Abstract: A method and system for filtering cooking oil in cooking vessels is disclosed. In accordance with the method and system, there is provided a collection vessel for collecting filtered oil, a filter member for filtering contaminants and particulate matter from the cooking oil, and a centrifugal pump apparatus which includes an impeller, an impeller discharge, and a flexible conduit having an inlet end connected to the impeller discharge and an outlet end. The filter member is supported in relation to the collection vessel so as to be in position to receive oil to be filtered, and then to discharge filtered oil into the collection vessel. The centrifugal pump apparatus is adapted to be placed directly in the cooking vessel so that at least the impeller thereof is in direct contact with the oil to be filtered, and the outlet end of the flexible conduit is arranged to be in position to discharge oil pumped therethrough into the filter member.

Abstract: Distillative separations of hydrocarbon feed mixtures containing at least methane and carbon dioxide, as well as other components, such as ethane, higher hydrocarbons, and hydrogen sulfide are disclosed. In the separations described, methane is preferably separated from an acid gas under conditions of composition, temperature and pressure which would normally produce acid gas solids. Acid gas solids are prevented by adding a liquid solids-preventing agent into this distillation column. A second distillation column is subsequently employed to further separate the feed gas mixture. The second distillation column is operated under conditions which an azeotrope would normally form between the light hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide, which azeotrope would limit the carbon dioxide overhead composition. The azeotrope is prevented by introducing an agent for preventing azeotrope formation. Alternatively, the second distillation column may be operated to separate carbon dioxide from hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: An improvement in a Ryan/Holmes separation of methane from carbon dioxide is disclosed wherein the upper portion of a distillation column is operated, i.e., -70.degree. F., while still effectuating a separation of methane from carbon dioxide. This is achieved by increasing the amount of nonpolar liquid agent added to the condenser of the column to an amount sufficient to maintain the condenser and all portions of the column above such temperatures.

Abstract: A filter bag is provided with an integral flap for agitating a liquid which is being filtered to thereby inhibit particulate matter from collecting on the filter bag and clogging it during a filtering operation.

Abstract: A flue gas dry scrubbing system achieves higher sulfur dioxide removal efficiency with a better utilization of alkali reagent chemicals as well as increased dry product recovery performance using a combination of spray drying with an alkali reagent slurry and with a recycled stream comprising a mixture of unreacted alkali, sulfite and sulfate reaction products and flyash which directly contacts the sulfur dioxide-containing flue gas. Preferably the recycled mixture contacts the flue gas in the spray dryer. The invention utilizes a splitting method and a splitter apparatus wherein the particle product powder is separated into two fractions for recycling and for product disposal. The rate of splitting is fully adjustable over a wide range.

Abstract: A method for the distillative separation of a feed stream containing light hydrocarbons and acid gas components in a distillative column into an enriched overhead product, such as a carbondioxide fraction, and an enriched bottom product of C.sub.2 + and hydrogen sulfide, the method which comprises: introducing a liquid alkane additive into the column, to provide a relatively uniform, constant temperature zone in the column above the point of feed inlet of the feed stream; extracting heat from the upper portion of the low-temperature zone; and introducing heat into the lower portion of the temperature zone approximately at or above the feed inlet of the feed stream, to reduce the energy requirement of the distillation.

Abstract: An improved method for the distillation of a feed stream containing hydrocarbon components, which method is directed toward the production of a bottom product stream and an overhead product stream, both with desired specifications, which method comprises recycling a minor portion of the bottom product stream typically, but not necessarily, derived from said separation directly to a reflux condenser for the overhead product stream of said method, in order to effect a savings in energy in said distillative method, such as by adjusting the column operating conditions, such as the column operating pressure or the top or bottom operating temperatures of said column.

Abstract: Radioactive waste treatment apparatus in which the waste is burned in a controlled combustion process, the ash residue from the combustion process is removed and buried, the gaseous effluent is treated in a scrubbing solution the pH of which is maintained constant by adding an alkaline compound to the solution while concurrently extracting a portion of the scrubbing solution, called the blowdown stream. The blowdown stream is fed to the incinerator where it is evaporated and the combustibles in the blowdown stream burned and the gaseous residue sent to the scrubbing solution. Gases left after the scrubbing process are treated to remove iodides and are filtered and passed into the atmosphere.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electrostatic precipitator with a discharge electrode having dimensional and configuration characteristics which provide high field strength and high current density particularly in a wet electrostatic precipitator. The round cylindrical collector tube of length (L) and with an inner diameter (D) has a coaxially positioned discharge electrode having an electrode supporting mast of a diameter from 0.25 to 0.40 D with an electrically conducting closed screw flight secured to the mast. The screw flight has an overall diameter (d) of from 0.33 to 0.67 D with a pitch of from D-d/2 to D-d and an overall length of from one screw revolution to L-(D-d), preferably one-half L or less and most preferably one to two revolutions. The short screw flight is economical and readily adjusted. The screw flight has a thickness of from about 0.05 to 0.15 inch and has a symmetrically curved outer edge.

Abstract: An improvement in a Ryan/Holmes separation of methane from carbon dioxide is disclosed wherein the upper portion of a distillation column is operated at temperatures above the triple point of carbon dioxide, i.e., -70.degree. F., while still effectuating a separation of methane from carbon dioxide. This is achieved by increasing the amount of non-polar liquid agent added to the condenser of the column to an amount sufficient to maintain the condenser and all portions of the column at such temperatures.

Abstract: A distillative separation of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide is improved by adding a C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkane, a mixture of C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkanes, SO.sub.2 or SO.sub.3 to a distillation column to increase the relative volatility of carbon dioxide to hydrogen sulfide. Increasing the relative volatility facilitates the separation.

Abstract: A system and process for flue gas processing to remove both gaseous contaminants such as sulfur dioxide and particulate matter such as flyash integrates spray scrubbing apparatus and wet electrostatic precipitation apparatus and provides for the advantageous extraction and utilization of heat present in the flue gas which is being processed. The integrated system and process utilizes a spray scrubbing tower into which the flue gas is introduced and into which aqueous alkali slurry is introduced as spray for sulfur dioxide removal therein. The flue gas leaves the tower moisture laden and enters a wet electrostatic precipitator which includes a heat exchanger where flyash and entrained droplets in the flue gas are removed by electrostatic precipitation and heat is removed from the flue gas. The cleaned flue gas exits from the precipitator and discharges into a stack. The heat removed from the flue gas finds use in the system or otherwise in the steam generation plant.

Abstract: An improved distillative separation of carbon dioxide and light hydrocarbons is disclosed in which the formation of an azeotrope between these components is prevented by addition of an agent to said distillation column and in which prevention of the azeotrope allows a more complete separation to be achieved.

Abstract: A method and composition for a determination of alkaline materials such as soap in fat are disclosed. In the disclosed method, a predetermined amount of a test solution containing a solvent and a dye is mixed with fat; the fat and test solution are allowed to separate into two phases; and the color developed in one of the phases is compared with a known standard to determine the amount of alkaline materials in the fat. A test solution and test kit for performing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A flue gas dry scrubbing process and system achieves higher sulfur dioxide removal efficiency with a better utilization of alkali reagent chemicals as well as increased dry product recovery performance using a combination of spray drying with an alkali reagent slurry and with a recycled stream comprising a mixture of unreacted alkali, sulfite and sulfate reaction products and flyash which directly contacts the sulfur dioxide-containing flue gas. Preferably the recycled mixture contacts the flue gas in the spray dryer. The invention utilizes a splitting method and a splitter apparatus wherein the particle product powder is separated into two fractions for recycling and for product disposal. The rate of splitting is fully adjustable over a wide range.

Abstract: A method of eliminating solids formation in a cryogenic distillative separation of acid gases from methane is disclosed. This method comprises adding a solids-preventing agent to the solids potential zone of the distillation column. Typical solids-preventing agents are one or more C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alkanes, or other nonpolar liquids which are miscible with methane at the column conditions. The elimination of solids formation permits a more complete separation to be achieved.

Abstract: A system for processing hot flue gas to remove both gaseous contaminants such as sulfur dioxide and particulate matter such as flyash integrates spray scrubbing apparatus and wet electrostatic precipitation apparatus and provides for the advantageous extraction and utilization of heat present in the flue gas. The integrated system utilizes a spray scrubbing tower and a wet electrostatic precipitator which includes a portion constructed as a cross flow heat exchanger with flue gas saturated with water vapor moving vertically upwards inside tubes arranged in a staggered pattern and ambient air being pulled horizontally across the outside of those tubes to cool the tube walls and thereby remove heat from the flue gas and cause condensation of water vapor on the inside wall surfaces. The condensate washes the electrostatically collected flyash particles down from the inside tube walls.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fly ash utilization system and process for the removal of sulfur dioxide from the flue gas of coal fired boilers. The principal features of the invention are the maintaining of high ionic concentration in a closed loop, water balanced system which is operated at a low pH, i.e. less than 4 and preferably less than 3. The ionic concentration of the scrubber slurry is maintained at at least 5,000 parts per million of alkali metal cations, preferably over 10,000 parts per million, at least a substantial portion of which has been leached from fly ash.The ionic concentration of the scrubber slurry is maintained at a high level by either providing small diked areas in a waste pond for settling of undissolved solids wherein the returned supernatant has a high ionic concentration. A thickener and filter system may also be used to recover high ionic concentration supernatant for return to the scrubber.

Abstract: An upstream fluid chamber adapted for fluid flow in a given direction is interconnected to a downstream fluid chamber by a plurality of individually actuatable digital valve elements disposed in a plane substantially transverse to the given direction so that the pressure drop across each valve element is substantially the same. The valve elements are disposed so the fluid from the upstream chamber passing through the valve elements converges in the downstream chamber to dissipate the vena contracta. The areas of the valve elements are weighted so the smaller areas follow a geometric progression while the larger areas deviate from a geometric progression. Preferably, at least the two larger areas are the same size. The valve elements themselves each have an orifice, a plug, and means for maintaining the plug in one of two positions. The plug seals the orifice in the one position and lies outside of the fluid stream in the static fluid region in the other position.

Abstract: A process for steam stripping sulfur dioxide from a buffered aqueous solution in which it is absorbed in a flue gas desulfurization process is carried out at pressure greater than atmospheric. The process of pressure stripping of sulfur dioxide surprisingly results in increased steam economy as compared to stripping at atmospheric pressure and yields sulfur dioxide vapor which can be directly condensed to a liquid product with ordinary cooling water, eliminating the need for drying, refrigeration or compression operations. The high temperatures corresponding to high steam pressures enable economical use of stripping vessel overheads for preheating operations also. Stripping at pressures of 50 to 65 psig results in steam requirements which are only one-third to one-half of that at atmospheric pressure stripping. At the high pressures lower gas flow rates permit the use of more compact stripping equipment.