Abstract: A first stage chamber has upwardly diverging walls so that an upward airstream has different air velocities at different heights in the chamber. When particles such as seeds are fed homogeneously along the chamber top length, they reach equilibrium at different heights depending on their weights and volatilities. The particles suspended and classified at different heights are conveyed by a horizontal airstream in parallel horizontal channels toward a chamber side wall, where they are removed by suction. Ribbed sections adjacent to the channels divide the chamber into deviating cascaded pathways, where the upward air velocity is homogenized and an opposite horizontal airstream conveys falling particles toward the side wall opposite to that on which the particles are removed, to thereby homogenize the spread of particles in the chamber. Light trash is removed through a convergent top section toward a cyclone. Heavy particles not suspended in the chamber are collected and removed at the chamber bottom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating solids from liquid containing same comprises a conical-mesh which rotates within a casing about a vertical axis with the mesh walls upwardly diverging. A liquid-solid slurry is introduced to the center of the mesh at a top inlet. Stationary wiper arms in the center of the mesh, along with fluid pressure inside the mesh, pumping effect of the rotating blades, gravity force on the slurry and tangential pump suction at the bottom drive the liquid out through the mesh, while the solid material passes down through a central outlet opening in the bottom of the mesh.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for drying particulate materials such as seeds and grains in which an air dryer having at least one drying stage is accompanied by means to create an upwardly vertical air flow having a velocity in the mesh openings at least equal or larger than the suspension speed of the particles to be dried so that they are temporarily suspended until enough accumulate to provide sufficient weight or downward pressure for the particles to overcome the upward air flow, pass downward through one or more mesh screens and reach the bottom of the dryer. The present invention also relates to a method and apparatus for effecting chemical and/or physical reactions.

Abstract: A chamber has upwardly diverging walls so that an upward airstream has different air speeds at different heights in the chamber. When particles such as seeds are put into the chamber, they reach equilibrium at different heights depending on their weights. A horizontal conveyor airstream, much less in magnitude than the upward airstream, directs the classified-by-height particles to a side wall of the chamber, where they are removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating solids from liquid containing same comprises a cylindrical casing within which a rotor assembly or block having a conicalmesh rotates about a vertical axis with the mesh walls upwardly diverging. A liquid-solid slurry is introduced tangentially to the inside of the mesh at a top inlet. Stationary wiper arms inside the mesh remove the solids from the mesh as it rotates. Fluid pressure inside the mesh, pumping effect of the rotating blades, gravity force on the slurry and particularly tangential pump suction at the bottom of the casing, drive the liquid out through the mesh, while the solid material is expelled vertically downwards through a central outlet opening in the bottom of the mesh.

Abstract: A chamber has upwardly diverging walls so that an upward airstream has different air speeds at different heights in the chamber. When particles such as seeds are put into the chamber, they reach equilibrium at different heights depending on their weights. A horizontal conveyor airstream, much less in magnitude than the upward airstream, directs the classified-by-height particles to a side wall of the chamber, where they are removed.