Abstract: An improved fluidized bed reactor having a reactor shell and at least one reactor subsystem within the shell, the reactor subsystem having a reaction chamber and a wall, the improvement comprising at least one fluidizing gas distributor associated with the reactor subsystem and positioned below the reaction chamber and supported by the wall, the distributor comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and a sidewall contiguous with the top and bottom portions to define an interior, a plurality of tuyeres attached to the top portion of the distributor to provide gaseous communication between the reaction chamber and the interior, and an inlet in the bottom portion for introducing a fluidizing gas to the interior.

Abstract: An improved fluidized bed reactor having a reactor shell and a reaction chamber within the shell, the reaction chamber having chamber walls and a chamber bottom portion, the improvement comprising at least one baffle disposed within the reaction chamber, the baffle comprising a pair of outer refractory walls, an inner refractory wall between and contiguous with the outer refractory walls, and a metallic reinforcement member embedded within the inner refractory wall, the inner and outer walls being attached to at least the chamber bottom portion.

Abstract: A shower system comprising a header having a fluid inlet port, a plurality of substantially vertically aligned spray nozzles attached consecutively to said header and arranged in a substantially arcuate formation, and a drive system for laterally reciprocating said header.

Abstract: A rotating drum filter assembly for thickening lime sludge includes a liquid jet distributor for directing liquid jets against a strip of lime sludge filter cake on the ascending side of the drum. The distributor is positioned on the ascending side of the drum and within 45.degree. of a vertical plane tangential to the drum peripheral surface. The liquid jets are directed so as to disperse the strip in a manner such that substantially all of the lime sludge comprising the strip remains on the drum. Cake wash water formed by water distributed from shower heads immediately refills the cleaned strip thereby minimizing loss of vacuum within the hollow drum interior.

Abstract: A method and system for introducing combustion gases to the upper portion of the dense phase or transition portion of a circulating fluidized bed reactor. The combustion gases are produced in a burner external to the dense phase portion of the reactor wherein the burner receives a mixture of liquid or gaseous fuel and air so as to initiate and maintain combustion within the burner. The combustion gases are then quenched prior to entering the dense phase portion of the reactor so as to reduce the temperature of the combustion gases thereby preventing overheating or sintering of the particulate and significant oxidation reduction in the dense phase portion of the reactor.

Abstract: A hard surfaced screw conveyor comprising a helical metal blade mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the helix and radially extending to an end surface, the blade defining at least one female formation therein having a substantially dovetail shape and a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the blade, and at least one wear-resistant member secured to the blade and having a portion radially extending beyond the end surface. The wear-resistant member defines a male formation that has a substantially dovetail shape and which is disposed within the female formation. The male and female formations may also be triangular, square, circular, or rectangular in shape.

Abstract: A clarifier comprising a tank, a feedwell, a cover and a raking structure. The cover is rotatably and sealingly engaged with the tank so as to prevent foul air within the tank from escaping into the atmosphere. The feed well and the raking structure are supported by and rotatable with the cover. The clarifier further includes a drive means for rotating the cover.

Abstract: The grit conveyance system of a classifier having a wash region above the liquid layer is provided with a vacuum means in the wash region for positive removal of liquids through a metal screen for disposal.

Abstract: A vertically oriented centrifuge swivably engaged to a support structure so as to enable the centrifuge to attain an optimal operational attitude. The centrifuge includes a bowl, a screw conveyor disposed within the bowl, a hub disposed within the upper portion of the screw conveyor wherein the screw conveyor and hub define a separation chamber, and a plurality of separating discs disposed in the separation chamber and arranged in superimposed layers upon the hub.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a screening device with a screening cartridge that consists of a cartridge frame and a flexible web of filter material that is stretched in the frame. In order to create a screening device in which both the screening cartridges as a whole as well as the filter cloth or the webs of filter material alone can be replaced very quickly and simply, the present invention proposes that the frame incorporate a groove that runs parallel to its periphery, the web of filter material being installed in the groove and held in place by means of a cord of elastic rubber material that is installed in the groove.

Abstract: Displacement washing of slurry body is provided in a centrifuge filter (peeler centrifuge) by introducing wash liquid along the inner surface of the drum while the drum is rotating. The wash liquid moves through the filter into the slurry body in a broad front to displace the mother liquor of the slurry body toward the axis of rotation of the drum. The mother liquor is removed by an overflow pipe or dip tube to a point outside the centrifuge filter for disposal.

Abstract: A flotation apparatus for floating minerals from fluid containing minerals in particulate form. The flotation apparatus includes a hydraulic motor directly connected to a drive shaft for driving a rotor located in the flotation cell, the hydraulic motor being powered by a hydraulic power pack having dual gear pumps to circulate hydraulic fluid at pressures of up to 2900 psi to drive the hydraulic motor. The dual gear pumps include a smaller gear pump for developing high pressure at low flow for quick, soft start of the flotation apparatus. Once started, the larger pump automatically takes over to provide high flow at lower pressure to develop rotor speed of approximately 160 RPM.

Abstract: A shower system for a screening machine or unit. The shower system includes a spray nozzle connected to a movement arm, a driver for longitudinally moving the movement arm in a reciprocal path, and an indexing system adapted to allow limited axial rotation of the movement arm at predetermined longitudinal positions of the movement arm.

Abstract: A clarifier tank having a center column is provided with a center-driven bottom rake mechanism for settled sludge removal, a rotating scum rake mechanism comprised of pipes with longitudinal openings for scum removal via the center column, the rake mechanisms rotating in the same or opposite directions at different speeds, and submerged effluent pipes projecting from the sidewall of the tank toward the center of the tank to drain the clarified sewage into an effluent launder exterior of the tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the discharge time of a fluid activated diaphragm pump. The control system regulates the discharge time, by measuring the discharge time and comparing the measured time with a predetermined desired discharge time. The control system includes, inter alia, a programmable logic controller, an upper and lower proximity switch, a target, a rod to hold the target, a pilot controlled pressure regulator, a set of digitally controlled solenoids which control a pilot valve, a solenoid, and a pressure switch. The rod is secured to the diaphragm of the diaphragm pump, and the proximity switches respond to the movement of the rod to detect the movement, or stroke, of the diaphragm. The pressure supplied to the diaphragm pump is automatically, and continuously, adjusted to maintain a desired discharge time.

Abstract: A screen assembly for use with a solids-liquid separation screen device that allows for simply replacement or adjustment of the screen assembly. The screen assembly includes an arcuately shaped screen held between pair of side panels. When installed, the screen assembly rest on a ledge formed on the inner walls of the solids-liquid separation device housing. The screen assembly is then securely held in position by a pair of clamps at the top of the screen and by a pair of springs at a lower rear portion of the screen.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved flotation cell design for the mining industry. The flotation cell includes a cylindrical froth flotation unit and a unique hexagonal overflow froth launder. The unique design optimizes the froth flotation process and allows for the economical utilization of a honeycomb nesting arrangement.

Abstract: High-rate washing centrifuges are employed in a corn wet milling process to accomplish displacement washing of the starch and a sharp classification into starch and gluten.

Abstract: A drum centrifuge has a housing, a drum in the housing, an axially extending outer foraminous side wall in the interior of the drum forming an outer chamber, and a transversely extending foraminous end wall in the drum forming a bypass chamber radially inward of the outer chamber. A suspension is fed to the interior of the drum while same is rotating so that the suspension is thrown centrifugally against the outer wall and separates into a radially outer body of filter cake having an inner surface and a radially inner body of liquid sitting on the inner surface. A drainage chamber is formed at the end wall and a drain passage extends between the drainage chamber and the outer chamber while a bypass passage extends between the drain chamber and the bypass chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of qualitative and quantified monitoring of the instant local physical state of a substantially incompressible fluid material such as a liquid or pasty substance (for instance slurry or pulp) and a device for carrying out this method and the various applications and uses resulting from the working of the method and/or device for the automatic control of said physical state. The invention is also directed to the various equipment and systems provided with at least one such device.