Abstract: To transport and/or store produce, individual refrigeration units are provided for palletised packages. A load of produce (201) is enclosed by packaging which acts as a gas barrier, e.g., a plastics bag (2), corrugated cardboard, etc. The packaging may optionally also include insulation (200). In one option the refrigeration unit is in or on the pallet (3). The gas flow across the evaporator (15 (i.e., the flow internal to the gas barrier) is kept separate from the gas flow across the condenser (10) (which flow results in heating of the ambient air) by such measures as physical separation of condenser and evaporator and ducting or channels in the pallet. In another option the refrigeration unit sits on the produce. In this case separation of the gas flows may be achieved by sealing of the barrier (e.g., clamping of the mouth of a plastic bag by an O-ring) to a flange encircling the condenser.

Abstract: An orifice pulse tube refrigerator is provided with a flow separation member in the pulse tube so as to prevent mixing of hot and cold gases from opposite end of the pulse tube, thus reducing losses due to mixing and improving efficiency. The flow separation member may take the form of a cylindrical slug of low-friction material mounted in the pulse tube for sliding movement in response to instantaneous variation in working gas pressure.

Abstract: A drying cylinder comprises a cylindrical shell with head members at either end and is mounted for rotation about its central longitudinal axis. A gas fired burner assembly is mounted in the interior of the cylinder and comprises a plurality of burner segments which transmit heat to the shell by infrared radiation. The heat output of the burner segments are controllable as an assembly in unison or individually.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for gasification of feedstock materials are disclosed. The apparatus includes an oblate spheroid (egg-shaped) gasification chamber having inlets for feedstock material and gaseous oxidizer. A combustion gas outlet permits removal of combustion gases, and an ash collection region allows collection and removal of ash produced in the gasification chamber. A plurality of recirculating venturi tubes located within the gasification chamber recirculate combustion gases and particulates into and out of a gasification zone. Each venturi tube includes a plenum having a gaseous oxidizer inlet and a plurality of orifices capable of producing high velocity air flow towards the feedstock material bed in the gasification zone. Filtration action of the bed entrains combustion particulates. A plurality of air cannons coupled to one or more pulse valves provide pulsed air flow into the gasification zone to agitate the feedstock material bed.

Abstract: A process and a system for producing helium from a helium-bearing feed gas that is purified in a cryogenic processing unit to produce cryogenic crude helium containing at least 10% helium. The cryogenic crude helium is directly introduced into a thermal swing helium refinery where it is refined. Refrigeration is supplied to the refinery by the cryogenic crude helium from the cryogenic processing unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method (1) for reducing the amount of air toxic elements, particularly mercury (16), in concentrations down to and including trace levels, from a flyash (2) laden combustion gas stream (4). The method includes a step of combusting a fuel (14), often coal or solid waste to form flyash, and a step to concentrate the interaction of the flyash (2) in the combustion gas stream (4) for use as a sorbent.

Abstract: A pipe coil is heated in the furnace of a heat treatment apparatus. The oil adhered to the inside of the pipe is vaporized by this heating. In this state the oil removing gas is fed at one end into the pipe which gas is in the high temperature enough to maintain the vaporizing condition of the oil. The vaporized oil within the pipe is discharged by the feeding of the gas at the other end of the pipe while the oil is in the vaporized state.

Abstract: A device for preparing a spray-dried product includes a drying chamber with a distribution element placed therein for atomizing liquid to be spray-dried, an element for supplying drying gas, an element supplying a stream of solid particles to a stream of droplets atomized from the distribution element, and one or more fluidized beds, each having at least one bottom plate with openings which has gas supply structure opening out at the underside thereof. These fluidized beds are placed connected to each other inside the drying chamber, opposite the distribution element, the above in such a way that the combined streams of droplets from the distribution element and solid particles fall essentially into the first bed, and conveyance of material from the first bed to the second bed can take place.

Abstract: A device for preparing a spray-dried product is described, the distance between the distribution element and a fluidized bed in the device being such that the particles have essentially reached their critical moisture content. A method showing the mixing of the primary liquid droplets delivered by the distribution element and solid particles is also specified.

Abstract: An impactor for a movable, deformable barrier, simulating an automobile, comprising an upright, solid backing support, a plurality of energy absorbing impact segments protruding from the support, each segment having an outer impact face and each comprising a plurality of layers of honeycomb having different crush strength characterized by increasing crush strength of successive layers from the outer impact face to the support, the layers being separated by and secured to perforate plates therebetween allowing air flow from a crushing layer to the succeeding layers when the layers are successively crushed and each impact segment having a thin vent layer of noncrushing slotted honeycomb adjacent the support for discharge of air from all of the segments as they are successively crushed. The layers in each segment are of essentially the same width and height.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of mixing liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen to form a liquid mixture in which such streams are passed through a parallel flow heat exchanger in order to form a subcooled liquid oxygen stream and a partly vaporized liquid nitrogen stream both having the same temperature. The partly vaporized liquid nitrogen stream is phase separated in a phase separator to form liquid and vaporized nitrogen phases. The liquid phase stream composed of the liquid nitrogen is mixed with the subcooled liquid oxygen stream, preferably in a mixing tee, in order to form the desired mixture.

Abstract: An attachment for a hair dryer is provided which is allowed to move relative to the barrel of the hair dryer in use. This is achieved by forming the attachment in two parts, a first part being a tool member for actually performing the desired function of the attachment, and the second part being a connecting member for fixing the attachment to the barrel of the hair dryer. Each of these parts is formed with a complementary part-spherical portion which are disposed one within the other to form a rotatable joint in the manner of a ball-and-socket joint. The attachment can take any of a number of conventional forms.

Abstract: A fuel injector for use in a furnace is provided. The fuel injector may include a generally tapered configuration and a nozzle having a plurality of open sections, which preferably have an elliptical configuration, arranged at the output for providing rich segregated fuel streams.

Abstract: A hands free hair dryer and holder (10) comprising a portable hair dryer (12). A structure (14) is for supporting the portable hair dryer (12) in a stationary adjustable manner, so that a person (16) can position the portable hair dryer (12) towards the hair (18), so that both hands (20) are free to do other things while drying the hair (18).

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for suppressing flame and pressure pulsations in a furnace which has a burner for generating a flame and a combustion chamber into which the flame is directed. Usually, pressure pulsations can occur in such furnaces, which are induced and amplified by ring vortices rolling up on the outer or peripheral regions of the flame and or fuel/air stream. In order to prevent these ring vortices, it is proposed to surround the flame with an envelope of gas which has a higher flow velocity in the direction of the flame than the peripheral region of the flame or the fuel gas/air flow of the burner, whereby a boundary layer acceleration results, and the vortex formation can no longer take place. The furnace burner is provided with one or more gas discharge openings closely surrounding the burner outlet in order to create the gas envelope.

Abstract: Particle fluidization method in which particles are swirled up by a flow of a fluidizing gas to form a fluidized bed and pressure measurements are performed in or along the fluidized bed, and in which a parameter for the distribution of the measured values from these pressure measurements is determined and is used as a basis for regulating the flow rate of the stream of fluidizing gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing or preventing distortion of woods. Woods are heated at a temperature, a relative humidity and for a time sufficient to uniformly distribute lignin and cellulose therein. These woods are then sprayed with heated water and then dried to a desired moisture content.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved drying techniques which increase the capacity and efficiency of agitated pan type dryers. In particular, the present invention relates to an agitated pan type dryer apparatus and method for aggressive convective drying of hard to dry chemical compounds, such as pharmaceuticals. The aggressive drying is brought about by creating turbulence within the drying vessel during the drying cycle. Significant reductions in drying cycle times have been achieved.

Abstract: A telescoping stand with pivotable holder for a hand-held hair dryer including a stand having a base and a manually and telescopically adjustable pole extending therefrom and terminated at a free end; and a coupling mechanism secured to the free end of the pole for removably holding a hand-held hair dryer and allowing it to be positioned at different angles for use.

Abstract: A drying section for drying a traveling web of paper, which has successive drying groups each having drying cylinders, a felt or wire belt supporting the traveling web and resting against the drying cylinders, and guide rolls serving for the guiding of the web to be dried and of the felt or wire belt. The guide rolls are so arranged that the traveling web is guided in meandering form in the transfer region between two successive drying cylinders associated with different felt or wire belts. The transfer region is between the felts of two successive drying groups or the transfer region is between two felts in the two rows of a two tier drying group.