Abstract: Improved, fuel-efficient systems are provided for the processing of biomass, such as wood or crop residues, food waste or animal waste in order to selectively obtain torrefied and/or carbonized final products. In general, the processes involve thermally drying incoming biomass using a dryer employing the hot gas output of a fuel-operated burner. Next, the dried product is torrefied in an indirect torrefaction reactor so as to evolve light volatile organic compounds which are used as a gaseous fuel source for the burner. The torrefied product can be recovered, or some or all of the torrefied product may be directed to a carbonization reactor coupled with a reactor burner. Carbonization serves to remove most of the remaining VOCs which are used as a gaseous fuel input to the dryer. In certain instances, portions of the dried biomass are directed to the burners, as an additional source of fuel.

Abstract: A apparatus for substantially dehumidifying an insulating annular space (108) is provided. This apparatus includes an insulated surrounding envelope (106), an inner cylindrical device (107) and a partial annular cylinder (100) comprising at least two porous zones. This apparatus positions the partial annular cylinder (100) within the insulating annular space (108) that is formed by the inner cylindrical device (107) positioned within the insulated surrounding envelope (106). This partial annular cylinder (100) holds adsorbent.

Abstract: A tert-C4–C8-alkyl (meth)acrylate is prepared by reacting (meth)acrylic acid with an olefin of the formula where R1 and R2, which may be identical or different, are methyl or ethyl and R3 is H, methyl or ethyl, in homogeneous phase in the presence of an acidic catalyst and isolating the tert-C4–C8-alkyl (meth)acrylate from the reaction mixture, by a process in which the catalyst is separated off as residue by a two-stage distillation of the reaction mixture and the tert-C4–C8-alkyl (meth)acrylate is isolated from the distillates. The novel process makes it possible to use acetic acid-containing (meth)acrylic acid. The danger of cleavage of the ester and of polymerization of (meth)acrylic compounds is reduced.

Abstract: Apparatus for carrying out mass transfer processes with high-viscosity liquids comprising a vertically arranged vessel (1) having a feeder (4) for the liquid to be treated, an outlet (7) for volatile components and an outlet (6) for the treated liquid, the feeder means (4) being equipped with a distributor element (3) having a multiplicity of orifices (8, 10) for subdividing the high-viscosity liquid to be treated into a multiplicity of individual streams, wherein essentially vertically arranged wire loops (2) are disposed in the vicinity of the orifices (8, 10), along which wire loops the high-viscosity liquid runs off under the action of gravity.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a continuous method for charging and discharging carbonization furnaces (15) moving in a circle, in which method the charging and the discharging are effected in a closed process mainly simultaneously at the opposite ends of the furnace, and the gases are collected and cleaned. Another object of the invention is an apparatus for implementing the method. The equipment comprises carbonization furnaces (15) moving in a circle, a charging device (11, 14, 32), and a discharging device (18, 19), and at least one gas duct for each furnace, the duct being connected at the one end thereof to the furnace and at the other end to a gas collector. According to the invention, the charging device is docked in a gastight manner to the one end of the furnace by means of a docking device (35), and the discharging device is attached in a gas-tight manner to the other end of the furnace for charging and discharging mainly at the same time.

Abstract: The concentrate holding lower portion of a sample and concentrate holding vessel has a jacket for shielding such concentrate holding portion from heat sufficient to volatilize appreciable solvent therefrom when the vessel is subjected to sufficient heat for effecting evaporative concentration of solution in such vessel.

Abstract: A heat shield for hot vertical pipes and, in particular, coke oven ascension pipes. This heat shield includes a lower, open-bottomed cylindrical housing section which peripherally encloses the pipe. Vertically projecting from this housing is an arcuate wall which is spaced from the pipe. The housing is internally partitioned into a warmer space adjacent the pipe and a cooler space remote from the pipe so that a heat dissipating upward draft is established in the housing and between the pipe and the vertical arcuate wall.

Abstract: A battery of horizontal coke ovens which are connected to two gas-collecting mains extending alongside the battery, one of said mains having means for cleaning dust-laden gases emitted from the coke ovens during charging with coal without the use of a flushing liquor and incorporating means for inhibiting the condensation of tar-based matter in the gas. The invention also relates to a method for operating such a battery of horizontal coke ovens.