Abstract: A liquid-liquid mixing device (10, 210) includes a barrel (20, 220) with a liquid port (23) at or adjacent one end. A plunger assembly (30) is reciprocably moveable along an axis in the barrel (20, 220) and includes a seal member (31, 231) and an agitator (50, 250). The seal member (31, 231) is in sealingly slidable engagement with the internal wall of the barrel (20, 220) to define a variable volume chamber (24, 224) therein in communication with the liquid port. The agitator (50, 250) is reciprocably moveable in the variable volume chamber (24, 224), which agitator (50, 250) includes one or more end to end passages (54) through which liquid in the chamber (24, 224) is forced as the agitator (250) reciprocates in the chamber (24, 224).

Abstract: An aerobic bacteria waste digester uses a rocking paddle to mix a waste fluid. A pair of spaced-apart inflatables engaged with the paddle and alternately inflated provide buoyancy forces to drive the rocking action. The paddle has two decks and a peripheral skirt. The paddle is of a trestle-type construction with light weight planks forming the decks. The position and motion of paddle surfaces and air bubbled through the fluid from below, is able to enhance bacteria colony growth and thus the rate of bio-mass digestion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for homogenizing powder, which includes a drive device and a homogenization unit. The drive device moves the homogenization unit back and forth in at least one horizontal direction. The homogenization unit has a multitude of essentially vertically arranged, rod-shaped elements which are immersed at least partly into a powder to be homogenized.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat exchange with radial mixing comprises a trough with two rotatably arranged shafts extending alongside each other, which shafts are each provided with paddles spaced apart in an axial direction with an intermediate distance. The paddles extend substantially in a radial plane with respect to the shafts, and extend in a circumferential direction over at least a part of the circumference. In the circumferential direction, the paddles are at least partly wedge-shaped. Upon opposite rotation of the shafts, successive paddles mesh alternately, thereby forming a gap narrowing again and again. Per shaft, successive paddles in an axial direction are staggered relative to each other in circumferential direction through an angle.

Abstract: Reactors with agitators and methods for processing microfeature workpieces with such reactors. The agitators are capable of obtaining high, controlled mass-transfer rates that result in high quality surfaces and efficient wet chemical processes. The agitators generate high flow velocities in the fluid and contain the high energy fluid proximate to the surface of the workpiece to form high quality surfaces when cleaning, etching and/or depositing materials to/from a workpiece. The agitators also have short stroke lengths so that the footprints of the reactors are relatively small. As a result, the reactors are efficient and cost effective to operate. The agitators are also designed so that electrical fields in the processing solution can effectively operate at the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for homogenizing powder, which includes a drive device and a homogenization unit. The drive device moves the homogenization unit back and forth in at least one horizontal direction. The homogenization unit has a multitude of essentially vertically arranged, rod-shaped elements which are immersed at least partly into a powder to be homogenized.

Abstract: A beam is pivotally supported at a fixed pivot support, the beam movable in cyclic tilting motion such that ends of the beam move vertically in mutually opposing directions. The ends of the beam are pivotally engaged with vertical arms extending downwardly. The arms terminate with mixing plates immersed within the fluid so that the mixing plates cause fluid mixing as the tilts. A fixed film biomass is engaged with the surfaces of the plates for improved bio-processing within the tanks.

Abstract: A beam is supported at a balance point by a pivot attached at a fixed pivot support. The beam is movable in cyclic tilting motion about the pivot such that ends of the beam move vertically in mutually opposing directions. The ends of the beam pivotally engage vertical arms depending downwardly where each of the arms terminates at a mixing plate. The mixing plates cause fluid mixing as the beam tilts back and forth. Mechanical advantage is obtained by the use of gravity through an unbalancing weight which is moved from one side of the beam to the other mechanically or hydraulically or the beam is pushed to cause the tilting. Automatic position sensed switching enables the apparatus to move in automated motion.

Abstract: A beam is supported at a balance point by a pivot attached at a fixed pivot support. The beam is movable in cyclic tilting motion about the pivot such that ends of the beam move vertically in mutually opposing directions. The ends of the beam pivotally engage vertical arms depending downwardly where each of the arms terminates at a mixing plate. the mixing plates cause fluid mixing as the beam tilts back and forth. Mechanical advantage is obtained by the use of gravity through an unbalancing weight which is moved from one side of the beam to the other mechanically or hydraulically or the beam is pushed to cause the tilting. Automatic position sensed switching enables the apparatus to move in automated motion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for mixing fluids in a manner that ranges from maintaining the integrity of fragile molecular and biological materials in the mixing vessel to homogenizing heavy aggregate material by supplying large amounts of energy. The variety in mixing manner is accomplished using an electronic controller to generate signals to a motor driver in order to control the frequency and the amplitude of the motor, which drives an agitator assembly. The motor may be a stepper motor, a linear motor or a DC continuous motor. By placing a sensor in the mixing vessel to provide feedback control to the mixing motor, the characteristics of agitation in the fluid can be adjusted to optimize the degree of mixing and produce the highest quality mixant, with consistent results.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for pre-conditioning the materials in a bulk bag to effect easier unloading of the materials. A frame is provided with an open space for receiving the bulk bag. A series of spaced-apart, opposing breaker bars is provided for automatic thrusting against the sides of the bags to break up compacted material. The bars preferably have an angled profile. Parallel pairs of opposing horizontal bars are provided, evenly spaced from the bottom; and preferably a single opposing vertical pair is provided on the opposite sides. The pairs of bars are operated, by thrusting into the sides of the bag, in a timed sequence, to effect break up of the material. Additionally, a series of bars may be provided on the bottom of the frame, such that a break up effect is achieved against the material residing in the bottom of the bag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dosing apparatus for pastelike substances and mixtures thereof with a solvent by means of an injector, comprising an integrated shutoff device. The apparatus contains a detection device which detects the amount of paste according to conductimetry. The shutoff device is a dual piston valve closing an opening between the paste supply tube and an injector suction chamber as well as an opening between the solvent supply tube and an injector pre-chamber. The invention also relates to a method for dosing pastelike substances and the mixtures thereof with a solvent by means of such a device. By opening a shut-off device in a supply tube for a pressurized solvent, a dual piston valve moves against an opposing force. This releases a connection between a paste supply tube and an injection suction chamber, followed by a connection between the solvent supply tube and the injector pre-chamber.

Abstract: Device for scraping off a deposit from the internal wall surface of an elongated tube of relatively small diameter, comprising a helical coil spring which is installed inside the tube and adapted to be reciprocally movable and/or rotatable, said spring scraping off the deposit from the internal wall surface of the tube.

Abstract: A cooler for mixtures of crystals and crystallizing liquid in the production of sugar and related products comprises a bundle of vertical pipes for the passage of such a mixture from a bottom chamber to a top chamber. The vertical pipes are surrounded by a cooling medium, and in the interior of the pipes plungers are provided which have a somewhat smaller diameter than the inner wall of the pipes so as to form a slot-like passage along the inner wall of each pipe. The plungers are moved up and down through the pipes. The cooler is especially adapted for promoting crystallization by a rapid drop of temperature.

Abstract: Lime, preferably as calcium oxide, is mixed with the contents of sumps, such as oil well sumps, and these generally have a pasty or plastic consistency. The calcium oxide reacts with the materials present and also dehydrates the contents of the sump, causing the sump contents to stiffen. This mixing is performed by a drag line scoop that carries calcium oxide through the sump contents, mixing and blending the oxide and contents as it moves because of the unique construction of the mixing scoop. Once the mixing and blending is complete and reaction of the calcium oxide and the contents is complete, the sump contents are dredged and deposited on high ground to dry by the combined action of sun and air. Drying periods may range from several days to several weeks and the material thereupon becomes a dry, hard and stable type of soil suitable for fill purposes and which, when neutralized with acid, also may be suitable for agricultural purposes.