Abstract: A duct, presumably that of a utility boiler or the like, has a frame mounted on its internal walls. Parallel louver blades are mounted in the frame and linked for simultaneous actuation to move the louver-blades between a first position where they seal the frame opening against the flow of gaseous fluid and a second position where they permit the relatively free flow of gaseous fluid through the frame. Bearings for the louver shafts are mounted external the duct in which the frame is mounted and a truss is attached to the upstream and downstream edges of the frame to insure dimensional stability under the stress applied to the duct by the varying pressure and temperature of the gaseous fluid passing through the duct.

Abstract: A short-stroke steam lance is reciprocated through an opening in a furnace wall. A section of the lance has an extended spiral groove engaged by a protuberance from a supporting framework to force the lance to reciprocate when the lance is rotated by a motor. The steam to the lance is supplied when its valve is actuated by the lance moved into its extreme forward position.

Abstract: An electrode is fluid-coupled to the driven electrode, which is directly connected to either an AC or a DC source of potential. The driven electrode is provided with the usual ground electrode to establish the electrostatic field of a coalescing system. The electrode fluid-coupled to the driven electrode is positioned to establish two zones in the electrostatic field. A fluid mixture is passed through the two zones of the electrostatic field, in sequence. The intensity of the field in the first zone decreases as the dispersed polar fluid of the mixture increases, in relation to the less polar fluids of the mixture. At the same time, the field in the second zone increases in intensity. The field gradient shifts between the two zones, in accordance with the quantity of the polar fluid in the mixture passed through the zones in the field, in sequence.

Abstract: To calcium lignin sulfonate is added a formulation of ammonium or sodium linear alcohol ether sulfate in a ratio to form an additive to calcined gypsum slurry which will reduce the water requirement and the heat needed to cure the wallboard made from the slurry.

Abstract: Granulated welding flux is supplied under fluid pressure from a reservoir mounted at a convenient location for reloading. The reservoir is connected to an elevated vacuum tank. Recovered excess flux is also brought up to the vacuum tank, both sources of flux maintaining a predetermined level of flux within the vacuum tank. A conduit from the vacuum tank provides gravity feed of flux from the tank to a lower divider box from which a plurality of conduits deliver flux to the traveling welding arc from behind and in front of the arc between the tip of the welding electrode and the work piece.

Abstract: A vertical, cylindrical vessel receiving gas and entrained liquid to be separated. Within the cylindrical vessel are baffle surfaces spaced from the internal wall of the vessel arranged to receive the gas and entrained liquid thereon. Elongated structure is attached to the lower internal baffle surface and extends to the internal wall of the vessel to form a path for liquids flowing downwardly on the internal surfaces.

Abstract: A machine is positioned in the line of a gypsum board manufacture to provide lifting arms, which are actuated up through the line to remove board sections, invert and transfer them to an adjacent area for subsequent drying. The lifting arms are reciprocated, end for end, during the elevating and inverting action to subsequently approach the board from beneath. The lifting arms are actuated through slider boxes, attached to a shaft, and a cam is provided to control the ends of the lifting arms, as each end is pivoted at the inverter shaft to which its slider box is attached.

Abstract: A liquid solution containing a tri-halide from the halogen group consisting of bromine and iodine is passed in countercurrent flow with fluids containing sulfur compounds, including hydrogen sulfide, within a tower. The tri-halide solution removes selected sulfur compounds, including hydrogen sulfide, from the fluids and the halide solution is drained from the bottom of a tower for sulfur removal, electrolytic regeneration, and hydrogen release in order that a tri-halide from the electrolytic cell may be returned to the tower for continual removal of sulfur compounds, including hydrogen sulfide. A portion of the spent halide solution from the bottom of the tower is conducted to a point in the tower above the introduction of the tri-halide solution to prevent the loss of the diatomic halogen.

Abstract: The lance of the soot blower is disclosed as having a square cross section extending through a square hole in a rotating bushing. The square lance is reciprocated into and out of a furnace cavity by means of a carriage positioned through a rack and pinion.

Abstract: The shell of a low temperature separator vessel has an inlet spinner structure mounted to absorb kinetic energy of fluids flowed into the vessel. A grating structure is placed over the outlet of the spinner to dissipate kinetic energy of the incoming fluids, divert the direction of fluid flow away from the gas outlet of the vessel, and distribute the fluids transverse their flow path from the vessel inlet to the vessel outlet.

Abstract: Flow paths for liquids are disclosed in vessels, the paths oriented with electrodes which are electrically energized to establish electrostatic fields through the paths, one of the liquids is more polar than the other liquids in the paths, one of the fields is intense enough to generate the force to move drops of the polar liquid fast enough to shear the drops to smaller sizes and disperse the smaller drops. A second one of the fields is less intense than the first field yet intense enough to generate the force to move the dispersed drops into coalescense. Various spacing and means of energizing the electrodes are disclosed to place the forces on the liquids in sequence and at different intensities.

Abstract: Two zones are connected to each other and to a source of gas containing sulfur oxide as a pollutant to be removed. The gas is passed through the two zones in series and scrubbed with aqueous solutions. The pH level is controlled in each zone to minimize the amount of chemical added to the solutions and maximize the efficiency of the sulfur oxide removal.

Abstract: A storage circuit receives signals representative of voltage pulse trains. A generator of voltage pulse trains feeds a predetermined number of voltage pulses into the first circuit for storage. The first circuit generates a signal to stop the generation of the first pulse train. A second train of pulses is generated by the flow of fluid to make up a batch of the fluid. The first circuit is arranged to generate a signal to a control valve for the fluid supply when the circuit has received a number of pulses in a train which equals the total required for a batch minus the predetermined number of voltage pulses manually established in storage. The circuit then establishes a second signal to the control valve when the second train of pulses equals the total number of pulses for each batch.

Abstract: An electrode is fluid-coupled to the driven electrode, which is directly connected to either an AC or a DC source of potential. The driven electrode is provided with the usual ground electrode to establish the electrostatic field of a coalescing system. The electrode fluid-coupled to the driven electrode is positioned to establish two zones in the electrostatic field. A fluid mixture is passed through the two zones of the electrostatic field, in sequence. The intensity of the field in the first zone decreases as the dispersed polar fluid of the mixture increases, in relation to the less polar fluids of the mixture. At the same time, the field in the second zone increases in intensity. The field gradient shifts between the two zones, in accordance with the quantity of the polar fluid in the mixture passed through the zones in the field, in sequence.

Abstract: A stepped platform is arranged to traverse the down-facing tubesheet of a nuclear steam generator with a rotating, circular work table attached to the platform to position a plurality of tools, in sequence, at a common area of the tubesheet for required work.

Abstract: A vessel is mounted above a furnace, and is used for retaining gypsum as it is calcined to prepare it for making wallboard or plaster. A feed of crushed gypsum supplies the vessel-kettle regulated by the temperature required to calcine gypsum. Calcined gypsum flows from the kettle while maintaining a predetermined level of gypsum in the kettle.

Abstract: A fluid fuel burning system is mounted in a firetube and generates heat of combustion which is transferred to industrial fluid flowing through a vessel in which the firetube is mounted. The air for combustion flows into the burner as primary air mixing with the fluid fuel and a secondary air which is regulated as it flows to the combustion being completed downstream of the burner. The regulation is carried out with a damper positioned in the entrance to the firetube.

Abstract: A displacer body is linked to a position transmitter of an analogue signal through an elastomeric body mounted in the wall of the vessel in which the displacement takes place.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator is disclosed as mounted in the steam drum of a utility boiler receiving a mixture of vapor and liquid. Instrumentation is connected to respond to pressure drops associated with the separator to manifest the flow of the mixture and the flow of each separate fluid of the mixture.

Abstract: A metallic body is formed to have a clearance fit up into a reamed and spot faced tube extended through, and welded to a tubesheet. The form of the body provides a lip which functions to limit the distance the body can be inserted into the tube and supply filler material at the weld zone between the body and the tube.