Abstract: The invention relates to a degassing centrifugal apparatus such as a pump having energy recovery means and to a process for degassing a fluid. The apparatus has a rotatable hollow rotor connected to a fluid inlet at one end and a liquid outlet at the opposite end. A gas exhaust is connected to the center of the apparatus. The apparatus has at its inlet end means for bringing a fluid to rotate on the inner wall of said rotor. The apparatus comprises a turbine at its outlet end recovering excess dynamic energy from the rotating fluid. The apparatus is especially useful for centrifugal degassing of backwater in the production of paper or board machine.

Abstract: A rotary phase separator includes an accumulator and a liquid outlet valve to separate the phases of a liquid/gas mixture. The separator includes a housing defining a radial accumulator chamber and supporting a shaft, and a motor to drive the shaft for rotation about a longitudinal axis. A plurality of disks and cylinders are attached to the shaft to create frictional contact with the mixture to drive the liquid outward against an inner wall of the separator, thereby displacing the gas to a central region about the shaft. A liquid outlet on the inner wall includes a valve seal held closed by a control springs until a predetermined differential pressure is reached. The gas exits through an opening in the hollow shaft to a gas outlet tube. A valve member actuated by a solenoid seals the gas outlet tube until sufficient gas has accumulated to allow separation.

Abstract: A centripetal demister system and method for the removal of moisture from a moisture laden gas stream using both centrifugal and centripetal force to shear the moisture from a inlet gas, the centripetal force also directing the inlet gas radially inward for collecting the demisted gas. The present invention is particular useful for removal of environmentally harmful particulates contained within the moisture laden gas stream, the particulates and moisture being force against the interior of the housing by centrifugal force while the demisted gas is drawn radially inward by centripetal force.

Abstract: A centripetal demister system and method for the removal of moisture from a moisture laden gas stream using both centrifugal and centripetal force to shear the moisture from a inlet gas, the centripetal force also directing the inlet gas radially inward for collecting the demisted gas. The present invention is particular useful for removal of environmentally harmful particulates contained within the moisture laden gas stream, the particulates and moisture being force against the interior of the housing by centrifugal force while the demisted gas is drawn radially inward by centripetal force.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separating oil suspended in air and especially intended for use with aircraft engines includes a rotatable chamber filled with a relatively rigid porous material and is driven by a hollow shaft. An inlet for the mixture of air and oil is provided in one end wall of the chamber and separate outlets for oil and air are provided in the outer and inner cylindrical walls of the chamber respectively. Oil droplets are formed in the rigid porous material and ejected out through the oil outlet under centrifugal forces while air relatively free from oil exits the air outlet and enters into the inside of the hollow shaft under the pressure difference. A cut-away area is formed in the rigid porous material to facilitate ejection from the separator of the oil droplets formed in the porous material to clear the passages of the porous material and facilitate a continuous movement of the mixture of air and oil mist.

Abstract: Exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine operating with leaded or unleaded gasoline or diesel or natural gas, are used for energizing a high-speed gas turbine. The convoluting gas discharge causes a first separation stage by stratifying of heavier and lighter exhaust gas components that exit from the turbine in opposite directions, the heavier components having a second stratifying separation in a vortex tube to separate combustible pollutants from non-combustible components. The non-combustible components exit a vortex tube open end to atmosphere. The lighter combustible, pollutants effected in the first separation are bubbled through a sodium hydroxide solution for dissolving the nitric oxide, formaldehyde impurities in this gas stream before being piped to the engine air intake for re-combustion, thereby reducing the engine's exhaust pollution and improving its fuel economy. The combustible, heavier pollutants from the second separation stage are piped to air filter assemblies.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtration of particulate matter in fluid streams. A unique high efficiency, two element filter embodying an enclosure containing a tandem rotary disk and drum filter mounted on a common shaft is described. A method of operation including manual and computer control modes are described.

Abstract: A filtering system which essentially includes a generally cylindrical chamber with an inlet nozzle, having openings, located near the bottom of the chamber which extends into the chamber, an activator, a turbine with an axle, both the activator and turbine being located along the axle of the turbine, and an outlet nozzle located near the top of the chamber is disclosed. Air mixed with contaminants enters the chamber through the inlet nozzle via the openings and heads toward the outlet nozzle. Heavier particles fall to the bottom of the chamber. The air rotates the turbine which rotates the activator. As a result of this action, contaminants gather at the sides of the chamber and drop to the bottom of the chamber. A final separation between the contaminants and the air takes place as the air passes through the turbine where a non-penetrable air lock is created at the gap between the turbine and the lower edge of the outlet nozzle, further trapping particles.

Abstract: The pressure drop through a passageway that flows a compressible fluid that flows axially with a vortex component is reduced by dividing the passageway into smaller parallel passageways. The vortex separator is combined with a deoiler that includes a rotatable inducer and porous media disk(s) in a lubrication system for removing the oil from the air where the oil is contaminated in the bearing compartments and gear boxes of a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: There is provided an integrated exclusion filter and pressurizing device which prevents leakage of unfiltered fluid across the interface area between a rotating filtering apparatus and non-rotating bulkhead. The exclusion filter utilized is of the type which utilizes Boundary Layer Momentum Transfer methodology to achieve filtration, and which includes a cylindrical stack of substantially flat annular plates. A pressurizing device is utilized downstream from the exclusion filter to repressurize filtered fluid and direct the filtered fluid toward the interface area. Either all the filtered fluid or only a portion may be repressurized, and some of the filtered fluid may be directed toward the bulkhead itself to aid pressurization by creating a local stagnation region. The pressurizing device may utilize flow diverting blades in a housing, including blowers, pumps, compressors, and fans.

Abstract: The invention relates to a grader which employs an air separation principle. The grader includes a rotor rotatably supported in a housing. The rotor includes a pair of rotor disks on its outer boundaries extending radially substantially to the housing. A plurality of blades are disposed on the rotor between the rotor disks. A circumferential channel is formed by the rotor disks, the housing and the plurality of blades. The bladed rotor functions as a vertical sink in order to grade a solid which is fed into the circumferential channel via a tangential passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a gas-liquid mixture into component parts having a coalescing filter mounted on a rotatable shaft. The gas-liquid mixture is directed to the coalescing filter in a generally radial inward direction relative to the shaft and the retained liquid is spun in a generally radial outward direction from the filter by centrifugal force associated with the rotation of the shaft and thereby the coalescing filter.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for pumping a fluid mixture of a gas and a liquid and for separating said gas and liquid from each other, said apparatus having a fluid inlet (14) at one end (18) and at the opposite end (22) a pump housing (16) with a liquid outlet (28) and, between said inlet (14) and said pump housing (16), a hollow elongated gas separation part (30) of an essentially circular cross section with a generally central outlet (26) for separated gas. Said gas separation part (30) is provided by a hollow rotor (12) between said inlet (14) and said pump housing (16), the inner wall of said rotor (12) providing a large rotatable gas separation surface (32). The diameter of said rotor (12) increases at said opposite end (22) of the apparatus to form a larger diameter pumping zone (17) extending into said pump housing (16). Said rotor (12) is provided with a blade wheel (24) extending into said pump housing (16).

Abstract: Oil separator rotor located in an enclosure provided with an oil reinjection system for lubricating a bearing. The oil separator rotor, which dries the excess air passing out of the enclosure, acts by aiding the deposition of suspended oil on the walls of a lining or packing of the rotor. The lining is a honeycomb material cartridge offering easy separation without excessive pressure losses. The rotor is assembled by bolts, which interconnect the end plates traversing the lining.

Abstract: A radial inflow centrifugal filter device for separating fine particulates from a fluid flow, including a rotatable plurality of hollow parallel disks mounted in spaced apart relationship and attached via spacers to a tube. The hollow drive tube is in flow communication with the interior hollow plenum of the disks which is at a lower pressure relative to the open space between the disks. Rotating the tube causes the disks to rotate. Particulate-laden fluid is allowed to enter the filter device at the perimeter of the rotating disks and experiences a change in momentum due to the interaction of boundary layers of fluid established on each side of every disk. The centrifugal force imparted to both the fluid and particulates causes them to be separated in opposite directions.

Abstract: A volume reducer for reducing the volume of a powder material by removal of some air has a cylindrical casing having an inlet and an outlet for letting powder material in and out. In the casing, a rotor rotatable on the center axis of the casing is provided. The rotor has a cylindrically formed porous plate and a plurality of inner and outer chambers formed in the inside and outside of the porous plate. The outer chambers are loaded with the powder material. A rotary valve that rotates together with the rotor is provided. The rotary valve has a plurality of ventilation openings communicating with the respective inner chambers in an axial direction. The rotary valve is embraced in a stationary valve. The stationary valve has a cavity that communicates with a ventilation opening when the rotary valve is positioned within a predetermined range of its rotation angle. The stationary valve has a compressed air injection opening with which the ventilation opening communicates.

Abstract: A Particulate Matter Filtration System, finding application for the filtration of particulate matter which is present in the combustion exhaust gases of internal combustion engines in general, manufacturing processes resulting in the generation of industrial factory exhaust, coal, wood or oil fired furnaces and the like and all particulate laden gas streams. The system comprises a rotating filter assembly comprised of a plurality of materials suitable for the filtration of such particulate matter from all particulate laden gas streams and is of sufficient volumetric construction in order to provide the proper filtering and flow with respect to the volume of gases generated by a particular application, an outer shell enclosure providing a radial boundary to confine the particles, a collector for the particles to come to rest in, and having a drive to provide the necessary rotational speed to provide aerodynamic and centrifugal forces.

Abstract: An improved liquid/gas separator is disclosed for separating liquid and gas from a mixture that is mostly gas, within a zero gravity or variable gravity working environment. The separator includes a main housing that defines a pre-swirl chamber for receiving a liquid/gas mixture and an adjacent cylindrical separator chamber for containing liquid and gas separated from the mixture. A main shaft is rotationally secured along an interior longitudinal axis of the main housing and includes a hub portion defining exhaust slots in fluid communication with an exhaust duct within the hub for passing gas out of the separator chamber. A plurality of apertured coalescing disks are secured to the hub portion of the main shaft within the separator chamber for rotationally impacting liquid droplets and directing any droplets, bubbles or sheets of liquid formed on the disks away from the shaft toward and into a rotating liquid ring formed adjacent an interior circumference of the separator chamber.

Abstract: The liquid/gas separator for soapy water consists of a fixed cylindrical housing defining a fixed chamber for supporting a rotating shaft supported about the longitudinal axis. A preswirl chamber communicating with the main chamber in which are disposed parallelly spaced annular coalescing disks supported to the rotating shaft, serves, with the preswirl chamber, to rotate the centrifuged water to form a water ring adjacent the outer wall of the chamber and flows the gas through a central passage formed in the shaft along the longitudinal axis to be vented in response to a control valve located at the open end of the shaft remote from the preswirl chamber. Control means responsive to the differential of the static pressure of the water ring and the gas pressure, control the venting of the gas.

Abstract: The difficulty of venting oil from a transmission with the venting of gas therefrom is avoided in a vented transmission construction including a housing (10), a rotary input (12) to the housing (10), a rotary output (46) from the housing (10), and a transmission (24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 44, 48) interconnecting the input (12) and the output (46) and including a hollow rotary shaft (34) journaled within the housing (10). A vent tube (64) has one end (66) extending into one end (54) of the hollow shaft (34) and another end (68) in fluid communication with the exterior of the housing (10). A shoulder (56) within the hollow shaft defines a relatively small diameter section (58) and a relatively large diameter section (60) and at least one aperture (62) extends through the hollow shaft (34) from the larger diameter section (60) immediately adjacent the shoulder (56).

Abstract: A pumping system is capable of handling a paper pulp suspension of medium consistency (e.g. about 8-15% solids consistency) utilizing a conventional centrifugal pump. A conventional pump system capable of handling 3-8% consistency pulp may be retrofit to handle 8-15% consistency pulp. A tube with vanes, and having an open end, extends through the inlet to the pump so that there is a small clearance between the vanes and the inlet, and so that the open end is adjacent but spaced from the hub of the pump impeller. A gas passage extends from the hollow interior of the tube to an area remote from the pump. The tube is rotated in a direction of rotation opposite to the direction of rotation of the pump impeller, and at a speed sufficient to fluidize pulp of about 8-15% consistency, and to force the pulp toward the pump. Gas which collects at the pump impeller is withdrawn through the tube and a gas passage in a shaft connected to the tube, and for that purpose a vacuum pump may be utilized.

Abstract: A centrifugal filter for separating aerosol particles from a gas stream including a rotatable hollow hub and at least one pair of disks fixedly mounted in spaced apart relationship on the hub within a stationary housing mounted on the hub. The hub is perforated in the region between the two disks and is coupled to a vacuum pump so that the interior of the hub is at a lower pressure relative to the space between the disks. The hub is rotated, causing rotation of the disks. Aerosol particles in a flow gas are introduced between the disks and the housing at the periphery of the rotating disks. The pressure differential produced at the hub perforations draws the aerosol laden gas toward the hub. As the aerosol laden gas enters between the rotating disks and the housing, it experiences an acceleration to nearly the angular velocity of the disks, which results in a centrifugal force being applied to the aerosol particles in a direction opposite to the drag force exerted by the vacuum pump.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cyclone whose body has a form of a sphere. The spherical form of the cyclone causes the volume of the cyclone to be compact. Further, this allows the pressure loss in the body to be reduced with an advantage that the cyclone can be operated by a blower whose gas volume is smaller.

Abstract: A centrifugal liquid pump includes an impeller and a hub for the impeller, whereby gases entrained in the liquid are separated from the liquid and collect near the hub by centripetal action. A shaft is connected to the hub for rotating the impeller, and a passageway extends axially through the shaft. A gas entry is provided near the hub in communication with the passageway. An air pump is provided at an opposite end of the shaft for evacuating the separated gases collected near the hub. The air pump is independent of and remote from the impeller and is in communication with the passageway extending axially through the shaft.

Abstract: A combustion engine has a combustion chamber separated from the compression and expansion chamber(s). Passages are provided between the combustion chamber and the compression chamber(s) and the combustion chamber and the expansion chamber(s) with respective valves in the passages and inlet and exhaust valves provided in the combustion and expansion chamber. The combustion chamber maintains the combustion after passing fuel into the compressed air received from the compression chamber. The valves and piston heads are formed to prevent dead space in the cylinders in order to obtain a good efficiency by full discharge of the compressed air into the combustion chamber. Fuel cleaning means like, for example, a rotary separator and pure gas collecter are provided in the combustion chamber to separate unclean fuel particles, as, for example, ash or sand in coal, from the burned gases and collect the unclean particles in separated collection spaces.

Abstract: A torque transmitting apparatus which includes a tubular drive shaft defining a deaeration chamber integral with the interior of the shaft. Aerated liquid is ducted into one axial end of the deaeration chamber and separated air and residual liquid are ducted from the opposite end of the chamber, generally near the center thereof. Relative rapid rotation of the drive shaft causes radial acceleration of the liquid to effect separation of the more dense liquid from the air under the influence of centrifugal force. The deaerated liquid is ported from the outer periphery of the chamber during rotation of the drive shaft.

Abstract: An air supply system includes an air accelerating chamber formed by truncated conical intake and exhaust ducts joined at the truncated ends to be coaxial. The system also includes a fan impeller having a hollow cylindrical hub with impeller blades on the outer periphery and is rotatably mounted in the exhaust duct to provide a first accelerated air stream passing between the exhaust duct and hub, and a second accelerated air stream passing through the hub. Pressurized gas, such as combustion gases from an internal combustion fan drive, can be admitted to the intake duct to produce swirl, and additional impeller blades can be provided in the interior of the hub to further accelerate the second air stream.

Abstract: A combustion engine has a combustion chamber separated from the compression and expansion chamber(s). Passages are provided between the combustion chamber and the compression chamber(s) and the combustion chamber and the expansion chamber(s) with respective valves in the passages and inlet and exhaust valves provided in the combustion and expansion chamber. The combustion chamber maintains the combustion after passing fuel into the compressed air received from the compression chamber. The valves and piston heads are formed to prevent dead space in the cylinders in order to obtain a good efficiency by full discharge of the compressed air into the combustion chamber. Fuel cleaning means like, for example, a rotary separator and pure gas collector are provided in the combustion chamber to separate unclean fuel particles, as, for example, ash or sand in coal, from the burned gases and collect the unclean particles in separated collection spaces.

Abstract: In a method of reducing the gas content of a liquid in which the liquid is propelled, preferably in a closed circuit, by a centrifugal pump (1), an improved degasification capability is achieved by extracting a portion of the liquid from the suction side of the pump blades (5, 18) in the region of the impeller axis, preferably via a passage (20) extending through a hollow drive shaft (21) of the impeller (14), and conducting this portion of the liquid through a liquid stilling zone (55, 56) where fine gas bubbles are separated from the liquid. The degassed liquid is preferably returned to the liquid in the inlet pipe (15) upstream of the pump (1), where it is set in rotation by a helical member (10). The liquid extracted from the pump (1) may be sucked out by means of an auxiliary rotary pump (3), or it may be entrained by injecting a high speed stream through a venturi nozzle (39) housed by the impeller (14) coaxially with the hollow drive shaft ( 21).

Abstract: Turbulance hindering degassification in a centrifugal degassifier is minimized through the provision of a generally cylindrical rotary degassifier housing (10). The housing includes an inlet (28) for a liquid containing entrained gas and outlets (40, 42) for degassified liquid. Generally radially extending passageways (44) provide for more rapid removal of gas emerging from the mixture in the interior of the degassifier, thereby reducing turbulance.

Abstract: A positive displacement scroll type apparatus having first and second scrolls with interfitting vanes defining an interface which includes at least one close pocket adapted to move fluid from an inlet to an outlet. The outlet is located in one of the scrolls and is subjected to centrifugal force during operation of the compressor and this in turn causes the separation of lubricant from the compressed fluid by such centrifugal force. A lubricant collector is located at the outlet to prevent the lubricant from entering the remainder of a system with which the compressor may be associated.

Abstract: The gas-liquid separation device consists of two concentric pipes rotationally driven about their common longitudinal axis and between them defining first and second longitudinally extending channels. The mixture is passed into the first channels and the second channels collect and evacuate the liquid particles which have been separated from the gas in the first channel. The device may be mounted within a shaft of a turboengine and be used to de-oil the ventilating air of turboengine bearing cases. It may be combined with a mounting sleeve which also serves to distribute the lubricating oil of the bearings within the case.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating, spreading and distributing a solid or liquid particulate material. The particulate material is pneumatically conveyed into a centrifugal chamber within a rotor (20) operatable by the flow of material for centrifugal separation of the particulate material. The terminal edge of the circumference of the centrifugal chamber serves as an overflow for establishing a buffer store and has a flow-retarding inwardly directed flange. A baffle may be provided around the terminal edge to intercept the material flung out and to conduct the material, via hopper-like flow-retarding recesses, to different outlets provided around the terminal edge.

Abstract: A device for the separation of particles from a stream of gas by centrifugal action, comprising a driven rotatable hollow conically diverging body 1,2 and a feeding apparatus for directing the contaminated gas stream toward the inside wall of said body in the region of its narrowest portion so that the particles will be deposited against said wall and will gradually move toward the widest portion of said conical body; the stream of gas being controlled such that within the body a toroidal eddy forms for the recirculation of the contaminated gas stream.

Abstract: A separator for separating particulate material from fluid having a feed conduit including a plurality of feed openings and a collector having open and closed areas. The feed openings are spaced from, parallel to and continuously substantially encompassed by a portion of the closed area of the collector. The collector is moveable relative to the feed openings. A discharge conduit and particulate removal apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: The operation of a centrifugal pump which pumps a liquid or suspension (e.g. 8-12 percent consistency) containing gas is controlled to minimize pump power consumption, or to vary the pump flow rate. The suspension is rotated within the pump so that a gas bubble is created at a central part of the pump, and gas is discharged from the gas bubble, at a gas discharge pressure. The differential pressure between the suspension inlet and the gas discharge is determined, and the head and/or discharge flow rate of the pump are controlled by controlling the differential pressure so determined. The discharge flow rate may be maintained constant utilizing a control valve and flow meter in the pump discharge line, in which case controlling the discharge of gas from the gas bubble controls the head, and minimizes power consumption for a given flow rate. Alternatively the flow rate is controlled by controlling the gas discharge, with no control valve in the pump discharge line being provided.

Abstract: Gas is removed from a fibre suspension of high consistency by means of an apparatus having a rotor chamber and a rotor disposed for rotation in the rotor chamber. The rotor has blades adapted to fluidize the fibre suspension and to cause a centrally located core of gas surrounded by a cylindrical layer of fibre suspension to form. The rotor has a plate located in the portion of the rotor opposite to the inlet of the rotor chamber which has an opening or openings close to the rotor axis. The gas is removed from the rotor chamber through the openings in the plate to a gas discharge and the fibre suspension essentially free of gas is discharged through an outlet. The operation of the apparatus is controlled by maintaining the pressure difference between the inlet and the gas discharge at a predetermined level.

Abstract: Swirl tube or chamber apparatus is provided for separating isotope or gas mixtures of a process gas having heavy and light gas fractions intermixed. This apparatus includes a swirl chamber having feed ports issuing tangentially thereinto for feeding processed gas to be effectively centrifuged in the swirl chamber. Extraction elements are provided for extracting the heavy gas fraction from the outer walls of the swirl chamber and for extracting the light gas fraction from the interior of the cylinder near the longitudinal axis thereof. The swirl chamber is a rotatably support chamber which is symmetrically configured with respect to its center. In particularly preferred embodiments, the process gas fed into the swirl chamber also serves to form a bearing cushion for the container, as well as for imparting driving forces to the container to rotate the same.

Abstract: Gas laden drilling mud is effectively handled by a centrifugal pump system which allows the flow of released gases from the drilling mud to move in the same axial direction as the mud flow through the pump; whereupon the released gases may be conducted to safe disposal areas. A hollow-centered impeller is driven by a hollow shaft through which the gases may be withdrawn. A prerotation chamber and impeller shroud below the impeller admit drilling mud into the impeller housing, providing the drilling mud with initial rotational velocity through a reduced radius, and further establishing a central opening through which gases escaping from the drilling mud will be released due to centrifugal forces on the mud. Released gases may then be removed through the central passage in the hollow shaft, which shaft may be provided with external means for preventing upward flow of fluid therearound.

Abstract: A centrifuge for separating gas mixtures, especially flue gases from oil- or coal-fired furnaces, which contain sulphur compounds (SO.sub.2), comprising a rotor means including frustoconical plates spaced from one another in the direction of the rotor axis. The rotor means comprises two separate concentric sets of frustoconical plates, the inlet for the gas mixture being arranged in the annular space between the two concentric sets.

Abstract: An apparatus for the separating of isotope fractions, especially for the concentration of uranium 238 and uranium 235, which comprises a plurality of disks rotatable about a common axis and having central supply regions at which gas mixtures can be introduced. Outwardly from these supply regions, each disk is formed with a radial passage communicating with a chamber and opening into the latter through a constriction. Light fractions are removed from the edges of the gas flow radially through the chamber while a heavy fraction is passed centrally through at least one further constriction and into another chamber. The light fractions from one disk are fed to the supply region of another disk while the heavy fractions can be collected and fed to the supply region of still a third disk. Alternatively, or in addition, the light fraction delivery channels and the heavy fraction delivery channels for at least two disks are interconnected.

Abstract: A gas mixture containing a heavy component and a light component, e.g. for the enrichment of the gas mixture in uranium 235 in which the uranium isotopes are provided in the form of uranium hexafluoride, comprises accelerating the gaseous mixture through a centrifuge in a radial direction and inducing the formation of turbulence along the outer periphery of the centrifuge. Because of the turbulent flow in this region, a boundary layer is formed along the outer periphery of the centrifuge and the heavy component tends to diffuse out of this boundary layer. The light fraction is collected from the boundary layer and conducted away.

Abstract: In a gearbox for an aircraft, a multiple stage separator is attached to a gear journaled within the gearbox housing. An axial bore extends at least partially through the shaft supporting the gear and opens into a discharge chamber which communicates with an atmospheric vent. A first stage of the separator includes an impeller attached to one face of the gear and a second stage includes a series of angularly spaced passages extending in a generally radial direction through the shaft to communicate with the bore. A sleeve telescoped into a reduced section of the inner end of the bore receives the incoming mixture of air and oil and directs the air into an enlarged outer end section of the bore wherein final stage separation of air and oil occurs. A member including an aperture concentric with the central axis of the bore keeps the oil collected along the walls of the bore from entering into the discharge chamber.

Abstract: An improvement in a mixture concentrator on the one hand, or a fluid medium separator on the other, that is usable, for example, for significantly increasing the amount of proppant in a formation fracturing foam is disclosed. The concentrator is comprised of an elongate vessel, a rotor rotatably mounted inside the vessel on a shaft and a motor for rotating the shaft. The vessel has a mixture intake at a forward end and a concentrated mixture outlet and a fluid medium outlet at the rearward end. Mounted on the shaft near the mixture intake is a cylindrical stabilizer which imparts a spin to the incoming mixture. Also mounted on the shaft, downstream of the stabilizer and of the mixture intake is a intake impeller means for removing substantially only the fluid medium from the mixture which is located in the annular channel between the vessel and the rotor to an internal passageway located inside the rotor.

Abstract: A concentrator or mixture separator usable, for example, for significantly increasing the amount of proppant in a formation-fracturing foam is disclosed. In a particular embodiment the concentrator or separator is comprised of a substantially horizontally extending vessel, a rotor rotatably mounted inside the vessel on a shaft and a motor for rotating the shaft. The vessel has a slurry intake at a forward end and a concentrated slurry discharge and proppant carrier discharge at the rearward end. Mounted on the shaft near the slurry intake is a cylindrical stabilizer which is for imparting a spin to the incoming slurry. Also mounted on the shaft, downstream of the stabilizer is an intake impeller assembly which can be comprised of a plurality of annular intake impellers, a discharge assembly which can be comprised of a plurality of annular discharge impellers, and a connecting housing therebetween.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising a first whirl chamber for receiving dust-laden air and separating heavy and light dust particles therefrom, a second whirl chamber communicating at its inlet end with said first whirl chamber for receiving air therefrom and concentrating very light dust particles in said air, an intermediate chamber arranged at the outlet end of the second whirl chamber for receiving the very light dust particle-containing air therefrom, and a separate air-passage connection between the intermediate chamber and the first whirl chamber for return of said very light dust particle-containing air thereto.

Abstract: A gas/liquid separator includes a housing and a rotatable degassing chamber in the housing. Liquid containing gas is fed into the housing and through an annular liquid inlet conduit which opens into the chamber. Degasified liquid is discharged from the rotating chamber through one or more discharge passages in the circumferential wall of the chamber due to centrifugal force on the liquid in the rotating chamber. An upstream portion of each discharge passage is farther radially from the chamber axis of rotation than is the exit port of the passage. This forms a column of liquid in each discharge passage which, in turn, provides a gas seal between the inside and the outside of the chamber to prevent separated gas from accompanying the liquid out of the chamber. In essence, the discharge passage incorporates a liquid sealed trap.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separating suspensions of oil mist in air and especially intended for use with aircraft engines comprises a rotatable chamber filled with a relatively rigid porous material and driven by a hollow shaft.An inlet for the suspension is provided in one end wall of the chamber and separate outlets for oil and air in the form of an apertured chamber outer wall and apertures in the shaft respectively.

Abstract: An arrangement for the degassing of metallic melts in which a rotating member is immersed in the melt. The rotating member has step-shaped elements which form vacuum chambers or spaces during rotation of the member. The vacuum spaces are not filled with melt, and gases are extracted from the melt and carried away from the vacuum spaces with the application of inert gases or reaction gases.