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.

Abstract: A reactor for catalytically dewaxing a waxy distillate consisting of a lubricating oil or liquid petroleum feedstocks utilizing a shape-selective crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite catalyst in order to obtain a lubricating oil having a low pour point and a high viscosity index, particularly, a plate-type hydroprocessing trickle reactor construction for catalytically dewaxing liquid petroleum feedstocks. The reactor is essentially constituted of an inclined plate trickle bed reactor wherein a tray of generally permeable construction supports a bed of catalyst material, such as crystalline zeolite, and in which the liquid petroleum feedstock trickles downwardly through the catalyst material from the upper end of the reactor towards the lower end of the reactor, while hydrogen is concurrently injected into the space below the permeable tray at the upper end of the reactor in the direction towards the lower end of the reactor.

Abstract: Apparatus particularly useful for the removal of iron particles and other magnetic solids from printing ink. Included is a casing (22) through which flows a liquid to be clarified. A plurality of straight bar magnets (M), mounted to the inside surface of a tubular sheath (50), are magnetically attached to the outer surface of the casing for creating magnetic fields within the casing. The magnetic solids contained in the liquid are magnetically attracted to the inside surface of the casing and so are separated from the liquid. The detachment of the magnets from the casing causes the separated solids to settle to the bottom of the casing for easy discharge through a drain port (38) formed therein. A cartridge filter (28) is provided centrally within the casing for the separation of nonmagnetic solids from the liquid.

Abstract: A self-contained sewage waste disposal system including a housing structure and a toilet bowl adapted to receive human waste and fluid for diluting the waste, transporting the waste and rinsing the bowl. A removable filter cassette is in the housing in communication with the toilet bowl. The bowl is flushed and the contents are dumped into the filter cassette and the bowl is subsequently refilled. Filters in the cassette separate the coarse and fine particles of solid material from the fluid received from the bowl. The solid material is stored in the cassette in a compact manner for subsequent disposal upon removal of the cassette. Fine filtering and decoloring is accomplished by a carbon canister. A reservoir is provided for storage of fluid after removal of solid material therefrom in the cassette.

Abstract: A room air freshener in the form of a porous ceramic ring sized to rest on the upper end of a conventional electric lamp bulb. The ring has a cavity in its top surface of volume less than the combined volume of the pores of the ceramic so that a fragrant oil filling the cavity will be completely absorbed by the ceramic leaving a dry outer surface which does not collect dust. When the lamp bulb is turned on, the ring is heated to vaporize the oil and release the fragrance which permeates the room.

Abstract: A method is provided for placement of selected quantities of gas-producing solid fumigant at selected locations within the depth of a bulk-stored commodity within a storage compartment, such as grain loaded into the hold of a ship. The invention comprises a fabric sleeve projecting downwardly into the grain with a closed lower end at a selected depth, and an open filler pipe received into the sleeve through which a selected quantity of fumigant is poured. The filler pipe is withdrawn to leave the fumigant at a selected depth within the sleeve, whereupon the grain compresses against and closes upper unfilled sleeve portions thereby isolating the fumigant at a selected depth within the grain where it produces penetrating toxic gases to exterminate pests. In one form, the sleeve and filler pipe are inserted as an assembly to a relatively shallow depth within the grain subsequent to loading of the hold.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine oil system is provided in which the centrifugal separator is arranged to act as a pump for supplying bearing chambers directly, and the scavenging of the bearing chambers is achieved primarily by the pressurization air which flows into the chambers to prevent oil leakage. To avoid the use of pressure regulating valves for controlling the oil flow an oil tank is pressurized and communicates with an auxiliary outlet from the separator, the pressure in which is governed by the quantity of oil flowing around the system. The tank and the bearing chambers are fluidly connected to the centrifugal separator in two separate fluid circuits with each circuit having the separator as an element thereof.

Abstract: Reactor for conducting high exothermic and endothermic catalytic processes of partial oxidation, oxidizing ammonolysis, oxidizing dehydrogenation and so forth. The reactor has a shell in which there are disposed in sequence sets of tubes making up axially spaced heat exchange sections and contact sections alternating with each other, the tubes in the contact section being provided with catalysts deposited upon there outer surfaces. The shell is provided with an inlet port for raw material at the top thereof, a discharge port at the bottom thereof for removal of finished material, and at least one lateral port disposed between successive contact sections. The advantages of the reactor of the inventions lie in the quicker and easier method for deposition of catalysts upon the tubes within the contact sections, and in the lateral ports for feeding the reactor with raw material. As a result of this the temperature profile in the reactor is optimized and the productivity of the reactor is markedly increased.

Abstract: A dispenser (10) for a detergent (13) is disclosed. A housing (10) defining an inner cavity (12) holds the detergent (13). The cavity (12) has a circular opening. An insert (14) of a substance not chemically compatible with the detergent (13) is retained in the opening of the inner cavity (12). The insert (14) is retained by retaining ring (20) and a cover (26). In a preferred embodiment, the retaining ring (20) defines an inner aperture (21a) and has a plurality of generally upwardly extending resilient fingers (24) cooperatively connected to the retaining ring (20) proximate the inner aperture (21b). A cover (26) is cooperatively connected to and secured by the fingers (24), wherein said insert (14) is placed over said fingers (24) and said cover (26) over said insert (14), whereby said fingers (24) and said cover (26) control the dissolving of the insert (14 ) by controlling the surface area of the insert (14) exposed to the detergent solution.

Abstract: An aroma generator that is automatically activated when one turns on an electric light bulb in the room in which the generator is installed, the generator then functioning to discharge an air current into the room conveying an aromatic vapor which modifies the prevailing atmosphere. Included in the generator is a motor-driven fan that forces air through an air permeable cartridge containing an aroma supply, the motor being powered by a solar cell assembly mounted adjacent the bulb. The arrangement is such that when the bulb is switched on, the resultant cell output is sufficient to power the motor and activate the generator, the cell output, in response to ambient light being insufficient for this purpose, whereby the operation of the generator is coordinated with that of the bulb without any wire connection therebetween.

Abstract: A blood defoamer for use in surgical procedures is disclosed comprising a porous defoaming element, a non-porous end piece in contact with a surface of the defoaming element, and a layer of fabric affixed to the end piece adjacent to said surface. Bypass of blood flow around the layer of fabric, which is situated downstream of the defoaming element, and accumulation of bubbles in the defoamed blood reservoir are prevented by bonding a suitably configured retaining ring to the end piece with a portion of the layer of fabric held in a fluid-tight seal between the end piece and the retaining ring.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a liquid-liquid extraction process by co-current contact between an extraction liquid and a liquid from which impurities are to be extracted includes a mixing compartment in the form of a vertical column having an open lower end and equipped in its interior and substantially throughout its length with a rotary element having surfaces extending perpendicularly or obliquely to the axis of the element. The open lower end of the column extends into a settling compartment in the form of a leak-proof container provided with means for determining the level of the extraction liquid in the container. The extraction liquid is recycled from the container by being converted to a gas and then reintroduced into the column. Compressed air is controlled electronically to supply make-up extraction liquid and any necessary reagents into the settling container to ensure that the level of the extraction liquid is maintained constant.

Abstract: A self-cleaning filter installed in a cylindrical conduit for a liquid to be cleaned, such as cooling water for an industrial power plant, comprises a sieve spanning the conduit and undulating between an upstream and a downstream transverse plane. The interior of the conduit is divided into two or more sectoral compartments which are bounded by corresponding sieve segments on the downstream side and are provided with respective peripheral outlets leading to a drain, these outlets being normally closed by associated shutoff valves. To clean any sieve segment bounding a particular compartment, the upstream entrance to that compartment is obstructed by a flap valve while the corresponding shutoff valve is opened to generate a reverse flow across that sieve segment.

Abstract: Excess or unused ink that is recovered from a printing process and which contains fibrous impurities is purified by mixing the recovered ink with virgin ink, heating the mixture to decrease the viscosity thereof, and then straining and filtering the heated mixture.

Abstract: Filter cake formed from a slurry is dried in a filter press comprising a plurality of filtration units each having a chamber bounded by a pair of opposed flexible walls with at least one of said walls being constituted by a filter medium. The flexible walls are sandwiched between flexible membranes. The filter cake is formed and compressed in the chambers by hydraulic fluid pressure acting on the flexible membranes. By means of pressure oscillations set up in the hydraulic fluid, the filter cake in the chambers is deformed by bowing from side to side of an initial central plane, whereby drying is improved.

Abstract: A self-relieving bar screen, for intercepting debris moved by a liquid through a conduit into a space having a greater lateral dimension, includes a series of bars disposed in spaced lateral relation in a position normally opposite the discharge end of the conduit, with a lower, generally forwardly extending portion of each bar below the lower edge of the conduit and a generally upwardly portion extending up to opposite the upper edge of the conduit. The series of bars extend laterally past each side of the conduit but for a distance less than the width of the wall at which the conduit terminates. The side spaces thus provided permit liquid to flow to each side of the bars, in the event debris accumulates on the bars and may otherwise tend to obstruct the flow of liquid. The bar screen may be moved upwardly periodically with the debris collected thereby and emptied into a receptacle or the like, through a pivotal rake which is specially positioned.

Abstract: In extracting object material from its aqueous solution by using an organic solvent, a mixer-settler extractor is employed as the extractor and operated while a solvent dispersion is maintained in the mixer, and part of the aqueous phase discharged from the settler is recycled to the mixer so that the organic solvent phase in the mixer is stably maintained as the disperse phase.

Abstract: Circulating water for a power plant contains clams and other particles that would clog condensor tubes. Four filter units have inlets and outlets connected in parallel to a lake and the power plant, respectively. The parallel connection permits isolation of one unit for servicing while the remaining units filter the circulating water. A selected unit is isolated by blocking the inlet and outlet. A drain is opened, and backwash water is pumped to sprayers in the selected unit. Nozzles on the sprayers direct water at filter screens in the unit to wash clams and other particles collected on the screens to the drain for disposal. While the unit is thus isolated, workmen may open manholes and enter the unit interior for maintenance. The selected unit is placed online by partially opening the unit inlet to fill the unit and purge air through the open vent. When the unit is full, the vent is closed, and the inlet and outlet are fully opened.

Abstract: A reactor, comprising an inner reaction tube, a head part having an inlet for feed, and an outer cylindrical part having a space to accommodate therein the inner reaction tube and an outlet for product, wherein the head part is connected to the outer cylindrical part and the inner reaction tube placed in the space of the outer cylindrical part is also connected to the head part and/or the outer cylindrical part. This reactor can be easily assembled or disassembled; that is, a catalyst placed in the inner reaction tube can be exchanged only by dismantling one of the head part and the outer cylindrical part. Thus the reactor of the invention is suitable for use in chemical experiments.