Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus carrying out a refrigerant collecting operation for a given operation period before the heating operation is begun if the standby period Et from the halt of the heating operation to the restart of the heating operation greater than the prescribed period Pt, the temperature Ta in a defined space to be heated lower than the predetermined temperature value Ts1, and the external temperature Tex lower than the given temperature value Ts2 are satisfied when the restart of the heating operation is commanded.

Abstract: An air conditioner comprising a heat-pump refrigeration circuit including a compressor, a four-way valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, a pressure reducer, an indoor heat exchanger, connected in this order, a refrigerant heater arranged in the refrigeration circuit, the heating capacity thereof being variable, release control for reducing the heating capacity of the refrigerant heater when a detected temperature Tc exceeds a first set temperature Tsl, mode switch for setting the air conditioner in a hot air blow-off mode in which the indoor fan rotates at a low rate during a heating operation. When the mode switch sets the hot air blow-off mode, the rotation rate of the indoor fan is controlled so that the detected temperature Tc is kept lower than the first set temperature Tsl, thereby preventing release control in the hot air blow-off mode.

Abstract: A dehumidified air generator has a plurality of rotatable absorption columns filled with adsorbents for generating dehumidified air which will be used to dry a plastic material or the like. A directional control valve for switching between adsorbing and regenerating steps in the adsorption columns comprises a slide valve mechanism composed of a stator and a rotor slidably held against the stator. The rotor has a plurality of openings defined therein and communicating with inlet/outlet ports defined in side walls of the adsorption columns through tubes. By rotating the rotor in synchronism with the adsorption columns, the adsorbing and regenerating steps are switched to dehumidify, with the adsorbents, humid air introduced into the adsorption columns through the directional control valve and also to desorb the adsorbents for regenerating them.

Abstract: The delivery side of a refrigerant compressor is connected through an inside heat exchanger to a refrigerant heater, the outlet side of the refrigerant heater being connected with the suction side of the compressor. First and second temperature sensors are provided at inlet and outlet sides of the refrigerant heater, respectively for sensing inlet and outlet refrigerant temperatures. A fuel gas supply unit for the refrigerant heater is fitted with a fuel gas control value which is controlled by the temperature differences existing between sensed temperatures by the first and second sensors.

Abstract: A heating apparatus includes a refrigeration cycle having a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, and a refrigerant-heating unit. The unit includes a heat exchanger section through which a refrigerant flows, a burner, and a guide duct for guiding a combustion gas produced by the combustion of the burner so as to heat the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger section. A combustion rate of the burner is controlled in accordance with the difference between a room temperature and a preset temperature. When the combustion rate is within a specified range, it is shifted, in accordance with the temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger section, so as to prevent the condensation of water vapor in the combustion gas flowing through the guide duct.

Abstract: Drying air to be circulated for drying plastic material is demoistured and heated by one of two separate adsorbing treatment units. When one of the two units is engaged in adsorbing treatment of the drying air, the other unit engages in a desorbing treatment and cooling treatment for regenerating the adsorbent by the use of desorbing high temperature air passing through the unit in a direction reverse to that in which the drying air is passed through the unit. The cooling treatment of the adsorbent after the desorbing treatment is accomplished by the use of a part of the drying air.

Abstract: A filter cake cleaning method in a process for filtering gases containing fine particles, as well as a device for practicing the filter cake cleaning method. A filter cake adhering to a filter cloth is cleaned off by passing an overall amplified high-speed gas flow along the primary or outer side of the filter cloth parallel to the filter cloth surface on which the filter cake forms, the surface serving as the wall of a gas passage. A device emits a jetted stream into a collecting vessel at an open space upstream of a gas passage for entraining gas existing in the collecting vessel and for forming the overall amplified high pressure gas, and is controlled by a single automatic open/close valve. A device provided on the secondary or inner side of the filter cloth for jetting backwashing air can be used in conjunction with the above cleaning operation to enhance the cleaning effect.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for mixing synthetic materials and complemental raw materials in a fixed ratio. The synthetic material is fed under the pressure of its own weight to a mixing vessel through a feed conduit having an opening arranged to feed below the top of the vessel. The opening of the conduit is also arranged such that synthetic material will only feed to the vessel when the materials therein fall below the level of the conduit opening. The complemental raw materials are fed over the top of the materials in the vessel at a mass rate of flow proportional to the mass rate of flow of the materials withdrawn from the bottom of the vessel. The synthetic materials are thereby also fed to the vessel in a fixed ratio to the mass rate of flow of the materials to be withdrawn.

Abstract: A process for mixing synthetic materials and complemental raw materials in a fixed ratio. The synthetic material is fed under the pressure of its own weight to a mixing vessel through a feed conduit having an opening arranged to feed below the top of the vessel. The opening of the conduit is also arranged such that synthetic material will only feed to the vessel when the materials therein fall below the level of the conduit opening. The complemental raw materials are fed over the top of the materials in the vessel at a mass rate of flow proportional to the mass rate of flow of the materials withdrawn from the bottom of the vessel. The synthetic materials are thereby also fed to the vessel in a fixed ratio to the mass rate of flow of the materials to be withdrawn.