Abstract: Method of concentrating sodium or potassium hydroxide liquids by means of a heated evaporator whereby for a preliminary pre-evaporation of the liquid to be concentrated the liquid is first of all heated by direct contact with the superheated evaporation vapors issuing from the evaporator; a suitable apparatus for this method is disclosed which comprises an evaporator and a pre-evaporator this arranged at the upstream side of the evaporator and heated by direct contact with the evaporation vapors issuing from the evaporator.

Abstract: The palatability of dry animal food is improved by coating such food with yeast such as ascomycetous yeasts or asporogenous yeasts. In one embodiment dry animal food kibs are coated with either Torulopsis utilis or Saccharomyces cervisiae.

Abstract: A process for recovering and separating substantially pure ethylphenol and substantially pure diethylbenzene from a mixture resulting from the decomposition of diethylbenzene monohydroperoxide and consisting essentially of diethylbenzene, ethylphenol and oxygenated by-products thereof, said process comprising distilling said mixture in a first distillation step operated under reduced pressure to separate a distillate comprising essentially diethylbenzene from a first residue comprising ethylphenol and the oxygenated by-products of said mixture, withdrawing said residue and distilling said first residue in a second distillation step operated under reduced pressure to separate a distillate consisting essentially of ethylphenol from a second residue containing from 30 to 40 mole % of ethylphenol in admixture with said oxygenated by-products, withdrawing said second residue and mixing it with the distillate from the first distillation step, treating the resulting mixture with an aqueous alkaline solution to form

Abstract: The method of preparing synthetic powders containing emulsifiers having good paste qualities by spray-drying polymer dispersions through a two-fluid atomizer having a spray ratio of about 1.6 to 5.0 kg. of spray air for each kg. of dispersion is improved. The polymer dipersions are prepared by emulsifying vinyl chloride monomer or a mixture of vinyl chloride monomer and unsaturated polymerizable compounds and polymerizing the monomers to produce polymers and copolymers of vinyl chloride. The improvement in paste qualities of the powders is achieved by introducing the spray dried powder into an air jet having a velocity from about 330 to 550 meters per second and having a weight ratio of gas to solids ranging from 1:10 to 5:1.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multiple-effect evaporation system wherein the last effect of the system in the direction of miscella flow is provided with a stripping tower in which vapor effluent from that effect countercurrently contacts feed to that effect. In application to the recovery of solvent from miscella obtained by the extraction of defatted seed material with an aqueous organic carbohydrate-selective solvent, pressure in the evaporation zone of one of the effects is maintained at atmospheric. Additionally, at least one of the effects other than said last effect may be provided with a rectification column.

Abstract: A solar evaporator for recovering minerals from a solution or liquid mixture including one or several stages, each having a large evaporative surface on which the solution sprayed, the surface being dark colored to absorb solar energy and the surface inclining toward a vat which catches the unevaporated solution draining from the surface. The surface is corrugated to shed precipitated minerals into its furrows where the returning solution entrains the mineral crystals and carries them back to the vat where they settle out to the bottom and await harvesting. The apparatus includes means to prevent entry of rainwater into the vat and to drain the rainwater away from the solution in the vat.

Abstract: A smoke generator is disclosed which is particularly suitable for mounting on the wing tips of an aircraft and for conducting airflow studies. The device includes a network of thermally insulated tubes for carrying a fluid which is used to produce smoke. The fluid, which need not be combustible, is heated above its vaporization temperature by electric current which is passed through the fluid conduit tubes, so that the tubes serve both as fluid conduits and resistance heating elements. Fluid supply and monitoring systems and electrical control systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure is for a solvent flashing process for recovering polymer from dilute solution in discrete, uniform granules substantially free of solvent. The process comprises pressurizing a dilute solution of a polymer dissolved in a solvent, preferably at an elevated temperature, spraying the solution through a first fluid atomizing outlet of a two fluid nozzle, and forcing a hot gas through at least one outlet port of the two fluid nozzle directed so as to intersect with the polymer solution emerging from the nozzle. The solution is atomized into fine droplets from which the bulk of the solvent flashes by both passage through the atomizing nozzle and by a shearing of the solution by the hot gas leaving finely divided granules of polymer which are collected in water. The process is characterized by the use of the two fluid nozzle and by the passage of the hot gas through the nozzle which causes further atomizing of the polymer solution with more efficient heat transfer from the gas to the polymer solution.

Abstract: A cleaner head is pivotally mounted to a shaft carried by an actuating arm that is so powered that, as the actuating arm pivots about an axis, the cleaner head, which is resiliently biased, engages and cleans the bottom surface of a coke oven door plug or lining.

Abstract: A leveler door for sealing the leveler opening in a coke oven door; the oven door of the type having leveler door mounting and latching apparatus associated therewith. The leveler door comprising a flexible closure member possessing spring-like properties at elevated temperatures and having a generally concave shape, terminating in a flexible sealing edge at its outer periphery. The sealing edge is formed at an angle of less than 90.degree. relative to the plane of the leveler opening. Means for securing the closure member to the mounting and latching apparatus of the coke oven door are disclosed, whereby the compressive closing force supplied by the mounting and latching apparatus causes the concave closure member to move toward the leveler opening causing the sealing edge to concurrently flex outwardly from the leveler opening while sealably engaging the coke oven door adjacent the leveler opening.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the distillation of readily polymerizable vinyl aromatic compounds which comprises subjecting such compounds to distillation conditions in the presence of an effective amount of N.sub.2 O.sub.3 as a polymerization inhibitor.

Abstract: A low boiling, water immiscible medium is directly contacted in liquid state with relatively hot or warm water (e.g. with hot recycled fresh water in a desalination system or with warm surface sea water in an energy production system) and in vapor state with relatively cold or cool water (e.g. surface sea water in a desalination system or deep sea water in an energy production system) whereby thermal energy is efficiently transferred between the phases that are so contacted; the energy transfer is for the purpose of evaporating the immiscible liquid in an energy production system and is for the purpose of evaporating saline water in a desalination system; and the effluent from the process which is returned to its natural environment (e.g. to the sea) is treated to remove all significant amounts of entrained and dissolved immiscible medium.

Abstract: A buoyant elongated trough-like structure closed throughout an upper portion thereof by means of a transparent panel for passing radiant energy from the sun therethrough is provided and a portion of the interior of the trough below the transparent panel defines an open top compartment for receiving water to be evaporated and subsequently condensed. Lower and upper portions of one wall of the trough include inlet and outlet openings extending along the trough and a hollow U-shaped manifold extends longitudinally of the slotted side wall of the trough and opens toward the latter including a lower hollow leg opening into the interior of the trough through the lower slot and a hollow upper leg opening into the trough through the upper slot. The ends of the legs of the manifold remote from the trough are joined by means of an integral hollow bight portion.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for removing undesirable flavors and odors from cocoa and cocoa butter wherein sufficient water is added to the cocoa mass to permit emulsifying same into a flowable condition, forming the emulsion into a thin layer and passing heated air through the mass to remove the undesirable constituents.The aforementioned Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: An improved thin-film rotary evaporator wherein a meshtype deentrainment material having a large amount of free space is secured in the vapor chamber to the rotor shaft for rotation therewith to entrain particles from the vapor phase without a large pressure drop.

Abstract: Improvements in the concentration of solutions in processes involving heating the solution to be concentrated; Processes of solution concentrating where the solution to be concentrated is heated prior to concentration by either direct or indirect heat exchange, including particular concentrating processes where the heating means and media include: (1) high pressure steam; (2) low-pressure steam and (3) submerged combustion; Improved methods of producing and utilizing vapor-liquid phase separation(s) in solution concentrating processes with the vapor phase(s) utilized as a supplemental heating medium applied to the solution to be concentrated; Incorporation of a plurality of counterflow gas-liquid contact stages (cooling towers) as two phases in processes of concentrating heated solution; Utilization in coordination of a plurality of cooling towers and at least one water heater in processes of concentrating heated solutions.

Abstract: A liquid heater or plate evaporator for partially evaporating liquid from a solution within the heater to increase its concentration, including evaporator and heater plates arranged in an alternating sequence in tandem and having heating or liquid channels between adjoining plates, the plates having registering apertures for heating medium, the solution to be evaporated, condensate therefrom and for a product mixture comprising concentrated solution and vapor each evaporator plate aperture having a distributor and guides to uniformly distribute the solution across the evaporator plate and to discharge it through discharge apertures located in a lower part on either side of the plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the recovery of acrylonitrile and other monomers from an aqueous polymer dispersion by continuous distillation in a thin-layer evaporator under reduced pressure, condensation of the evaporated monomers in a condenser under the same or similar reduced pressure and subsequent condensation or absorption respectively of the monomer vapors which have not been condensed in the condenser at a higher pressure.

Abstract: A water distillation unit is disclosed herein. The unit preferably comprises an upper boiler container and a lower condensation container which are rigidly maintained in spaced apart relationship by a molded coupling member containing a plurality of water passageways and fittings. The coupling member is integral with the condensation container and is removably and threadably attached to the upper boiler container so that same may be easily removed when desired for cleaning. The boiler container receives raw liquid which is vaporized by an interiorly disposed heater element. The condensation container houses a condenser tube which receives steam from the boiler container and conducts distillate exteriorly of the apparatus. To improve thermal efficiency the condenser tube is cooled by raw liquid which is routed through the condensing container.

Abstract: Foam producing apparatus comprising a container adapted to receive a small amount of chemical solution in its bottom including means for converting said solution into an extremely large volume of relatively "dry" foam. In connection with the container are series related means uniquely formed and arranged to wring and extract liquid from the bubbles of the foam at successive intervals in the course of its flow.Preferred applications of the invention contemplate the use of the "dry" bubbles of the foam as a vehicle for various chemicals such as weed killers, insecticides and fertilizers which will have the capability of an adherent deposit of the chemicals without significant dilution of their required strength.