Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining the level of an interface between separate phases in a solvent extraction column by regulating the flow from the base of the column. A steady controllable flow is achieved by passing the flow into a pressure vessel and the level in the vessel is controlled by having a plurality of vertically spaced apart apertures in the flow path within the vessel.

Abstract: A process of using an apparatus (10) hydraulically separating a mixture of small size mineral particles (42) according to different mineral densities (61 and 91) consists of an elongated inclined tubular conduit (11) which includes appurtenances and adjustments by which the innately higher midstream velocity and lower, conduit sidwall surface velocity forces of the adjusted upward fluid flow through the inclined conduit (11) are systematized for the processing. In combined operations the mixed feed particles (42), after introduction at intermediate longitudinal location (31) of the inclined conduit (11), drop rapidly out of fluid flow suspension and are processed while continuously maintained in a predominantly precipitated condition. During processing, the precipitated particles (42) are formed into a more or less continuous layer of two superincumbent strata which move or tend to move relatively in opposite longitudinal directions throughout the length of the inclined conduit (11).

Abstract: A method of operating an expandable chamber formed with a valve opening in a wall of the chamber, which permits the surrounding environment, such as high temperature steam, to enter the chamber is used. A temperature responsive delay valve closes the chamber to capture a quantity of the steam in an autoclave sterilizing cycle. The closing of the valve is delayed until the high temperature steam has been applied for a predetermined time. A later reduction in pressure surrounding the chamber causes the chamber to expand, which provides an indication that an adequate sterilizing cycle has been provided. The expansion force may also be used to permit a container to close at the end of a sterilizing cycle.

Abstract: Fibrides of synthetic heterochain polymers are produced by a non-equilibrium polycondensation of an aqueous alkaline solution of bifunctional compounds supplied into the reaction zone as a continuous stream oriented in the horizontal plane of the reaction zone to be acylated with diacyl chlorides of dicarboxylic acids in the state of a superheated vapor with a carrier supplied into the reaction zone in the vertical plane, contacting the reagents being effected in a cross-current stream under shear stress conditions.

Abstract: A mixing method and apparatus for preparing multi-component plastic materials, especially polyurethanes, which are mixed before being fed into a mold. According to the invention, a first and at least a second main component are mixed by feeding them into a limited area of a mixing chamber through lateral inlet apertures symmetrically arranged with respect to a plane comprising the longitudinal axis of the chamber and in which a third or secondary component to be mixed is fed through a channel, opening in the chamber upstream of said inlet apertures and orientated so as to direct the flow of the third or secondary component towards said mixing area in the direction of flow of the mixture. A control member is moved toward an advanced position so that it closes the inlet apertures to interrupt feeding of the first and second main components and a coloring agent through respective inlet apertures after a mixing operation.

Abstract: A hydroprocessing trickle reactor construction which will facilitate the catalytic dewaxing of liquid petroleum or lube feedstocks in a highly efficient and economical manner, particularly through the use of reactors employing stationary bed of a defined, shape-selective crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite catalyst, preferably ZSM-5. Pursuant to one embodiment of the hydroprocessing reactor, the latter is essentially constituted of a trickle bed reactor wherein a plurality of vertically tiered and staggered trays support the beds of catalyst material, such as the crystalline zeolite, and through which the liquid petroleum feedstock trickles downwardly from the upper end of the reactor, while hydrogen is concurrently injected into the catalyst on each of the trays. This causes the hydrogen to percolate through the catalyst bed and to contact and efficiently strip the downwardly trickling stream of liquid petroleum feedstock of low boiling conversion products or waxy components, such as naphtha.

Abstract: An appliance for continuous production of a gaseous product (12), and a liquid byproduct (16), at the same time by reacting a liquid reagent in a reactor (4). The positive difference between the pressure at an entrance to and the pressure at an outlet of the reactor (4) is kept constant. The appliance is used to generate oxygen by decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and this oxygen can be used in welding and cutting sets. The appliance includes a reactor comprising a horizontal reaction zone connected to a horizontal gas collection zone, located above the reaction zone, by vertical conduits.

Abstract: An air treatment apparatus operating in conjunction with a conventional type of air conditioning apparatus through which air moves in an air stream. The air treatment apparatus is to be loaded with any one of a plurality of interchangeable cassette type containers. Each container is to contain a particular type of a liquid substance such as an air freshening chemical. The air treatment apparatus is to be electrically controlled to operate through a pump to be dispensed as a plurality of short bursts of the substance within the air stream of the air conditioning apparatus at preselected intervals.

Abstract: Paired metal force-transmitting machine elements are protected against fretting corrosion under dynamic or oscillating load or stress conditions by a protection layer between pairing surfaces, whereby a direct contact between these pairing or junction surfaces is avoided. The protection layer is a material having a different composition than that of the machine elements. The protection layer is applied between the paired surfaces and to at least one of the paired surfaces. The protection layer has a different crystal structure and a lower hardness than titanium material of which the machine elements are made. The protection layer is galvanically applied and is advantageously of copper, aluminum or silver, whereby the thickness is 5-50 .mu.m. In this way the fretting fatigue durability of machine elements made completely or partially of titanium materials is greatly improved in a simple manner.

Abstract: A process of using a thermally insulating board, made of a homogeneous mixture of expanded perlite particles and cellulosic and/or mineral and/or ceramic fibers, bonded together, comprising placing on the surface of a molten steel mass, in direct contact with the surface, so as to cover substantially all the surface. According to a preferred embodiment, the board consists of 51 to 80% by weight of expanded perlite particles, 15 to 39% by weight of cellulosic and/or mineral fibers and 5 to 10% by weight of binder.

Abstract: A method for treating in counter current of suspended particles with a liquid, whereby the particles and the liquid are transferred in opposite directions through a contact zone which, at some places, spaced in axial direction, is stirred in planes perpendicular to the center line of the contact zone, in which the contact zone is one continuous space and that the volume fraction of the solid matter in the contact zone is maintained at a value between 0.20 and 0.55.

Abstract: A method of melting sulphur, in block form, uses a heating device having lower heating surfaces and means for withdrawing sulphur. The device is positioned on a block of sulphur so that the heating surface(s) are inclined downardly to a collection location spaced inwardly from sides of the sulphur block. The heat is supplied to the heating surfaces to melt sulphur, and molten sulphur is withdrawn by the means for withdrawing it. As sulphur is melted, the heating device is progressively lowered through the block of sulphur. A corresponding apparatus having inclined heating surfaces is provided. As the sulphur is melted so that molten sulphur runs down towards the collection location, the device can be used right up against the edge of a block of sulphur.

Abstract: A sterilization apparatus suitable for sterilizing food and medicines containing solid particles, which comprises a forcing device, a sterilizer, a backpressure tank and a backpressure device. The sterilization apparatus is sterilized beforehand under application of a backpressure by employing the forcing device and the backpressure device. The products are sterilized in the sterilizer under pressure by the forcing device and the backpressure tank, and then the sterilized products are collected in the backpressure tank.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing a porous, particulate sulfur by combining a coherent molten sulfur stream with a coherent water stream to provide an aqueous slurry of a porous, particulate sulfur having a uniform particle size distribution. In the process of this invention, a molten sulfur stream is passed through a substantially downwardly oriented, rectangular slot to provide a sheet of molten sulfur, and said sheet of molten sulfur is sheared by directing at least one sheet of water thereat, at a velocity and flow rate sufficient to disrupt said sheet of molten sulfur and provide solid sulfur particles having a substantially uniform size. The solid sulfur particles are recovered, as an aqueous slurry thereof, and separated from said slurry by substantially removing the water therefrom.

Abstract: A cartridge-type aroma percolator for wafting fragrance into the atmosphere at a relatively high rate. The percolator includes a cylindrical container having a vented cap and a base provided with a raised hub housing an electric heater. Telescopically inserted into the container is a replaceable cartridge having a can whose base has a reentrant socket that complements and receives the hub. Placed adjacent the upper end of the can is a liquid-permeable toroidal insert incorporating a pad of porous material, the insert defining therebelow a chamber having a pool therein of an aqueous solution of a volatile liquid fragrance. A tube coaxial with the can extends through the hollow core of the barrier, the tube inlet being immersed in the pool adjacent the socket, the tube outlet being above the barrier.

Abstract: A technique is described for neutralizing unishiol. The technique involves contacting urushiol with a chlorine-containing compound in a liquid medium. In one embodiment the chlorine-containing compound is sodium or calcium hypochlorite in an aqueous solution. In another embodiment the chlorine-containing compound is a chloramine in a liquid organic medium.

Abstract: A high gradient magnetic filter is enhanced by the electrophoretic effect whereby the range of effectiveness of the conventional high gradient magnetic filter for collecting suspended magnetic solid particles from liquid streams, such as power plant coolant streams, is extended to collect suspended magnetic solid particles of submicron size as well as particulates not susceptible to a magnetic field gradient. A conventional high gradient magnetic filter is connected into a pipeline, through which a liquid stream containing the suspended solid particles to be removed is flowing, so that the filter is electrically insulated from the remainder of the pipeline, and a potential is applied to the filter to polarize same relative to the pipeline with a polarity which is opposite the polarity of the charged particles in the stream which are to be collected.

Abstract: A temperature sensor/pressure relief valve has a sensing end positioned within the pressure chamber of a sterilizer and an exhaust end positioned outside the pressure chamber. The temperature sensor is cooperatively adapted to a terminal apparatus at the sensing end to form a pressure relief valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sonicating an article such that the liquid used as the sonication medium cannot recontaminate the article. A sonication medium in the form of a film of liquid is streamed over the article. A probe of a sonic horn is positioned in sonic energy transfer relationship to the sonication medium next to the article. Sound waves transmitted through the sonication medium dislodge particles from the article and into the sonication medium. The sonication medium carrying dislodged particles is drained away after passing the probe of the sonic horn. A subsequent sterilization means can be used to further clean the article. The article can be a web of packaging material used subsequent to sterilization for forming into individual containers for the aseptic packaging of foodstuffs or the like.

Abstract: Fluidized bed systems for segregating cleaning or classifying particulate matter of differing physical properties such as particle density or size. Multiple stage beds preferably operate in a partially fluidized state and the classification structure provides for full peripheral discharge of both floats from the upper portion of each bed and sinks from the lower portion of each bed to alleviate the tendency of fluidized medium to both short circuit the particles of the upper stage and restrict the flow of particles from the upper stage to the lower stage.