Abstract: An arrangement for closing a container, in particular a flask, for determining evaporation properties of a liquid in the flask according to at least one standardized test. The arrangement has at least one temperature measurement system, a sensor, a closing element adapted for contacting a surface of an opening in the container for closing the container and having a through-opening through which a portion of the temperature measurement sensor is guided such that a lower end of the sensor is arranged within the container. The arrangement further includes a mechanism for adjusting a position of the lower end of the sensor along a longitudinal direction of the temperature measurement sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for extraction of cannabis oil from cannabis plant materials by further reducing the temperature of the extraction system effluent, which may be a mixture of solvent, the desired cannabinoids, and/or the undesired non-polar extracted waste from the plant material. This invention improves the extraction process by: 1) enhancing the rapid filtering of the waste material from the process stream, speeding up the overall process, and 2) improving the quality of the product, yielding a purer extract as evidenced, in part, by its lighter (yellow/gold) color as compared to less-pure green/brown extracts.

Abstract: Systems for extracting solute from source material, including solvent source containers configured to store solvent, canisters in fluid communication with the solvent source containers and configured to contain the source material, extract containers in fluid communication with the canister and configured to fluidly receive extract solution from the canisters, heating elements thermally coupled with the extract containers. Some examples include solvent collection containers configured to receive post-extraction portions of the solvent from extract containers. In some examples, solvent collection containers are in fluid communication with solvent source containers and are configured to fluidly receive the post-extraction portion of the solvent and direct a portion of the post-extraction solvent to the solvent source containers. Some examples include a plurality of detachable canisters.

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: The present invention relates to a new method of extraction of solid compounds by microwaves and to the apparatus used in said method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for concentrating and recovering ethylene from the off-gas from an apparatus which produces gasoline, propylene and the like by fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) of heavy oils such as atmospheric residue, generated in a crude oil refining process, is provided. The method and apparatus can reduce the amount of ethylene rinse in the subsequent ethylene displacement desorption process by increasing the ethylene purity of a raw material gas and reducing the concentration of weakly adsorbing components in the raw material gas and can reduce the loss of a desorbent during a distillation process for separating the desorbent from the weakly adsorbing components. Thus, ethylene can be recovered from the off-gas from fluidized catalytic cracking of heavy oils at high concentration and low cost.

Abstract: A method and system remove contaminants from a vapor. In one embodiment, the system includes a contaminant removal system having a vacuum box. A contaminated vapor from process equipment is introduced to the vacuum box. The contaminated vapor includes steam and hydrocarbons. The vacuum box includes a water removal device. The water removal device removes water from the contaminated vapor to provide water and a reduced water vapor. The water and the reduced water vapor are removed from the vacuum box.

Abstract: An extracting apparatus includes a first flask for containing raw material and solvent for dissolving the raw material to form a solution; second flasks each disposed in a cooling bath and containing a quantity of aromatic compounds absorbent fluid; a third flask disposed in a third cooling bath; and thermometers each disposed in each of the first, second, and third cooling baths. The first flask is connected to the first one of the second flasks after removing from the first cooling bath. The second flasks are interconnected. The third flask is connected to the last one of the second flasks. The solution evaporates to flow vapors through the second flasks sequentially, vaporized aromatic compounds of the solution are absorbed by the aromatic compounds absorbent fluid, and vaporized solvent of the solution reaches the third flask to be condensed and collected therein. An extracting process is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method of extraction of solid compounds by microwaves and to the apparatus used in said method.

Abstract: A process and apparatus to remove asphaltenic contaminants from bitumen, heavy oil or residue to produce lower viscosity petroleum products and high purity asphaltenes.

Abstract: A portable detector of combustible or explosive gases incorporates a polymeric-type sensor or sensor array coupled to a programmed processor which carries out an evaluation of one or more signals from the sensor or array to evaluate the presence of combustible or explosive vapors. Non-polymeric sensors such as temperature sensors, humidity sensors and/or pressure sensors can also be incorporated and their outputs evaluated to compensate the outputs of the sensor or array of sensors. The detector can be housed in a sealed enclosure and energized by a battery.

Abstract: An electrochemical fuel cell contains first and second monolithic electrically conducting flow field-bipolar plate assemblies arranged essentially parallel to each other such that an inside surface of the first bipolar separator plate is facing an inside surface of the second bipolar separator plate, wherein the bipolar separator plates are electrically and mechanically connected by intervening layers that are directly bonded to each other. The fuel cells can be stacked between endplates and supplied with hydrogen and oxygen to generate electric power. An air cooled condenser for use with a fuel cell stack is composed of a porous foam condensing element and a porous foam cooling element. The condenser can be placed by a fuel cell stack for cooling purposes.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for reclaiming expanded synthetic resin wastes in a form suitable for subsequent injection molding. The apparatus includes a tank containing a solvent having a pump for pumping dissolved resin wastes to an evaporator. The evaporator comprises an endless belt on which dissolved resin waste is deposited and precipitates in the form of a thin film. A heater is disposed below the belt to expedite separation of solute and solvent by evaporation. A blower disposed within a housing enclosing the endless belt establishes air circulation over the belt, further promoting evaporation. The thin film is wound on a roller and subjected to a heated roller to fuse the many thin film strata into a solid, generally cylindrical mass. The solid mass is then comminuted by a granulator. Evaporated solvent is recovered in a condenser and is reused.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the recovery of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon containing composite materials, particularly roofing materials including asphalt and solid components to recover asphalt and the solid components. The process includes the steps of: agitating the materials with a solvent, preferably a terpene, to form a hydrocarbon/solvent mixture; heating the hydrocarbon/solvent mixture to vaporize the solvent; recovering the hydrocarbons; and recovering the solvent as a liquid by condensing the solvent vapor. The apparatus includes a composite materials washer for holding the composite materials and a solvent; means for agitating the composite materials washer to dissolve the hydrocarbons in the solvent; and a separator for vaporizing the solvent in the hydrocarbon/solvent mixture and recovering the hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for removing oil from absorbent materials of the type used in components for absorbing oil and containing oil spills. The components are first passed through a press to squeeze some of the oil from the components. The components are then shredded to separate the components into separate pieces of the absorbent materials. An auger pushes the pieces of absorbent materials into an elongated tubular trommel having a perforated sidewall. The pieces of absorbent materials are sprayed with treatment fluids as the trommel is rotated to tumble the absorbent materials within the trommel. The oil and treatment fluids drain from the absorbent materials, and pass through the perforations in the trommel sidewalls and onto a collection trough. The collection trough directs the oil and treatment fluids through a separator to reclaim treatment fluids and oil for later use.

Abstract: 35% to 45% by weight concentrated aqueous solutions of ferric chloride, directly useful as flocculating agents in a variety of water treatments, are prepared by (a) reacting chlorine with an aqueous solution of ferrous chloride, in the presence of a recycled aqueous solution of ferric chloride; (b) decompressing the step (a) reaction product solution to vaporize water therefrom, thereby concentrating same; and (c) recycling a fraction of the decompressed liquid phase to step (a) and recovering remaining fraction as final product aqueous solution of ferric chloride.

Abstract: An gas generator is disclosed that generates gas from a pressure-producing reaction of reactant pieces and reactant fluid. The generator includes a pressure/reaction regulator for use with a reaction chamber. The regulator includes a reactant-fluid accumulator in communication with the reaction chamber via a reactant-fluid port for adjusting pressure in the chamber relative to a preselected threshold pressure. The regulator also includes at least one body extending substantially into the reaction chamber from the reactant-fluid port. The body is formed with holes for letting fluid under pressure into and out of the chamber. Also disclosed is such a regulator that is usable with a reaction chamber having plural reactant-fluid ports and includes plural bodies, one for each port.

Abstract: A sterile product containing a substance embedded in a carrier is produced by use of a supercritical gas. In one embodiment, a mixture is formed of a substance, carrier and supercritical gas such as nitrous oxide or carbon dioxide, and the supercritical gas is separated from the substance and carrier to obtain the product. In another embodiment, the supercritical gas contains the substance, and is mixed with an atomized organic solvent containing the carrier to form a mixture. The supercritical gas extracts the solvent, and is separated from the substance and carrier to produce the product. Alternatively, the carrier can be in the supercritical gas and the substance in the solvent, or both the substance and carrier can be in the solvent. Atomization and formation of the mixture can be carried out by feeding the supercritical gas and solvent through a nozzle into a spray tower or column.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for solvent extraction of fat from a sample. The ple is held in a thimble located in a sample vessel. The sample vessel holds solvent in which the sample is initially immersed. The solvent is vaporized by a heating unit and condenses on a cooling coil above the sample vessel. The condensed solvent is caught in a funnel equipped with a drain line leading to an external solvent collection vessel. A timer controlled valve opens and closes the drain line.

Abstract: An extraction and treatment apparatus which includes multiple solvent tanks which are switchably connected to multiple sample tubes in which material to be processed is contained. The sample tubes are filled with solvent from the tanks and drained of their processed contents, under the control of a microcomputer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting bitumen from tar sand utilizes a plurality of individually sealed pressure adjusted interconnected extraction chambers in which the tar sand flows countercurrent to the flow of solvent with mixing in each extraction chamber of solvent and tar sand. Tar sand is provided to the first of the extraction chambers and after removal of a portion of the bitumen is carried by a conveyor and disposed into the next chamber where further bitumen is extracted and so on through the plurality of chambers until all the bitumen is extracted and the sand and remaining solvent then conveyed into a last chamber where the sand and solvent is treated with hot water to remove solvent and pure sand is discharged.

Abstract: The numerous advantages of a Soxhlet apparatus are combined with the nice pressure and temperature controls afforded by a pressure vessel to enlarge the scope and efficacy of both pieces of equipment. A judicious selection of solvent, such as CO.sub.2, provides a solvent-free extract which is ideal for gas chromatographic studies and can advantageously be used in an ever-widening spectrum of analyses including research, food and flavor, pheremone analysis and essence extraction. The extraction of oil from coal and oil shale, in comminuted form, is also facilitated by the use of the apparatus operated under reflux conditions, controlled pressure-temperature relations and appropriate choice of extractant.

Abstract: Low-soda alumina granules suitable for use as an alumina porcelain insulator and alumina catalyst carrier, and the method and equipment for their manufacture. The method comprises dehydrating aluminum hydroxide at a high temperature and then granulating it. The granules thus obtained are placed in an autoclave, washed and cured with water drops, then taken out of the autoclave dried and fired. The manufacturing equipment is used for curing the granules with water drops.

Abstract: An apparatus to measure the asphaltene content of petroleum products where a precipitation evaporator for the sample is surmounted by a condensing unit. Immediately below the precipitation evaporator is a filtering unit with a rinsing vapor inlet line for conveying washing liquid from a balloon-flask evaporator. The precipitation evaporator is also equipped with an adjustable flap for preventing fluid from passing to the filtering unit.