Abstract: In conjunction with the face mining of bituminous coal, previously excavated or some portions of the tunnel are collapsed in a manner to form a mass of debris into which a mixture of electrostatic filter ash and water is injected to stabilize the structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of strengthening geological formations in underground workings or mines by introducing reaction mixtures containing a polyisocyanate component (a), a polyol component (b) and optionally auxiliary agents and additives (c) into the formation which is required to be strengthened and reacting the mixtures to form polyurethanes, wherein polyol component (b) contains mixtures of (i) organic polyhydroxyl compounds having a hydroxyl number of about 100 to 800 and (ii) monovalent alcohols having a molecular weight of 32 to about 600, component (ii) being present in an amount of about 0.01 to 20% by weight, based on the total quantity of component (b).

Abstract: In a process for the separation of the water resulting during coking in a small salt-rich fraction and a large salt-poor fraction, the crude gas, after being cooled in the condenser is directed through an electrofilter, prior to entering the primary coolers. Thereby, the condensate resulting from the condenser and the discharge of the electrofilter are united in the tar separator, while the condensate of the primary coolers is partially returned to the condenser circuit and the balance is the salt-poor fraction. Oppositely thereto, the aqueous phase of the tar separator is further treated as the salt-rich fraction. After exiting the electrofilter, the crude gas can be fractionally cooled also in several primary coolers.

Abstract: To determine the load distribution over the drilling head region of mining machines or roadheading machines the loads occurring at the individual roller drilling tools and simultaneously also the rotational running condition of the roller drilling tools are determined by determining the tangential deformations occurring at one of the races of a roller bearing associated with each tool. For this purpose, a measuring point with a strain gauge is associated with each roller bearing, that is, with either the outer race or the inner race of the bearing. With only this single measuring point, information is obtained on the magnitude of the load on the roller drilling tool and on its rotational running condition, this taking place via a great number of pulses per revolution. As a result, substantially more accurate information is obtained, as well as a simplification of the device from the constructional point of view, in comparison to prior devices.

Abstract: A tension regulator for a chain drive has a sensor positioned and attached adjacent the chain, preferably to chain guides for the chain which allow some free play for the chain, a logical switching unit connected to the sensor which signals when the chain configuration changes, particularly when the distance from the sensor to the chain changes, and a tension control connected to the logical switching unit. The logical switching unit signals and controls the tension control of the chain drive so that the chain tension is maintained at a preset value. Preferably the tension control comprises a telescoping cylinder about which the chain is mounted and an apparatus which extends or retracts the telescoping cylinder thus controlling chain tension. The sensor is preferably an electrical source which provides an oscillating, directed magnetic field.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for investigating subterranean boreholes especially in bituminous coal mining. Optical fiber cables carry light for illuminating the hole into the latter and an image of the wall of the borehole from the latter to an evaluating means external of the borehole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for power and/or heat generation from fuels. The fuel is fed to a combustion chamber and a pressurized gaseous oxidizing agent is fed to the combustion chamber to fire the fuel in a fluidized bed. The smoke gases coming from the fluidized bed are cooled, purified in a purifier such as an electrostatic filter, reheated in a heat exchanger immersed into the fluidized bed and fed to the gas turbine. The exhaust gas from the gas turbine is fed to a recuperator for gaining the residual thermal energy and is then released through a chimney. The cooling of the smoke gas can be achieved by adding compressed air to the smoke gas stream or by introduction, e.g. into the upper half of the combustion chamber of a water or steam operated heat exchanger.

Abstract: The manufacture of extended, inaccessible holes for underground ducts, conduits and the like is performed by a closed construction process, wherein the preferably remotely-controlled excavation is performed and following that a structure is installed which is employed as the product duct, conduit or the like. The installed structure is provided by injection of an injection material under pressure into an annular space between a form following the excavating apparatus and the ground to manufacture at least one endless inner wall for the hole which then serves as the underground duct, conduit or the like. The novel apparatus of this invention correspondingly comprises a form following the required excavation mechanism conformed to form an annular space between the form and the ground, that form having a form front closing the form and at least one inlet therein for injection of an injection material into the annular space.

Abstract: A rock bolt stabilizer device which can be arranged in boreholes for stabilizing rock and similar host environments in mining and tunneling. The device is adapted to perform the function of a rigid profile anchor under predetermined stress conditions, and is also adapted to perform the function of an expansion anchor under given stress conditions. The device generally comprises an anchor member with mix end which can be secured near the base of the respective borehole by means of a cementitious composition. For tensioning, the other end of the anchor member can carry a bearing plate, a spacer, and a fastener for tensioning. The device also includes a sleeve which performs the function of a rigid anchor, and the sleeve substantially surrounds the anchor member. An increased armoring and anchoring efficiency is achieved with the device.

Abstract: A sampling device for solids from a pressure reactor includes a housing which is connected to the reactor and accommodates a tube with its one end opening into the reactor. Movable within the tube is a sampling piston which is provided with gas-impermeable piston rings. To withdraw solids from the reactor, the piston is moved into the reactor such that the forward piston ring projects into the chamber of the reactor and is then retracted with a solids sample arranged in between the piston rings. The piston is moved to an opening of the tube so that the solids sample can be discharged to the outside.

Abstract: Glowing coke descending through a cooling duct in a coking plant is quenched by two gas flows respectively traversing an upper compartment and a lower compartment of the duct, the two compartments meeting at a restricted gate for the passage of the coke. At least the lower gas flow, passing in countercurrent to the descending coke charge, is also circulated through a drying and preheating oven for coal to be fed to a coke-oven battery of the plant, thus containing some water vapor. When the upper flow is also constituted by coal-drying gas, it is passed downward through the upper compartment in order to reduce the height of a high-temperature zone in which combustion and thus loss of coke could occur. The coke gate is formed by a funnel-shaped upper partition and an upwardly pointing conical lower partition between which a scavenger gas passes in cross-flow.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for the regeneration of adsorbent particles containing carbon in which the particles are introduced into downwardly moving shafts of a fluidized quartz sand bed spaced along a regenerator and are then deflected downwardly at the bottoms of the shaft by rhomboidal guide segments. The regenerated particles are withdrawn in a gas stream from above the bed and the gas is separated from the particles.

Abstract: A dirigible drilling head is provided with a hydraulic pulser in its rotating inner tube in the form of a spindle piston which can obstruct the flushing medium passage and is displaced by a hydraulic circuit including a hydraulic valve. The hydraulic valve is in turn actuated by a miniature electronic circuit so that a variety of input parameters from respective sensors can be delivered to the circuit and transformed into respective hydraulic pulses which are monitored by a differential pressure pickup connected to the line feeding the flushing liquid to the string.

Abstract: An amplitude ratio and phase-difference analysis can be carried out with a measured object provided with a measured branch which is divided from a reference branch from a supply oscillator. The measured branch has 2.sup.n switching combinations of phase shifters which are decoupled from one another and operated by a controller. The branches then feed a mixer and through a band-pass filter calculating circuit for determining the relative amplitude and phase which can be displayed on a register.

Abstract: Solids from a liquid containing heavy metals are filtered by first degassing the solids-laden liquid and then subjecting the degassed liquid to sedimentation to remove large particles and subsequently intermediate size particles. The suspension of fine particles is then passed in counterflow to a moving bed of granulate, especially black peat, to which the particles tend to adhere externally and internally. Clear liquid is removed from the top of the moving bed and the granulate is washed after being withdrawn from the bottom of the bed and is recycled to the moving bed.

Abstract: A fluid coupling interposed between an induction motor and a load has an impeller and a turbine together defining a working chamber connected via radially inward and radially outward passages with a delay chamber on the impeller side of a corotating housing. The two sets of passages are selectively blockable by shutters that are controlled by an evaluator, inserted in a space between the motor and load shafts, which also accommodates a power supply consisting of one or more batteries. The evaluator responds to several sensors, measuring such parameters as motor torque, load speed and acceleration, to drain or refill the working chamber.

Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption with increased recovery of a highly adsorbable product gas component is carried out with a cycling in which, during the flushing phase, and at least over the latter portion thereof, the flushing gas has a concentration in the product gas component which is substantially equal to that of the product gas. To further increase the yield and the concentration of the product gas component in the product gas, the pressure in the absorber is reduced over a time period between the termination of the adsorption phase and the beginning of the desorption phase, with the effluent gas during this reduction in pressure being reused in the pressure swing adsorption cycle.

Abstract: A process for the production of small quantities of nitrogen from a supply of compressed air. The process uses a carbon molecular sieve to preferentially remove oxygen so that a nitrogen stream containing less than 10 vpm of oxygen can be provided.

Abstract: A simple, inexpensive method of inerting transport containers, particularly for goods which easily spoil in the air, such as foodstuffs, plants and flowers, by a gas which contains nitrogen and a predetermined concentration of up to about 5 vol.

Abstract: A process of and apparatus for producing oxygen with a low fraction of argon from a gaseous medium like air, in which a gaseous medium is introduced into a first adsorption unit to produce an intermediate gas enriched with oxygen and depleted of argon. The intermediate gas is then supplied to a second adsorption unit in which the final product gas is prepared as well as a by-product which is returned into the process. Each of the adsorption units includes at least two adsorbers operating in a working cycle wherein the working cycle of the adsorbers of the second unit lasts about twice as long as the working cycle of the adsorbers of the first unit. For allowing an evacuation of each adsorber and thus a regeneration thereof, a common vacuum pump is connected to each unit in such a manner that the regeneration of the adsorbers of the second unit is temporarily interrupted when one of the adsorbers of the first unit is evacuated.