Abstract: Methods of separating oil from oil-containing seeds, involving aerating an aqueous dispersion of germ particles of oil-containing seeds (e.g., corn) to produce bubbles therein, whereby the oil in the aqueous dispersion adheres preferentially to the surfaces of the bubbles and are carried by the bubbles to the upper surface of the aqueous dispersion where a foam of the bubbles is formed; separating the foam from the aqueous dispersion; and recovering the oil from the foam. The aqueous dispersion of germ particles of oil-containing seeds may be produced by mixing corn germ separated from corn kernels with an aqueous acetate buffer followed by heating, grinding, cooling, and optionally agitation; generally cellulase is added after the grinding.

Abstract: The invention provides a filter for removing liquid from an ice slurry. The filter includes a horizontal filter plate. The ice slurry is passed over the top of the filter plate. The filter includes a first stage where the liquid is removed from the ice slurry, thereby consolidating the ice particles into an ice bed. The liquid is removed by drawing the liquid out of the ice slurry through a set of slots in the filter plate by using a low suction pump. A second stage of the filter draws the remaining liquid entrained in the ice bed through another set of slots using a vacuum pump, which has a higher suction than the low suction pump used in the first stage. A clean water rinse may be sprayed on the ice bed in the second stage to improve the removal of liquid from the ice bed. The filter plate at the second stage may be heated to produce a rinse through the bottom of the ice bed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sorptive contactor and more particularly to the process for separating, reacting or adding components of a fluid mixture. The process involves providing at least one sorption zone and at least one desorption zone. The adjacent ends of the sorption and desorption zones have aligned apertures through which strands of sorbent material may be passed. The space between the sorption and desorption zones is enclosed in an air lock. The separated strands will pass directly from the sorption zone to the desorption zone through the air lock, passing through the apertures without touching either housing. The surface tension of the liquid in the apertures and the slight overpressure in the air lock maintains the liquid in the sorption and desorption zones. The strands are maintained separate from one another throughout an endless loop so as to reduce the amount of friction on the strands.

Abstract: A continuous process for contacting components of a fluid mixture is described wherein at least one sorption zone is formed in a first separator. A sorbent material, which is in a continuous solid form, is passed through the sorption zone and then passed outwardly from the sorption zone. In the preferred process, a plurality of sorption zones are provided in the separator and a plurality of endless belts of sorbent material are passed through the sorption zones. The sorbent material is preferably a reversibly swellable material which swells as a result of contact with fluid in either the sorption or desorption zones and from which the nonsorbed fluid can be expressed during passage through the compression seal at the zone boundary.

Abstract: A continuous process for separating charged components of a fluid mixture is disclosed which comprises forming a sorption zone and a desorption zone, said sorption and desorption zones being separated by a boundary of a sorbent material which continuously moves back and forth between the sorption and desorption zones, causing a fluid mixture to flow into the sorption zone wherein an electrical potential is imposed to promote sorption of one of the charged components of the mixture by the sorbent material, and imposing an electrical potential in the desorption zone such that the sorbed component will be desorbed when the sorbent material containing the sorbed component moves into the desorption zone. This sorption separation process may be used in a network (including a linear series) of sorption/desorption units for separation of multiple components of fluid mixture or for more complete separation of one component of a fluid mixture.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for separating and/or chemically converting components of a fluid mixture. The method comprises imparting an electrostatic charge to an array of fine particles, introducing the particles into a separation vessel, maintaining uniform dispersion of the particles within the vessel by charging the walls of the vessel with the same electrostatic charges then on the particles, causing a mixture to flow into the vessel, holding the fluid mixture in the vessels for a period of time such that at least one of the components of the mixture is sorbed by, reacts with, or reacts because of the catalytic action of the particles, and causing the altered fluid mixture to flow out of the vessel.

Abstract: A continuous process for separating components of a fluid mixture is disclosed which comprises forming a sorption zone and a desorption zone, said zones being separated by a boundary of a sorbent material which continuously moves back and forth between the zones, causing a fluid mixture to flow into the sorption zone wherein the conditions are such to promote sorption of one of the components of the mixture by the sorbent material, and creating conditions in the desorption zone such that the sorbed component will be desorbed when the sorbent material containing the sorbed component moves into the desorption zone.

Abstract: A continuous process for separating components of a fluid mixture is disclosed which comprises forming a sorption zone and a desorption zone, said sorption and desorption zones being separated by a boundary of a sorbent material which continuously moves back and forth between the sorption and desorption zones, causing a fluid mixture to flow into the sorption zone wherein the conditions are such to promote sorption of one of the components of the mixture by the sorbent material, and creating conditions in the desorption zone such that the sorbed component will be desorbed when the sorbent material containing the sorbed component moves into the desorption zone. This sorption separation process is used in a network (including a linear series) of sorption/desorption units for separation of multiple components of fluid mixtures or for more complete separation of one component of a fluid mixture.

Abstract: A continuous process for separating components of a fluid mixture is disclosed which comprises forming a sorption zone and a desorption zone, said sorption and desorption zones being separated by a boundary of a sorbent material which continuously moves back and forth between the sorption and desorption zones, causing a fluid mixture to flow into the sorption zone wherein the conditions are such to promote sorption of one of the components of the mixture by the sorbent material, and creating conditions in the desorption zone such that the sorbed component will be desorbed when the sorbent material containing the sorbed component moves into the desorption zone. There may be disposed between the sorption and desorption zones at least one roller and at least one moving belt or at least two moving belts. The process can also be used to form a mixture with content of the sorbable component controlled by the sorption/desorption cycle.

Abstract: A method for dewatering an aggregate solid substrate is disclosed which comprises placing the substrate between two moving permeable belts, compressing the substrate between the belts, contacting the substrate with a displacement fluid while it is still compressed between the belts such that the substrate and the fluid remain in plug flow while in contact with each other, removing relatively pure water which is expressed by the displacement fluid, further compressing the substrate between the belts to remove excess displacement fluid, and collecting the dewatered substrate. In a preferred embodiment, both the relatively pure water and the excess displacement fluid are collected for recycling, direct disposal, or other use.

Abstract: An apparatus for dewatering aggregate solid substrates is disclosed which is comprised of a frame, two moving permeable belts, means mounted on the frame for guiding the movement of the belts, roller means mounted on the frame for positioning the belts such that the substrate is guided and compressed between them, means for contacting the substrate with a displacement fluid while it is compressed between the belts such that the fluid collects between the top belt and the roller means before permeating through the top belt and contacting the substrate, means for removing relatively pure water which is expressed by the fluid through the bottom belt, means for further compressing the substrate to remove excess displacement fluid, and means for removing the dewatered substrate from the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of removing water from organic solid substrates, such as peat, wherein a primary solvent is used to extract water from the substrate and the primary solvent and the substrate are kept in plug flow during contact, and then a secondary solvent may be used to separate the primary solvent from the water.

Abstract: A method of removing water from organic solid substrates, such as peat, wherein a primary solvent is used to extract water from the substrate and a secondary solvent is used to separate the primary solvent from the water.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of coating articles of manufacture to prevent corrosion which comprises applying a thermoplastic coating material to the article, applying a layer of fibrous material over the coating material, wetting the layer of fibrous material, and heating the three components, whereby contraction of the fibrous material, during heating, will compress the coating material and counteract its deformation tendencies such that it is well bonded to the article. The thermoplastic coating material is preferably applied in the form of a coating tape comprising the thermoplastic coating material and a thermoplastic adhesive and is used to provide a protective coating for underground pipe.