Abstract: A method for producing powders that consist of substantially spherical particles from a material such as glass, ceramics or plastic that produces a highly viscous melt that solidifies at a glass transition temperature Tg or at a solidification temperature Ts. The inventive method comprises the following steps: (a) producing a melt of a viscosity ? in the range of from 0.1 to 100 Ns/m2; (b) atomizing the melt using a first gas, the first gas having a temperature TA?Tg or ?0.5Ts at the outlet of the nozzle and (c) cooling off the particles produced by atomization in a cooling section downstream of the nozzle using a coolant, the temperature of the coolant being smaller than Ts or Tg.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating biogenic residues, especially cafeteria leftovers, meat refuse, clarification sludge, organic industrial wastes and the like, wherein the residues are subjected to temperature pressure hydrolysis. In order to obtain a higher flow rate for residues using a small apparatus, the invention provides that temperature pressure hydrolysis is carried out in a cylindrical section in a first direction and in an external radial section in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the operation of a regenerator, hot and cold gas being repeatedly passed through a bulk material 4 with a maximum particle diameter Dmax which is received in the annular space 1 between a substantially cylindrical hot grid 3 and a cold grid 4 surrounding the latter, and at least one discharge opening 16 being provided in the bottom B of the annular space 1 for discharging the bulk material 4. To increase the service life of the regenerator, it is proposed according to the invention that a predetermined amount of bulk material 4 is discharged during or after the passing-through of hot gas, so that a compressive stress exerted by the bulk material 4 on the hot grid 3 and cold grid 4 is reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the operation of a regenerator, hot and cold gas being repeatedly passed through a bulk material 4 with a maximum particle diameter D.sub.max which is received in the annular space 1 between a substantially cylindrical hot grid 3 and a cold grid 4 [sic] surrounding the latter, and at least one discharge opening 16 being provided in the bottom B of the annular space 1 for discharging the bulk material 4. To increase the service life of the regenerator, it is proposed according to the invention that a predetermined amount of bulk material 4 is discharged during or after the passing-through of hot gas, so that a compressive stress exerted by the bulk material 4 on the hot grid 3 and cold grid 4 [sic] is reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a stream of material includes an impeller shaft; an impeller wheel secured to the impeller shaft; a first roller bearing having an inner race receiving and supporting the impeller shaft; a drive motor having an output shaft; a first gear secured to the output shaft; a second gear secured to the impeller shaft; and a third gear meshing with the first and second gears, whereby the drive motor is drivingly connected to the impeller shaft by the first, second and third gears for rotating the impeller shaft with a predetermined rpm. The stream of material is directed onto the impeller wheel, whereby a braking torque is applied to the impeller wheel by the stream of material impinging thereon.