Abstract: A method and a device classifies splinters and wood chips. The device includes a centrifugal classifying unit, a countercurrent classifying unit, a separating funnel for the coarse fraction and a separating cyclone for the fine fraction. A gas or a gas mixture is circulated in the system via a blower. It is tangentially introduced into the lower classifying chamber, initially flows through the countercurrent classifier, through the gaps between the blades of the centrifugal classifier and then into the separating cyclone before being returned to the blower.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling train formation in marshalling yards. The control method according to the invention optimises the performance of a marshalling yard by a learning effect based on feed-back. The intervals of time between gravity humps are selected very long on commencement of use of the control system, and data are collected by the gravity humps. A computer determines from the time intervals that occur in these gravity humps in the critical zones of the marshalling yard whether the time interval between push-offs on the hump in the yard may or may not be reduced. The advantage of such a self-learning system is that it requires a much smaller number of programs than conventional systems, which are based on rigid algorithms and the measurement of many factors, and which still remain rigid despite all efforts to record all the influences. The maintenance cost is also considerably reduced.

Abstract: In a method and a device for discharging poorly pourable bulk materials from a receptacle, the material is first rendered free-flowing via a helically shaped agitating element (worm conveyer) and secondly discharged from the receptacle via a spiral shaped agitation element (spiral conveyer). Both elements are mechanically coupled at their respective lose ends. The respective other ends of the agitating elements are attached to a common shaft. The shaft connects to a gear drive at its upper end which provides for the rotational movement of the two agitating agents. The rotation of the worm conveyor transports the material situated between the turns of the worm conveyer upward to the bulk material surface. This breaks up the bulk material. Material that has been brought up by the worm conveyer flows downward again due to the gravitational force. Some of the material flows back along the outer space around the worm conveyer while the other portion moves down through the center of the worm conveyer.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and a device for classifying splinters and wood chips. Splinters and wood chips accumulating in a saw mill are usually subjected to a classification process, i.e., the initial mixture of splinters and wood chips of different sizes is separated in accordance with particle size or settling velocity in a large-scale separation process. The inventive device consists of a centrifugal classifying unit, a countercurrent classifying unit, a separating funnel for the coarse fraction and a separating cyclone for the fine fraction. A gas or a gas mixture is circulated in the system by means of a blower. It is tangentially introduced into the lower classifying chamber, initially flows through the countercurrent classifier, through the gaps between the blades of the centrifugal classifier and then into the separating cyclone before being returned to the blower.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and a device for discharging poorly pourable bulk materials such as, in particular, sawdust, splinters and wood chips from a receptacle. According to the invention, the poorly pourable bulk material in the receptacle is rendered free-flowing by means of a first helical agitating element and discharged from the receptacle by means of a second helical agitating element. In this case, it is particularly advantageous that the first helical agitating element and the second helical agitating element are mechanically coupled to one another such that only one drive is required for both agitating elements. The first agitating element consists of a shaft and a worm conveyor, and the second agitating element consists of a shaft and a spiral conveyor. The rotation of the worm conveyor causes the material situated in the outer region of the receptacle to be transported upward to the bulk material surface. This breaks up the bulk material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for extracting iron by direct reduction, characterized in that the device has a separate reduction chamber in which the carbon is gasified and the iron oxide is reduced in close proximity, and a separate combustion chamber in which surplus reduction gases are burned and heat energy is yielded. According to the invention, the hot combustion gasses pass on their heat energy to the reduction gasses in a heat exchanger, so that this energy is transferred to the reduction gases effectively. The reduction gasses are force-circulated through the heat exchanger and through the carbon/bed of ore for this purpose.

Abstract: Linear vibratory motion is imparted to two mutually opposite plates, which are connected to each other. As a result, conveying impulses are applied to solid particles. To permit chemical or physical processes to be carried out with fluids flowing in cocurrent or countercurrent streams and to effect a transfer of material or heat at a high rate during the vibratory conveyance or to disintegrate or compact the solid particles, conveying pulses are imparted to the particles by both plates and the solids occupy in a state of rest only part of the free space between the two plates.

Abstract: Linear vibratory motion is imparted to two mutually opposite plates, which are connected to each other. As a result, conveying impulses are applied to solid particles. To permit chemical or physical processes to be carried out with fluids flowing in cocurrent or countercurrent streams and to effect a transfer of material or heat at a high rate during the vibratory conveyance or to disintegrate or compact the solid particles, conveying pulses are imparted to the particles by both plates and the solids occupy in a state of rest only part of the free space between the two plates.