Abstract: An air conditioner is disclosed. The air conditioner includes a case having a first and a second indoor suction port and a first and a second indoor discharge port, an air conditioning unit having a first and a second heat exchanger, a first indoor flow channel connected between the first indoor suction port and the first indoor discharge port, a second indoor flow channel connected between the second indoor suction port and the second indoor discharge port, and a condensing unit to receive regenerated air, heat-exchanged with the condenser, from one of the first indoor flow channel and the second indoor flow channel, and perform a heat exchange between the regenerated air and a cooling fluid having a lower temperature than the regenerated air.

Abstract: A method for producing a molded product of a protein-containing fraction from raw sugar beet juice includes: pre-liming the raw sugar beet juice in order to form a coagulum of non-sucrose substances forming in the obtained pre-liming juice, separating the coagulum from the pre-liming juice using at least one first separation device in order to obtain a protein-containing fraction, blending the protein-containing fraction with at least one carrier, and molding the obtained mixture comprising the protein-containing fraction and the carrier in a molding device to obtain a molded product of a protein-containing fraction.

Abstract: A method and a system for regulating fluid levels in an evaporator comprising fluid communicating pans, the system comprising a tube in fluid communication with at least a first pan of the evaporator and exterior to the first pan, a level sensor immersed in the fluid in the tube; an air pump unit; and a pressure monitoring unit; the air pump unit providing a constant air airflow to the tube; the level sensor detecting variations of the fluid level in the tube, and the pressure monitoring unit controlling input of fluid into the first pan in response to the variations detected by the level sensor.

Abstract: Systems for treating biomass for the production of ethanol are disclosed. The systems are configured to treat a liquid component separated from biomass to yield sugars available to be fermented into a fermentation product. The systems comprise a filter configured to remove particulate matter to provide a filtered component and an apparatus configured to remove inhibitors from the filtered liquid component provide a treated liquid component comprising sugars available for fermentation. Methods for treating for treating biomass useful in the production of a fermentation product are also disclosed. The methods include the steps of filtering a liquid component to remove particulate matter thereby yielding a filtered liquid component, and treating the filtered liquid component to remove inhibitors thereby yielding a treated liquid component comprising sugars available to be fermented into a fermentation product.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to hyper concentrator system having two concentration modules. A first concentration module operates at a first pressure. It receives a liquid having a first Brix level and produces a first concentrate having an intermediate Brix level greater than the first Brix level. A second concentration module operates at a second pressure greater than the first pressure. The second concentration module receives the first concentrate and produces a second concentrate having a high Brix level greater than the intermediate Brix level. The hyper concentrator system may further comprise an evaporator. The hyper concentrator system may be used to produce maple syrup from maple sap.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention overcome the well-known recalcitrance of lignocellulosic biomass in an economically viable manner. A process and a system are provided for the efficient fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass into cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. The cellulose and hemicellulose thus obtained are highly amorphous and can be readily converted into highly concentrated mixtures of five and six carbon sugars using known methods. Typical yields of sugars exceed 100 grams of sugars per liter of sugar solution. Other products, such as alcohols, can easily be prepared according to methods of the invention. The modest process conditions and low solvent/solid ratios of some embodiments of the invention require relatively low capital and processing costs.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention overcome the well-known recalcitrance of lignocellulosic biomass in an economically viable manner. A process and a system are provided for the efficient fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass into cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. The cellulose and hemicellulose thus obtained are highly amorphous and can be readily converted into highly concentrated mixtures of five and six carbon sugars using known methods. Typical yields of sugars exceed 100 grams of sugars per liter of sugar solution. Other products, such as alcohols, can easily be prepared according to methods of the invention. The modest process conditions and low solvent/solid ratios of some embodiments of the invention require relatively low capital and processing costs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of extracting a carbohydrate from a carbohydrate juice, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing an adsorbent having unsaturated hydrocarbon groups exposed on its surface wherein said groups are capable of adsorbing a carbohydrate to the (internal) surface of the adsorbent by CH/p interaction, and optionally in addition by hydrogen bonding; b) contacting said raw carbohydrate juice with said adsorbent under conditions by which said carbohydrate is adsorbed to said adsorbent by CH/p interaction, and c) desorbing said carbohydrate from said adsorbent by increasing the temperature of the carbohydrate-adsorbent complex.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention overcome the well-known recalcitrance of lignocellulosic biomass in an economically viable manner. A process and a system are provided for the efficient fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass into cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. The cellulose and hemicellulose thus obtained are highly amorphous and can be readily converted into highly concentrated mixtures of five and six carbon sugars using known methods. Typical yields of sugars exceed 100 grams of sugars per liter of sugar solution. Other products, such as alcohols, can easily be prepared according to methods of the invention. The modest process conditions and low solvent/solid ratios of some embodiments of the invention require relatively low capital and processing costs.

Abstract: A system and process for refining raw sugar, comprising a melting unit configured to receive the raw sugar and an eluent to produce a melt liquor, a decolorization unit configured to receive the melt liquor and to produce a fine liquor, a crystallization unit configured to fractionate high-purity crystalline sucrose from the fine liquor and to provide a run-off syrup, a softening unit configured to receive the run-off syrup to produce a softened syrup, at least one separation unit configured to receive the softened syrup to produce a low-invert sucrose product, and a recycle line configured to relay the low-invert sucrose product from the at least one separation unit to the melting unit.

Abstract: A method of inverting sucrose, including (i) determining an initial solids concentration of an aqueous sucrose solution, an initial bed volume of a sucrose inversion resin system, a minimum target inversion percentage, a maximum target inversion percentage, a target maximum hydroxymethylfuran (HMF) concentration, a minimum target pH, or a maximum target pH; (ii) contacting the sucrose inversion resin system with the aqueous sucrose solution under conditions of aqueous solution flow rate and aqueous solution temperature to produce an inverted sucrose solution having an inversion percentage, an HMF concentration, and a pH; (iii) observing an instantaneous inversion percentage, an instantaneous HMF concentration, or an instantaneous pH of the inverted sucrose solution; and, if appropriate; (iv) changing at least one of the aqueous solution flow rate or the aqueous solution temperature to yield a product having a desired inversion percentage, HMF concentration, and/or pH.

Abstract: A method and a system for regulating fluid levels in an evaporator comprising fluid communicating pans, the system comprising a tube in fluid communication with at least a first pan of the evaporator and exterior to the first pan, a level sensor immersed in the fluid in the tube; an air pump unit; and a pressure monitoring unit; the air pump unit providing a constant air airflow to the tube; the level sensor detecting variations of the fluid level in the tube, and the pressure monitoring unit controlling input of fluid into the first pan in response to the variations detected by the level sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting C5 sugars including pentose and/or C6 sugars including hexose from a slurry of cellulosic material comprising cellulose, water, and optionally acid.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provide a system for mitigation and/or elimination of scale precipitation base and side wall build up in a maple syrup primary evaporator pan, by reversing the maple sap flow to prevent liquid stagnation.

Abstract: A method of inverting sucrose, including (i) determining an initial solids concentration of an aqueous sucrose solution, an initial bed volume of a sucrose inversion resin system, a minimum target inversion percentage, a maximum target inversion percentage, a target maximum hydroxymethylfuran (HMF) concentration, a minimum target pH, or a maximum target pH; (ii) contacting the sucrose inversion resin system with the aqueous sucrose solution under conditions of aqueous solution flow rate and aqueous solution temperature to produce an inverted sucrose solution having an inversion percentage, an HMF concentration, and a pH; (iii) observing an instantaneous inversion percentage, an instantaneous HMF concentration, or an instantaneous pH of the inverted sucrose solution; and, if appropriate; (iv) changing at least one of the aqueous solution flow rate or the aqueous solution temperature to yield a product having a desired inversion percentage, HMF concentration, and/or pH.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting pentose from a slurry of cellulosic material comprising cellulose, water, and optionally acid in a two-stage process.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing alcohol from a cellulosic material, said process comprising: hydrolyzing said cellulosic material with an aqueous acid to produce a hydrolysate; extracting acid and water from said hydrolysate with a water-miscible organic extraction solvent to yield (a) a first aqueous acidic solution containing said extraction solvent and (b) a residue containing sugars; subjecting said residue to an oligosaccharide cleavage reaction to yield an aqueous solution of fermentable sugars; fermenting said fermentable sugars and distilling alcohol from the resulting fermented mixture; contacting said first aqueous acidic solution with a pressurized fluid lipophilic solvent in non-gaseous form, which fluid solvent is substantially water-immiscible and is gaseous at ambient conditions, to yield a second aqueous acid solution and a solvent mixture of said extraction solvent and said fluid solvent; depressurizing said solvent mixture to release said extraction solvent for recycling; and,

Abstract: A system and method for extracting pentose from a slurry of cellulosic material comprising cellulose, water, and optionally acid in a two-stage process.

Abstract: A process for producing sugar products from grapes includes treating a solution of liquid rectified concentrated must by chromatography, to separate at least one sugar contained in it. A plant for producing sugar products from grapes comprises a plurality of columns connected together in series, each column implementing in succession all steps of the chromatographic process, but implementing steps of the process which are different from the other columns. A recirculation step is provided in passing from one step to the next.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an automatic washer system mounted within a maple sugar evaporator above the rear flue pan for removing niter and sediment built up during the boiling of sap. The evaporator comprises a furnace, a steam hood, a pan and a nozzle for washing the pan. The steam hood extends over the furnace. The pan is mounted to the furnace and under the steam hood. The nozzle is mounted over the pan. Cleaning fluid is sprayed from the nozzle to clean the pan by an automated process.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting C5 sugars including pentose and/or C6 sugars including hexose from a slurry of cellulosic material comprising cellulose, water, and optionally acid.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention overcome the well-known recalcitrance of lignocellulosic biomass in an economically viable manner. A process and a system are provided for the efficient fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass into cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. The cellulose and hemicellulose thus obtained are highly amorphous and can be readily converted into highly concentrated mixtures of five and six carbon sugars using known methods. Typical yields of sugars exceed 100 grams of sugars per liter of sugar solution. Other products, such as alcohols, can easily be prepared according to methods of the invention. The modest process conditions and low solvent/solid ratios of some embodiments of the invention require relatively low capital and processing costs.

Abstract: A process for producing sugar products from grapes includes treating a solution of liquid rectified concentrated must by chromatography, to separate at least one sugar contained in it. A plant for producing sugar products from grapes comprises a plurality of columns connected together in series, each column implementing in succession all steps of the chromatographic process, but implementing steps of the process which are different from the other columns. A recirculation step is provided in passing from one step to the next.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of extracting a carbohydrate from a carbohydrate juice, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing an adsorbent having unsaturated hydrocarbon groups exposed on its surface wherein said groups are capable of adsorbing a carbohydrate to the (internal) surface of the adsorbent by CH/p interaction, and optionally in addition by hydrogen bonding; b) contacting said raw carbohydrate juice with said adsorbent under conditions by which said carbohydrate is adsorbed to said adsorbent by CH/p interaction, and c) desorbing said carbohydrate from said adsorbent by increasing the temperature of the carbohydrate-adsorbent complex.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for extract purification of sugar beet raw juice, especially for reduction of lime consumption during the purification of sugar beet raw juice, to a process for producing a nutrient-rich non-sucrose concentrate from sugar beet raw juice, to the non-sucrose substance concentrate thus produced, to uses of the non-sucrose substance concentrate and to an apparatus for preliming sugar beet raw juice and/or for obtaining the non-sucrose substance concentrate.

Abstract: A continuous centrifuge (10) has a basket (30) with upper and lower basket portions (43, 44) separated by an intermediate slip portion (45). The lower basket portion (43) has an included angle of 40–50°, to separate “green” molasses from the sugar crystals, while the upper basket portion (44) has an included angle of 50–60°, to separate washed molasses from the sugar crystals. The inner faces of the walls of the basket portions (43, 44) have radial drainage grooves (46), closed at their lower ends and opens at their upper ends, to discharge the molasses.

Abstract: An acid recovery system used in a hydrolysis operation includes a chromatographic unit to provide initial separation of sugar and acid. The sugar product provided by the chromatographic unit is processed to produce higher value products, such as ethanol. The remaining acid is contaminated by sugar. A nanofiltration unit containing a nanofilter membrane processes the sugar contaminated acid. The acid is allowed to permeate across the nanofilter membrane while sugar is rejected. The permeate is provided to a conventional acid recovery system and recycled for use in the hydrolysis process.

Abstract: Method for producing refined sugar from sugared juice, such as raw juice from sugar cane or from sugar beet, containing sugar and impurities, which comprises the operations of: tangential filtration of the sugared juice in order to obtain a retentate and a filtrate, softening of the filtrate in order to obtain a softened filtrate, concentration of the softened filtrate in order to obtain a softened syrup, chromatography of the softened syrup in order to obtain an extract enriched in sugars and a raffinate enriched in impurities, crystallisation of the extract in two or more crystallisation/separation steps in order to obtain refined sugar and a run-off, and combination of the run-off with the softened syrup in order that they are both subjected to the chromatography operation.

Abstract: A method for producing a work product including the steps of receiving a first fluid composed of a liquid, a target substance and at least one residual substance; passing the first fluid through a first work station for separating the residual substance from the first fluid to produce a secondary fluid substantially composed of the liquid and the target substance; and treating the secondary fluid to reduce the proportion of the liquid relative to the target substance in the secondary fluid to form the work product.

Abstract: Method for producing refined sugar from sugared juice, such as raw juice from sugar cane or from sugar beet, containing sugar and impurities. The method includes the steps of tangential filtration of the sugared juice in order to obtain a retentate and a filtrate, softening of the filtrate in order to obtain a softened filtrate, concentration of the softened filtrate in order to obtain a softened syrup, chromatography of the softened syrup in order to obtain an extract enriched in sugars and a raffinate enriched in impurities, crystallisation of the extract in two or more crystallisation/separation steps in order to obtain refined sugar and a run-off, and combination of the run-off with the softened syrup in order that they are both subjected to the chromatography operation.

Abstract: Method for producing refined sugar from sugared juice, such as raw juice from sugar cane or from sugar beet, containing sugar and impurities. The method includes the steps of tangential filtration of the sugared juice in order to obtain a retentate and a filtrate, softening of the filtrate in order to obtain a softened filtrate, concentration of the softened filtrate in order to obtain a softened syrup, chromatography of the softened syrup in order to obtain an extract enriched in sugars and a raffinate enriched in impurities, crystallisation of the extract in two or more crystallisation/separation steps in order to obtain refined sugar and a run-off, and combination of the run-off with the softened syrup in order that they are both subjected to the chromatography operation.

Abstract: A food starch seperator comprising a serially connected centrifuge and a membrane seperator further comprising a sintered pipe providing pore flow paths including a pumped source of food plant liquor, outputs for the centrifuge and membrane seperator and a control system to regulate the flow of the food plant liquor.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for performing a continuous reaction with at least one liquid reaction phase incorporating at least one starting compound in the presence of at least one solid-phase catalyst, wherein the phases to be contacted are circulated through at least one pulsed reaction column (1). The liquid reaction phase is continuously fed into the middle or lower portion of the pulsed column (1), the liquid phase is circulated upwards through the pulsed column (1), and a counterflow made up of lumps (9) of a solid selective extraction compound is continuously circulated. Furthermore, each solid catalyst is continuously circulated through the pulsed column (1) in contact with the liquid phase.

Abstract: An evaporator includes a maple sap evaporating pan in fluid communication with a maple syrup forming pan, a fire box in gas communication with gas circulating adjuncts, a flue stack and chimney and an auxiliary reservoir for pre-heating the sap prior to entering the maple sap evaporating pan. The auxiliary reservoir consists of a housing defined in the flue stack with an inlet for receiving cold sap. A series of horizontally spaced open end vertical tubes extends through the housing, each tube including a lower inlet receiving from the adjuncts flue gases that circulate through and heat the tubes and an upper outlet allowing the gases to exit through the chimney. Hence, cold sap received in the auxiliary reservoir is first heated by contact with the hot tubes.

Abstract: A continuously operating centrifuge for spinning sugar massecuite has a perforated basket which widens conically and rotates about a vertical axis. The perforated basket has a throwing-off edge from which the sugar particles are spun off outwardly and are then collected in a further processing device and undergo additional treatment. The further processing device has a removable collecting channel with at least one discharge nozzle at the base thereof. An overflow nozzle can be installed in the discharge nozzle to cause pooling of liquid and convert the centrifuge from magmatizing operation to dissolving operation. An adjustable rebound member and selectable one of two liquid medium conduits further allow reconfiguration between the two modes of operation. For dry centrifuging, the collecting channel can be removed.

Abstract: An auxiliary apparatus for producing maple syrup from maple sap is adapted to utilize the latent heat of the steam emitted from the flue pan of a maple syrup evaporator which is fitted in sealed relation on top of the flue pan. The auxiliary apparatus is in the form of an upwardly opening pan with upright side walls and a bottom wall having a triangularly grooved inner surface and a correspondingly ridged outer surface. Steam pipes "open" at both ends thereof, extend through the interior of the auxiliary pan from a steam receiving chamber of the auxiliary pan to an upwardly opening exhaust chamber at the opposite end of the pan so that a substantial portion of the steam from the flue pan will flow through the sap in the auxiliary pan to heat the maple sap disposed therein to reduce the water content of the sap utilizing the latent heat from the flue pan. A plurality of air pipes also extend through the evaporator in parallel and closely adjacent relation to and below the steam pipes.

Abstract: An evaporator in the form of a vacuum pan has partitions (38) providing a plurality of compartments (42, 46) between an inlet and outlet. The compartments increase in volume from the inlet to the outlet, each compartment having at least one pair of hollow fins (50). A pair of shafts (32) pass through the partitions (38) to provide vanes (58) in each compartment. The vanes (58) pass over the surfaces of the respective fins (50) to agitate fluid in the vacuum pan, the fluid passing from compartment to compartment by way of weirs. The number of fins (50) in each compartment increases from the inlet to the outlet, and the fins (50) may be heated, as may be the vanes (58). The apparatus is advantageous in preparing crystalline sugar from sugar solution, providing for even dispersal of sugar crystals and keeping the massecuite in motion before the latter in its most concentrated state leaves the compartment (46) for further processing.

Abstract: A preheater-potable water condenser for sap concentrating boiler-evaporators. A housing which contains a dual manifolded multitubular heat exchanger is fixed to, but removable from, the vertical vent stack of a hooded syrup concentrator-boiler. The preheater-condenser is an improvement over the state of the art because its vertical positioning, in conjunction with an inclined, ganged and multitubular heat exchanging array, presents a greater heat exchanger surface area to be exposed directly to the boiler exhaust, thus enhancing heat exchange efficiency. In addition to preheating the liquid which is to be concentrated to syrup, positioning above the hood (and away from the boiling and spattering base fluid) facilitates the use of the tubular array as a condenser by which to accumulate distilled water. An oblique (inclined) disposition of the tubular array aids the condensation and accumulation process, the latter being acquired in specially compartmented areas of the housing.

Abstract: A piggy back evaporator includes a drip pan having an oblique condensate drain sheet extending over the major length of the same. A steam hole within the condensate drain sheet allows steam to reach the lower surface of a bottom wall of a piggy back pan. The piggy back pan bottom wall is corrugated to define a series of laterally spaced troughs on its upper face and flues on its lower face. Maple sap is fed into the piggy back pan to a level covering the corrugations of the bottom wall. A hood overlies the piggy back pan and seals off the interior thereof. A high pressure air blower is mounted to the hood and feeds air under pressure into a plenum chamber and downwardly through the downpipes into individual horizontal sparging tubes which extend the length of the piggy back pan and are located within the bottoms of individual troughs defined by the corrugations.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for controlling both the supersaturation of the mother liquor and the crystal content of massecuite by measuring di-electric constant and electrical conductivity at radio frequencies by means of a probe which is included in a circuit which may be tuned to a fixed setting or may be variably tuned, the combined impedance is measured as a function of the tuning and the measurements are compared with predetermined desired values. By suitable combination of the two signals, measurement of crystal content and mother liquor supersaturation can be controlled.

Abstract: A sugar-cooking apparatus of the type having a standing pipe coil surrounded by a heating jacket. The coiled pipe is of flattened cross-section for improved heat transfer. During use, a mixture of sugar, water and additives is passed through the coiled pipe and rapidly heated therein to form a sugar solution.

Abstract: A piggy back evaporator is sealably coupled in open box form overlying a sugar maple sap evaporator and aligned with an upright flue pan of the conventional sugar maple sap evaporator which, when fired, boils off vaporizable constituents of the sap. The piggy back evaporator includes a drip pan sealably mounted to the flue pan. The drip pan includes an oblique condensate drain sheet extending over the major length of the same. A steam hole within the condensate drain sheet allows steam to reach the lower surface of a bottom wall of a piggy back pan. The piggy back pan bottom wall is corrugated to define a series of laterally spaced troughs on its upper face and flues on its lower face. A hood overlies the piggy back pan and seals off the interior thereof.

Abstract: A scraper for a sugar centrifuge comprises a scraper blade mounted on an arm which is moved down into and pivoted within the centrifugal bowl, such that the edge of the scraper blade is moved against but out of contact with the bowl wall for scraping off the sugar adhering to the bowl wall. After the scraping edge, the scraper blade has an afterscraper in direct or indirect contact with the bowl wall. The afterscraper comprises in one embodiment a block whose boundary plane facing the scraping edge forms an acute angle with the tangential plane along the line of contact of the block with the bowl wall.

Abstract: A continuously operable sugar centrifugal is equipped with an upwardly opening conical centrifugal drum surrounded by a sugar collecting housing (3). The upper edge of the drum (1) is equipped with a sugar discharge flange which faces a rotatably mounted ring carrying a plurality of sugar crystal deflecting, spring elastically yielding, sheet metal members which may be mounted in a fixed position or in an adjustable position to the rotatable ring. In the embodiment with the adjustable sheet metal members, their angular position relative to the flight direction of the sugar crystals may be selected in accordance with particular requirements. The sheet metal members are so located that they function as sugar intercepting and deflecting elements. A ring conduit for applying a mashing liquid to the sheet metal members is arranged in a stationary position in parallel to the rotatable ring and axially spaced from the ring.

Abstract: Processing and outfit for the extraction of cane sugar by pressing canes and magma between several pairs of fluted rollers, wherein each pair of rollers is completely submerged in a tank (C) and fed through a hopper (13), and wherein a constant recirculation of the magma, from each tank towards the corresponding hopper, with a significant flow rate on the one hand, and a countercurrent circulation of the bagasse and the juice with a lower flow rate in the different tanks (C.sub.1, C.sub.2, C.sub.3) corresponding to the different pairs of rollers on the other, are combined.

Abstract: A continuously operating centrifugal for mashing and centrifuging of sugar massecuite is equipped with an upwardly, conically opening screen drum (2) which is rotating about a vertical axis (1). The screen drum is carried by a hub (5) reaching into the interior of the drum and supporting at its top a supply and distributing pot (6) for the massecuite and a precentrifuging bell (8) surrounding the distribution pot and reaching into a bottom zone of the screen drum. The precentrifuging bell also has a conical shape opening downwardly. A discharge rim (17) of the precentrifuging bell (8) is surrounded by a mashing ring (9) rotating along with the drum and bell. The mashing ring widens conically and downwardly. Stationary tubular members (14) are provided for supplying the mashing liquid onto the radially inwardly facing surface of the mashing ring (9).

Abstract: The screen drum of a continuously operable sugar centrifuge is divided into three sections along its axial length from the drum bottom to the sugar discharge rim. A first upper section extends from the discharge rim downwardly. This first section has such a wall inclination (.alpha.) relative to the central rotational axis that a layer of material being centrifuged remains stationary on the first section when the supply of massecuite is interrrupted and the supply of covering or wash-water is continued while the centrifuge keeps operating. A second mid-section extends along a mid-portion of the drum and another angle of inclination (.beta.)relative to the rotational axis, whereby the angle (.beta.) is larger by about 3.degree. to 7.degree. than the angle (.alpha.). A third lower section encloses a third angle (.gamma.) with the rotational drum axis. The third angle (.gamma.) is about equal to the first angle (.alpha.).

Abstract: A continuously operating sugar centrifugal is equipped with the following components, a massecuite supply device, a frustum-shaped screen drum which is rotatably drivable, a housing surrounding the screen drum, a distributor and accelerating device arranged for cooperation with the screen drum, cover water nozzles arranged in a fixed position in the drum, and an air guide ring. The air guide ring is located at the widening upper open end of the drum. The air guide ring widens conically and forms an extension or elongation of the screen drum. A passage or exit gap for the sugar to be discharged from the drum, is provided between the upper drum edge and a rim of the air guide ring facing the drum. The air guide ring rim facing away from the drum reaches into a ring-shaped air scoop and collecting space (17) which is open toward the interior of the drum.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for detecting solids in a fluid. A method of detecting solids in a fluid is also disclosed. The apparatus includes fluid sampling means within a housing. The sampling means conveys a sample of the fluid to a testing station adjacent which a movement or vibration detector is mounted. The flow path of the sample is restricted to crush or tend to crush solids in the fluid and cause movement or vibrations detected by the detector and means for providing a visual and/or audible output indicate the presence of solids in the fluid.

Abstract: A continuously operable sugar centrifuge modified as taught herein is capable of producing quality sugar. For this purpose elastic, spring resilient sheet metal members (11) are attached to a rotatable ring with an adjustable angle of incidence so that the surface of these flexible sheet metal members encloses a selectable incidence angle with the flight path (12) of the sugar crystals, whereby the speed with which the sugar crystals impinge on the flexible sheet metal members may be controlled. Such control may be accomplished, for example, by a closed loop deceleration or braking action of the rotatable ring carrying the metal members.