Including Preliminary Conversion To Liquid State Patents (Class 210/773)
  • Patent number: 6726841
    Abstract: Method for treating non-gelatin colloidal encapsulation waste materials in which the waste is combined, optionally, with a solvent capable of dissolving the non-gelatin colloidal encapsulation material, and any softening agent contained therein, and then treating the solvent layer to remove contaminants such as residual oils and/or particulates which may be present, to provide a purified and usable encapsulating material containing stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: A.B. Technologies Holding, L.L.C.
    Inventor: William J. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6692644
    Abstract: Process for treating filtration panels obtained by the filtration of oils containing sulfonates of earth-alkaline metal, the above filtration being carried out in the presence of filter aids essentially consisting of siliceous material, which comprises: (a) dilution of the filtration panel with a C4-C8 aliphatic hydrocarbon, preferably hexane, and addition of another filter aid, thus obtaining a suspension of the panel and of the filter aid in the aliphatic hydrocarbon; (b) filtration of the suspension of step (a), thus obtaining a solid essentially consisting of filter aid with a minimum content of sulfonate and a turbid C4-C8 hydrocarbon solution (i); (c) centrifugation of the turbid hydrocarbon solution (i), thus obtaining a solid and a purified hydrocarbon solution (ii); (d) treatment of the purified hydrocarbon solution (ii) with means suitable for eliminating the C4-C8 hydrocarbons, thus recovering the sulfonate of earth-alkaline metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Agip Petroli S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luigi D'elia, Orazio Pianta
  • Patent number: 6638436
    Abstract: A method and a system for regenerating a metal bath contaminated by mixed crystals, particularly a tin bath (17) in a hot-dip coating process. A partial stream of the tin bath (17) is removed from the coating tank (15) and is first of all heated above its liquidus temperature in a heating unit (24). Subsequently, the tin bath is conducted over a cooling unit (27) and, while flowing through a filter (29), is cleaned of mixed crystals coming down as a result of the cooling. The filter 29 is a ceramic foam filter made of silicon carbide. Subsequently, the regenerated tin bath (17a) is heated in a melting tank to process temperature, and returned from there to the coating tank (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Stolberger Metallwerke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Elbern, Robert Leffers, Albert Rumbach
  • Patent number: 6627072
    Abstract: A paraffin filter system (10) includes an in-line low-profile particulate filter (20) connected to a suction tube (14) which is used as an inlet to the paraffin filter system (10). A paraffin pump (54) pumps the melted paraffin from a paraffin spa (12) through the particulate filter (20) to a transfer container (11) via a discharge tube (22). A heater (78) is controlled by control logic (146) to operate in certain modes to melt any residual paraffin in the filter (20) and pump (54) before operation of the pump (54). The control logic (146) provides various modes of operation of the filter system (10) to assure that the system is ready to operate, irrespective of the operation of a control panel switch (6) by the user. When the paraffin is transferred back to the spa (12) from the transfer container (11), the melted paraffin is carried through a bacteria filter (21) in the filter system (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Robert A. Ridge
  • Patent number: 6468994
    Abstract: The invention provides finely divided, substantially crystalline particles of budesonide characterized in that they are substantially smooth and having a BET value of from 1 to 4.5 m2/g, a process for their preparation, a pharmaceutical composition comprising said particles, the use of said particles in the treatment of and in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of respiratory disorder, and a method of treatment of respiratory disorders by administration of said particles to a host in need of such treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: AstraZeneca AB
    Inventors: Mikael Bisrat, Saeed Moshashaee
  • Publication number: 20020134738
    Abstract: In melting thermoplastic material, particularly in the form of strip-like or fibrous refuse, where the material is melted through contact with a liquid heat-transfer medium and is then separated from the heat-transfer medium, and to assure a high degree of effectiveness and to maintain a high level of quality in the molten material, it is provided that steam at a temperature distinctly higher than the melting temperature of the material is used as a heat-transfer medium and is conducted over the introduced material, the molten or at least semi-molten material is entrained by the flowing steam and is then separated from the steam at a temperature lying above the melting temperature of the material, and the steam is returned to the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Gennady Volokitin, Viktor Gapeev, Serguey Zotov
  • Publication number: 20020056690
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for washing manure to remove undesirable elements and produce environmentally desirable processed manure solids and a manure tea by-product. The apparatus is arranged so that the manure, which is transformed into a slurry, passes through the apparatus vertically by gravity during the washing process. The process includes the addition of most preferably nitric acid or alternatively iron salts; and a polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventor: Paul Wegner
  • Publication number: 20020030016
    Abstract: Method for treating non-gelatin colloidal encapsulation waste materials in which the waste is combined, optionally, with a solvent capable of dissolving the non-gelatin colloidal encapsulation material, and any softening agent contained therein, and then treating the solvent layer to remove contaminants such as residual oils and/or particulates which may be present, to provide a purified and usable encapsulating material containing stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: A.B. Technologies Holding, L.L.C.
    Inventor: William J. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6346523
    Abstract: The invention provides finely divided, substantially crystalline particles of budesonide characterized in that they are substantially smooth and having a BET value from 1 to 4.5 m2/g, process for their preparation, a pharmaceutical composition comprising said particles, the use of said particles in the treatment of and in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of a respiratory disorder, and a method of treatment of respiratory disorders by administration of said particles to a host in need of such treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: AstraZeneca AB
    Inventors: Mikael Bisrat, Saeed Moshashaee
  • Patent number: 6165368
    Abstract: A method for controlling the deposition of foulants such as polynuclear aromatic compounds on the internal surfaces of equipment in a processing train used to process a product stream obtained by dehydrogenating an aliphatic compound containing from 2 to 5 carbon atoms wherein there is introduced into the processing train an effective amount of a liquid solvent having at least one hydroxyl group and a minimum boiling point of about 64.7.degree. C., the solvent being passed through at least a portion of the processing train, after which it is removed from the processing train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Valero Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Zamarripa
  • Patent number: 6123855
    Abstract: The present invention relates to dewatering of an aqueous slurry of calcium carbonate. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of non-ionic surfactants in dewatering aqueous slurries of an aragonitic precipitated calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate slurries dewatered using the non-ionic surfactants of the present invention have higher weight percent solids, decreased dispersant demand, and result in higher productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Minerals Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Wayne Hansen, Christopher Alan Wener, I
  • Patent number: 6001245
    Abstract: A process for separating oil from a lubricant composition containing solid particles. The contaminated lubricant composition is mixed with liquid or supercritical CO.sub.2 before the lubricant composition and CO.sub.2 mixture is filtered through a filter medium. The CO.sub.2 is then evaporated, leaving an oil residue. Mixing the lubricant composition with CO.sub.2 before filtration prevents the filter medium from being blinded by solid particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Ronald A. Reich, Thomas J. Kasun, Raymond J. Colbert
  • Patent number: 6001265
    Abstract: A system for reusing water soluble slurry waste fluid wherein separated available abrasive grains and extracted water soluble coolant are reused. This system is capable of reducing a disposal cost due to a reduction of a load to a waste water disposal plant by effectively reusing water soluble slurry waste fluid, and making a contribution to a reduction of a total slicing cost by reusing abrasive grains and water soluble coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignees: Shin-Etsu Handotai Co., Ltd., Mimasu Semiconductor Industry Co., Ltd., Ohtomo Chemical Ind., Corp., Hitachi Zosen Metal Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohei Toyama, Etsuo Kiuchi, Kazuo Hayakawa, Shingo Kaburagi, Akio Ashida, Takara Ito, Kuniaki Noami
  • Patent number: 5945001
    Abstract: A process for the recovery and purification of waste gelatin, especially from the manufacture of soft gelatin capsules includes the steps of effecting dissolution of the gelatin and other water-soluble components of the waste in a solvent such as deionized water such that a gelatin-containing solution dispersed within the remaining components of said waste is formed, permitting the dispersion to settle into an upper oil phase and a lower solvent based gelatin-containing solution phase, separating the lower phase from the upper phase, optionally hot filtering the lower phase to remove traces of the remaining components of the upper phase, and diafiltering the lower phase to remove the active ingredients, glycerin, and other water-soluble components and to provide a recycled gelatin solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: A.B. Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventor: William Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5904858
    Abstract: A filter for separation of a liquid from a solid has a turbine surrounded by an elongated filter body and forms a short first stage with short-pitch blades, providing a high axial impulse and low radial impulse, followed by a long second stage with long-pitch blades providing primarily radial displacement. Water vapor can be injected to promote juice extraction and is fed axially into the shaft and emerges from outlets therealong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Inventor: Attilio Turchetti
  • Patent number: 5882527
    Abstract: A process of dissolving solid waste material in packed beds comprises the addition to the packed bed of a solvent for the solid waste and a material which releases a gas on contact with the solvent which forms channels in the packed bed allowing more rapid access of the solvent to the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Bruce J. Rubin, Carl B. Richenberg, David M. Melos
  • Patent number: 5846314
    Abstract: A method of treating a dilute aqueous suspension of solid particulate material comprising waste material from a process for recovering petroleum from oil sand includes diluting the suspension with at least 75% of its own volume of water thereby to increase the settling rate of the particulate material and allowing the particulate material to settle to form a concentrated solid sediment. The treated suspension may have been obtained from a process in which an alkaline solution is used to treat the oil sand. The water from which the concentrated solid sediment is separated may be returned to the process for recovering petroleum from oil sand. The solid sediment may be transferred to a separation vessel in which it is fractionated into a coarse particle fraction and a fine particle fraction. The fine particle fraction may comprise essentially particles having an equivalent spherical diameter not greater than 3 .mu.m. The concentrated solid material recovered may be calcined to form a pozzolanic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: ECC International Ltd.
    Inventor: Christopher Robin Langdon Golley
  • Patent number: 5830369
    Abstract: A system for reusing oily slurry waste fluid is capable of decreasing the total amount of oily slurry waste fluid to be discarded by collecting and reusing available abrasive grains, oil and water from the oily slurry waste fluid, thereby reducing the volume carbon dioxide generated when burning the oily slurry waste fluid and being an effective solution to the environmental problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Handotai Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kohei Toyama
  • Patent number: 5807490
    Abstract: A method of separating two immiscible, melt-viscosity-differing thermoplastic polymer components from a mixed liquid stream thereof forms two discrete and continuous phases having a sheath/core configuration, wherein the sheath substantially contains the polymer component with the higher melt viscosity and the core substantially contains the polymer component with the lower melt viscosity. The mixed liquid stream contains a predominant amount (i.e., greater than 50% by volume) of the higher viscosity polymer component and a minority amount (i.e., less than 50% by volume) of the lower viscosity polymer component. The method involves directing the stream through a shear zone at a shear temperature and a shear rate sufficient to form the two discrete and continuous phases, the first of which substantially contains the lower viscosity polymer component and the second of which substantially contains the higher viscosity polymer component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Davis, Jeffrey S. Dugan, Matthew B. Hoyt, Charles F. Helms, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5782188
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for incinerating waste material and in particular, for incinerating particulate material resulting from the shredding of vehicles. The particulate material is fed to one end of a rotary drum, and is subjected in the drum to pyrolitic incineration in the absence of air, to generate combustible gases and a solid residue. The combustion gases and the residue are discharged from the drum to a discharge hood, where the solid residue is separated from the gases. The gases are then passed through a condenser to cool the gases to a temperature below 212.degree. F. to thereby condense water vapor and higher boiling point hydrocarbon gases to produce hydrocarbon liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventors: Marvin Evans, David H. Miller
  • Patent number: 5730885
    Abstract: The present invention teaches a method for reducing the number and size of polymeric gels in a polypropylene blend by filtering the blend through multiple filter screens during the extrusion of the blend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Theodore Robert Blakeslee, deceased, David Khanin, Richard H. Bozenbury, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5698603
    Abstract: The present invention relates to expandable styrene polymers containing recycled polystyrene, having a recycled material content of from 10 to 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the polystyrene, to which alkyldi(2-hydroxyethyl)amines have been added during the polymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dietrich Scherzer, Klaus Hahn, Michael Witt, Maria Lorenz
  • Patent number: 5679767
    Abstract: The invention is a purification process of an aliphatic polyester prepared in the presence of a catalyst from a hydroxycarboxylic acid or a cyclic ester of a hydroxycarboxylic acid, or a combination of an aliphatic polyhydric alcohol with an aliphatic polybasic acid, or a mixture of these compounds, comprising deactivating the catalyst while maintaining the aliphatic polyester in a molten or dissolved state, or insolubilizing and separating the catalyst and successively removing low molecular compounds; and can provide aliphatic polyester which has a low content of unreacted monomers and low molecular weight compounds and is excellent in heat resistance and weatherability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Suizu, Masatoshi Takagi, Masanobu Ajioka, Akihiro Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 5630945
    Abstract: A method for recovering an uncrosslinked synthetic resin waste including dissolving the uncrosslinked synthetic resin waste in a solvent containing, as an active ingredient, one or more oxyisobutyric acid esters selected from an alkyl .alpha.-alkoxyisobutyrate, an alkyl .beta.-alkoxyisobutyrate and an alkyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate. This invention provides a method for recovering a plastic waste by using a highly safe solvent which is free from the problems encountered in the conventional methods with the use of aromatic hydrocarbons or halogenated hydrocarbons, and comprises non-halogen solvents, forms no substance causing environmental problems, has a high ability to dissolve plastic wastes, has neither toxicity nor any offensive odor, is not accumulated in nature because of its high biodegradability, and has a relatively high boiling point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Nitto Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Takayanagi, Satoshi Endoh, Naoki Sugama, Masaru Sugita
  • Patent number: 5578222
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for recovering abrasive grains from vitreous bonded materials by boiling the material in an aqueous solution of an alkali metal base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain/Norton Industrial Ceramics Corp.
    Inventors: Ronald W. Trischuk, Ajay K. Garg, Arup K. Khaund
  • Patent number: 5518606
    Abstract: Solid debris of rocks and scrap metal, etc., which are embedded in recoverable petroleum material such as solid or semisolid pitch or tar deposits, are separated from the petroleum material by a high pressure spray carried out in a closed separation vessel. The separation vessel includes a removable screen container for the solid petroleum material through which the material is sprayed with a heated liquid solvent using high pressure nozzles to melt and/or dissolve the pitch so that it flows through the screen container and is collected in a sump at the bottom of the separation vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Dwight R. Mohle
  • Patent number: 5496923
    Abstract: A purification process of an aliphatic polyester prepared in the presence of a catalyst from a hydroxycarboxylic acid or a cyclic ester of a hydroxycarboxylic acid, or a combination of an aliphatic polyhydric alcohol with an aliphatic polybasic acid, or a mixture of these compounds, comprising deactivating the catalyst while maintaining the aliphatic polyester in a molten or dissolved state, or insolubilizing and separating the catalyst and successively removing low molecular compounds. The process can provide aliphatic polyester which has a low content of unreacted monomers and low molecular weight compounds and is excellent in heat resistance and weatherability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Suizu, Masatoshi Takagi, Masanobu Ajioka, Akihiro Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 5279741
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for regenerating used foundry sand, whose original molding sand contained, as the molding material, inorganic binders such as, for example and especially, bentonite ("inorganic used sand") and/or organic binders such as, for example and especially, phenolic resins and/or furan resins ("organic used sand"), wherein the used sand to be reconditioned is impregnated with water and then transferred in the moist state into a heated fluidized bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Kuttner GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Klaus Schott
  • Patent number: 5272216
    Abstract: Both a system and method are provided for remotely heating a polymeric material to a selected temperature. The system generally comprises particulate ferromagnetic material dispersed throughout the polymeric material to form a composite, wherein the particulate material has a Curie temperature that corresponds to the selected heating temperature, and a source of microwave energy for remotely applying a beam of microwave energy to the polymeric composite material. Preferably, the particulate ferromagnetic material comprises only about 2 percent of the total composite by weight. The polymeric material may be compliant, thermosettable plastic, and the Curie temperature of the particulate ferromagnetic material dispersed therein may advantageously be above the curing temperature of the polymer, such that the beam from the source of microwave energy may be used to remotely join surfaces or construct joints in composite structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: William G. Clark, Jr., Robert E. Shannon, Warren R. Junker
  • Patent number: 5266220
    Abstract: A method for melting snow containing solids and chemical contaminants and washing the solids is disclosed therein. The method includes the steps of heating the snow mixture within a hopper to melt the snow into water, gravitationally separating the solids from the water, agitating the water and solids to wash and separate chemical contaminates from the solids, discharging the water/contaminant mixture from the hopper for further treatment, and discharging the decontaminated solids. A cleansing agent may be added during the washing step to facilitate separation of the chemical contaminants from the solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Patrick E. Hammond
    Inventors: Patrick E. Hammond, Patrick L. Severin, William C. Drake
  • Patent number: 5232606
    Abstract: A method is provided for recovering PVC from a material including PVC and one or more non-PVC components, in which the material is mixed with a sufficient amount of a plasticizer at an effective temperature, preferably in the range of 100.degree.-200.degree. C., to give a PVC: plasticizer ratio such that the PVC and plasticizer form a mixture which is a liquid at that temperature so that the liquid PVC/plasticizer can be separated from the non-PVC component or components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Ortech Corporation
    Inventor: Jacob Leidner
  • Patent number: 5219468
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Inventor: David A. Olson
  • Patent number: 5183578
    Abstract: The process and the continuously working installation are intended for the extraction or flushing out of a substance from a heterogenous system with a solid phase of fibrous or granular material by means of a liquid, which, in the course of the process, forms a liquid phase which is increasingly loaded with the substance to be extracted or flushed out. The solid phase (2) is advanced in the installation with conveyor means (9. 9', 9"). the liquid phase (4, 4', 4") passes through the installation substantially in the opposite direction to the solid phase. Elements (30, 31, 32, 30', 31', 32', 30", 31", 32") for compressing and decompressing the solid phase (2) are disposed along the path of the solid phase (2) through the installation which may consist of several treatment stages (5, 5', 5") connected in series. Means for drawing off at least a part of the liquid phase are foreseen in each of the compression zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Laycock SA
    Inventor: Zoran Dragicevic
  • Patent number: 5151199
    Abstract: Bubble size of a froth created during the preparation and dispensing of an instant coffee beverage is controlled by passing the coffee beverage through at least two adjacent screens coaxially and adjacently positioned at a distance from one another, one inside another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Poulin, Herve Schmidely
  • Patent number: 5149445
    Abstract: A substance is provided in molten form and then converted into crystallized pellets. The pellets are conveyed into a vessel having an open lower end, whereby the pellets continuously advance downwardly. As the pellets advance, they are subjected to a hot gas flow which causes outer contaminated surfaces of the pellets to melt and drip off. The remaining pellets travel out through the opening in a direction transversely of the direction of the dripping. In this manner, the substance is purified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Santrade Ltd.
    Inventors: Konrad Schermutzki, Herbert Wurmseher
  • Patent number: 5138075
    Abstract: The present invention provides an extractive separation method in which a solute contained in a medium can be efficiently extracted and separated with a lower consumption of energy under the remarkably gentle operating conditions. This method consists in that a medium containing a solute consisting of organic substances is brought into contact with a solvent consisting of organic substances or inorganic substances, which have the critical temperature of 5.degree. to 152.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunari Ohgaki, Takashi Katayama
  • Patent number: 5112495
    Abstract: The improved method employs hydrocarbon wax, preferably paraffin wax, as the cleaning agent for petroleum oil spill slicks. The method includes spraying the molten wax on the petroleum oil-covered surface of, for example, an ocean or a coastline, allowing the wax to solidify on such surface, thereby entraining large volumes of hydrocarbon oil, then removing the solidified wax with entrained petroleum oil from the surface. The method is repeated as often as is needed in order to fully strip the surface of the petroleum oil. The wax is recovered by heating the mixture of the solidified wax with the entrained petroleum oil therein until the wax melts, after which it is decanted from the petroleum oil and is ready for reuse in the method. Preferably, the molten wax is paraffin heated to about 75.degree.-100.degree. C. in order to fully fluidize it so that it can be sprayed easily onto the oil-fouled surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Inventors: John Bartha, Gyorgy Csapo
  • Patent number: 5053144
    Abstract: The method of the invention is advantageously applicable to realize a multistage chemical process during which liquid clarifiers suitable for the purification of water and sewage, furthermore, fine-disperse pulverulent solid products utilizable as pait pigments and fillers may be recovered. Each final product of the multistage chemical processes is a useful material, so the whole technology is waste free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Aquatech Kernyezeteedelmi
    Inventors: Endre Szirmai, Sandor Babusek, Gezz Balogh, Atilla Nedves, Gyula Horvath, Zoltan Lebenyi, James Pinter
  • Patent number: 5022991
    Abstract: Thermite coatings are applied to molten metal filters and the environs, to produce longer lived filters that can be utilized in harsher environments. The coatings employ exothermic, redox, and combination reactions to produce the beneficial effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: John P. Day, Timothy V. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4939817
    Abstract: For separating sulfur from a sulfur-lye suspension, the suspension is fed into a flooded separation tank, a temperature above the melting temperature of sulfur is maintained in the separation tank, and liquid sulfur and lye are withdrawn from the separation tank. To reduce the formation of sodium thiosulfate, the area of the interfacial separation layer between liquid sulfur and lye is maintained as small as possible in separation tank (15) by providing that the liquid sulfur be fed into a relatively small diameter vertical separation pipe (4), in which the separation layer (6) between liquid sulfur and lye is established, and the liquid sulfur is drained out through separation pipe (4). (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Guenter Weber
  • Patent number: 4915850
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Mudcleaning Services Amsterdam B.V.
    Inventor: Pieter R. Onnes
  • Patent number: 4897205
    Abstract: Preheated diluent and steam are introduced into a container containing waste material typically comprised of a sludge mixture of liquid and solid material including hydrocarbons. The material is thereby heated and its viscosity reduced to form a pumpable slurry. The slurry is pumped out of the container and its viscosity is adjusted to the optimum for separating the solids and liquids. The solids are then separated from the liquid, any valuable material in either the solids and the liquid are recovered and the rest disposed of.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Landry Service Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Landry
  • Patent number: 4880541
    Abstract: A filter medium suitable for hot liquid and gaseous materials, more particularly molten metals, for example aluminium and its alloys, is characterized by the use of sintered ultrafine bauxite granules. Filter media according to the invention exhibit superior thermal shock resistance, may be used repeatedly and are much cheaper than filter media of the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: Comalco Aluminum Limited
    Inventors: Paul J. Chiron, Kevin D. Watson, Raymond W. Shaw
  • Patent number: 4876079
    Abstract: For the separation of sulfur from a sulfur/alkaline solution suspension, the suspension is heated to a temperature above the melting temperature of the sulfur and is introduced under pressure into a separating tank 1, containing a separating chamber 8, alkaline solution chamber, and sulfur chamber 12. From the separating tank, settled liquid sulfur is continuously withdrawn, on the one hand, via conduit 16 and alkaline solution is continuously withdrawn, on the other hand, via conduit 9. In order to provide a system having little susceptibility to trouble, the separating chamber and alkaline solution chamber are operated in the flooded mode, thereby avoiding the necessity for a steam blanket therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Erhard Kliem, Guenter Weber, Alfred Kunz
  • Patent number: 4837385
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for separating the inclusions contained in a bath of molten metal, by filtration. This process involves applying an electromagnetic force field to the filtering medium. It allows the total number and the size of the inclusions to be reduced greatly so that the products obtained by solidification of such a bath are highly suitable for transformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Aluminium Pechiney
    Inventors: Calogero Conti, Jean-Luc Meyer, Pierre Netter, Jean-Pierre Riquet
  • Patent number: 4834876
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Inventor: Nicholas G. Walker
  • Patent number: 4810775
    Abstract: The invention relates to the purification of polymers, particularly resorbable polyesters, using shear fields produced mechanically or by fluid dynamics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim KG
    Inventors: Dieter Bendix, Dieter Reichert, Michael Scharfe
  • Patent number: 4802527
    Abstract: Apparatus for casting molten metal including a mold for casting molten metal having a base portion, a molten metal inlet located at the base portion, a filter positioned across the molten metal inlet so that all the molten metal must pass therethrough and a well beneath said inlet and beneath said filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminum Ltd.
    Inventors: Jerry W. Brockmeyer, Michael A. Cummings
  • Patent number: 4787986
    Abstract: A process for continuous or batchwise melting of silicon powder in particular, powder having a large amount of fines, and a melting crucible for carrying out this process are specified. The melting crucible is designed so that a melt pool having a certain minimum height and which is covered by unmelted silicon powder is provided. Thus, added material first comes into contact with silicon powder which is already present and only gradually reaches the melting zone. The amount of melt produced which exceeds the minimum height of the melt pool flows out of the melting crucible. The minimum height is maintained in the process by using a crucible which has a siphon-like outlet in the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Heliotronic Forschungs- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft fur Solarzellen-Grundstoffe mbH
    Inventors: Josef Dietl, Jorg Kotilge
  • Patent number: RE35815
    Abstract: Preheated diluent and steam are introduced into a container containing waste material typically comprised of a sludge mixture of liquid and solid material including hydrocarbons. The material is thereby heated and its viscosity reduced to form a pumpable slurry. The slurry is pumped out of the container and its viscosity is adjusted to the optimum for separating the solids and liquids. The solids are then separated from the liquid, any valuable material in either the solids and the liquid are recovered and the rest disposed of.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Landry Service Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Landry