Abstract: A process for the recovery of tank bottom wastes employing a flash tank fed with hot, pressurized tank bottom wastes and separating a vapor component and heavier bottoms then fed to a stripping reactor along with hot gas producing an overhead vapor with a solid remainder. Such remainder is alternatively fed to a pyrolyzing reactor at elevated temperatures producing vapors with a solid residue. The vapor streams are used with a regenerative heat exchanger to heat said tank bottom wastes to a temperature appropriate for entering the flash tank. Certain recycled material is employed as fuel.

Abstract: A transportable thermal stripping system for removing volatile organic compounds (VOC) from soil is provided. The system includes a vessel in which contaminated soil is placed into contact with a hot gas. The gas is discharged from the vessel and ambient air is introduced into the gas to ensure that the gas remains combustible. A blower circulates the gas to a cyclone separator where fine soil particles and ash are removed from the gas. Next the VOC in the gas are removed by combustion in a burner fired with a supplemental fuel. A portion of the combusted gas is exhausted to atmosphere and the remainder is recirculated to the vessel where the process is repeated.

Abstract: In a method of dewatering suspensions or the like slurry-like mixtures, in particular waste water slurries, fed to a belt filter press formed by filter belts, with the waste water slurry, is a crumbly dry substance which has been produced by drying from the solids discharge of the belt filter press.

Abstract: A liquid separator apparatus to extract liquid, usually water, from a water-solids mixture. The apparatus includes liquid separator device with a housing with an inlet and an outlet separated by a liquid extraction chamber. The housing sidewalls defining the extraction chamber are porous, and are preferably comprised as a plurality of spaced apart slats. The slats can be movable inwardly and outwardly relative to the housing in order to vary the volume of the extraction chamber. A transfer pipe has an outlet end connected to the inlet of the separator device. The transfer pipe is closed-walled and has an inlet end connectable to a solids material moving apparatus such as a solids pump for movement of a water-solids mixture through the transfer pipe into the liquid separator device. A source of air under pressure such as an air compressor introduces compressed air into a side wall of the transfer pipe to accelerate removal of water from the water-solids mixture.

Abstract: A method for recovery of printing ink wastes is provided which greatly minimizes pollution problems attendant to the disposal of ink wastes, while permitting formulation of usable ink products from the wastes. The method involves first creating a flowable stream of material including the ink wastes, and directing this stream to a hydroheater (16) along with incoming steam. In the hydroheater (16), the ink wastes are subjected to elevated temperatures and pressures, and intense shear, creating a homogeneous, flowable output. This output may then be dried and powdered, and the powder may be reconstituted as a black ink suitable for commercial printing operations. If desired, the hydroheater (16) output may be treated in a filter press (252) to obtain a filter cake (258), and this cake (258) may be subsequently subdivided and treated with ink carriers to form a processing ink.

Abstract: According to the process the sludge is homogenized and heated to 30.degree.-60.degree. C. temperature. The heated sludge is circulated under 2-4 bar overpressure, and its temperature is raised to about 130.degree.-150.degree. C. in 1-2 sec by conducting steam of 130.degree.-151.degree. C. and 2-4 bar pressure directly into the sludge, thus granulation is brought about in the sludge. The sludge of increased temperature--while its temperature and pressure maintained--is further circulated for about 60-300 sec. Then, the sludge is adiabatically expanded in 1-2 sec by reducing the pressure to about 0.01-0.02 bar. The expanded sludge is separated to water, fat containing water and solid impurity and wet solid phase containing protein.It is characteristic to the apparatus that it is provided with device for heating the sludge, and pipe (18) for passing on the heated sludge connected with the heating unit (5) where an expansion valve is built in.

Abstract: A method to improve dewatering of filter cakes in a filtration process. The method involves introducing a surfactant as a vapor or mist into a flow of steam and treating the filter cake with this gaseous mixture.

Abstract: A dewatering system for use in the treatment of waste water is disclosed which includes a tank, an inclined filter bed having a plurality of filter elements and components for inducing a flow of air through the filter bed to accelerate drying of the removed solids. Also disclosed are components for adjusting the angle of inclination of the filter bed and mechanical components for removing solids from the filter elements. In one embodiment, the filter bed is disposed within an upper unit mounted for rotation on the tank floor to facilitate cleaning of the filters. Adjusting the angle of inclination of the filter bed provides access from the frame, below, for cleaning the underside of the filter.

Abstract: In a method for filtering a suspension through a stationary filter having a vertical filter element arranged in a pressure vessel and for re-conditioning the filter after filtering, the filtrate is discharged from the bottom of the filter element during the main part of the filtering. After filtering, unfiltered suspension is discharged in a known manner from the pressure vessel later to be returned to the suspension inlet. Thereafter, back-wash is performed with another medium other than filtrate, an outlet for material deposited on the filter element being opened for removal of said material together with the back-washing medium. Preferably, before back-wash, drying of the material deposited on the filter element takes place by means of a gas medium circulating within the filtering plant.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating waste which contains ferromagnetic components, such as the grinding sludge from grinding ferromagnetic materials which contains ferromagnetic particles contaminated with water and oil, in which the waste is introduced into a separating tank containing a washing solution and mixed with the solution by stirring until the oil dissolves. Subsequently, a magnetic field is produced at the separating tank wall which causes magnetic components to accumulate on the wall. The wash solution is then filtered to remove non-ferromagnetic solids. The magnetic field is subsequently removed, and accumulated ferromagnetic components are released into the wash solution. The ferromagnetic components are then filtered out from the wash solution and dried, and the filtered wash solution is conveyed to an oil separation tank where oil separated from the waste is recovered.

Abstract: A method for treating wastewater sludge which comprises the steps of further treating the sludges after they have been mixed with alkaline materials and are still in a wet condition with carbon dioxide containing gases wherein the carbon dioxide is a significant constituent for a time sufficient to reduce the pH below 10 and to prevent the emission of the ammonia nitrogen. Preferably heat is added to the mixture to accelerate the reaction and facilitate drying. The product is useful as an agricultural product. In a preferred process, the amount of alkaline materials being sufficient to raise the pH of the mixture to 12 or above and to heat the mixture by an exothermic reaction to a range of about 52.degree. C. to about 62.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention concerns a filtering procedure by which the solid matter and the fluid contained in a sludge are separated in a box filter. The sludge is passed in the filter into a filtering space (2) between two opposite filter cloths (3), where the fluid is separated, whereupon the cake (13) of solid matter produced is dried by passing a stream of air through it. The essential feature of the invention is that the drying is performed by passing a stream of air into the cake (13) first from one side and then from the opposite side of the filtering space (2) in such manner that the air flows in opposite directions through the cake during these drying phases. Penetrating through the filter cloth (3) into the cake, the air causes the cake to be detached from the cloth. When the filtering space is opened, the cake thus detached and dried can be removed directly without specific detaching efforts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selectively separating co-mingled materials of different densities by selective density flotation of the materials in a fluid in the vicinity of its critical point. The extermely high compressibility of a fluid in the vicinity of its critical point allows continuous variations over the maximum density range to be accomplished using minimal changes in temperature and pressure. Materials exhibiting similar densities can thus be separated by adjusting the fluid density to a point between the two materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing mineral contaminants from water is disclosed which has an aeration tank connected to a supply of water and having an inlet for admitting the water to the aeration tank and an outlet for discharging water. A diffuser is connected to the aeration tank inlet and has a plurality of apertures which permit the diffusion of the contaminated water into an airhead within the aeration tank. A source of compressed oxygen is in direct communication with the top of the aeration tank. A controller controls the source of compressed air to permit oxygen to be supplied independently of the water supply to the interior of the aeration tank for recharging the aeration tank with oxygen. A bed of calcium carbonate chips may be positioned inside the aeration tank beneath the spray of contaminated water. A pick-up tube has an open end located above the bed of calcium carbonate chips and is connected to the outlet of the aeration tank.

Abstract: A method and device for separating materials suspended or dissolved in a liquid. The device includes a cross-beam (1), supported by masts (2) in which are fixed spraying heads (3) supplied by by-pass lines (13) from a conduit (4), sucking from a vat (5) through a filter (6) and a motor pump (7) and discharging into the vat (5) through a powered valve (8). The method includes the fine spraying of the fluid in an air flow in order to obtain the fine spraying of the quasi-instantaneous vaporization of liquid elements causing the precipitation by gravity of solid elements resulting from crystallization of dissolved materials or from the separation of suspended materials.

Abstract: Municipal sludge is dried in an indirect heating dryer to simultaneously dry and pelletize the sludge while preventing the escape of malodorous gases. The product exiting the dryer contains pelletized, undersized and oversized fractions. The dried product is classified to separate the undersized and oversized fractions from the pellets. The pellets are then cooled and stored for subsequent use as a fertilizer or fuel. The oversized fraction is crushed to obtain fines and mixed with the undersized fraction, which contains mostly fines. The fines are added to the liquid sludge before it is input to the dryer. The air that is used to cool the pellets, and that is used as sweep air in the dryer contains malodorous gases. In order to prevent the escape of these malodorous gases, the pellet cooling air and sweep air, which also includes the water vapor generated during the drying of the sludge, is deodorized by thermal treatment, preferably in a high temperature combustion zone.

Abstract: This invention relates to filtering or straining of fluids where the suspended solids removed by filtration must eventually be discharged from the filter as a "dry cake" discharge. The apparatus provides for the use of a central flow tube positioned within a filter element which is connected to a filter element drain pipe through a valve, which in case of multiple filter elements within a filtration vessel, controls draining of all elements. To assist in detecting a defective or malfunctioning filter element, a sample conduit with a sample valve is provided independently for each filter element.

Abstract: A mixture of an oil sludge and an oil-contained waste water is first separated into a first oil-contained water and an oily dust containing metal-contained dust, fine metal powder and small fragments. Secondly, the oily dust is washed and separated into a harmless oil-free dust and a second oil-contained water containing the metal. Finally, both the first and second oil-contained water are separated into oil, harmless water and metal hydroxide by electrolysis. Thus, the mixture of the oil sludge and the oil-contained waste water is separated into components, which are in turn recovered, recycled, or converted into new materials, and the purification of the waste water can be realized.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for removing volatile organic compounds from soil in order to comply with environmental regulations. The apparatus is comprised of a rotating drum in which the contaminated soil is loaded. The drum contains an auger mechanism which aerates the soil. An air heater generates hot air which is directed to the drum and circulates there-through, causing rapid volatilization of the volatile organic compounds. The volatile organic compounds are then expelled to atmosphere. The removal of volatile organic compounds is conducted in a batch fashion, loading and unloading the drum following each processing cycle. The apparatus is mobile and may be transported to any clean up site.

Abstract: A method for reducing the residual amine content of dried solids by adding water to the dried solids to form a wetted solids mixture and drying the wetted solids mixture to yield a dried product with a final amine content less than the residual amine content of the dried solids. An alkaline composition is also disclosed which further reduces the final amine content of the dried product.

Abstract: A compact plant for the post-treatment of wet plastic granules in which a rotatable or longitudinally displaceable conveyor-separator is movable between positions in which the wet granules are selectively dewatered or diverted from flowing to a dryer. A water tank is located below the conveyor-separator for receiving water or wet granules therefrom. Water separated in the dryer is also supplied to the water tank. A replaceable screen cassette is supported in the water tank.

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: The present invention relates to a process and a device for selectively separating the solvents employed in the preparation and purification of products. In this connection the different solvents are removed from the product to be treated by means of mechanical separation and subsequent admission of steam, and are collected separately. As a result of this, mixing of solvents from the preparation and from the purification is avoided, so that the working up of a solvent mixture is superfluous. The proces and the device are preferably used in the process for producing starch ethers and cellulose ethers.

Abstract: A process for separating water and hydrocarbon from the solids in a petroleum product tank sludge is water-free, solvent-free, conducted at ambient conditions, utilizes no pre-coating with a filter aid, and creates no hazardous environment for filtering finished product sludge, such as gasoline. The process comprises operating a first pump and pumping sludge to a mixing tank and agitating the mixture. Solids content is measured and a determined volume of filter aid is added. The filter aid and sludge are mixed by operation of a mixer assembly which co-acts with baffles in the tank to achieve homogeneity in the mixing tank. A second pump pumps the mixing sludge and filter aid through one of a plurality of alternately selectable sealed horizontal plate filter and recirculates the filtered liquid back through the mixing tank until a desired clarity is reached.

Abstract: A method of predictably dewatering a slurry that contains radioactive particles to a condition for safe permanent storage. Interstitial water is removed from the slurry, and then a sufficient quantity of adsorbed water is removed from the particles so that at the permanent storage temperature the particles will be just unsaturated with respect to adsorbed water. The dewatering endpoint is set to at least unsaturate the particles at the permanent storage temperature. This minimum volume of adsorbed water removal is necessary to assure the subsequent uptake of any condensed water that develops during storage in a sealed container. An upper dewatering endpoint is preferably set so that the volume of adsorbed water removed from the particles does not excessively unsaturate the particles, so that the sealed storage container that eventually confines the dewatered particles will not burst if the particles later become exposed to ambient water or water vapor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of removing impurities from the effluent of an EDM process wherein the improvement comprises steps of: providing a filter apparatus; providing the effluent from an EDM process to said apparatus; filtering impurities from the effluent thereby forming a filtrate; removing said apparatus from said effluent; and back flushing said apparatus with said filtrate, said back flushing conducted at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, thereby removing the impurities from said apparatus.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating and recovering a granulate from a viscous suspension containing the graulate. The suspension is placed in a layer on an endless sieve belt guided around return rollers and effecting a separation into a sieve residue of the granulate which remains behind on the belt, and a stream of material passing through the belt. The stream of material is collected between the forward and backward runs of the sieve conveyor belt. The separated granulate is dumped from the conveyor belt. As the layer of the granulate containing suspension is dispensed on the sieve conveyor belt, at least one free edge extending across the sieve conveyor belt is formed and maintained. A stream of air passes downwardly through the sieve conveyor belt.

Abstract: Solid organic substrates, such as sewage sludge, peat, and biomass, are dewatered in a three-stage process comprising mechanical dewatering of the substrate, followed by combination of the dewatered substrate with an organic solvent, followed by removal of the water-solvent mixture. The dried product is a granular, free-flowing substance suitable for incineration in relatively low-cost equipment. Conveniently, solvent will be recovered from the water-solvent mixture by conventional means, such as distillation, and recycled to the solvent mixing stage.

Abstract: A method and filtration apparatus for purifying solvents. Impurities present in the solvent are separated out in the filtration apparatus via filtration using at least one filter, through which the solvent flows and upon which the impurities settle as a filter cake. At least prior to the removal of the impurities that form the filter cake from the filtration apparatus, solvent residues present in the filter cake and possibly also in the filter are recovered by evaporation. The solvent residues in the filtration apparatus are vaporized by the action of a hot, gaseous medium that is conveyed first through the filter and only then through the filter cake, i.e. the impurities, in the direction opposite to the direction in which the solvent flowed through the filtration apparatus during the filtration process.

Abstract: A closed circuit solvent stripping and reclaiming apparatus for recovering solvent from filters used in dry cleaning machines comprising a steam cabinet (2), and condenser (3), a water solvent separator (4), a recirculating tank (5), a blower (6) and a carbon bed adsorber (7). Dry cleaning filters are disassembled and their constituents separated and placed in foraminous trays (9) inside the steam cabinet (2). The filter material is agitated with a shaker and alternately subjected to dry heat, vaporized recycled solvent saturated water, and live steam. Steam and solvent vapors derived from the filters are conducted to a condenser (3) for liquification followed by separation in the water solvent separator (4). Solvent is thereby reclaimed and solvent saturated water is collected and stored in the recycling tank for reintroduction into the steam cabinet for subsequent stripping cycle.

Abstract: Process for controlling, or reducing, the level of oxidized anions, usually oxidized sulfur compounds or oxidized nitrogen compounds, in a reaction medium, preferably in a closed loop recirculating system. The process comprises withdrawing a purge stream from the reaction medium and reducing the oxidized anions in a reduction furnance 44 having a char bed 48. The reduced compounds are recovered from the reduction furnace as smelt 50. Where the reduced compounds are useful in the reaction medium from which the purge stream was withdrawn, the reduced compounds are preferably returned to the reaction medium for further use therein.

Abstract: In a process for the formation and removal of moisture from porous filter cake comprising individual solid particles on a filter medium by means of a fluid acting on the filter cake and which has a pressure difference compared with the filtrate behind the filter medium, the filter cake is economically freed from the suspension liquid by means of a differential pressure without or with only an insignificant fluid flow through the filter medium, in that a filter medium with a higher capillary intake pressure for the fluid than that of the filter cake is used and that a filtration pressure is applied to the fluid which is higher than the capillary intake pressure of the filter cake and equal to or smaller than the capillary intake pressure of the filter medium.

Abstract: Heavy hydrocarbon containing sludges such as refinery waste streams, oil storage tank sludges and marine oil tanker ballast are treated by passing the sludges in a flow stream through an indirect dryer to vaporize liquids having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of less than about 700.degree. F. and to provide substantially dried solid particles discharged from the dryer. The dried particles, containing heavy hydrocarbons as a coating or as a part of the solids, are conducted to a combustor/oxidizer and exposed to a high velocity flow stream of oxygen containing gas, typically low pressure forced air, to burn the residual hydrocarbons in the solids and to reduce heavy metals and the like to oxides thereof. A sludge handling system includes a rotary disk type indirect dryer connected to a lift pipe type combustor/oxidizer for thorough exposure of the dried solids to an oxygen containing atmosphere.

Abstract: In order to separate liquids from slurries containing particulate material, and particularly from slurries of water and spent ion exchange materials which are used for water conditioning in the operation of nuclear power plants and must be disposed of without any significant volume of free standing water therein, a vessel is provided which is filled with the slurry. The bottom of the vessel is conical and defines a region for the collection of water which passes thereto radially through a structure which filters the water and supports a bed of the particulate material thereon. A discharge tube extends longitudinally of the vessel into the region. A level sensor is disposed alongside the tube. A passage into the top of the vessel is provided for blowing air through the bed to force interstitial water through the bed into the region.

Abstract: A method of processing finely divided solids which have precipitated or separated out in a liquid. The suspended finely divided solid is converted into a pourable powder with negligible dust content and narrow particle size distribution, without detrimental particle alteration. The suspension is charged into a centrifuge, which may be a reversible-filter centrifuge. The solids are preferably centrifuged at a centrifugal pressure of 0.05-0.5 MPa for 0.5-5 min, and are then gently removed from the centrifuge, to be dried gently in a vibrating fluidized-bed dryer. The method is particularly suitable for processing precipitated synthetic rubbers (which may contain fillers as well) into a pourable powder which retains pourability after storage.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating any fluidizable solid material having an organic contaminant or recoverable material absorbed or adsorbed thereon, particularly a sludge contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyl or other toxic chemicals having a boiling point of at least 110.degree. C. The method and apparatus includes heating the fluidizable solids, using hot turbulent gas at a temperature in the range of 850.degree. to 2,500.degree. F. to vaporize and thereby separate the organic material, for example, the toxic chemicals from the fluidizable solids and to fluidize at least a portion of the solids. The recoverable or contaminant liquid, for example the toxic chemicals, are then further treated to recover or dispose of the separated liquid, such as by condensing the liquid and filtering or decanting it from the condensed water.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating any fluidizable solid material having a polychlorinated biphenyl contaminant absorbed or adsorbed thereon. The method and apparatus includes heating the fluidizable solids, using hot turbulent gas at a temperature in the range of 850.degree. to 2,500.degree. F. to vaporize and thereby separate the polychlorinated biphenyls from the fluidizable solids and to fluidize at least a portion of the solids. The polychlorinated biphenyl vapors are then further treated to dispose of the polychlorinated biphenyls, such as by condensing the liquid and filtering or decanting them from the condensed water.

Abstract: A process for the thermal treatment of carbon-containing substances, in particular of sludges which, after mechanical indirect pre-drying, are subjected to direct drying by means of drying gas is disclosed. Object of the invention is to simplify the elimination of the noxious matter contained in the sewage sludge, to allow for energy recovery, and to improve the efficiency of the entire process. The problem is solved by the fact that the drying gas used for direct sludge drying is recovered by partial oxidation of the sludge subjected to direct drying.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process and apparatus to produce a filter cake formed by retained solids collected on a filter cloth during filtering. Accordingly, the filter cake is sub-divided into a plurality of filter cake elements which are kept separate from each other at predetermined distances. Further, impermeable zones on the filter cloth are formed around the filter cake elements. The filter cake elements and the impermeable zones are of a size that the filter cake elements can freely contract in any plane without cracking, while the filter cloth between the filter cake elements is covered by the impermeable zones.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating sludge to remove the liquid hydrocarbons from the insoluble particles in the sludge to provide treated particles which are environmentally safe. The process involves mixing the sludge with a hydrocarbon diluent, separating the particles from the diluent-sludge mixture, then mixing the separated particles and remaining diluent with water and distilling off the remaining diluent to obtain the treated particles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of removing metallic hydroxide salts having impurities from an aqueous medium. The method includes the steps of:(a) providing an edge type filter;(b) passing an aqueous medium with metallic hydroxide salts having impurities to the filter;(c) removing the metallic hydroxide salts with the filter and forming a cleaned aqueous medium;(d) removing the cleaned aqueous medium from the filter;(e) drying the filter after the filter has become blocked by the metallic hydroxide salts and forming a powder; and(f) removing the powder from the filter, whereby the filter is unblocked.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating any fluidizable solid material having an organic contaminant or recoverable material absorbed or adsorbed thereon, particularly a sludge contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyl or other toxic chemicals having a boiling point of at least 110.degree. C. The method and apparatus includes heating the fluidizable solids to a temperature of at least 250.degree. F., using hot turbulent gas at a temperature, for example, in the range of 850.degree. to 2,500.degree. F. to vaporize and thereby separate the organic material, for example, the toxic chemicals from the fluidizable solids and to fluidize at least a portion of the solids. The recoverable or contaminant liquid, for example, the toxic chemicals, are then further treated to recover or dispose of the separated liquid, such as by condensing the liquid and filtering or decanting them from the condensed water.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating cat cracker bottoms sludge to remove the cat cracker bottoms hydrocarbons from the catalyst fines in the sludge to provide treated fines which are environmentally safe for landfill. The process involves mixing the sludge with a hydrocarbon diluent, separating the fines from the diluent-sludge mixture, then mixing the separated fines and remaining diluent with water and distilling off the remaining diluent to obtain the treated fines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dewatering and drying sludge. A pair of upper and lower members form a closed chamber into which sludge is poured. Sidewalls of the upper member are pressed against the lower member to seal the chamber. Compressed air supplied at a pressure P.sub.1 to a continuous groove in the lower edge of the sidewalls flows across the sloped inside surfaces of the sidewalls and supplements air supplied to the chamber at a somewhat lower pressure level P.sub.2, the combined pressures P.sub.1 and P.sub.2 in said chamber forcing liquid from said sludge through porous media in the bottom of the chamber. Air from the continuous groove aids in releasing the dried sludge from the chamber when the upper and lower members are separated.

Abstract: The filtering vessel (1) holding cartridge filter (16) is connected to a receiver (3) through a quick-opening valve. There is generated an underpressure in (3) for separating the filter cake built up on the cartridges, said underpressure being lower than the evaporation pressure of the liquid contained in the filter cake. Accordingly, there is built up an overpressure in the filtering vessel (1). An immediate opening of the valve (2) and a proportionate temperature in system (1) and (2) results in a spontaneous bursting off of the filter cake from the cartridge surface, which bursting off, in consequence of the pressure compensation between (1) and (3) still will be increased by means of the liquid contained in the filter cake evaporating in the course of a flash procedure. The relatively dry filter cake is collected in the receiver (3). The next filtration process can be started after closing valve (2).

Abstract: A process for reducing the water content of coal containing bound water by treating the coal at an elevated temperature and pressure in a de-watering zone in the presence of liquid water to remove liquid water from the coal and treating liquid water in the de-watering zone or liquid water removed from the coal or both by a wet air oxidation process.

Abstract: In a method for regeneration of moist powder adsorption agent, the moist-charged adsorption agent is first fed into the lower area of a fluidized bed which is provided with an aeration and heat-carrying material; the agent then is fed upwardly through the heat-carrying material while being simultaneously dried, and then the agent is withdrawn together with the vortex gas from the fluidized bed. The agent is separated from the vortex gas in a successively switched separator, and is then fed to a further fluidized bed which is provided with a further aeration and heat-carrying material. The agent is fed in that further bed upwardly through the further heat-carrying material and is simultaneously regenerated. The agent is then discharged together with the further vortex gas from the further fluidized bed. The vortex gases which are withdrawn can be reused as mixing gases during the vortex gas generation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing carbon black from an aqueous suspension obtained by washing a gas containing carbon black with water. To this end, a gas stream comprising hydrocarbons and at least one inert gas is introduced into a suspension having a solids content of from 0.5 to 4% by weight, at a temperature of from 10.degree. to 80.degree. C. In so doing, the carbon black agglomerates and collects on the surface of the suspension water from which it is separated, for example by skimming it off. The gas stream is produced by passing inert gas over the separated carbon black containing the hydrocarbons and heated to 200.degree. to 400.degree. C., the carbon black being converted into a dry, free-flowing material.

Abstract: A sludge treatment technique adapted for separating volatile liquid hydrocarbons and/or water from sludge solids in a horizontal enclosed tank having a supported bed of filter particles. Liquids are permitted to drain and evaporate under controlled conditions and a removable top closure permits exposure of sludge solids to ambient U-V radiation and weathering conditions whereby lead-containing sludge is detoxified to environmentally acceptable levels.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for dewatering slurry recovered from waste water, generated in the production and treatment of metals, are provided in which the flocculated slurry is first dewatered mechanically to provide a water output which is returned upstream for further treatment, and a sludge output containing about 25-32 percent by weight (w/o) solids and the remainder free liquid. The sludge is passed through a thermal drier and, after substantially all the free water has been removed, is disposed of as desired.