Abstract: An apparatus arrangement and method of operation for treatment of the residue from a coal liquifaction and hydrogenation reactor, which residue contains 5% to 10% solids and is at elevated temperature (f.i. above 700.degree. F.) and pressure of 150-200 psi. Said apparatus comprising a continuous pressure precoat filter sealed against pressure loss, a sealed repulper associated with said pressure filter for repulping filter cake in relatively cooler solvent while maintaining the pressure thereon at about 150-200 lbs/in..sup.2 to yield a slurry, then utilizing the pressure to force the slurry into and through a second pressure filter wherein to effect liquid solids separation; and separately discharging the filtrate and cake from the second filter.

Abstract: A load-responsive variable diameter pulley in a drive system using a driving pulley and a driven pulley functionally connected by a belt. The basic pulley assembly includes two spaced apart parallel sideplates concentric to a hub. One plate is fixed to the hub while the other is movable angularly about the pulley axis relative to the fixed plate. Slots are provided in the surfaces of both plates and a plurality of arcuate belt-engaging segments located between the plates are provided with laterally extending pins that are received in the slots. In the basic pulley a spring normally urges the movable plate to bias it and belt-engaging segments to the position defining maximum pulley diameter. The slots in the fixed plates are in pairs and the individual slots are not parallel to each other. The slots are designed so that the chord of the effective arc of the arcuate segment guided in the slots is always perpendicular to a radius of the pulley.

Abstract: Apparatus for countercurrent washing of finely divided solids comprising a vertical tank divided by transverse plates into a plurality of superimposed compartments, a single opening in each plate, a rake in each compartment for scraping settled solids on the plate to the opening, an inlet in the uppermost compartment for introducing solids, an outlet in the bottom of the lowermost compartment for discharge of settled solids, a wash liquor inlet in a lower zone of the lowermost compartment, a wash liquor outlet in the uppermost compartment for liquid discharge and valves for regulating the rate of introduction of both solids at the top of the tank and wash liquor at the bottom. Tubular components may depend from the edge of the single opening in each plate.

Abstract: A dump body for handling bulk material in which the tail gate is located inside the body walls sufficiently forward of the rear end to provide a delivery chute. The body is adapted to be mounted with the tail gate essentially over the rear wheels and the discharge chute extending back therefrom. Body configuration may be elliptical or rectangular and the sidewalls continuously diverge from bottom to top. The gate is hinged by overhead relatively close-tolerance bearings and trunnions by which the gate is hung and a space is provided between the gate edge and body wall even when fully closed, the space being filled with a flexible seal mounted on the gate perimeter. Specially shaped stops are located on the inner sidewall against which the gate butts on closing. A remotely actuated latch mounted on the body extends through the body wall extension to engage and lock the gate.

Abstract: A vacuum receiver comprising a closed top vertical cylindrical tank with a central vacuum takeoff at the top, a tangential downwardly inclined feed conduit in the sidewall, an inverted conical bottom section with anti-swirl baffles therein, and a barometric leg extending downwardly from the apex of the bottom to termination in submergence in a lower seal tank. A conduit is provided to recycle a portion of discharge liquor from the seal tank to the top of the barometric leg. The slope of the conical bottom does not exceed about 40.degree. from the vertical wall and inclination of the inlet conduit is about 15.degree. from horizontal. The barometric leg length and diameter as well as the liquor recycle rate are selected to optimize final liquor discharge rate at prevailing vacuum and foam conditions.

Abstract: A segmented cake discharge deflector blade for rotary drum filters. Each segment includes a straight blade mounted on a plurality of spaced apart U-shaped flat steel springs with the free edge of the straight blade extending beyond the closed end of the U. The face of the filter tank is provided with a clamp for receiving the free end of the other leg of each spring. The springs are preselected for proper tension. Complemental elements on the tank wall and springs cooperative with each other provide proper positioning of the free edge of the blade segments relative to the drum face.