Abstract: The invention provides a fermentable feedstock of sustainable origin comprising a plant biomass thermal pressure hydrolysate, the biomass preferably being lignocellulosic. e.g., grass, straw or similar, to be processed alone or in conjunction with conventional starch/sugar containing crops to supplement or replace conventional arable crops in sugar and nutrient production for fermentation processes. The invention also provides a method of producing an incubatable feedstock for aerobic/anaerobic fermentation comprising subjecting plant biomass to thermal pressure hydrolysis in an autoclave using steam and agitation in an alkaline environment to achieve hydrolytic efficiencies of 85-95% at moderate temperatures of 130-150° C. that is superior to the prior art, recovering the hydrolysed product from the autoclave, and providing this as the incubatable feedstock that may involve solid separation and a saccharification phase prior to fermentation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for high pressure treatment of bulk material by extraction and/or impregnation may involve high pressure treating bulk material in a high pressure treatment volume of a pressure vessel apparatus at a high pressure level, especially high pressure in the range from 40 to 1000 bar. The method comprises at least the three following step sequences that are each controllable individually: pressurization, high pressure treatment, and depressurization. The high pressure treatment is performed in a continuous manner in the high pressure treatment volume. The high pressure treatment volume or the entire pressure vessel apparatus is in a fixed arrangement during the high pressure treatment. The continuity of the high pressure treatment is ensured solely by means of the high pressure treatment volume. This especially enables engineering optimization of high pressure treatment processes, for example extraction.

Abstract: A pump injection arrangement can inject a medium at least one process position into a high-pressure process, in particular at least two different pressure levels. The pump injection arrangement includes injection pump apparatuses for the medium and a regulating unit coupled to the injection pump apparatuses and configured for regulating the injection by at least two of the injection pump apparatuses. The pump injection arrangement is configured for synchronized regulation of the injection pump apparatuses with dependence on one another. At least two of the synchronously regulated injection pump apparatuses are double acting bidirectionally operating high-pressure pumps that are functionally coupled with at least single redundancy to the regulating unit such that pressure can be generated via at least two shafts and the pressurized medium can be made available for injection via a joint high-pressure conduit. In this way, advantageous pressure and pumping characteristics can be achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of high pressure treatment of bulk material by extraction and/or impregnation may involve treating bulk material in an internal volume of a pressure vessel apparatus at a high pressure level in a range from 40 to 1000 bar under isolation from the environment. The high pressure treatment may be performed charge-wise in a closed system in the pressure vessel apparatus in that the bulk material is supplied charge-wise to the internal volume with the pressure vessel apparatus closed and is positioned in at least one treatment plane. Upon completion of the high pressure treatment, the bulk material is discharged charge-wise from the internal volume with the pressure vessel apparatus closed. This also gives advantages in terms of handling, especially also with regard to material flow, and with regard to operational reliability.

Abstract: A method and a high-pressure system for determining a flow control variable of a fluid flow flowing through a high-pressure-side high-pressure pump outlet of a high-pressure pump are provided. An externally arranged ultrasonic measuring device measures a flow speed of a fluid flow flowing through a pipe of the high-pressure-side high-pressure pump outlet. A use of an ultrasonic measuring device is provided for determining a flow value to be achieved of a fluid flow flowing through a thick-walled pipe. The ultrasonic measuring device is arranged on the outside on the thick-walled pipe of the high-pressure pump outlet. The pipe has a ratio of the internal diameter to the external diameter of 1:1.5 to 1:5. The ultrasonic measuring device dynamically measures the flow speed of the fluid flow and transmits this measured flow speed to an evaluation unit to compute a current flow value and the flow control variable.

Abstract: A thermally activatable pressure relief device includes a housing having an inlet passage and an outlet passage. A receiving cavity in the housing connects the inlet passage and the outlet passage. A blocking element provided in the receiving cavity. The blocking element is movable between a blocking position and a release position and blocking a fluid flow from the inlet passage to the outlet passage in the blocking position and is released in a release position. The pressure relief valve also includes and a support member, such as a bursting member, which holds the blocking element in the blocking position. The inlet passage opens transversely to the direction of movement of the blocking element in a side wall of the receiving cavity in the region of a mouth section which, in the blocking position, is filled by the blocking element.

Abstract: A pump injection arrangement can inject a medium at least one process position into a high-pressure process, in particular at least two different pressure levels. The pump injection arrangement includes injection pump apparatuses for the medium and a regulating unit coupled to the injection pump apparatuses and configured for regulating the injection by at least two of the injection pump apparatuses. The pump injection arrangement is configured for synchronized regulation of the injection pump apparatuses with dependence on one another. At least two of the synchronously regulated injection pump apparatuses are double acting bidirectionally operating high-pressure pumps that are functionally coupled with at least single redundancy to the regulating unit such that pressure can be generated via at least two shafts and the pressurized medium can be made available for injection via a joint high-pressure conduit. In this way, advantageous pressure and pumping characteristics can be achieved.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the high-pressure treatment of bulk material by extraction and/or impregnation. The bulk material is arranged in the interior volume of a pressure vessel device and is treated at a high pressure while sealed off from the surroundings. The high-pressure treatment is performed batchwise in a closed system in the pressure vessel device in a pressure-tight fashion. The bulk material is fed batchwise to the interior volume with the pressure vessel device closed and being arranged on at least one treatment level and, after the high-pressure treatment has occurred, being discharged batchwise from the interior volume with the pressure vessel device closed. The invention furthermore relates to the use of a supporting tray module with at least one treatment level for the high-pressure treatment in a closed system.

Abstract: A method for testing a device under test includes the steps of applying a vacuum to an interior of the device under test. Pressurizing a predetermined portion on an exterior of the device under test with helium to detect a potential pressure leak. Utilizing a large pressure differential during the exterior testing of the device under test as compared to the vacuum applied during to the interior of the device under test. Detecting a potential leak in the device under test while leaving no residual helium in a wetted area of the device under test.

Abstract: A self contained battery operated pump assembly to be installed in fluid communication between a shower arm and a shower head includes a pump; a pump motor connected with the pump for, when energized, driving the pump; and a battery that is electrically connected with the pump motor for energizing the pump motor. An inlet fitting is in fluid communication with the pump for directing water from the shower arm to the pump, the inlet fitting being configured for connection with the shower arm. An outlet fitting is in fluid communication with the pump for directing water under pressure from the pump to the shower head, the outlet fitting being configured for connection with the shower head.

Abstract: A method for the autofrettage of a workpiece may involve arranging the workpiece between a first securing means and a second securing means, and applying high-pressure fluid to an internal volume of the workpiece that is formed between the first and second securing means. A die or ram may be driven into the internal volume through an inlet in the first securing means. Consequently, as a result of the ram being advanced, not only is a fluid pressure generated in the internal volume, but also the workpiece is mechanically autofrettaged by way of the ram. A device may be employed to perform such hydromechanical autofrettage of the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for high pressure treatment of bulk material by extraction and/or impregnation may involve high pressure treating bulk material in a high pressure treatment volume of a pressure vessel apparatus at a high pressure level, especially high pressure in the range from 40 to 1000 bar. The method comprises at least the three following step sequences that are each controllable individually: pressurization, high pressure treatment, and depressurization. The high pressure treatment is performed in a continuous manner in the high pressure treatment volume. The high pressure treatment volume or the entire pressure vessel apparatus is in a fixed arrangement during the high pressure treatment. The continuity of the high pressure treatment is ensured solely by means of the high pressure treatment volume. This especially enables engineering optimization of high pressure treatment processes, for example extraction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of high pressure treatment of bulk material by extraction and/or impregnation may involve treating bulk material in an internal volume of a pressure vessel apparatus at a high pressure level in a range from 40 to 1000 bar under isolation from the environment. The high pressure treatment may be performed charge-wise in a closed system in the pressure vessel apparatus in that the bulk material is supplied charge-wise to the internal volume with the pressure vessel apparatus closed and is positioned in at least one treatment plane. Upon completion of the high pressure treatment, the bulk material is discharged charge-wise from the internal volume with the pressure vessel apparatus closed. This also gives advantages in terms of handling, especially also with regard to material flow, and with regard to operational reliability.

Abstract: An apparatus for hydrostatic testing of items containing flanged openings and which items require periodic pressure testing, such as flanged pipe sections, flanged pipelines, flanged hose assemblies, as well as other flanged equipment requiring periodic pressure testing. The apparatus is clamp-like and is comprised of multiple circular plates that are designed and arranged to hold a blind flange against the flange of the item to be tested. One of the circular plates contains a circular cavity into which the blind flange can be stored when the apparatus is not in use.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a spring device with a piston and a housing into which the piston can be introduced in a movement direction. A cavity is formed between the piston and the housing, in which cavity a compressible solid body spring is arranged that consists of a solid body that can be compressed by the piston. At least one surface of the piston that faces the solid body spring is conical or concave. The disclosure furthermore concerns a securing device comprising such a spring device and the use thereof, in particular for a container closing plug.

Abstract: A self contained battery operated pump assembly to be installed in fluid communication between a shower arm and a shower head includes a pump; a pump motor connected with the pump for, when energized, driving the pump; and a battery that is electrically connected with the pump motor for energizing the pump motor. An inlet fitting is in fluid communication with the pump for directing water from the shower arm to the pump, the inlet fitting being configured for connection with the shower arm. An outlet fitting is in fluid communication with the pump for directing water under pressure from the pump to the shower head, the outlet fitting being configured for connection with the shower head.

Abstract: A method for testing a device under test includes the steps of applying a vacuum to an interior of the device under test. Pressurizing a predetermined portion on an exterior of the device under test with Helium to detect a potential pressure leak. Utilizing a large pressure differential during the exterior testing of the device under test as compared to the vacuum applied during to the interior of the device under test. Detecting a potential leak in the device under test while leaving no residual Helium in a wetted area of the device under test.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a low density, fibrous primary lignocellulose biomass, particularly straw for anaerobic digestion at large scale, i.e. >2 MWth, which comprises a step that greatly increasing the density of the straw through size reduction, moisture adjustment and compression ahead of loading and subsequent agitation of the resultant biomass in a pressure vessel through an atmosphere of saturated steam providing heat for thermal-pressure hydrolysis and recovering treated biomass from the vessel. The primary lignocellulose biomass may be prepared in admixture with secondary biomass which may be manure-based.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the high-pressure treatment of bulk material by extraction and/or impregnation. The bulk material is arranged in the interior volume of a pressure vessel device and is treated at a high pressure while sealed off from the surroundings. The high-pressure treatment is performed batchwise in a closed system in the pressure vessel device in a pressure-tight fashion. The bulk material is fed batchwise to the interior volume with the pressure vessel device closed and being arranged on at least one treatment level and, after the high-pressure treatment has occurred, being discharged batchwise from the interior volume with the pressure vessel device closed. The invention furthermore relates to the use of a supporting tray module with at least one treatment level for the high-pressure treatment in a closed system.

Abstract: An apparatus for hydrostatic testing of openings in items surrounded by a flange, such as flanged pipe sections, flanged pipelines, flanged hose assemblies, as well as other flanged equipment requiring initial and/or periodic pressure testing.