Abstract: A method for controlling at least one of a level of solids and an inventory of solids in a solids tank includes withdrawing a stream of solids from the solids tank via a downer. The stream of solids withdrawn from the solids tank is fluidized at a bottom of the downer by supplying a conveying gas so as to convey the withdrawn stream of solids upward via a riser branching off from the downer, a size of the conveyed stream of solids being adjusted by the supplying of the conveying gas. At least one of the level and the inventory of the solids in the solids tank is used as an adjustment variable of a control circuit and a volume flow of the conveying gas is used as an actuating variable of the control circuit.

Abstract: Devices and methods for supporting guardrail terminal installations that incorporate safety end treatments such as the GET and the SRT. Preferred embodiments are described wherein guardrail terminal installations are primarily anchored to the ground using weak support posts that are preferably made of metal. The ends of the guardrail installation are secured to the ground using breakaway posts. In operation, the weak posts permit the central portion of the guardrail installation to contain and redirect the vehicle during a lateral collision to the rail member. The anchorage provided by the breakaway end posts helps prevent the guardrail from being excessively displaced, thus preventing the impacting vehicle from breaking through the guardrail. In operation, guardrail terminal assemblies constructed in accordance with the present invention provide an improved support system for the rail member which is more forgiving than conventional strong post anchorages, thereby providing an improvement in safety.

Abstract: A process for producing metal oxide from a metal salt includes supplying a first part of the metal salt to a hydrate drier so as to indirectly heat the first part of the metal salt in the hydrate drier using a heat transfer medium from a first stage of a multi-stage indirect cooler so as to dry the first part of the metal salt in the hydrate drier and so as to control a waste gas temperature of the process. A second part of the metal salt is guided as a partial stream past the hydrate drier. The metal salt is preheated in a first preheating stage and precalcined in a second preheating stage. The metal salt and a fluidizing gas having a temperature of 150° C. or less are supplied to a fluidized bed reactor so as to calcine the metal salt to form a metal oxide product. The metal oxide product is cooled in at least one suspension heat exchanger and then in the multi-stage indirect cooler.

Abstract: A method for dividing a stream of solids includes discharging the stream of solids via a first downer. The stream of solids are fluidized at a bottom of the first downer by supplying a first conveying gas. By the first conveying gas, a part of the stream of solids are conveyed to a top of a first riser branching off from the first downer. A remaining part of the stream of solids are discharged via a second downer adjoining the first downer. The remaining stream of solids are fluidized at a bottom of the second downer by supplying a second conveying gas. By the second conveying gas, a part of the remaining part of the stream of solids are conveyed to a top of a second riser branching off from the second downer.

Abstract: A process for producing metal oxide from a metal salt includes supplying a first part of the metal salt to a hydrate drier so as to indirectly heat the first part of the metal salt in the hydrate drier using a heat transfer medium from a first stage of a multi-stage indirect cooler so as to dry the first part of the metal salt in the hydrate drier and so as to control a waste gas temperature of the process. A second part of the metal salt is guided as a partial stream past the hydrate drier. The metal salt is preheated in a first preheating stage and precalcined in a second preheating stage. The metal salt and a fluidizing gas having a temperature of 150° C. or less are supplied to a fluidized bed reactor so as to calcine the metal salt to form a metal oxide product. The metal oxide product is cooled in at least one suspension heat exchanger and then in the multi-stage indirect cooler.

Abstract: A method for dividing a stream of solids includes discharging the stream of solids via a first downer. The stream of solids are fluidized at a bottom of the first downer by supplying a first conveying gas. By the first conveying gas, a part of the stream of solids are conveyed to a top of a first riser branching off from the first downer. A remaining part of the stream of solids are discharged via a second downer adjoining the first downer. The remaining stream of solids are fluidized at a bottom of the second downer by supplying a second conveying gas. By the second conveying gas, a part of the remaining part of the stream of solids are conveyed to a top of a second riser branching off from the second downer.

Abstract: A method for controlling at least one of a level of solids and an inventory of solids in a solids tank includes withdrawing a stream of solids from the solids tank via a downer. The stream of solids withdrawn from the solids tank is fluidized at a bottom of the downer by supplying a conveying gas so as to convey the withdrawn stream of solids upward via a riser branching off from the downer, a size of the conveyed stream of solids being adjusted by the supplying of the conveying gas. At least one of the level and the inventory of the solids in the solids tank is used as an adjustment variable of a control circuit and a volume flow of the conveying gas is used as an actuating variable of the control circuit.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a cable anchor system for an end terminal includes a cable anchor bracket configured to couple to a guardrail, in which the cable anchor bracket includes a flat plate having an aperture formed therein and a plurality of protrusions extending from a plane containing the aperture. The protrusions are configured to releasably engage the guardrail.

Abstract: Guardrail installation designs are described that incorporate a box beam rail as the structural rail member. The box beam rail member may have an open cross-section or a closed cross-section. An impact head is provided to bend and deflect the rail member during an end-on collision, allowing the rail member to be deflected away from the roadway and out of the path of an end-on impacting vehicle. The impact head includes a striking face and a chute portion that receives the box beam rail member therewithin. In addition to bending and deflecting the rail member, the impact head may also include a flattening section for flattening the rail member.

Abstract: In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, a guardrail system includes at least one cable operable to contain and redirect an errant vehicle. The guardrail system also includes a plurality of guardrail support posts spaced apart in relation to one another. Each support post includes a lower portion, a mid portion, and an upper portion. The lower portion is for installing below grade adjacent the roadway. The mid portion lies substantially adjacent the grade and includes a weakened section operable to weaken the support post about a longitudinal axis. The upper portion is releasably coupled to the at least one cable such that the upper portion is uncoupled from the at least one cable when the support post is displaced.

Abstract: In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, a guardrail safety system includes a guardrail beam and a plurality of support posts in spaced apart relation to one another. Each support post is configured to be releasably coupled to the guardrail beam. A plurality of connectors couple the plurality of support posts to the guardrail beam. Each connector includes a head portion that is configured to provide a sufficiently strong connection between the guardrail beam and the support post to support the guardrail beam and a sufficiently weak connection between the guardrail beam and the support post to enable the support post to detach from the guardrail beam when struck by the errant vehicle.

Abstract: In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, a guardrail safety system includes a guardrail beam and a support post of a predetermined depth coupled to the guardrail beam. The support post includes a lower portion for installing below grade adjacent the roadway, a mid portion that lies substantially adjacent the grade, and an upper portion releasably coupled to the guardrail beam. The mid portion includes a weakened section operable to weaken the support post about a first axis without substantially changing the behavior of the support post about a second axis that is generally perpendicular to the first axis. A flange protector is coupled between the support post and the guardrail beam. The flange protector has a depth that is less than the predetermined depth of the support post.

Abstract: In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, a guardrail safety system includes a guardrail beam having a length-of-need (LON) portion spanning between two terminal portions. The guardrail safety system also includes a plurality of guardrail support posts in spaced apart relation to one another. At least a portion of the plurality of support posts include a lower portion for installing below grade adjacent the roadway, a mid portion that lies substantially adjacent the grade, and an upper portion releasably coupled to the LON portion of the guardrail beam. The mid portion includes a weakened section operable to weaken the support post about a first axis without substantially changing the behavior of the support post about a second axis that is generally perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: A cable guardrail release system includes a first number of anchor posts installed adjacent a roadway. Each of the first number of anchor posts secures an end of a respective cable. Each anchor post is operable to release the respective cable secured by the anchor post upon a vehicle impact to the anchor post. The system may include a length of need section that includes a plurality of intermediate support posts each configured to support each of the respective cables. The length of need section may include portions of each of the respective cables running in between the plurality of intermediate support posts. Each anchor post may be configured to resist release of the respective cable secured by the anchor post upon a vehicle impact to the length of need section generally at an angle to the flow of traffic on the roadway.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a cable anchor system for an end terminal includes a cable anchor bracket configured to couple to a guardrail, in which the cable anchor bracket includes a flat plate having an aperture formed therein and a plurality of protrusions extending from a plane containing the aperture. The protrusions are configured to releasably engage the guardrail.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, an energy-absorbing device includes a section of material having a plurality of crush zones along a longitudinal length thereof, a first crush zone of the plurality of crush zones including a pair of opposed first bends formed in a first side and a second side of the section, a pair of opposed second bends formed in a third side and a fourth side of the section, and a first set of notches spaced around a perimeter of the section at a longitudinal location corresponding to the first bends and second bends. The first bends project in a direction that is one of inward and outward and the second bends project in a direction opposite that of the first bends. At least one of the other crush zones includes a second set of notches spaced around the perimeter of the section.

Abstract: A guardrail extruder terminal includes a rail feeder chute associated with a downstream end of the guardrail extruder terminal. The terminal also includes an impact portion associated with an upstream end thereof. The impact portion is coupled to the upstream end of the rail feeder chute and includes an impact plate positioned to face oncoming traffic, a first side member coupled to the impact plate and positioned on a roadway side of the guardrail extruder terminal, and a second side member coupled to the impact plate and positioned opposite the first side member. The impact portion may include a top plate and a bottom plate, each being coupled between the first and second side members. The top and bottom plates each have a traffic side edge positioned to face a roadway that is approximately flush with a traffic side of the rail feeder chute.

Abstract: A head assembly for a guardrail extruder terminal device. A head assembly is described that is lighter and more effective than prior art head assemblies. The head assembly provides a throat that receives a corrugated guardrail. The rail is flattened by a narrowing of the throat or through combined action of the throat and a curved deflector plate. A curved plate contacts the flattened rail and extrudes it away from the head assembly. The throat is constructed from a pair of side members. The first side member is an elongated plate while the second side member is a short plate. The impact plate of the head assembly is vertically elongated and presents upper and lower overhangs that assist with vehicle engagement. In addition, the impact plate is provided with flanges on either side to help stiffen the plate. The head is also asymmetrical and streamlined. When the impact head is mounted on a rail member, the central point of impact is off-center with respect to the axis of the head.