Including Means Rotating Reaction Chamber During Use Patents (Class 422/209)
  • Patent number: 5665594
    Abstract: A rotating cell vessel (4), designed to be simply constructed, and method of use have been developed. The vessel (4) is constructed of materials which are permeable to oxygen and carbon dioxide, and when rotated horizontally around central axis (10) suspends the contents, cells and particle substrates, in a liquid medium with a low turbulence, low shear fluid environment. The vessel walls (24) are made at least partially of gas permeable material. The vessel (4) is rotated to suspend the cells and substrate particles in a low turbulence liquid nutrient medium. Oxygen continuously diffuses through the permeable vessel material and through the cell culture liquid medium to provide the needed oxygen to the cells. Carbon dioxide diffuses through the cell culture medium and through the vessel wall (24), removing this waste product from the cell culture. A means for entrapping gas bubbles away from cell growth is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Synthecon, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray P. Schwarz, Frederick A. Archibald, III, William J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5635152
    Abstract: Regeneration of hydrochloric acid by hydrolysis of iron chloride in aqueous solution employs a Pelletiser (5) after preconcentration of acid solution in a "Pre-Evaporator" (1). Pelletiser (5) controls pellet mixture to between 12% and 14% free water by recycling dried solids from Roaster (3), from Screen (7), or from dust removal Cyclone (9), and waste liquid from Preconcentrator (1). Preconcentrator (1) is contacted with superheated gas from Fluid Bed Roaster (3). Rotary Drier (6) dries pellets with a concurrent hot gas stream and the pellets are screened at (7) with oversize being sent to a Mill (8), undersize recycled to Pelletiser (5), and sized feed delivered to Roaster (3). HCl is produced as gas offtake from Preconcentrator (1) and passes via a demisting Cyclone into adiabatic Absorption Process section (11), where weak acid liquor and water (10) are added as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Austpac Gold N.L.
    Inventor: Ernest A. Walpole
  • Patent number: 5556765
    Abstract: A reactor includes a reaction vessel that defines a reaction chamber. Completely or partially within the reaction chamber is at least one spiroid. The spiroid is operably associated with the reaction vessel so that rotation of the reaction vessel causes the spiroid to rotate and liquid to be transferred through the spiroid. The spiroid can circulate gas and liquid within the reaction chamber, introduce fresh gas and liquid into the reaction chamber or discharge gas and liquid from the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: Richard R. Dedolph
  • Patent number: 5556445
    Abstract: A method for treating solid municipal waste material including placing solid municipal waste in a rotating chamber having an interior at ambient pressure, heating the waste at ambient pressure, and controlling the moisture content of the waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Mark K. Quinn
    Inventors: Mark K. Quinn, Bruce E. Unangst
  • Patent number: 5534437
    Abstract: A method for converting municipal solid waste and sewage sludge into an organic fertilizer has a Stage 1 and a Stage 2, and includes a vessel that has three climate zones. Stage 1 has three climate zones, wherein the first climate zone contains thermophilic microorganisms, the second climate zone contains mesophilic microorganisms, and the third climate zone contains other microorganisms. The product of Stage 1 is reintroduced into Stage 2 and is then inoculated with a biodegrading enzyme and a bacteria species to produce a different final product fertilizer from Stage 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Bio-Waste Technologies, International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Agustin H. Arrau
  • Patent number: 5523060
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the separation and extraction of a waste material into a solid, a liquid, and a gas phase utilizing a rotating drum that is sealed from the atmosphere. The exterior of the drum is heated and the waste material flows through the interior of the drum where the liquid components are vaporized and the solids are dried. The drum includes a oxidizing section where the hot dried solids, after the majority of the liquids have been vaporized, are mixed with gas containing oxygen for oxidizing the remaining particles of oxidizable material in the solids. Hot exhaust gases flow through the interior of the drum in a counter current direction of the flow of the solids to maintain an inert atmosphere in the heating section where the vaporization takes place and to prevent the condensables from flowing back over the solids and condensing. The vapors flow through a chamber that contains a hot oil spray for removing solids from the vapors, and then flow to a condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Inventor: Jim S. Hogan
  • Patent number: 5470539
    Abstract: Polymer particles having a small particle diameter and a narrow particle diameter distribution are obtained by a continuous polymerization method which does not accompany an increase of cohering products attaching to an inner face of a reaction vessel and an air-bubble invasion and, in which stirring of a material solution for polymerization is easy. An emulsion polymerization reaction or a suspension polymerization reaction is carried out by supplying a material solution for polymerization continuously to a clearance between coaxial double cylinders, which have stretched toward a direction crossing a horizontal plane, from the end side of the cylinders, by rotating at least one of the double cylinders round the axis and thereby, causing Taylor vortices. The polymer particles thus-formed are obtained by through from the other end side of the double cylinders to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Nippon Paint Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Imamura, Katsumi Mizuguchi, Yasuhiro Shibai, Keizou Ishii, Shinichi Ishikura, Koichi Saito
  • Patent number: 5456881
    Abstract: Organic and/or inorganic substances and water are thermally separated from contaminated materials, solid aggregates, the contaminated material is pretreated and is subsequently heated in a directly or indirectly heated furnace, which includes a rotary kiln, a fluidized bed furnace or a floating zone reactor, and during the heating the material is treated with recycled hot gases or recycled hot steam and with oxidizing agents. The exiting processing gases, which contain water vapor, are dedusted, and 80 to 90% by volume of the water vapor-containing processing gases are recycled to the furnace to act as entraining gas. The remaining water vapor-containing processing gases are condensed, the resulting liquid phase is withdrawn, and pollutants are removed from the withdrawn liquid phase by a wet chemical or physical processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Metallgesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gebhard Bandel, Stephan Becker, Dirk Hankel, Gurudas Samant, Erhard Weilandt, Johann Renner
  • Patent number: 5437845
    Abstract: The apparatus for activating carbon-containing material has an inlet for feeding carbon-containing material into a drum-shaped reactor, which is arranged so that its axis is substantially horizontal and has a cylindrical helix for moving the material about and along its axis. Heating burners are arranged outside the drum-shaped reactor and ducts are provided for introducing a stream of superheated steam inside the drum-shaped reactor. There are also discharge ports for discharging the activated carbon-containing material outside the drum-shaped reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: O.E.T. Calusco S.r.l.
    Inventors: Osvaldo Brioni, Dario Buizza
  • Patent number: 5437998
    Abstract: A new rotating cell vessel and method of use have been developed. The vessel is constructed of materials which are permeable to oxygen and carbon dioxide, and when rotated horizontally suspend the contents, cells and particle substrates, in a liquid medium with a low turbulence, low shear fluid environment. The vessel walls are made at least partially of gas permeable material. The vessel is rotated in a horizontal plane to suspend the cells and substrate particles in a low turbulence liquid nutrient medium. Oxygen continuously diffuses through the permeable vessel material and through the cell culture liquid medium to provide the needed oxygen to the cells. Carbon dioxide diffuses through the cell culture medium and through the vessel wall, removing this waste product from the cell culture. The vessel is uniquely designed to be simply constructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Synthecon, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray P. Schwarz, Frederick A. Archibald, III
  • Patent number: 5427947
    Abstract: A rotatable environmental chamber for reducing solid waste includes a cylindrical container having front and rear end caps, seal bearings and support plates for journaling the container each having a central opening. The seal bearings are pinned to the end caps and fit into counterbores in the support plates. Pipes in communication with the inside of the container are connected to holes in the front end cap and seal bearing. Holes in the front support plate are aligned with recessed areas in the seal bearing. Liquids and/or a gas can be introduced through the front support plate and seal bearing to the container through the pipes as the container rotates. Variable pitch vanes inside the container are used to mix and direct the flow of waste. Isolation valves are used to seal the container. The environmental chamber may be used in a process for anaerobic and aerobic decomposition of organic materials and for reducing plastic and metals to other compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Inventor: David E. Dalos
  • Patent number: 5427948
    Abstract: An apparatus for conducting hybridization processes which includes a sealable vessel having a first longitudinal axis, a rotatable membrane support disposed inside the sealable vessel for supporting a membrane and having a second longitudinal axis, and a structure for rotating the membrane support about the second longitudinal axis. The membrane support is positioned in the sealable vessel so that the second longitudinal axis is offset relative to the first longitudinal axis such that a portion of the membrane support is near the bottom of the sealable vessel. The membrane support further has an opening therein located so that, when fluid is present on the bottom of the sealable vessel, the fluid flows into the membrane support and wets the inside surface of the membrane support while it is being rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Michigan State University
    Inventor: Brian Diers
  • Patent number: 5400443
    Abstract: A modified flush toilet adapted to process solid human waste into a recyclable product. The toilet has a bowl with a chamber under it for receiving the waste flushed thereinto. A rotatable filter disk is mounted in the chamber. This filter disk allows the liquid waste to pass through and retains the solid waste. An electric heater is provided to convert from time to time the solid waste accumulated onto the disk into dry granules which may be blown into a bag and subsequently used as a fertilizer. A heavy duty disposal unit may also be incorporated into the toilet to treat other bathroom and household waste. The unit communicates with the chamber through a pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Inventor: John Marino
  • Patent number: 5340891
    Abstract: Polymer particles having a small particle diameter and a narrow particle diameter distribution are obtained by a continuous polymerization method which does not accompany an increase of cohering products attaching to an inner face of a reaction vessel and an air-bubble invasion and, in which stirring of a material solution for polymerization is easy. An emulsion polymerization reaction or a suspension polymerization reaction is carried out by supplying a material solution for polymerization continuously to a clearance between coaxial double cylinders, which have stretched toward a direction crossing a horizontal plane, from the end side of the cylinders, by rotating at least one of the double cylinders round the axis and thereby, causing Taylor vortices. The polymer particles thus-formed are obtained by through the other end side of the double cylinders to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Nippon Paint Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Imamura, Katsumi Mizuguchi, Yasuhiro Shibai, Keizou Ishii, Shinichi Ishikura, Koichi Saito
  • Patent number: 5336471
    Abstract: Ceramic blocks which may be catalyst coated having gas flow channels therethrough are supported in a metal framework to form a removable basket for a rotary regenerative air heater. The blocks are supported between compressed packing material with individual rows being supported at one inlet edge and the opposite outlet edge by Z-plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: ABB Air Preheater, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Brophy, Robin B. Rhodes, Wayne S. Counterman
  • Patent number: 5334358
    Abstract: Disc reactors with large free useful volume which clean themselves kinematically, consisting of two or more parallel shafts, rotating in the same or opposite directions, on which are located axially staggered, circular discs with scrapers distributed over their periphery, and an enclosing casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heinrich Schuchardt, Martin Ullrich
  • Patent number: 5324487
    Abstract: A melt is stored in a vessel. A lower half of a degassing member is immersed in the melt. The degassing member has a cylindrical form with the lower end closed, and the lower half section is made of a porous material which is permeable to gas and impermeable to melts as molten metal, molten slag, or molten matte. This lower half section is a partitioning member. When an internal space inside the degassing member is sucked to realize vacuum or reduced pressure atmosphere, gas producing components in the melt pass through the partition member of the degassing member, and are exhausted to inside the degassing member, thus being separated from the melt. Also, by making the degassing member rotate or move in a horizontal or vertical direction, the melt is stirred. With these features, gas-producing components in the melt can be removed at a high efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignees: Tokyo Yogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Masamichi Sano
    Inventors: Masamichi Sano, Nobuo Miyagawa, Kunji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5312599
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the manufacture of activated carbon wherein a carbonaceous raw material impregnated with a chemical activating agent is treated by controlling the rate of heat transfer to the particles via indirect heating of the activation furnace and simultaneously introducing a flow of independently controlled sweep gas at spaced intervals along the path of travel of the particles through the furnace to more precisely control the activation reaction and the level of densification of the particles during certain stages of treatment. In a more preferred embodiment, the particles are processed in a plurality of treatment stages related to the rate of evolution of water and/or the evolution of water and the chemical activating agent and the rates of heat transfer and the volume flow rate of sweep gas are closely controlled relative to achieving predetermined levels of densification of the particles during each treatment stage and selected levels of activation properties in the end product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventor: Frank R. Schwartz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5300438
    Abstract: A composting apparatus and method utilizing a vessel for receiving organic material which is rotatably supported. In a preferred embodiment, the vessel has a corrugated body to move and agitate the material. In another embodiment, the vessel is fabricated from large containers, such as refuse containers, secured end-to-end at their top ends. The vessel is rotated by a drive wheel engaging a peripheral track on the exterior of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Augspurger Engineering
    Inventors: Quent Augspurger, Charles H. Bartlett
  • Patent number: 5275230
    Abstract: A regenerative preheater includes a heat accumulator and a catalyst through which a raw gas containing a harmful component can flow and through which a clean gas can flow in alternation. A first admission point for a gaseous reagent is disposed upstream of the catalyst in a flow path of the raw gas. A second admission point for the gaseous reagent is disposed upstream of the catalyst in a flow path of the clean gas. A method for operating a regenerative preheater includes passing a raw gas containing a harmful component and passing a clean gas through a heat accumulator and a catalyst in alternation. A a reagent for a catalytic reaction is introduced into both a flow path of the raw gas and a flow path of the clean gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Lothar Balling, Klaus Huttenhofer
  • Patent number: 5270017
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the manufacture of activated carbon wherein a carbonaceous raw material impregnated with a chemical activating agent is treated by controlling the rate of heat transfer to the particles via indirect heating of the activation furnace and simultaneously introducing a flow of independently controlled sweep gas at spaced intervals along the path of travel of the particles through the furnace to more precisely control the activation reaction and the level of densification of the particles during certain stages of treatment. In a more preferred embodiment, the particles are processed in a plurality of treatment stages related to the rate of evolution of water and/or the evolution of water and the chemical activating agent and the rates of heat transfer and the volume flow rate of sweep gas are closely controlled relative to achieving predetermined levels of densification of the particles during each treatment stage and selected levels of activation properties in the end product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventor: Frank R. Schwartz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5254472
    Abstract: An organic digesting system incorporating a pair of digester units each of which includes an elongated, horizontally disposed frusto-conical, stationary outer drum with each outer drum including a correspondingly frusto-conical inner drum that is rotatably driven about a horizontal axis. The outer upper drum includes an inlet at the smaller end thereof and a vertical discharge conduit at the larger end thereof which communicates with the smaller end of the lower outer drum. The larger end of the lower outer drum includes a discharge outlet or conduit. Each of the inner conical drums is constructed of foraminous material to form a periphery that is porous with the foraminous periphery of the inner drum being supported from support shafts at each end thereof. The interior of the inner drum is provided with a plurality of inwardly extending agitation blades which are spaced peripherally on the interior of the inner drum and arranged in longitudinally spaced arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Inventors: Edward H. Brooks, III, Johnathan A. Brooks
  • Patent number: 5244804
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for co-composting municipal refuse to reduce organic components in the refuse to useful soil additives. The apparatus includes a charger for receiving a quantity of refuse material and a labyrinth seal between the apparatus for charging and the inlet end of an elongated drum wherein the refuse material is held and mixed for decomposition. Sewage sludge is mixed with the refuse and the drum supports the mixture of refuse and sludge such that it decomposes while continuously and evenly moving from the inlet end of the drum to the discharge end of the drum. A cylindrical screen assembly is fixed to the discharge end of the drum for separation of the composted materials from other components of the refuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: City of Portage
    Inventors: Michael T. Horkan, Richard T. Casey
  • Patent number: 5234833
    Abstract: A polyhedron composting container (10) is disclosed having an access door panel (15) and interior turning tines (18). The polyhedron composter (10) is advantageously manufactured from identical equilateral triangles which can snap or fasten together by bolts or the like. Vents (20) are provided either in the individual panels (11) or by hollow tines (18), or both. Here composter (10) is manufactured in the shape of a isocahedron to facilitate aeration through easy turning and further to simplify loading and unloading of composter (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Inventor: Henry Artis
  • Patent number: 5225171
    Abstract: Apparatus for intercalating large quantities of fibrous structures uses a rotatable reaction chamber containing a liquid phase intercalate. The intercalate liquid phase is controlled by appropriately heating, cooling or pressurizing the reaction. Rotation of the chamber containing the fiber sample ensures total submergence of the fiber during intercalation. Intercalated graphite fibers having metal-like resistivities are produced and are conceivably useful as electrical conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics & Space Administration
    Inventor: James R. Gaier
  • Patent number: 5197801
    Abstract: A tumbler includes a support frame assembly rotatably mounting a drum assembly for driving by a drive assembly comprising an electric motor drivingly connected to the drum assembly, a battery coupled to the electric motor, and a photovoltaic panel connected to the battery for charging it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Inventor: Max B. Swisher
  • Patent number: 5154896
    Abstract: An apparatus for reaction between a solid phase and a liquid phase of the present invention allows a tubular reaction vessel accommodating the liquid phase that reacts with the solid phase bound to the inside surface of said reaction vessel to hold in the peripheral region of a rotating element inclined with respect to the horizontal direction and also allows said tubular reaction vessel to repeat a predetermined number of cycles, each consisting at least of the steps of rotating continuously said rotating element in the inclined state at a predetermined constant speed for a predetermined time and loading/unloading said reaction vessel for the rest time of the rotating element. Because of these features, the apparatus of the present invention makes possible to have a simple construction which can be easily handled and can continuously promote the reaction in a plurality of the reaction vessels under identical reaction conditions for identical reaction time at a series of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ei Mochida, Kenji Usui
  • Patent number: 5132090
    Abstract: An apparatus transfers heat for the purpose of purifying raw feed liquid, separating dissolved gases from liquids, vaporizing heat transfer fluids or containing and regulating biological/chemical reactions. The feed liquid is directed into an evaporator module submerged in a solar pond or other body of heated liquid. The evaporator module includes a rotating housing through which a plurality of spaced apart substantially horizontal open ended heat transfer tubes extend. A heating liquid is directed through the heat transfer tubes. The feedwater is distributed within the evaporator module so as to cause the feedwater to descend into heat transferring contact with the heat transfer tubes and thereby vaporize a portion of the feedwater. A preferred embodiment of the evaporator module is disclosed which includes cavitation fins for urging the heated liquid through the evaporator module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Inventor: Craig S. Volland
  • Patent number: 5102803
    Abstract: An apparatus for composting city sewage sludge and organic garbage to provide rich humus topsoil for city and private use. A continuous rotation of an aeration lift arm over the floor of a cylindrical tank, lifts the sludge to split it open to provide controlled dynamic aeration therewithin and to maintain bacteria action over periods of time and on demand in response to a temperature probe set at 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooperating equipment comprises an air blower, a motor driven arm operable upon a central drive sleeve device to rotate the aerator lift arm, and an exhaust pump for removing hot gases resulting from the bacteria action. The full compost mass is lifted over an inclined surface to a height and spilled over a raised trailing edge of the aerator arm closed with a back wall plate. The back wall plate has valved openings through which varying amounts of air are delivered from the hollow aerator arm to different radially volume-extended mass areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Inventor: Lloyd E. Weaver
  • Patent number: 5096690
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing silver halide grains wherein a water-soluble silver salt solution and a water-soluble halide solution are separately introduced within a hollow cylindrical structure open at each end which is rotatable mounted about its longitudinal axis within a reaction vessel containing a colloidal aqueous solution. The colloidal aqueous solution within the cylindrical structure is stirred and mixed during the addition of the silver salt solution and halide solution and the silver halide grains which form within the cylindrical structure are immediately discharged into the colloidal aqueous solution between the outer circumference of the cylindrical structure and the reaction vessel through slits in the circumference of the cylindrical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Saito
  • Patent number: 5091157
    Abstract: A recycle conduit insulation assembly for use with a helical recycle conduit of a rotary reactor of the type having a rotating, horizontally-oriented, cylindrical chamber for burning materials therein and a quantity of particulate, inorganic material within the chamber for conveying heat energy to material to be burned. The insulation assembly includes a plurality of shell elements, each comprising a cylinder enclosing a portion of the conduit and being arranged in overlapping relation, a plurality of mounting rings, each attached to and extending radially from the conduit and having a T-shape in section for supporting the shell elements at ends thereof, and a pumpable refractory mixture substantially filling the insulating space between the shell elements and conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Rollins Environmental Services (TX) Inc.
    Inventors: Harold L. Byerly, Bruno R. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 5087326
    Abstract: An apparatus for bleaching pulp particles comprising an inner tubular shaped shell member with lifter blades mounted on its internal wall surface. The shell member is rotatably mounted within an outer shell member with seals between the shell members providing an isolated space. This space is pressurized with a gas to prevent pulp particles and gases from escaping from the inner shell member by way of the seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: Union Camp Patent Holding, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart T. Jones
  • Patent number: 5084249
    Abstract: A rotary contactor (10) suitable for liquid/liquid extraction processes in a nuclear fuel reprocessing plant includes a rotor (14) with a contacting chamber (16) defined within it, the chamber being of annular shape with its radial width considerably less than its inner radius. Neutron absorbing material (22) inhibits neutron transmission between different parts of the contactor. Where the rotation axis is upright, liquids may be fed into the contactor via open-topped annular feed channels (30, 32) at the upper surface of the rotor (14). The chamber (16) includes a packing material (42) such as wire mesh, random or structured packing. The contactor also includes an arrangement to control the radial position of the liquid/liquid coalescing interface, or to control the radial position at which one of the liquids is taken off, which may be operated by gas pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: British Nuclear Fuels plc
    Inventor: Peter D. Martin
  • Patent number: 5047349
    Abstract: A compartmentalized horizontally mounted rotatable cylindrical digester drum is provided with inter-compartment transfer buckets each having an inlet opening substantially congruent to a segment of the circular partition separating one compartment from the next. In addition one or more annular flanges are located in each treatment compartment extending radially inwardly from the cylindrical wall of the drum. The transfer buckets may be rectangular prismatic in contour with a bottom wall within the confines of the drum coincident with the chordal boundary of the segment and an upper wall spaced radially outwardly of the cylindrical wall of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Bedminster Bioconversion Corporation
    Inventor: Eric W. Eweson, deceased
  • Patent number: 5037620
    Abstract: A new anhydrous sodium dichromate in flakes, Na.sub.2 Cr.sub.2 O.sub.7, m.p. 356.degree. C. (dec. 400.degree. C.) is described, characterized in that it comes in flakes with an area of approx. 1 cm.sup.2, thickness 0.5 mm and apparent specific gravity 1.10 (absolute 2.748) at 25.degree. C; it is not deliquescent, nor does it become powdery. It is prepared from dihydrate sodium dichromate or aqueous solutions thereof using a new process in two stages, namely a) evaporation-melting of the dihydrate salt or concentrated aqueous solution at a strictly controlled temperature of around 380.degree. C. and no higher, and b) flaking of the melted mass obtained thereby, as it is being rapidly cooled to 150.degree.-160.degree. C. The apparatus for carrying out the process is also disclosed; the apparatus includes a dehydrator-melter oven, a flaker rotating at 10-20 revs per minute and a heat recovery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Luigi Stoppani S.p.A.
    Inventor: Diego Perrone
  • Patent number: 5023057
    Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for the preparation of carbon polymonofluoride.The reaction of fluorine diluted with at least one inert gas with carbon particles is performed in a reaction zone in which the particles travel as a thin layer. Diluted fluorine is introduced into the reaction zone in the form of a plurality of gaseous mixtures delivered at a plurality of points close to the layer of the particles and distributed in the reaction zone. The weight content of fluorine and the flow rate of each of the gaseous mixtures are controlled independently and such that the volume content of fluorine in the gaseous phase at the gaseous phase/particles interface in the vicinity of each of the points is lower than the minimum content causing the inflammation of the particles.For a space time output higher than 10 kg.multidot.h.sup.-1 m.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Societe Atochem
    Inventor: Jean Metzger
  • Patent number: 4997357
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating power station residues in the form of bulk material, particularly the filter ash from power stations, by hydrating the lime content by adding moisture and by further wetting of the bulk material, with an opportunity for constantly feeding in material to be processed and discharging processed material, and also to an apparatus for carrying out the method. In order to provide a method and an apparatus by which large quantities of power stations residues (ash) can be quickly and safely treated at economic and comparatively low cost, it is according to the invention proposed that the bulk material supplied should pass through a succession of different spatially substantially separate treatment zones be moved mechanically at adjustable intensity throughout the entire process, be differently treated in each treatment zone, be caused to react and transported along a reaction line under control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignees: Hubert Eirich, Paul Eirich, Walter Eirich
    Inventors: Hubert Eirich, Paul Eirich, Walter Eirich, Herbert Durr
  • Patent number: 4992105
    Abstract: A plurality of reactors, which can all be interconnected selectively by way of pipes, are used for the hydrolytic separation of a cellulose-containing substrate so that a stepwise pressure reduction in one reactor is made possible and thus a stepwise pressure build-up in all the other reactors. The steam entering and leaving the reactors is used to produce a fluidized bed of the substrate. A high output with a low specific expenditure of energy is achieved by these measures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Werner & Pfleiderer, GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Werner, Klaus-Jurgen Hinger
  • Patent number: 4952374
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon gas, such as methane, is partially oxidized by flowing the gas through a moving catalyst bed supported on a rotating drum disposed in a partitioned duct. Catalyst is regenerated by exposure to an oxygen containing gas flowing through a passage formed in the duct. A gas seal is formed between the duct partition and a surface of the catalyst support drum on the downstream side of the drum to minimize the leakage flow of hydrocarbon gas into the regenerator gas. The pressures of the hydrocarbon gas and regenerator gas are regulated upstream of the catalyst bed to minimize leakage flow of one gas into the flow space of the other gas through a space formed between the duct partition and the drum upstream of the catalyst bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventor: Lloyd A. Baillie
  • Patent number: 4940337
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stirring apparatus for mixing, with metallic iron masses, a concentrated strongly acidic ferric chloride waste fluid containing iron and one or more other heavy metals in which the content of nickel is highest, the stirring apparatus being characterized by comprising a rotating mechanism for rotating a container, and a passage which is disposed in a rotary shaft and through which excess gas and liquid generated during stirring is discharged into the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignees: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Rayon Engineering Co., Ltd., Harima Chemial Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Nakaji, Hideki Kojima, Ryoichi Tachibana
  • Patent number: 4869729
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing methane by hydrolysis of aluminum carbide, the aluminum carbide being formed by reduction of aluminum hydroxide/aluminum oxide with carbon derived from low grade coal in the presence of a catalyst at a temperature of at least 1250.degree. C. The hydrolysis of aluminum carbide in the presence of an acid catalyst forms aluminum hydroxide and methane, and the aluminum hydroxide, along with admixed impurities, is returned to the reducing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Inventors: Richard T. Schneider, Frederick A. Hauck
  • Patent number: 4851115
    Abstract: A separator comprises a central casing including an upper disk and a lower disk, both disks having a plurality of openings, and a plurality of columns extending between the upper and lower disks and in communication with the plurality of openings, an upper casing including a disk disposed in contact with the upper disk of the central casing and having a plurality of openings, and a plurality of columns extending upwardly from the upper surface of the disk and in communication with the plurality of columns of the central casing, a lower casing including a disk disposed in contact with the lower disk of the central casing and having a plurality of openings, and a plurality of columns extending downwardly from the lower surface of the disk and in communication with the plurality of columns of the central casing, and a plurality of receptacles disposed within the plurality of columns. The upper and lower casings are rotated so that the receptacles can be circulated through the columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Kikkoman Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Akao, Morihiko Sakai, Katsumichi Ohsaki, Muneki Yamada
  • Patent number: 4816225
    Abstract: Impurities are removed from pieces of sulfur by dropping the pieces directly into a bath of heated liquid sulfur disposed in a vessel. The liquid sulfur is heated externally of the vessel and conveyed thereto. The sulfur pieces melt in the bath. A movable element, such as a rotary screen drum or conveyor blades for example, is disposed in the bath for agitating the bath and entraining the impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Santrade Ltd.
    Inventors: Krishna S. Mathur, Ferdinand Werni
  • Patent number: 4795496
    Abstract: Adherent foreign matters such as metal powders and sludges are removed from the surface of work pieces of metal, ceramics or the like in a treating process thereof. Work pieces where foreign matters adhere and a granules composed of a heat-resisting inorganic substance such as sand are put together into a container. The inside of the container is heated to raise the temperature to the melting point of the adherents or to a temperature near it, and an external force is applied; to the container so that the work pieces will move in the container, for example, to rotate the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shintaro Karaki, Yoshikazu Chigodo, Masaaki Okane, Yukio Tanaka
  • Patent number: 4774060
    Abstract: Equipment for purifying gases comprising a housing having opposing closed end faces and containing wetting fluid which is reactive to impurities in the gas to be purified; a cylinder rotatably mounted within the housing such that the cylinder is mounted between the closed end faces; a plurality of spaced apart plates extending outwardly of the cylinder and extending lengthwise along the cylinder so that as the cylinder rotates the plates are immersed in the wetting fluid and thereafter emerge from the wetting fluid; an air inlet opening for introducing air into the housing provided in one of the end faces such that air is not directed into the wetting fluid and an air outlet opening in the other of the closed end faces through which air exits; a gas inlet opening for introducing the gas to be purified into the housing and a gas outlet for removing the purified gas from the equipment, the gas inlet provided in one of the opposing closes end faces such that the gas to be purified is not directed into the wettin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Inventors: Hans Voss, Hans-Joachim Voss, Joachim Moller
  • Patent number: 4751067
    Abstract: A reactor apparatus (10) adapted for continuously producing molten, solar grade purity elemental silicon by thermal reaction of a suitable precursor gas, such as silane (SiH.sub.4), is disclosed. The reactor apparatus (10) includes an elongated reactor body (32) having graphite or carbon walls which are heated to a temperature exceeding the melting temperature of silicon. The precursor gas enters the reactor body (32) through an efficiently cooled inlet tube assembly (22) and a relatively thin carbon or graphite septum (44). The septum (44), being in contact on one side with the cooled inlet (22) and the heated interior of the reactor (32) on the other side, provides a sharp temperature gradient for the precursor gas entering the reactor (32) and renders the operation of the inlet tube assembly (22) substantially free of clogging. The precursor gas flows in the reactor (32) in a substantially smooth, substantially axial manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Inventor: Harry Levin
  • Patent number: 4737263
    Abstract: Dewaxing a waxy feedstock is achieved by submerging the dewaxing catalyst bed in the waxy feedstock and removing gaseous products out of contact with the catalyst by agitating the bed to prevent further cracking or polymerization. Catalyst aging during dewaxing is significantly reduced by operating the dewaxing reactor within a narrow low temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Nai Y. Chen, Thomas F. Degnan, Jr., Bruce P. Pelrine, Richard F. Socha
  • Patent number: 4729877
    Abstract: A horizontal solid-bed polymerization reactor which is divided into a plurality of zones, for example a reaction zone, an after-reaction zone, a heating zone and a product discharge zone and possesses inlet and outlet openings for feeding substances into the zones and/or removing substances from the zones, the zones being separated from one another over a part of the reactor cross-section by means of weirs, wherein two drive shafts which are independent of one another and possess mixing elements are introduced into the solid-bed polymerization reactor in the middle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Assignee: Basf Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karl Hennig, Karlheinz Messmer, Guenter Hoerdt, Gerhard Kleinpeter, Werner Hoffmann, Hans-Juergen Raubenheimer
  • Patent number: 4728502
    Abstract: Apparatus for carrying out a multiplicity of different sequential chemical syntheses on solid-supports simultaneously comprises a multiplicity of complementary support plates each formed with a reaction chamber opening through the plate and containing the solid-support together with at least one by-pass channel through the plate. The by-pass channel or channels and reaction chamber are disposed equi-angularly and at the same radial distance about an axis of the plate. The plates are rotatably supported in compression in face to face contact between end plates complementary to the plates and each formed with a blank position and passages for at least one reactant stream. Means is provided for independently rotating each plate whereby each reaction chamber of each plate may independently be isolated or positioned in the or a selected reactant stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Inventor: Brendan J. Hamill
  • Patent number: H980
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and implementation, including apparatus comprising a two-stage, single-unit, and energy-efficient rotary drum-type granulator-dryer device having a granulator section and a separate dryer section in a new and novel combination designed for continuously granulating and/or ammoniating, and subsequently drying, respectively, a variety of materials together with specific processes for effecting such granulating and/or ammoniating, and subsequent drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Tennessee Valley Authority
    Inventor: Cecil P. Harrison