Abstract: A screen changer mounted between a flowable plastic extruder and a die has a clamp frame movable rectilinearly across the extrusion passage by fluid piston and cylinder means to successively position one of four screen blocks across the passage. A used block is removable from the frame at one end, whereupon latch mechanism retains three blocks while the frame retracts to receive a fresh block. Each block contains a filter recess, a purge recess and a pre-fill groove in the upstream face, so that the incoming block is pre-filled with plastic and purged while moving into position across the passage.

Abstract: Apparatus for desorbing gas from a liquid comprises a deflector for imparting a helical movement to the liquid, a nozzle forming the outlet of the deflector, a stepped desorption tube extending upwardly from the nozzle and a receptacle enclosing the outlet end of the desorption tube. A vacuum pump is connected to the receptacle to reduce pressure within the receptacle and feed and extraction pumps are respectively connected to the deflector and the receptacle to pass the liquid through the desorption tube and to remove de-gassed liquid from the receptacle. The desorption tube has an inlet end with a larger cross-sectional area than the outlet of the nozzle and a cross-section which increases stepwise along the length of the desorption tube.

Abstract: A glass-enclosed integral glass and ceramic filter unit is described for filtering sulfuric acid or other liquid solutions which do not attack silica and in which the sole communication between a first and a second chamber within a totally enclosing glass housing is through the pores of a ceramic filter membrane. This microporous ceramic membrane is connected to the interior of the glass housing by a glass seal wall member fusion bonded thereto advantageously providing an integral filter unit without any mechanical pressure seals or gaskets or other sealing elements having joints through which finely divided particulate matter could by-pass the filter membrane.

Abstract: Apparatus for defoaming a fluid material. The apparatus comprises a non-wetting material in closely adjacent relationship to a material having a lesser degree of non-wetting characteristics with respect to the fluid being defoamed. In one embodiment, fibers with different non-wetting characteristics are woven together with one type of fibers being woven at a 90.degree. angle with respect to the other type of fibers. In another embodiment, fabrics consisting of one type of fibers are in alternate adjacent contact with fabric of the other type of fibers. The characteristics of the fibers are preferably inherent in the material.

Abstract: A filter is disclosed for removing contaminants from recirculating lubricant by causing the lubricant to flow interstitially between layers of wound fibrous tissue which are retained and sealed against channeling of lubricant flow past the filter medium by the interposition thereamong of an annular baffle, the seal being enhanced by imposition of hydraulic force component radially of the filter medium.

Abstract: Combination flow distributing and collecting apparatus for collecting and distributing fluids at different flow rates includes at least one cylindrical screen member portion having a cylindrical distribution and collection pipe positioned interiorly thereof. The distribution and collection pipe contains a plurality of openings in its sides, with at least some of the openings serving to permit flow in one radial direction while restricting or preventing flow in the other radial direction while the other openings permit flow in either direction.

Abstract: An oil/water emulsion, such as oil well production, is treated to recover its oil phase at pipe line specifications by passing the emulsion through an emulsion treater tank to an oil recovery zone in the tank. The emulsion flow path is through successive horizontal emulsion preheating, direct heating, post heating and settling zones of the tank while removing vapor from the top of the zones and water from the bottom of the zones. Water and gas are thus removed from the emulsion in the preheating zones prior to direct heating of the emulsion in the direct heating zone to reduce heat loss and fouling of the emulsion heating means in the direct heating zone, and additional separation of the emulsion phases occurs in the post heating zone prior to final phase separation in the settling zone to improve the settling action.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for removing gas from drilling mud without allowing the gas to escape to the atmosphere before the gas is treated to prevent contamination. The system includes a mud-gas separator vessel with a drilling mud inlet, means for maintaining a minimum mud level in said mud-gas separator vessel, a separator vessel gas outlet, and a separator vessel drilling mud outlet. A degassing means includes a drilling mud inlet located in a position higher than said minimum mud level. Enclosed conduit means connects the separator vessel drilling mud outlet to said degassing means drilling mud inlet.

Abstract: A method for decreasing the naphthalene concentration in debenzolized light oil for greater naphthalene removal comprises pumping the primary light oil condensate and oil bled from a naphthalene scrubber or oil type final cooler to a level above the topmost additional tray in the top portion of a wash oil still.

Abstract: A device for separating low density materials such as gas bubbles from a liquid is disclosed which comprises a chamber defined by an inner wall which in turn defines generally circular, transverse cross-sections about a longitudinal axis. The liquid inlet port extends through the inner wall in a position to pass liquid into the chambers circumferentially about the inner wall for swirling flow within the chamber. Accordingly, lower density components of the fluid, such as bubbles, migrate away from the inner wall toward the center of the swirling flow. An outlet port extends through the inner wall, and is spaced from the inlet port, to collect fluid which is free from the low density materials.

Abstract: A reservoir for the collection, purification, and storage of blood during surgical procedures which comprises a hollow blood storage casing having a hollow, perforated member within said casing extending from end-to-end thereof. Blood defoaming means and a filter are carried by the hollow member, so that the blood defoamer and filter are noncollapsible, and extend the entire length of the chamber within the casing, with one of the ports communicating with the interior of the hollow member, so that blood passes through the perforations of the hollow member and defoamer-filter means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the separation of a mixture of gas and polymer issuing from continuous polymerization apparatus in which the mixture is passed sideways into a vessel via a polymer-gas separating means while directing the polymer smoothly to a pool of molten polymer.

Abstract: Water used to wash the air in paint or lacquer spray booths in order to remove over-sprayed paint or lacquers is treated with a blend of a polycationic water dispersible polymer and a compound of an amphoteric metal to reduce the tackiness of paint and lacquer solids and thereby reduce the tendency of over-sprayed paints and lacquers to adhere to walls, ceilings and floors of said spray booths and also to condition the paint and lacquer solids removed with the water so that they can be separated and the water recycled for further use in washing the air in the spray booth.

Abstract: Sour gas streams containing significant quantities of H.sub.2 S, CO.sub.2, and COS are contacted with an aqueous absorbent to remove the acid gases, the acid gases are described and contacted with a selective absorbent which rejects a substantial quantity of the CO.sub.2, and the H.sub.2 S enriched absorbent is stripped to produce a feed suitable for Claus units.

Abstract: In a dynamic solids concentrator having a rotor with radially extensive disc-like elements which rotate adjacent other stationary or rotating disc-like elements, stabilizing members are provided along radial edges of the respective elements. In the case of the rotating elements, the stabilizing members are stabilizing fingers which ride within guide members on or guide paths in the inner walls of the concentrator and, in another embodiment, T-shaped stabilizing members whose arms ride on the surfaces of adjacent disc-like elements. In the case of the non-rotating elements, the stabilizing members are stabilizing fingers which ride within the guide members on or guide paths in the concentrator's rotor shaft. The fingers, T-shaped members and their cooperating guides stabilize the relative positions of the disc-like elements within the concentrator under conditions in which pressure differentials within the concentrator or high rotor speeds would otherwise disturb their relative positions.

Abstract: An expressing filter plate comprising a base plate and a diaphragm sheet covering the base plate and having a filter surface, with a pressure fluid chamber formed between the base plate and the diaphragm sheet. The diaphragm sheet is formed, in its peripheral portion to be clamped between pressed filter plates, with a fluid passing opening in communication with a fluid passage in the base plate. A covering member having a tubular portion fitting in the opening is made of a material having higher hardness than the diaphragm sheet. The covering member has a flange portion formed with fluid grooves for maintaining the tubular portion in communication with filtrate grooves in the filter surface of the diaphragm sheet.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating solid particles from a mixed fluid stream is provided by this invention. The method comprises helically guiding a fluid mixture of particles and liquid into a porous-walled chamber, discharging the fluids centrifugally from the chamber and recovering the particles at the bottom of the chamber. Apparatus, in accordance with the present invention, includes a helical conduit, in fluid flow connection with a porous chamber, a spiral deflector extending from the top of helical conduit downwardly into the chamber so as to deflect the particles downwardly as the water is ejected centrifugally through the sides of the chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for concentrating and washing solids in a slurry comprising a housing containing both separation/concentration and washing chambers with an inlet for continuously injecting solids -- containing fluid into the separation chamber wherein a dynamic filtering system is provided for separating the solids -- containing fluid to form a cencentrate of solids and a filtrate. The filtering system includes a plurality of stationary filter elements and a plurality of rotor elements mounted on a rotatable shaft from which they extend outwardly and adjacent the filter elements to form a plurality of alternating rotor and filter elements within the housing. The concentrate washing chamber is disposed downstream of the filtering system and includes a plurality of stationary filter elements and a plurality of rotor elements arranged similarly to the elements in the filtering system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the separation of gases from liquids, in particular from the water of a heating system, the separating device being united constructionally with the heating pump, the pump housing being divided into chambers by the provision of liquid guiding webs, a turbulence chamber being produced.

Abstract: A drilling mud degasser apparatus which has only a single moving part, namely, a unitary, hollow body rotatable within an open bottom casing, and the impeller of a suction pump connected to the interior of the rotor body. The casing and rotor are submerged in a pond of mud returned from a well or connected in a return mud line such that gas-cut mud entering the bottom of the rotor body is centrifugally thrown upwardly and outwardly to cause the liquid and/or sand components to travel up the wall of the rotor body and be discharged through outlet openings at the top of the body wall. Concurrently, released gases are drawn through inner gas outlets, at the top of the rotor body into the impeller housing and thence discharged. Differential discharge of sand and liquid components by centrifugal action may be provided as may a flotation collar for insuring uniform submersion of the casing beneath the liquid level.