Abstract: A method of operating a filter press for solid-liquid separation of a product, the filter press comprising a press jacket with an end, and a ram in the press jacket and movable relative to the end to define a pressing space. The method comprising loading a product to be pressed in the pressing space; positioning the ram in a start position so that the product only partially fills the pressing space; advancing the ram, during a first phase of a forward movement, from the start position to a full contact position where the volume of the pressing space becomes equal to a volume of the product; and advancing the ram toward the end from the full contact position during a second phase of the forward movement, the ram exerting no pressure on the product during the first phase but exerting pressure on the product during the second phase to press liquid phase out of the product. At the full contact position, the ram is advanced at a forward velocity lower than an average forward velocity over the first phase.

Abstract: A drying system includes a drying cabinet having a plurality of horizontally heating plates, and a cleaning device which can be inserted into the interior of the cabinet. The cleaning device includes a carrier supported on the interior bottom of the drying cabinet and having a duct and a plurality of horizontal support arms with a cavity being fastened to the carrier, each cavity communicating with the duct. A support arm is arranged above each of the heating plates. Each of the support arms is outfitted with a spray arm which is rotatable horizontally around an axis A. Each spray arm has a quantity of nozzles. In addition, the carrier and the drying cabinet have means through which a cleaning agent can be supplied to the duct.

Abstract: A method of operating a filter press for solid-liquid separation of a product, the filter press comprising a press jacket with an end, and a ram in the press jacket and movable relative to the end to define a pressing space. The method comprising loading a product to be pressed in the pressing space; positioning the ram in a start position so that the product only partially fills the pressing space; advancing the ram, during a first phase of a forward movement, from the start position to a full contact position where the volume of the pressing space becomes equal to a volume of the product; and advancing the ram toward the end from the full contact position during a second phase of the forward movement, the ram exerting no pressure on the product during the first phase but exerting pressure on the product during the second phase to press liquid phase out of the product. At the full contact position, the ram is advanced at a forward velocity lower than an average forward velocity over the first phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a diafiltration stage for concentrated fruit juices, comprising a cross-flow filtration element (1). The product inlet (2) and the product outlet (3) of the filtration element (1) are united via a circulation pump (5) to form a product circuit, to which product is continuously supplied via a product supply line (6) and from which product can be continuously removed via a product discharge line (8). The permeate outlet (4) of the filtration element (1) is connected to the product circuit via a return line (1) comprising a permeate pump (13), enabling a desired amount of permeate to be returned to the product circuit. In addition, the stage comprises a wash-fluid supply line (10) that is equipped with a wash-fluid pump (12), which is used to supply a desired amount of water to the product circuit as wash fluid. The supplied amounts of permeate and water can be set independently of one another.

Abstract: A membrane module for a device used to separate substance mixtures in a cross current method includes a number of tubular membranes which encircle, at least in sections, a common axis in an essentially helical manner and which are provided for forming an essentially disk shaped module. At least two of the tubular membranes encircle a common spiral axis in a helical manner, the membranes being preferably twisted like a cable, at least along the progression of a part of their essentially helical encircling in order to form a tubular membrane strand.

Abstract: A tearing mill for comminuting fruits is equipped with a rotatably supported plate having tearing elements And with a stuffing device with a feed screw for delivering the fruits to the plate. A gap of adjustable width exists between the stuffing device and the plate. By means of an independent control of the gap and the rotational speed of the feed screw and plate, a mash structure of the comminuted fruits is achieved which is well adapted to the type of fruits and to subsequent processing of the mash.

Abstract: A tearing mill for comminuting fruits (3) is equipped with a tearing bed (15) with tearing elements (4) and delivery vanes (5) for the fruits (3). Directly upstream of the tearing elements (4) in terms of the delivery direction (v), openings (16) for the comminuted pieces of fruit (8) are disposed in the tearing bed (15). As a result, low mechanical stress on the comminuted product (8) and a small proportion of fine particles are achieved, which improves the yield and output in an ensuing juice extraction operation.

Abstract: A fast-action coupler for coupling a first tubular component (1) to a second tubular component (2) includes a spring wire (8) as a retaining unit. The spring wire (8) is secured to the second component (2) and with its end part (12) is resiliently fixed in a locking position for a retaining part (6) on the first component (1). The end part (12) can also be unlocked simply and even from relatively great distances, counter to the spring force of the spring wire (8), by rotation of a tool (19).

Abstract: In a diaphragm (3) of a diaphragm press for separating liquid and solid materials by action of a pressure medium on the materials (7) via the diaphragm (3), the functions of sealing and retention are separated. This is accomplished by a dual embodiment of the diaphragm (3) in the form of a substantially sealing diaphragm seal (14) and a substantially retaining diaphragm carrier (13). A force transmission from drainage elements (6) in the press chamber (4) of a pressing vessel (1) of the diaphragm press to the diaphragm (3) can be accomplished by the diaphragm carrier (13) in a manner that treats the material gently. This substantially improves the service life of the diaphragm (3).

Abstract: The method relates to bringing about a mixed state of at least two fluids in a second part (34) of a line, which have flowed through a first part (32) of this line. This is attained in that a fractional flow of the fluids is withdrawn from the second part (34) of the line at a point (43), and this fractional flow is resupplied to the second part (34) of the line at a different point (45). A employment to avoid clogs in modules in a crossflow filtration system is described, along with apparatuses for performing the employment.

Abstract: The method relates to the operation of a cross-flow filtration installation for a product. This installation includes a filtration module (6), a pipeline (3) for the inflow of the product, a pipeline (9) for removing the product, a pump (4) with an electric motor (12) for recirculating the product, and a control valve (5′) for setting the conveying flow (Q1) of the pump (4). In order to make possible the maximally possible filtration output, based on the installation, along with a high proportion of solids of the product, without endangering operational safety by means of overloads, the strength of the operating current (i1) of the electric motor (12) is measured. The operating current (i1) is adjusted to a maximally, permissible value via a regulator (20) by setting the conveying flow (Q1) of the pump (4) by adjusting the flow control valve (5′).

Abstract: In a conveyor device having a conveyor belt revolving around at least two rollers, in which at least one of the rollers is held rolatably on a rotary bearing, and is displaceable at least partly in the axial direction relative to the rotary bearing, it is proposed that a rotary bearing be used that has a bearing part that is rotatable about the axis of the roller held thereon; the roller held on the rotary bearing is provided with a structural component that penetrates the rotary bearing and is coupled in a manner fixed against relative rotation to the bearing part and is displaceable in the axial direction relative to the bearing part.

Abstract: The system comprises a number of membrane modules (21), each one containing one or a bundle of several membrane tubules. The membrane modules (21) are connected on behind the other in series (passes) (43 to 48), which lie in horizontal planes. Several series (passes) (43 to 48) lie vertically on top of each other. Vertically extending collection lines (261, 49, 271) are arranged for the supply to, or respectively the removal of the medium to be filtered from the series (passes) (43 to 48). The arrangement offers a particularly simple assembly.

Abstract: The membrane module includes tube membranes (6), which are arranged in the membrane module in coiled, curved form (8). As a result, a greater total membrane surface area per unit of volume, simplified assembly, and processing of material mixtures with a high solid proportion are all attained. The modules are arranged to facilitate cross flow filtration over membrane surfaces disposed between a supply conduit manifold and a discharge conduit manifold. Optionally, the coils are aligned in parallel and are in coaxial relation to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling a hydraulic elevator, in which a car (2) is movable up and down in an elevator shaft (1). The car (2) is connected to a reciprocating piston. The car (2) is driven by an oil pump (40), with which pressurized oil is pumped between a tank (41) and a reciprocating cylinder (3). The oil pump (40) is driven by a motor (39), which is supplied by a controllable power supply part (28). The speed of the car (2) is detected by a sensor (13). A control and governing unit (10) controls and regulates the devices that affect the motion of the car (2), namely the motor (39) and a valve unit (43). In upward motion, the speed of the car (2) is controlled by regulation the motor (39). According to the invention, in downward motion, closed- or open-loop control is exerted on the valve unit (43).

Abstract: The process for flushing filtration modules of a cross flow filtration device is carried out in a unit that is used for the clarification of liquids in a retentate circulation circuit. When the unit is shut down, for example as the result of a power failure, filtration modules are flushed free of solid particles by the supply of an addition of flushing agent that increases over time and/or geometrically into the retentate side of the cross flow filtration device. As a result, the danger of clogging of the filtration modules is largely avoided.

Abstract: The system includes a number of membrane modules (1-8), each including one membrane tube or a bundle of a plurality of membrane tubes, whose walls have the function of separating membranes, as well as a tubular module housing for receiving the membrane tubes. Each membrane tube (1-8) has one connecting flange (20, 21) each for delivering and removing the retentate, as well as four further laterally disposed connecting flanges (22-25) for removing the permeate. These connecting flanges (22-25) retain the membrane modules (1-8) in self-supporting fashion in their group.

Abstract: A product tray (3) has a bottom (7), which is improved in respect to heat transfer between a heating plate (8) and the product (9). The bottom (7) is made of a flexible, thin, heat-resistant material. It therefore can make a good form fit to the heating plate (8) under good heat contact, in particular when weighted down by the product (9).

Abstract: For thickening a retentate by means of membrane filtration (ultra-/micro-filtration) to obtain the highest possible wet sludge proportion, a gaseous medium is admixed with the retentate. To this end an open feed line (13) above the retentate level (14), a porous ring (17) in the retentate, or a simple line connection (19, 20, 28, 29) in a tank (6) are proposed. A number of advantages accrue as a result of the lowering of the viscosity of the retentate achieved in this way, such as savings of energy for retentate recirculation, efficient installations because of longer series or passes of filtration modules, and savings in squeezing installations because of the direct filtration with high solid components.

Abstract: To thicken remaining residues in ultrafiltration or microfiltration for clarifying fruit juices, systems having membrane module groups (1, 2, 3) connected in series are used in the cross flow process with a residue circuit. The groups (1, 2, 3) can be individually switched on or off in succession, depending upon the present thickening gradient of the residue in the residue feed stream. By operating a suitable number of groups (1, 2, 3), an operationally favorable working pressure is kept constant at the membrane modules until as great as possible a desired value of the thickening gradient of the residue is reached. In this way, an improvement of the overall capacity of filtration systems is achieved.