Abstract: Described is a process for evaporating a portion of a colloidal solution, said process comprising: a) passing a colloidal solution, said colloidal solution comprising particles in a liquid medium, wherein at least a portion of said liquid medium comprises at least one volatile component, through one or more orifices into an evaporation zone that has at least one inner surface, wherein said colloidal solution does not substantially contact said at least one inner surface of said evaporation zone as said colloidal solution is passed through said evaporation zone; b) applying pressure in said evaporation zone that is lower than the vapor pressure of said colloidal solution as it is passed into said evaporation zone, allowing for flash evaporation of at least a portion of said at least one volatile component from said colloidal solution; c) adjusting the pressure in said evaporation zone to evaporate an amount of said at least one volatile component from said colloidal solution; and d) collecting the remaining co

Abstract: Described is a process for concentrating weak black liquor to form strong black liquor, said process comprising: a) preconcentrating said weak black liquor; b) heating said preconcentrated weak black liquor in a heating zone under sufficient pressure to prevent said preconcentrated weak black liquor from boiling in said heating zone; c) passing said preconcentrated weak black liquor, having at least one volatile component, into an evaporation zone through one or more orifices; d) applying pressure in said evaporation zone that is lower than the vapor pressure of said preconcentrated weak black liquor as it is passed into said evaporation zone, which allows for flash evaporation of at least a portion of said at least one volatile component of said preconcentrated weak black liquor from said preconcentrated weak black liquor to form strong black liquor; e) adjusting heat in said heating zone.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus for the removal of organic substances and/or nitrogen sources from an aqueous medium by exposing the aqueous medium to the action of microorganisms supported on a gas permeable, water impermeable layer, or on and/or in a three dimensional microbial support layer, that is proximate a gas delivery layer through which gas, preferably, oxygen-containing gas, is supplied to the gas permeable layer such that it diffuses through the gas permeable layer and is supplied to the microorganisms.

Abstract: A continuous, preferably counter-current, extraction process that can be used to significantly reduce the concentrations of residual monomers, residual catalyst, undesired solvents, and other impurities in polymer compositions. The invention is particularly beneficial for extracting residual monomers and other impurities from viscous, sticky polymer solutions, such as solutions of PSAs and low cohesive strength polymer compositions that phase change during extraction (i.e., change from liquid to solid, or precipitate), in a continuous manner. The polymer composition can be extruded into an extraction solvent as fibers in a vertical extraction column, under conditions such that at least a portion of an impurity is extracted from the polymer into the extraction solvent.

Abstract: A hood for a powered vehicle having a top piece and a bottom piece coupled to form a chamber through which air passes to the power source's cooling system. The hood is made by the injecting colored plastic into a mold. An opening is formed between the top piece and the side portions of the bottom piece through which air passes to enter into the chamber. Louvers are also formed in the top piece through which air passes to enter the chamber.

Abstract: A seat base having protruding members fixed to the underside thereof that are positioned within mating recesses formed in the fenderdeck of a vehicle. The base is clamped to the fenderdeck by a pair of screws. The screws and mating features defined between the seat base and fenderdeck secure the base to the vehicle to prevent shifting of the seat during operation. If the screws become loosened during operation, the protruding members will engage side walls of the recesses to prevent the base from shifting fore and aft suddenly and unexpectedly, and to alert the operator that the screws have become loosened.

Abstract: The ignition switch for a vehicle such as a lawn and garden tractor is connected directly to a printed circuit board which also includes interlock systems components. The circuit board with the switch and other components is wave soldered in an automated process to make good electrical connections for reduced voltage drops, thereby reducing the number of relays required. Wiring harnesses are also soldered directly to the board during the soldering step. In the preferred embodiment, the ignition switch is fixed to the board and supports the board from the console of the vehicle. However, if the switch or another component on the circuit board needs to be remotely located with respect to the remainder of the board, the switch or component is mounted on a break-away section of the board, and the wires connecting the board sections are soldered with the remainder of the components during the automated process.

Abstract: A tractor includes: (a) a one piece frame having opposite ends defined by respective members adapted for receiving ballast with the rear member including a hitch located below any mounted ballast, (b) a dual screen filtering arrangement located upstream of a radiator and an engine combustion air inlet, (c) an implement lift system including a main spring lift assist which is locked out when the implement is lowered and an auxiliary lift assist for increasing the lift assist for front-mounted implements but is mounted so as to join the main lifts assist to produce a near constant lift force during lifting the implement while producing a minimal lift force when the implement is completely lowered (d) short and long effective lengths of a steering pitman arm may be selected, for respectively minimizing steering effort or maximizing responsiveness, by respectively connecting a mounting point closest to or a mounting point farthest from a pivot axis of the arm to a drag link, (e) a steering wheel is tiltable toget

Abstract: An improved seat suspension for reducing the jolt transferred from the seat of a vehicle to an operator when the vehicle "bottoms out". The improved seat suspension consists of a base unit connected to the vehicle, a support unit housing an attenuation unit for attaching the seat to the seat suspension, and a unit for operatively connecting the base and support units. The attenuation unit consists of at least one spring member which is contacted by a bumper attached to the connection unit just prior to the collision of the support unit with the base unit. By the bumper contacting the spring member, the effect of the collision on an operator occupying the seat is reduced.

Abstract: A sand screen mounting arrangement for a vehicle having an engine compartment housing a fan oppositely aligned to a radiator including a plurality of screen members. The screen members are generally rectangular in shape and have a lip formed on one short side and a plurality of clips formed on the other short side for mounting within the compartment. The screen members are vertically stacked in close adjacent proximity to said radiator to rails mounted to respective sides of the radiator. An access door is provided in the engine compartment and fan shroud to allow removal of the screen members.