Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling airflow in a desiccant drying system having two desiccant beds (10, 12). A first diverter valve (14) communicates with each of the desiccant beds, a regeneration air inlet (22), and a press air outlet (20). A second diverter valve (16) communicates with each of the desiccant beds, a process air inlet (18), and a regeneration air outlet (28). First and second regeneration air control valves (24, 30) are also provided which during a cooling phase of the regeneration cycle admit a cooling bleed stream of process air to the desiccant bed being regenerated and then convey the cooling air bleed stream from the desiccant bed and through a heat exchanger (42) back to the process air inlet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to additives for coal-fired furnaces, particularly furnaces using a layer of slag to capture coal particles for combustion. The additive(s) include iron, mineralizer(s), handling aid(s), flow aid(s), and/or abrasive material(s). The iron and mineralizers can lower the melting temperature of ash in low-iron, high alkali coals, leading to improved furnace performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to drying equipment and can be used in wood and wood treatment industries, etc., whenever parameters and procedures necessary to dry materials such as wood are used. The invention allows the drying process to achieve a higher degree of environmental protection, a larger product output and power saving features on the account of the following design of the plant: the drying chamber (1) which contains the material to be dried includes a bottom (4) which has two cavities (5,6); hot combustion products are injected into one of these cavities (5) from the flue pipe (9) of the furnace (3) which is used to burn wood waste; hot air is supplied into the other cavity (6), whereby said air is heated in pipes which are located in the flue (9), and is used as a drying agent.

Abstract: A drying method, a drying device, and a drying machine, capable of remarkably reducing a drying time by assigning the standby time for an article to be dried to a preliminary drying time in drying, wherein hot air is supplied to the drying machine so as to dry the article to be dried and, at the same time, hot air exhausted from the drying machine is led into a preliminary drying machine so as to preliminarily dry the article to be dried before drying, and then the article to be dried contained in the preliminary drying machine is fed to the drying machine for drying.

Abstract: A process for lyophilizing a solution of an active agent in a delivery container is provided. Solution of active agent is deposited into a delivery container, the container is covered with a covering plate and placed inside a lyophilizing apparatus. Lyophilization is conducted to dryness by radiation, convection or both. Also provided is a device made by this process, an active agent-plastic administration device such as a syringe containing an active agent in the form of lyophilized cake, and an array of such administration devices.

Abstract: A rotary particle dryer has a shaft extending along an axis and a hollow drum coaxially and spacedly surrounding the shaft and rotatable about the axis in a direction. A set of axially extending inner baffles fixed to the shaft extend radially outward therefrom and each form at least one angularly open inner pocket. A set of axially extending outer baffles fixed to the drum extend radially inward therefrom and each form at least two angularly open outer pockets. Structure mechanically connects the inner baffles directly with the outer baffles.

Abstract: In a compact combined spray drying and after-treatment apparatus having internal gas filters and an internal fluidized bed in the drying chamber and a fluidized bed in the after-treatment zone, pipe means are used for conducting a stream of particle-loaded gas formed in the after-treatment zone to suitable locations in the drying chamber without disturbing the normal operation of the drying chamber and the fluidized bed therein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel process for inserting a cannula into a hub member. The process uses an interference or frictional fit between the bore of the hub member and the cannula's exterior surface. In this manner, adhesives are not required in the assembly of the two components.

Abstract: Device and process for dewatering a fibrous material web by expelling water via gas pressure. The dewatering device includes at least four rolls arranged to radially limit at least one pressure chamber and sealing units arranged to axially limit the at least one pressure chamber. Adjustment devices are arranged to at least partially individually axially adjust positions of the at least four rolls and the sealing units. A pressure gas is introducible into and the fibrous material web is guidable through the at least one pressure chamber.

Abstract: A cannula assembly (120) provides access to an interior body region (22). The cannula assembly defines a lumen (24) having a distal region (30). The lumen includes a bend in the distal region to guide deployment in the body region. A closure assembly (44, 46, 48) can be provided to open, and close the cannula assembly to fluid flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to hermetically seal openings in an explosion suppression chamber. The present invention utilizes an air lock device to ensure that, in the event toxins are released from the primary explosion chamber opening closing means, the toxins are properly handled and are not inadvertently released into the atmosphere. The preferred embodiment of the present invention uses negative pressure to vacuum the entrained air within the airlock cavity subsequent to an explosion. An alternate embodiment of the present invention uses positive pressure within the air lock cavity to force air through integral filter membranes.

Abstract: Automated systems and methods for withdrawing a selected compound from blood are disclosed. The systems and methods utilize a disposable fluid circuit mounted on a re-usable hardware component or module. The system withdraws blood from a donor or patient, separates the blood into two or more components and further combines the separated component with a solvent so as to remove a compound from the blood component.

Abstract: A bottom element for a device for treating particulate has a two-dimensional body having numerous apertures. Means for imposing to a treatment medium passing said bottom are provided. Said bottom being designed as blade-shaped body, said apertures being designed as slots, said slots being generated by a removal of material from said plate-shaped body. Said slots having side walls sloping towards a plane of said body. For facilitating a cleaning of said bottom said side walls of said slots further consecutively tapers to a direction of a side of said bottom a particulate material rests.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a balloon catheter, such as a dilatation catheter and a stent delivery catheter with improved stiffness transition and specifically with no sudden changes in stiffness along the catheter length. The balloon catheters of the present invention may be used alone or be mounted with a stent in. The balloon catheters of the present invention may be used in peripheral, coronary, or neurovascular applications. The present catheter has more than one portion with different bending stiffness values, each portion comprising of components that gradually transition the bending stiffness of that portion to an adjacent portion, thus reducing the differential in bending stiffness in moving from one region to another, when the catheter is used alone or in combination with a stent in a stent delivery system.

Abstract: A seal assembly for reception of an elongated surgical instrument is provided which includes a body having at least one opening configured and dimensioned to permit entry of an elongated surgical instrument and defining a central longitudinal axis; a seal member formed of a resilient material and defining an aperture therein, the aperture being configured and dimensioned such that insertion of the surgical instrument into the aperture causes the resilient material defining the aperture to resiliently contact the outer surface of the surgical instrument in a substantially fluid tight manner; and a fabric layer juxtaposed relative to the resilient material. A coating may be applied to the seal member to reduce friction between the seal member and surgical instrumentation inserted therein. The coating is preferably a hydrocyclosiloxane membrane prepared by plasma polymerization process.

Abstract: This is a balloon catheter having at least two lumens. One of the lumens is a large working lumen. The balloon catheter is especially useful as a guide catheter and may be used in a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. In particular, it has value in treating neurovascular embolic strokes in combination with other devices which are delivered to the stroke site through that working lumen. The remainder of the lumens typically are used to inflate and to deflate the balloon. It is highly preferable that the balloon or inflatable member be situated in a recess in the outer wall of the inventive catheter. Additionally, the distal end of the catheter past the balloon is preferably tapered. The catheter has a very low profile as compared to other catheters of the neurovascular balloon catheter genre. It may include other features such as variable stiffness along the axis of the device and anti-kinking components. The balloon is preferably compliant in nature.

Abstract: Material to be treated such as garbage is charged into a first rotary kiln 14 to be mainly dehydrated and charged into a second rotary kiln 18 to be carbonized. The first rotary kiln 14 has a first nozzle pipe 11 therein for spouting a first high temperature gas and the second rotary kiln 18 has a second nozzle pipe 15 for spouting a second high temperature gas, mainly high temperature superheated steam with a temperature higher than a temperature of the first high temperature gas. The carbonized material is discharged outside after a temperature thereof is lowered to prevent spontaneous combustion in an atmosphere. Thereby, it is able to provide an apparatus for thermal treatment using superheated steam which can be built relatively small and by which treatment time can be shortened, and further, the final carbonized material can be used as charcoal.

Abstract: A method for minimizing corrosion and the build-up of deposits on surfaces of a flue-gas system exposed to moist substances and elevated temperatures, and particularly those surfaces which are used to convey other additives to the system and the surfaces of gas/gas heaters which receive the output from scrubbers, which method involves adding to the system, particularly in those conduits and at the surfaces of the gas/gas heater, generally inert bulking agents such as perlite and vermiculite in expanded form, such agents, apparently by acting under the operating conditions to which they are subjected to retain substantial quantities of water without becoming dissolved, accomplishing the desired results.

Abstract: Compact low NOx gas burner apparatus and methods for discharging fuel gas and air mixtures into furnace spaces wherein the mixture is burned in folded flame patterns and flue gases having low NOx content are formed are provided. A burner apparatus of the invention is basically comprised of a housing having a burner tile attached thereto and means for introducing air therein. The burner tile has an opening therein with a wall surrounding the opening which extends into a furnace space. The exterior sides of the wall are divided into sections by radially positioned baffles with alternate sections having the same or different heights and slanting towards the opening at the same or different angles. Primary fuel gas mixed with flue gases and air is discharged through the burner tile. Secondary fuel gas is discharged adjacent to the external slanted wall sections whereby the secondary fuel gas mixes with flue gases in the furnace space.

Abstract: Flux management systems and methods are provided for filtering vaporized flux from the gas of a reflow soldering oven. A flux management system includes a cooling chamber having a cooling medium through which the gas passes. The vaporized flux condenses on the surfaces of the cooling chamber and drips into a collection pan, thereby preventing it from dripping onto circuit boards passing through the oven. The flux management system may further include a self-cleaning feature that includes a compressed gas, which is allowed to enter the cooling chamber through a solenoid valve. The compressed gas may then be directed through a heater, which increases the temperature of the cooling chamber, thereby causing a decrease in viscosity of the flux, which allows it to flow freely into a drain tube. The flux may then be transported by gravity into a collection container.