Abstract: Method for rejuvenating a smoke filter which is adapted to remove solid particles from an internal combustion engine exhaust gas stream. The filter includes a bed which forms a multi-passage path along which an exhaust stream flows, and in which carbon particles are retained. A heating element incorporated into the filter bed periodically heats the flowing exhaust gas stream as well as the bed. Rejuvenation of the bed by burning off carbon is regulated in response to variations in the gas pressure, and in the bed temperature.

Abstract: A thermal energy exchanging device is described as having a stationary, hollow cylindrical gas distributing member around which a closed, hollow torus-shaped member rotates. The stationary member is longitudinally and transversely divided into four compartments. The hollow enclosure of the rotatable member is longitudinally divided into a plurality of pie-shaped sections which contain thermal energy responsive material. Sealing means are provided between the two members to divide the annular space therebetween into four segments which are radially aligned and communicate with the four compartments of the stationary member. The sealing means, in effect, divides the device into two sides or two separated chambers through which gases of different temperatures are simultaneously circulated into thermal energy exchanging relation with the heat responsive material that happens to be in that particular chamber at the moment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for treating a pollutant-containing gaseous effluent of the kind in which the pollutant is susceptible to catalytic oxidation to render it inoffensive, characterized by the steps of passing a major fraction of the effluent through material which will adsorb substantially all of the pollutant therein, while utilizing the remainder of the effluent to transfer, for catalytic oxidation in a catalytic reactor at an elevated temperature, pollutant which has already adsorbed on such material from said major fraction, and to promote the circulation of gases through the catalytic reaction zone, and repeatedly and appropriately changing the role of material from an adsorbing role to a catalytic oxidation role and back again. The process may involve two beds of material which are used alternately as adsorbing beds, the other bed meanwhile being stripped of adsorbed pollutant for catalysis.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided whereby sulfur and nitrogen oxides as well as carbon monoxides and unburned hydrocarbons are removed from internal combustion engine exhaust gases. The gases are passed through a chamber containing a sulfide and an oxide of iron, copper or zinc. The system is partially self-regenerating and can be used in conjunction with present catalytic converter units or in lieu thereof. In certain embodiments the present invention can also replace muffler units in exhaust systems.

Abstract: A high efficiency domestic furnace incorporates means for separating and neutralizing flue gas condensate. Acidic condensate from the flue gas products of combustion is neutralized by contact with neutralizing material in a housing through which the condensate is flowed. The use of the neutralizer in connection with a high efficiency domestic furnace permits discharge of the condensate directly to the household drain. The neutralizer is arranged to be self-flushing and defines a serpentine, series flow path and is arranged to discharge the neutralized condensate as a result of the entry of additional acidic condensate at its inlet. To enhance the operation of the neutralizer, it is arranged to be vibrated during normal operation of the furnace.

Abstract: A trapper apparatus arranged in the exhaust line of a diesel engine, provided with a pair of transversely separated trapper units and with a valve plate arranged before units for selectively introducing the exhaust gas from the engine into one of the units. The valve plate is further provided with a pair of fuel injection nozzles each of which is adapted for communicating a common fuel inlet with one of the trapper units which is closed by the valve plate.

Abstract: A high efficiency domestic furnace incorporates means for separating and neutralizing flue gas condensate. Acidic condensate from the flue gas products of combustion is neutralized by contact with neutralizing material in a housing through which the condensate is flowed. The use of the neutralizer in connection with a high efficiency domestic furnace permits discharge of the condensate directly to the household drain. The neutralizer is arranged to be self-flushing and defines a serpentine, series flow path and is arranged to discharge the neutralized condensate as a result of the entry of additional acidic condensate at its inlet.

Abstract: A self-regenerating diesel engine exhaust particulate filter comprising, in a preferred embodiment, porous ceramic walls defining filter surfaces between adjacent inlet and outlet passages and having electric heating wires in the inlet passages to periodically initiate incineration of collected particulates therein. A movable shield is preferably provided to restrict gas flow through the various passages during their respective periods of incineration so as to provide periodic regeneration with a minimum expenditure of external energy.

Abstract: A catalytic reactor useful for carrying out a catalytic reaction comprises a horizontally disposed reaction zone. Foraminous retaining means are disposed within said reactor or reaction zone transversely thereof and occupying the complete cross-section of said reaction zone available for the flow of gaseous or vaporized reactants therethrough. The forminous retaining means define a transverse volume along a portion of the length of the reactor and are adapted to be filled with particle-form catalytic material. A chamber is disposed at the upper portion of and in open communication with said transverse volume. The chamber is adapted to be filled with particle-form catalytic material so as to maintain the transverse volume filled with particle-form catalytic material. The catalytic reactor is generally useful for carrying out catalytic reactions involving gaseous or vaporized reactants and a mass of particle-form catalytic material.

Abstract: Emission gas to be scrubbed of sulfur dioxide or the like has turbulent lengthwise flow through an elongated mixing vessel. At a mixing zone in the vessel, near where said gas enters it, finely comminuted lime (Blaine Number preferably 6000 before calcining) is fed into the gas and carried out of the vessel with the gas to a cyclone separator. From the cyclone the gas passes to a baghouse at which residual lime is removed from it and it is released. A minor portion of the lime separated at the cyclone is sent to waste; most is returned to the mixing zone for recycling. Make-up lime is fed to the mixing zone from a suspension calcining furnace, reaching the mixing zone while still heated. To maintain 650.degree. C. to 750.degree. C. at the mixing zone, recycled lime may be reheated in passing from the cyclone to that zone.

Abstract: A flue gas scrubber for removing sulfur dioxide from hot flue gas includes a scrubbing section within which wet lime or limestone slurry is tumbled through the flue gas and a drying section incorporating agitating and nodulizing portions. A chain assembly and lifting scoops in the scrubbing section tumble the wet lime or limestone slurry in intimate contact with the flue gas to react with and remove the sulfur dioxide from the gas and form a slurry reaction product. A demisting zone in the scrubbing section assists in the removal of particulate matter. An annular baffle or dam separates the scrubbing and drying sections, and the agitating portion of the drying section from the final nodulizing portion. Low dams help impede rapid passage of the slurry through the scrubber.

Abstract: An improvement in a tritium control system based on a catalytic oxidation reactor wherein accidental releases of tritium into room air are controlled by flooding the catalytic oxidation reactor with hydrogen when the tritium concentration in the room air exceeds a specified limit. The sudden flooding with hydrogen heats the catalyst to a high temperature within seconds, thereby greatly increasing the catalytic oxidation rate of tritium to tritiated water vapor. Thus, the catalyst is heated only when needed. In addition to the heating effect, the hydrogen flow also swamps the tritium and further reduces the tritium release.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for controlling corona generated ozone emissions in electrostatographic copying equipment. This is achieved by directing ozone rich gases through a novel fluidized bed reactor located in an exhaust channel of an electrostatographic copier. The novel reactor is provided with means for continuously or periodically purging fine particles from the perforated wall of the catalyst containing chamber proximate to the exhaust end of the reactor; thereby, preventing such fine particles from becoming permanently entrained within such perforation and creating a substantial pressure drop between the interior of the catalyst containing chamber and the exterior of said chamber proximate to exhaust end of the reactor. The preferred ozone neutralization system contemplated for use in this invention is a multiple stage device wherein a number of reactors are connected to one another in series.