Abstract: The botanical extraction and purification device described in this patent provide the ability to extract and purify botanical compounds from a diverse plant species through specially crafted process sequences that effectively reach the desired botanical component despite differences in botanical material types and unique differences in organic chemical characteristics. The technological package consists of two main processing centers; each is a combination of process features that can be personalized to effectively address unique extraction requirements. When combined, the extraction processes deliver capabilities in product throughput speed and product purity not available using previously available separation methods. The first component of this package is a CUP that transfers chemical compounds from botanical material into a solvent. The second component is an AISP. This device separates unwanted botanical compounds from the solvent, resulting in a relatively pure plant extract.

Abstract: An improved autologous blood salvage system is provided in which blood is removed from a patient and may be processed in a manner wherein an anticoagulant solution is for cycled for reuse. Further, the system may be employed for contemporaneous blood filtering and red blood separation. In one embodiment, anticoagulated blood is contemporaneously filtered and defoamed within a rotating processing bowl, while red blood cells are separated, washed and collected within the bowl and an anticoagulant solution is cycled from the bowl for re-use. During a red blood cell removal mode, the flow of anticoagulated blood into the bowl may be suspended/terminated and the bowl pressurized to remove the red blood cells. The improved system provides for the recovery of a high quality red blood cell product, with reduced processing time requirements/user training, and reduced disposable componentry and related costs.

Abstract: Novel ceramic compositions are used for removing metal ions by chelation from solutions such as aqueous waste streams. The compositions are formed by covalently bonding to terminal hydroxy groups of a ceramic inorganic carrier or support a substituted silane linking group attached to a chelating agent or ligand which is pyrogallol or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: An improved centrifugal fat extraction apparatus for removing surface liquid from food which comprises a housing assembly having mounted at its bottom a self-centering drive assembly having a shaft extending vertically from the self-centering drive assembly within the housing assembly, a rotatable spindle mounted onto the shaft, a means for rotating the spindle at a variable speed between 750 and 1200 rpm for approximately a 45 second time span, and a rotatable cylindrical slotted basket capable of holding foods. The self-centering drive assembly prevents undesirable vibration from being imparted to the housing assembly as the result of eccentric loading of the foods into the slotted basket.

Abstract: A centrifuge for dewatering a fluent aggregate material such as sand. Sand slurry is conducted into a rotating cylindrical drum which has a perforated lateral wall against which a screen is placed. The drum is oriented with the axis disposed vertically. When the centrifuge operates, centrifugal action slings slurry poured into the drum outwardly. Upon contacting the lateral wall, the slurry builds up. When a certain quantity of the slurry has built up at the bottom or floor of the cylinder, additional material cannot resist migrating upwardly. Thickness of the trapped layer varies, being greater at the floor, near the source of the incoming slurry. This trapped layer forms a bed having an inclined wall. Thickness of the bed at the top of the cylinder is determined by a circumferential, inwardly projecting flange or dam located at the top of the cylindrical drum. The sand bed protects metal parts of the centrifuge from abrasion, and also enables water to diffuse therethrough.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a base unit, a rotatable shaft extending vertically from the base unit, a means for rotating the shaft, and a rotatable cylindrical basket capable of holding fried foods. The basket comprises an horizontally disposed circular bottom piece and a vertically disposed cylindrical piece of porous material being attached at its lower open end to the outer edge of the circular bottom piece to form the vertical wall of the basket. The basket is vertically connectible to and removable from the rotatable shaft. The apparatus further comprises a means for coupling the rotatable shaft to the rotatable basket so that the axis of the shaft is aligned with the axis of the basket. The apparatus also comprises a solid vertical wall surrounding the porous vertical wall of the rotatable basket. The solid vertical wall has an annular channel on the inside of its lower edge so that it has a substantially J-shaped cross section.

Abstract: A centrifuge for separating liquids, e.g., oil from water. The centrifuge basically comprises a housing having first and second cavities, and a liquid conveying wall disposed over a bowl arranged to be rotated about a central axis. The bowl includes an annular top wall having an annular separator plate including a central hub mounted below the top wall. The separator plate is spaced from the bowl to enable the second liquid to flow therebetween and into the space between it and the top wall. The hub has plural radial passageways in communication with the space between the separator plate and the top wall and also with the space between the top wall and the liquid conveying wall. The hub also has plural axial passageways communicating with the interior of the bowl and located at the interface of the two liquids formed when the bowl is rotated. Each axial passageways has an outlet in communication with the liquid conveying wall.

Abstract: A centrifugal apparatus for removing salts from herbicide solutions is provided comprising an outer cylindrical casing for enclosing a vertically rotatable spin basket. The outer cylindrical casing consists of a top wall, vertical side walls and a bottom wall with open passages for throughflow of spent filter media from said spin basket. The top wall supports a means for applying filter media against the internal walls of the spin basket, a means for spraying feed slurry against the internal walls of the spin basket, a means for spraying solvent against the internal walls of the spin basket, and a vertically rotatable plowing means. The vertical side walls support an internal upper collection trough for collecting liquid overflow from the spin basket when the spin basket is rotated, and with the bottom wall of the casing forms an internal lower collection chamber for collecting filtrate which flows through the spin basket when the spin basket is rotated.

Abstract: A blood centrifugation cell has an outer container, a volume displacement inner body having a central passage, and an inlet conduit extending through the central passage to the bottom of the container. A seal is provided at the lower end of the body sealing the space between the inner conduit and the central passage. The seal permits red blood cells to be sucked from the container at any time during centrifugation without waiting for the cell to become completely filled.

Abstract: A continuous blood centrifugation cell includes a bell shaped outer container rotatable about a central axis, a coaxial inner volume displacement body which has a central longitudinal passage, and a circularly shaped partition which has a central aperture and which is coaxially enclosed between the body and the bottom of the container. A stationary housing is connected to and encloses the upper end of the container and has a coaxial inner conduit, a coaxial intermediate conduit, and a coaxial outer conduit. The housing has a stationary passage near the upper end of the container and is in communication with the lower end of the outer conduit for the removal of the lighter fraction blood components from the container. The intermediate conduit extends downwardly into the central passage of the body and has the lower end thereof closely spaced from the partition for the inlet of blood into the container.

Abstract: A batch-type centrifugal system utilizes a gimbal-like suspension at the end of a rotating shaft distal an attached bowl at the other end of the shaft. The shaft rotates within an elongated bearing which is supported proximal the bowl by a support which is selectively variable in resiliency. This variation in resiliency changes the natural radial frequency of the system whereby operation of the system at rotational speeds which correspond to the natural radial frequency may be minimized, thereby effecting smooth loading, drying, and unloading operations.

Abstract: A process for the dewatering and particle classification of solids from suspensions, e.g. coal from a slurry in which the coal is transported, makes use of a dewatering centrifuge having two frustoconical centrifuge drum sections of different inclinations such that in a first filtering zone the particles are preliminarily dewatered and then pass by automigration to the next centrifuge drum at which further dewatering takes place. The suspension on the first sieve surface forms a thin layer classification zone having a thickness up to 5 mm and in which the coarse fraction is retained while the fine fraction is passed. The coarse fraction automigrates to the next sieve surface where it is dewatered and the fine fraction separated out in the thin layer classifying zone is then filtered under pressure in a subsequent stage.

Abstract: A centrifugal oil-water separator comprising an inner spinning bowl having openings near the lower outer periphery for passage of water therefrom into an outer bowl which remains stationary. The oil-water mixture is passed to the upper center of the spinning bowl with separation of the oil and water therein, concentrating the oil near the top of the inner bowl and disposable water is removed from the outer bowl.