Abstract: A novel sublimation purification method is provided. Moreover, a novel sublimation purification apparatus is provided. A purification method using a purification apparatus including a purification portion where a substance is purified by vaporization, a temperature adjustment means, a gas supply means, and a gas discharge means is provided. In the purification method, the inside of the purification portion is made to have a first pressure with use of the gas discharge means, a temperature gradient is generated in the purification portion with use of the temperature adjustment means such that the substance is purified, the pressure in the purification portion is then set at a second pressure with use of the gas supply means, and the purification portion is cooled with use of the temperature adjustment means. The second pressure is higher than the first pressure and the second pressure is higher than or equal to an atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A sample cooling device for cooling a sample container held in a heat conductive rack comprises a cooler; a heat conductive member, on which the rack is placed, to be cooled in contact with the cooler; and a heat conductive water absorbing member disposed at least partly in an opposite region defined between the heat conductive member and the rack in contact with both of the heat conductive member and the rack. The water absorbing member has a structure for absorbing water by a capillary force.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved sublimation method for the purification of organic small molecules. The new method features that barriers are applied in the collection region of sublimation tube so that the gas flow path is modified to pass through or bypass the barriers from the heating region to the vacuum pump. The arrangement of the barriers can effectively separate the main product from the impurities. The main product is enriched in a collection region, while the volatile impurities are enriched in an impurity region. This method has been proved to improve the quality of sublimed materials substantially according to the purity measurements and OLED performance tests.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sublimation purification apparatus and a method for purifying a material for an organic light-emitting diode (OLED). Conventional sublimation purification apparatuses are batch type, where one sublimation purification process is performed by loading one source material into the processor chamber, and then unloading a purified material from the process chamber. These processes are manually performed, and thus it is not possible to continuously produce the purified material for the OLED. Therefore, it is difficult to increase a throughput and productivity. According to the invention, loading the source material and unloading the purified material are performed automatically, thus enabling a continuous process of purifying the source material for the OLED.

Abstract: This invention relates to a blocked process for producing polymers of high and low molecular weights utilizing the same polymer separator. The separator is operated in a different mode depending on the molecular weight of the polymer being produced such that the separation system is operated in flash mode for the separation of low molecular weight polymers and operated in lower critical solution temperature (LCST) mode for the separation of high molecular weight polymers.

Abstract: In various embodiments of the invention, a cargo container can be monitored at appropriate time intervals to determine that no controlled substances have been shipped with the cargo in the container. The monitoring utilizes reactive species produced from an atmospheric analyzer to ionize analyte molecules present in the container which are then analyzed by an appropriate spectroscopy system. In an embodiment of the invention, a sorbent surface can be used to absorb, adsorb or condense analyte molecules within the container whereafter the sorbent surface can be interrogated with the reactive species to generate analyte species characteristic of the contents of the container.

Abstract: A potash-extraction system and method for extracting potash from a brine containing potash without the use of water-consuming evaporation ponds or additional chemicals is disclosed. The potash processing system uses a vapor-compression cycle (e.g., heat pump or refrigeration system) to separate potash from brine containing potash and NaCl. In embodiments, heat emitted by components of the vapor-compression cycle (e.g., condenser heat exchanger, evaporator heat exchanger) may heat the brine to precipitate some NaCl from the brine. The remaining potash-concentrated brine may then be cooled to precipitate potash from the solution. The precipitated potash may then be further processed for final use.

Abstract: In various embodiments of the invention, a cargo container can be monitored at appropriate time intervals to determine that no controlled substances have been shipped with the cargo in the container. The monitoring utilizes reactive species produced from an atmospheric analyzer to ionize analyte molecules present in the container which are then analyzed by an appropriate spectroscopy system. In an embodiment of the invention, a sorbent surface can be used to absorb, adsorb or condense analyte molecules within the container whereafter the sorbent surface can be interrogated with the reactive species to generate analyte species characteristic of the contents of the container.

Abstract: Process for heating a polymer-containing stream being transferred from a polymerization reactor to a separation zone or device, by passing the stream through at least two heaters operating in parallel, each heater having at least one transfer line for the stream and a heater for heating the transfer line. The average particle of the polymer is below 3 mm, the temperature of the polymer-containing stream at the outlet of all heaters is maintained above the dew point of the stream, and no heater has a volumetric flowrate of polymer-containing stream more than three times that of any other heater.

Abstract: A total evaporator for fluids, including a cold chamber to prevent pre-evaporation, an evaporation region connected thereto having narrow flow cross-section for fast evaporation of the fluid, and a subsequent vapor chamber for pulsation damping and the controlled superheating of the vapor, the evaporation region being formed by a gap between concentrically nested cylindrical and/or conical tube sections and heat required for the evaporation and superheating processes is supplied by electric heating and/or by hot fluid and/or by catalytic or homogeneous combustion via the wall of the concentric tubes.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly for use in a vapor deposition apparatus wherein a sublimed source material is deposited as a thin film on a photovoltaic (PV) module substrate. The assembly includes a conveyor movable in an endless loop path that includes an upper leg that moves in a conveyance direction to carry a substrate through a deposition area of the vapor deposition apparatus. A heat source is disposed relative to the endless loop path so as to heat the conveyor at a location generally after the point where substrates leave the conveyor. The heat source heats the conveyor to a temperature effective for sublimating source material from the conveyor. A cold trap is disposed relative to the endless loop path downstream of the heat source in a direction of movement of the conveyor and is maintained at a temperature effective for causing sublimated source material generated from heating the conveyor to plate out onto a collection member configured with the cold trap.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing nano-particles includes a furnace defining a vapor region therein. A precipitation conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end is positioned with respect to the furnace so that the inlet end is open to the vapor region. A quench fluid supply apparatus supplies quench fluid in a gas state and quench fluid in a liquid state. A quench fluid port positioned within the precipitation conduit is fluidically connected to the quench fluid supply apparatus so that an inlet to the quench fluid port receives quench fluid in the gas state and quench fluid in the liquid state. The quench fluid port provides a quench fluid stream to the precipitation conduit to precipitate nano-particles within the precipitation conduit. A product collection apparatus connected to the outlet end of the precipitation conduit collects nano-particles produced within the precipitation conduit.

Abstract: The present invention is a multiport cofinger as well as a device that includes a multiport cofinger stopper and a microreactor. The stopper includes a main housing with a central orifice and a plurality of outer orifices located about the central orifice, and a sealing mechanism on the sidewall of the main housing. The cofinger is a concentric set of two tubes, but not necessarily symmetrically concentric. The cofinger has at least one inside tube and an outside tube; and each of the tubes has an upper end and a lower end, the lower end of which may be closed or open. The sealing mechanism maybe a tapering of the sidewall of the main housing to permit force fitting thereof into an opening of the microreactor or it may be designed for external stopper connection. Alternatively, there is at least one O-ring located about the sidewall of the main housing. In some embodiments, the main housing has an upper section and a lower section, with the lower section of smaller diameter than the upper section.

Abstract: The phosphorus effusion cell arrangement according to the present invention comprises a first vacuum container for red phosphorus, a second vacuum container for white phosphorus, said first and second vacuum containers being interconnected, means for providing vacuum, a thermal cracker in connection with said second vacuum container, as well as a control valve between said second vacuum container and said thermal cracker. The present invention is characterized in that it further comprises a separating valve between said first and second vacuum containers, provided that there is no direct connection between said first vacuum container and said thermal cracker. The invention also relates to a method for producing molecular phosphorus P2.

Abstract: A consolidated vacuum sublimation module (VSM) can comprise an upper body portion, a middle body portion, a lower body portion, a bushing, and a seal. A vapor director cartridge can be loaded with a crude material and manually inserted into a cartridge-holding member of the lower body portion. Assembly of the middle and upper body portions form a structural unit that can compressively and sealably connect to the lower body portion. During sublimation, heat is effectively transferred to the lower body portion that contains the crude material. A substantial fraction of the middle body portion is conically tapered about a central longitudinal axis to promote desublimation. The middle body portion is a unitary structure that consolidates valving, cooling, and desublimation functions.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing nano-particles comprises a furnace defining a vapor region therein. A precipitation conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end is positioned with respect to the furnace so that the inlet end is open to the vapor region. A quench fluid port positioned within the precipitation conduit provides a quench fluid stream to the precipitation conduit to precipitate nano-particles within the precipitation conduit. A product collection apparatus connected to the outlet end of the precipitation conduit collects the nano-particles produced within the precipitation conduit.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for making ultrafine silica particles in a plasma system, apparatus for making ultrafine silica particles, and coating compositions comprising ultrafine silica particles made by such methods and/or apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for producing nanotubes, the apparatus being adapted to produce doped and/or undoped single-walled or multi-walled nanotubes, the apparatus comprising at least a thermal reactor. In accordance with the invention, the reactor is at least of the hottest part thereof and at least partly manufactured from a material that is at least partly sublimed into the thermal reactor as a result of the thermal reactor being heated, and the sublimed material at least partly participates in the growth of the nanotubes.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for enhancing the plant nutrient value of relatively low analysis organic waste material (e.g. sewage sludge) involves treating the waste material with an acid and base in a pipe-cross,reactor or tubular to form a melt; spraying the melt onto a recycling bed of fines in a granulator and flashing off the water contained in the melt as steam; rolling the melt onto recycled fine particles in a granulator to form granulated particles; and drying these granulated particles in a to form an enhanced plant nutrient value composition (e.g. a fertilizer or soil conditioner having a greater NPK value than the original relatively low analysis organic waste material). The process further includes drawing off the fumes from the granulator, passing them through a dryer with the granulated particles, and subsequently oxidizing the fumes to eliminate volatile organic compounds and/or gaseous hydrocarbon pollutants be converting such into carbon dioxide and water vapor.

Abstract: A composite semipermeable membrane, which comprises a separating functional layer comprising a reactant of polyfunctional amine with polyfunctional acid halide, wherein a water-soluble organic material is in contact with the separating functional layer, and the separating functional layer has a boron removal ratio of 95% or more, when seawater at 25° C. having a pH of 6.5, a boron concentration of 5 ppm and a TDS concentration of 3.5% by weight is permeated under an operation pressure of 5.5 MPa.

Abstract: A vertical and a horizontal vacuum sublimation apparatus with high efficiency and processes thereof are provided, especially for the materials with high melting point and low vapor pressure. The vertical sublimation purification apparatus comprises a sublimation channel body, a material rack, a heating evaporation device, a condensation device, an incubating device, and a product scratching device. The horizontal sublimation purification apparatus comprises a sublimation channel body, a material carrier, a heating evaporation device, and two end pipes. The apparatuses of the present invention can be applied to the mass production of high purity chemicals, and are capable of sublimating and purifying OLED illumination layer materials including Alq3, NPB and CuPc, which have high melting temperature and low vapor pressure.

Abstract: A chemical vapor sterilization process is enhanced by flowing a portion of the sterilant vapor through an instrument container using a normal portion of the exhaust process. Preferably, an exhaust conduit which draws a vacuum on a sterilization chamber is oriented so that the container is adjacent an inlet to the conduit.

Abstract: A sublimator includes a sublimation plate having a thermal element disposed adjacent to a feed water channel and a control point disposed between at least a portion of the thermal element and a large pore substrate. The control point includes a sintered metal material. A method of dissipating heat using a sublimator includes a sublimation plate having a thermal element and a control point. The thermal element is disposed adjacent to a feed water channel and the control point is disposed between at least a portion of the thermal element and a large pore substrate. The method includes controlling a flow rate of feed water to the large pore substrate at the control point and supplying heated coolant to the thermal element. Sublimation occurs in the large pore substrate and the controlling of the flow rate of feed water is independent of time.

Abstract: A system for producing petroleum products from oil shale includes one or plural kiln lines made up of plural series-connected, indirect-fired, inclined rotary kilns. Plural kiln lines are operated for parallel processing. Oil shale is advanced through kilns in succession and exhausted from each kiln line substantially free of hydrocarbons. Successive kilns along the advancement of oil shale are maintained at successively higher temperatures. A fuel distinct from hydrocarbons in oil shale, such as syngas from a gasifier or hydrogen gas from a separator, drives pyrolysis to extract hydrocarbons. A refining unit located proximate to the kiln lines upgrades extracted hydrocarbons into petroleum products and separates the petroleum products by criteria. A heat extraction unit recovers heat from exhausted oil shale for reuse in kilns. A method involves drying oil shale followed by heating dry oil shale in successively hotter pyrolysis environments.

Abstract: A polymerization process is provided. For example, a polymerization process is described, including providing a catalyst slurry having a metallocene catalyst and a first oil, providing a transport medium including a second oil and combining the transport medium and the catalyst slurry to form a catalyst mixture. The process may further include introducing the catalyst mixture to a polymerization reactor and contacting olefin monomers with the catalyst mixture to polymerize the olefin monomers and form polyolefins.

Abstract: A multiport cofinger stopper and a device that includes a multiport cofinger stopper and a microreactor, wherein the stopper includes a main housing with a central orifice and a plurality of outer orifices located about the central orifice, and a sealing mechanism on the sidewall of the main housing. The cofinger is a concentric set of at least two tubes with at least one inner tube and an outer tube, the outer tube having a closed bottom. In some embodiments, the main housing has an upper section and a lower section, with the lower section of smaller diameter than the upper section.

Abstract: A consolidated vacuum sublimation module (VSM) can comprise an upper body portion, a middle body portion, a lower body portion, a bushing, and a seal. A vapor director cartridge can be loaded with a crude material and manually inserted into a cartridge-holding member of the lower body portion. Assembly of the middle and upper body portions form a structural unit that can compressively and sealably connect to the lower body portion. During sublimation, heat is effectively transferred to the lower body portion that contains the crude material. A substantial fraction of the middle body portion is conically tapered about a central longitudinal axis to promote desublimation. The middle body portion is a unitary structure that consolidates valving, cooling, and desublimation functions.

Abstract: A hydrogen peroxide vapor generation unit (10) receives hydrogen peroxide and water solution at an interface (20) and interconnects with an air dryer (14) by way of nipples (72, 92). In one embodiment, the dryer includes a clamping assembly (42) which is latched (74, 94) with the nipples and which receives a disposable desiccant cartridge (40). In an alternate embodiment, a reusable desiccant cartridge (40?) is connected directly to the nipples (72, 92). When the desiccant cartridge (40?) is saturated, it is removed and placed in a regenerator unit (120). A regenerated cartridge is installed in its place.

Abstract: Turbulent mixing condensation devices, methods, and systems adapted to condense a working fluid on particles from a sample gas to enlarge the particles for subsequent detection are provided. The device includes a vapor generator adapted to produce a working-fluid saturated carrier gas and a condensation chamber. The working-fluid saturated carrier gas is mixed with a sample gas containing particles to be detected and is then introduced to the condensation chamber. The operating conditions are controlled to enhance the condensation of the working fluid on the particles. The particles are typically forwarded to a particle detection device to detect at least one characteristic, for example, the size, of the particles. The flow of carrier gas to the vapor generator may be regulated to vary the degree of saturation of the carrier gas with working fluid.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus of the present invention includes a hermetic door 115b and a retort 115c as an interface for taking out a gaseous emission containing vaporized substances from an object to be treated which is being heated in a reduced pressure state in a second hermetic chamber 103 while maintaining conditions in the second hermetic chamber. When the retort 115c is inserted into a first opening 103b of the second hermetic chamber, the hermetic door 115b in an open state is shielded from the second hermetic chamber 103, whereby condensation of the gaseous emission at the hermetic door is prevented. Accordingly, condensates can be taken out while conditions such as temperature and pressure in the hermetic chamber are maintained without the treatment apparatus being stopped. The productivity of treatment is greatly improved by continuous operation of such a treatment apparatus.

Abstract: A wood gasification apparatus in which cellulosic material is transported by an auger through a housing and heated to vaporize at least a portion of the cellulosic material by frictional heating. The auger and housing define a spiral void through which the cellulosic material is propelled from the inlet to the outlet, and which continually decreases in volume from the inlet to the outlet. The ever decreasing volume of the void increases the pressure on the cellulosic material and maximizes the frictional heating until the material reaches a vaporization temperature.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for enhancing the plant nutrient value of relatively low analysis organic waste material (e.g. sewage sludge) involves treating the waste material with an acid and base in a pipe-cross reactor or tubular to form a melt; spraying the melt onto a recycling bed of fines in a granulator and flashing off the water contained in the melt as steam; rolling the melt onto recycled fine particles in a granulator to form granulated particles; and drying these granulated particles to form an enhanced plant nutrient value composition (e.g. a fertilizer or soil conditioner having a greater NPK value than the original relatively low analysis organic waste material). The process further includes drawing off the fumes from the granulator, passing them through a dryer with the granulated particles, and subsequently oxidizing the fumes to eliminate volatile organic compounds and/or gaseous hydrocarbon pollutants be converting such into carbon dioxide and water vapor.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved processes and apparatus for reacting high flow rates of one or more gaseous reactants in tubular reactors. The improved processes and apparatus allow such reactions to be carried out with a low pressure drop across the reactor and without excessive erosion due to solid particles carried with or picked up by the gaseous reactants. A process of this invention is basically comprised of the steps of swirling a gaseous reactant which may contain or pick up solid particles in a first annular plenum chamber followed by a second larger diameter annular plenum chamber and then introducing the gaseous reactant and solid particles into a reactor by way of two or more radial slots whereby said gaseous reactant and solid particles are caused to flow into said reactor and are uniformly distributed therein.

Abstract: A mixture formation means for the reformer of a fuel cell system or for a heater. The fuel feed includes a pressure impulse injection means and the mixture formation area is a swirl chamber having a discharge nozzle connected to the pressure impulse injection device. Also included is a fuel heater for preheating the fuel before injection in order to achieve complete vaporization of the fuel, such as diesel fuel.

Abstract: A solid fuel gasifier includes first wall structure (12) defining a gasification chamber (14) and means (50, 52) to collect particulate solid residue from gasification in the gasification chamber. Second wall structure (16) defines a gas combustion chamber (17) and means (19) is arranged for admitting a flow of hot gases from the gasification chamber to the gas combustion chamber as combustion takes place. Also provided is means (178, 170) to conduct hot gases from the gasification chamber and/or gas combustion chamber into thermal contact with said collected particulate solid residue, for facilitating post-combustion and/or post-reduction of the solid residue. Also disclosed are an agitator bed (52, 182) for fine particulate material, and a method of gasification of solid fuel.

Abstract: A process and apparatus prepares and collects metal nanoparticles by forming a vapor of a metal that is solid at room temperature, the vapor of the metal being provided in an inert gaseous carrying medium. At least some of the metal is solidified within the gaseous stream. The gaseous stream and metal material is moved in a gaseous carrying environment into or through a dry mechanical pumping system. While the particles are within the dry mechanical pumping system or after the nanoparticles have moved through the dry pumping system, the vaporized metal material and nanoparticles are contacted with an inert liquid collecting medium.

Abstract: A method for separating difluoromethane from a mixture of said difluoromethane and at least one impurity, said method comprising extractively distilling said mixture using dichloromethane as the extractive agent to recover a product stream of purified difluoromethane having a concentration of said impurity lower than that of said mixture.

Abstract: A heat-regulating container for use with a heating system, the container having integral leg support structure to provide temperature step-down between the heating apparatus and the container, the leg supports in the form of a plurality of individual dimples or bumps, in order to achieve desirable temperature for the controlled release of active ingredients such as pesticides, disinfectants and fragrances contained in the reservoir of the container, the system being used for the efficient conditioning of an atmosphere, such as an office, workplace, industrial or household room.

Abstract: An apparatus of forming non-agglomerated nanostructured ceramic (n-ceramic) powders from metalorganic precursors combines rapid thermal decomposition of a precursor/carrier gas stream in a hot tubular reactor with rapid condensation of the product particles on a cold substrate under a reduced inert gas pressure of 1-50 mbar. A wide variety of metalorganic precursors is available. The apparatus is particularly suitable for formation of n-SiC.sub.x N.sub.y powders from hexamethyl-disilizane or the formation of n-ZrO.sub.x C.sub.y powders from zirconium tertiary butoxide. The n-SiC.sub.x N.sub.y compounds can be further reacted to form SiC or Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 whiskers, individually or in random-weave form, by heating in a hydrogen or ammonia atmosphere. The non-agglomerated n-ceramic powders form uniformly dense powder compacts by cold pressing which can be sintered to theoretical density at temperatures as low as 0.5 Tm.

Abstract: A liquid deposition source delivery system (22) includes a reactant source (50) of a liquid chemical reactant, a first heater (54) positioned adjacent to the reactant source (50) , and a vapor collection system (56) in communication with the reactant source (50) to collect vapor evolved from the reactant source (50). A flow controller (64) has an upstream side (66) in communication with the vapor collection system (56). A line (70) of a vapor distribution system is in communication with the downstream side (68) of the flow controller (64). A second heater (76) is positioned adjacent to the flow controller (64), at least a portion of the vapor collection system (56), and at least a portion of the vapor distribution system, to prevent the vapor from condensing in the lines (70) of the delivery system.

Abstract: A sublimation apparatus and process for separating solids and high boiling liquids are disclosed wherein a temperature gradient is imposed along the length of the vertically oriented, evacuated tube-shaped vessel or container and means for collecting and/or monitoring fractions of sublimate along the length of the sublimer vessel are provided.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the separation of vaporous heavy metal compounds from a carrier gas wherein the heavy metal compounds are cooled and desublimed. An apparatus for carrying out this process has a melting furnace with a discharge opening for a gas/vapor mixture, which leads to a cooling device. Vaporous heavy metal compounds can be separated from a carrier gas on a large industrial scale. In addition, the apparatus for carrying out this process is easy to operate. The gas/vapor mixture is turbulently mixed immediately after the discharge from the furnace in a mixing section with cold air and is thus cooled. During this cooling, the vaporous heavy metal compounds desublime and are filtered as particles in a filter.

Abstract: In a equipment for manufacturing polycrystal silicon by depositing it on filament cores electrically heated, by means of thermal decomposition of monosilane gas, a bridge for connecting said filament cores is constituted by tantalum, molybdenum, tungsten or zirconium. Preferably the sectional shape of the connection bridge may be of upturned triangle, tear droplet or rectangle.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a container which has a central cooling chamber and an annular chamber which surrounds the cooling chamber and contains catalyst. The gas mixture to be reacted contains H.sub.2 S and SO.sub.2 enters the annular chamber and first flows through the catalyst. The cooling chamber contains at least one coolant line and is provided with a passage for gas mixture coming from the annular chamber and with a gas outlet. The cooling chamber is provided at its bottom end with a drain for the liquid elementary sulfur .

Abstract: A brine concentrator utilizing two separate concentrating devices in combination wherein a first concentrating device comprises a plurality of serpentine pipes interposed within a concentrator tank containing a dilute brine solution and a second concentrating device, including a venturi, is attached to the upper end of the concentrator tank and connected to receive exhaust gases from an exterior source. The brine solution which has been concentrated by the first concentrating device exit the tank through an output opening and is introduced into the venturi via a plurality of nozzles where it is mixed with the exhaust gases.A venting stack is also attached to the upper end of the tank for venting the exhaust gases emitted from the venturi and pre-heating dilute brine solution, which is introduced into the tank through the venting stack. As the solution travels down the stack and into the tank, it comes into contact with the exhaust gases exiting the tank from the venturi.

Abstract: The removal of impurities from exhaust gases takes place by cooling the exhaust gas by means of a circulation gas and condensing out of the impurities in two groups of reversible heat exchangers. Each group consists of two precoolers and one low temperature cooler. While the impurities condense out in one group, they are thawed in the other group. In order to simplify the control, only one precooler is used in each group, which is charged with two inside gases, namely, the exhaust gas and the circulation gas. Only two simple control systems which can be easily program-controlled are then required for the purification process. In addition, the temperature increase of the circulation gas in the circulation gas blower can be utilized for heating up purposes in the group to be thawed.

Abstract: A sublimation apparatus comprising an inner vessel placed within an outer vessel leaving an interspace between them. Inlets and outlets for a gas to be treated are connected to the inner vessel. Plurality of parallel-connected heat exchange channels are provided around the inner vessel, which heat exchange channels are connected to a bottom header and to a top header. A heat exchanger is placed in the top header. The apparatus further has a first reservoir for a first heat exchange medium. A closable connecting duct connects the bottom header and the first reservoir, and another connecting duct connects a vapor space of the first reservoir and the top header. A second reservoir for a second heat exchange medium different from the first heat exchange medium is connected by a closable connecting duct to the interspace between the inner and outer vessels. A closable connecting duct connects a vapor space of the second reservoir with the top portion of the interspace.

Abstract: The present invention provides a trap for a vapor species, particularly a pnictide.sub.4 vapor species, for a vacuum system of the type including a vacuum chamber communicating with a forepump through a vacuum line. The trap may be positioned within the vacuum chamber itself, or in the alternative, the trap may be located between the vacuum chamber and the forepump. The trap includes a housing for a cracker, which may be a heated filament or a plasma, which cracks the pnictide vapor species into pnictide.sub.2. The walls of the housing are cooled so that the trapped pnictide species readily forms a film and adheres to the walls of the housing. The pnictide.sub.4 vapor species, which may be harmful to the operation of a forepump, is prevented from entering the forepump. A removable sleeve can be positioned in the housing so that the cracked species adheres to it. The sleeve may be removed from the housing for maintenance and replacement purposes.

Abstract: In a method of periodically heating a product separator of a plant for producing anhydride or maleic anhydride, a PA or MA product is deposited on cooling surfaces of the product separator. To melt the product, the cooling surfaces are indirectly heated by means of a heated liquid, which is circulated through the product separator. The liquid heat transfer medium is indirectly heated with steam in a heater for the heat transfer medium. At least during the time of the largest steam demand, most of that steam is taken from a steam accumulator, which is charged with steam supplied from the plant for producing PA or MA. The charging of the steam accumulator is effected to at least a substantial degree during the time in which the heater for the heat transfer medium is out of operation or is operated under a low load.

Abstract: A continuous, desublimination apparatus capable of operating at high flow rates. The apparatus works on the principle of reducing temperature of a vapor-gas mixture below the desublimination point. It has a heated jacket with inlets and outlets of gases in which a gas permeable wall is coaxially spaced. Said wall encloses a desublimination space with nozzles for atomizing an evaporable liquid and with a distributor of a vapor-gas mixture at the inlet. The space between said gas permeable wall and the inner jacket wall is divided into at least three vertically aligned sections, the volumes of which increase in the direction away from said inlet of the vapor-gas mixture. In operation, a vapor-gas mixture is cooled below the desublimination point by an atomized liquid. Simultaneous blowing of a secondary gas through said gas permeable wall protects the wall of said desublimination space from solid deposits.