Abstract: A method is disclosed for growing neodymium doped yttrium aluminum garnet crystals from a melt containing constituent oxides, lead oxide, lead fluoride, and boron trioxide. By subjecting the melt to a controlled temperature cycle while maintaining a temperature gradient in the melt, large size, high quality crystals are obtained. Crystals produced by the disclosed method are suited for laser application.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel process and apparatus for liquefying a hydrocarbon gas under a pressure greater than the critical pressure thereof wherein the gas is first expanded to below the critical pressure thereof to permit the facile separation of C.sub.5 and heavier hydrocarbons with the lighter components being re-pressurized to above the critical pressure thereof by such expanding gas prior to the further cooling of such re-compressed lighter components for eventual liquefaction.

Abstract: Improved process and apparatus for drying oxygen-containing streams, particularly wet air streams, are provided wherein these streams are contacted with glycols. The regeneration of glycols and in particular the removal of oxygen from the glycols is effected in a first step at a temperature below the oxidation temperature of the glycols, and then the removal of water from the glycols is effected in a second step, preferably by heating the wet glycols.

Abstract: High purity hydrogen chloride is recovered from a gaseous product stream consisting essentially of hydrogen chloride and at least one chlorinated hydrocarbon of from one to two carbon atoms, such as the chloromethanes, by a process which has significantly lowered refrigeration requirements, thus resulting in savings of energy and materials.

Abstract: A low boiling water immiscible fluid containing two or more molecular species and having a variable boiling point is contacted in the liquid state with relatively hot or warm water such as surface sea water or geothermal water, thereby generating vapor of immiscible fluid (together with a certain amount of water vapor) which is used to drive a prime mover such as a gas turbine and thereby produce mechanical energy; the exhaust vapor from the prime mover is condensed by direct contact with a relatively cool or cold liquid aqueous phase such as deep sea water or water from a lake or stream or cooling tower to condense the vapor; and the condensate is recycled. Provision is made for ridding water discharged from the system of entrained and dissolved immiscible fluid. By countercurrent flow of the liquid phases and by suitable matching techniques greater efficiency is obtained. The invention is also applicable to heat pumps.

Abstract: A process for preparing fine-grained slush of low-boiling gases is characterized in that the liquefied gas or the very cold gas under high pressure is relieved from stress in a nozzle alternately first to a pressure below the pressure of the triple point in the gas-ice range and subsequently to a pressure above the pressure of the triple point in gas-liquid range.

Abstract: This invention relates to the low temperature regeneration of liquid desiccants and acid gas absorbing liquid desiccants. Both classes of desiccants can be regenerated to separate water and/or water and acid gases to a satifactory degree under the pressure conditions employed at temperatures substantially below the normal boiling point of the dry desiccant or desiccant-water mixture by countercurrently contacting the desiccant to be regenerated in conventional distillation equipment with the vapors of an easily condensable hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon mixture which is substantially immiscible with the regenerated desiccant at the boiling temperature of the hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon mixture employed as a stripping agent.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for recovering clean water from aqueous wastes by evaporation while avoiding scaling and fouling as well as corrosion of the evaporator tubes. Addition of an oil, preferably a volatile oil, to the aqueous waste feed results in the formation of a coating of said oil on the surfaces of the tubes, thereby preventing corrosion and fouling and build-up of scale deposits. Volatile oil that distills over is separated from the aqueous distillate by conventional means and may be recirculated.

Abstract: There is provided a distillation plant of the multiple stage flash distillation type. The plant comprises a reinforced concrete shell which is divided into a large number of flash chambers and a heat supply chamber by means of separation walls. At least some of a bundle of continuous condensation tubes of plastic extend throughout all of the chambers. The tubes may be extruded in situ so that they directly move into position in the shell. The inlet and outlet manifolds for the tube bundle are defined by an end of the shell and an adjacent separation wall. The shell has preferably a plastic coating or consists of a polymer concrete. Preferably, the walls consist of or comprise plastic so that the bundle of plastic tubes may be sealed to apertures in the walls by gluing or welding.

Abstract: A flue gas collector for coke ovens, particularly regeneratively-heated coke ovens, wherein the base, crown and side walls of the flue gas collector are formed from reinforced concrete in a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration and are provided with insulating material on their interior surfaces. Additionally, insulating material is disposed between apertures in the flue gas collector and the ends of outlet pipes leading from changeover valves connected to the coke oven regenerators. The insulation is of such nature and thickness so as to insure that the reinforced concrete body of the collector assumes only negligible temperatures throughout, thereby eliminating cracks and leaks in the walls of the collector.

Abstract: A pan for the continuous boiling of various liquids under vacuum includes an enclosed vessel divided into a series of interconnected compartments or stages provided with heating elements. During operation, boiling of the material is effected under optimum conditions as it flows continuously through the various stages from the feed end to the discharge end of the pan.

Abstract: A method for regulating, or controlling heat input to the reboiler section of a fractionation column. Flow-measuring means, disposed in a substantially liquid-free environment within the confines of the reboiler section, produces a signal which is representative of the quantity of vapor flowing from the reboiler section upwardly into the fractionation section. This signal is transmitted to heat-varying means, whereby fuel input to an external reboiler heater is regulated in response to the quantity of vapor flow.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus or system for evaporating liquid and comprises spray drying, spray concentration and conditioning (i.e. cooling and/or moistening) of combustion gas or flue gas. Liquid is atomized or sprayed into an evaporating chamber from a liquid spraying or atomizing device arranged centrally in the upper part of the evaporating chamber, and an unobstructed coherent flow of warm gas, such as combustion gas or flue gas is simultaneously directed substantially axially into the evaporating chamber and upwards towards the atomizing device.

Abstract: A method of treating waste liquors such as those derived from the sulfite or Kraft pulp making process is disclosed which provides recovered by-products of high purity while moreover decreasing the total amount of process steam required. The method comprises steam stripping the evaporator condensate feed to remove volatile chemical by-products therefrom, and thereafter directing the stripping steam for reuse in concentrating additional volumes of feed in the evaporator. In this manner, the only steam lost during the stripping operation is that used for increasing the sensible heat of the evaporator condensate feed within the steam stripping column. The condensed steam and volatile by-products resulting from evaporator heating operation are then preferably directed to a fractionation column or columns in order to separate and recover the valuable by-products for reuse or sale.

Abstract: A refrigerating package is disclosed which comprises a multicompartment gussetted design in which the gusset is formed of a folded in or pleated section, with liquid being placed therein. The gussetted compartment is folded into another compartment and is sealed, the other compartment receiving a refrigerating chemical, the opening of the other compartment being sealed after the refrigerating chemicals are loaded therein. By direct application of pressure to the gussetted compartment, a rupture takes place allowing the liquid container therein to mix with the refrigerating chemical thus producing an endothermic or exothermic reaction, as desired.

Abstract: An evaporation accelerator has a base with a housing rotatably affixed thereto and float means adjustably affixed thereto to float the accelerator in an evaporatable fluid. Air-operated propulsion means which receives compressed air from air supply means is connected to the housing to rotate it. Support members are also secured to the housing and extend generally radially away from the housing. Scoop means are secured to the support members and have a first end positioned in the fluid and a second end positioned above the surface of the fluid so that as the housing rotates fluid is scooped up and ejected over the surface of the fluid.

Abstract: Separation by distillation and formation of immiscible liquid phases of nearly equal densities which comprises distilling a mixture containing the same in the presence of an added liquid of substantially different density, preferentially soluble in a recycle to the distillation zone and having a volatility under conditions of distillation such that it will vaporize preferentially to a liquid desired to be retained in the distillation zone to be removed as bottoms therefrom, e.g., toluene added to produce gravity separation of a heavy water-rich phase and a light phase containing phenol, cyclohexanone and cyclohexylbenzene and the added toluene which is used as reflux to the drying column in the overall process in which cyclohexanone and phenol are produced from cyclohexylbenzene.

Abstract: A device for seizing and transporting a cover for the charge opening of a coking furnace comprises a seizure magnet carried by a gripping unit and adapted for rotation of the cover back and forth on the cover seat in the charge opening by means of a crank device connected with said gripping unit which in turn is suspended from a linkage means connecting said gripping unit with a slide arrangement for moving the magnet and the cover away from and into the furnace charging region, a force sensing overload safety device being connected with said linkage means in such a manner as to prevent operation of the slide arrangement when the force transmitted to said force sensing overload safety device by said gripping unit exceeds a predetermined value, thereby preventing damage in case of excessively strong adherence of the cover to its seat in the charge opening.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for receiving low-volume liquid sludge concentrations, exposing the liquid-sludge slurry to a heating surface thereby evaporating a portion of the liquid from the slurry, and advancing the contaminant bearing liquid for further exposure to additional heating surfaces such that as the slurry passes therethrough, in thermal contact with the heating surfaces, the solids content is increased by evaporating the liquid material while allowing the solids material to accumulate on the heating surfaces which are automatically and continuously cleaned to maintain the efficiency of the system and discharge these materials in a substantially dry state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the dehydration of cattle and horse manure, cow dung or pig droppings, characterized by the action of a flow of hot air and of ultrasonic radiation along the path of the matter to be dehydrated, and that of microwave radiation at a preferred frequency of 2450 MHz which produces internal heating, these actions taking place separately or in conjunction. Manure from which gas has previously been removed by aspiration at temperature lower than that of self-ignition, is utilized. Combustible gases are recovered and used preferably to the heating of the air.Two types of apparatus are envisaged, one incorporating a conveyor belt and the other a helical worm provided with a plurality of perforations for the hot air to pass through. The ultrasonic radiation accelerates evaporation and discourages matter from adhering to the surfaces.