Abstract: In some examples, a landing device is configured to be disposed within a container receptacle of a pneumatic transport system, the landing device comprising: a landing platform defining a landing surface for a container of the pneumatic transport system, the landing platform comprising: a first material configured to at least partially deform in response to the container impacting the landing surface; and a second material disposed over the first material, the second material configured to facilitate removal of the container from the container receptacle; and a base mechanically connected to a second surface of the landing platform, the base configured to secure the landing device to the container receptacle, wherein the landing device is configured to be inserted into the container receptacle without removing one or more components of the container receptacle.

Abstract: A method for reinforcing a structure comprising the following steps: preparation of UHPFRC comprising a cement precursor mix, of water, a fluidizing agent and metal fibers, transporting the UHPFRC by pumping to a suitable spray nozzle, spraying the mix onto a surface of the structure by the addition of a compressed air stream in the spray nozzle.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system for printing three-dimensional (3D) parts includes a print foundation, a print head, a drive mechanism, and a supporting surface that creates an air bearing for parts under construction as they move through the system. The print head is configured to print a 3D part onto the print foundation in a layer-by-layer manner in a vertical print plane. The drive mechanism is configured to index the print foundation substantially along a horizontal print axis during printing of the 3D part. The support surface is provided by a table extending along the horizontal axis. The table has a plurality of air jets forming an air platen, which generates the air bearing for supporting the 3D part as it is incremented along the print axis.

Abstract: An inflatable hover structure, conveyor structure, and slide structure are disclosed utilizing an inflatable envelope with a perforated top surface and tensioning reinforcements to establish a smooth hover surface.

Abstract: The present application discloses braking devices for use in a pneumatic tube system (PTS). The braking devices are adapted for in-line incorporation with a pneumatic tube and are operative to stop a pneumatic carrier within a pneumatic carrier system. The in-line braking devices allow for decelerating a carrier to a stop over a distance to reduce the forces applied to a carrier and its contents.

Abstract: Provided is an in-line type film forming apparatus including a processing chamber which is disposed to deviate from a closed path and is connected to a corner chamber, a first loading and unloading unit which unloads a substrate from a carrier and moves the substrate to the inside of the processing chamber, a second loading and unloading unit which unloads the substrate processed in the processing chamber and loads the substrate on the carrier, and a control device which performs control of driving the first and second loading and unloading units to unload the substrate from the carrier and to move the substrate to the inside of the processing chamber, and to take out the substrate processed in the processing chamber in advance from the processing chamber and to load the substrate on the carrier.

Abstract: A wafer transport system includes a pod that contains one or more wafers in an enclosed environment, a substrate transport surface that extends substantially along a plane, intersecting at least first and second loading/unloading locations, and a pod controller that is configured to control movement of the pod by selecting a pathway from a plurality of available pathways extending along the substrate transport surface from the first loading/unloading location to the second loading/unloading location.

Abstract: A device for transporting articles is disclosed. In the illustrated and described embodiment of the invention, the articles are fruit such as apples, and the articles can be transported from a picking location on a fruit tree to a collection bin or other site. The device includes a tube member adapted to receive and transport the articles, and a plurality of deformable baffles at spaced-apart locations within the tube. Each baffle defines an aperture which permits the article to engage and deform the baffle and aperture so as to create at least a partial momentary seal to encourage article movement through the aperture and down the tube. The article is urged through the tube by a pressure differential created across the article. In the described and illustrated embodiment of the invention, this pressure differential is a pneumatic pressure differential. The tube and the baffle apertures can have non-circular cross-sectional shapes.

Abstract: An access chamber assembly for use in a pneumatic transport system with a sealing arrangement that provides an intended bearing clearance relative to an access door device which is rotated between an open, access state and a closed state. The bearing clearance allows for radial adjustment of the door while being rotated between states of being fully closed and fully open to avoid binding and seal friction noise.

Abstract: Method in connection with a refuse chute (1), which refuse chute comprises at least one input aperture (4) of the waste material, in which method the waste material (5) input into the refuse chute from an input aperture (4) is moved in the refuse chute under the effect of gravity to the bottom part of the refuse chute. An opposing air flow with respect to the direction of travel of the waste material (5) is brought about in the refuse chute (1), with which air flow the speed of movement of the waste material is influenced. The invention also relates to an apparatus.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and device for delivering flowable solid material from a first location to a second location. The device has a receiving end which receives the flowable solid material therein and a discharge end which discharges the flowable solid material therefrom. An outlet opening is connected to a vacuum assembly which draws airflow from the device through the outlet opening, thereby drawing fine contaminants associated with the flowable solid material into the vacuum assembly. The airflow drawn from the device reduces the speed of the flowable solid material, allowing the flowable solid material to be discharged from the discharge end at a speed which will not damage the flowable solid material and which will minimize the amount of fine contaminants introduced to the air surrounding the discharge end.

Abstract: A transfer system for a carrier that features a flow supply tube in fluid communication with a flow supply generator and in fluid communication with a carrier transport tube network dimensioned for transfer reception of the carrier. The carrier transport tube network has a first carrier reception chamber provided with a first carrier stop point and a second carrier reception chamber with second carrier stop point. The flow supply tube has a single point contact with the carrier transport tube network to provide a single tube based flow connection with the carrier transport. Also, with the single point connection there can be positioned a brake valve in line with a first section of the carrier transport tube network and in line with a first section of said flow supply tube just a few feet above the stop point of one or both of the reception chambers to provide for rapid travel to the brake valve and efficient braking within just a few feet of the stop point.

Abstract: A device for transporting articles is disclosed. In the illustrated and described embodiment of the invention, the articles are fruit such as apples, and the articles can be transported from a picking location on a fruit tree to a collection bin or other site. The device includes a tube member adapted to receive and transport the articles, and a plurality of deformable baffles at spaced-apart locations within the tube. Each baffle defines an aperture which permits the article to engage and deform the baffle and aperture so as to move through the aperture and down the tube. The article is urged through the tube by a pressure differential created across the article. In the described and illustrated embodiment of the invention, this pressure differential is a pneumatic pressure differential.

Abstract: A material transporting system comprises a material transporting apparatus (100) including a material transporting apparatus hopper structure (200, 202), which comprises at least one rotary transporting apparatus; a stationary hub structure (900) constraining and assisting the at least one rotary transporting apparatus; an outlet duct configuration (700) configured to permit material to exit therefrom and comprising at least one diverging portion (702, 702?); an outlet abutment configuration (800) configured to direct material to the outlet duct configuration; an outlet valve assembly from the material transporting system venting the material transporting system; and a moving wall configuration in the material transporting apparatus capable of assisting the material transporting apparatus in transporting material in the material transporting system.

Abstract: A method for extracting electronic components from a tube, the electronic components being extracted from the tube with pneumatic means. Also, a device for extracting electronic components from a tube comprising a pneumatic system for extracting electronic components from a tube and device for feeding with electronic components a processing line comprising such an extraction device. The use of pneumatic means for extracting electronic components can offer, among other advantages, that of allowing the tube to remain in horizontal position whilst avoiding the use of delicate and complicated mechanical means.

Abstract: A device for transporting articles is disclosed. In the illustrated and described embodiment of the invention, the articles are fruit such as apples, and the articles can be transported from a picking location on a fruit tree to a collection bin or other site. The device includes a tube member adapted to receive and transport the articles, and a plurality of deformable baffles at spaced-apart locations within the tube. Each baffle defines an aperture which permits the article to engage and deform the baffle and aperture so as to move through the aperture and down the tube. The article is urged through the tube by a pressure differential created across the article. In the described and illustrated embodiment of the invention, this pressure differential is a pneumatic pressure differential.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus, systems, and related methods for slowing the speed of components in transport systems. The apparatus includes a component track extending between input and output ends and sized for receiving the components, a speed control device mounted adjacent the component track and comprising a projection configured to move within the component track, a sensor positioned upstream of the input end of the component track to detect the speed of the components approaching the component track, and a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to adjust the speed of the projection within the component track based on the speed of the components approaching the component track, to decelerate the components within the component track.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the flow of a process material from a higher pressure environment to a lower pressure environment is provided. Each of a first and second chamber is divided into a product region and a control region by a flexible boundary. Inlet and outlet flow control devices provide fluid communication between each product region and a material input line and a material output line, respectively. A chamber control device is arranged to provide fluid communication between the control region of each chamber, which is filled with a non-compressible fluid. As product fills the product region of one chamber, fluid is displaced from the corresponding control region and into the control region of the other chamber. As the control region of the other chamber expands, product is forced out of the corresponding product region and into the material output line. The product region of each chamber is alternately filled and emptied to produce a continuous transport of material.

Abstract: A feeding system (10) for epoxy mould compound (EMC) pellets which has a supply bowl (12) situated outside the clean environment (24) of a conventional automatic moulding machine (26). A tube (16) extends from the supply bowl (12) to a buffer hopper (14) within the clean environment and which is located above the feeder bowl (28) of the automatic moulding machine (26). EMC pellets are transported through the tube (16) from the supply bowl (12) into the buffer hopper (14) via a vacuum suction system (34), (36) which is connected to the tube (16) in proximity to the buffer hopper (14). A counter air flow may be provided to slow the speed of the pellets as they enter the buffer hopper. Batches of the pellets accumulated in the buffer hopper (14) are periodically released into the feeder bowl (28) of the automatic moulding machine (26). The vacuum transportation system reduces dust from the pellets.

Abstract: The air conveyor comprises a guide rail (3) on which the articles (1) are to be suspended, and along which the articles are to be transported in a given direction of transport. The conveyor system provides a pneumatic means to move the articles in the direction of transport and further includes additional pneumatic means (10) that are designed to generate, when operated, a plurality of reverse air jets orientated onto the articles in a direction opposite that of their direction of transport. The user of the reverse jets makes it possible, in particular, to free without manual intervention articles accidentally immobilised in the course of transport, or, to slow down, immobilise or impart a rhythm to the articles as they are transported.

Abstract: A transport system for a spherical object. The transport system has a supply of a first fluid and a passageway for communication of a spherical object in a path between an inlet and an outlet. At least part of the passageway is bounded by a first tube having a first annular wall with at least one opening through the first annular wall. The first tube guides flow of a spherical object in the first fluid from the inlet towards the outlet. The transport system further includes a source of vacuum in communication with the passageway through the at least one opening through the first annular wall. The source of vacuum produces a low pressure region which causes the first fluid in the passageway to be drawn from the passageway through the at least one opening through the first annular wall. The transport system further includes a supply of a second fluid which is in communication with a spherical object moving between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: A pneumatic conveying apparatus, having a conveyor line path installed with a first valve and a second valve. An article is conveyed through the conveyor line path. The first and second valves are both open to a vacuum source to provide a sucking force to the article, so as to initiate conveying the article. After a flow of the article through the whole conveyor line path is established, the second valve is closed to form an air cushion at the terminal end of the conveyor line path. The terminal velocity of the article is thus reduced without causing any damage or breakage.

Abstract: An air mover apparatus for conveying and separating articles through a transport tube. A line-up of articles are supplied via a track from an orienting and feeding device and, thence, to a transport tube leading to a remote processing machine. The air mover is operatively connected between the track and the transport tube. Oppositely disposed converging air passages are formed in the air mover, adapted to receive compressed air from a suitable source and emit same to the interior of the air mover, to thereby draw each successive article therepast from the line-up and project same forward, creating a separation between adjacent articles while blowing the articles through the transport tube to the processing machine. An orifice may be formed upstream of the converging air passages, adapted to receive the compressed air to stall the articles to enhance the separation between adjacent articles.

Abstract: A pneumatic system for transporting irregular objects such as bags filled with recycled cans through a duct in which the object is first accelerated by pneumatic pressure and subsequently decelerated after a sensor triggers the closure of the air outlets as the object approaches the output point of the system.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting a file of successive filter rod sections lengthwise from a sender (such as a filter rod making machine) to a remote receiver (such as the magazine of a filter tipping machine) has an elongated pneumatic conduit with a section-receiving end at the sender and a section-discharging end at the receiver. The speed of lengthwise movement of sections in the conduit is monitored by a sensor which generates signals serving to control the operation of a valve which can influence the speed of the articles by varying the effective size of an outlet for the escape of air from the conduit, and/or to control the operation of a valve serving to admit into the conduit air counter to the direction of advancement of the sections. The purpose of evacuation of appropriate quantities of air from, or of admission of selected quantities of air into, the conduit is to maintain the speed of the sections in the conduit within a desired range regardless of the number of sections in the conduit.

Abstract: Apparatus for spacing consecutive capsules of solid material traveling as a capsule train in a pipeline in which the capsules are carried by a fluid flowing through the pipeline includes a separation system interposed between upstream and downstream portions of the pipeline for receiving the train of capsules. The separation system passes consecutively separated capsules within the capsule train to the downstream portion. The separation system is constructed for increasing the spacing between consecutive capsules within the capsule train in the downstream portion of the pipeline after passing through the separation system. The volume of fluid flowing from an outlet location of the separation system is substantially the same as the volume of fluid flowing into an inlet location of the separation system.

Abstract: A pneumatic transmission system having a carrier automatic braking system contains a transport conduit having a first end and a second end and being capable of permitting the transfer of a carrier therethrough, a first station for sending and receiving a carrier located on one end of the transmission conduit, and a second station for sending and receiving a carrier located on the other end of the transmission conduit. A motor blower, capable of moving a volume of air through a conduit, is enclosed within a supply/exhaust branch which is connected to one of the stations. A valve, capable of closing, to thereby create an air block in the supply line, is also disposed within the supply/exhaust branch. The motor blower blows air to move the carrier from one station to the other. The valve is activated, after deactivating the motor blower, when the carrier is detected at some predetermined location along the transport conduit.

Abstract: Method for pneumatically braking sheets in a delivery of a sheet-fed rotary printing press by means of blast air directed opposite to a sheet-transport direction for forming an air flow for braking the sheet includes adjusting the air flow for braking the sheet to a state of equilibrium between energy of the air flow acting upon the sheet and kinetic energy of the sheet, the sheet being carried in the region of a braking path in a contact-free manner by the air flow, and device for performing the method.

Abstract: In a pneumatic filter rod conveying system a vent (12) is in the line (10) close to the distributor (2). This enables a relatively high pressure gradient to be established, with resultant high filter transfer rates at the distributor, without having excessively high pressures in the distributor and/or higher than necessary line transmission speeds. Also, there may be a selectable pressure switch (40) for reducing air pressure at the distributor when there are fewer than normal filters in the line, e.g., at the end of a run: this also allows avoidance of undesirably high line transmission speeds.

Abstract: An air conveyor is provided with a plenum chamber with a perforated deck plate, side walls, and a holddown with holes of an area density sufficiently low to pressurize an enclosed article transport zone. The side walls include brackets for mounting doors openable to remove damaged articles. The deck plate is mounted to support bars by countersunk rivets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pneumatic transfer terminal adapted to receive and dispatch a non-captive, tubular article carrier of predetermined length from and to a single pneumatic transfer tube. The terminal includes a carrier receiver having the internal chamber dimensioned to receive an article carrier therein and to position the carrier in operable alignment with the transfer tube. The carrier receiver includes a first opening for communicating the chamber with the transfer tube and a second opening for insertion and removal of the carrier into and from the chamber. A blower assembly is attached to the transfer tube and is operable to create a vacuum therein. A gate mechanism is operable to open and close the second opening. The gate means includes a generally planar gate movable between a first position where the gate mechanism covers the second opening and a second position wherein the gate is removed from the second opening. An actuator connects the motor to the planar gate.

Abstract: Tablets, pills or like discrete products are fed into the upper section of an upright conduit to descend into a vessel under the action of gravity. Excessive acceleration of descending products is opposed by an air stream which is induced by a pump and flows in the conduit counter to the direction of advancement of the products. The vessel contains one or more partitions which have outwardly and downwardly sloping upper sides and central openings for the conduit. The outlet of the conduit discharges products first onto the bottom wall of the vessel and thereupon at a level above the lowermost partition which latter causes the products to slide outwardly toward the sidewall of the vessel. When the space between the bottom wall and the lowermost partition is filled, the lowermost partition prevents crushing of products below it under the weight of products which gather above the lowermost partition.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube conveyor station serves for receiving conveying cases (12) rriving from a forwarding tube (11) and having a high weight of, for example, 12 kg and a high travelling speed of, for example, 7 m/s. The conveying cases (12) are initially braked in a rotatable intermediate store (15) and are then transferred, after the intermediate store (15) has been rotated, to a unloading position (56). The intermediate store (15) is arranged in a position above the forwarding tube (11) and the unloading position (56). The intermediate store (15) and the unloading position (56) are connected one with the other by a substantially vertical tube section (40, 41, 55).

Abstract: An improvement of a high density pneumatic transport system for pneumatically transporting powdered or granular materials placed in an airtight storage container to a collector through a transport pipe having a vertical riser pipe intermediately thereof by the use of pressurized gas. The transport pipe comprises a lower horizontal pipe being connected to the airtight storage container and having a convergent cylindrical accelerating reducer, an upper horizontal pipe being connected to the collector and having a divergent cylindrical decelerating reducer at its initial end, and a vertical riser pipe which connects the lower horizontal pipe to the upper horizontal pipe. The vertical riser pipe is provided at intermediate thereof up and down with an acceleration regulating reducer having a convergent accelerating portion above its bottom having a constricted portion and a divergent cylindrical decelerating reducer.

Abstract: A queue of randomly oriented chips is advanced down a track. Each chip in the queue is sequentially and individually elevated into a pneumatic circuit and pressed against a mirrored surface of an upper slide member to which it adheres if the chip was oriented with upwardly disposed solder lands. A jet of compressible fluid insufficient in magnitude to dislodge the chip is injected in a direction toward the queue. If the chip, alternatively, was oriented with the solder lands down, this fluid jet propels the chip about the oval-shaped pneumatic circuit so as to reorient the chip with the lands extending in the desired upward orientation, whereupon the chip is injected into a storage magazine.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system includes a pneumatic transport tube having a stop device mounted therein. A window aperture is defined through a wall of the transport tube such that a pneumatic tube carrier is presented for retrieval through the window aperture upon its arrival. A pneumatic pressure source is provided to cause the carrier to move through the transport tube.

Abstract: A device in which the wafers are moved with the aid of aqueous media, is posed for the transportation of semiconductor wafers and also for use in processes for the cleaning thereof, the device including a guideplate having a bottom plate with nozzle systems which are differently inclined in each case and independent of one another and through which the transportation fluid is, if necessary, forced into the transportation space, as a result of which the wafer can be loaded, retarded, caused to rotate and unloaded again. The devices can be combined to form treatment lines, different fluids being used in each case in the individual sections thereof, so that no mechanically moving parts act on the wafers during retardation and rotation and that no change of reagents has to be carried out inside a treatment station.

Abstract: A nodulizing machine for use in an apparatus for making loose fill insulation from mineral fibers comprises an input portal, a conduit containing a plurality of blades and an output portal. Apparatus for making loose fill insulation from mineral fibers comprises a duct extending from a source of the mineral fibers to the nodulizing machine of the present invention. The apparatus includes flow rate control means to control the flow rate of air and mineral fibers in the apparatus. A process for making loose fill insulation from mineral fibers in association with the apparatus of the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sanitary waste collection system and a method therefor which enable the free disposal of waste at various places in a building, and saves labor required for carrying and collecting the waste. The waste collection system includes charge ports provided at every floor of the building into which are thrown waste stored in waste containers of a certain configuration, vertical transport tubes connected to each floor of the building as well as charge ports, horizontal transport tubes connected to the lower ends of the vertical transport tubes and extending to a waste accumulation area, and an air blowing mechanism for force-feeding air in the horizontal transport tubes, with the diameters of the vertical and horizontal transport tubes and being a little larger than the outer diameter of the waste container in section.

Abstract: This invention relates to a waste collecting method which is sanitary and in which throwing-away of waste at each location within a building can be carried out freely and without waiting time, and labors required for transporting or collecting the waste can be reduced. The waste collecting method essentially consists of operating one of a plurality of throwing devices (3) arranged respectively at a plurality of floors of a building, the one throwing device (3) having accommodated therein waste containers (2), and throwing the waste containers (2) into a vertical transport pipe (4) mounted to the building in such a fashion so as to prevent clogging of the vertical transport pipe (4), and the further step of decelerating the falling waste containers (2) at a lower portion of the vertical transport pipe (4) so as to prevent the thrown-in waste containers (2) from being broken when they reach a shut-off valve provided at a lower end of the vertical transport pipe (4).

Abstract: A pneumatic transmission system is provided. The system comprises a transmission tube having a first end and a second end. A blower adapted to force air from the first end to the second end of the transmission tube is interconnected to the first end of the transmission tube. A vacuum source having a capacity at least as great as that of the blower is connected to the transmission tube proximal the second end. The vacuum source creates a flow of air from the second end of the transmission tube to the vacuum source, thereby decelerating a carrier being transmitted to the second end of the transmission tube.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a powder flow control valve comprising a nozzle formed from a material such as high density polythene having an upper frusto-conical section which converges towards the lower end of the nozzle and terminates in a cylindrical section. The nozzle is encircled by a plenum chamber to which sources of vacuum and air pressure are selectively connectable through a pneumatic control system. When vacuum is connected to the plenum chamber, the resulting pressure drop across the wall of the porous nozzle causes powder flowing through the nozzle to consolidate in the nozzle and terminate the flow. When air pressure is applied to the plenum chamber, the resulting pressure rise across the boundary surface accelerates powder flow through the nozzle.

Abstract: A process of stalling the speeds of articles to be conveyed in a pneumatic conveying system, wherein the speeds of the articles conveyed by conveying power wind through a transporting piping are stalled at a position close to the outlet of the transporting piping. According to this stalling process, air vents are formed at positions close to the outlet of the transporting piping, air having a wind flow rate higher than the wind flow rate of the conveying power wind is sucked through the air vents, whereby the speeds of the articles are stalled by counter flow wind flowing in through the outlet of the transporting piping.

Abstract: An improved method and related system for pneumatically transporting powdered or granular materials stored in an airtight storage container to a collector through a transport pipe in the form of a lengthy column in high density and at a slow speed by the use of pressurized gas. The method of the invention comprises the steps of stopping feeding of the pressurized gas when the whole of the powdered or granular materials corresponding to a final batch contained in the storage container are sent into the material transport pipe, simultaneously discharging the internal pressure of the storage container through a gas decompressing means, inserting a transport plug from the base end of the material transport pipe, and carrying forward the transport plug at a slow speed by feeding pressurized gas from the base end of the transport pipe.

Abstract: An improved semiconductor wafer positioning apparatus which can achieve preliminary positioning of a semiconductor wafer with accuracy. The apparatus includes a positioning stage for receiving a semiconductor wafer thereon. The positioning stage has a pair of groups of semicircular grooves formed on an upper face thereof and communicated with an air sucking and blowing ports. Thus, air is blown out from the upper face of the positioning stage so that the semiconductor wafer is rotated by a blow of air. Meanwhile, the positioning stage is inclined a small angle so that the semiconductor wafer is moved downward by its own weight on the positioning stage until a positioning element is contacted with an orientation flat of the wafer to stop rotation of the wafer, thereby positioning the wafer in position.

Abstract: A pneumatic conveying system for conveying articles to be conveyed, which are successively discharged from an assembling machine, to a plurality of conveying positions. In this pneumatic conveying system, pneumatic conveying and conveyor conveying are combinedly used, whereby conveying for a relatively long distance is effected by pneumatic conveying low in cost per unit conveying distance, and conveying for distributing the articles to be conveyed to the plurality of conveying positions is effected by conveyor conveying easy in distributing. Furthermore, transfer from the pneumatic conveying of the articles to be conveyed to the conveyor conveying is made smooth, and flaw control measure and blocking preventive measure for the articles to be conveyed are applied.

Abstract: A vacuum deadplate is provided which has a surface with a low coefficient of friction and spaced longitudinal slots through which a vacuum can be drawn. The vacuum deadplate can be used in conjunction with a vacuum transfer device or a palletizing device and the position of the vacuum plenum slot under the longitudinal slots can be varied to provide optimum results.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decomposing a sodium aluminate liquor supersaturated with alumina, obtained from alkaline action on bauxite by the Bayer process, is initiated by introduction of alumina trihydrate seed, thereby forming a suspension. The suspension is fed in at the top of a non-agitated reactor described as a "decomposer", and removed from the bottom of the decomposer; the speed at which the suspension moves downwardly is regulated at 1.5 to 10 meters per hour. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical-conical reactor which is fitted with an arrangement for feeding in the suspension at the top, and with an arrangement for taking out the suspension at the bottom. In one embodiment of the apparatus the suspension is taken from the base of the decomposer through an internal tube, with air injected into the bottom of it, is raised to the level of the top of the decomposer and is then sent downstream.

Abstract: A process and apparatus of preventing the plugging of the discharge and/or suction line of an internal recycle pump utilized in an expanded bed reactor of the type having a partition transversely extending through the lower portion thereof and defining a plurality of substantially regularly and uniformly disposed perforations and communicating with a reaction zone above the partition and plenum chamber therebelow. The reaction zone contains a mass of particulate catalyst contact matter supported by the partition and placed in randon motion above the partition by a pressurized mixture of a liquid carbon containing material and a hydrogen rich gas flow passing through the perforations from the plenum chamber and by the internal recycle pump having a pump suction line generally concentrically disposed with respect to the reactor and extending through the partition into the reaction zone.

Abstract: An air table system which utilizes air jet openings in the table surface of a pattern configuration to lift, support and direct movement of objects, such as containers, to feed same from a plurality of sources to fewer destinations or vice versa. With suitable cover configuration, partially closed and open covers, movement of the containers around or to one side of blockades to accomplish controlled movement of the containers is made possible. The movement of objects can be further controlled by the use of the objects and/or side walls on the table to restrict air flow in conjunction with the solid cover portions to create selected higher air pressure zones and air flow paths to selectively move the objects. At a discharge end of the air table, a single file conveying zone is provided with air jets that blow air in the opposite direction to the normal flow of the objects to move them into single file.