Abstract: Process for melting down and degassing lumpy material by means of inductive heating and under subatmospheric pressure in a melting crucible. For the purpose of shortening the duration of the process, scavenging gas and/or reaction gas is introduced into the bottom region of the melting crucible during at least 50% of the duration of the process until the material is melted down completely.

Abstract: Method for the electroslag refining of metals of which at least 50 weight-percent are in the form of at least one current-carrying consumable electrode, especially one having alloy components with an affinity for oxygen, wherein the metals are remelted to an ingot through a molten bath of slag. To achieve the object of preventing oxidation, freckling, rings and white spots and at the same time produce a degassing, the following measures are undertaken: (a) the refining process is performed at a subatmospheric pressure, (b) the slag is an at least 80 weight-percent oxidic slag of oxides whose boiling points are above 2000.degree. C., and (c) the slag is heated by means of alternating current.

Abstract: In a method for the recovery of enzymes, the activity of which after the treatment of starch-containing raw materials used for the production of fermentation alcohol is still not exhausted, the liquid phase containing solutions with still active enzymes after the first separation of the protein fraction is led to a fermentation, then a distillation. The wash water for the protein fraction is provided with a portion of the total amount of alpha-amylase necessary for starch hydrolysis of the raw material and then solids are again separated. The enzyme-containing wash water for the second separated solids is led back into the first enzymatic degradation stage simultaneously with a portion of the slop coming from the distillation.

Abstract: A method of aerating liquids, particularly for aerobic growing of microorganisms, has the steps of forming a circumferential stream of liquid, forming a longitudinal stream of liquid, and superimposing these streams so as to form a combined closed spiral-shaped stream. An arrangement is provided in which the circumferential stream is formed by an upright conduit tube and an impeller, the longitudinal stream is formed by a distributing element with a plurality of nozzles, and the superimposing of the streams is attained by fixedly mounting the distributing element relative to the impeller.

Abstract: Anaerobic fermentation of substrates with microorganisms is carried out by a process and with an apparatus wherein fermentation is conducted in a container having an upper cylindrical section, a lower conical section, and between the upper and lower sections an apertured bottom wall containing a plurality of openings. During fermentation, the substrate and microorganisms are recirculated from an outlet in the upper cylindrical section to an inlet in the lower conical section and upward in the container through the openings in the apertured bottom wall at sufficient fluid velocity to agitate the substrate and microorganisms therein and prevent settling of the microorganisms in the container. The apertured bottom wall serves as the sole means of agitation, and the use of this process and apparatus enables a significant reduction in the usual fermentation period.

Abstract: An electromechanically driven digital indicating device comprising an arrangement of seven flaps electromagnetically movable to one of two defined positions. The flaps are disposed in a housing at one plane thereof so as to form an "8"-shaped figure. The device includes a deep drawn parallelopiped housing having a front window opening in the form of a parallelogram and having a plate with an elevated, freely accessible "8"-shaped contour constructed integrally with the housing. The plate is supported only at connecting rods at the rear of the housing in internal sides walls of the housing. On the reverse side of the bar-shaped contour, there are provided grooves into which bearing bolts of the flap elements are pivotally inserted.

Abstract: Heat liberated during an exothermic biochemical reaction is utilized in carrying out an operation requiring energy such as drying the product obtained from the reaction or sterilizing the substrate used for the reaction. The liberated heat is absorbed by a vaporizable cooling medium for transfer to the operation requiring energy. Alternatively the temperature of the cooling medium subsequent to the absorption of heat thereby is raised by compressing the vaporized cooling medium. The heating cooling medium is used to carry out the operation requiring energy. An arrangement which includes a bioreactor is also disclosed and includes heat pump means for permitting utilization of heat liberated during an exothermic biochemical reaction in the performance of an operation requiring energy.

Abstract: The fuel dispensing arrangement includes a fuel dispensing nozzle, a fuel pump for pumping fuel to the fuel dispensing nozzle, an electric pump motor operative when energized by pump motor current for driving the fuel pump, a price calculator and indicator arrangement for calculating and indicating the price of the fuel pumped through the nozzle, a resetting arrangement which can be driven to effect resetting of the price calculator and indicator arrangement, and an electric control motor operative for driving the resetting arrangement. A source of electrical energy is connected to the pump motor by way of a pump motor current path for the flow of pump motor current. The operation of the control motor is controlled in dependence upon the flow of pump motor current.