Abstract: In a fuel supply system with premixing combustion, a gaseous and/or liquid fuel is introduced as a secondary flow into a gaseous, ducted main flow. The secondary flow has a substantially smaller mass flow than the main flow. The main flow is guided via vortex generators (9) of which a plurality are arranged adjacent to one another over the periphery of the duct (20), through which flow takes place, on at least one duct wall. The secondary flow is fed into the duct (20) in the immediate region of the vortex generators (9). A vortex generator (9) has three surfaces around which flow takes place freely, which surfaces extend in the flow direction, one of them forming the top surface (10) and the two others forming the side surfaces (11, 13). The fuel is fed into the duct from nozzles which are located before, behind or in the vortex generator.

Abstract: A multi-stage treatment system for infectious waste includes a shredding stage, a granulating stage, a wetting stage, a disinfecting stage, and a dewatering stage which define a continuous treatment flowpath for the infectious waste. A plurality of blades shred the waste in the shredding stage, then the waste is injected with volatile disinfectant chemicals which are mixed immediately before injection. A plurality of blades in a granulating stage then fragment the waste to a smaller particle size. The granulating stage insures that the waste is granulated to a sufficiently small size to facilitate the use of a relatively low concentration of a highly reactive disinfectant. Chemicals are mixed to form a volatile, highly reactive disinfectant which is then immediately injected into the waste downstream of the shredding stage. A plurality of jets wet the waste mixture in the wetting stage with the heated aqueous disinfectant.

Abstract: When carrying out a radiant heat exchange between two media, one medium being a hot gas (5) and the other medium being a gasification mixture (11) of fuel and steam, the device consists of a gasification vessel (1) which, for its part, consists of a reaction space (2), an intermediate tube (4) and a flow space (3). In the reaction space (2), the hot gases (5) flow away centrally in the direction of the intermediate tube (4) and the flow space (3). The gasification mixture (11) flows in the opposite direction out of the flow space (3) and the intermediate tube (4). This gasification mixture surrounds the hot gases (5) in such a way that the radiant heat exchange takes place between the two media (5, 11).

Abstract: A process and apparatus for gasification of organic materials (typically incorporated in domestic and industrial wastes, including auto shredder residues) to produce useful synthesis gas (with a major content CO and H.sub.2) with effectively non-toxic ash residue by means of at least one continuously operated burner, preferably stoichiometrically balanced (1:2 for natural gas/oxygen) at least at startup and shut down (optionally with some excess of oxygen, usually under steady-state conditions, such as at a ratio of 1:4 or higher, especially if the charge has well over 18% water content), directed into a primary single stage reaction zone (through an opening in common with the effluent product gas discharged therefrom such as to assure intimate contact therebetween), which zone contains a tumbling charge in a rotating barrel-shaped horizontal reactor thus heated to from about 650.degree. to about 800.degree. C.

Abstract: A pumpable slurry of shredded scrap solid carbonaceous plastic-containing material that contains associated inorganic matter in admixture with a comminuted aluminosilicate-containing material having noncombustible constituents is reacted by partial oxidation to produce synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas. The noncombustible constituents in the aluminosilicate-containing material captures the inorganic matter in the scrap solid carbonaceous plastic-containing material while in the reducing atmosphere of the gasifier to produce nontoxic, nonleachable slag. The slurrying medium is water, liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel, or mixtures thereof. Scrap plastics may be disposed of by the subject process without polluting the nation's environment.

Abstract: An in-situ method is disclosed for low pressure vaporization and recovery of contaminants from surface and near-surface soil by electrically heating the soil with a pattern of hollow electrodes and pulling a deep vacuum through the electrodes. The surface of the soil is sealed with an impermeable barrier supported by the soil. The contaminants are removed by vacuum distillation in the presence of water vapor at a temperature well below the normal boiling point of the contaminants.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of reformers for reforming fuel for a fuel cell that includes an elongated catalyst bed with fuel to be reformed being delivered at one end of the bed and extracted from the other end of the bed. Heat is applied to a greater extent at the inlet end of the catalyst bed than the outlet end to prevent the formation of carbon monoxide in the products delivered from the outlet. In all embodiments, the catalyst bed has a spiral configuration and the fuel is heated before it is delivered to the catalyst bed. In some embodiments the same heat sources are employed for heating both the fuel and the catalyst bed.

Abstract: A self-adjusting linkable carrier for sample tubes, cuvettes, cells and the like comprising a longitudinally symmetrical vertically oriented polygonal body having two pairs of orthogonally disposed opposed vertical faces and a horizontal bottom sliding surface is disclosed. The top surface of the body is provided with a central bore opening into a vertical cavity adapted to releasably receive and retain a wide variety of sample tube configurations in a stable vertical orientation. Machine readable indicia may be provided on the external surface and vertical slots are provided in each external face to provide access to the central vertical cavity. A releasably locking horizontally aligned dovetail feature is provided to link adjacent carriers into conveniently handled racks or magazines which may be assembled and disassembled by machine. Additional horizontally sliding indexing elements are provided to facilitate the stable storage and transport of the carrier.

Abstract: A deodorizing lamp comprises a lamp unit and a titanium oxide film coating the glass surface of the lamp unit and optionally at least one metal selected from among iron, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, palladium, silver, copper, zinc, and manganese deposited on the surface of the titanium oxide film. A method for the production of a deodorizing lamp comprises the steps of applying a titania sol or an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution of titania gel to the glass surface of a lamp unit, drying the applied layer of titania sol or titania gel, firing the dried layer thereby forming a titanium oxide film on the glass surface, and optionally depositing at least one metal from among iron, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, palladium, silver, copper, zinc, and manganese on the titanium oxide film.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for recovering condensed solidified volatile metals from the slag that exits the reactor section of a partial oxidation reactor. In a partial oxidation reactor, condensed solidified volatile metals become adsorbed to the surface of the slag particles and other particulate matter associated with the gasification reaction, such as ash and soot. These particulate materials can be removed and recovered. Finely divided slag particles can be separated and contacted with a mineral acid to dissolve the adsorbed condensed volatile metals. An acid liquor results which contains dissolved volatile metal salts of the acid. The acid liquor containing the dissolved volatile metal acid salts is then electrolyzed to reduce the dissolved volatile metal acid salts to the corresponding elemental metal for recovery.

Abstract: Use of solar energy for the production of synthesis gas from carbonaceous material. An aqueous dispersion of carbonaceous material is injected into a reactor in the form of a shower or a jet of droplets, and the droplets are allowed to sink inside the reactor across a high-temperature focal zone projected into the reactor by means of a system for the concentration of solar radiation. The residence time inside the reactor is adjustable by means of a countercurrent gas flow or by the injection of two or more discrete droplet jets in an impinging jet arrangement.

Abstract: A produce labeller has first and, optionally, second selectively actuable label supply cartridge for selectively supplying labels from the fast or second selectively actuable label supply cartridge to corresponding fast and second label transfer positions in a fast plane. A rotatable label transfer piston housing is provided, rotatable in the first plane on a drive shaft. The rotatable label transfer piston housing has mounted radially therein in the fast plane radially spaced apart resiliently biased radially telescoping label transfer pistons for picking up labels from the fast or second selectively actuable label supply cartridge at the fast or second label transfer position, and rotationally carrying the labels from the first or second label transfer position to a label deposit point. The labels are carried on exposed ends of the radially spaced apart resiliently biased radially telescoping label transfer pistons, one label per exposed end, by selectively actuable vacuum apertures on each exposed end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment of a waste gas containing dust and chemical contaminants are disclosed. The apparatus includes a combination of a cooling/dust-eliminating chamber and a chemical treatment chamber in a single container. The first mentioned chamber is provided with sprayers for the cooling liquid, a perpendicular bulkhead or pipes, a collecting plate for the cooling liquid and gas-dispersing pipes in a special configuration, so that the dust-liquid separation can be efficiently effected without badly affecting the chemical treatment of the gas. Thus, the apparatus can be minimized in size as a whole and made economically attractive.

Abstract: In an improved molten metal hydrogen generation bath, baffles form a draft tube or chimney-effect near the center of the bath. Flow through the chimney is aided by maintaining a temperature differential favoring convection and, optionally, a differential pressure between the portions of the bath on either side of the baffle-chimney arrangement. Feed is added to the feed zone and oxygen is added to the oxidation zone, emitting H.sub.2 from the feed zone and CO from the oxidation zone. Baffles may be made simply of brick work or high temperature metal and can fit into existing refractory-lined molten metal vessels. Products can be mixed as syngas feed for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Additionally, the Boudouard endothermic reaction (CO.sub.2 +C.fwdarw.2CO) can be used to control temperatures by injecting CO in place of oxygen.

Abstract: A system and method for producing product gas using residual waste liquor is described with a gasifier reactor having a fluidized bed located therein. The gasifier reactor is heated to a predetermined temperature range with either an external heater or a second fluidized bed located at a position below the first fluidized bed. A heat exchanger may be positioned in the first fluidized bed and/or the second fluidized bed for indirectly heating the respective fluidized beds. Condensing heat exchanger means recovers heat from the product gas and condenses an acid gas therefrom for recycling the chemicals. A reagent is sprayed in the condensing heat exchanger means to clean the product gas. Pressurization allows the cleaned product gas to be directly fired in a turbine.

Abstract: Vertical, small diameter cyclones are disclosed. Gas and fines are added tangentially or axially around a clean vapor outlet tube in a cylindrical cyclone. A vortex of solids and some gas passes into a contiguous and axially aligned cylindrical vortex containment means from which solids are withdrawn via a vertical slot in a sidewall of the containment means. 0-5 micron particle removal is enhanced. An FCC process uses the cyclones as a third stage separator.

Abstract: A filter utilizes a filter bed having a ceramic media to remove particulates from process emissions upstream of a regenerative incinerator to prevent fouling of the incinerator. To prevent the filter from fouling, the filter is adapted to "bake-off" contaminants from the filter bed by providing a flow of hot innocuous air through the filter. In addition, fluid can be flushed through the filter.

Abstract: A fumigation tent comprises a frame that can be suspended from the roof of a dock building by support cables. The frame has an underside to which a tarp is mounted. The tarp hangs from the frame defining a tent having a top and side curtains having a lower periphery that defines a bottom perimeter. Horizontal pipes are attached to, and arranged along, the side curtains of the tent at spaced intervals between the bottom perimeter of the tent and the top of the tent. Winch cables attached at one end to clew plates draw up the horizontal pipes. The clew plates can accommodate several winch cables and are connected by winch chains to motorized winches which operate together so that the tent remains substantially level when it is raised and lowered. Rings, disposed around the winch cables and attached to the horizontal pipes, gather up and support the tarp as the tent is being raised. The rings cooperate with the horizontal pipes to collect the tarp into a plurality of small bagouts or overhanging portions.

Abstract: A catalytic gasification process and system for producing medium grade BTU gas including a gasification reactor having an inner air gasification zone, an outer steam gasification zone, a synthetic coal reaction zone, and an upper lime treating zone. The process and system of the present invention further includes a synthetic coal heating vessel which provides superheated recycled synthetic coal to the gasification reactor and a limestone treating vessel which provides superheated air and CO.sub.2 to the gasification reactor. The novel process and system of the present invention provides for the production of a medium grade BTU gas and several commercially valuable by-products with virtually no solid or liquid waste products.

Abstract: The production of fibers is carried out by allowing a gas mixture containing a gaseous hydrocarbon or an appropriate gas to pass through a substrate (generally a steel sheet) arranged facing the direction of the gas stream and situated in a furnace wherein the gas reaches a temperature of 1.000.degree. C. approximately. The schematized device is comprised of the corresponding gas reservoirs, that is to say the hydrocarbon gas and the carrying and activating gas, a mixing and preheating chamber, the furnace at the outlet of which are collected or burnt the inflammable gases and the grid from the surface of which, duly activated, the carbon fibers may grow. The gist of the invention is that the gas goes through the substrate situated facing the flow, so that said flow of gas is parallel to the direction of the fiber growth. The maximum length of the fibers is set by the distance between the substrate and a substrate or mask situated at the other extremity of the chamber.