Abstract: A process for treating bitter lupin seeds, wherein the seed is reduced to a very fine particle size either before or during a countercurrent extraction using aqueous solutions which contain differing concentrations of lupin-seed extract, produces a material containing bitter substances extracted from the lupin seed which can be used as a biologically active agent, for example, to affect the growth of plants.

Abstract: In a process for debittering bitter lupin seed the lupin seed is firstly very finely milled, more specially in a ball mill, and it is then extracted while cold and in counter current with solutions of lupin seed extract with different concentrations in steps, the solvent used being water. The filter cake produced on extraction is dried. After being increased in concentration, the solutions of lupin seed extract are stored and possibly further concentrated. The apparatus for use in the process has in addition to the ball mill a flat bed extractor and a number of storage spaces placed in circuit with each other and with the extractor, such spaces being used to take up the solutions of lupin seed extract.

Abstract: In an installation of this type, several chambers divided into groups A, B, C, D, are provided, the several groups of chambers B, C, D are traversed drying medium, while another group of chambers A is e traversed by a gaseous medium for the regeneration of the adsorbent present in this group of chambers. The partial streams of the drying medium have different moisture contents and are used in different phases of a drying process. Continuous switching takes place between the gas streams and the chambers, so that each of the chambers is periodically traversed, at first, successively by all of the partial streams of the drying medium in order of increasing moisture contents, and subsequently, by the gaseous medium to regenerate the adsorbent. Following each switching, at least one of the chambers of each group is assigned to the next following group in the cycle.

Abstract: Water recovery apparatus having a main heat reservoir and an adsorbent material, the apparatus operable in an adsorbent phase of operation for adsorption of water from the atmosphere into the adsorbent material using relatively humid, cool air and operable in a desorption phase of operation for the desorption of water therefrom using relatively drier, warmer air, the apparatus comprising an auxiliary heat reservoir, means for connecting the auxiliary heat reservoir in a first air flow path downstream of the main heat reservoir at the end of a desorption phase of operation, whereby said auxiliary heat reservoir stores energy from the main heat reservoir, and means for connecting the auxiliary heat reservoir in a second air flow path upstream of the main heat reservoir during the next succeeding desorption phase of operation whereby the auxiliary heat reservoir transfers heat energy stored therein to the air passing therethrough for pre-heating the air prior to passage through the adsorbent material and main he

Abstract: Method and apparatus for abstracting water from air wherein in a first phase of a recurring cycle a stream of cool, moist air from the atmosphere first cools a first heat storage condenser (1) and then humidifies a hygroscopic medium (14); in a second phase a stream of warm air additionally heated by solar radiation expels moisture from the hygroscopic medium and carries the moisture into said first heat storage condenser (1) where it condenses, releasing condensation heat, and drains away; in a third phase another stream of cool, moist air from the atmosphere first cools a second heat storage condenser (2) and then rehumidifies the hygroscopic medium, and in a fourth phase another stream of warm air heated by solar energy again expels the moisture from the hygroscopic medium and carries the moisture to said second heat storage condenser where it condenses and drains away, and wherein the warm air streams of the second and fourth phases, are preheated using the heat of condensation picked up by the said secon

Abstract: Disclosed are a process and plant for the recovery of water from humid air, in which at night cool humid air is passed through an adsorbent medium layer which adsorbs water from the air and in which, by day, air heated by solar energy up to a temperature which is above the ambient temperature is passed first through this layer to absorb water from the layer and then is cooled down so that the water condenses. The daytime air, when entering the adsorbent layer, is heated by solar energy with a radiator which is preferably a black anodized aluminum web in which the adsorbent medium may be embedded and/or by the adsorbent medium layer which is colored black for better absorption of sun rays. By using reflectors, the solarization upon the adsorbent medium layer and/or the radiator may be intensified.

Abstract: A silica gel of improved hardness and abrasion resistance, increased adsorption power, and other valuable properties is produced by a highly economic process. A useful manufacturing system for making such silica gel and a simple apparatus for producing silica gel spheres of considerably larger diameter than heretofore known are provided.

Abstract: Water is recovered from air by a process utilizing the differences in the day-time and night temperatures of such air. The process is especially useful in subtropical desert areas. It consists in alternately removing the moisture from the cool night air by adsorption on suitable adsorbing agents and especially on silica gel and by utilizing the hot day-time air and, if desired and available, the radiation energy of the sun for desorption of the water stored in the adsorbing agent and for condensing the desorbed water by means of the cold stored during the night. An especially suitable silica gel is used for adsorption of the water contained in the air. The energy required for operating the plant is produced by passing the recovered water through energy producing installations such as turbines before it is used as drinking water or for irrigation. The process is very economical and, in contrast to seawater desalination processes, does not require additional thermal energy.