Abstract: The present invention minimizes the problem of thermal stresses in a glass lined vessel by providing a heat transfer sump in the bottom portion of the vessel. A heat transfer compartment is formed by enclosing the annular space between the exterior portion of the skirt and the bottom portion of the vessel by means of an annular ring. The heat transfer compartment is enclosed by the annular ring, the interior portion of the skirt, and the bottom portion of the vessel. The heat transfer compartment is adapted to receive and hold a heat transfer medium and in this manner form a heat transfer sump.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for sharing a load between individual sections of a vertical column. Although particularly useful in conjunction with glass lined steel columns, the present load distribution means is also useful in other vertical columns which are assembled in sections and have gasketed joints. The load sharing, or distribution, means comprises a radially extending annular member, rigidly secured along the outer periphery of each column section to be joined. The annular member is positioned adjacent to the section end. The annular members are aligned as the column sections are assembled and are spacedly secured one from another. Thus, the annular member on one section is secured, but at a distance, from the annular member on an adjacent section.

Abstract: The present invention minimizes the problem of thermal stresses in a glass lined vessel by providing a heat transfer sump in the bottom portion of the vessel. A heat transfer compartment is formed by enclosing the annular space between the exterior portion of the skirt and the bottom portion of the vessel by means of an annular ring. The heat transfer compartment is enclosed by the annular ring, the interior portion of the skirt, and the bottom portion of the vessel. The heat transfer compartment is adapted to receive and hold a heat transfer medium and in this manner form a heat transfer sump.

Abstract: The problem of distortion in the shape of the vessel by simultaneous heating and rolling at high temperatures is remedied by adding shape retaining, firing rings to the vessel. Firing rings are rings spacedly attached to the periphery of the vessel to maintain the vessel out of direct contact with the rotating means while the vessel is heated to glass firing temperatures. Usually two rings are used, however, more than two may be utilized if desired. The rings extend a sufficient distance from the vessel side so that distortion of the vessel during glassing and rolling is prevented. Typically, the rings extend outward from the vessel wall a distance of from about 2 inches to about 18 inches and, more preferably, from about 4 inches to about 12 inches. The firing rings are loose fitted, or mounted, over the vessel exterior and preferably are positioned near or at the knuckle radius or radii of the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system for mounting a sensor probe through the wall of a chemical vessel or other fluid container such that a sensing element can be located within. The system includes means for maintaining the sensing probe within the vessel in a fluid-tight, elevated temperature-resistant and corrosion-resistant seal. The system further includes provisions for removing, from the exterior of the reactor vessel, the sensing probe from the fixed sensing probe holder assembly which is within the interior of the reactor vessel. Further, means are included by which a sensing probe of an extended length which is mounted through the top of a chemical reactor vessel, can be inserted into and removed from the reaction vessel even with a low overhead situation above the uppermost portion of that reactor vessel.

Abstract: The present apparatus facilitates feeding a particulate vitreous material, such as glass or enamel, into a horizontally rotating tubular article, such as a tank or vessel, heated to the fusion point of the vitreous material, usually temperatures of 1500.degree. F. or above, to coat the article with a fused coating. The present boom is comprised of a rigid elongated outer tube having a downstream end and an upstream end, the downstream end is adapted to be directed into the interior of the article that is to be coated. The elongated outer tube encloses an elongated, rigid feed tube, suitably concentrically positioned therein. The feed tube has a means of receiving and transporting a supply of finely divided vitreous material, e.g., glass frit, therethrough. A distributing means such as a nozzle or spray head, is positioned in the downstream end of the outer tube and internally connected to the feed tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for distributing a stream of solidifiable, finely divided, vitreous coating material onto a heated internal surface of a concave article, such as a tank or a reaction vessel, to form a smooth, uniform, continuous, fused coating thereon. The apparatus consists of a horizontally mounted disc rotor which has a plurality of radially directed vanes mounted thereon. The vanes extend short of the rotor center defining a central chamber. The central chamber contains a cylindrical particle directing cage. The cage has a hollow central impeller, coaxially aligned, and spacedly positioned therein. The impeller is connected with the rotor by a common rotatable shaft. A supply of finely divided vitreous material is fed into the hollow of the impeller and directed through openings in the impeller into the cage member.

Abstract: A repair plug assembly for repairing a defect such as a hole in the lined surface of a corrosion resistant glass or vitreous lined metal vessel and which assembly includes a stud affixed in the hole of the vessel and having an exposed unthreaded surface at the lined surface over which is packed a flexible and compactible sealing material which is contained in sealing position over the hole opening by means of a containing ring and overlying dome-shaped cap member.

Abstract: A nozzle construction for jacketed pressure vessels includes a nozzle member which extends through a vessel opening, the vessel portion adjacent the opening and a portion of the nozzle having complementary surfaces. A split ring and bolt arrangement draws the nozzle against a gasket disposed between the complementary nozzle and vessel surfaces.

Abstract: A separable blade agitator has a glass coated drive shaft and a glass coated impeller interference fitted to the end of the shaft in a gasketless, glass surface to glass surface joint. The interference fitting of the impeller to the shaft is accomplished by super cooling the end of the shaft with nitrogen or the like so that it can be inserted into a glass coated bore in the impeller.

Abstract: A symmetrical, balanced, glass coated, four bladed impeller for use in closed vessels having blades arranged so that the impeller may fit through a relatively small manhole even though the effective diameter of the impeller is substantially larger than the manhole.

Abstract: A separable blade agitator has a glass coated drive shaft and a glass coated impeller interference fitted to the end of the shaft in a gasketless, glass surface to glass surface joint. The interference fitting of the impeller to the shaft is accomplished by super cooling the end of the shaft with nitrogen or the like so that it can be inserted into a glass coated bore in the impeller.

Abstract: A glassed steel wiped film evaporator is provided with an improved feed distributor comprising a one piece circular non-metallic distribution chamber, attached to and rotating with the evaporator wiper assembly, and corrosion resistant feed conduits extending outwardly from said distribution chamber and terminating near the wall of the vessel. This distributor provides the efficiencies of distribution of previous flat plate alloy distributors; and at the same time it is of a sound construction that can be built at reasonable cost from commercially available fluorocarbon and other corrosion resistant materials.

Abstract: A balancing mechanism for manhole covers uses two sets of conical disc springs, one stronger than the other, mounted on a common pull rod, to balance the cover as it moves from the open vertical position to the closed position. This provides a progressive spring force curve that balances the manhole in any position between the closed position and the vertical position. The balancing mechanism is also provided with an additional set of disc springs that absorb shock when the cover is opened rapidly. The mechanism is preferably mounted on a nozzle protection ring, which allows the system to be installed on existing glass lined vessels without welding, drilling or similar operations which might damage the lining.