versa, switching between modes of operation without difficulties and with only a slight drop in load during the transition.

Abstract: A forced convection heat exchanger for warming articles such as baby bottles is provided comprising a container having walls extending upwardly from a bottom end to define an open top end. A platform to receive and support the article to be warmed is mounted within the container spaced apart from the container bottom end. A plurality of spacers extend inwardly from the walls and upwardly from the platform. First drain openings are provided extending through the platform and second drain openings are provided within the walls below the platform adjacent the bottom end. The area of the platform relative to the total cross-sectional area of the first drain openings is dimensioned so as to provide a standing head of water under turbulent flow conditions within the container substantially up to the container open top end when the container receives an average flow of water from a tap.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for rapidly heating or cooling materials such as fluids containing fragile, discrete particles of varying sizes without substantial damage to the particles. The exchanger has inner and outer heat transfer surfaces that define an elongated annulus. Located in the annulus is a pair of opposed, spiral, inner and outer ribs which do not span the annulus and which, upon rotation, move the material toward the exchanger inlet against the flow therefrom which overflows the ribs and moves from rib to rib and to the outlet. Scraper blades associated with the ribs, scrape the exchanger inner and outer surfaces.

Abstract: In a heat exchanger for treating a flowable material, a multiplicity of disc elements are secured to and extend transversely of a shaft rotatably mounted within a casing. Disc elements are arranged in a number of planes extending transversely of the shaft and spaced apart in the axial direction. Material to be treated is introduced into the casing and is moved through it in the axial direction of the shaft by the disc elements and stirrer elements secured to the disc elements. The stirrer elements extend in the axial direction of the shaft and can be continuous for the extent of the disc elements or they can extend between adjacent disc elements or be supported by an individual one of the disc elements. In a preferred arrangement, the stirrer elements are bar-shaped and are located at the radially outer edges of the disc elements.

Abstract: Fine-grain fuel is carbonized at a low temperature by feeding the fuel from a hopper downwardly into the gap formed between two vertically-arranged, plate-type conveyors. The plates of each conveyor move downwardly while their back face surfaces bear against the wall of a heating chamber. The position of the heating chambers is controlled to maintain a narrow gap, e.g., 10-30 millimeters between the plates of the conveyors. The conveyors and heating chambers are located within a container wherein a pressure of up to 100 bars is maintained and a clear gas is passed countercurrently to the downward advancement of the fuel in the gap between the conveyors. Breaker rollers below the conveyors subdivide the carbonized fuel issuing from the gap for passage into a gasification chamber. Part of the gas yield is used as fuel for the heating chambers.

Abstract: A device for tempering and/or sterilizing objects which must be kept free of contamination by foreign particles, such as for example, ampules sterilized in pharmaceutical preparations, has a housing and means for supporting the objects in the housing. A pair of gas distribution plates are mounted in the housing in spaced relationship to each other, on either side of the support means, and cooperate with means for supplying conditioned air to produce a laminar flow of the conditioned air downwardly over the objects being treated. The conditioned air has a substantially different temperature than the objects being treated and can be either heated or cooled depending upon whether the device is used for sterilizing or tempering. Because of the maintenance of laminar flow in the housing, the number of contaminating particles per space unit which can come into contact with the objects being treated is decreased.

Abstract: In apparatus for conditioning preforms to be molded into containers which includes a temperature-conditioning assembly for bringing the preforms to orientation temperature and a supply assembly therefor, the combination is provided therewith of a preform cooling assembly proximate to the temperature-conditioning assembly for reducing the temperature of preforms to below orientation temperature, an integral extension of the supply assembly of the type used with the temperature conditioning assembly, means operatively associated with the temperature-conditioning assembly or downstream stretch-blow assemblies for actuating the cooling assembly loading mechanism plus means for collecting preforms at the outlet of the cooling assembly.