Abstract: Vessels (10, 11, 12 and 13) are associated with an inlet manifold (14) passing to inlets (16), each controlled by a knifegate valve (17). The lower ends of the pots (10) and (12), and pots (11) and (13), pass material through respective outlet knifegate valves (22) to respective first (23) and second (24) delivery lines. The respective knifegate valves (17) and outlet knifegate valves (22) of pots (10) and (11) on the one hand and pots (12) and (13) on the other, are operable by respective common pneumatic actuators (25). Each pot has an ejector assembly (26) having an upper chamber (28), an air injector nozzle (30), and an accelerator tube (31) to create the venturi function. An air cycling valve (32) transitions the upper chamber (28) between a depressurized space and a pressurized space. The accelerator tube (31) exhausts to a delivery line (23 or 24). Ejector assembly (26) air is supplied via air control valve (35).

Abstract: A pneumatic evacuation pump including: an inlet assembly (10) having an inlet valve (14) interposed between an inlet accepting material (13) from a material supply and a charging port (17) and selectively operable purge air injection means (20) located on the charging port side of said inlet valve; a chamber of selectable length (11) and substantially constant cross section and having a charge end opening to said charging port and a discharge end; and a delivery assembly (12) having a passage opening to said discharge end and extending to a delivery outlet, a delivery valve (24) interposed in said passage between said discharge end and said delivery outlet, a selectively operable, venturi vacuum source (31) opening to said passage between said discharge valve and said discharge end, and selectively operable exhaust air injections means (41) located downstream of said discharge valve and utilizing exhaust air from said venturi; a compressed air supply supplying said venturi and said purge air injection means;

Abstract: A pump having a pump chamber arranged to receive liquid to be pumped and air, a delivery pipe for delivery of the liquid by the air to a location remote from said pump chamber, an air pipe for flow of air therein. The delivery pipe and pump chamber are in fluid communication, as are the air pipe and said pump chamber. A first air flow control to control air flow via said air pipe during first and second stages of a pumping cycle of the pump. A timer controls the operation of said first air flow control to thereby set the durations of said first and second stages of said pumping cycle. A first valve allows liquid to enter said pump chamber. Wherein in said first stage of the pumping cycle of the pump, the first air flow control allows air to be directed via said air pipe to said pump chamber for a time period set by said timer to cause liquid to be pushed from said pump chamber into said delivery pipe with the air for delivery via said delivery pipe to said location.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method for producing oil and natural gas from an oil well in the later stages of the well's lifetime. The apparatus includes a one-way valve located at the bottom of the conventional production tubing and a string of macaroni tubing inserted inside of the production tubing. The three chambers defined by the casing, the production tubing, and the macaroni tubing, are connectable to either the suction or discharge manifolds of the apparatus, which are in turn connectable to a compressor. With the valves manipulated in the appropriate fashion by the controller, pressure differentials can be created in the down-hole region of the well to force oil first into the macaroni tubing and then force it up and out of the macaroni tubing and to the sales line. An optional plunger may be used to help reduce paraffin or scale buildup in the macaroni tubing.

Abstract: A pump arrangement that has a pump chamber with an inlet opening and a discharge opening. A discharge pipe is connected to the outlet opening to carry liquid, etc., from the pump chamber. An inlet pipe is connected to the inlet opening and extends downwardly therefrom into the liquid to carry liquid, etc., to the pump chamber. The inlet opening is formed in the pump chamber above the discharge opening. A supply pipe is connected between a source of compressed air and the pump chamber. The supply pipe selectively either supplies compressed air to the pump chamber for exhausting liquid, etc., therefrom via the outlet opening and the discharge pipe or vents the air for intaking liquid, etc., into the pump chamber via the inlet pipe and the inlet opening. The inlet pipe is valve-free, whereby the inlet pipe is open during the entire operation of the pump arrangement so that the pump may pump liquids containing solid objects.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for handling a solid/liquid mixture, for example for conveying fish immersed in a fish/water mixture. The apparatus has a receiving chamber to receive the mixture through an inlet valve thereof when the chamber is subjected to low pressure, and to discharge the mixture through an outlet valve thereof when pressure in the chamber is increased. A quantity sensor is responsive to a pre-determined quantity of mixture within the chamber to isolate the chamber from low pressure when the pre-determined quantity is reached. The inlet and outlet valves are responsive to pressure differences thereacross. The inlet valve is positioned adjacent an upper portion of the chamber above maxium upper level of mixture within the chamber and has seat clearing structure to clear the inlet valve of solids when flow therethrough ceases. Inlet and outlet flow sensors are responsive to flow through the inlet and outlet valves respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring toxic waste liquid directly into a 55 gallon waste drum includes a mobile drum cradle that lifts the drum so it can be moved to a container presently holding the toxic liquid. A vacuum is produced in a transfer reservoir, and an inlet valve of the tank is opened and a dump valve of the tank is closed. The vacuum draws waste liquid through a tube and the inlet valve into the transfer reservoir until a full condition is sensed. The vacuum then is released, the inlet valve is closed, and the dump valve is opened, dumping waste liquid from the transfer reservoir through the dump valve directly into the drum. This procedure is automatically repeated until all of the waste liquid is transferred or a drum full condition is sensed. The drum is then carried to a disposal site by the mobile drum cradle.

Abstract: A vacuum sewer system, comprising a number of sewage feeding devices connected to a sewer pipe system under partial vacuum. The arrangement further comprises a self-discharging sewage collecting container to which the suction duct of a vacuum pump has been connected. This vacuum pump suction duct is provided with a valve by means of which the connection between the collecting container and the vacuum pump can be shut off. The outlet end of the sewer pipe system is connected to the collecting container through a non-return valve and there is also a device by means of which the collecting container can be put under atmospheric pressure or under a higher pressure. The different operations are governed by an automatic control device which effects emptying of the collecting container at suitable intervals.