Abstract: A system and a method is disclosed for adjusting and/or optimizing a fermentation process performed in one U-loop fermenter, the system including a processor and database for repetitively providing a test value of a fermenter parameter and for repetitively entering the test value of the parameter in the database; wherein the database stores multiple test value entries at various points in time and also stores multiple control value entries at various points in time, wherein the processor performs a mathematical analysis of the test value for providing a calculated test value, and/or the control value for providing at least one calculated control value; and selects, on the basis of the calculated test value and/or on the calculated control value, an adjustment to be introduced into at least one other U-loop fermenter to benefit from the change made in the one U-loop fermenter.

Abstract: A heating unit for heating a fluid includes a tank, a burner element, and a lower unit. The tank defines top and bottom ends and includes an outer wrap, an inner wrap, and a cooling chamber. The outer wrap extends along an axial centerline defined by the tank. The inner wrap is disposed within the outer wrap. The cooling chamber is defined in-part by and is disposed between the inner and outer wraps along a radial direction of the tank. The burner element is disposed on the top end of the tank. The blower unit is disposed on the bottom end of the tank and is in fluid communication with the burner element via the cooling chamber. An outlet of the blower unit is disposed along the axial centerline of the tank.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solar collector panel (1) configured for collecting thermal energy by heating of air. The solar collector panel (1) comprises an air conduit (2) for guiding air through the panel (1) between an air inlet (3) and an air outlet (4) and the panel (1) comprises air flow means (5) arranged to generate an air flow through the air conduit (2) from the air inlet (3) to the air outlet (4). The panel (1) further comprises light absorbing means (6) arranged in or at the air conduit (2) to heat passing air and air drying means (7) arranged between the air inlet (3) and the light absorbing means (6), wherein the air drying means (7) is arranged to reduce the absolute humidity of passing air. A method for operating a solar collector panel (1) is also disclosed.

Abstract: An air inlet valve including a housing with an opening, a cover plate and a centered rod for connecting the cover plate to the housing, wherein the air inlet valve furthermore includes a check valve plate made from a flexible sheet material and in which is provided at least one slot, extending from an outer perimeter of the check valve plate and towards center, and a central opening suitable for holding the check valve plate firmly on the centered rod, such that the check valve plate can be held firmly on the rod between the opening in the housing and the cover plate when the air inlet valve is assembled.

Abstract: A solar collector panel is disclosed for heating of air, in which the conventional insulation material on the back panel facing away from the sun is replaced by a spacing between a permeable back panel and a permeable heat absorber means, so that a heat convection airflow through the back panel and into the interior of the solar energy panel against the temperature gradient prevents the convection heat loss in the opposite direction. The back panel also reduces the radiation heat loss from the heat absorber means. Furthermore, in case the flow of air through the solar energy panel is stopped, the convection-insulation will no longer be effective, and a photovoltaic cell panel placed within the solar energy panel and generating electricity from the solar radiation will not be subjected to the damaging high stagnation temperature of a traditionally insulated solar collector panel.

Abstract: The method is provided for operating a pump unit with a centrifugal pump which is driven by an electric motor and which comprises a rotor running in a split tube. The rotor space is separated with respect to the stator in a fluid-tight manner. On running the motor to its operational rotational speed the fluid located in the rotor space due to the increasing rotational speed evaporates and is removed so that the motor finally functions as a dry-runner.

Abstract: A gas analyzer has a measuring chamber, a gas inlet channel, a gas outlet channel, a pump for providing a gas flow through the chamber, a device for irradiating the gas in the chamber with pulsating electromagnetic energy to generate acoustic pressure fluctuations therein, and at least one microphone communicating with the chamber for detecting the fluctuations. The inlet channel and the outlet channel each has an acoustic filter formed by channels with reduced sectional area of flow and a plurality of cavities associated therewith. The gas analyzer has at least one sandwich device formed of joined plate-like elements. The channel sections of the inlet and/or outlet channel are defined by at least two elements and the vibration-reducing cavities are also defined by at least two elements. The connections between the respective channels and cavities are formed as transverse apertures in the elements or element portions adjoining the channel and the cavities, respectively.

Abstract: The method is provided for operating a pump unit with a centrifugal pump which is driven by an electric motor and which comprises a rotor (11) running in a split tube (10). The rotor space (17) is separated with respect to the stator (9) in a fluid-tight manner. On running the motor to its operational rotational speed the fluid located in the rotor space (17) due to the increasing rotational speed evaporates and is removed so that the motor finally functions as a dry-runner.

Abstract: An electrolysis cell (10) for producing a molten metal having a density less than a density of a molten electrolyte used for producing the metal in the cell. The cell includes a section (14) for the electrolysis of a salt of the the metal contained in a molten electrolyte to form droplets of the metal in molten form contained in the electroylte; electrodes (18) within the electrolysis section for effecting the electrolysis; a metal recovery section (15) for separation of the metal from the electrolyte to form a molten metal layer, having an upper suface, floating on an upper surface of the molten electrolyte; a tapping device for periodically removing molten metal from the cell; and a reservoir (25) for withdrawal and temporary holding of molten metal separated from the electrolyte in the metal recovery section. The reservoir has a means to remove liquid from the reservoir without permanently removing the liquid from the cell.

Abstract: Gas analyzer comprising a measuring chamber (3), a gas inlet channel (1), a gas outlet channel (14), a pump (13) for providing a gas flow through the measuring chamber (3), a device for irradiating the gas in the measuring chamber (3) with pulsating electromagnetic energy in form of infrared light so as to generate acoustic pressure fluctuations therein, and at least one microphone (9) communicating with the measuring chamber for detecting said pressure fluctuations. The inlet channel (1) and the outlet channel (14) each comprises an acoustic filter (2,11) in form of channel sections with reduced sectional area of flow (R1-R9) and a plurality of cavities (C1-C7) associated therewith.

Abstract: An electrolysis cell for recovery of metals that are lighter than the electrolyte used in the cell. The cell makes use of multiple electrode assemblies, and each assembly is provided with an individual hood at the top forming a gas collection chamber. The hood of each assembly collects gas generated by the assembly and isolates the gas thus generated from gas generated by other assemblies and from metal collecting in the cell outside the hoods. The invention also relates to an integrated unit made up of an electrode assembly and an associated hood for use in a cell of the above kind, and a method of recovering metal by operating a cell of the above kind.

Abstract: A method for taking samples from a groundwater monitoring site realized by measuring an electric conductivity of contaminated groundwater during operating a pump at high r.p.m. and by controlling a predetermined minimum variation of the electric conductivity over a predetermined period of time with subsequent operating of the pump at low r.p.m.

Abstract: A rotary dryer (1) for the drying of, for example, biological sludge, comprises a rotatable drum having rake elements (6) with openings for the passage of sludge disposed on the inner side of the drum casing.A drying plant with such a dryer further comprises a hot-gas plant (3) and one or more co-rotating drying zones (4,5).

Abstract: An immersion pump assembly comprises a pump and a wet-rotor motor driving the pump. The motor and the pump have a common shaft which is closable and hollow and which is partly filled with a fluid, for dispersal of waste heat from the rotor chamber of the motor into a heat sink provided by the liquid to be conveyed by means of the pump. The shaft together with the fluid constitutes a rotating heat pipe system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a static frequency converter in a housing, especially a frequency converter controlling and/or adjusting the performance data of an electromotor. The housing is shaped as a pressure-resistant casing sealed toward the ambient and at least partially provided with a filler serving as a heat conductor for the dissipation of heat to the surface of the casing.

Abstract: A photoacoustic gas analyzer comprising a measuring chamber, a modulated light source, and at least one microphone in connection with the measuring chamber and measuring the changes of pressure caused by the absorption of the light in the chamber. The measuring chamber comprises an inner surface with a reflecting coating. The measuring signal is thereby proportional to the gas concentration and is not provided as the difference between two almost equal values. As a result it is possible to measure small gas concentrations provided the light intensity within the measuring chamber suffices.

Abstract: Paramagnetic gas analyzer comprising an electromagnet with an almost closed ferromagnetic circuit and a gap, including a measuring chamber with inlet and outlet lines for the gas to be analyzed as well as a gas of known magnetic susceptibility where devices are provided which measure the differential gas pressures in the respective lines by supplying an AC current to the electromagnetic. According to the present invention it is shown, how the power consumption can be considerably reduced. This object is achieved by superimposing a DC magnetic field generated by means of a permanent magnet onto the AC magnetic field. The amplitude of the measuring result depends on the product of the AC field and the DC field. If the DC field is strong enough, the AC field and thus the supplied power can be reduced accordingly. The latter also facilitates the filtering off of predetermined, undesirable signals.

Abstract: The compound (-)-trans-4-(4-florophenyl)-3-[(4-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]-1-methylpiperidin e and pharmaceutically-acceptable acid addition salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and their use in potentiating the 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) of a subject in need thereof, for the alleviation of any of various physiological abnormalities, are disclosed.

Abstract: The compound (-)-trans-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenoxy)methylpiperidine and pharmaceutically-acceptable acid addition salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and their use in potentiating the 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) of a subject in need thereof, for the alleviation of any of various physiological abnormalities, are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the optical resolution of the enantiomers of trans-3-[(4-methoxyphenoxy)-methyl]-1-methyl-4-phenylpiperidine, which involves reaction with an enantiomer of mandelic acid to form a mixture of diastereomeric compounds, precipitating one of the diastereoisomers, and converting it to the desirable free (+)-trans isomer, as well as the key diastereomeric isomer intermediate, is disclosed.