Abstract: Method and apparatus for feeding vegetable material into a reaction vessel nder pressure to subject the vegetable material to a reaction such as cooking or hydrolysis. The vegetable material is shredded and impregnated with a treating liquid. The resulting liquid-solid mixture is fed by a vortex pump to the reaction vessel. Rate of flow to the reaction vessel is controlled by a flow meter and a variable-speed motor driving the vortex pump.

Abstract: A process for drying and/or calcining bulk material in a rotary kiln when hot gases are passed countercurrent to the flow of bulk material thereto, and the bulk material is dried and/or calcined in the rotary kiln is disclosed. According to the invention, the bulk material is dried and/or calcined, as it passes from the feed end of the rotary kiln to the discharge end thereof, by contacting the same with hot gases and thereafter, as the bulk material passes towards the discharge end of the rotary kiln, the bulk material is heated by indirect heat exchange with such hot gases. An apparatus for carrying out such process is also disclosed. The apparatus is a rotary kiln equipped with a centrally disposed tube, disposed axially within the rotary kiln toward the bulk material discharge end of the rotary kiln whereby an annular space is defined between the outer wall of the central tube and inner wall of the rotary kiln.

Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment, such as drying, freezing, crystallization of wet solids, slurries, suspensions, pulps and similar materials with heating or cooling.The apparatus is characterized by a treating body having two sections. The first section has a horizontally arranged axially flared annular treating drum rotatable around the horizontal or near-horizontal longitudinal rotation axis, and having end plates with a material feeding inlet pipe leading into the interior through one end plate, while the other end plate is provided with an opening arranged eccentrically in relation to the rotation axis. The second section of the treating body is connected rigidly and thus rotatably to the treating drum, the second section of the treating body having at least three duct-like oblong treating members leading into each other.

Abstract: In a calciner having a rotatable cylindrical retort, an improved material feed spiral has a final turn and a 3/4 turn ending immediately adjacent the retort and a next to final turn connected to the final turn and extending outwardly therefrom away from the cylindrical retort. The final turn and 3/4 turn are of a height substantially equal to a given percentage of the inner diameter of the retort and the next to final turn tapers from a height substantially equal to the given height of the final turn to a height less than the given height.

Abstract: A calciner includes a rotatable cylindrical retort which is indirectly heated and has material receiving and material discharging ends. A reverse pitch tapered spiral is affixed internal of the material discharging end with the spiral tapering toward the material discharging end whereby uniformity of material discharge over 300 degrees of rotation is achieved and whereby uniformity of agitation and increased residence time are achieved.

Abstract: A calciner has a rotatable indirectly-heated cylindrical retort with a material receiving end and a material discharge end and a reverse pitch spiral is affixed internal of the cylindrical retort at the material discharge end.

Abstract: A heating device comprising at least one drum open at both ends thereof. The drum is adapted to continuously rotate around a substantially horizontal axis. The device further comprises at least one burner arranged within the drum which itself comprises a nozzle positioned so as to direct a flame in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane passing through the center of the drum and an air inlet for providing oxygen to the burner. A fixed divider is provided within the drum so as to divide the interior space of the drum into a central and exterior space. The burner nozzle is positioned in the exterior space formed while the air inlet to the burner is positioned within the central space.

Abstract: In rotary tubes (1), an insert (4) which expands under the influence of heat can be moved in the radical direction in a cold outer casing (3) by means of an end plate (19) but is fixed in the axial direction, whereas other plates (20, 21) of the insert (4) have cogs (27) which are guided in sliding grooves (16) parallel to the axis due to the thermal expansion, each plate (20, 21) being provided with at least three cogs (24) and three sliding grooves (16) over its periphery.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and a device for treatment, comprising at least drying, of preferably peat and the object thereof is reduction of the moisture percentage to the lowest possible level with a low supply of energy and simultaneously making the peat so compact in dried state that it can be easily stored, conveyed and handled and does not give off dust. According to the invention the material (13) to be dried is heated to such an extent that the water therein will boil and vaporize, the vapour formed being carried away from the material by means of air (15) streaming through this, which air is led to a heat exchanger (20) for heating supply air from outside, which is utilized to form the air stream (15) through the material, and for heating of the combustion air to a combustion furnace (8), the fumes (11) of which are utilized for heating the material.

Abstract: A rotary retort has an open discharge end located within a furnace. An axle assembly extends into the discharge end to support it for rotation in the furnace.

Abstract: A dryer for removing moisture from wet fine particles, such as coal, comprising an insulated stationary cylinder in which an open-ended metallic cylindrical tube is rotated, coaxially in an essentially horizontal position. Wet particles are introduced in said open end while hot air is circulated between the stationary cylinder and the tube.Substantial improvement in the overall efficiency is obtained by recirculating some of the spent products of combustion into the rotary drying cylinder as well as in a preheater or heat exchanger to heat the air used for combustion.

Abstract: A rotary kiln has a main cylindrical processing zone which is coupled downstream and upstream, respectively, to the charge-receiving and charge-withdrawal ports of the kiln through a pair of gas-tight spiral ducts. A reagent to be reacted with the charge is introduced coaxially into the main processing zone, and the spent reaction gases are coaxially removed therefrom. The reaction gas outlet conduit is provided with a hydraulic seal for maintaining a desired value of superatmospheric pressure in the main processing zone, and an additional gas conduit coaxial with the gas withdrawal conduit means is arranged to supply gaseous fuel to a plurality of heating tubes which are disposed in spaced relation through the walls of the main processing zone.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the drying of coke fines without the generation of noxious quantities of dust by means of a burner flame and associated flue gases extending along an axis. The wet loose material is moved along the axis toward the burner and rotated to expose it to the flue gases for predrying the material. The major quantity of moisture is removed during the predrying and entrained in the discharged flue gases. The moisture level of the predried material is maintained sufficiently high to prevent dust generation. Thereafter, the movement and rotation of the predried material is continued in an enclosed space heated by the flame and gases, to complete the drying of the material with little or no dust generation.

Abstract: My continuous drier comprises an inclined tubular casing having a feed tube concentrically disposed therein via which the product, such as grain or seed, to be dried is delivered to the lower end of the casing. Circumscribed about the feed tube and in a fixed relation thereto is an auger having its peripheral edge secured to the interior of the tubular casing. Most of the flights of the auger are perforated, the holes being of a size sufficiently small so that the granular product will not pass therethrough, yet large enough to allow a heat conductive media, such as salt particles, to sift downwardly as the drier is rotated about its inclined axis. Whereas most of the auger is perforated, two flights adjacent the closed lower end of the casing are imperforate.

Abstract: A rotary drum air classifier apparatus for separating light and heavy materials introduced into the drum by conveyor means, means for producing a flow of air at relatively high velocity through the drum for entraining light materials, heating means encircling the drum for radiatively heating the drum and drying materials therein during the separation process, and means at one end of the drum for heating air as it enters the drum for further assisting in the drying process.

Abstract: A rotary retort furnace wherein the retort is supported for rotation at only one end outside of the heated furnace shell such that the retort is cantilevered into the shell. The rotary retort has a charging door mechanism that cooperates with a skip hoist loading mechanism to provide charges of the parts to be heat treated that are of a uniform size and are introduced into the retort so as to minimize the loss of any controlled atmosphere. The skip hoist loading mechanism has a vibrating feed hopper that dispenses a weight controlled charge into a skip hoist bucket which, after receiving the predetermined charge of parts, is held in a ready position until such time as a cam mechanism controlling the opening and closing of a door on the charge end of the retort causes the door to open and the skip bucket to be moved to a position wherein the parts are dumped into the retort for heat treating.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a conveyor tube in a furnace for rotation so as to translate particulate matter axially along the tube, and for axial movement of the tube to withdraw it from a device into which the particulate material is delivered from the tube.

Abstract: A process for recycling asphalt-aggregate compositions comprises heating pieces of the used composition to form a semifluid or viscous composition, detecting the composition's asphalt deficiency and adding the proper amount of make-up asphalt. The composition is heated in a rotating cylindrical oven to achieve homogeneity, the viscous composition is drawn off, detected for asphalt deficiency, the proper amount of asphalt is added and the composition is then stored until required for use. Asphalt deficiency is detected by exposing the composition to a light source and measuring the amount of light reflected.