Abstract: A vacuum pan is controlled by directly monitoring the total solids concentration of a boiling solution. A preferred type of process relates the change in concentration of sugar in a massecuite to the growth rate and increase in the number of crystals, and uses this relationship to control the rate of growth of the crystals by setting temperature and pressure to correspond to the rate of crystal growth desired. Water is evaporated from the pan solution at reduced temperature and pressure. Massecuite is withdrawn from the pan, and split into two streams: (1) a first stream wherein the mother liquor is separated from the sugar crystals and analyzed to determine the total sucrose content of the stream, and (2) a second stream which is analyzed to determine the count and size of the crystals. The sum-total of the two streams is used to determine the total concentration of sugar. Readings taken over definite intervals determine the rate of growth of the crystals.

Abstract: A primary sensing device, or apparatus, for measuring energy level changes, or variations, in a medium capable of transmitting energy. An elongated reed, the ends of which are tensioned upon suitable support means, is acted upon by the energy level changes, or variations, within the medium and energy is absorbed by the reed which causes the latter to resonate in a harmonic mode to produce nodes and antinodes in known relation to the amount of energy transmitted thereto by the medium and absorbed by said reed. An output signal, suitably as produced by one or a plurality of strain gauges, is taken off from the resonating reed, and interpreted via suitable read-out means as an intelligible signal indicative of the change in magnitude of the variable property measured within the medium.

Abstract: Apparatus for the staged, controlled dilution of a sample comprised of a particulate solids containing fluid with a preselected amount of a fluid diluent. The apparatus consists of a plurality of vessels connected together in series such that diluent introduced into the first vessel flows consecutively from vessel to vessel, to exit from the last vessel of the series. The raw sample of particulate solids is introduced into the last vessel of the series, diluted, and progressively diluted specimens of the original sample are transferred from vessel to vessel countercurrent to the flow of diluent. The sample, diluted with a preselected quantity of diluent in the several stages of dilution, is finally removed from the first vessel of the series, suitable for analysis, e.g., via the use of electronic counters.