Abstract: A solids pulverizing mill for producing fine particles such as coal dust, which includes a housing having a centrally located coal feed chute and enclosing an annular-shaped air port ring containing multiple nozzles located around a rotatable grinding table. Multiple grinding rollers press down and rotate upon the coal on the rotatable grinding table so as to pulverize the coal, which is then entrained by multiple intersecting and strongly interacting air jet streams upwardly from the grinding table through a classifier section to an exit conduit. The air port nozzle ring is fitted with multiple angled flow passages from which adjacent air jet streams intersect and interact strongly with the adjacent streams to product intense turbulence, which prevents undesirable acoustic vibration of the upflowing air/coal material within the mill housing. The centerlines of adjacent air jet nozzles intersect at an included angle of at least 20.degree. and not exceeding 90.degree.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for crushing material of different grain sizes, particularly an air-swept mill. From the method standpoint there is a regulation of the fluid feed flow in the vicinity of a blade ring and with adjustable reinforcing cladding segments, so that grinding material particle flows are moved in a flow envelope, particularly in a hyperboloid torus. From the apparatus standpoint, stationary and adjustable reinforcing cladding segments are arranged as a function of the grinding rollers rolling on a grinding pan. Using adjusting devices, acting on connecting areas of the reinforcing cladding segments, it is possible to bring about a horizontal or radial adjustment and/or an inclination adjustment of the reinforcing cladding segments for regulating the fluid feed flow from the outside and in continuous manner during a crushing process.

Abstract: Glass microfibers having diameters of less than one micron are useful in engineered plastics to achieve very smooth surfaces and thermal stability in composite parts. As made, glass microfibers are very bulky and intertwined making it impossible to meter and feed the material using conventional equipment. The processes used for chopping and milling coarser glass fibers to prepare them for engineered plastic composites are unsatisfactory for glass microfibers for various reasons. It has been discovered that flowable glass microfiber agglomerate products can be made by processing the microfiber in a muller mill or in a self impact mill.

Abstract: Hot gas is introduced into a fluidised bed of granular material, for example gypsum, contained in a vessel 10 having a grinding device or mill 11 in its lower region, which may comprise grinding rollers 15 cooperating with a table 17 on the base of the vessel. The gas may be supplied through a tube 20 passing down through the vessel, while raw material is fed into the bed, preferably by a feed screw 34. The ground product is discharged from the bed by an overflow 28 which determines the level of the bed.

Abstract: A crushing machine is disclosed which comprises a casing, a coarsely crushing blade which crushes scrap into coarsely crushed pieces, and a finely crushing blade which crushes the coarsely crushed pieces into finely crushed pieces. The coarsely crushing blade and the finely crushing blade are rotatably disposed in the casing, and jetting holes are formed in the coarsely crushing blade to jet compressed air radially outward from the coarsely crushing blade. Also, the jetting holes are connected to a compressed air passageway which is formed in the rotary shaft of the coarsely crushing blade. In addition, a stationary jetting hole is formed in the wall of the casing to jet compressed air towards a gap between the coarsely crushing blade and the finely crushing blade.

Abstract: To alter feedstock material, the material is exposed to laser radiation applied at a selected angle of incidence, intensity and wavelength related to the refractive index of the feedstock material. Fine uniform particles may be formed through vapor explosion and/or plasma formation and used by this method to coat surfaces, such as with paint or adhesive or to supply uniform small particles to a heat engine. Moreover, moving materials such as a column of liquid may be subjected to high internal pressure and temperature for creating physical and chemical changes.

Abstract: A method for treating process material can include introducing process material into two different vessels, raising the temperature within one of the vessels through the introduction of steam to heat the material in the vessel, and reducing the temperature in the one vessel while also increasing the temperature in the other vessel by venting the interior of the one vessel to the interior of the other vessel.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for safely and easily shredding a variety of material particularly material having a low melt temperature and/or containing material sensitive to high static electric charges, such as 1.1 and 1.3 class material. The method comprises applying a cloud of gas vapor onto the shredding means to cool the shredding means to a temperature below that of the melt temperature of the material being shredded and to also reduce the static electric charge on the resulting particles of material which may develop during the shredding process. Further described is an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A device for dispersing and metering fibers which includes a frame, a hopper mounted on the frame and having an inlet opening for receiving fibers therein. A screen is provided through which the fibers from the inlet opening must pass for separating any existing fiber clumps into a size not exceeding a size predetermined by the screen. A primary fluffing device is provided for creating a uniform dispersion of fibers within the hopper. An outlet opening is provided for allowing the fibers to exit the hopper. A controllable metering device is provided in the outlet opening for transporting a metered quantity of fibers out of the hopper through the outlet opening. A housing structure is connected to an outlet end of the metering device, the housing structure including an air inlet opening into the housing and a secondary fluffing device inside of the housing for further reducing in size any fiber clumps to separated discreet fibers.

Abstract: A method for producing powder from polycrystalline inorganic material by contacting polycrystalline inorganic material with the vapor of one or more reduced alkali metals in an environment substantially free of oxygen for a period of time sufficient to cause disintegration of the polycrystalline inorganic material into powder. The polycrystalline inorganic material may consist of one or more oxides, sulfides, or silicates, or combinations thereof. The polycrystalline inorganic material may also comprise a rock or mineral, such as basalt or pyrite.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for jet grinding inorganic pigments comprising the steps of compacting the inorganic pigments on a roller compactor at a predetermined linear force, and jet grinding the compacted inorganic pigments.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reaching a 99% separation of bast and core fibers from herbaceous fiber producing plants using a series of pre-separation cleaning and conditioning steps which place the bast and core fibers in a better condition for separation before they are actually separated. The harvested fiber plants are cut at a specified length. These fibers are then introduced into a conditioning apparatus which breaks up and dries, but does not yet separate the bast and core fibers. The conditioned fibers are then introduced into an auger and feeder which distributes the dried fiber over up to four identical separation lines. Each line includes at least one core separator made up of a large rotating spiked cylinder partially surrounded by a spiked, grated housing, a smaller rotating spiked cylinder which produces an air flow, and an upwardly moving inclined conveyor having openings therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recovering recyclable expanded particles from expanded particle moldings including expanded particles of a synthetic resin coated with thermoplastic resin (interfacial material) whose melting point is lower than that of the synthetic resin of the expanded particles or whose solubility is different from that of the synthetic resin of the expanded particles. The process includes the steps of softening or melting the interfacial material by heating or dissolving it with a solvent, and separating the expanded particle molding into individual particles by applying a shearing force thereto under circumstances such that the bond strength among the expanded particles in the molding is weakened.

Abstract: A method for reducing at production levels sticky, abrasive waste shingles and portions thereof into a reduced shingle material for use of a patch for potholes and cracks and as paving for roads and the like comprises shredding of the shingles to pieces, milling the pieces to particles and granules and impinging the particles and granules with intermittent blasts of compressed air to prevent clogging and sticking and to assist in discharging of the reduced shingle materials. The method may also include the step of spraying water upon the shingles and inside of the apparatus. The apparatus includes an improved hammermill with a compress air manifold with apertures therein for intermittently discharging compressed air which impinges upon the inner chamber of the hammermill and upon the pulverized waste materials. A pressurized water manifold with apertures may also spray the mill chamber of the hammermill with water to prevent clogging or sticking of the hammermill.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for comminuting and sterilizing infectious waste wherein the size reduction processes take place within the same sealed container within which the sterilization through vacuumization and saturated steam pressurization takes place. Between the vacuum cycle and the high-pressure steam cycle there is interposed an intermittent steam pressurization step to atmospheric pressure. The comminution of infectious waste material is carried out by a series of cutting, crushing and shearing elements which are arranged in a compact, stack-like fashion in a vertical arrangement with the bearing elements, clutch, gear and motor located outside the autoclave container and detachable therefrom, which allows ready access to the shredder stack which can be removed and exchanged in fully assembled fashion.

Abstract: An improved method of milling a particulate material in a jet mill is described. The material is fed from a holding vessel to be entrained by a gas, the holding vessel having an ullage which is maintained at a pressure of at least 0.05 MPa but less than the pressure at which gas is introduced to the jet mill. The method is particularly usefully employed in an impact jet mill in which the entrained particles impinge upon a surface, are reflected into another jet and passed into a cylindrical separation chamber. The method enables such an impact mill to be operated under more energy-efficient conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a mill or classifier includes a rotor with a plurality of outwardly radiating beater elements which is mounted for rotation within a housing. The housing defines an upper level inlet for raw material and one or more outlets for treated material. An expansion chamber is provided into which material is thrown by the beater elements of the rotor in use.

Abstract: An improved roller press for the high pressure interparticle crushing of a pulverulent material and the method of operating including opposed parallel horizontal crushing rollers forming a high pressure crushing nip between them and forcing air from the material drawn into the nip, a product delivery stack above the nip and an offset lower wall portion above the nip and laterally of the stack forming an exposed sloping surface of the material for the escape of air being pressed out of the material passing into the nip, in one form exposed surfaces are on both sides of the nip and the exposed surfaces may be controlled by adjustable gates to vary the area and slope of the exposed surface, and a subatmospheric pressure may be applied to the material for aiding in the pressing of air from the material drawn into the nip.

Abstract: Adherent silicon spheres (10) are broken apart into separate spheres by entraining them in a high velocity gas stream (12) which is directed at a surface (20). When the adherent spheres (10) impact on the surface (20) they break apart. The gas (12) and the separated spheres (10) are directed away from the surface (20) along divergent paths and the spheres (10) are collected for use.

Abstract: A device for dispersing and metering fibers which includes a frame, and a hopper mounted on the frame and having an inlet opening for receiving fibers therein. A screen is provided through which the fibers from the inlet opening must pass for separating any existing fiber clumps into a size not exceeding a size predetermined by the screen. A primary fluffing device is provided for creating a uniform dispersion of fibers within the hopper. An outlet opening is provided for allowing the fibers to exit the hopper. A controllable metering device is provided in the outlet opening for transporting a metered quantity of fibers out of the hopper through the outlet opening. A housing structure is connected to an outlet end of the metering device, the housing structure including an air inlet opening into the housing and a secondary fluffing device inside of the housing for further reducing in size any fiber clumps to separated discreet fibers.

Abstract: In a refiner having ribbed refining disks to form a refining zone between such disks, the refining spaces of such disks including radial ribs forming grooves between them, which grooves are blocked at intervals by dams connecting the ribs at opposite sides of the grooves, and intergroove slots connect neighboring grooves in an arrangement to provide venting passages for steam forming a zigzag course which bypasses the refining zone between the refining disks.

Abstract: A method of digesting waste paper is disclosed wherein waste paper is digested in a gas-tight container at an elevated pressure supplied by compressed gas introduced to the container. The digestion mixture is circulated within the pulper by a rotor having vanes or helical surfaces.

Abstract: Supported drugs with an increased dissolution rate, prepared by a process comprising mixing the drug with the support material under dry conditions, co-grinding the mixture in a mill with its grinding chamber saturated with the vapour of one or more solvents able to solubilize the drug or to be adsorbed on the surface of the support material, vacuum-drying the product obtained, and sieving. The drugs obtained in this manner have a reduced heat of fusion, a reduced melting point, an increased dissolution rate and an increased solubilization kinetics.

Abstract: The method permits recovery of spent foundry sand for reuse by eliminating, by combustion, the organic and carbon substances with which the spent sand is impregnated; spent sand, after grinding to a uniform grain size, is placed into a cylindrical container (2) inclined with respect to the vertical and rotated slowly (4-6 revolutions per minute); then, a stream of oxygen is blown into the base of the container through a distributor (5) which uniformly distributes it into the spent sand mass (20), and local combustion is initiated on the surface of the sand mass, at the top of container, by a burner (31); finally the burner is extinguished whilst the delivery of the oxygen stream is maintained and the combustion proceeds and feeds itself by the effect of a progressive descent of the flame front (30) towards the base of the container until complete destruction of the organic and carbon substances contained in the sand has taken place.

Abstract: A mill inert apparatus for preventing the explosion of a mill inert apparatus which comprises a drain separator and a drain trap for separating and removing drain contained in an inert vapor, and a drain discharge route for discharging the separated drain. Furthermore, a method for preventing the explosion of a coal pulverizer which comprises the step of introducing an inert medium into the coal pulverizer in specific operation stages so that an oxygen concentration in the coal pulverizer may be in the range of from 13% to 15%.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fine grinding materials normally difficult to grind at ambient temperature, e.g. plastic and elastomeric materials in a fluid classification type impact mill utilizing liquid cryogen to pre-cool the material to be ground, to cool the material and the mill during grinding and to recycle vaporized cryogen from the mill back into the mill as the medium for conveying material to be ground into the mill.

Abstract: A method for the high volume manufacture of Fe-B-R-T alloy powders without sacrificing the resultant magnetic properties (such as intrinsic magnetic coercivity) of the alloy involves hydrogen decrepitation of vacuum cast or die-upset billets of the alloy. Hydriding is carried out at a partial pressure of hydrogen of between 250 and 760 mm Hg at 100.degree. to 500.degree. C. for 30 minutes to 6 hours or longer, depending upon load size. Dehydriding occurs in a vacuum below 10.sup.-2 mm Hg or in an inert atmosphere possessing a partial pressure of hydrogen below 10.sup.-2 mm Hg. The alloy powder is preferably incorporated in matrix or composite magnets by the addition of a binder prior to pressing and orienting. The binder may set during pressing in a hot die, or by heating after pressing in a cold die.

Abstract: An apparatus and novel method for processing medical waste materials comprising an elongate pressure vessel of generally cylindrical configuration having an inlet end, and a closely fitting closure member for the inlet. An elongate drum of generally cylindrical configuration is mounted in the vessel for rotation about its longitudinal axis, which drum can be selectively driven in either rotative direction. The longitudinal axis of the drum is disposed at a slight angle of incline to the horizontal, placing the inlet end at a slightly higher elevation than the opposite end. A helically configured member is disposed along the interior perimeter of said drum, such that during rotation of the drum in a first rotative direction, the helically configured member moves the waste material in a direction away from the inlet end of the drum, whereas during rotation of the drum in the second rotative direction, the helically configured member moves the waste material toward the inlet.

Abstract: In a rare earth-iron-boron alloy magnet powder, each individual particle includes a recrystallized grain structure containing a R.sub.2 Fe.sub.14 B intermetallic compound phase as a principal phase thereof, wherein R represents a rare earth element. The intermetallic compound phase are formed of recrystallized grains of a tetragonal crystal structure having an average crystal grain size of 0.05 .mu.m to 50 .mu.m. For producing the above magnet powder, a rear earth-iron-boron alloy material is first prepared. Then, hydrogen is occluded inot the alloy material by holding the material at a temperature of 500.degree. C. to 1,000.degree. C. either in an atmosphere of hydrogen gas or in an atmosphere of hydrogen and inert gases. Subsequently, the alloy material is subjected to dehydrogenation at a temperature of 500.degree. C. to 1,000.degree. C. until the pressure of hydrogen in the atmosphere is decreased to no greater than 1.times.10.sup.-1 torr, and is subjected to cooling.

Abstract: A reactive metal such as zirconium, hafnium, and titanium is subjected to comminution in a closed chamber containing a non-reactive gas modified by the addition of an amount of a vaporized liquid hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A method of performing granulating, coating, drying of a powdry or granular material having a relatively minute particle diameter and an apparatus therefor. A nozzle for supplying the powdery or granular material and a nozzle for supplying a coating liquid are parallelly provided at adjacent positions where air streams dispersed from the both nozzles are not in contact with each other and directed to the interior of a processing cylinder. The two nozzles are connected to compressed air sources independently of each other. Drying air-stream blow-in openings are provided on the way from collision of the powdery or granular material and the coating material to catching thereof. Drying air streams are supplied from a direction tangent to the processing cylinder having a circular section.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making a compacted, redispersible, aramid pulp fiber product wherein aramid pulp is opened using the forces of a turbulent air grinding mill and then the opened pulp is compacted to the extent desired for shipping.

Abstract: Useless refrigerators or other commodities which contain or consist of polyurethane foam wherein the cells confine fluorochlorohydrocarbon gas are relieved of refrigerant and lubricant prior to being comminuted into 1 cm.sup.3 cubes or similar particles. The particles are classified in a suction chamber to segregate comminuted foam from metallic and/or plastic materials, and the particles of foam are thereupon ground and/or otherwise pulverized to a size in the range of 0.1 mm. This destroys the cells and releases the gas which is filtered, condensed and mixed with water prior to confinement in vessels.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is described for the manufacture of fibrous material containing ligno cellulose for the production of fibre boards by the dry process, wherein cleaned and mechanically dewatered starting material such as hacked chips, hacked shavings or the like pass into a preheating stage and are subsequently broken down into fibre material. In order to use the water which arises on mechanical dewatering of the cleaned starting material which contains lignocellulose in a manner which is particularly friendly to the environment and also particularly economical, provision is made for the water which arises on dewatering a starting material which is cleaned by a mechanical process to be fed completely to a preheating stage.

Abstract: To alter feedstock material, the material is exposed to laser radiation applied at a selected angle of incidence, intensity and wavelength related to the refractive index of the feedstock material. Fine uniform particles may be formed through vapor explosion and/or plasma formation and used by this method to coat surfaces, such as with paint or adhesive or to suply uniform small particles to a heat engine. Moreover, moving materials such as a column of liquid may be subjected to high internal pressure and temperature for creating physical and chemical changes.

Abstract: A process for the production of a coal-water mixture, which comprises dry-pulverizing coal under supply of hot air to form pulverized coal in which the proportion of particles having a particle size smaller than 200 .mu.m is at least 90%, in which the proportion of particles having a particle size smaller than 10 .mu.m is 10 to 60%, and making the pulverized coal and the hot air sucked in a mixed-air water jet stream.

Abstract: A reactive metal such as zirconium, hafnium, and titanium is subjected to comminution in a closed chamber containing a non-reactive gas modified by the addition of preferably somewhat less than one volume percent of water vapor.

Abstract: An improved centrifugal pneumatic comminutor including a housing containing a fan means operatively connected to a motor means, said housing having an inlet opening aligned with the axis of said fan and an outlet opening on the perimeter of said housing, an input conduit mounted to said housing surrounding said inlet opening including a frustal conically shaped section adjacent said housing, and an output conduit attached to said housing surrounding said outlet opening, the material to be comminuted being introduced into said input conduit and being drawn into said frustal conically shaped section by suction of said fan. The materials are comminuted in said iput conduit in a rotational impact area directly below said fan and thereafter are pulled through said fan and forced out said output conduit by the pressure of said fan. The fan means includes a ring member attached to the fan which rotatably mates with a journal means attached to the housing creating an air lock through the comminutor.

Abstract: Fibre material is defibrated and dispersed in an air flow and introduced through an inlet (2) into a forming head (1). In the forming head (1) the inlet transforms to a single-curved convex surface (5), which leads all the way to an accept outlet (6). A screen (7) is located at adjustable distance from the curved surface (5) for dividing ingoing fibre/air flow into accept and reject. An outlet (10) for the reject is located behind the screen (7). At a distance of 10-150 mm from the accept outlet (6) a running air-pervious support (27) is located, on which the web precipitates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a grinding method and to grinding apparatus using a ring mill, in which the air speed in an air ring surrounding the grinding track is chosen to be sufficiently low that a proportion of the material which has already been comminuted to the fineness of the finished product also falls downwards against the air stream and through the air ring, is mechanically elevated and subjected to separation, the resulting tailings being delivered back to the grinding track of the ring mill. Such a solution is distinguished by a substantially reduced pressure loss and accordingly a considerable saving of energy.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a pulverizer includes detecting the type of fuel being supplied to the pulverizer. At least one characteristic of the fuel is determined by a combination of measurements and calculations. One characteristic is moisture content which distinguishes one type of fuel, in particular, one type of coal, from another. The feeding rate of the fuel to the pulverizer is selected from a curve which plots primary air flow against percentage of rating for the pulverizer. This curve is constant for the pulverizer despite the types of fuel used.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to apparatus for crushing brittle material for grinding using a roller mill and a material bed roll mill for crushing the material for grinding falling downwards over the edge of the grinding track before it is delivered to the sifter. By the use of a material bed roll mill a considerable increase in the throughput capacity of the apparatus and a significant saving of energy can be achieved.

Abstract: A method of producing a particulate sterile material insulation or fertilizer, includes the step of comminuting a cellulose feed material such as paper, in a hammer mill so as to produce fine particles and fibres having a large surface area to volume ratio. The particulate material is entrained in an air stream to produce separate particles of the material, and the particulate material freely falls through an ultraviolet radiation flux for a period of time sufficient to substantially completely sterilize the particulate material. The product can be used in animal breeding sheds as floor insulation. The used material with animal droppings can be similarly processed to produce a sterile particulate fertilizer ingredient.

Abstract: Material is comminuted in a substantially dry state in a chamber (4) as a result of agitation by a rotor. During the process, gas is admitted to the chamber (4) through a foraminous base (8) to flow upwardly in a uniform manner across the cross-section of the chamber. Pulses of gas are directed periodically at the material through inlets (15) to prevent agglomeration of the material. The pressure of the gas admitted through the inlets (15) is higher than that admitted through the foraminous base (8). Surface active agents may be added to the material, also to prevent agglomeration, as well as, or instead of the use of pulsed gas.

Abstract: Pieces of aramid cloth impregnated with a blend of phenolic and polyvinyl butyral resins are cryogenically chilled to the point of embrittlement in a liquid nitrogen bath and then fed to a rotary impact mill to comminute the pieces into a fibrous material suitable for use in brake linings or other friction applications. The rotary impact mill is chilled by cold gaseous nitrogen from the liquid nitrogen bath, the flow of which is controlled in response to a thermocouple disposed near the mill exit.

Abstract: The apparatus operates to supply the air requirements for grinding a fuel material to the mill to guarantee the correct particle size and to decouple from the air emitted from the grinding apparatus a certain proportion so the combustion of the ground fuel material will be conducted at a ratio of less than the usual 3 to 1 ratio of air-to-fuel so the combustion can be controlled to reduce the nitrous oxide emission, the air that is decoupled is returned to the grinding apparatus with a supply of make up air that is heated for purposes of drying the material in the grinding apparatus.

Abstract: A method of controlling a bowl-mill crusher that has cylinders that remain in one position and roll over a rotating bowl with a predetermined force. Raw coal and primary air are supplied to the crusher and the crushed coal is removed from the crusher along with the primary air through a separator and supplied to burners through a pulverized-coal line. The pressure of the primary air where it enters the bowl-mill crusher is controlled in accordance with load and in a manner so that the pressure of the crushing cylinders against the bowl is decreased in a predetermined manner when the desired load-dependent level is not attained and is increased when the level is exceeded.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for pulverizing a solid fuel material introduced inside a vessel by means of a screw conveyor through a die opening within the vessel and in which is formed by extrusion a roll of compressed material, the latter being disintegrated by at least one gas jet injected under high pressure. According to the invention the gas is injected from the inside of the conveyor and in the axis of each die, each gas jet having a sufficient momentum to form substantially a cone centered on the axis of the roll widening from the inside of the latter, each roll being constituted by a hollow tube whose inner wall crumbles and takes the shape of the jet liberating particles which are sucked into the jet and introduced into the vessel. The invention is particularly applicable to supplying a gasifying reactor.

Abstract: A process for intensifying the grinding of coal by, prior to grinding, adjusting the water content of the coal to a value 0.05-2.5% by weight greater than the water content of the coal in an air-dry state.

Abstract: Rare earth magnet alloys are comminuted into fine particles at room tempeure up to about 400.degree. C. by placing the alloy into a vessel and pressurizing the vessel, hydriding the alloy, depressurizing the alloy to atmospheric pressure after the absorption of hydrogen and evacuating the vessel so that the absorbed hydrogen is given up leaving microfissures in the alloy, and comminution of the sample.