Abstract: An annular throughflow photoreactor for oxidative photopurification includes an elongate radiation source surrounded by a transparent wall in the form of a spacer tube at a radial spacing of more than 3 cm, preferably in the range of more than 3 cm to 13 cm. The irradiance, i.e. the radiant flux per irradiated area is thereby reduced in comparison to a classic annular photoreactor. At unchanged irradiation power, this results in considerably increased quantum yields or extent of photoconversion in cases in which such conversion is dependent upon the square root of the irradiance, and thus enables enormous savings in radiation energy. Under such conditions, the photoconversion may be additionally increased by using low absorber concentrations and infeeding further absorber on the inside of the outer wall of the photoreactor as well as by working in the presence of gaseous oxygen at an oxygen pressure up to 3 bar and, preferentially, at pH 3.

Abstract: A quick disconnect filter assembly and manifold assembly for use in a photographic processor having a recirculating system designed for receiving a filter assembly in line. The filter assembly comprising: a housing having an internal chamber, a chamber inlet for allowing processing fluid to flow into the internal chamber and an chamber outlet for allowing processing solution to flow out of the internal chamber. The housing has a quick disconnect valve for allowing quick connection and disconnecting of the filter assembly with the recirculating system without any substantial loss of fluid. The manifold assembly comprising: a body having an inlet port and an outlet port and a fluid connecting passage therethrough connecting the inlet to the outlet. A wall member is provided for dividing the connecting passage into a first receiving section and an outer delivery section.

Abstract: A heating element for the reservoir of the hydraulic system of an agricultural tractor is disclosed wherein the heating element is positioned within the interior of the inlet screen member. The heating element is formed with a threaded portion cooperable with the threaded opening of the screen member to permit mounting of the screen member directly on heating element, which in turn is threadably received in the interior wall of the hydraulic system reservoir. The screen member is sealed against the heating element to prevent the leakage of hydraulic fluid into the interior of the screen member. The heating element can be replaced with a stationary stud and sealed against the reservoir wall to allow the mounting of the screen member without utilization of the heating element.

Abstract: A screen member for the hydraulic system of an agricultural tractor is disclosed wherein the screen member is formed with a threaded opening to permit mounting thereof on a stationary stud fixed to the interior wall of the hydraulic system reservoir. The screen member is sealed against the stationary stud by a sealing washer and against the opposing reservoir wall by an O-ring surrounding an access opening through which filtered hydraulic fluid is drawn from the interior of the screen member. The screen member is also formed with a handle projectable through the access opening in the reservoir to facilitate the rotation of the screen member for mounting on the stationary stud. The handle can be formed with an optional square opening for engagement with a standard rachet head to effect rotation of the screen member.

Abstract: A plate filter press for the mechanical separation of solids from a liquid forming a suspension. The plate filter press is made of a plurality of vertical membrane plates and filter plates, the membrane plates and filter plates alternating. The space between the membrane plates and filter plates defines a filter chamber, which can be opened by moving the plates apart. An impermeable and flexible membrane is positioned in the filter chamber and is sealed to the periphery of the membrane plate. The space between the membrane and the membrane plate defines a pressure medium chamber for receiving pressure medium. The space between the membrane and the filter plate defines a suspension chamber for receiving the suspension. Finally, a woven metal fabric filter is positioned on each side of the filter plate. Both the filter plates and the woven metal fabric filters are planar. Liquid from the suspension is discharged through the woven metal fabric filter toward the interior of the filter plates.

Abstract: The invention discloses an improved method and apparatus for utilizing the principal of dewatering and drying a liquid/solid slurry. Unlike the prior known method of consecutive material thickening, filtering, crushing and then subsequent drying which is achieved by means of an appropriate apparatus for each of the above enumerated process steps, in the present invention all these process steps are achieved with only one apparatus.The apparatus for the implementation of this method comprises consecutively connected filter press, feeding-compressing container with pressure feed chamber and a built-in heat exchanger and vacuum collector with a vacuum pump. The apparatus for carrying out the method is compact, has low energy consumption, and environmental cleanliness. The method ensures that the separated liquid phase can be used as a heat carrier for industrial and municipal needs. In addition, the process of the invention is fully automated.

Abstract: The invention defines a device for the separation of fluid mixtures, comprising one or several membranes, in which the fluid mixture passes along one side of the membranes while, on the other side, a partial pressure of the constituent to be separated is maintained which is lower than the pressure in the fluid mixture.The inventive device is characterized by the fact that at least one heatable membrane is provided. The selective (separating) portion of the membrane may be a porous or a pervaporation membrane.The membrane may also comprise a supporting structure in addition to the selective portion, which may be made of a porous material in a preferred embodiment.Another preferred embodiment comprises a membrane coated with a material which is preferably wetted by the constituent to be separated by the respective membrane.

Abstract: A device for removing free fatty acids from cooking oil is formed by a pair of superposed reservoirs having a screen and filter pad provided partition dividing the reservoirs from each other through which the cooking is forced from the upper reservoir to the lower reservoir by air pressure. A powder commingled with the oil prior to the filtering step is trapped with free fatty acids on the filter pad.

Abstract: The invention discloses an improved method, and apparatus for utilizing the method, for dewatering and drying a liquid/solid slurry. Unlike the prior known method of consecutive material thickening, filtering, crushing and then subsequent drying achieved with an appropriate for each process apparatus, in the present invention all these processes are achieved with only one apparatus.The apparatus for the implementation of this method comprises consecutively connected filter press, feeding-compressing container with pressure feed chamber and an inbuilt heat exchanger and vacuum collector with a vacuum pump. The advantages of using this apparatus and method are its compactness, limited space required, low energy consumption, environmental cleanliness and the fact that the separated liquid phase can be used as a heat carrier for industrial and municipal needs. In addition, the disclosed process if fully automated.

Abstract: In the method disclosed for filtering a contaminated gas laden with liquid vesicles (or aerosols) through a filter medium arranged around a center hollow through which the aerosol enters, the filter medium is heated to a temperature above the aerosol's dew point by a radiant heat source arranged in said center hollow. The inventive filter enables the said method to be practiced.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus for use in a post-mix beverage dispenser enables purification of water, removal of water hardness and sterilization of water which is normally accomplished by a precipitation/floculation process used in a bottling plant. This apparatus can treat the water for beverage dispensing purposes and will not require high capital expenditures. The apparatus includes a removable, disposable cartridge having a reactor or first section filled with sand, carbon granules or other heat-conducting material for removing the bicarbonate content and other impurities from the water and a filter or second section having a filter and activated carbon screen for removing solids, traces of chlorine and dissolved organic material from the water. The apparatus also includes heat exchanger coils and a heating element for raising the temperature of the water as well as a holding tank having a gas trap for collecting and removing carbon dioxide and chlorine gas.

Abstract: The filtration of molten metal is obtained by providing the filtration medium, which may, for example, be formed of a granulated material, with a conductive coating or conductive particles. Electrical energy is coupled across the filter to create a current flow through the conductive material. The magnitude of the current generates heat of a level sufficient to maintain the metallic material being filtered in the molten state as it passes through the filter medium. The granules may be covered with a conductive coating or conductive particles. In an alternative embodiment, the granules may be formed of a material, such as silicon carbide, which is capable of being inductively heating to maintain the metallic material being filtered in the molten state as it is passed through the filter medium.

Abstract: A plant for treatment of sediment of natural and waste waters comprises a crystallizer (1), a melter (2), a condensing heat exchanger (4), a compression refrigerating unit (3) communicating with the crystallizer (1) and the melter (2) which is in communication with the sediment dehydration apparatus (5). The evaporator (8) of a crystallizer (1) has two cylinders (9). The plant comprises a refrigerant feed unit (13) and a refrigerant discharge unit (15), a planetary gear drive, a sediment application unit (17) and a sediment removal unit (19). The crystallizer (1) has a recirculation station (6). The sediment application unit (17) is made in the form of pour-on nozzles (18). Installed between the cylinders (9), at an angle to their walls with a clearance (.delta..sub.1, .delta..sub.2) are screens (12). The sediment removal unit (19) has at least two cutting tools (20) with flexible pick-ups.

Abstract: The invention concerns a heating arrangement for ambient air introduced into a biological filter intended for the treatment of waste waters. The arrangement comprises intake openings for outside air, a member for heating the outside air, a blower, for blowing the heated air through the filter material layer, as well as air exhaust openings. According to the invention, the said heating member comprises a heat exchanger fitted as operative between the intake openings and the blower, the warmer side of the said heat exchanger being in contact with the waste water flowing in the filter, whereby the outdoor air is heated by the effect of the quantity of heat transferred from the waste water. The heat exchanger preferably consists of a hose made of aluminium, which hose interconnects the intake openings and the blower and which is fitted so that it is at least partly immersed in the waste water flowing in the filter.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel apparatus for removing contaminants from diesel fuel while simultaneously heating such fuel, and provides a collection zone for accumulating separated water and other contaminants.

Abstract: According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve filtration and dehydration of a large quantity of dregs. During the operation, since the rotary filtration cylinder 6a is washed, the holes in the rotary filtration cylinder 6a will not be choked with the dregs so that there is no need to interrupt the operation to clean the rotary filtration cylinder 6a during the operation and it is possible to continue the operation by treating a large amount of the dregs in a short period of time.

Abstract: A heatable fuel filter for a motor vehicle engine is provided wherein an electric heating element is positioned between a filter head and filter box. In order to prevent fuel contained in the filter head and fitler box from being discharged to the surroundings when the filter box is changed, the filter box is provided with an element for collecting and containing this fuel. A lid container provided for the filter box is filled by the heating element when the filter box is attached to the filter head and heating element. When the filter box is removed from the heating element and filter head, the volume previously occupied by the heating element becomes available for collecting and containing residual fuel flow from the filter head and heating element. The lid container preferably has a volume greater than the volume of fuel contained in the filter head and the heating element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for conveying fuel, preferably diesel fuel, to an engine, in particular a diesel engine. The invention includes a pipe, at least one filter and a fuel pump. At least one heating element is provided on a portion of the area of the surface of the filter and in the path of the diesel fuel for partially melting paraffin deposits of the fuel on the heated portion of the filter surface. The heating element extends over only a portion of the surface of the filter, for example over 0.02 to 20 percent of said surface relative to a diesel engine power of 36 kW to 4500 kW. The heating element may be controlled in response to fuel flow through the filter, the pressure difference between the downstream and upstream sides of the filter, absolute pressure on the downstream side of the filter, or in response to the temperature difference between the temperature of the fuel at points upstream and downstream of the filter.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a filter designed for the simultaneous filtration and preheating of the fuel for an internal combustion engine.The filter barrel houses an annular filtering element through which the fuel generally circulates in a radial direction. Heating elements are provided in an axial tube of the barrel housing and inside an external annular chamber of that same barrel. Electrical resistors, for example, may be used as heating elements.The invention is designed to eliminate the paraffin flakes which appear in the fuel oil at low temperatures.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for dehydrating liquid phase ethanol in an adsorber unit containing at least two towers that cycle between adsorption and desorption cycles, characterized in the desorption cycle by an indirect heating volatilization of absorbed and adsorbed liquid at ambient pressures, and by a final stages desorption under sub-atmospheric pressures. In preferred practice, an inert sweep gas at sub-atmospheric pressures assists in removal of vapors evolved in the final stages of the desorption cycle.

Abstract: A trapping device for trapping foreign liquids having a specific gravity greater than that of a supply liquid comprises a settling chamber defined primarily by a hollow casing, and inlet and outlet chambers in the settling chamber. An inlet and an outlet lead to and from the inlet and outlet chambers, which are separated by an imperforate wall. A heated foraminous wall is arranged so that fluid passing through the chamber from the inlet to the outlet passes through the foraminous wall, which causes separation of the foreign liquid from the supply liquid. The heating of the foraminous wall may be controllable to enable it to be heated sufficiently to clean the foraminous wall. An educer-operated drain is provided for draining settled foreign liquids from the chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fluid transfer across a membrane wherein transfer fluid is passed through the interior of a wrapped, permeable, flattened, tubular membrane and fluid to be processed is passed through passageways formed between the wrappings of the tubular membrane. The exhaustion of transfer fluid begins at the completion of a process fluid pumping stroke and ends at the initiation of the pumping stroke. In a preferred embodiment the method and apparatus are utilized to oxygenate blood.

Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed for an anaerobic process in three stages having progressively higher temperatures up to 75.degree. C. for digesting raw household sewage with methane-forming thermophilic bacteria, in which dolomite is added to control the pH of the system within the range 6.0-7.5. After a sterilization fourth stage at 82.degree. C. or greater, the effluent is treated in a ground filter. Heat is countercurrently transferred from the sterilization stage effluent to the substrate of the digestion stages. The apparatus for carrying out this process has an underlying heat-exchange compartment and four concentric compartments, of which the innermost is the sterilization stage compartment containing a heating means and the outermost compartments are flow chambers for sequentially digesting the sewage in psychrophilic, mesophilic, and thermophilic stages, prior to sterilizing.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive liquid is dried and purified, by the degassing of sorbed gases, by means of a permeable electric heater, through which the liquid is passed, the liquid flowing first through a permeable liner presenting a flow impedance such that the degassing of the water vapour and gaseous impurities becomes significant only after the liquid has entered the body of the heater element.