Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for transporting or transferring insect pupae in an aqueous solution are described. The system includes a tank containing a solution with insect pupae, a transfer chamber having an outlet at a bottom portion of the chamber, a solution inlet, an evacuation channel, and a depth measurement system. A tube fluidly connects to tank and the transfer chamber. An evacuation device connected to the evacuation channel removes air from the transfer chamber and generates a vacuum therein to draw the solution through the tube into the transfer chamber.

Abstract: A process for classifying water-absorbing polymer beads, wherein the polymer beads are separated into n particle size fractions by means of at least n screens and n is an integer greater than 1.

Abstract: An air jigging machine for dry processing of raw materials, an air supply conduit for supplying working air to an air funnel, and having a pulsing valve. At least two jigging-material carriers for receiving material from a material-feeding mechanism are configured to consecutively receive therethrough working air from the air funnel and to separate the material into heavy and light material layers. The jigging-material carriers are disposed one above the other and are spaced apart. A wall encloses this intermediate space. At least one bypass airline branches off from the air supply conduit downstream of the pulsing valve, bypasses the lower jigging-material carrier, and communicates with the intermediate space for supplying an additional working airflow thereto. Respective discharge devices are provided for the jigging-material carriers for the material layered thereon during a jigging process.

Abstract: Polycrystalline silicon of the invention contains: (a) polycrystalline silicon fragments, wherein at least 90% of the fragments have a size from 10 to 40 mm, (b) <15 ppmw of silicon dust particles having particle sizes <400 ?m; (c) <14 ppmw of silicon dust particles having particle sizes <50 ?m; (d) <10 ppmw of silicon dust particles having particle sizes <10 ?m; (e) <3 ppmw of silicon dust particles having particle sizes <1 ?m; and (f) surface metal impurities in an amount ?0.1 ppbw and ?100 ppbw. A polycrystalline silicon production method of the invention includes fracturing polycrystalline silicon deposited on thin rods in a Siemens reactor into fragments; classifying the fragments by size; and treating the fragments with compressed air or dry ice to remove silicon dust from the fragments without wet chemical cleaning.

Abstract: A process for classifying water-absorbing polymer beads, wherein the polymer beads are separated into n particle size fractions by means of at least n screens and n is an integer greater than 1.

Abstract: An automated system for sorting dissimilar materials, and in particular for sorting plastics from other materials and for sorting different types of plastics from one another comprises, depending upon the embodiment, combinations of a sizing mechanism, a friction separation, an air separator, a magnetic separator, a dielectric sensor sortation bed, shaker screening, a ballistic separator, an inductive sensor sortation system and a float/sink tank. The dielectric sensor sortation system may be either analog or digital, depending upon the particular implementation. One or more float/sink tanks can be used, depending upon the embodiment, each with a media of a different specific gravity. The media may be water, or water plus a compound such as calcium chloride. In addition, multiples of the same general type of module can be used for particular configurations. A heavy media system or a sand float process can be used either alternatively or additionally.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating non-biogenic plastic from biogenic waste. A stream of waste materials is delivered through an inlet into a conduit in which the biogenic waste drops out the bottom. The non-biogenic plastic is drawn upwardly by a separator in the form of pressurized gas fed tangentially through two ports in an opposite direction with each other to create a vacuum in the conduit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a material separator for conveyor systems, in particular for machines processing plastics pellets. A container provided with a covering hood or a lid (2) is provided with a laterally arranged material feed connection (3) and a suction connection (4) arranged laterally above it as well as preferably a closure device (5) arranged at the lower end of the container (5). In the interior of the container (1) a screen (11) extending over the cross section of the container (1) is provided between the material feed connection (3) and the suction connection (4). The container (1) or the container upper edge (9) is beveled on the covering hood side or the lid side according to a flat cut. The screen (11) extends from the region between the material feed connection (3) and the suction connection (4) in the interior of the container in the direction of the lid (2) up to the region of the container upper edge (9) and is preferably bent in a roof-shaped manner.

Abstract: An air sieving apparatus capable of sieving particles in a particle size range below 50 ?m includes a cylindrical screening case defining an internal space and provided with a screen dividing the internal space into an upper space and a lower space. Powdered material is fed through a powdered material feed opening onto a bottom plate disposed to cover the lower open end of the screening case with gaps formed therebetween. Air in the screening case is sucked upward by a suction blower. The fed powdered material is dispersed by currents of air sucked through the gaps and the dispersed powdered material is sucked upward. Fine particles that have passed through the screen 3 flow through a fine particle recovery duct into a cyclone and a fine particle container. Coarse particles remaining in the lower space drop through the coarse particle recovery opening into a coarse particle container.

Abstract: A purifier is provided that is capable of uniformly sucking powder in a width direction of the sieve layers even when the purifier is configured to be provided with an air distribution chamber formed as being tapered upward and to have a horizontal cyclone provided above the air distribution chamber. The air distribution chamber is configured of paired inclined surfaces formed as being tapered upward, has a suction passage formed as a horizontal cyclone placed above the air distribution chamber. Also, a plurality of barrier walls are provided in the air distribution chamber in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of sieve layers, the air distribution chamber is sectioned by the barrier walls into a plurality of chambers, and rectifying plates are further provided to the air distribution chamber at a narrow position between the paired inclined surfaces to prevent non-uniformity of suction of powder on the sieve layers.

Abstract: Processing waste materials to recover valuable metals, such as copper, from the materials. The disclosed systems and methods employ processes that further refine the waste materials to concentrate the metallic material after the waste materials are initially processed. Processes include employing air separation and screening. Processes also include employing a dynamic sensor and a vacuum pressure separator to separate metals from other materials. A central processing facility may process metal concentrate from multiple concentration facilities.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for obtaining recycled mixed cullet at a beneficiator. The recycled mixed cullet can be used by glass plants to make new glass articles, such as beverage bottles.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring bulk solid biomass fuels from a hopper to an end-user storage bin. The system may comprise at least one intermediate bulk container (IBC) configured to contain a quantity of the fuel and a mobile transfer system for transferring the fuel from the IBC to an end-user storage container. The mobile transfer system may comprise a hopper configured to be coupled to the IBC and configured to receive the bulk solid biomass fuel from the IBC; a delivery hose configured to be coupled to the hopper and the end-user storage container, wherein the delivery hose is configured to receive the bulk solid biomass fuel from the intermediate bulk container; and a blower coupled to the delivery hose, the blower configured to transfer the bulk solid biomass fuel between the intermediate bulk container and the end-user storage container.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for obtaining recycled mixed cullet at a beneficiator and/or a material recovery facility (MRF). The composition of the cullet, or portions thereof, can be certified for use by a party other than the beneficiator and/or the MRF. The recycled mixed cullet can be used, for example, by glass plants to make new glass articles, such as beverage bottles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating contaminating particles from an incoherent mass of woody material. The apparatus comprises a separation chamber into which the incoherent mass is introduced, first blowers associated with the separation chamber, to deliver a first flow of air in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of fall of the incoherent mass, and to divert the direction of fall of the woody materials and/or vegetable fibers with at least a first specific weight from the heaviest contaminants materials with a second specific weight, and dividing members disposed inside the separation chamber, in order to define different passage channels. The apparatus comprises first suction means associated with the first blowers, to perform a further separation on the woody and fiber materials with first specific weight. The apparatus comprises second blowers disposed so as to perform a third separation on a first part of the materials already separated by the first blowers.

Abstract: In a facility and a method for separating glass residues from PVB-film, comminuted material is passed through several process steps, where treating with beaters (12) in a chamber (2) is effected in one of the first steps. At the discharge end (18) of the chamber there is arranged a separation, as heavy particular material can be discharged through a perforated bottom section (19) in the chamber (2). Through an air inlet (22) at the side (15) of the chamber, air is drawn in induced by a ventilator-like impeller rotor (28) drawing air in through a central opening (26) spaced apart from the bottom section (19). Thereby, light film-like materials are carried away from the heavy particles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating a particle stream into particle groups and treating a particle stream, comprising a dilution treatment chamber defining an upstanding passageway to receive a particle stream, such that the particle stream falls toward a first-particle-group outlet in the dilution treatment chamber. A transfer chamber casing is adjacent and interconnected to the dilution treatment chamber, and defines a transfer chamber to receive second particle group Second-particle-groups outlets of the transfer chamber are laterally positioned with respect to the passageway and allow jet fluid communication there between. A distributor in the passageway is provided to spread out the particle stream and to distribute the particle stream over a surface area of the dilution treatment chamber.

Abstract: A recycling mechanism is provided for use with a compact dedusting apparatus to clean the contaminate-laden air discharged from the dedusting apparatus for subsequent re-use by the dedusting apparatus. The recycling mechanism provides a closed loop air containment system that retains the air within the apparatus without providing discharge to the atmosphere. The recycling mechanism includes a cyclonic separator that removes most of the dust and contaminates from the air discharged from the deduster. The air discharged from the cyclonic separator is passed to an inline high efficiency synthetic cartridge filter for final cleaning before being passed back into the fan that drives cleansing air through the deduster. The contaminant material removed by the cyclonic separator is collected by an air tight dust collection container installed at the cyclone outlet for subsequent removal from the system.

Abstract: A mobile agricultural product treatment system for cleaning and sorting generally granular agricultural products such as raisins, seeds, nuts, grapes and the like. In an embodiment, a conveyor belt transports agricultural product into an inlet hopper for treatment by the pneumatic cleaning unit. The treated agricultural product is discharged from the pneumatic cleaning unit onto a vibratory sorting unit. The vibratory sorting unit includes several screens arranged in increasing mesh size to sort from smaller to larger agricultural products. The sorted agricultural product is collected by downwardly sloping conduits. In an embodiment, the conduits include a screw conveyor. The conduits feed into a series of vertical screw conveyors which lifts the product up to a high point into a downwardly sloping horizontal conduit. In an embodiment, the discharge from the horizontal conduit is routed through a flexible duct to allow for positioning of collection bins.

Abstract: A method for the extraction, separation, fractionation and purification of biopolymers from plant materials using supercritical and/or subcritical solvent extractions is disclosed. Specifically, the process can be used for the separation of resins and rubber from guayule shrub (Parthenium argentatum), and other rubber and/or resin containing plant materials, using supercritical solvent extraction, for example supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. Additionally, polar and/or non-polar co-solvents can be used with supercritical carbon dioxide to enhance the selective extraction of resins and rubbers from the shrub.

Abstract: Process for pre-concentration of recoverable polymer materials formed from residues from grinding consumer durable goods at the end of their lives such as automobiles, computer equipment and household appliances, consisting of treating the residue by steps in sequence consisting of screening, aeraulic separation, grinding and ultimate aeraulic separation, to eliminate the major part of contaminating materials from them, such as metals, glass, rubber, sand or others in order to obtain a fraction pre-concentrated in recoverable polymer materials by recycling. The pre-concentration process is a means of reaching preferably at least 85% by weight of recoverable polymer materials by recycling.

Abstract: A two-stage static air classifier has a feed duct through which particles of a granular mixture fall. A classifying louver plate having fins forming upwardly inclined classifying channels is fitted into a side opening in the feed duct. Particles of a set size are drawn by air suction through the classifying channels in the first stage. A separator box having an inlet connected to the outlet of the classifying channels collects the separated particles in a second stage as the entrained particles fall by gravity to the bottom of the separator box while the air streams drawing the particles through the classifying channels pass out the top end of the box. Adjustable baffle plates transversely extending through the box permit control of the quantity of fines collected with the particles at the separator box bottom. Size of the collected particles is determined by the speed of a fan at the top outlet of the separator box.

Abstract: A two-stage static air classifier has a feed duct through which particles of a granular mixture fall. A classifying louver plate having fins forming upwardly inclined classifying channels is fitted into a side opening in the feed duct. Particles of a set size are drawn by air suction through the classifying channels in the first stage. A separator box having an inlet connected to the outlet of the classifying channels collects the separated particles in a second stage as the entrained particles fall by gravity to the bottom of the separator box while the air streams drawing the particles through the classifying channels pass out the top end of the box. Adjustable baffle plates transversely extending through the box permit control of the quantity of fines collected with the particles at the separator box bottom. Size of the collected particles is determined by the speed of a fan at the top outlet of the separator box.

Abstract: A method of beneficiating coal in a dry process includes separating raw coal from a coal mine into coal fines and larger pieces of coal using pressurized air, separating the larger pieces of coal according to size, removing ash from the larger pieces of coal on an air table, and further removing ash from the larger pieces of coal using a size-discriminating device to obtain a beneficiated coal product. The invention also includes an apparatus for the dry beneficiation of coal. The apparatus includes at least one air separating device, at least one air table, and at least one first and second shakers which separate the coal by size and remove ash from the coal. The air table effectively removes ash from infed coal without the need for a fluidizing media.

Abstract: A booster 8 extending in an internal area 53 of a sieve 7 is attached to the outer circumferential face of a rotating shaft 6. The booster 8 has four blades 82, which are radially extended from the outer circumferential face of the rotating shaft 6 and are arranged at preset angles (for example, 90 degrees) to form a pi shape from the front view. The booster 8 has multiple (for example, two) cross-shaped radial members 81 that are arranged radially at a little angle (for example, 3 degrees) and are located on both ends of the rotating shaft 6 via a preset space, the blades 82 that are set in and fixed to the respective ends of each of the radial members 81 and are inclined at a preset angle to the axial direction of the rotating shaft 6, and sheet-like scrapers 83 that are attached to the blades 82 to be a little projected outward in the radial direction. The end of each scraper 83 faces the inner circumferential face of the sieve 7 across a little gap.

Abstract: An air material separator may be used to separate scrap from a conveying air flow while having a relatively low weight and short height so that the separator may be positioned within today's single-story manufacturing or processing facilities. The air material separator of the invention includes a generally cylindrical inlet chamber having a spiral wall that directs the inlet flow circumferentially and downwardly. An outlet chamber is positioned below the inlet chamber and includes a conical, perforated wall that allows the conveying air flow to escape through the perforated wall. The scrap carried by the conveying air flow cannot pass through the perforated wall and moves down and out an outlet at the bottom of the conical wall. The overall height of the device is substantially less than prior art air material separators.

Abstract: A powder receiving device has a loading chamber with an integral dust collector. The dust collector preferably includes at least one bag filter which filters air taken from above powder loaded into the loading chamber. The filtered air is then fed either back into the loading chamber, into a hopper where the powder is released to an external location, or out over the container from which the powder is loaded. This air flow provides for increased fluidity of the powder. The bag filter is positioned facing the loading chamber, such that when a backwash mean sends a pulse of air into the bag filter, the collected powder is dropped back into the loading chamber. The resulting powder receiving device prevents powder from escaping when powder is transferred from a container into the loading chamber. Since the powder is prevented from escaping, the powder receiving device further provides a clean workplace.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating elastomeric particulates from a pulverized mixture wherein a first separator assembly separates out substantially clean fiber and passes non-fibrous particulates and residual fiber to a second separator assembly that separates out substantially clean non-fibrous particulates. The method includes propelling the pulverized mixture under a plurality of first separator cylinders with mixture-engaging structure and against a structure for removing non-fibrous particulates and residual fibers from the pulverized mixture. The non-fibrous particulates and residual fibers are propelled under a plurality of second separator cylinders that include centrifugally releasable mixture-engaging structures and against a structure for separating non-fibrous particulates from the residual fibers.

Abstract: An improved vibrating screener includes a tangential input system for the material to be processed, combined with a channel internal to the machine and for directing air down through the center of the unit to assist the screened material flowing down the conical sides of the bottom of the machine to its discharge. In this way, the air bypasses the screening surfaces and screen blinding is avoided.

Abstract: A fitting is provided to permit granular material carried in an air stream to be deposited within a storage vessel without having the air stream entering the storage vessel itself. The fitting has a tubular filter screen within the housing of the fitting and an air and dust exit port communicates with the filter screen to permit air and dust to be carried through this filter screen and out of the fitting housing. Because of the close proximity of the fitting to the storage vessel, the momentum of the granular material being carried through the fitting deposits the material within the storage vessel.

Abstract: A mixture of tobacco leaf lamina and stem is separated in an apparatus having a first separation chamber in which the mixture is projected through an air stream by a first impeller and an intermediate mixture segment is projected back through the air stream from the bottom of a return impeller on the opposite side of the chamber. A stem segment is discharged directly from the lower part of the first separation chamber into a second separation chamber in which the mixture is projected across the chamber through a second air stream, and a second mixture segment is projected from beneath a return impeller back through the second air stream.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating lighter particles such as lamina containing little or no stem from tobacco particles contained in threshed leaf tobacco which comprises a plurality of tobacco particle separating units, each including a separation chamber each a fan system for establishing a generally upward air flow therein. A tobacco particle projecting mechanism is provided in each chamber for projecting tobacco particles across the generally upward air flow therein with each having structure for directing tobacco particles in cooperating relation therewith to be projected thereby. Mechanisms are provided for receiving the lighter particles carried upwardly by the air flow, the heavier particles moving downwardly within the air flow within each chamber and discharging the particles therefrom.

Abstract: Device for quickly variable and high precision metering of powder, granulated or micropearl dyeing material including a container 1 for the dyeing material that is put under vacuum by means of a suction tube 7 from the outside, and a mesh-sieve 5 fixed on the base of tile container 1. A scraper 2 rotates on the sieve 5 with a changeable speed. A scraper 2 rotates on the sieve 5 with a changeable speed. A compass-type shutter, with a changeable port, is mounted under the sieve 5, and a precision balance 20 is mounted below the shutter 6. An electronic computer 30 is programmed for checking and con trolling the rotation speed of the scraper 2, the opening/closing of the shutter 6 and the weight value of the balance 20.

Abstract: A sludge drying system using exhaust air from a furnace in a direct heat, rotary drum dryer to simultaneously dry and pelletize the sludge. The dried sludge particles exiting the dryer is entrained in the exhaust air. The sludge particles are separated from the exhaust air and then classified according to size. The under sized particles are recycled back to a mixer for mixing with incoming wet sludge. The oversized particles are conveyed to a crusher or mill for reducing the oversized particles down to the desired product size. The medium-sized particles can be selectively directed to be recycled with the undersized particles or collected as product. The exhaust air is treated in a treatment section, and then divided into two exhaust air streams or portions. A first portion of the exhaust air is discharged into the environment, while the second, larger portion of the exhaust air is recycled back to the furnace to be used to dry the sludge in the drier.

Abstract: In a process for cleaning short mineral fibers in which the fibers contaminated with foreign bodies are separated from the foreign bodies, at least starting with a certain size, whereby mechanical damage to the fibers is avoided. For this purpose, the crude fiber material to be cleaned is added to a carrier medium which is set in a flowing motion and subsequently passed along a separation apparatus with at least one slot-like recess in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the recess. Thus, at least part of the carrier medium passes from an upstream side through the recess, together with the fibers, to a downstream side. In this way, a fiber filtrate is produced, of which the degree of purity is solely determined by the width of the recess. The carrier medium mixed with the crude material can be circulated in the cleaning process, with the carrier medium separated from the clean fiber filtrate being continuously returned to said circulation as well.

Abstract: The rag tearing machine embodies an inlet station 1 in which the materials to be processed for a first time 23 and recycled waste 19 are poured, separately, onto the circulating belt 2. Several rag tearing stations (4a, 4b) are each followed by fan groups (5a, 5b), including side doors 8 access for which throw a material coming from the preceding station to a filtering box 9 in which powder, after a sharp bend 10 separates from the material by passing through a pierced plate 11; the material then falls down and passes to the following station and so on until the end of the machine. The machine further includes gates 14 for bypassing subsequent stations and if the material is considered sufficiently processed, the respective gate is opened and the material goes out of the machine through a duct 15.

Abstract: Apparatus for classifying tobacco includes a plurality of vertical lift, single-pass, closed loop apparatus projecting a stream of mixed tobacco components across a classifying chamber of each module, and a portion thereof directly into the infeed apparatus of the next downstream module. A common porous conveyor extending through the modules of the closed loop air stream removes tobacco heavies. A second lower reversible conveyor removes overflow and dust or other particles falling out of suspension and deposits same in the heavier discharge or in another collection point. The modules as well as the infeed apparatus are interchangeable.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and system for classifying particulate matter wherein unclassified particulate is projected into a spiraling fluid stream passing through an annular classifying zone. The particulate is projected into the fluid stream from the inner boundary of the classifying zone and the particulate passes through the fluid stream according to the size or density of the particles thereby facilitating the classification of the particles. The fluid stream with the particulate entrained therein is separated into a plurality of annular streams at the end of the classification zone thereby separating the particulate into distinct size fractions.

Abstract: An apparatus and dry method for de-shotting shot-containing mineral wool fibers wherein the fibers are treated in a granulator to compact them into entangled nodules, and the nodules are passed through an air classifier to open up and de-shot them. In a preferred embodiment, a felted layer of mineral wool is subjected to a first granulation step to divide the layer into a multiplicity of lightly compacted nodules which are then partially de-shotted, and the partially de-shotted nodules are subjected to a second granulation step to more tightly compact the nodules before they are introduced into the air classifier.

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 enclosed particular dry product is conveyed through a conduit by a gaseous fluid formed by a vacuum blower. Metered hoppers feed the product into the conduit. A cyclone removes the product from the fluid and conveys the same to a separating screen. The desired size product is recovered and passed through a flexible sock to minimize breakage and loaded into a vessel. The undesired size is fluid conveyed to a recovery receptacle.