Abstract: A dry bulk cement storage and mixing system comprises one or more generally cylindrical storage tanks or bins having somewhat wedge shaped bottom discharge sections with tapered flight conveyor screws extending across the diameter of the bin at the convergence of opposed sloping sidewalls of the bottom section. The conveyor screw is connected to a pneumatic fluidizing plenum wherein compressed air is introduced into the plenum for conveying material to a mixer or recirculating the material back into a selected storage tank through a distributor device mounted on top of the tank which distributes the material to minimize segregation of smaller or less dense particles during discharge of the material into the storage tank. One embodiment of the storage tank is mounted for rotation about a generally horizontal axis and includes a transversely extending cement unloading and vent conduit extending within the tank chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for blending a material feed and/or separating debris from a material feed is disclosed in which a feed separator is used with a blender and/or debris separator. The feed separator separates a feed from the conveying air flow which conveys the feed and the conveying air flow, devoid of feed, is then used to blend the conveyed feed and/or separate debris therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing concrete which includes a tank having at least a portion thereof which permits the inside of the tank to be visually observed from the outside of the tank. An inlet is disposed in the top of the tank for inserting concrete ingredients. An outlet is disposed in the bottom of the tank for permitting the mixed concrete to be withdrawn from a chamber inside the tank. The tank includes seals for selectively sealing all openings into the chamber of the tank and an opening is provided for introducing air under pressure into a lower portion of the tank for the purpose of being able to mix the concrete using such air pressure.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the cooling of softly packaged food-stuffs, such as pouches with foods, said pouches are immersed inside a tank (52) into a cooling liquid with a density that is lower than that of the pouches. A floor is arranged inside the tank above the tank bottom so as to support the pouches, which floor comprises a grid (14). At least one jet (15) is arranged between the tank floor and the grid, said jet being adapted to eject liquid in a generally upward direction, and said jet during the ejection being moved so as to vary the flow pattern inside the tank. The motion of the jet provides an exceptionally good cooling effect, which is believed to be attributable to a combination of advantageous circumstances, viz. that no pouch is constantly stationary and that the pouches do not cover the surfaces of other pouches.The motion of the jets can be provided by a mechanically relatively simple arrangement, in which the jets are mounted on arms (16), which arms are rotated around a vertical axis (17).

Abstract: An aseptic storage tank includes a draught tube into which food product enters in use. By increasing and decreasing relative pressure in the headpiece of the tube the contents in the tube are forced into and out of the tank to keep the food product therein in motion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for adjustably controlling the rate of circulation and temperature gradient in a fluidized bed.

Abstract: A chip separation and alignment apparatus capable of accurately and readily accomplishing separation and alignment of chips with a simple construction. The apparatus includes a chip separation and alignment section and a chip separation section. The chip separation and alignment section includes a chip cassette formed into a flat rectangular box-like shape, in which are formed a chip storage chamber, a chip alignment hole provided with an upper end opening through which the chip alignment hole is communicated with a lower portion of the chip storage chamber and a lower end opening, and at least one air ejection port arranged near the upper end opening to intermittently eject air therethrough. The chip separation section is arranged at the lower end opening of the chip alignment hole to separate chips one by one and to successively supply the separated chips to a subsequent step.

Abstract: Pressurized air is applied to dry granular materials as they enter the top of a vessel to mix the materials together and the mixed materials continuously flow out of the vessel through a bottom discharge opening.

Abstract: A vertically oriented generally cylindrical vessel or hopper holds dry granular materials which are mixed together by applying repeated short bursts of pressurized air from nozzles in an air manifold which direct the air substantially parallel or slightly inward to the longitudinal axis of the hopper to repeatedly lift and drop the materials in the hopper to create a tumbling action. Adjustable throttling valve means are provided in the pressurized input to the manifold to control the air flow to and the pressure at the manifold.

Abstract: A pressurized fluid is injected into a mass of material through at least one length of hose or other tubing of inherently resilient, elastomer material having one end closed and provided with at least one series of potential openings cut into the elastomer material along the length of the tubing so as to be normally tightly closed by reason of the resilency of the elastomer material but stretched open under the influneces of the pressurized fluid, which is introduced through the opposite end of the length of tubing. Gravity discharge of particulate material from a vessel having a hopper portion at its bottom can be effectively activated in this manner by the fluid-injection device of the invention.

Abstract: A modularly constructed, trailerable, skid mounted, multi-compartmented concrete mixer and cement storage silo having a plurality of longitudinally aligned, bottom mounted, driven feed chains. In a combination construction, a single motor is cooperatively coupled to the feed chains of each mixer compartment and the feed chain of the cement silo to feed the cement/sand/aggregate in metered quantities to a turreted, separately powered auger where water is added and along the length of which the concrete is mixed. A silo vent column includes a plurality of fabric collection filters and means for vibrationally removing and reclaiming the cement. Air infiltration ports mounted along the bottom of the cement silo and one or more vibrators mounted to the mixer adjacent the sand and aggregate bins prevents crusting. Alternatively, the silo may be self-powered, and/or the mixer and silo may be transported independent of one another and/or without the trailer.

Abstract: A dry bulk cement storage and mixing system comprises one or more generally cylindrical storage tanks or bins having somewhat wedge shaped bottom discharge sections with tapered flight conveyor screws extending across the diameter of the bin at the convergence of opposed sloping sidewalls of the bottom section. The conveyor screw is connected to a pneumatic fluidizing plenum wherein compressed air is introduced into the plenum for conveying material to a mixer or recirculating the material back into a selected storage tank through a distributor device mounted on top of the tank which distributes the material to minimize segregation of smaller or less dense particles during discharge of the material into the storage tank. One embodiment of the storage tank is mounted for rotation about a generally horizontal axis and includes a transversely extending cement unloading and vent conduit extending within the tank chamber.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for maintaining or restoring freshness of vegetables wherein at least part of the vegetable body is immersed into low temperature water supersaturated with air dissolved therein by blowing air in water through pores having a size range of from 0.1 to 10 microns in diameter.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a process for the blending of bulk materials by means of a jet gas blender, whereby the blending porcess is initiated only when full gas pressure is reached and when the valve immediately upstream of the storage tank (3) has been closed. At the end of the set time period "t.sub.1 " the valve (4) leading to the blending container (6) is closed in effect simultaneously and the valve (4.1) leading to the storage tank (3) is reopened, whereby the blended material settles in the blending container (6) without being disturbed by turbulence in this control position and whereby this phase is maintained for a set period of time.Only at the end of that period of time is the line cross-section leading to the filter (8) opened to allow exhaust air to go through, and its passage is thereby adjusted so that the quantity of exhaust air going through the filter remains approximately constant per time unit.

Abstract: A fermentation vessel comprises an outer shell, and an annular draft tube located within the shell and spaced therefrom to promote continuous circulation of fluids through said draft tube within said shell. The draft tube has an internal cavity located within its walls. The cavity is connected to a fluid supply conduit that extends externally of the shell. A plurality of discrete nozzles are disposed about the circumference of the tube and communicate with the cavity to permit egress of fluids from the cavity to the interior of the shell to promote circulation.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for making hard, dense, vitreous molasses-based animal feed supplement masses, the method comprising heating a molasses composition to a temperature within the range of about 240.degree. F. to about 285.degree. F. to remove all of the water content of the molasses that is necessary to form the desired vitreous masses. A portion of the heating process may be accompanied by an injection of ambient air into the molasses composition being heated. Immediately after heating, the molasses composition is cooled, agitated and de-aerated by directing the molasses composition through a cooler and de-aerator including a conduit in which is positioned an offset beater shaft assembly adapted to separate portions of the composition from the remainder thereof while directing cooling air through the conduit about said portions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for improved in-car slurrying of dry bulk powder is described. The apparatus includes a plurality of mutually spaced conduits which extend downwardly from a manifold through the center of each hopper compartment in a hopper car, each conduit opening about one foot above the bottom of the compartment. As water is admitted at the bottom of each compartment, air under pressure is dispensed through the conduits to aerate the center of the bulk powder in each compartment, and the conduits themselves provide a path for the water upwardly through the center of the bulk powder.

Abstract: A continuous precess and apparatus for preparing a gypsum slurry of water and finely divided high purity gypsum for use in an irrigation system wherein the gypsum and water are mixed by vigorous agitation in a tank or the like. Means are provided to create a quiescent zone in the tank that extends from at least the mid-section of the tank to the upper region thereof for discharge of the slurry so that agitation of the slurry mix within the tank does not interfere with an even discharge of the slurry from the tank.

Abstract: A chip separation and alignment apparatus capable of accurately and readily accomplishing separation and alignment of chips with a simple construction. The apparatus includes a chip separation and alignment section and a chip separation section. The chip separation and alignment section includes a chip cassette formed into a flat rectangular box-like shape, in which are formed a chip storage chamber, a chip alignment hole provided with an upper end opening through which the chip alignment hole is communicated with a lower portion of the chip storage chamber and a lower end opening, and at least one air ejection port arranged near the upper end opening to intermittenly eject air therethrough. The chip separation section is arranged at the lower end opening of the chip alignment hole to separate chips one by one and to successively supply the separated chips to a subsequent step.

Abstract: A system for supplying a gas under pressure to a vessel such as a blender for particulate material which includes a central vertical lift column for recirculating material through the vessel to achieve blending. The system uses a first source of gas under pressure which may be a low pressure source suitable for a continuous operation of the blending apparatus. The system also is connected to a high pressure source of air such as plant air which is utilized as a supplemental source of air under pressure for initial start-up of the apparatus. A control system is provided which regulates the flow of the high pressure air to the gas supply conduit which acts as a reservoir for high pressure air. The control system allows the gas supply conduit to be pressurized.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the batchwise production of aerated sweets in a pressure-beating machine, wherein--according to the invention--the sugar mass to be aerated is boiled with the omission of an underpressure treatment, is conducted to the pressure-beating container and brought in this to the required residual water content and the required further processing temperature at underpressure before the beating, whereupon a beating of the mass takes place in the pressure-beating machine.

Abstract: A diffusing apparatus is adapted for vertically adjustable relation with a fog tower. A separate second corrosive fluid is emitted from plural outlets spaced approximately 45.degree. apart along the exterior of the diffusing apparatus. The outlets direct the second corrosive fluid in a generally planar direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fog tower for optimum uniform dispersion either alone or intermixing with a first corrosive fluid emitted from the fog tower.

Abstract: A fluid diffuser for dispersing gas bubbles or liquid droplets into a body of receiving liquid in a tank. The diffuser includes a fluid-emitting member for communication with the body of receiving liquid, which member defines a fluid plenum. A portion of at least one of the walls of the fluid-emitting member is porous and has a foraminous outer surface, to permit the passage of fluid from the plenum into the body of liquid. A slot-forming chamber has a wall that defines a narrow, elongated slot extending parallel to the foraminous outer surface of the plenum-defining wall of the fluid-emitting member, with the foraminous outer surface lying primarily outside the slot. Fluid supplied under pressure to the plenum flows out through the porous wall portion to produce small nascent fluid spheroids on the foraminous surface of that portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for continuously processing boiled and vacuumized confectinery masses, especially bonbon masses like hard and soft caramel masses, fondant masses, etc., in a mixer, which the mass being processed travels through while simultaneously being supplied with compressed air, whereby the inside of the mixer is kept pressurized in accordance with the invention by regulating the mixer outlet.

Abstract: An aeration device is disclosed for assisting discharge of material from containers. The device comprises a resilient flexible skirt member which has an inner conical surface and an outer conical surface. An anchor stud is disclosed for fastening the skirt member in the prestressed condition with the stud secured to a cup-shaped housing on an exterior of the container. A gas conduit connects an interior of the cup member and the pressure chamber with a source of a pressurized gas.

Abstract: In a stirring device of liquid material, of circulation type comprising a return pipe inserted in a stirring tank, and a feeding pipe connected to bottom portion of the stirring tank, so that the liquid material fed through the feeding pipe is returned to the return pipe, an expanded part having inner diameter larger than that of the return pipe is provided at top end of the return pipe, and plurality of holes having the total opening diameter larger than the lateral sectional area of the return pipe are bored on both sides of outer circumferential portion of the expanded part. Two reverse circulation streams in the horizontal direction are formed within the circulation tank, and the liquid material is circulated through the feeding pipe and the return pipe, thereby the stirring is performed well without involving the excessive air.

Abstract: In a pneumatic mixing apparatus for bulk materials, filter apparatus comprises a plurality of tube filters which are disposed each beneath a reverse cleaning nozzle. Venturi nozzles fastened to a perforated plate project into each tube filter coaxially with the latter. An external supporting frame is also fastened to the perforated plate and at its bottom end embraces the tube filters in a plurality of coplanar rings affixed to one another.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for the mixing of a slurry in a tank having a conical bottom along the axis of the tank, and air-lift pipe is provided which is supplied at its lower end with compressed air to induce an upward flow of the slurry and air mixture through the pipe during start up of a mixing operation. Thus an injection is cut off when steady state is reached and air is injected at an upper level in the pipe located in the upper third of the length thereof but below the upper eighth for continuing mixing operation.

Abstract: Double silo with an inner silo part and an outer silo part which surrounds it annularly. A central mixing chamber for the material emanating from the inner silo area and an annular mixing chamber for the material emanating from the outer silo area are located within the silo dividing wall separating the two silo parts and at the bottom in the inner silo part.

Abstract: A pneumatic conveying and material blending system and method which includes a bin having an open-ended vertical column mounted therein with the bottom of the column being spaced from the bottom of the bin. The material inlet is located in the bottom of the bin and a pneumatic conveying system supplies material to be blended from a source of the material inlet and conveys the material upwardly through the column so that material is discharged from the top of the column in the manner of a geyser whereby it is spread over the top surface of material already in the bin. The material already in the bin is drawn into the bottom of the column so that material already in the bin is blended with material being conveyed to the bin. A deflector is positioned over the top of the column to aid in spreading the incoming material. Booster gas can be supplied through a section of the bin adjacent the bottom of the column.

Abstract: A granulating and coating machine for use in granulation, coating, mixing, drying etc. of powdery or granular materials. The machine includes a casing for holding the powdery or granular raw materials, a rotator for performing granulation or coating arranged at the bottom of the casing and formed with at least one ventilating porition, an annular slit formed between the periphery of the rotator and the inner wall of the casing. A gas flow adjusting mechanism including two separated ducts for gas flow is provided in order to control independently the rate of gas fed through the ventilating portion and the slit gas fed through the slit. An agitator for agitating the powdery or granular materials and a disintegrator for breaking undesirously large particles of the powdery or granular materials may be provided above the rotator. The slit may be formed by an annular slit forming ring mounted on the inner wall of the casing.

Abstract: Mixing silo for pneumatically homogenizing fine-grained or dust-like material, the bottom of which comprises groups of aeration zones which can be alternately supplied with compressed air in such a manner that in each group a bottom zone partially limited by the outer limit of the silo bottom is heavily aerated and a bottom zone located between the heavily aerated bottom zones is aerated only weakly. An even, progressive circulation of the entire silo contents with little expenditure of energy is achieved by separating the heavily aeratable bottom zones from each other with a star-shaped, exclusively weakly aeratable bottom zone and by constructing the outlet as an overflow.

Abstract: A combined storage silo and homogenizing device for powdery materials such as cement raw meal. A silo is divided into an upper storage vessel and a lower homogenizing chamber. The storage silo has a slab floor having a plurality of spaced apart openings therein which serve as outlets for the vessel and communicate with inlets for the homogenizing chamber. The homogenizing chamber includes a small pneumatic blending device having a lateral outlet in its bottom feeding blended material to a column having a top outlet for the device.

Abstract: Gaseous chlorine is blended with a paper pulp slurry flow stream for pulp bleaching by mixing the chlorine with a larger quantity of steam prior to blending the chlorine/steam gas mixture with bleach washer filtrate which serves as carrier water for a multiplied number of gas bubbles entrained in the filtrate. As the cooler filtrate water extracts heat from the mixed gas bubble, the steam constituent condenses to collapse each bubble to a fraction of the original volume thereby providing a larger number of smaller chlorine bubbles than otherwise available from conventional phase mixing injectors.The mixed phase flow stream of chlorine and filtrate is thereafter blended with the pulp slurry flow stream by shear induced turbulence resulting from a greater injection velocity of the mixed phase stream into the center of the slower moving slurry stream.

Abstract: A flotation cell for removal of solid particles contained in a liquid has, upstream of its inlet, a mixing chamber providing a passage through which the liquid passes to the cell inlet and in which the liquid is charged with air or other gas to form bubbles therein. This chamber is provided with at least one pair of opposed, converging walls extending across the passage to form opposite faces of a liquid flow path to a restricted gap between these walls at their greatest convergence, and so arranged that substantially all the liquid flowing through the chamber is forced to pass through such a flow path. Gas injection means provides a flow of gas under super-atmospheric pressure into the liquid flowing between these walls in the vicinity of the restricted gap between them to form bubbles in the liquid distributed across the path of flow.

Abstract: A mixing chamber silo is described for loose material with a mixing chamber on the silo floor and with a passage between the central mixing compartment and the outer wall of the silo through which the mixed loose material is removed. The passage has a dividing wall between the central mixing compartment and a conduit under the chamber ceiling. Only mixed loose material passes through this opening to conduit and then to the removal outlet. There is no direct connection from the silo area to the removal outlet.

Abstract: A multiple blast aerator hopper system for handling bulk material. A plurality of blast aerators are fitted at radially spaced-apart intervals about the periphery of the hopper; the first blast aerator is positioned near the bin outlet, and each succeeding aerator is usually vertically elevated thereabove. The blast aerators are periodically fired in a timed, rotary sequence starting with the first, lowermost aerator and continuing serially with higher, radially spaced-apart aerators. Preferably each aerator includes an internal valve seat assembly which houses a resilient, dual diameter piston for axial movement between the sealing position and a rearward, aerator fill position. An external solenoid valve controls each aerator. Preferably the blast discharges of each aerator are directed downwardly, tangentially with respect to the walls of the bin or hopper on which the system is mounted.

Abstract: A mixing method particularly for the mixing of a plurality of fluids is described. A first fluid is injected into a mixing chamber with a given angular momentum and directed at a given tangent circle. The tangent circle has a radius less than that of the mixing chamber. A second fluid is injected into the mixing chamber at a position spaced from the first fluid injection area, and with a predetermined angular momentum opposite to that of the first fluid. The second fluid is directed at a tangent circle of radius less than that of the mixing chamber. The fluid injections are arranged such that the total angular momentum injection rate is less than angular momentum injection rates of the individual injected fluids. Any number of fluids may be mixed in this way, by suitable choice of the injection direction and angular momentum of each fluid.

Abstract: The invention is a pneumatic granular or seed applicator for fertilizer, herbicides or seeds and it includes a vertically situated auger assembly which is connected to the source of the material to be distributed. A distribution casing surrounds the upper discharge end of the auger assembly and blades or vanes are secured to the upper end of the auger shaft to radially distribute the material augered by the auger assembly, outwardly of the distribution casing. Discharge collars are situated around the base of the distribution casing and convey the material to discharge conduits which are conventional and which lead to the normal distribution heads and discharge devices. Air under pressure passes through venturi and assists in picking up the material from the discharge collars and conveys it to the various discharge conduits and thence to the individual ground engaging applicators, which are conventional.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous mixing silo and a method of operating it for the mixing of fine-grained material. The silo has a base provided with a plurality of zones which are supplied with aerating air in chronological sequence. Individual zones of the base are supplied with additional air in a pulse-like manner at specific intervals of time to achieve intensive aeration and mixing of the material. The additional air is supplied from a storage unit for a shorter period than the aerating air. Air taken from the storage unit is replenished during the time interval between pulses.

Abstract: A process for mixing materials in bulk comprises the continuous and simultaneous withdrawal, through discharge openings distributed about the periphery of a mixing silo, of the material in such a manner that the vertical velocity of the descending material increases progressively about the periphery of the silo. Apparatus in accordance with the invention comprises a mixing silo having a relatively large number of discharge openings and means for insuring that the velocity differences in the material being withdrawn through adjacent openings is relatively small whereby the variation in material vertical velocity from the lowest to the miximum value will occur over a large number of discharge openings.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for uniformly mixing a relatively small amount of material with a relatively large amount of another material in particulate form by introducing the smaller amount of material via a pipe within another concentric pipe through which a high pressure gas is introduced which thereby provides a zone of turbulence into which a particulate material in larger amounts is introduced, the mixture of gas and materials being transported through a treatment chamber to produce a uniform mixture.

Abstract: A method of contacting gas and liquid at pressures greater than 200 psig comprising:providing container means, said container means being provided with a plurality of conduit means and a plurality of gas inlet means, at least a portion of said gas inlet means extending into said conduit means,passing gas at a pressure greater than 200 psig through said gas inlet means into said conduit means,passing liquid at a pressure greater than 200 psig into said conduit means, whereby said gas and liquid are contacted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic mixing silo comprising a storage compartment, a central mixing compartment connected thereto and at least one material inlet opening into the mixing compartment and at least one material outlet connected to the mixing compartment. A considerable improvement in the mixing effect of this mixing silo (1) may be obtained above all if the material outlet (14) is formed by an overflow from the mixing compartment (3). In addition, correcting material may be directly introduced into the mixing compartment through an additional material inlet (12).

Abstract: A swirl mixing device particularly suited for the thorough and complete mixing of a plurality of fluid reagents is disclosed. The swirl mixing device is generally composed of a cylindrically shaped container having a closed bottom and an open upper exhaust. A plurality of swirl injection levels are provided along the length of the container. Each of said swirl injection levels includes an injector set having a plurality of symmetrically spaced injectors distributed around the inner surface of the chamber wall in a plane perpendicular to the chambers's longitudinal axis. Each of said injectors in a given injector set has an injector axis directed at a given tangent circle with common radial and azimuthal directional components whereby the injected reagent enters the chamber with swirl.

Abstract: A combined mixing and homogenizing silo whereby the layers of material stored in the mixing silo in the case of removing quantities of material into the homogenizing silo via corresponding dosing and blocking organs flow into one another and are mixed in consequence of the formation of cones whereby the quantity of material drawn from the mixing silo into the homogenizing silo which corresponds to a partial area of the series connected homogenizing silo is homogenized with the help of aerating elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage and mixing silo for bulk material comprising a mixing compartment in the form of an annular chamber. The radial width and the height of the chamber are proportioned to the diameter of the silo, the chamber has a material inlet opening and a material outlet opening circumferentially spaced from one another, and the chamber has a plurality of independently aeratable zones.

Abstract: There is disclosed a mixing apparatus for mixing particulate bulk material. The apparatus consists of a cylindrical housing having distributed thereabout equidistantly a plurality of vertically disposed tubes. The tubes possess a series of vertically displaced entranceways that communicate with the housing containing the material and internally of the tubes for delivery of the material to a centrally located homogenizer in the lower portion of the apparatus. Entrance into the homogenizer is also accomplished directly from the bottom of the zone containing the material and means may also be provided at the top of the homogenizer for introducing therethrough the to-be-mixed material. The material is maintained in a highly fluidized condition by suitably positioned blowers having introductory orifices at strategic locations. The mentioned tubes are charged with the material through an air fluidizing means, which air is then deaerated so that the material may then be further transported to the homogenizer.

Abstract: To practice the method of this invention, a large stainless steel tank having a conical bottom is utilized for the mass cooking of corn to produce masa. Connected to the conical bottom of the tank is a multiplicity of steam rings interconnected by a manifold to an external source of steam. A conical screen is positioned closely adjacent the conical bottom to facilitate the injection of steam for heating the contents and selective injection of air for stirring the corn in the cooking or steeping process. Interspersed closely adjacent to the steam rings are air injection rings receiving compressed air from the surge tank connected to a compressor. Selective injection of compressed air sequentially from the inner air ring followed by injection through the intermediate air ring and the outer air ring stirs the liquid and corn content of the tank in the process of cooking or steeping.

Abstract: A mixing and/or homogenizing device for use with powdered materials comprises a container with a number of jet nozzles or jet orifices located at or near the base of the container. Gas is supplied to groups of these nozzles or orifices in a predetermined sequence to promote a good mixing and/or homogenizing even with difficult materials. Various preferred modes of operation are described. A particularly important use of the invention is its application to cement manufacture.