Abstract: A volumetric flow controller is used in connection with a virtual impactor classifier to control two separate flows in separate lines from an air pump. Each line has a flow control valve controlled in response to flow signals that are obtained from a pressure transducer that provides an electrical signal proportional to pressure. Pressure changes are sensed and the provided electrical signal is compared with a reference and will actuate a damper motor and move a flow control butterfly valve in the flow line for adjusting the flow when the pressure signal is different from the reference. The circuitry used provides for a dead band, so that changes in the butterfly valve setting will not occur unless the flow varies a selected amount, and also a timer control is used so that the motor operating the damper will be operated only at selected time intervals to prevent "hunting" or continuous operation of the valves. Further, temperature compensation signals can be provided as desired.

Abstract: The separator, provided for installation in conventional ducts for conveying spinnable material staples to staple processing apparatus has a suitable duct which, at the bottom, opens to a collecting chamber, between this collecting chamber and the duct there being arranged a device to convey textile material to be discarded in a single direction.

Abstract: A particle concentrating sampler utilizes a virtual impactor, which is an inertial classifier, for concentrating airborne particles above a cut size into a smaller volume air. The concentrated particles are counted, or collected on impactor plates or by using other collection techniques, such as filters or electrostatic precipitators. The concentration of the larger particles which are of interest for analysis insures that the number of particles, particularly in clean room environments, is sufficient so that a significant sampler or count can be obtained without sampling large volumes of air.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the classification of solid materials, preferably that of hard and highly pure materials, comprising a housing provided with an inlet stub, fine fraction outlet stub and a coarse fraction outlet stub as well as vane-crowns. The fluid carrying the material to be separated or classified radially passes through two vane-crowns with the vanes oriented at an angle to the tangent of the vane-crowns. Upon passage through the first vane-crown the separating or classifying chamber is reached whereupon the coarse fraction is separated out and the fluid flows radially through the second vane-crown whereupon the flow becomes axial with the fluid exiting against gravity and the separated material being collected below in a closed storage tank associated with the coarse product outlet stub.

Abstract: An air separator for removing relatively dense foreign materials from shredded paper comprises a downwardly pitched inlet duct which causes relatively dense particles to impact the wall of a vertical discharge duct and deflect downward for removal while the shredded paper follows the air flow through a horizontal outlet duct.

Abstract: An apparatus for classifying particles entrained by a solid-gas jet stream includes a feed nozzle, a cyclonic wall having an inner arcuate wall, and an auxiliary inner arcuate wall provided at an outlet port of the nozzle. The solid-gas stream is preliminarily bent along the auxiliary inner wall so that the particles are preliminarily or roughly classified into undersized and oversized particles by the action of the centrifugal force before they are classified by the cyclonic wall. The apparatus may include a collecting port disposed downstream of the nozzle outlet port and spaced slightly away from the inner arcuate wall of the cyclonic wall. The collecting port permits the apparatus to collect the undersized particles in a more effective manner.

Abstract: A centrifugal classifier for classifying air, feed solids, fines and coarse particles has a housing with inlets and outlets. The housing is substantially parallelepipedic and contains a plurality of classifier rotors. Each rotor is connected to a separate outlet or to two separate outlets for classifying air and fines.

Abstract: A process for classifying toner particles supplied through a supply nozzle into at least three fractions in a classifying chamber divided into at least three sections and placed under a reduced pressure under the action of the inertia force of the toner particles supplied together with a gas stream and the centrifugal force of the curved gas stream due to Coanda effect. A first gas introduction pipe and a second gas introduction pipe are disposed above the classifying chamber so as to provide a first inlet and a second inlet opening with the first inlet being disposed closer to the supply nozzle than the second inlet. The absolute values of the static pressures P.sub.1 and P.sub.2 in the first and second gas introduction pipes are controlled so as to satisfy the relations of: .vertline.P.sub.1 .vertline..gtoreq.150 mm.aq., .vertline.P.sub.2 .vertline..gtoreq.40 mm.aq. and .vertline.P.sub.1 .vertline.-.vertline.P.sub.2 .vertline..gtoreq.100 mm.aq.

Abstract: A characteristic feature of the design are the rounded off peripheral portions of surfaces of discs which face each other and are spaced equidistantly apart, the discs being rigidly attached to a power-driven rotor.

Abstract: A method and arrangement of apparatus employed is described for regenerating solid particles comprising carbonaceous deposits. At least three sequential stages of separation of flue gases from entrained solids are provided in association with an upflow catalyst regeneration operation.

Abstract: A particle classifier and in particular a particle classifier wheel where the blades are made entirely of a wear-resistant material such as sintered corundum. The blades extend between two discs and are mounted therebetween to have some axial play. The ends of the blades fit into annular grooves formed in the two discs and rubbery-elastic inserts are provided to hold the blades in place.

Abstract: A virtual impactor having improved efficiency and low wall losses in which a core of clean air is inserted into the aerosol flow while aerosol flow is maintained adjacent inner wall surfaces of the focusing portion of the impactor. The flow rate of the core and the length of the throat of the impactor's collection probe, as well as the dimensional relationships of other components of the impactor adjacent the separation region of the impactor, are selected to optimize separation efficiency.

Abstract: A counterflow separator is provided having a feed pipe for bulk material opening into the top of a chamber housing. A discharge conduit radial extends from the top of the housing and an inlet conduit for classifying air extends radially into the housing at its lower portion. The housing is provided with a wall section below the orifice of the feed pipe, which section expands conically outwardly into a collecting hopper. The conical wall section permits the design of a braking stretch longer than its own length, thus reducing the requirement for classifying air, without causing a deterioration in the classifying quality.

Abstract: A particle classifier has a uniform, laminar, classifying air stream and a duct to introduce particulate material generally perpendicular to the air stream. The particulate material is entrained in a secondary air stream that is diverted as it enters the classifying air stream by a curved surface. The curved surface produces and diverts the air stream by the Coanda effect to minimize disturbance to the classifying air and segregate the particles from the secondary air.

Abstract: A device is described for separating airborne particles into grain size classes.

Abstract: The separating efficiency of a cyclone separator used for removing solid particles from a gas stream (for example ash particles from the combustion gas which is passed to a gas turbine) is increased by retarding the particles before they arrive at the cyclone and thereafter accelerating them over a short distance before they enter the cyclone. In this way large particles will have a lower speed than small particles when entering the cyclone. Despite a high velocity of the transport gas and a high inlet velocity for small particles, it is possible to obtain an inlet velocity for larger particles which is desirably low from the point of view of reducing erosion of the cyclone separator. The separation of fine particles is improved. The retardation of the particles may take place in a T-shaped branch pipe, which has one branch connected to the cyclone, a second branch connected to a conveying pipe and a third branch which is formed as a blind space.

Abstract: An apparatus for classifying particulate material with air currents wherein the particulate material containing various kinds of particles of different sizes is conveyed with air currents and the particles are given with forces of inertia differing from one another depending on particle size, including a supply port for supplying the particulate material to be classified, an air current inlet port for introducing into the apparatus an air current of high flow velocity located in the vicinity of the particulate material supply port, air current inlet ports for introducing into the apparatus other air current of lower flow velocity than the air current of high flow velocity, a main passage formed in the apparatus communicated with the particulate material supply port and the air current inlet ports, and a subsidiary passage branching from the main passage located at the side of the apparatus at which one of the air currents of low flow velocity flows.

Abstract: A classifier for particles includes a nozzle substantially in the shape of a rectangle in cross-section, through which a gas stream carrying particles to be separated flows. Finer particles exit through a slit in one side of the substantially rectangular nozzle. In alternative embodiments, more than one such slit may be provided in the nozzle, and/or the nozzle may be substantially angularly-shaped in cross-section.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of and apparatus for processing new or reclaiming used abrasive material such as that material used in the surface preparation of structural steel prior to the application of paint or other protective coating. A stream of wet abrasive material, debris and contaminants is placed in a pre-scalper which serves to separate out components thereof having diameter greater than one (1) inch. The remaining abrasives are then conveyed to a dryer for drying. The flow of hot air through the dryer separates fines and talc from the stream of abrasives. The abrasives are then placed in a rotary scalper which serves to remove all particles greater than 3/16ths of an inch in diameter. A dust plenim surrounds the rotary scalper and serves to remove all fines and talc which pass through a 150 mesh screen.

Abstract: Suction device for obtaining dust samples of nearly homogeneous grain sizes and with a reproducible bulk density for the analysis of ores. The device, which is suitable for use during the mining of ores, includes a cylindrical casing, having an opening at each end thereof, and a cylindrical sieve insert, having an opening at each end thereof and being coaxially located within the casing. An inwardly-facing conically-shaped insert, located at the front end of said casing, provides flow communication between the front end of the casing and the sieve insert. A suction pipe socket is located laterally on the casing for attachment to suction-generating equipment. A filter is located over the mouth of the conically-shaped insert. The front end of a downwardly-curved dust-conducting tube is in direct communication with the back end of the sieve insert. There is a tube for collecting samples from the dust-conducting tube.

Abstract: An air stream separator for separating heavier and lighter fractions from a mixture, includes a first vibrating conveyor which conveys the mixture of materials into an upwardly directed air stream at the output end of the conveyor, and a second vibrating conveyor positioned at or below the level of the first conveyor; the second vibrating conveyor includes an input end defined by an upwardly inclined portion onto which a heavier fraction of mixture drops from the output of the first conveyor so that the heavier fraction is separated from the lighter fraction which is impelled by the air stream onto a main, horizontal portion of the second conveyor for conveyance thereon.

Abstract: In a grader device grain is fed down a slide which ejects the grain outwardly and forwardly into an airstream. The slide is provided by a resilient flexible sheet, the contour and inclination of which is adjusted by a plurality of support rods against which the sheet presses and the positions of which are adjustable. A plurality of transverse collecting troughs with adjustable baffles, receive the separated grains according to the weight thereof with the top quality grain being heaviest, collecting in the forward trough. A suction fan extracts dust before it reaches the main airstream and diverts it into a cyclone or the like. Accurate airstream control is achieved by a plurality of adjustable wind boards strategically situated within the grader device.

Abstract: In an extraction method and apparatus for extracting low biomass solid materials from a pneumatic transport line, the stream of gas having the solids entrained therein is caused to flow over a toothed extractor wheel. The toothed wheel picks out of the stream the solid materials which are then doffed from the tooth extractor wheel by the vanes of a rotating valve which seals the pressure of the pneumatic transport line from the ambient. The material doffed from the extractor wheel falls into the region between the vanes of the rotary valve and is then removed from the system as the vanes of the valve rotate. The air stream which is inducted into the extractor is first caused to pass through a diffuser which slows the velocity of the air stream and then the air stream is cause to flow along a curved duct section toward the extractor wheel causing the solid materials to flow to the outside of the curved duct section and into the extractor wheel to facilitate extraction.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for use in making non-woven fabrics by wet-laying an aqueous dispersion. The apparatus and method screens, separates and remover fiber defects and foreign matter above a prescribed size from other dispersion fibers. The apparatus includes a housing having an inlet and several outlets, an accelerator within the housing for creating relative movement between the dispersion fluid and fibers to axially align at least some of the fibers in the direction of dispersion flow to disperse those fibers in the dispersion and a separator within the housing for separating bundles and lumps above a prescribed size from other dispersion fibers. The housing discharges the bundles and lumps above the prescribed size from the process at one outlet, and passes the other dispersion fibers through to another outlet for use in the wet-laying process.

Abstract: An improved arc-welding flux recovery device which is compact, contamination-free, and can be economically maintained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating foreign matter from fiber tufts carried by an air stream in a duct. The duct has a bend for altering the direction of flow therein. Upstream of the bend, the stream in the duct is split into at least two partial streams and the foreign matter is separated from at least one of the partial streams. Subsequently, the partial streams are reunited into a single stream.

Abstract: Vacuum pneumatic conveying apparatus and method are utilized to transfer food products, such as fish, from a boat to a processing factory directly or via a tender vessel. Fish products such as salmon, are withdrawn from a fishing boat through an intake nozzle of a pneumatic vacuum system and entrained in an air flow, upwardly through inlet or receiving conduits of a vacuum, pneumatic, conveying system, and on through a product separator of an in line assembly of an upper product separator and a lower liquid separator. Salmon continue on flying out of the product separator and commence their downwardly momentum and gravity induced travel through discharge conduits, encompassing essentially non flowing air maintained under continuing vacuum.

Abstract: A vacuum chamber (10, 10') having first and second ends (28, 28') with a flow passage (30) at each end for directing the flow of particulate material into and out of the vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber has a vacuum outlet duct (26) midway between the first and second ends (28, 28') thereof for removing gaseous contaminants. A flow control structure (32, 32') is disposed within the vacuum chamber (10, 10') between said first and second ends and has symmetrical ends for receiving particulate material from one of the flow passages (30) and directing the flow of particulate material to the other one of the flow passages while isolating the flow of particulate material from the surrounding space of the vacuum chamber through the central portion of the vacuum chamber adjacent the vacuum outlet duct (26) and for dispersing the particulate material while being subjected to the vacuum chamber adjacent the other one of the flow passages before the particulate material flows out the other one of the flow passages.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for drying and preheating coking coal particles of mixed sizes in a flight stream tube. A stream of hot gas in which different-size particle fractions are entrained, is advanced through the tube. At one or more locations it is split up into two flows, one containing the smaller fractions and the other containing the coarser fractions. The coarser fractions are slowed and readmitted into the flow having the smaller fractions, counter to the direction of advancement of this flow.

Abstract: Debris is separated from pneumatically conveyed textile fiber tufts moving through a conduit by diverting a flow of air and debris from the conduit and returning the flow of air to the conduit so as to restore the volume of air flowing through the conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a carrier gas from a particle stream is disclosed which comprises deflecting said particle stream about a curved surface to compact the stream and separate therefrom a major proportion of said carrier gas, and introducing a substitute fluid into said compacted stream via at least one aperture in said curved surface to displace substantially the remainder of the carrier gas from the spaces between the particles. The invention is usefully applied for rapid disengagement of gases from a particulate stream, particularly in the catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Slowdown mechanism is provided in a fare collection system pneumatically conveying coin and paper money from a fare box to a storage vault. The air stream carrying the contents of the fare box is conveyed into the top of a downwardly inclined slowdown chamber having an outlet door at the lower end thereof. Paper is drawn off from the slowdown chamber upwardly through a paper-air conduit. A valve is disposed between the slowdown chamber and the outlet door thereof. Automatic control mechanism opens the valve and the door when paper is being conveyed from the fare box, closes the valve and door when coins are being conveyed and opens the valve and door to empty coins from the slowdown chamber into the associated storage vault.

Abstract: Environmental monitoring of atmospheric air is facilitated by a single stage virtual impactor (11) for separating an inlet flow (Q.sub.O) having particulate contaminants into a coarse particle flow (Q.sub.1) and a fine particle flow (Q.sub.2) to enable collection of such particles on different filters (19a, 19b) for separate analysis. An inlet particle acceleration nozzle (28) and coarse particle collection probe member (37) having a virtual impaction opening (41) are aligned along a single axis (13) and spaced apart to define a flow separation region (14) at which the fine particle flow (Q.sub.2) is drawn radially outward into a chamber (21) while the coarse particle flow (Q.sub.1) enters the virtual impaction opening (41). Symmetrical outlet means (47) for the chamber (21) provide flow symmetry at the separation region (14) to assure precise separation of particles about a cutpoint size and to minimize losses by wall impaction and gravitational settling.

Abstract: A cleaning and/or grading machine for free-flowing materials comprises at least one cleaning and/or grading unit accommodated in a hollow housing which is secured on a frame and connected with an aspirating chamber; a batching device located in the upper part of said housing; an air separating channel installed in the same housing and comprising a thrower of the free-flowing material; a rotor installed in said housing and comprising a screen drum secured thereon, said drum having a material distributor in the upper part; said screen drum is built up of a number of consecutively arranged sections each consisting of a screen in the form of a body of revolution and secured on supporting rings; the sections are interconnected by equidistant tie rods extending through said supporting rings which makes it possible to assemble these sections into standardized screen drums while the cleaners installed at the external side of said drum opposite to each other relative to the rotation axis of said drum ensure efficient

Abstract: The outlet of a pneumatic conveyor delivers a mixture of tobacco leaves and sand to the upper end of an arcuate duct which is located below a rotating air withdrawing wheel. That wall of the duct which faces the outlet of the pneumatic conveyor has holes for the passage of sand particles whereas the leaves descend in the duct and are evacuated by a cell wheel. The air withdrawing wheel draws air from the outlet of the pneumatic conveyor as well as from a suction chamber which is adjacent to the perforated wall of the duct and serves to collect the particles of sand. The rate at which the air flows from the suction chamber and/or the speed at which air flows from the outlet of the pneumatic conveyor is adjustable by pivotable flaps.

Abstract: A particle separator physically separates a mixture of small and large particles and metal particles which are suspended in a stream of air into discrete groups of small particles, large particles and metal particles. The particle separator includes a chamber having a bottom and including an inverted truncated cone. The cone includes an upper skirt which forms a seal with the inner wall of the chamber and an aperture in the lower end. The cone divides the chamber into upper and lower compartments. An inlet duct extends through the wall of the chamber into the upper compartment of the chamber. A filter plate is positioned within the lower compartment of the chamber and includes a first side surface which forms a seal with the inner wall of the chamber and a second side surface which forms a seal with the wall of the cone. The structure of the filter defines an intermediate compartment in the upper portion of the lower compartment.

Abstract: A particle separator which is highly efficient in the removal of suspended particulate matter from a gaseous fluid flow; which depends for its operation on centrifugal forces acting on the particulate matter which are caused and controlled by rotational direction changes induced in the fluid flow by the shape of the inner walls of the chamber which comprises the particle separator; and which derives its efficiency not only from controlability of the turning radius of the fluid flow during an induced rotational direction change, but also from recognition and utilization of the fact that particles suspended in that portion of the fluid flow which is nearest the center of rotation of the fluid flow may be unable to cross the center of fluid flow (which has a higher velocity than the outer edges of the flow) and thus be unable to separate from the flow during induced rotational direction changes necessitating a second induced rotational direction change wherein those particles which were formerly nearest the cent

Abstract: Separation of heavy tramp metal pieces from lighter weight machine tool turnings and chips is accomplished by apparatus and method in which turnings or chips containing tramp objects are moved along a conveying path and across an elongate free-fall area or region which is generally transverse to the conveying path. A stream of gas is directed through the free-fall area to blow the chips and turnings away from the free-fall area and into a separate processing path while the tramp objects fall through the free-fall area under the influence of gravity. In order to ensure than the tramp objects are properly dumped into the elongate free-fall area and do not bridge the free-fall area in the conveying path, an abutment member is placed along the elongate free-fall area for deflecting a leading portion of an elongate tramp metal object upwardly and/or sidewardly with respect to the conveying path.

Abstract: Bitumen-containing material is processed by distillation with a solid heat-carrier with subsequent gasification of the distillation residue and combustion of the gasification residue in an aerofountain furnace. During gasification, the formed flue gas and ash are heated and part of ash is used as the heat-carrier. The flue gas and ash are withdrawn from the process simultaneously in the form of their suspension in air, from which the heat-carrier is isolated for the distillation process, the consumption of the heat-carrier being controlled by withdrawing part of the suspension containing fine fraction of ash before the heat-carrier is isolated.

Abstract: The method for separating particles having mixed density and/or size, comprises dispersing the particles in a fluid stream, passing the fluid stream into a housing which causes the fluid stream to be diverted from its original direction, and capturing certain of the particles within the housing which deflect the least amount in response to the directional diversion of the fluid stream. Apparatus for accomplishing this method include a channel in which the air flow undergoes a change in direction of 90.degree., one boundary being a right angle bend and the other being formed from a circular curve or rectangular hyperbola. Another device for accomplishing the method includes an inlet channel which enlarges in diameter and which includes capturing means placed along the longitudinal axis of the inlet channel, whereby the fluid must divert radially outwardly around the capturing means as it passes from the inlet channel through the enlarged portion thereof.

Abstract: A continuous flow of material is separated in a continuous centrifugal classifying method into at least one fraction of coarse material and at least one fraction of fine material using a deflected flow with the stream of material introduced in a thin layer into a classifying flow which is deflected in a classifying region, the classifying flow being internally adjacent a curved inner deflection wall having an inner deflection angle greater than approximately 45.degree.

Abstract: A system for size reduction and separation of plastic-metal assemblies for the purpose of reclaiming the plastic and/or metal for reuse. The system includes a granulator followed by a fiber/dust separator with these components preferably being repeated, followed by a screening separator, and finally a hightension separator for separating plastic and metal. The system particularly incorporates an impact-counterflow separator for removing fiber/dust from heavier plastic and metallic particles.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for use in making non-woven fabrics by wet-laying an aqueous dispersion. The apparatus and method screens, separates and remover fiber defects and foreign matter above a prescribed size from other dispersion fibers. The apparatus includes a housing having an inlet and several outlets, an accelerator within the housing for creating relative movement between the dispersion fluid and fibers to axially align at least some of the fibers in the direction of dispersion flow to disperse those fibers in the dispersion and a separator within the housing for separating bundles and lumps above a prescribed size from other dispersion fibers. The housing discharges the bundles and lumps above the prescribed size from the process at one outlet, and passes the other dispersion fibers through to another outlet for use in the wet-laying process.