Abstract: An improved wet scrubber for removing airborne particulates and absorbing water-soluble gases from an airstream includes an outer shell and a continuous spiral flight within the outer shell. A first bank of scrubber nozzles spray water and/or chemical through the airstream as it enters the scrubber through an air intake. The airstream increases in velocity as it moves through the tapered helix formed by the continuous spiral flight. A second bank of scrubber nozzles mounted on a sidewall of the outer shell sprays water and/or chemical through the airstream as it moves up the spiral flight. An inner shell provides a downward path for the airstream after it has ascended the spiral flight and traversed an abrupt direction change in which water/chemical precipitates from the airstream. The inner shell extends downward into a reservoir, forming a seal with precipitated water that has collected there.

Abstract: A micro-rotary screener for removing airborne materials from an airstream includes a shell for defining a generally drum-shaped shell, the shell including a first passageway for receiving the airstream and a second passageway for discharging cleaned air. A multi-blade rotating air lock within the shell includes an odd number of rotor lock blades for defining an odd number of pockets into which the airstream is directed. A drive is provided for causing the multi-blade rotating lock to rotate. Seals are attached to the rotor lock blades for contacting inner portions of the shell and restricting airflow between the plurality of pockets. Screens are attached to the edges of the rotor lock blades, and rotate therewith, for filtering airborne materials and for releasing filtered materials during rotation of the multi-blade rotating air lock. A material-discharge bin is provided for receiving filtered materials after they have been released from the screens.

Abstract: A tobacco leaf mixture containing lighter and heavier fractions is fed into one side of a housing while an airstream flow is introduced at the other side of the housing and in an upwardly directed flow course so as to cause it to entrain the lighter fraction of the mixture therein, with the heavier fraction falling to the bottom of the housing. A suction lift is maintained at the top of the housing to increase the velocity of the lighter fraction containing air flow outwardly from the housing. The lighter fraction containing air flow is then delivered to a separator unit to recover the lighter fraction. The lighter fraction can, for example, be the laminae material from which shredded cigarette tobacco filler is made.