Abstract: A device and method for transporting and handling catalyst for a chemical reactor.

Abstract: Particulate filling devices and methods are disclosed that use a loading system generally including a loading cart, a drive system, and a line assembly. The drive system generally includes a motor, a drive shaft, a driven shaft, a spool, a plurality of cable partitions, and a controller. Each line assembly generally includes cable sections, swivel connectors, one or more spring blocks and a weight.

Abstract: A transport path is defined by a plurality of consecutively arranged separately driven conveyor sections. A plurality of heat treating stations are spaced one from the other along the transport path. Coils are conveyed along the transport path through one or more of the heat treating stations. The speed at which the coils are conveyed on the separately driven conveyor sections is controlled to provide different transport and/or dwell times for the coils at different locations along the transport path.

Abstract: Automation of the delivery of a particulate to a tube contained in a reformer type heater with vertical tubes is disclosed and includes a hopper having an opening at the lower end. A slide gate is mounted on the hopper and selectively projects over the opening in the hopper. A box mounted below the hopper. A primary ramp is mounted in the box and underlaps the opening in the hopper. The primary ramp has an angle of inclination and extends to a lower end of the box. The primary ramp also has a screen. A cone is connected to the box proximate to one end of the primary ramp and a tube is connected to the lower end of the cone for conveying particulate to a tube loading adaptor. A dust collection cone is connected to the box underlapping the primary ramp and a discharge port is connected to the lower end of the dust collection cone. The tube loading adaptor is positioned for connection to the tube in the reformer type heater with vertical tubes. A vibrator is connected to the box.

Abstract: A sterilization tunnel for pharmaceutical containers such as vials has an inlet zone, a sterilization zone, and a cooling zone. A conveyor belt for the vials is disposed inside the sterilization tunnel. An emptying device that can be raised and lowered is disposed in the vicinity of the cooling zone. In order to empty the sterilization tunnel, the frame-shaped emptying device is lowered onto the conveyor belt and then pushes an emptying slider, which is being moved through the sterilization tunnel together with the last vials disposed on the conveyor belt, out from the sterilization tunnel. The emptying device permits a particularly simple operation of the sterilization tunnel.

Abstract: A tire conveyor and lift apparatus for conveying, lifting and orienting fuel tires for injection into a rotating cement kiln by force or by gravity. The apparatus brings tires from a tire source by a variable speed conveyor belt to a gate or alternatively vertical guiding rollers that regulate the flow of tires to the lift. Hooked lift arms engage the tire through the central hole and move vertically along a guide. The linear lift arms are mounted to an endless chain which is supported by upper and lower sprockets which are driven by a motor. The top of the guide is curved and has the curvature that approximates the circumference of the top sprocket. The tire is brought along the guide and released to output rollers connected to a feed chute which is aligned with a rotating kiln.

Abstract: Chip gates are provided adjacent the lower end of an inlet chute to a presteaming vessel for a digester in a pulp production system. The chip gates are operated to maintain a level of chips within the inlet chute sufficient such that the chips preclude egress of noxious odorous gas from the presteaming vessel, while simulataneously the chips are discharged into the vessel.

Abstract: A feed chain mechanism for continuously feeding metal bars through an induction furnace has a pair of laterally spaced feed chains. Each feed chain includes a plurality of links with alternate links being formed from stainless steel and ceramic material, respectively. The stainless steel links are disposed in pairs and form a drive slot. The stainless steel links on one of said feed chains is laterally opposite the ceramic links on the other feed chain to prevent the creation of a continuous loop for conducting electrical current in adjacent metal bars which are laterally spanning the chains. The feed chains are driven by cogwheels which mesh with the drive slot formed between the stainless steel links.

Abstract: A feed system for a smelting furnace having a plurality of feed chutes arranged in a spaced apart, circular array. The feed system includes a circular conveyor mounted adjacent the furnace and concentrically with the feed chutes. The conveyor also has a gap therein which permits the discharge of material downwardly into the feed chutes and means for rotating the conveyor about its axis of curvature to sequentially position the gap above successive feed chutes. In addition, one or more feed hoppers are positioned above the conveyor for depositing feed materials thereon.

Abstract: Feed apparatus for a uniflow regenerative shaft furnace for the calcining of limestone and similar raw materials is formed with a feed container installed above each of the shafts of the furnace, each of the feed containers being arranged concentrically with the shaft axis of the respective shaft over which it is installed and constructed to be maintained in rotation during filling thereof of the material to be calcined.

Abstract: An arrangement for filling at least one coke oven chamber has a transport device arranged to transport coal, a chute member located under the transport device to guide coal to a filling opening of the coke oven chamber, at least one closing member arranged between the chute member and the filling opening of the coke oven chamber, and a sliding plate moveable in a housing above the chute member between open and closed positions, wherein the sliding plate and the housing in its region in which the sliding plate is in its open position are inclined toward a horizontal.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is provided for charging particulate coal through ceiling holes into a coke oven. A conveyor above the coke oven ceiling is connected with each ceiling hole by a conduit. Mounted in the conduit is a first closure member which is movable to and from a position in which it permits gravity flow of coal from the conveyor to the ceiling hole. Also mounted in the conduit is a second closure member movable to and from a position in which it blocks the escape of gas from the ceiling hole. To charge, the second member is first moved to open position and thereupon the first member; when charging is completed the members are moved in reversed sequence to their closing positions.

Abstract: A scrap metal feed system is described employing an endless conveyor having a surface for supporting materials thereon. The conveyor is equipped with lifters extending outwardly from the surface at periodic intervals. A first hopper feeds this conveyor and a second hopper at the inlet end of a rotary kiln receives the scrap from the conveyor. The conveyor extends horizontally beneath the bottom of the first hopper and then upwardly at an angle to the horizon less than eighty degrees and greater than fifty degrees and then terminates over the top of the second hopper. The conveyor is exposed to the interior of the first hopper as it extends upwardly at an angle to the horizontal so that material can move back along the conveyor to the first hopper as the conveyor is operated; as the material moves back to the first hopper a shearing action results which tends to break up large pieces of material and/or separate pieces of material which are adhering to each other.