Abstract: A system for removing free-oils, particulate matter and dissolved heavy metals from an aqueous surfactant solution employed in the degreasing and cleaning of parts in a parts washer. The system includes a primary filter assembly containing an oil absorbent, a particulate matter filter and a filter element having metal particles bound together in a porous metal sponge-like structure. The system can also include a secondary filter assembly capable of removing residual free, dissolved and emulsified oils, particulate matter and dissolved heavy metals from the filtrate produced by passage of the contaminated aqueous surfactant solution through the primary filter assembly.

Abstract: A method for treating a fluid or gas containing contaminants wherein the fluid or gas is passed through a contactor having at least one reticulated foam structured fluid treatment element formed from metal particles bound together in an interconnected form and capable of promoting a reduction/oxidation reaction between the contaminants and the reticulated foam structured fluid treatment element. The metal particles employed in the fabrication of the reticulated foam structured fluid treatment element are selected from a group of particles comprising zinc, copper or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus and filtering method for removing free-oils, particulate matter and dissolved heavy metals from a machine coolant by withdrawing a portion of the machine coolant from a machine coolant reservoir through a skimmer assembly and thereafter passing the machine coolant through a filter assembly containing an oil absorbent, a particulate matter filter and a filter element having metal particles bound together in a porous metal sponge-like structure.

Abstract: A filtering method for removing particulate matter and dissolved heavy metals from cooling tower water by passing the cooling tower water through a filter assembly containing a particulate matter filter and a heavy metals filter having a filter element having metal particles bound together in a porous metal sponge-like structure.

Abstract: An induction motor is operated at a high electrical efficiency level by employing a line current peak detector in conjunction with an electronic phase angle controller and a microprocessor system controller. If the line current peaks remain substantially constant the phase angle controller increases a phase gap in the applied line voltage to a width incrementally greater than a full-load value, at which point the line current peak value increases substantially. The increase in line current peak value is sensed by the line current peak detector and a signal is transmitted to the microprocessor system controller which in turn automatically adjusts the control input to the phase angle controller in order to incrementally decrease the existing phase gap in the output of the phase angle controller. Varying mechanical loads are therefore automatically accommodated while keeping the motor running efficiently.

Abstract: An electrolysis cell for use in connection with a combustion engine, for generating hydrogen and oxygen gases which are added to the fuel delivery system as a supplement to the gasoline or other hydrocarbons burned therein. The hydrogen and oxygen gases are drawn out of the cell using an electric pump or other reliable source. The outlet side of the pump is connected to the air intake manifold using a hose having a terminating insert. The insert, typically formed from copper tube bent at an appropriate angle, insures that the hydrogen and oxygen gas outlet from the pump is in the same direction as the downstream airflow in the air intake manifold.

Abstract: A suction skimmer for removing an upper portion of a liquid from a vessel under substantially laminar flow conditions which includes a body member having a fluid flow passageway extending therethrough and at least one slot formed in an upper portion of the body member which openly communicates with the fluid flow passageway. The suction skimmer also includes a throttle assembly for varying the length of the slot in the body member.

Abstract: A disposal system 1 for waste material comprising independently integrated shredding 2, storage 3, and furnace 4 systems. A first transportation system 5, controlled by the shredding system, transports material to the storage system which has capacity that permits repeated shredding cycles with no furnace cycle. A second transportation system 6, controlled by the furnace system, removes material from the storage system at a rate satisfying the output heat demand 7 of the furnace system. The shredder 19 has a hopper 20 with three vertical sides, 9 10, and 11, and a fourth inclined side 12 with a blade 13 at its lowest end. A single rotating member 14 cooperates with the blade. A pusher 15, acting along the inclined side, dislodges any bridging in the hopper. A grate 16 receives the shredded material and cooperates with the rotating member for further shredding. There is a magnetic separator 17.

Abstract: Two embodiments (FIGS. 1+ & FIGS. 5+) of a double, by-pass valve system for a closed refrigerant system allowing its safe servicing, the first being included in the original manufacturing of the compressor unit in the refrigerant exit line of the compressor (FIG. 4 ) and the second installed as a retro-fit on the compressor unit and provided "in-line" in the liquid refrigerant line. In the first a double valve body with a transverse bore through a main shut-off valve allows the flow of refrigerant to pass or be shut down to the rest of the system, while a secondary, access port with a transverse bore intersects the main flow valve on the upstream side of the seats by means of a manifold bore, providing a by-pass passageway to an access connection (minus a depressible valve core or "Schrader" valve) for a refrigerant hose to connect to the manifold charging gauges, allowing communication with the closed refrigerant system.

Abstract: A method for disposing of animal tissue containing radioactive materials by producing a solution containing a substantially de minimis concentration of radioactive materials through alkaline hydrolysis and dilution of the animal tissue containing the radioactive materials followed by disposing of the de minimis solution in a sewage system or septic system. Additionally, an apparatus for practicing the above method which comprises a tank capable of forming a closed reaction vessel with a highly basic solvent therein. The apparatus further comprises a means for heating the highly basic solvent and means for filtering and removing the solution of de minimis radioactivity formed within the tank.

Abstract: Industrial, municipal, sanitary, marine, and infectious waste materials are thermally and chemically converted principally to steam, fuels and environmentally acceptable solids by dehydration, pyrolysis of the solid residue therefrom, and finally gasification of the pyrolysis char residue. In contrast to incineration processes, the products have significant market value and present no atmospheric pollution problems. Temperatures employed range up to about 3000.degree. F.

Abstract: Mobile incinerating system for low level radioactive solid wastes, consisting of an installation mounted on a mobile platform and consisting of a rotating combustion chamber into which the wastes to be incinerated are to be inserted from a feeder equipped with a loader. The rotating chamber communicates with a post-combustion chamber. Between these two chambers there is a third gas transit chamber from which the ashes produced drop into a lower collector after having passed a tray fitted with two alternately operating gates. Downstream of the chambers there is a first dilutor followed by a heat exchanger associated with fans. Immediately downstream of the heat exchanger is a decanter followed by a second dilutor from which the gas mixture passes through filters. The level of activity of the gases is controlled by means of a monitor located downstream of the filter.

Abstract: A system for rapidly dewatering sludge in large quantities makes use of a filter plate that is capable of supporting heavy mechanized removal equipment without damage to the filter plate. The filter plate is monolithic and includes granular filter material that is rigidified and bonded together. In the disclosed process, sludge is pretreated with a polymer coagulant that breaks up solids and flocculates the sludge particles. The flocculated sludge is then spread on a bed of filter plates. As the bed is being filled, the large coagulated sludge particles settle and water is drawn off by gravity. A vacuum is then applied to the bed and the sludge is rapidly dewatered. Upon completion of dewatering, front end loading equipment may be used to remove the dried sludge cake from the bed.

Abstract: A system for the rapid dewatering of sludge in large quantities makes use of a filter plate of design and construction capable of supporting heavy mechanized mobile equipment and without damage to the filter media. The filter plate features a monolithic plate of granular filter material used as the filtering medium in sludge beds for dewatering or reducing residual solids or sludge of potable water treatment systems. The filter material is made structurally rugged and with a smooth hard surface for the retention of sludge solids. The filter material is supported upon a substructure of aggregate providing approximately 40% internal voids for the gravity flow or drainage of filtrate and the back flow of chemicals and gases used in the rapid water reduction process. The assemblage is constructed of such strength as to allow for use of heavy handling equipment such as front end loaders in the removal of the dried sludge or cake upon the completion of the rapid water reduction process.

Abstract: A system for correlating condition-indicative signals fed sequentially from a series of sensors, such as thermocouples installed in ports on the surface of a rotating kiln at various longitudinal and angular coordinates along the total length of the kiln, with the signals printout on a multipoint recorder mounted remotely from the kiln is disclosed wherein two photoelectric devices are disposed at fixed points adjacent the kiln for sensing the passage of a series of sensor-location indicator tabs mounted on and rotating with the kiln.

Abstract: A method and means for maximizing the use of the kiln capacity in a rotary kiln, directly reducing metal oxides using solid carbonaceous materials as the source of fuel and reducant, is disclosed involving the creation of an annular dam arrangement within the kiln at a selected position between the feed end and the discharge end dams, which arrangement is located and dimensioned with respect to the end dams, such that the materials in the charge bed suitably fill the kiln volume and have sufficient residence time in the feed end portion of the kiln, to permit adequate heat transfer thereto, thus minimizing the portion of the kiln needed for preheating and maximizing the remaining portion of the kiln available for reduction.

Abstract: A system for the rapid dewatering of sludge in large quantities makes use of a filter plate of design and construction capable of supporting heavy mechanized mobile equipment without damage to the filter media.The filter plate features a monolithic plate of granular filter material used as the filtering medium in sludge beds for dewatering or reducing residual solids or sludge of potable water treatment systems. The filter material is made structurally rugged and with a smooth hard surface for the retention of sludge solids. The filter material is supported upon a substructure of aggregate providing approximately 40% internal voids for the gravity flow or drainage of filtrate and the back flow of chemicals and gases used in the rapid water reduction process. The assemblage is constructed of such strength as to allow for use of heavy handling equipment such as front end loaders in the removal of the dried sludge or cake upon the completion of the rapid water reduction process.

Abstract: A method and means for improved control of the process for directly reducing materials containing iron oxides in a rotary kiln using a solid carbonaceous reducing agent, such as coal, introduced from the charge feed and discharge ends of the kiln, as the source of both fuel and reductant, and oxygen-containing gas introduced along the kiln length, is disclosed wherein the portion of the reducing agent fed at the discharge end is injected in the form of two or more streams through the discharge end of the kiln onto the charge bed in such manner as to permit close and efficient control of the process, particularly when carried out in larger kilns.

Abstract: A method for maintaining the sulfur level below 0.05% by weight, and preferably below 0.02% by weight, in the DRI product from the process for directly reducing ore containing iron oxides in a rotary kiln using a solid carbonaceous reducing agent, fed at the materials feed end and at the discharge end of the kiln, as both fuel and reductant is disclosed, identifying the important factors in the process affecting the sulfur levels in the DRI and steps and means for properly controlling these factors.

Abstract: A method and means for improved control of the process for directly reducing materials containing iron oxides in a rotary kiln using a solid carbonaceous reducing agent, such as coal, introduced from the charge feed and discharge ends of the kiln, as the source of both fuel and reductant, and oxygen-containing gas introduced along the kiln length is disclosed wherein the portion of the reducing agent fed at the discharge end is blown as a stream in a prescribed manner into the discharge end of the kiln. In particular, the important features of the stream are described including its longitudinal distribution and axial spread over the charge bed, as well as its contact region with the kiln walls and the quandrants of the kiln barrel into which it is directed, whereby the bed and gas phase temperatures may be controlled and heat transfer to the bed enhanced.