Abstract: Apparatus and methods for proportional control of heating of a sterilizer chamber are disclosed in the application. A sterilizer chamber has heaters mounted on the walls, a wall temperature sensor and a chamber temperature sensor. The controller is operable to adjust the heat input by turning on the heaters for a variable fraction of a selected fixed interval and off for the remainder of the interval. When on the heaters provide a substantially constant heat input per unit time. The fraction of the interval during which the heaters are on is proportional to a temperature differential which comprises a setpoint temperature minus a temperature reading from one of the sensors. The controller has two, or in an alternate embodiment three, operating modes each having a unique temperature differential.

Abstract: A live storage facility provides for the storage of large containers of product in a gas-tight enclosure containing an atmosphere precisely controlled to a preselected gas composition. Containers are introduced into the enclosure through a tunnel and removed through another tunnel, without significantly altering the gas atmosphere or temperature within the enclosure. An externally controlled crane moves and stacks the containers within the enclosure. The storage facility is preferably formed as a hemispherical dome with continuous walls that are impermeable to the gas. In one form, the product is agricultural produce, and there is additionally provided a cooling capability so that the product is stored at reduced temperature.

Abstract: A stream of process gas is indirectly heated in an elongated reaction chamber (1) with a longitudinal axis, a first end (12) and a second end (13) and defined by an outside shell (2) and a thermally conductive inner wall (4). The inner wall defines at least one recess or cavity (3) which extends substantially between the first and second end of the chamber and parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof. A process feed line (6) and a product-gas discharge line (7) are provided at opposite ends (12, 13) of the chamber. A heat conductive and heat resistant barrier (8) which defines an interior space extends coaxially with the recess or cavity (3) substantially along the entire length of the inner wall (4) and forms an annular space (9) therewith. A hot flue gas feed line (10) and a flue gas discharge line (11) is provided at one end (13) of the chamber.

Abstract: A device (10) having a blood oxygenator (12) and heat exchanger (14) of the outside perfusion type. The blood oxygenator (12) employs a tightly packed, crisscrossing bundle of gas permeable hollow fibers (50). The heat exchanger (14) employs a bundle of polyurethane, liquid impermeable hollow tubes (96). A center divider (16) facilitates two separate compartments (30, 40) and allows control over pack densities within each compartment while allowing blood to move in a planar manner throught out the device (10).

Abstract: A medical instrument having a blood contact portion formed of a hydrophobic material, wherein a surface-active agent safe to a human body is deposited onto part or the entirety of the blood contact portion so that the medical instrument is fully primed by introducing liquid into the instrument without leaving fine bubbles adhered to the surface of the blood contact portion. Further, a method for fabricating a medical instrument is provided, comprising steps of assembling a medical instrument having a blood contact portion formed of a hydrophobic material, and contacting a liquid containing a surface-active agent safe to a human body to the blood contact portion, followed by drying, leaving the surface-active agent deposited onto the surface of the blood contact portion so that the surface-active agent is steadily and readily deposited onto the blood contact portion of hydrophobic material.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid or semi-solid detergents includes a hollow elongated opening or chute and an arcuate plate that extends from the side wall of the apparatus to beneath the chute. This plate provides a planar support for a detergent bar placed within the chute. Water is sprayed down the arcuate plate and projects against the detergent supported on the planar support causing it to dissolve and flow down a drain. The chute has a unique geometric design which is suitable to receive only one uniquely shaped elongated detergent bar. In a kitchen having several detergent dispensers, each detergent dispenser will have a uniquely defined chute so that only the appropriate detergent can be used in the appropriate dispenser.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dry type simultaneous desulfurization and dedusting method in forming moving beds with a granulate desulfurizing and dedusting agent containing as the principle composition 5-95 weight % of iron oxide and 95-5 weight % of metallic iron, and contacting these moving beds with the gas containing hydrogen sulfide and dust, thereby simultaneously desulfurizing and dedusting the gas.

Abstract: A sterilizing system includes a sealed container releasably containing a gaseous sterilant under pressure and a first enclosure made at least partially of a gas-permeable material. The container and the articles to be sterilized are disposed in and sealed within the first enclosure, the container while in the sealed first enclosure being manipulatable to release gaseous sterilant into the sealed first enclosure. A second enclosure in which the first enclosure is disposed is constructed such that the sterilant released into the first enclosure from the container diffuses through the gas-permeable material of the first enclosure into the second enclosure at a rate capable of establishing sterilizing conditions in the first enclosure during a sterilizing cycle to thereby effect sterilization of the articles in the first enclosure.

Abstract: A plant for producing chain-type ammonium polyphosphate from ammonium orthophosphate and phosphorus pentoxide in the presence of gaseous ammonia comprises a reactor having rotatable mixing, kneading and comminuting tools in its interior and a feed pipe for the solid starting materials, an introduction pipe for ammonia, a gas discharge pipe and a discharge line for the reaction product, all of which are flow-connected to the interior of the reactor. The discharge line of the reactor is also connected for material flow to a mixing apparatus. A discharge device, which is controlled by the power consumption of the drive motor of the reactor, is arranged in the discharge line.

Abstract: An engine exhaust gas purifying device, and process, wherein the device provides a catalyst device for treating the exhaust gas, an adsorbing device for adsorbing materials from the exhaust gas and a heat exchanger. The device is configured so that high temperature exhaust gas from the engine passes through a high temperature side of the heat exchanger prior to passing through the adsorbing device. After passing through the adsorbing device, the gas passes through the low temperature side of the heat exchanger and then passes to the catalyst device. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the catalyst can be disposed in the low temperature side of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A device for holding and controlling the temperature of a corrosive chemical processing bath. The device has a tank having a bottom intimately covering thermally conductive fins, a heat sink thermally connected to the fins and heaters, connected to the heat sink, for changing the temperature of the fins. Preferably the device is produced by rotationally molding the tank about the fins coated with a polymeric material thereby covering the fins and forming an integral seamless tank.

Abstract: A liquid metering and transfer valve assembly having the capability of metering, isolating, transfering and delivering precise microliter volume aliquots of a blood sample, from a source thereof, to mixing and testing chambers of an electronic blood analysis system for analysis, and further, carrying a loop for metering and isolating an additional sample aliquot within the valve assembly in the loop, a first dedicated passageway for introducing a first fluid to the loop to force the additional aliquot from its isolated location to a first dedicated portion of the valve assembly displaced from the loop and a second dedicated portion of the valve assembly to establish a flow path for introducing a lysing reagent to the first dedicated portion to force the additional aliquot from its displaced disposition, as a lyse reagent/aliquot mixture, to a selected additional mixing and testing chamber exterior of the valve assembly without contaminating any interior flow path traversed by a blood sample and associated dil

Abstract: A hollow pipette member open at its opposite ends contains a plug of porous, hydrophobic material force fitted between its ends to define a liquid sample chamber between the plug and one end of the tube. At least a major portion of the pores of the plug material are impregnated with particles of a liquid scavenging material which are of smaller size than the pores so as to allow gas to be drawn through the plug. The liquid sample chamber is of predetermined volume greater than the volume of liquid drawn by a suitable suction device attached to the opposite end of the tube, so that an air gap will remain between the drawn sample and the plug. Any liquid droplets vaporized and drawn into the plug member will contact the hydrophilic particles, which will expand to block passage through those pores while still permitting gas flow through other pores. If the liquid sample itself contacts the plug, enough particles will expand to completely block gas or liquid flow through the plug.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for use in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine having a rigid outer canister with a catalyst support disposed therein for movement between a first position adjacent in inlet end of the canister and a second position located in spaced relationship with said inlet end. In its first position, the substrate seals the inlet thereby forcing the entire exhaust flow through the fluid flow passages within the catalyst support which are in axial alignment with the converter inlet. The effect of forcing the totality of flow reduced volume of the substrate to the entire thermal energy of the exhaust stream thereby assisting in a reduction in the catalyst light-off time. Following catalyst light-off, the catalyst support is moved to its second, spaced position in which the entire frontal area of the converter is exposed to the exhaust flow thereby lowering backpressure of the converter and preventing converter overtemperature problems.

Abstract: The laboratory apparatus is used for separating gaseous, liquid and solid substances from gas samples (for example air) to be trace analyzed. It comprises a vessel and a mixer insert with nozzles. The gas fed into the mixer insert emerges from the nozzles at high speed into an absorption liquid held in the vessel so that intensive mixing and hence high absorption of the substances takes place. After passing through the liquid the gas leaves the vessel via an outlet. The substances absorbed in the liquid are available for analysis.

Abstract: There are described a cuvette and a method for sealing off flow such as flow in a passageway from an access port in the cuvette with a closure, that ensures a complete seal merely by applying the closure. The cuvette is improved in that it has the closure in a closure portion that is joined to the rest of the cuvette along a hinge line that passes through the passageway to be closed off, so that application of the closure by bending the closure portion about the hinge line pinches off the passageway.

Abstract: A membrane blood oxygenator having a mechanism for automatically maintaining the total pressure of the oxygenating gas near yet below that of the blood across the membrane is described. This includes a valve for restricting the flow of oxygenating gas exiting the oxygenator with the pressure of the blood exiting the oxygenator. A tubing communicates the pressure of the exiting blood to the valve to activate the valve.

Abstract: A monolith can be mounted in a catalytic converter by a material containing intumescent vermiculite flakes that have a uniform content of chemically bound water from about 1.0 to 3.2% by weight and a uniform bulk density from about 0.2 to 0.9 g/cm.sup.3. Such a mounting affords good support to the monolith at warm-up temperatures, exerts adequate holding forces at operating temperatures without danger of cracking the monolith, and does not incur gradual reduction in holding forces at operating temperatures.

Abstract: An exhaust gas cleaning device is disposed within an exhaust pipe connected to the exhaust port of an internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas cleaning device comprises an inner pipe disposed coaxially within the exhaust pipe with an annular space defined therebetween, the inner pipe being provided with a plurality of perforations, and laminated structures disposed upon the inner and outer surfaces of the inner pipe and including a catalyst for cleaning unburned components of the exhaust gas flowing within the exhaust pipe, each of the laminated structures being formed of a material which is not deleterious to the catalyst. The laminated structure includes a catalyst carrier layer formed by, in accordance with one method, fusibly injecting a catalyst including a solution onto an intermediate layer formed upon the inner and outer surfaces of the inner pipe and drying the same so as to remove the liquid component therefrom.

Abstract: There is provided an electrically heatable catalytic monolith composed of a bundle of layers of corrugated thin metal strips in contiguous relation in an electrically parallel circuit, the bundle being accordion folded and having electrical contacts at each end of the bundle and insulation between contiguous folds of the bundle. There is also provided a catalytic converter having a housing, a nonelectrically heatable catalytic monolith and an electrically heatable catalytic monolith as above described in tandem relation in the housing. The primary purpose of the devices hereof is to enable preheating of the catalyst to near optimum temperature for catalytic treatment of a gas, e.g. exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, to overcome pollution at the time of start-up of the engine and until equilibrium temperature of the unit is achieved.