Abstract: A pollutant collection and exhaust system is provided in a battery of coke ovens for removal of atmospheric pollutants from the gases released at the time of discharge of coke from an oven. A coke guide carriage is provided with an exhaust hood which encloses the coke guide and extends over the transfer car thereby enshrouding the discharging coke and resulting fumes and smoke during the discharge operation. The exhaust hood is movable along the length of the oven battery. A stationary exhaust manifold extends along the battery in spaced relation above the oven exhaust hood. The exhaust hood is equipped with connecting means which are adapted to register in coplanar sealing engagement with selected gated openings in the manifold while simultaneously opening the selected gates. Pollutants are exhausted from the discharge site and conducted through the manifold and associated treating apparatus with draft induced by an exhaust means connected to the manifold and treating apparatus.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine exhaust system, a catalytic converter mounted on the exhaust manifold has a cylindrical catalyst bed which is disposed on a substantially vertical axis. The exhaust gases flow downwardly into and through a louvered inner tube and then radially through the bed. A frusto-conical baffle is supported from the inner tube and extends outwardly and downwardly into the bed to separate an upper catalyst reservoir portion of the bed from a lower gas flow portion of the bed. During thermal expansion of the bed or upon attrition of the catalyst in the gas flow portion, catalyst beads are discharged from the reservoir portion around the conical baffle and into the gas flow portion.

Abstract: A sterilizing device for web shaped packaging material in which the length of travel of the web after sterilant has been applied is increased, prior to the drying operation, and the sterilant on the film is heated during this increased path in order to increase the activity of the sterilant and allow complete sterilization even at high speeds. This is accomplished by a heated metal cylinder and a chamber which surrounds the web between the cylinder and the drying operation, into which chamber is blown heated sterile air.

Abstract: Organic and pseudo-organic materials, such as waste materials, for example, are processed in a converter system and decomposed into various usable and reusable forms. Inorganic metals and salts are treated likewise in the same converter system and processed into various usable and reusable forms. While being carried by a conveyor through a controlled atmosphere treatment chamber, virtually free from combustion supporting air or other oxidizing agents, the feed material is caused to progressively thermally break down into its more basic constituents which flow out of the material treatment chamber in a continuous liquid and gaseous vapor stream. Negative pressure is applied upstream from the material treatment chamber to lead the liquid and gaseous vapor stream through successive processing stages of collection containers, condensers and gas scrubbers. The variable negative pressure is sufficient to maintain the pressure in the material treatment chamber within a range of slightly above ambient pressure.

Abstract: Damage due to rupture or ballooning of the plastic jacket on a flexible pumping strand due to filling of the well with gas is prevented by providing an assembly including a preset pressure release valve in the lower portions of the strand to quickly release fluid from the interior of the strand to the surrounding environment upon the attainment of a pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the strand within a predetermined fraction of the rupture or ballooning strength of the plastic jacket on the pumping strand.

Abstract: Sterilizing apparatus and method in which a heavier-than-air sterilizing gas is introduced at a substantially constant flow rate into the bottom of the sterilizing chamber. Air in the chamber is displaced upwardly by the gas and out of the chamber through a restricted exhaust which is open throughout the gas introduction period. The pressure at the top of the chamber is monitored and the restricted exhaust is closed when the pressure has increased to a preselected level, the pressure level being directly related to the gas concentration. The gas inlet remains open for a time to provide a chamber pressure which will help to displace air trapped in the material being sterilized.

Abstract: In the delayed coking process wherein hot coke is formed by destructive distillation of a petroleum feed in a coking drum to provide solid coke and distillate petroleum products, the method of regulating the rate of quenching the hot coke after the drum is full and coking has ceased which comprises regulating the rate of feeding quench water to the coking drum in accordance with the internal pressure measured within the drum.