Abstract: An extractor suitable for using a solvent to separate a compound from a solid or semisolid substance containing the compound. The extractor includes a conveying assembly having an inclined conveyor for receiving the substance from a substance inlet and moving the substance through the solvent, an inclined upper surface associated with the first conveyor and an inclined lower surface associated with the first conveyor. The conveyor is configured to move the substance downward through the solvent along the upper surface toward a lower end of the conveyor and upward through the solvent along the lower surface toward an upper end of the conveyor.

Abstract: A rotatable basket extractor for use in extracting oil from oleaginous feed material is disclosed. The extractor includes a rotatable rotor that includes a plurality of baskets extending radially outward from a central shaft, and the baskets receive and transport the oleaginous feed material while a motor rotates the baskets between a feed inlet and a feed outlet. The rotor is located within a housing and positioned above a screen through which miscella that drains from the feed material passes. The miscella is collected in a trough located below the screen and is sprayed onto the feed material bed positioned within the baskets in a counter-current manner. A suction device pulls vapor down between the particles of the feed material bed to decrease the drainage time of the miscella through the feed material.

Abstract: An extractor which provides significant features over structures known in the prior art. The present improved structure employs nozzles which eject a jet of fluid upwardly into a granular or flake product being conveyed on a transfer conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for the solvent extraction of oil-bearing materials having a two-deck, loop-shaped housing is provided. The apparatus has a feed inlet for the materials and an outlet for the solvent-wet extracted materials. An assembly of two or more endless chains are connected by a series of baffle plates and driven by a set of two or more drive sprockets that transport the materials from the feed inlet to the outlet over an upper deck, along an elbow and over a lower deck the end of which serves as a draining section, both of which decks retain the materials but let miscella pass through. Inside the housing, the materials are sprayed with solvent that percolates through the materials and is collected below the decks and sprayed again onto the materials in a counter-current manner.

Abstract: Assay device processing apparatus includes a rotatably mounted assay device vessel support; and a drive for rotating the support. The support is rotatable about a substantially horizontal first axis so that, upon rotation, an assay device vessel attached to the support can be inverted.

Abstract: An apparatus for the solvent extraction of oil-bearing materials having a two-deck (18, 24), loop-shaped housing (12) is provided. The apparatus has a feed inlet (40) for the materials and an outlet (66) for the solvent-wet extracted materials. An assembly (42) of two or more endless chains (44) are connected by a series of baffle plates (46) and driven by a set of two or more drive sprockets (90) that transport the materials from the feed inlet (40) to the outlet (66) over an upper deck (18), along an elbow (30) and over a lower deck (24) the end of which serves as a draining section (82), both of which decks retain the materials but let miscella pass through. Inside the housing (12), the materials are sprayed with solvent that percolates through the materials and is collected below the decks and sprayed again onto the materials in a counter-current manner.

Abstract: A reclaiming apparatus 106 includes: a sealed container 106a that is an absorbent reservoir for storing therein a part of an absorbent that has absorbed CO2 in flue gas, and a heater that heats the absorbent stored in the sealed container 106a. The reclaiming apparatus 106 distributes a part of the absorbent stored in the sealed container 106a, and brings the distributed absorbent into counter-current contact with steam. Because a part of the absorbent stored in the absorbent reservoir is brought into counter-current contact with the steam, absorbent component contained therein becomes volatilized, and is separated from depleted materials. In this manner, the absorbent component can be extracted from the depleted materials, and a loss of the absorbent can be reduced.

Abstract: Apparatus for the continuous processing and solids handling in first near-critical and supercritical fluids. The present invention also allows for treatment of the starting material with the first near-critical or supercritical fluid. The remaining raffinate is then continuously transferred and may be collected in a second fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for recycling noble metals, which comprises one or more conveyers, one or more carriers, an immersion device, one or more dissolution devices, and one or more rinse devices. The carriers, the immersion device, the dissolution devices, and the rinse devices are arranged in U-shape. Thereby, adding an object containing noble metals or pouring the object containing noble metals can be performed on the same side of the apparatus for recycling noble metals. Hence, a user needs not to operate on both sides of the apparatus for recycling noble metals, enhancing ease of operation. The carriers carry objects containing noble metals. The conveyer is used for conveying the carriers to the immersion device, the dissolution devices, and the rinse devices sequentially for recycling noble metals from the objects containing noble metals. The apparatus according to the present invention can recycle noble metals continuously.

Abstract: Staged crushing combined with water addition and mixing is practiced at the mine site to prepare an oil sand slurry ready for hydrotransport. More particularly, as-mined oil sand is crushed to conveyable size (e.g. ?24?) using a mobile crusher. The pre-crushed ore product is conveyed to a dry ore surge bin. Ore is withdrawn from the bin and elevated to the upper end of a slurry preparation tower having downwardly aligned process components to enable gravity feed. The ore is further crushed in stages to pumpable size (e.g. ?4?) by a stack of crushers and water is added during comminution. The ore and water are mixed in a mixing box and delivered to a pump box. The surge bin and tower are relocatable. Screening and oversize reject treatment have been eliminated to achieve compactness and enable relocatability.

Abstract: A distillation system is provided for batch thermolytic distillation of lump carbonaceous material, such as lump wood and shredded rubber tires. The system preferably includes multiple distillation units mounted side-by-side. Each unit includes a reactor bath for holding molten tin at approximately 455° C., a two-compartment reservoir for storing molten tin, and a porous basket pivotally mounted within the reactor bath for tipping motion. A process for batch thermolytic distillation of lump carbonaceous material includes rotating the porous basket into a reactor bath by rotating the basket about an axis passing through the reactor bath; putting a charge of wood into the basket; closing a retractable lid onto the reactor bath; filling the reactor bath with molten material to produce gas and char by thermolytic conversion of the charge, draining the reactor bath of molten material while the lid is closed; quenching the char in the reactor bath with steam; opening the lid; and tipping the char from the basket.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for preparing a fluid for a medical procedure by mixing of at least one medicament in the form of powder with water, the medicament is held in a vessel which defines a bottom, a side wall, and a top opening which is closed by an membrane for sealing the inside of the vessel. The apparatus includes an opener for opening the membrane of the vessel.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for sanitizing perishable goods by mixing the goods with sanitizing fluid for a suitable period of time followed by separating the fluid and substantially neutralizing any residual sanitizing agent left in the goods. In one instance, the sanitizing agent includes ozone and water, therefore separation of the ozonated water advantageously proceeds with a squeezing effect to more adequately remove the ozonated water from the goods.

Abstract: A method for processing two or more oilseeds includes the steps of providing a first oilseed type and a second oilseed type, processing the first oilseed type to extract a first oilseed product from the first oilseed type, creating a gap in the flow of the first oilseed type, ending the gap by starting the flow of the second oilseed type, and processing the second oilseed type to extract a second oilseed product from the second oilseed type. The gap being effective for preventing substantial commingling of the first oilseed product and the second oilseed product. The method is useful for processing identity preserved oilseeds and genetically modified oilseeds. Product commingling is reduced or eliminated so that the identity preserved products retain their added value. The method for processing oilseeds can be implemented in an oilseed mill by modifying aspects of the processing plant such as the oilseed extractors, desolventizers and material handling equipment.

Abstract: A diffusion apparatus for extraction of sugar from sugar cane has a vertically-diposed annular extracting compartment including a revolving screen deck contained within a fixed inner shell and a fixed outer shell. The revolving screen is supported on rollers and driven by any suitable elements. The comminuted sugar cane is fed into the compartment and extracting liquid is moved countercurrent and exits through an outlet.

Abstract: In apparatus for thermolytic distillation of lump carbonaceous material, an enclosure contains a degassing bath, a reactor bath and a quenching bath. A closed loop continuous chain conveyor drives a plurality of baskets carrying carbonaceous material through the three baths of the enclosure. The carbonaceous material is degassed in hot distillate, then immersed in molten lead in the absence of oxygen to produce char and vapor by thermolytic distillation. The char is quenched with water in the absence of oxygen. At least a portion of the vapor is condensed to produce combustible distillate.

Abstract: A dispensing container for the controlled dispensing of chemicals in the treatment of a body of water to prevent growth of algae and other adverse conditions includes walls defining a storage compartment for the chemicals for treating the body of water, the walls have an inlet for the controlled flow of water from the body of water into the storage compartment and an outlet for controlling the flow of water out of the storage compartment, said storage compartment is open at one end, and a charging assembly is operatively connectable to the open end of the storage compartment for charging chemicals into the storage compartment. Additionally, the combination of the dispensing container as above described with a transport device and a bracket assembly for connecting the dispensing container to the transport device to pass the dispensing container through the body of water to be treated.

Abstract: Small particles and fines included along with larger subdivided solids are treated with water base liquid extraction medium to extract soluble solids therein in a process using milli-screens with milli-sized openings of less than about 0.095 inches across. The milli-screen openings may be kept open for the passage of liquids with specially-designed wipers and/or back-flushing from a liquid compartment and/or rotation of the milli-screen past the matrix of subdivided solids, the subdivided solids themselves acting as a screen cleaner. The invention is useful in batch or continuous diffusers for extracting soluble solids from subdivided solids containing small particles and fines.

Abstract: An improved longitudinal extractor utilizing a solvent for removing an entrained liquid from a carrier medium. The improved extractor includes a sprocket driven continuous chain-link conveyor mounted both in cooperation with an upper carrier medium chamber and a lower liquid collection chamber. The chain link conveyor has an upper run which moves the carrier medium past sparging solvent nozzles and a lower run which cleans the collection chamber by continuously scraping the bottom of the collection chamber free of sedimentation and hazardous build-up. The carrier medium is supported on a plurality of spaced-apart longitudinal members which allow the miscible fluid resulting from percolation removal to flow therebetween into the collection chamber. A plurality of spaced-apart collectors are arranged along the bottom of the collection chamber to provide for continuous removal of the miscible fluid from the collection chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for separating volatile from nonvolatile substances, separation of volatile substances, one from the other, and for performing various chemical reactions. In particular, an apparatus which performs these functions utilizing a combination of above ambient temperatures and above one inch of mercury vacuum within a rotating vessel. The apparatus uses a conventional rotary vacuum seal. The apparatus, however, operates well above the maximum operating temperature of the conventional rotary vacuum seal by isolating and cooling the conventional rotary vacuum seal.

Abstract: An improved rotating basket extractor is provided having improved discharge means comprising a hopper section having a solid material entry and solid material exit end. The cross sectional area of the solid material entry end is smaller than the exit end so as to help prevent the agglomeration of solid material in the discharge hopper as it exits from the rotating baskets to a dual screw conveyor for subsequent travel to a discharge chute. The discharge hopper and the housing for the dual screw conveyor comprise slot means to provide for additional drainage of miscella therethrough. Additionally, the axially disposed rotatable shaft, supporting the rotating baskets, is journalled in upper and lower bearings located outside the outer housing member for ease of maintenance. The lower thrust bearing is mounted for direct support by the flooring substrate below the outer housing of the extractor to help minimize bearing contamination and corrosion.

Abstract: Small particles and fines included along with larger subdivided solids are treated with liquid to extract soluble solids therein in a process using milli-screens with milli-sized openings of less than about 0.095 inches across. The milli-screen openings may be kept open for the passage of liquids with specially-designed wipers and/or back-flushing from a liquid compartment and/or rotation of the milli-screen past the matrix of subdivided solids, the subdivided solids themselves acting as a screen cleaner. The invention is useful in batch or continuous diffusers for extracting soluble solids from subdivided solids containing small particles and fines.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for use in the separation of volatile from non-volatile substances, separation of volatile substances, one from the other, and for performing various chemical reactions and, in particular, to an apparatus which performs these functions utilizing a combination of above ambient temperatures and above one inch of mercury vacuum within a rotating vessel fitted with or without an internal filter through which exiting gases and vapors must pass. Because of the compactness allowed by the present invention, the apparatus can also be configured to operate in a self contained mobile mode.

Abstract: An improved rotating basket extractor is provided having improved discharge means comprising a hopper section having a solid material entry and solid material exit end. The cross sectional area of the solid material entry end is smaller than the exit end so as to help prevent the agglomeration of solid material in the discharge hopper as it exits from the rotating baskets to a dual screw conveyor for subsequent travel to a discharge chute. The discharge hopper and the housing for the dual screw conveyor comprise slot means to provide for additional drainage of miscella therethrough. Additionally, the axially disposed rotatable shaft, supporting the rotating baskets, is journalled in a thrust bearing provided contiguous to the flooring substrate. Location of the thrust bearing there helps to minimize bearing contamination and corrosion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for removing oil from absorbent materials of the type used in components for absorbing oil and containing oil spills. The components are first passed through a press to squeeze some of the oil from the components. The components are then shredded to separate the components into separate pieces of the absorbent materials. An auger pushes the pieces of absorbent materials into an elongated tubular trommel having a perforated sidewall. The pieces of absorbent materials are sprayed with treatment fluids as the trommel is rotated to tumble the absorbent materials within the trommel. The oil and treatment fluids drain from the absorbent materials, and pass through the perforations in the trommel sidewalls and onto a collection trough. The collection trough directs the oil and treatment fluids through a separator to reclaim treatment fluids and oil for later use.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating liquid or slurry having a heat treating zone through which is provided counter current flow of heated gas and independently moveable bodies through the heat treating zone in contact with a feed stream. A steam reforming detoxification reactor is also provided and gas is circulated from the heat treating zone gas outlet, through the reactor and to the heat treating zone gas inlet.

Abstract: Small particles and fines included along with larger subdivided solids are treated with liquid to extract soluble solids therein in an apparatus and process using milli-screens with milli-sized openings of less than about 0.095 inches across. The milli-screen openings may be kept open for the passage of liquids with specially-designed wipers and/or back-flushing from a liquid compartment and/or rotation of the milli-screen past the matrix of subdivided solids, the subdivided solids themselves acting as a screen cleaner. The invention is useful in batch or continuous diffusers for extracting soluble solids from subdivided solids containing small particles and fines.

Abstract: An apparatus for liquifying a substance embodied in a substantially amorphous mass in a substantially continuous operation, the apparatus having a housing for feeding the substance to a delivery position; a system for supplying liquid to a liquifying station; and an assembly operable to engage the substance in the delivery position and transport the substance toward the liquifying station for receipt in the liquid.

Abstract: Apparatus for extraction of edible oils from finely divided oleagenous vegetable matter by flowing solvent vapor through a continuously moving horizontal bed of the vegetable matter at a temperature not greater than about 210.degree. F., to form a miscella of solvent and extracted oil, separating a portion of the miscella from the marc, and blowing a gas through a continuously moving horizontal bed of the marc and remaining miscella to separate additional miscella. The flow of gas through the bed cools the bed to provide cooling for heat exchanger water to be used in the process.

Abstract: An apparatus for dissolving dry polymer particles in water consisting of a bin which contains the powdered polymer, a feeding means for the delivery of the polymer to a vortex chamber, a feed line for the delivery of water into the vortex chamber, an eductor, a centrifugal pump and a tank which contains an agitator.

Abstract: Edible fats and oils are extracted from oil-bearing materials by loading the raw materials onto an inlet end of a flat and fixed conveying surface having elongate slits therein. The materials are conveyed from the inlet end to the outlet end of the conveying surface by scrapers moved by endless chains. Oil extracting solvent is sprayed onto the material on the conveying surface, to produce miscella, which flows through the slits in the surface and into hoppers beneath the surface. The miscella is circulated back to additional sprayers located upstream of the solvent sprayers for spraying the miscella onto the upstream end of the conveying surface. The resulting concentrated miscella is collected in hoppers beneath the surface and delivered to a further use.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an enamel paint receptive flexible laminate and its method of manufacture. The laminate is useful for making banners, flags, signs and the like that are decorated with enamel poster paints. The laminates of the present invention comprise a base fabric material, a first film coating of a plasticized polyvinyl chloride and a second coating of thermosetting vinyl acrylic copolymer. The thermosetting vinyl acrylic copolymer promotes increased adhesion and decreased drying time of poster paints and lettering enamel when they are applied to the coating.

Abstract: Edible fats and oils are extracted from oil-bearing materials by loading the raw materials onto an inlet end of a flat and fixed conveying surface having elongate slits therein. The materials are conveyed from the inlet end to the outlet end of the conveying surface by scrapers moved by endless chains. Oil extracting solvent is sprayed onto the material on the conveying surface, to produce miscella, which flows through the slits in the surface and into hoppers beneath the surface. The miscella is circulated back to additional sprayers located upstream of the solvent sprayers for spraying the miscella onto the upstream end of the conveying surface. The resulting concentrated miscella is collected in hoppers beneath the surface and delivered to a further use.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved extractor (10) for removing a liquid from a solid carrier medium in which the liquid is entrained. The extraction process is accomplished by utilizing both percolation and immersion removal methods. The extractor (10) includes a plurality of pools (12, 12') through which the solid entraining the liquid therein is moved in a direction counter-flow to that in which a solvent passes through the extractor (10). Percolation removal is effected at the overflow (48, 48') of each pool (12, 12') as solvent washes through the solids being processed. Immersion is effected at the lower end of a sloped floor (22, 22') of each pool (12, 12') where the solids are soaked in the solvent. A final percolation bath (14) can be provided as a last stage of the extractor (10).

Abstract: A circular solvent extractor useful in a commercial process for the removal of bitumen from tar or oil sands or other solvent extraction processes requiring high tonnage throughput. The extractor comprises two major segments that are stationary, namely, a ring-shaped roof member and a ring-shaped drain trough means positioned therebeneath, and one segment that is movable which comprises a pair of continuous, spaced-apart sidewalls having a plurality of spaced-apart, liquid permeable, process cells rotatably attached to the sidewalls. The sidewalls and their attached process cells are movable about a circular trackway for travel between the fixed hood and drain trough means, forming an annular process chamber therearound. The annular chamber is sealed by upper and lower, circumferential liquid seals coacting between the moving sidewalls and the stationary hood and drain trough means to prevent the leakage of solvent vapors therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating radioactive comminuted fuel elements with hot nitric acid comprising an endless conveyor which carries the fuel fragments through a U-shaped jacketed tube counter to the flow of acid. The conveyor travels in a conduit which connects to the ends of the U-shaped tube to form a continuous loop. Downstream of the U-shaped tube associated with the conduit is a washing unit, a drying unit, and a discharge unit. Upstream of the U-shaped tube is a feed unit which joins the conduit. A radioactive fission material sensor is located just ahead of the discharge unit and serves to actuate a switch to recycle treated fragments that may still be radioactive. Drive apparatus for the conveyor comprises permanent magnets mounted at spaced intervals on the conveyor and exciter windings surrounding said U-shaped tube to direct forward movement.

Abstract: An improved harvester for harvesting a salt crop from the bottom of a shallow, elongated solar crystallizer containing a substantially saturated salt solution overlying the salt crop. The harvester includes track means extending longitudinally along the sides of the crystallizer on which a pair of carriages are movably mounted and support the ends of a frame extending transversely across the crystallizer. The frame includes salt gathering means for transferring the salt crop laterally in the form of one or a plurality of longitudinally extending furrows or ridges in response to the travel of the harvester along the tracks and the resultant gathered salt is extracted by one or a plurality of suction inlets disposed in alignment with the furrows in the form of an aqueous brine slurry. The extracted salt crop is subsequently separated and recovered while the liquid brine is returned to the crystallizer.

Abstract: In a continuous process for the extraction of crude refinery stock from oil-bearing sand, miscella produced earlier in the process is returned and mixed with oil-bearing sand to provide a feed slurry which, after heating, is separated into two streams, one of which is comprised predominantly of the coarser sand particles in the feed sand and miscella and the other of which contains most of the fine sand particles in the feed slurry. Miscella extracted by hot solvent from one of these streams is recycled to produce at least part of the miscella returned to produce the feed mix, and the other stream is processed to remove at least most of the sand and yield a miscella which is then distilled to separate the solvent for recycle to the extraction stages. Generally stated, a decantation step involving countercurrent extraction of the feed slurry will be used with sands which are comprised largely of fine particles.

Abstract: There is disclosed a manifold assembly for a rotary solvent extractor formed of an elongated fluid distribution trough or conduit divided into a plurality of fluid distribution subsections by intermediate gate members wherein each fluid distribution subsection is in fluid communication with a fluid supply conduit. A deflector plate is disposed therebelow beneath a manifold assembly to permit for the adjustment of the angle of fluid discharge.

Abstract: A process for the continuous leaching of ores and an apparatus for practising this continuous leaching process are disclosed. According to this process, a plurality of unit layers composed of a pulverized uranium ore or other ore are continuously laminated while a minimum necessary amount of an acid, alkali or organic solvent (hereinafter referred to as "solvent") is uniformly sprinkled on the flat surfaces of these unit layers. In the state where the concentration of the solvent mixed into the ore is maintained at a high level, the heat generated by exothermic reaction caused by contact among the solvent, ore and water is effectively stored and used for thermally curing the ore. According to this process, the speed of extraction of the intended metal component can be increased, the leaching time shortened and the filtration characteristics improved, whereby a highly concentrated pregnant liquor can be recovered at a high efficiency.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating the compounds in a corrosive liquid comprising a fixed tank in which the liquid is placed, a horizontally axed rotary support which peripherally carries at least one bucket for receiving the compound to be treated, means for introducing the compound into the bucket, means for removing the compound from the bucket, means for rotating the rotary support about its shaft and means for guiding the rotary support during its rotation about its shaft, wherein the guidance means are entirely arranged within the tank, the guidance means and the driving means being positioned above a horizontal plane passing through the axis of the rotary support.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing compounds in a liquid, wherein it is constituted by a helical vibrating elevator having a tank with a vertical axis, a fixed cover, an annular helical ramp fixed to the tank wall, means for imparting a reciprocating movement about its axis and in a vertical plane to the ramp, said movement being such that the rotation speed of the ramp in one direction exceeds the rotation speed thereof in the opposite direction, at least one liquid supply pipe in the cover, at least one lateral discharge opening for the liquid in the tank, a supply chute for the compounds carried by the cover and whose axis coincides with that of the tank and a discharge chute for the compounds located at the top of the helical ramp and in an extension of the latter.The apparatus can in particular be used for the continuous dissolving of nuclear fuels in nitric acid during the reprocessing of said fuels.

Abstract: Apparatus for preparing solutions of solid samples for wet chemical analysis comprising an overflow dissolving vessel divided by an overflow baffle into at least two chambers, means for maintaining a constant stream of solvent flowing successivefully through the chambers of said overflow dissolving vessel and a metering conveyor scale for continuously metering a measured amount of solid sample to be analyzed to the overflow dissolving vessel, said metering conveyor scale comprising a conveyor for continuously introducing solid sample into the dissolving vessel, a vibratory feeder for continuously supplying solid sample to the conveyor at a controlled rate and an overflow funnel for supplying a controlled amount of sample to the vibratory feeder; deflecting baffles and agitators are provided to promote mixing and dissolution of the sample and means are provided for automatically withdrawing a sample of solution for analysis from the chamber remote from the chamber into which the solid sample is introduced.

Abstract: Horizontal basket extractors with a continuous conveyor with spaced baskets or cells are arranged with traveling splitters movable along the top and/or bottom runs of the conveyor synchronously with the baskets arranged to divert a continuous flow of solids and/or liquids from a preceding basket to a following one, thereby eliminating the intermittent feeding of the material being charged in succession but avoiding passage of the material through the spaces between the baskets.

Abstract: The immersion extractor is designed for use with a solid material containing an extractable component and includes a plurality of adjacent chambers each formed to contain a liquid solvent bath for extracting the component from the material and a continuous conveyor for displacing the material through the chambers. Partitions are used to define substantially vertical entryways for the conveyor at one side of the chambers and substantially vertical exitways for the conveyor at the opposite side of the chambers thus maintaining between the entryway and exitway of each container a quiescent solvent surface which is decanted for removal of solvent and dissolved component. A single continuous conveyor is used and the return leg of the conveyor is structured to carry out a final percolation-type extraction of the extractable component.

Abstract: A multi-cell apparatus for the solvent extraction of oils or juices from divided organic material and like operations wherein a circular series of open top cells is radially disposed for rotation about a vertical axis with a bottom door hinged to the lower end of each cell comprised of a perforate bottom panel carried on a rigid frame and which is normally held closed against the lower end of its cell, but which swings downwardly by the removal of support at both the inner and outer ends of the door at a predetermined station in the circle of rotation of the cells for the discharge of spent material in turn from each cell preparatory to the door being again closed.