Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention includes a quartz flask for containing 71% nitric acid and the organic matrix to be destroyed, a Soxhlet extractor disposed above the flask, and a Friedrich coldfinger reflux condenser disposed above the extractor. A Meeker or Fisher burner is employed to provide heat to the flask and distill the acid, and the vapors are condensed within the condenser and transmitted to the extractor. An adjustable volume displacement cylinder is disposed within the extractor so as to control siphoning of the acid condensate from the extractor back into the flask. The distillation-condensation-siphoning procedure of the present invention is automatically operative once the displacement cylinder is adjusted. The organic matrix is completely destroyed so as to produce a clear, colorless acid solution within which the trace inorganic salts are disposed. The acid solution may be subsequently qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed in accordance with known techniques.

Abstract: An apparatus to measure the asphaltene content of petroleum products where a precipitation evaporator for the sample is surmounted by a condensing unit. Immediately below the precipitation evaporator is a filtering unit with a rinsing vapor inlet line for conveying washing liquid from a balloon-flask evaporator. The precipitation evaporator is also equipped with an adjustable flap for preventing fluid from passing to the filtering unit.

Abstract: A relatively large volume horizontal liquid separation chamber is provided as an intermediate part of the downcomers used to transfer the denser liquid phase between contiguous trays of a countercurrent liquid-liquid extraction column. The downcomers also include two smaller vertical conduits which carry the liquid into and out of the opposing ends of the chamber. The downward flowing denser liquid phase is thereby subjected to a separation step within the downcomers to produce a stream of the less dense liquid released above the upper tray.

Abstract: A cleaning device including a housing having an open top and a closed bottom with a chamber mounted therein, the chamber having an open top and an open bottom. The housing is disposed to receive a liquid solution therein, the liquid solution containing at least two immiscible components of different densities, the chamber portion of the housing containing only one of the components therein.

Abstract: A dry cleaning process in which contaminating solvent vapor is removed from a gas stream discharged from a dry cleaning machine and the stream then recycled. As a preliminary to the removal of the solvent vapor the gas is bubbled through an aqueous liquid. In some gas (for example when the solvent is perchloroethylene) the liquid is water and the gas stream is then returned to the machine where it passes over cooling coils so that the solvent vapor condenses and is collected. In other gas (when the solvent is trichloroethane or trichloroethylene) the aqueous liquid is a solution of a catalyst or emulsifying agent, the solvent being recovered by conventional chemical processes. Removal of the solvent is carried out in a recovery tank having inlet means for the gas extending into the bottom of the tank and including a foraminous screen through which gas is bubbled into the liquid in the tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating grease-covered rolling mill scale, according to which the rolling mill scale to be treated is weighed, thoroughly mixed with from 10 to 20% by weight of a solvent e.g. a fluorized chlorohydrocarbon, while finely distributing the greases in the thus obtained mixture. The mixture is then added in a continuous manner to a bath containing such solvent, and is distributed therein. The rolling mill scale is then slowly moved out of the solvent containing bath while mixing the rolling mill scale with an oil-free solvent of the above mentioned type passed in counter-current flow to the last mentioned mill scale. The movement of the thus obtained last mentioned mixture is continued while causing the solvent to drip off out of the grease-free rolling mill scale. The rolling mill scale is then heated, and the residual solvent is driven out of the rolling mill scale.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing organic contaminants from an aqueous metal-cleaning solution. The apparatus includes a first conduit, or pipe, for removing portions of the contaminated aqueous solution from its tank. The solution enters an extractor which permits intimate contact between the contaminated solution and an organic solvent. A second tube, or conduit, returns the aqueous solution, purified by this contact, to the original tank. A third conduit removes the organic solvent from the extractor after its contact with the aqueous solution, by which time it will contain organic components from the aqueous solution. This solvent, with the contaminants, enters a separator, such as a still, which removes the contaminants from it. The purified organic solvent then returns to the extractor along a fourth conduit. The cleansing operation proceeds intermittently or, preferably, continuously.

Abstract: An immersion type metal degreaser for use with relatively low boiling fluorocarbon solvents or azeotropes thereof in which liquid solvent is boiled and vaporized in the degreaser by a heater immersed in liquid solvent which constitutes the condenser section of a compression-expansion refrigeration system and in which solvent vapors within the metal degreaser are confined within the degreaser by being cooled and condensed by means constituting the evaporator section of the refrigeration system. An adjunct of the cooling system maintains a portion of the liquid solvent within which ultrasonic units are immersed at the optimum temperature thereof.

Abstract: Extraction container for solvent extraction of materials, having vapor inlet and outlet tubes, a condenser fitted on the extraction container and a stopcock fitted on the inlet tube causing distributing solvent vapors in desired proportions between those led to the said condenser and those led into the said container and also fitted with an improved syphon for discharging of extract from the container.