Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for digesting cellulosic material that includes a vessel containing a digestion chamber and having an opening that provides access to the digestion chamber. A container for holding the cellulosic material is located within the digestion chamber. A closure interfaces with the vessel opening to form a seal against a predetermined digestion pressure and temperature within the chamber. A fluid-transporting system directs digestion fluids from a supply in the digestion chamber through a port and the container toward any cellulosic material therein. Digestion fluid distributed from the port through the container soaks the cellulosic material. Also provided are processes for digestion cellulosic material.

Abstract: A system for treating a treatable material containing a noxious component, which comprises a mixer for mixing a treatment agent containing alkali material with the treatable material to form a mixture, at least one first heat treating furnace for producing a low oxygen concentration atmosphere, a first heating device located outside the first furnace to heat it at a first temperature at which the treatable material is decomposed to generate a substance containing the noxious component, at least one separate second heat treating furnace, and a second heating device located outside the second furnace for heating the treatable material residue at a second temperature at which carbonization of the treatable material residue takes place.

Abstract: A clinical test apparatus includes a reaction table (1) for placing a test piece thereon for reaction of the test piece with an analyte at a predetermined temperature to perform analysis. The clinical test apparatus includes a primary coil (3) fixed, as molded and sealed in resin, on a base facing the reverse surface of the reaction table (1) and supplied with alternating power, a secondary coil (4) mounted, as molded and sealed in resin, on the reverse surface of the reaction table (1) in facing relation to the primary coil (3) for inducing an electromotive force due to the alternating power supplied to the primary coil and a heater (5) built in the reaction table (1) for generating heat due to the electromotive force induced in the secondary coil.

Abstract: Phosphine is generated by the reaction of water with a metal phosphide formulation. In one embodiment, the formulation is within a housing closed by a membrane which is permeable to water and phosphine. A water-containing gas flows across the membrane and water from the gas permeates into the housing to react with the phosphide, producing phosphine which also permeates through the membrane to enter the gas flow. Two membranes may be used to close the housing, one permeable to water, the other permeable to phosphine. A blanking plate and phosphine absorber may be included to control the phosphine production. In a second embodiment, pellets of a phosphide formulation are transferred, periodically, from a hopper to a chamber containing water. The transfer is effected by a disc member mounted below the hopper and above the chamber. The disc member has at least one aperture in it, within which pellets are transported from the hopper outlet to an inlet port of the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and apparatus in which solid gelatin chunks are liquefied, tempered, and debubbled in a single operation. The debubbling step is accomplished by evacuating and sealing off the loaded solid reservoir and heat exchanger before initiating the liquefying step. After the vacuum is applied, the gelled chunks are pressed into the heat exchanger, where heat is applied to the gelled chunks of photographic material. This liquefies the gelled chunks of photographic material. When the liquefied product gives a positive pressure at the heat exchanger outlet, the liquefied product is allowed to flow from the heat exchanger. Liquefying and tempering are performed as the solid chunks are pushed through the heat exchanger by the reservoir piston.

Abstract: An apparatus for chemical treatment of lignocellulosic materials comprises two concentric compartments, the inner one is used for chemical reaction whereas the outer is used for generation of hot water or steam. The top and the bottom of the outer compartment is closed and connected to the inner one. These two are interconnected by two steam conduits. The inner compartment is also connected to a circulation pump and a heat exchanger. The bottom of this inner compartment is equipped with a quick-release valve which may be used to execute explosive discharge of the treated lignocellulosic material. On top of said apparatus is a cover which allows experiments to be performed under pressurized conditions. For experimentation, lignocellulosic material in form of chips (large particles) may be treated either with heated chemical solution or steam. Materials in form of fibers (fine particles) may be treated by means of vapor or by heat conduction furnished by the outer compartment.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an enamel paint receptive flexible laminate and its method of manufacture. The laminate is useful for making banners, flags, signs and the like that are decorated with enamel poster paints. The laminates of the present invention comprise a base fabric material, a first film coating of a plasticized polyvinyl chloride and a second coating of thermosetting vinyl acrylic copolymer. The thermosetting vinyl acrylic copolymer promotes increased adhesion and decreased drying time of poster paints and lettering enamel when they are applied to the coating.

Abstract: Textile sheet-like structure impregnated or coated with water-hardening synthetic resin, said textile comprising organic fibers with an elasticity modulus of 200 to 2500 daN/mm.sup.2 and having an extensibility in the longitudinal direction of at least 10% before hardening of said resin is useful in preparing orthopaedic support dressings, containers, filters, pipes, reinforcing material, stiffening material, filler or sealer material for hollow spaces or joints, insulating material, in preparing decorative and artistic articles.

Abstract: A high pressure reaction vessel has a container portion and a removable head portion which houses a flow channel or channels, valve members and valve operators and which seals and covers the container portion. Each channel terminates at a tapered valve seat angled at at least 36.degree. with respect to the horizontal and each of the valve members is provided with a mating tapered surface which is wedged more tightly within the valve seat as pressure within the vessel increases. A port and a chute are provided for introducing a particulate solid feed through at least one of the channels into the interior of the vessel. In one embodiment a dip tube depends from a second valve seat (in communication with a second channel) and extends to a point adjacent the bottom of the container portion.

Abstract: This invention is a sanitary disposal system for human waste and organic garbage by aerobic composting combined with solar evaporative distillation for greywater. The aerobic composting reduces waste volume by ninety percent leaving water, carbon dioxide and a harmless but fertile ash by-product. Except for urine, the system essentially operates dry. No chemicals, septic system, or sewage treatment plant is required. There is no odor and no polluting discharged during operation. A nonsoiling toilet seat is provided so a dry toilet bowl may be used without the usual problems of cleaning. Insects are prevented from entering or leaving the system which is constantly aerated to assure that the composting process does not convert to anaerobic. The greywater system further enhances pollution control. This includes solar evaporative distillation to separate out solids which can be disposed of in a sanitary dump while the reclaimed water can be used for non-household purposes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for the recovery and/or recycling of dimethylether (DME) during a methanol-to-chemical (MTC) conversion reaction. The hydrocarbon output is divided into liquid, vaporous and aqueous products. The liquid hydrocarbon products are reboiled to liberate dissolved DME and then provided as a liquid hydrocarbon product output. Vapor products resulting from the reboiling are combined with the vapor hydrocarbon stream and DME is removed therefrom in a DME absorber. The resultant vaporous hydrocarbons are passed out of the system as a product and the DME absorber materials recycled. In one embodiment, the DME absorber materials are methanol and water and these are combined with the aqueous liquid stream, stripped to reduce the water content, and resubmitted to the MTC reaction section for conversion.

Abstract: A membrane of fiberglass-reinforced polyester resin is used as a traffica cover over a compacted backfilled crater and crushed stone base to impart strength to the repair and prevent foreign object damage to aircraft. The membrane cover is usually prefabricated from several fiberglass matting layers of chopped fiberglass strands chemically bonded to woven fiberglass roving and impregnated with a polyester resin; an anchoring system consisting of holes along the cover perimeter and torque set rock bolts are used in conjunction with special steel bushings to secure the cover to airfield pavement surrounding the crater.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for extracting an organic liquid from an organic liquid solute/solvent mixture. The mixture is contacted with a fluid extractant which is at a temperature and pressure to render the extractant a solvent for the solute but not for the solvent. The resulting fluid extract of the solute is then depressurized to give a still feed which is distilled to form still overhead vapors and liquid still bottoms. The enthalpy required to effect this distillation is provided by compressing the still overhead vapors to heat them and indirectly to heat the still feed. The process is particularly suitable for separating mixtures which form azeotropes, e.g., oxygenated hydrocarbon/water mixtures. The energy required in this process is much less than that required to separate such mixtures by conventional distillation techniques.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for outgassing raw materials includes the steps of and means for heating the material to a temperature of about 800.degree. C. and maintaining that temperature for a first bake out period during which the material is maintained at a pressure of about 200 millitorr and for a second bake out period during which the material is maintained at a pressure of about 5 millitorr or less. During the first bake out period, an inert gas is backstreamed through the raw material.

Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment, such as drying, freezing, crystallization of wet solids, slurries, suspensions, pulps and similar materials with heating or cooling.The apparatus is characterized by a treating body having two sections. The first section has a horizontally arranged axially flared annular treating drum rotatable around the horizontal or near-horizontal longitudinal rotation axis, and having end plates with a material feeding inlet pipe leading into the interior through one end plate, while the other end plate is provided with an opening arranged eccentrically in relation to the rotation axis. The second section of the treating body is connected rigidly and thus rotatably to the treating drum, the second section of the treating body having at least three duct-like oblong treating members leading into each other.

Abstract: An improved rendering process and system including the use of both a slurry evaporator and cooker. Renderable material is ground and mixed with oil to form a slurry which is then cooked under vacuum in an evaporator to remove some moisture. The resulting partially dewatered slurry is partially deoiled, and the solids residue resulting from deoiling is cooked in a cooker to remove additional moisture. The hot vapors generated by cooking the material in the cooker are used in the steam jacket of the evaporator. Preferably the dewatered solids residue from the cooker is further deoiled.