Abstract: The present invention describes a device for distributing a light phase in a heavy phase inside a reaction chamber (5) containing said heavy phase in the fluidized state, comprising a pipe (1) for conveying the light phase, said pipe (1) being cylindrical, and being open in its upper part via first and second rectangular openings (7, 8) pierced in the lateral wall of said pipe (1), the second openings (8) being extended by branches (6) perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the reaction chamber (5), and the pipe (1) being surmounted at its upper part by a convex head (9).

Abstract: A fluid distribution cap (301) for a fluidized bed reactor, comprising a tunnel shaped structure having two opposing walls for attaching to a fluid distribution plate (103), and at least one opening at an end of the tunnel shaped structure. The tunnel shaped structure has an inner surface (302) and an outer surface (303), wherein the inner surface (302) has a curved cross section, and wherein the outer surface (303) has a substantially V-shaped cross section. A fluid distribution plate (103) for a fluidized bed reactor, comprising a plate having a plurality of fluid vent holes (113), a plurality of fluid distribution caps (301), wherein for each fluid vent hole (113) a fluid distribution cap (301) is mounted over said hole (113). At least two mutually neighboring fluid distribution caps (301) are positioned with an opening of a first of the two neighboring fluid distribution caps facing a side of the second of the two neighboring fluid distribution caps.

Abstract: A system for using a pneumatic conveyor system to provide metered amounts of proppant to subterranean formation fracturing material blender in an offshore well environment. Plural pneumatic conveyor systems are provided which can be operated individually or in combination to provide the required amounts of proppant materials to blend with frac fluids.

Abstract: A continuous process and apparatus for treating dried coal and coal char to promote passivation of the reactive carbon particles by forming a protective oxide coating and simultaneously adding moisture to rehydrate said particles. The passivation process is conducted in a novel apparatus providing for the staged control of the reaction temperature and the staged introduction of both oxygen and moisture. The fluidized bed apparatus has internal in-bed cooling means embedded within the fluidized coal or coal char particles so as to remove the heat energy as it is released by virtue of the exothermic passivation reactions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to internals useful for minimizing bubble size in a bubbling fluidized bed reactor. One use for the invention is in an apparatus and method for producing trichlorosilane in which metallurgical grade silicon is reacted with hydrogen chloride gas and while being fluidized by the hydrogen chloride gas, thereby producing trichlorosilane.

Abstract: A drying apparatus for use with moisture absorbing crystals that draw moisture out of ambient air includes a main reservoir having a continuous side wall defining an interior area configured to contain the moisture absorbing crystals, the main reservoir having a bottom wall defining an outlet aperture. A collection reservoir is adjacent the bottom wall of the main reservoir, the collection reservoir defining an open top in operative communication with the outlet aperture of the main reservoir. A funnel member is situated intermediate the bottom wall of the main reservoir and the collection reservoir, the funnel member configured to receive and direct a moisture stream generated by the moisture absorbing crystals from the outlet aperture into the collection reservoir.

Abstract: A printing apparatus which performs printing by ejecting liquid onto a printing medium includes a gas flow generating section that generates a gas flow to collect and exhaust liquid not used for printing, and a gas-liquid separation cyclone that swirls the gas flow so that the liquid is centrifugally separated from a gas which moves along the gas flow, wherein the gas flow generating section exhausts the gas along the gas flow after the liquid is separated from the gas by the gas-liquid separation cyclone.

Abstract: A rotating apparatus (10) for drying a material (44) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the rotating apparatus (10) includes a generally cylindrical drum (12), a burner (20) having a burner head (22) at least partially disposed within the drum (10) and a plurality of elongated flights (26). The flights (26) are spaced-apart at pre-determined locations along an interior surface (16) of the drum (12). The length of the flights extends along the interior surface (16) of the drum (12). Optionally, a plurality of plates (28) may be utilized and positioned between the plurality of flights (26) and the interior surface (16) of the drum (12).

Abstract: A continuous gravity flow apparatus for heating and/or drying of particulate material is vertically disposed and is provided with an inlet at the top and an outlet at the bottom. The apparatus includes a flow passage for the particulate material which is defined between an outer housing and an inner housing. Each of the outer and inner housing defines perforated wall sections allowing for the flow of hot gas through the wall of one housing, into contact with the particulate material, and then out through the wall of the other housing. Manifolds are associated with the outer and inner housings to provide for uniform flow of the gas through the material. The perforated wall sections are positioned and designed to enhance particle-to-particle movement of the material to thereby avoid particle sticking and bridging problems.

Abstract: When separating steam and gas from a stream containing, possibly glue-coated, fibre pulp produced by a refiner, the hot fibre pulp is directly fed from the refiner to a separation cyclone (4) placed in a drying channel (2) for drying the fibre pulp. A hot drying air flow having substantially higher temperature, about 160° C., than the fibre pulp is blown through the drying channel so that the separation cyclone is surrounded by the hot drying air flow. The light steam containing fraction separated by the separation cyclone is conducted out of the separation cyclone via an outlet conduit (9) away from the hot drying air flow, whereas the separated heavy fibre containing fraction is conducted out of the separation cyclone directly into the hot drying air flow that entrains the heady fraction to a drying plant. Energy is recovered from the light steam containing fraction and ecologically harmful substances are separated from the latter.

Abstract: A continuous gravity flow apparatus for heating and/or drying of particulate material is vertically disposed and is provided with an inlet at the top and an outlet at the bottom. The apparatus includes a flow passage for the particulate material which is defined between an outer housing and an inner housing. Each of the outer and inner housing defines perforated wall sections allowing for the flow of hot gas through the wall of one housing, into contact with the particulate material, and then out through the wall of the other housing. Manifolds are associated with the outer and inner housings to provide for uniform flow of the gas through the material. The perforated wall sections are positioned and designed to enhance particle-to-particle movement of the material to thereby avoid particle sticking and bridging problems.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a method of controlling the moisture of tobacco material comprises a hollow rotating cylinder (6) having an inlet (4) and an outlet (8) for tobacco material, and a feeding device for supplying a moist air flow into the rotating cylinder (6) such that the moist air flow runs out from the inlet (4) toward the outlet (8) within the rotating cylinder (6). Temperature and relative humidity of the moist air flow supplied into the rotating cylinder (6) are within the range of 40-80° C. and 80-95%, respectively.

Abstract: A bubble cap assembly for use in fluidized bed boilers, furnaces, or reactors, has a bubble cap, a stem, and at least one pin. One end of the stem is inserted into the bubble cap. The bubble cap has outlet holes for delivering a fluidizing medium, typically into a bed of granulated material, but which prevent backsifting of the granulated material into the bubble cap. The bubble cap also has at least one insertion hole, through which a pin may be inserted. When the pin is inserted through the bubble cap insertion hole, it also occupies a groove or indentation on the stem thereby preventing separation or disassembly of the bubble cap and stem combination. An elastic gasket may be provided between the bubble cap and stem to form a fluid tight connection.

Abstract: In order to create a solid-bow centrifuge for mechanical drainage and thermal drying of sludges, in which the possibility of clumping or of bake-on of the finely dispersed thick matter spun off from the thick matter outlet openings is minimized or prevented, according to the invention it is proposed to provide in the flight path of the spun off thick matter, a baffle cone surrounding the thick matter outlet openings at a distance and which rotates at a high circumferential velocity, that is, preferably it rotates together with the basket shell, and whose inner, ring-shaped, rotating conical surface accelerates the arriving thick matter and prevents solids bake-on.

Abstract: A combined fluidized bed dryer and absorption bed allows an absorbant to be dried to remove any moisture therefrom immediately followed by treating a product material with the dried absorbant, all in the same vessel, such that the absorbant is at its optimum dryness prior to treating the product material therewith The invention has particular application in the ophthalmic lens production where the absorbant is alumina and is used to remove methacrylic acid from liquid monomer prior to using the monomer in producing lenses.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for bringing particulate material into contact with a moving fluid in an annular processing zone to create processed material. The zone has a base and the process includes generating a circumferentially directed flow of gas in the zone to develop a circumferentially circulating turbulent bed of particulate material within the processing zone. Particulate material is supplied to the processing zone so that the particulate material is circulated in the processing zone to provide a predictable particle flow path both circumferential of the processing zone and helically of the zone.

Abstract: Apparatus for agglomerating and drying particulate material, including an agglomerator (4) for forming and discharging wet granules of a predetermined size or smaller, and a dryer (12). The agglomerator utilizes a rotary blade assembly (100) that repeatedly impacts and cuts the wet mixture of material to be agglomerated, which is forced radially outward through the blade assembly under centrifugal and air pressure force. Wet granules pass through an annular screen (104) where they reach a predetermined maximum size. The dryer has an inlet (50) for wet granules from the agglomerator, an outlet (78) for granules having passed through the dryer, and one or more baffles (64) within the dryer defining a spiral path through which the granules pass from the dryer inlet towards the dryer outlet. The baffles are configured such that their pitch increases with distance from the dryer inlet, whereby the cross-sectional area of the spiral path increases toward the dryer outlet.

Abstract: A hot shelf tower dryer includes a casing having substantially parallel shelves which alternately extend from opposite ends of the tower casing to form a repetitively convoluted passage. At least one of the shelves has a hollow interior or chamber. Disposed in the chamber is at least one electrical heating element, where the power supplied to the heating element is regulated by a control system. As controlled, the electrical heating elements provide sufficient output to the tower casing which result in a substantially constant temperature throughout the passage. With the heating elements, the hot shelf tower dryer does not require the burning of natural gas or some other fossil fuel to heat the tower dryer unless such heating is desired to heat the forced air that conveys the cotton through dryer. As a result, in comparison with hot shelf tower dryer's that use fossil fuels as a heating source, pollutant emissions, such as nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions, are eliminated or at least significantly reduced.

Abstract: Process for radial distribution of fluid into a fluid mass wherein fluid is radially conveyed within and isolated from the fluid mass and discharged via a plurality of distribution points located radially in the fluid mass.

Abstract: A inclined rotary drum mixer has flights for forming a veiling pattern of particles across the width of the drum for a substantial axial extent. The drum has a burner for flowing hot gases of combustion in heat transfer contact with the particle or aggregate veil. A diverter or interceptor is disposed in the drum for interrupting the cascading or veiling pattern to define a channel for flow of hot combustion gases free of heat transfer contact with the particles of the veiling pattern. By controlling the magnitude of the channel formed by the interceptor or diverter, the average exhaust gas temperature of the exhaust gases may be controlled.

Abstract: A method is provided in which particulate matter is dried in a high velocity cyclonic dryer having inner and/or outer ring deflectors. Contemplated initial air stream velocities are at least about 100 feet per second, with more preferred velocities at least 300 feet per second, and still more preferred embodiments at least 500 feet per second. In one aspect of preferred embodiments the combination of high velocity air flow and ring deflectors advantageously provides significant drying of the particulate matter using both relatively low temperatures and relatively short transit times. Contemplated temperatures of the air stream entering the dryer are between about 50.degree. F. and about 300.degree. F., with more preferred temperatures between about 60.degree. F. and about 150.degree. F., and still more preferred temperatures between about 70.degree. F. and about 120.degree. F.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of granulates by fluidized bed spray granulation and to a device for this purpose. Liquid starting materials may be converted into granulates by fluidized bed spray granulation. In order to ensure elevated material throughput, numerous nozzles, which are moreover susceptible to plugging and encrustation, must be installed.The disadvantages of known processes may be overcome according to the invention by arranging at least two spray nozzles at least partially directed towards each other in such a manner and the quantity of spray is adjusted in such a manner that their spray jets collide within the fluidized bed and substantially no liquid strike-through occurs onto a surface delimiting the fluidized bed or out of the fluidized bed. The spray jets of two spray nozzles directed towards each other collide frontally or enclose an angle of less than 180.degree.; the angle is preferably between 150.degree. and 180.degree..

Abstract: The present invention provides a particulate drying method and drying apparatus, which can disperse particulates in the drying apparatus, prolong the particulate residence time, and improve the drying conditions, while retaining the advantages of conventional flash dryers.

Abstract: A fluid-bed drying unit, particularly but not exclusively used in the field of tobacco drying comprising a drying chamber having a loading inlet and an outlet for discharging the product and provided with openings for the passage of a drying medium. The drying chamber has a substantially tubular shape extending along a longitudinal axis and a substantially triangular vertical cross-sectional shape; the longitudinal axis is substantially inclined with respect to a horizontal axis and means are provided to inject a drying fluid substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A hot shelf tower dryer includes a casing having substantially parallel shelves which alternately extend from opposite ends of the tower casing. As configured, the dryer includes a repetitively convoluted passage. At least one of the shelves has a hollow interior or chamber. Disposed in the chamber is at least one electrical heating element, where the power supplied to the heating element is regulated by a control system. As controlled, the electrical heating elements provide sufficient output to the tower casing which result in a substantially constant temperature throughout the passage. With the heating elements, the hot shelf tower dryer does not require the burning of natural gas or some other fossil fuel to heat the tower dryer unless such heating is desired to heat the forced air that conveys the cotton through dryer. As a result, in comparison with hot shelf tower dryer's that use fossil fuels as a heating source, pollutant emissions, such as nitrous oxide (NO.sub.

Abstract: Apparatus for agglomerating and drying particulate material, including an agglomerator (4) for forming and discharging wet granules of a predetermined size or smaller, and a dryer (12). The agglomerator utilizes a rotary blade assembly (100) that repeatedly impacts and cuts the wet mixture of material to be agglomerated, which is forced radially outward through the blade assembly under centrifugal and air pressure force. Wet granules pass through an annular screen (104) where they reach a predetermined maximum size. The dryer has an inlet (50) for wet granules from the agglomerator, an outlet (78) for granules having passed through the dryer, and one or more baffles (64) within the dryer defining a spiral path through which the granules pass from the dryer inlet towards the dryer outlet. The baffles are configured such that their pitch increases with distance from the dryer inlet, whereby the cross-sectional area of the spiral path increases toward the dryer outlet.

Abstract: In a process for processing particulate material with a stream of fluid in an annular processing zone, which includes the steps of supplying the particulate material for processing in the zone, discharging processed material from the zone and generating in the zone a circumferentially directed flow of fluid to develop a circulating turbulent band of particles, an improvement to the processing zone which provides a predictable particle flow path both circumferentially and helically of the zone. The improvement comprises directing the flow of fluid to develop a circulating bed with inner bed depth and outer bed depth, a flow of fluid directed at an angle relative to the processing zone base and controlling fluid velocity so that it is greater than the terminal velocity of larger particles point of impact on the bed base and less than the terminal velocity of smaller particles in the superficial space above the bed upper surface.

Abstract: A method for treating material comprising starch and starch-bearing products wherein the products are introduced to a thermal processor comprising a housing defining an inner wall surface, an inlet end, an outlet end, and an agitator rotatable within the housing adapted to direct the material into contact with the inner wall surface. The inner wall surface is heated and nozzles associated with the agitator are used for discharging fluid from the nozzles into contact with the material during rotation of the agitator. Heating to obtain treatment of the material is provided by contact with the inner wall surface and by controlling the fluid discharge from the nozzles to create turbulence for spreading the material over a broad surface area of the inner wall surface to enhance and render substantially uniform the heat exchange between the material, the fluid, and the inner wall surface, and to control mass transfer between the fluid and the material.

Abstract: A bed (6; 78) of particulate material, which is supported by a gas distribution bottom (9; 75), is located utilizing a treatment gas, which via ducts (19; 35; 77) is conducted in sectionalized manner to and directed up through the gas distribution bottom and the bed of material from one or several underlying compartments (15; 76). The flow of the treatment gas through each duct (19; 35; 77) is self regulated by means of a flow regulator (21) provided in each duct. It is thereby obtained that the total pressure loss across the gas distribution bottom can be reduced, that the flow of the treatment gas through the material bed is distributed in a desirable and well-defined manner across the entire gas distribution bottom regardless of the composition of the material bed and the distribution thereon, and that tunnel formations are avoided.

Abstract: A device for the aerobic treatment, conditioning and/or drying of moist, substantially solid or paste-like, at least partly organic material, has a vessel containing paired, Venetian-blind-like walls, with adjustable blades, forming at least one reaction chamber, at least one air inlet chamber and at least one air discharge chamber, and containing supports which are in spatially staggered array inside the reaction chamber in such a way that they provide the best possible pressure relief for the filling. The invention also relates to a process using said device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating fluid from a device such as a spherical shaped semiconductor integrated circuit. To this end, one embodiment provides a first area for receiving the device, a reducing area registering with the first area, a first passage centered in the reducing area, and a second passage adjacent the first passage. The pressure inside the first area is greater than the pressure inside the reducing area. Also, the pressure inside the first passage is greater than the pressure inside the second passage. The device moves through the first area and into the reducing area. Once in the reducing area, the device is inclined to enter the first passage while at least part of the fluid is inclined to enter the second passage. As a result, the fluid is thereby separated from the device.

Abstract: The position of a printed web passing through an elongated dryer is shifted laterally during passage of the web through the dryer. A component of the resultant of all of the frictional forces acting on the web is caused to point in the lateral direction of the desired web shaft. This resultant of the frictional forces is obtainable by changing the spacing of blower nozzles, or by changing the pressure of discharged drying fluid across the width of the web.

Abstract: A bed plate for a fluid bed apparatus comprises a great plurality of bulges or dents each having at least one through-going gas flow opening defined therein. Conventional bed plates having openings of the gill type inevitably comprises small cracks or notches formed in the edge portion defining each of the gas flow openings. According to the invention the gas flow openings are formed in the bulges or dents in a manner so as to exclude the formation of such notches in the edge portion. This may, for example, be done by forming such openings with crack free edges prior to or after the formation of the bulges or dents. Thus, the openings may be formed by punching, drilling, laser cutting or the like. Each of the gas flow openings is directed in relation to the plane of the bed plate so as to cause a flow of gas, which is passed through the opening, to contact an adjacent part of the bed plate, which interconnects the bulges or dents.

Abstract: An improved fluidized bed reactor having a reactor shell and a reaction chamber within the shell, the reaction chamber having chamber walls and a chamber bottom portion, the improvement comprising at least one baffle disposed within the reaction chamber, the baffle comprising a pair of outer refractory walls, an inner refractory wall between and contiguous with the outer refractory walls, and a metallic reinforcement member embedded within the inner refractory wall, the inner and outer walls being attached to at least the chamber bottom portion.

Abstract: A bed plate for a fluidized bed defines a plurality of substantially uniformly distributed openings therein for allowing fluidizing gas to flow upwardly through the plate. The openings are divided into pairs and directed and shaped so that the gas flows through the openings of each pair are directed in converging relationship, thereby to create a resultant flow component which is directed towards a discharging position of the fluidized bed. The desired resultant flow component may be obtained by properly selecting the direction and shape of the openings in each pair of openings. The gas flows through the openings in each pair may, for example, define an angle of 60.degree. to 120.degree. therebetween.

Abstract: A downcomer including a tubular member oriented vertically and extending downwardly from a fluidized grid and including a lower portion provided with an inclined opening formed at a first angle with respect to the tubular member, and a flapper valve including an upper portion and a lower portion formed at a second angle with respect to the upper valve portion, the upper portion of the flapper valve is mounted pivotally to the tubular member at a position to normally place the lower portion of the flapper valve in engagement with and closing the inclined opening.

Abstract: A fluid bed dryer comprises a bed plate (12) defining openings or perforations (22) therein, means (16) for feeding a pulverulent or particulate product (P) to the bed plate (13), means (12, 14) for directing fluidizing gas flows upwardly through said openings or perforations (22) so as to fluidize the product fed thereto, and means (17, 19) for discharging product (p) from the bed plate (13). The bed plate (13) comprises at least one bed plate section, each of which is divided into elongated zones (32, 34-36) extending substantially between first and second positions of the plate section. First and/or second pluralities (22b22a) of the openings or perforations (22) are substantially uniformly distributed over the area of each of at least some (34-36) of said zones and are directed and shaped so as to impart to the fluidizing gas flows a flow component which is directed generally towards said first and second positions, respectively.