Abstract: A rotary evaporator shaft having tapered coupling surfaces for coupling to a rotary drive and to a container includes an extracting device disposed between the tapered coupling joints and moveable into engagement with a selected one of the container or the drive means for extracting the coupling therefrom with the shaft constructed of a synthetic resin polymer such as that sold under the trademark TEFLON.

Abstract: An alcohol still having a boiler with a valve for maintaining the amount of liquor constant. The boiler mounts a distilling column having a temperature controlled inlet for liquor to be distilled which assists in maintaining the operation at a constant optimum operating temperature.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for effecting mass transfer between two fluid phases, one of which is a liquid. The process comprises charging the fluids to an element which has a large interfacial area and which is permeable to the fluids and rotating the element such that the fluids are subjected to an acceleration of at least 300 m sec.sup.- 1 as they flow through the element.

Abstract: A first cylindrical drum member having an inlet portion for receiving materials to be treated, such as preheated coal and char includes a longitudinal axis and an outlet portion through which the treated materials are discharged into the inlet end portion of a second cylindrical drum member. The second drum member is independently supported for rotation relative to the first drum member and has a longitudinal axis coplanarly aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first drum member such that the drum members are concentrically positioned in tandem relative. A sealing assembly is connected to the first and second drum members for longitudinal movement with the drum members during expansion and contraction of the drum members as they are subjected to different temperatures.

Abstract: Apparatus for the pyrolysis of waste products such as polymeric and/or inorganic waste products comprising a reactor vessel and in which fluid or paste-like waste materials may be pyrolised by tilting the reactor vessel upwardly from its entrance end to its delivery end. Paddle blades are provided for driving the waste products therethrough which are mounted so that their angle of attack is variable.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for beneficiating relatively small shredded scrap metal particles, such as aluminum metal particles preparatory to remelting the same, by passing the particles through a beneficiating chamber that is heated to a substantially uniform elevated metal temperature throughout and while passing the particles through such chamber effecting a vaporization of the non-aluminum volatiles, such as coatings, paints and lacquers that adhere to said particles and while avoiding ignition of the said volatiles.

Abstract: A circular traveling grate machine is disclosed, which is particularly suitable for educting oil from oil shale. The machine includes generally circular inner and outer walls mounted for movement along a trackway and which carry a plurality of burden conveying pallets, hinged to the outer wall and releasably connected to the inner wall. As each pallet approaches and enters a burden discharge station, the connection between the pallet and the inner wall is released. The pallet is then guided downwardly to a discharge position by a piston and cylinder as each pallet is pivoted on its hinge under the influence of gravity. Each lowered pallet is raised by a piston and cylinder and latched in a burden carrying position to the inner wall. The pallets and walls are supported for rotation along the trackway by water cooled supporting grid to minimize differential expansion and contraction of component parts of the machine as they are subjected to differential temperatures.