Abstract: Classifying and/or grading equipment includes a main vortex chamber and a secondary vortex chamber intersecting and opening into the main chamber. A gas/solids, liquid/solids or liquid/liquid combination is fed into the main vortex chamber and a component thereof is sheared off into the chamber for precipitation therein yielding a cut of the desired size or density.

Abstract: A combustor for burning a feedstock includes a cylindrical body having a tangential feedstock inlet and an exhaust outlet. A catchment chamber of hollow cylindrical form intersects the wall of the body and opens into the cavity to provide a common boundary. Swirling or vortical flow is created in the cavity and a secondary vortex is generated and driven within the chamber by the main flow. In operation contaminant matter is sheared off from the flow in the body into the chamber and is entrapped by the secondary vortex from which it is precipitated, there being no net gas flow across the boundary.

Abstract: An improved cyclone separator comprises a body defining a main vortex chamber having an inlet and a fluid outlet. A secondary vortex chamber communicates with and opens into the main vortex chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid cleaning system, especially designed for removing particulate contaminants from a hot gas, comprising at least two parallel lines for receiving contaminated fluid. Each line includes a collector (5), a collector cleaning means (8), and a vortex amplifier (6). The vortex amplifiers are used in place of mechanical valves to control the system by opening and closing their respective lines. Each cleaning means (8) can only operate when its line is closed.

Abstract: A vortex diode has a cylindrical vortex chamber having an enlarged peripheral channel, one or more tangential ports communicating with the channel and two co-axially arranged axial ports on opposite end walls of the chamber. The height of the chamber is less than three quarters of the diameter of the axial ports. The channel may communicate with the vortex chamber either radially or tangentially with respect to the channel.

Abstract: Flaring, splashing and spitting of the molten metal flow stream issuing from a flow control nozzle of the type forming the collector nozzle of a sliding plate valve is prevented by forming the flow passage through the nozzle with a flow-impeding constriction intermediate the ends thereof. The passage is also provided with a duct section downstream of the constriction and includes means for preventing recirculatory currents in the flow stream from entering and passing the constriction.

Abstract: A vortex diode having a thin cylindrical vortex chamber with an axial port and at least one tangential port. The chamber is provided with a peripheral channel and the diameter of each tangential port is substantially equal to the diameter of the peripheral channel.