Abstract: A sample handling system provides an evenly-suspended, small volume, bubble-free sample to an analyzer such as a light scattering particle size analyzer. A flow of suspension is forced through an elongate channel below the surface of the liquid in the channel, along a downwardly sloping path, into impact with an end wall, and through an abrupt downward turn. Controlled turbulence created in the flow disperses particles and releases bubbles from the liquid.

Abstract: The separator includes a vertical cylindrical pressure vessel having elliptical top and bottom heads. A mechanical device, referred to as a vortex tube cluster of vertical tubes, is mounted in the upper section of the vessel chamber, spaced above the bottom head to define a lower chamber section for fluid and solids separation. Pressurized drilling fluid returns are directed tangentially into the vortex tubes and a subsequent centrifugal action is generated. Contained gas separates and forms a gas vortex which exits upwardly from the vortex tubes and vessel top. The liquids and solids discharge into the vessel lower chamber section where solids settle by gravity to the bottom. The solids are withdrawn from the base of the vessel by a slurry pump. The oil and water components of the fluid layer also separate by gravity and are individually removed from the vessel.

Abstract: A water aeration system for receiving gas and/or iron laden water from a water source and delivering purified water to a service line. The system includes a tank with an internal volume fillable with water, a tank inlet, a tank outlet, and an aerator. Water is introduced into the tank through the tank inlet and passes downwardly within the tank. The downwardly moving water encounters a counterflow of upwardly migrating bubbles introduced into the tank by the aerator, and the air bubbles cause impurities in the water to precipitate out and settle onto the floor of the tank and gases to the vented to atmosphere. After moving to the bottom portion of the internal volume of the tank, the water passes upwardly through an upstanding water outlet pipe located within the tank internal volume and passes through the tank outlet to be removed from the tank. The system may also include a mechanism for flushing from the tank precipitates collected on the tank floor.

Abstract: A thermal processing system for processing a hot-fill liquid product and filling containers with the hot-fill liquid product is set forth that includes: 1) a thermal processing unit for thermally processing the hot-fill liquid product; 2) a packaging machine for filling individual containers with the hot-fill liquid product; and 3) an intermediate degassing tank. The intermediate degassing tank includes a tank body having an inlet receiving the thermally processed hot-fill liquid product from the thermal processing unit, an interior chamber holding the thermally processed hot-fill liquid, and an outlet facilitating fluid communication of the thermally processed hot-fill liquid product from the interior chamber of the degassing tank to the packaging machine, and a vent. A degasser is disposed in the interior chamber of the tank body and receives the hot-fill liquid product from the inlet.

Abstract: A compact set of circular, wire-formed brushes, within a housing, provides the surfacing upon which, and in which, air bubbles can coalesce for subsequent venting thereof from the housing, and the housing has porting formed therein to accommodate a through-flow of an aqueous solution, of a hydronic system or the like. A sleeve-type diffuser, having a multiplicity of holes formed therein, encloses and supports the set of brushes, and diffuses and distributes the housing-admitted liquid or vapor.

Abstract: A method of degassing utilizing a degassing faucet having a first portion which includes a liquid inlet with a first cross-sectional area and a liquid outlet with a second cross-sectional area smaller than the first cross-sectional area, the liquid outlet being disposed adjacent a conduit portion having a cross-sectional area larger than the second cross-sectional area and the degassing faucet having a second portion with an impact surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel gas-liquid separating apparatus which is installed directly on a hot-water heating line independently from a gas boiler. The gas-liquid separating apparatus has a body provided with an air vent hole opened to outside, wherein the liquid flows, and a bubble collecting device for collecting the bubbles from the liquid to vent out the collected bubbles through the air vent hole. The bubble collecting device has a plurality of cylindrical bubble collecting rods for collecting bubbles contained in the liquid, a round projected portion for supporting upper portions of the bubble collecting rods, the round projected portion having a space portion for collecting bubbles collected by the bubble collecting rods being supported by the air vent hole and a conical vent portion having a conical space portion connected to the space of the round projected portion. At an upper portion of the conical vent portion, an air vent for venting out the bubbles is mounted.

Abstract: A water aeration system for receiving gas and/or iron laden water from a water source and delivering purified water to a service line. The system includes a tank with an internal volume fillable with water, a tank inlet, a tank outlet, and an aerator. Water is introduced into the tank through the tank inlet and passes downwardly within the tank. The downwardly moving water encounters a counterflow of upwardly migrating bubbles introduced into the tank by the aerator, and the air bubbles cause impurities in the water to precipitate out and settle onto the floor of the tank and gases to the vented to atmosphere. After moving to the bottom portion of the internal volume of the tank, the water passes upwardly through an upstanding water outlet pipe located within the tank internal volume and passes through the tank outlet to be removed from the tank. The system may also include a mechanism for flushing from the tank precipitates collected on the tank floor.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement in a circulation lubrication including a lubricating oil tank, pressure pipe lines for supplying oil to parts to be lubricated, and return pipe lines for returning the oil from the parts to be lubricated to the oil tank. To remove air and dirt from the oil, the flow returning from the parts to be lubricated to the lubricant tank is divided into at least two superimposed flow portions, using a plate member, so that the oil flow portion containing air bubbles forms the upper flow portion and the flow portion containing water and heavy particles forms the lower flow portion.

Abstract: A system for collecting gas generated in an anaerobic pond which is covered by an insulated cover. The system includes a series of gas collection pipes which are laid on top of and are secured to the panel units of the insulated cover and a solid cover which fits over the top of the collection pipes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spray degasser for removing gas from a liquid, comprising:i) a boiler having at least one sprayer compartment,ii) the sprayer compartment comprises a radial sprayer which is connected to a liquid feed for spraying the liquid for degassing as a spray screen over the liquid present in the boiler,iii) a feed pipe for feeding into the liquid present in the boiler vapour to create in the sprayer compartment a gas containing vapour,iv) an outlet in the sprayer compartment for venting the gas removed from the liquid, andv) an outlet in the boiler for degassed liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for degassing a mix of cement and a polymeric binding agent including filler material and/or fiber. The apparatus includes a vacuum chamber and a mechanism for adjusting the pressure inside the vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber has an upper inlet zone including an inlet port, a lower discharge zone including a discharge port and an intermediate zone therebetween. Structure is provided adjacent to the inlet port which is open to the atmosphere for guiding the mix toward the inlet port. Structure is also positioned in the intermediate zone of the vacuum chamber for receiving, distributing and expediting the degassification of the free falling mix entering the vacuum chamber through the upper inlet port. A vacuum seal is provided by the mix entering the inlet port and by the degassed mix exiting the discharge port.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating the liquid phase and the gas phase of a liquid/gas mixture and for substantially eliminating slug flow is provided. The apparatus includes a housing containing a separation table positioned in an inclined position within the housing. The liquid/gas mixture flows into the housing through an inlet and spreads over the surface of the separation table. As the mixture spreads over the table, entrained gas is released and the liquid is decelerated. The separated liquid and gas then pass through orifices in the separation table and are separately discharged from the housing. In a second version, a plurality of separation tables may be contained in the housing.

Abstract: A gas-liquid separating apparatus for separating gas and liquid of a gas-liquid mixture includes a drum, and a separator disposed in the drum. The gas-liquid enters the separator into a cylinder of the separator in a tangential direction, and thus flows along the inner wall surface of the cylinder so that centrifugal separation of the gas and liquid is effected. The gas is discharged into a gas-phase section of the drum. At least part of the primary isolated liquid is decelerated by a perforated plate of the separator from which the liquid flows into a liquid-phase section of the drum. Because the primary isolated liquid flowing into the liquid-phase section of the drum has a slow outflow velocity, it tends to flow upwardly in the vicinity of the cylinder due to the buoyancy of gas still entrained in the liquid. Accordingly, the gravitational separation of the entrained gas and liquid is facilitated.

Abstract: Lubricant in exhaust fluid from a pneumatic motor is extracted by a separator. The separator comprises a housing in which a cyclonic flow of the exhaust is created to expel the lubricant in the exhaust. The exhaust is directed through a turbine within the housing wherein lubricant is deposited on blades of the turbine and then expelled against a housing wall by rotation of the turbine. After passing through the turbine blades, the exhaust flow is forced to reverse direction thereby extracting additional lubricant due to centrifugal force. After the lubricant has been extracted, the exhaust flows through a filter to remove other particles before exiting the separator.

Abstract: A tank for propellant in a space vehicle includes a trap defined by two walls which are substantially permeable to liquid but not to vapour. One wall (16) allows liquid to flow into the trap. The other (7,8) allows liquid to flow out via an outlet port. Vapour in the trap escapes via a vent (19,20). The wall (16) which allows liquid to flow to the outlet include a plurality of plates (1) clamped together. The surfaces (9) of the plates (1) are grooved such that plate surfaces engage to form fine passages (10) permeable to liquid but not vapour.

Abstract: A vent system which provides constant venting of air through a vent opening in a casing while preventing water from reaching the vent opening and entering the casing, even water from a high-speed jet of water. The vent system is mounted in the vent opening and provides a tortuous path for air between the vent opening and ambient. A central tube contains openings communicating with the interior of a surrounding baffle tube, about half-way along the length of the inner tube, and the baffle tube permits air to pass around its ends between its interior and a surrounding central chamber. End chambers are provided at each end of the central chamber, each communicating with the central chamber. The end chambers have slots in their edges which communicate with ambient, and through which a high-speed jet of water may enter. The water, for the most part, enters one slot, traverses the end chamber, and exits through one or both of the other slots.

Abstract: A system and method of use for providing nearly one-hundred (100%) percent of volatile component(s) present in a liquid solution as a gaseous phase volatile component(s) sample to a sample analysis system, at relatively sequentially constant buffered pressure and flow rate, is disclosed. The present invention also provides for quick, immediate and active removal of a remaining liquid solution mixture entered thereto to reduce carry-over contamination. The present invention is particularly well suited for use with flame and plasma based sample analysis systems and its use serves to greatly increase achievable stability of their operation, and sensitivity to volatile component(s) such as, As, Se, Sb, Sn, Hg, B and Te.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a gas/liquid separation flow rate regulator, which effectively carries out gas/liquid separation by preventing an uncontrolled flow of sewage and facilitates control of liquid flow. To accomplish this objective, the outer shell of the gas/liquid separation flow rate regulator is cylindrical in shape with its inner periphery providing a cylindrical surface. An edge inclining unidirectly from one end to the other is formed at the upper edge of a partition plate for dividing the cylindrical shell into two chambers, and the lower end of this inclined edge is butted to the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical member so as to form an overflow weir. A return port is centrally located on the cylindrical member and is disposed on the opposite side surface of the cylindrical member facing the overflow weir.

Abstract: A venting mechanism which includes three members. A first member having threads defined thereon connected to a second offering a hexagonally shaped external surface. The third member features a bore which defines an annular surface at the intersection with a bore through the second member. A baffle is located within the bore of the second member by engagement with the annular surface defined between the second and third member. A Gortex film and a wire mesh placed within the bore of the third member are retained by a rolled lip thereof. In this manner, the baffle and the Gortex film act to maintain liquid on one side of the breather while allowing gases to freely pass therethrough.

Abstract: In accordance with the method of this invention, sulfur is removed from the gas stream exiting a sulfur storage tank through condensation and impingement of droplets and/or particles of elemental sulfur on the baffles and wall(s) of indirectly cooled scrubber-condenser. In order to effect the melting and return to the liquid sulfur storage tank of any sulfur collected on the baffles and wall(s) of the scrubber-condenser, said baffles and wall(s) are periodically heated, preferably with indirect steam. The scrubber-condenser apparatus of this invention is designed to effect the condensation and solidification of sulfur from the gas stream and to maximize the impingement of sulfur droplets and particles upon its baffles and internal wall(s) by repeatedly changing the flow direction of said gas stream. The scrubber-condenser is vertically mounted on a liquid sulfur storage tank and is connected directly to a vent located on top of the tank.

Abstract: A separation device employing a gas separation filter and swirler vanes for separating gas from a gasliquid mixture is provided. The cylindrical filter utilizes the principle that surface tension in the pores of the filter prevents gas bubbles from passing through. As a result, the gas collects in the interior region of the filter and coalesces to form larger bubbles in the center of the device. The device is particularly suited for use in microgravity conditions since the swirlers induce a centrifugal force which causes liquid to move from the inner region of the filter, pass the pores, and flow through the outlet of the device while the entrained gas is trapped by the filter. The device includes a cylindrical gas storage screen which is enclosed by the cylindrical gas separation filter. The screen has pores that are larger than those of the filters. The screen prevents larger bubbles that have been formed from reaching and interfering with the pores of the gas separation filter.

Abstract: A deaeration vessel has a partition wall dividing the hollow vessel body into first and second portions, and defining a weir with a top surface establishing the level of pulp suspension in the vessel body. Turbulence in the deaerated pulp is minimized by providing the outlet for deaerated pulp immediately adjacent the partition wall, in the bottom of the vessel body first portion (on the same side of the weir as the inlet conduits for the suspension being deaerated). The weir is preferably configured so that the top surface, defining the liquid level within the vessel, overlies the outlet. A partition wall may extend substantially linearly at an angle of about 60.degree. to the bottom of the vessel, or it may have a vertical bottom with a top extending at an angle to the bottom, or it may be continuously curved from the vessel bottom to the top surface, about a horizontal and/or vertical axis.

Abstract: In a liquid storage tank 10 for use on a spacecraft, a transfer apparatus 15 (comprising gathering vanes 33, an elongate array of fins 32, and a sponge structure formed from panels 31) functions to transfer liquid from the inner surface of the tank 10 to the vicinity of an outlet line 40. A screen 23 is disposed between the panels 31 and the outlet line 40. When wetted with liquid, the screen 23 prevents gas and/or vapor in the tank 10 from passing to the outlet line 40. A perforated plate 22 disposed between the screen 23 and the outlet line 40 causes liquid to pass from the tank 10 to the outlet line 40 in a regular and generally unbroken flow.

Abstract: Separation of wet steam into its liquid and vapor phases is facilitated prior to encountering a junction. The separated phases are recombined as the steam exits the respective arms of the junction.