Abstract: A vacuum hose storage unit for insertion within a wall is described that includes a housing with a nozzle/retractor compartment and a hose storage compartment. An opening in the hose storage compartment is in communication with an external conduit leading to a remote vacuum source. Initially, the housing can be used to connect a separately stored hose to the vacuum source by positioning an inlet connector in the nozzle/retractor compartment, and connecting an internal conduit from the inlet connector to the opening in the hose compartment. Subsequently, the internal conduit can be replaced with a hose that is stored in the hose storage compartment and a retractor to extend the hose through the nozzle/retractor compartment. One part of the nozzle/retractor compartment can be covered with a wall covering, with the retractor being inserted into another part of the nozzle/retractor compartment and then moved behind the wall covering.

Abstract: A method of making a count probe for counting particles comprises the following steps. A count wafer is formed along with a core member having an opening for accepting the count wafer. The count wafer is applied to the opening in the core member to form an interference fit between the count wafer and the core member. After application of the count wafer to the opening in the core member, the core member is annealed to relieve stress in the core member.

Abstract: A multi-channel particle counting system corrects for coincidence errors by generating at least a first subtractive correction factor for any channel by taking counts from only channels that are lower than the particular channel being corrected. Optionally a second additive correction factor may be generated based on counts in all channels. The correction factor (s) are then, respectively subtracted from, or added to, the individual channel counts to generate an approximation of the true channel by channel counts.

Abstract: A non-cylindrical carbon black reactor for consistently and efficiently producing high tint carbon black. A plurality of flat sides defines the inner surface of the carbon black reactor. The flat sides provide a planar surface for the introduction of feedstock hydrocarbon into the reactor, thereby eliminating or substantially reducing impingement of the feedstock hydrocarbon on the inner surface of the reactor chamber and the consequent erosion of the inner surface. The flat sides of the inner surface of the reaction chamber also provide a hot gas flow with a cross-sectional area that substantially conforms to the spray pattern of the feedstock hydrocarbon, thereby providing a minimum flame length within the reactor and a more efficient use of the hot gas.

Abstract: A carbon black reactor having an extended reaction choke substantially reduces the presence of coke and refractory grit in the carbon black product and erosion of the carbon black reactor due to impingement of particles of forming carbon black within the reactor. The carbon black reactor generally comprises a reaction choke which extends into an exit chamber to an outlet opening within the exit chamber. Hot gas and particles of forming carbon black flow through the reaction choke, through the outlet opening into the exit chamber. The outlet opening of the reaction choke is located within the exit chamber sufficiently distal from the upstream end of the exit chamber to substantially eliminate impingement of the particles of forming carbon black against the upsteam end of the exit chamber.

Abstract: An axial flow carbon black reactor for producing carbon black particles having a relatively narrow particle size distribution. Feedstock oil is introduced into the reactor by a spray nozzle located coaxial with the longitudinal center line of the reactor. The oil spray flows either in the countercurrent or the concurrent direction relative to the flow of hot gas through the reactor and produces an oil spray pattern covering either substantially the entire frontal area of the hot gas flow or substantially less than the frontal area. Countercurrent feedstock flow increases coverage of the gas flow area by the oil spray and narrows the particle size distribution of carbon black produced by the reactor, and concurrent feedstock flow produces the opposite result.

Abstract: A non-cylindrical carbon black reactor for consistently and efficiently producing high tint carbon black. A plurality of flat sides defines the inner surface of the carbon black reactor. The flat sides provide a planar surface for the introduction of feedstock hydrocarbon into the reactor, thereby eliminating or substantially reducing impingement of the feedstock hydrocarbon on the inner surface of the reactor chamber and the consequent erosion of the inner surface. The flat sides of the inner surface of the reaction chamber also provide a hot gas flow with a cross-sectional area that substantially conforms to the spray pattern of the feedstock hydrocarbon, thereby providing a minimum flame length within the reactor and a more efficient use of hot gas.

Abstract: A reactor for the production of carbon black is disclosed which is characterized by axial flow of combustion gases and sequential converging sections for sequentially accelerating the hot combustion gases used to drive the pyrolysis reaction.