Abstract: In packaging certain dry, free-flowing solid materials, the packaging operation involves delivering the solids from a classifier screen to a storage hopper through an inclined conduit. Within the conduit the particles tend to segregate into distinct layers, such that each layer contains solids of a different size. In this situation it is difficult to obtain a representative sample of the product being packaged, for quality control purposes. The present invention solves the problem with a sample receiving and collection conduit inside the hopper, which is operated by an oscillator means and timer mechanism. The timed oscillation of the receiving and collection conduit permits a periodic collection of the entire solids stream as it flows from the inclined conduit into the hopper.

Abstract: The method of this invention is particularly useful for removing heat from an exothermic reaction of a liquid medium. An example of such a reaction is an emulsion polymerization of styrene and butadiene to obtain a latex product. In this reaction the butadiene will boil at the temperature and pressure conditions in the reactor. Attached to the reactor is a condenser unit, which is basically a modified shell and tube heat exchanger. During the reaction the butadiene vapors are directed from the reactor into the tube bundle of the condenser unit through the top of the unit. In the condenser the butadiene vapors are condensed to a liquid, which flows downwardly into the reactor to cool the reaction mass.

Abstract: Disclosed is a concept for covering rigid members with a layer of an energy absorbing material, such as a ceramic foam or glass foam. In a specific application of the invention, the foam layer is used to cover highway structures, such as bridge columns. The objective is to make the highway structure capable of absorbing impact energy from a moving vehicle in the event of a collision.

Abstract: A blender apparatus is disclosed which is useful for mixing dry particles with a liquid. In a specific application, dry cement is mixed with water to obtain a cement slurry for cementing oil and gas well casings. The cement particles and water are directed into a disperser unit, in which the water contacts the cement particles at an acute angle. The resulting slurry is passed into a volute casing positioned in a tank. As the slurry swirls within the volute, it develops a vortex action, which continuously circulates the mixture in the tank. The slurry is pumped from the tank and split into two streams. Part of the slurry stream flows directly to a pumper unit, for injection into the well. The remainder of the stream is pumped through a restricting nozzle and back through the volute, to provide a continuous recycle which enhances blending of the dry material with the liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for wetting dry particles and dispersing the particles in a liquid. The dry particles are delivered onto a vibrating tray, which has a circular discharge opening therein and a circular plate secured to the tray below the opening. Positioned below the tray is a closed container, which includes a body of liquid and an opening in the container lid for receiving the vibrating plate member. A vertical conduit section in the container has an open end positioned above the liquid surface and directly below the plate member.In a typical operation, a liquid stream under pressure passes upwardly in the vertical conduit and discharges in the form of a circular spout. From the tray the particles fall onto the vibrating plate member, and then downwardly, in a circular curtain pattern, into the liquid spout. In practice, the dry particles will strike the liquid just beyond the apogee of the spout.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sieve tray extraction column useful for performing liquid-liquid extractions. The sieve trays are made in the form of tubular members with an open top end and one or more openings in the bottom end and in the side of the member. Each tubular member is of smaller diameter than the column and is sealed to the inside of the column wall at the top end only. An annular space is thus defined between each tubular member and the inner column wall. In this structure the annular space functions as an upcomer or downcomer for passage of the solvent liquid through the column.

Abstract: In a specific application the apparatus of this invention is used to measure the density of cement slurries employed in oil well cementing operations. As the slurry stream is pumped to the bore hole it is split into two parts. One part of the stream is sent through a curved conduit section which is positioned horizontally. The remaining part of the stream travels through a curved conduit section which is in a vertical position. The slurry flow in the vertical conduit sets up a hydrostatic pressure differential between the streams. This pressure difference, which is sensed by a differential pressure indicator, is read directly as units of density on the indicator scale.

Abstract: Solid particles, such as medicinal preparations, are tested for resilience in a fluidizing apparatus. The test of this invention has several applications, such as predicting abrasion loss for particles which are to be coated in a fluidized bed coating operation, estimating abrasion loss for particles during shipping, and predicting disintegration rate of particles in fluids.

Abstract: Many chemical reactions involving high pressures are carried out in reactor or distillation vessels. As a safety feature, the vessel is usually connected into an alarm system designed to shut it down if an overpressure condition occurs. During a routine safety check of the alarm system the vessel is isolated from the system by manually closing a valve. Following the safety check, the valve must again be opened to connect the vessel into the system. Some situations may require that a valve be left in closed position following a safety check, or some other operation.The valve of this invention can only be closed or opened with a key member which engages the valve stem. The key is an integral part of the equipment carried by the technician who makes the safety check, so that the act of disengaging the key from the valve stem ensures that the valve is left in either open or closed position, as desired.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved cementing basket for use in cementing the borehole of oil wells or gas wells. In some of the conventional cementing baskets metal slats are used to form the rigid part of the basket petals. The basket of this invention utilizes a wire loop, such as steel spring wire, for the rigid member of the basket petal.

Abstract: The apparatus disclosed herein is useful for testing unconsolidated sand samples from oil-bearing or gas-bearing earth formations. Basically, the device comprises a cylinder equipped with opposing pistons. The sand sample is placed in the cylinder between the pistons and then compacted by moving the pistons toward each other. The force for moving the pistons is supplied by a fluid, such as air or hydraulic oil, which is injected under pressure into a chamber defined in the cylinder behind each piston. The compacted sample is then subjected to various test procedures involving permeability measurements, consolidation tests, and flow studies.

Abstract: Disclosed is a protective housing unit for a liquid sample container. Basic components include an outer housing member and an inner housing member, which are defined by cylindrical sections. The outer member has an open top, an opening in the side wall, and a bottom which connects to a drain line. Positioned within the outer member is a plate for supporting a liquid sample container, such as a bottle. The inner member has an open top, an open bottom, and an opening in the side wall. Also, the inner member is adapted to fit down into the outer member and to rotate within the outer member. A liquid sample is directed into the container through a fill pipe, which connects to an inlet line and which extends through the top of the inner member and down into the container. During filling, the sample container can be completely enclosed by rotating the inner member to mis-align the side wall openings in each member.