Abstract: Process and apparatus for recovering clean water and solids from aqueous solids. Aqueous solids are mixed with a low viscosity, relatively volatile, water-immiscible light fluidizing oil to obtain a mixture which will remain fluid and pumpable after removal of essentially its entire water content. The mixture of solids, water and fluidizing oil is subjected to a dehydration step by heat evaporation whereby substantially all of the water and at least part of the light oil are evaporated and subsequently recovered. The light fluidizing oil is then largely separated from the solids. Those solids carrying residual light fluidizing oil are then brought into direct contact with steam, referred to herein as "blowing steam". The presence of the blowing steam reduces the boiling point of the water-immiscible light fluidizing oil to effect its more efficient removal from the solids. Effluent blowing steam and light oil vapor removed from the solids may be used to supply heat to the overall process.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for dehydrating waste solids concentrates including secondary and digested sewage sludges and those concentrates prone to form emulsions upon the addition of oil are obtained and accomplished by mixing the sludge or other concentrate with fluidizing oil prior to dehydration by heat evaporation to maintain pumpability; recycling a portion of the substantially anhydrous waste solids and oil evaporator output slurry, and admixing it with the fluidizing oil and input sludge or concentrate to regulate the solids content and viscosity of the steady state feed mixture and thereby prevent fouling of the evaporator heat transfer surfaces and convert emulsions to suspensions.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for recovering clean water and solids from aqueous solids. Aqueous solids are mixed with a low viscosity, relatively volatile, water-immiscible light fluidizing oil to obtain a mixture which will remain fluid and pumpable after removal of essentially its entire water content. The mixture of solids, water and fluidizing oil is subjected to a dehydration step by heat evaporation whereby substantially all of the water and at least part of the light oil are evaporated and subsequently recovered. The light fluidizing oil is then largely separated from the solids. Those solids carrying residual light fluidizing oil are then brought into direct contact with steam, referred to herein as "blowing steam". The presence of the blowing steam reduces the boiling point of the water-immiscible light fluidizing oil to effect its more efficient removal from the solids. Effluent blowing steam and light oil vapor removed from the solids may be used to supply heat to the overall process.

Abstract: A locking and unlocking device for a manually movable wheeled storage rack or the like is disclosed wherein a toothed locking wheel is operatively connected to wheels of a storage rack, and a pair of locking and unlocking leverages each including a catch are disposed symmetrically about the axis of the locking wheel so that the catches may selectively engage with or disengage from the teeth of the locking wheel by the operation of operating knobs exterior of the storage rack. When one of the catches is made into engagement with the toothed locking wheel while the other is out of engagement therefrom, the rotation in one direction of the locking wheel is locked while the rotation in the other direction is unlocked, and vice versa.

Abstract: This invention pertains to heat transfer fluid conduit wrapping for vessels particularly as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,318,376 issued May 9, 1967 and 3,452,568 issued July 1, 1969. In those patents is shown wrapping which is specially contoured to provide outwardly extending flare edges on each side of a generally rounded, central portion. That wrapping is fabricated in determined lengths, and is made a fluid conducting passageway by welding its edges to a vessel wall and by welding one end to the adjacent end of a succeeding length. Welding of wrapping either at its edges or ends may be by one or more passes. The welding of one segmental wrapping length to the next length may, according to the present invention, include a specially shaped inner reinforcing member, and a transverse cut or an angled cut of twenty to forty-five degrees at the end of the wrapping may be made.

Abstract: In a dynamic solids concentrator having a rotor with radially extensive disc-like elements which rotate adjacent other stationary or rotating disc-like elements, stabilizing members are provided along radial edges of the respective elements. In the case of the rotating elements, the stabilizing members are stabilizing fingers which ride within guide members on or guide paths in the inner walls of the concentrator and, in another embodiment, T-shaped stabilizing members whose arms ride on the surfaces of adjacent disc-like elements. In the case of the non-rotating elements, the stabilizng members are stabilizing fingers which ride within the guide members on or guide paths in the concentrators's rotor shaft. The fingers, T-shaped members and their cooperating guides stabilize the relative positions of the disc-like elements within the concentrator under conditions in which pressure differentials within the concentrator or high rotor speeds would otherwise disturb their relative positions.

Abstract: An electrically-operated shiftable article storage device in which a plurality of shiftable article storage units adapted for movement in a direction normal to the article storage faces thereof to form a plurality of article handling aisles therebetween are normally arranged closely adjacent to each other to leave a limited space corresponding to at least one article handling aisle, and at least one of the article storage units is moved in either direction to form said article handling aisle opposite to the article storage face of a desired one of said article storage units so that articles can be handled in said article handling aisle.

Abstract: A flexible garment pattern is formed from a self-supporting plastic shell initially placed on a mannequin. The shell is cut while draped on the mannequin to the desired style and shape and then separated into several pieces of three-dimensional shape. These pieces are used as pattern pieces to cut out fabric pieces for a garment.The mannequin is provided with an adjustable fit plate in the bustline and kicker plates in the leg portion to impart a desired silhouette to the shaped shell.

Abstract: Apparatus and a proccess for the thermal decomposition of organic material is disclosed wherein the waste solids concentrates are first mixed in a fluidizing tank with a fluidizing oil to form an appropriate mixture which is then dehydrated to remove water from the waste and oil mixture. Subsequently, the waste solids and oil are separated. The resultant dehydrated, substantially oil free organic waste material is then pyrolized within a temperature range of approximately 700.degree. F. to 1800.degree. F. by which lower molecular weight organic compounds are distilled off as organic vapors and gases while a residue of char and ash remain.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for recovering clean water from aqueous wastes by evaporation while avoiding scaling and fouling as well as corrosion of the evaporator tubes. Addition of an oil, preferably a volatile oil, to the aqueous waste feed results in the formation of a coating of said oil on the surfaces of the tubes, thereby preventing corrosion and fouling and build-up of scale deposits. Volatile oil that distills over is separated from the aqueous distillate by conventional means and may be recirculated.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing and delivering articles, having storage means divided longitudinally into a plurality of storage compartments each for storing a plurality of articles therein, and article delivery means provided at a delivery opening for each storage compartment for delivering one or a plurality of articles from said delivery opening, said article or articles delivered from each of said delivery openings being conveyed to a desired location by conveyor means.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for cushioning or attenuating the highly destructive, peak impact forces which occur between an operating pile hammer ram and the pile cap or helmet at the moment of initial contact while permitting a maximum of the delivered energy to be converted into useful work in driving the pile. Such impact forces, which can physically damage the pile hammer, the helmet, the pile, or all three, are effectively and efficiently reduced by means of an energy storing, flat spring member. Said member is so arranged as to permit a determinable, relatively constant portion of the energy absorbed from the hammer blow to be stored during hammer deceleration and then be returned to the hammer ram on its retraction stroke while minimizing that portion of absorbed energy which is irrecoverably converted to heat.

Abstract: In a dynamic solids concentrator having a rotor with radially extensive disc-like elements which rotate adjacent other stationary or rotating disc-like elements, stabilizing members are provided along radial edges of the respective elements. In the case of the rotating elements, the stabilizing members are stabilizing fingers which ride within guide members on or guide paths in the inner walls of the concentrator and, in another embodiment, T-shaped stabilizing members whose arms ride on the surfaces of adjacent disc-like elements. In the case of the non-rotating elements, the stabilizing members are stabilizing fingers which ride within the guide members on or guide paths in the concentrator's rotor shaft. The fingers, T-shaped members and their cooperating guides stabilize the relative positions of the disc-like elements within the concentrator under conditions in which pressure differentials within the concentrator or high rotor speeds would otherwise disturb their relative positions.

Abstract: Apparatus for concentrating and washing solids in a slurry comprising a housing containing both separation/concentration and washing chambers with an inlet for continuously injecting solids -- containing fluid into the separation chamber wherein a dynamic filtering system is provided for separating the solids -- containing fluid to form a cencentrate of solids and a filtrate. The filtering system includes a plurality of stationary filter elements and a plurality of rotor elements mounted on a rotatable shaft from which they extend outwardly and adjacent the filter elements to form a plurality of alternating rotor and filter elements within the housing. The concentrate washing chamber is disposed downstream of the filtering system and includes a plurality of stationary filter elements and a plurality of rotor elements arranged similarly to the elements in the filtering system.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for recovering residual oil from solids previously substantially dehydrated by a process wherein a slurry of water-wet solids in oil is subjected to a heat evaporation step to substantially remove the water. The oil is then largely expressed from the solids after which the solids still containing some oil as residual oil are extracted with a relatively low viscosity and relatively volatile water-immiscible light oil. The light oil-laden solids are then brought into direct contact with steam whereby the presence of the steam effectively reduces the boiling point of the water-immiscible light oil to effect its more efficient removal from the solids. Excess externally supplied steam and light oil vapor are used to supply heat to the overall process.

Abstract: The concentrator has at least one shaft-mounted rotor disc of solid or hollow construction with two or more ploughs located equally spaced about its periphery. The ploughs extend outwardly into the flow path of a solids-containing fluid within the concentrator to deter any tendency, due to centrifugal force, for a build-up of solids between stationary filter means and in a region remote from the periphery of the rotor disc. In a disclosed embodiment of the concentrator, the shaft-mounted rotor disc has at least one passage therethrough for the flow of solids-containing fluid from one side of the rotor disc to the other, and a plough is provided adjacent the passage and on a hub of the rotor disc to deter any tendency for a build-up of solids adjacent the passage.

Abstract: In a rotary concentrator for continuous separation of a vehicle fluid and a concentrate of solids from an abrasive solids-containing fluid, a plurality of solids-detaining baffles and pockets are provided within the concentrator to collect deposits of the abrasive materials. This depositing of materials upon interior surfaces of the concentrator provides an autogenous, relatively stationary protective layer of abrasive material which protects those surfaces from the abrasive action of solids-containing material flowing past them during operation of the concentrator.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for recovering clean water from aqueous wastes by evaporation while avoiding scaling and fouling as well as corrosion of the evaporator tubes. Addition of an oil, preferably a volatile oil, to the aqueous waste feed results in the formation of a coating of said oil on the surfaces of the tubes, thereby preventing corrosion and fouling and build-up of scale deposits. Volatile oil that distills over is separated from the aqueous distillate by conventional means and may be recirculated.