Abstract: An apparatus and novel method for processing medical waste materials comprising an elongate pressure vessel of generally cylindrical configuration having an inlet end, and a closely fitting closure member for the inlet. An elongate drum of generally cylindrical configuration is mounted in the vessel for rotation about its longitudinal axis, which drum can be selectively driven in either rotative direction. The longitudinal axis of the drum is disposed at a slight angle of incline to the horizontal, placing the inlet end at a slightly higher elevation than the opposite end. A helically configured member is disposed along the interior perimeter of said drum, such that during rotation of the drum in a first rotative direction, the helically configured member moves the waste material in a direction away from the inlet end of the drum, whereas during rotation of the drum in the second rotative direction, the helically configured member moves the waste material toward the inlet.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method and apparatus to effect the separation of component fractions from paper-containing and plastic-containing waste materials. This method and apparatus accepts materials of widely varying characteristics such as paper, plastics, glass, metal, food wastes and other materials to be inserted en masse into a rotating vessel equipped with lifting paddles and directional flighting. In this way the intimate contact of materials with moisture and heat is accomplished, thus effecting the repulping of paper materials. The repulped materials, as a result of directional tumbling, are dispersed throughout the vessel. Because of the repulping of the pulpable materials, size reduction of the randomly large and odd-shaped pulpable material is accomplished. By virtue of the size reduction of the large and odd-shaped pulpable materials, the non-pulpable components are freed of the particle shapes and surfaces that affect separation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of ethyl alcohol from citrus molasses fermentation in which improved yields of ethyl alcohol are obtained by preliminarily removing fermentation inhibiting agents, specifically oils, from the fermenter charge. The process may be carried out in batch or by continuous operation. The alcohol formed in the fermentation step is distilled off at about 190.degree. proof and the latter may then be dehydrated in a molecular sieve column to produce a product substantially free of water. Also a novel oil stripper is presented in order that the oils may be effectively and economically removed prior to fermentation.