Abstract: A device for the counter-current contacting of gas and liquid comprises a normally vertical column having a gas inlet and a liquid outlet at the lower end thereof and a gas outlet and a liquid inlet at the upper end thereof. The column contains gas/liquid contacting apparatus located between the gas inlet and the liquid inlet and a gas/liquid separation apparatus located above the gas/liquid contacting apparatus and below the liquid inlet. The separation apparatus includes a horizontal collection tray having passages communication with a separation device and with at least one vertical distribution tube extending through the horizontal collection tray to the gas/liquid separation apparatus. The separation device has a gas outlet communicating to the gas outlet of the column and a liquid outlet, which with the liquid inlet, discharges onto the horizontal collection tray.

Abstract: Gas purification systems presently use air bleed from an engine and further remove carbon dioxide therefrom. The present gas purification and thermal conditioning system also bleeds from the engine, however; the gas is further partially filtered to remove solids. The gas is heated to a preestablished level having a temperature of between 800 to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit by using a first heat exchanger or recuperator. The system further purifies the gas by using a reactor system including a thermal reactor and a catalytic reactor. The system further purifies the gas by using a polisher and an absorber. After the gas has been purified, the gas is thermally conditioned by a supersonic turbine so that the gas temperature is usable for its intended purpose.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for separating solids from a mixture of solids and gases. An in-line cyclone separator cyclonically swirls the mixture as it exits a conduit concentrically located within a radially symmetric separation chamber. In some embodiments, stripping gas apertures direct stripping gas into the chamber to help maintain the angular momentum of the solids cyclonically swirling within the chamber.

Abstract: A method and device for separating a continuous phase from at least one dispersed phase, with the phases having different densities. A mixture of the phases to be separated is supplied into a device including at least one cylindrical chamber vertically disposed and at least one static helically-shaped member is accommodated in the chamber. At least one face of the helically-shaped member is formed by a helicoidal surface. A maximum free path of a dispersed phase particle in a radial direction prior to colliding with the helically-shaped member is less than one quarter of a peripheral diameter of the member and, preferably, less than one tenth of an internal diameter of the chamber. The method and apparatus are capable of separating an aqueous phase from an organic phase such as, a petroleum fluid, with the mixture to be separated also possibly including a gaseous phase and a solid phase.

Abstract: A negative pressure installation for treating charged fluids, comprising at least one pipe (2) conveying said charged fluids, a tank (4) for holding the solid and liquid matter, a conduit (5) for evacuation of the gases from the tank (4) to a purifier (6) connected on the one hand to the exterior air by a tube (7) and on the other hand to the pipe (2) by a recycling pipe (10).Application in sanitary installations of aircraft.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved mechanical separator which is capable of continuous operation without clogging, which is capable of efficiently separating particulate material from a gaseous medium such as air in such a manner that the collected particulate material may be salvaged, and which apparatus is environmentally friendly in that it cleans gases such as air in a highly efficient manner while at the same time saving potentially valuable products which would otherwise be mainly lost.

Abstract: Deaeration apparatus for removing entrained air from liquid paper coating and method includes a cylindrical vortex tube which has an inlet end with a vortex generator insert formed with helical flighting surrounding a solid center shaft. The flighting has an outer diameter which is proportioned to be received in the tube inlet and causes a vortex flow to the coating material. A rejects conduit is positioned in the outlet end of the vortex tube with an opening which faces the vortex generator insert and which is positioned on the axial center of the tube and spaced from the vortex generator. The entrained gas forms as bubbles on the vortex generator shaft and form a column immediately downstream of the insert so that the base of the column is at the inner end of the generator shaft and extends toward and into the rejects conduit. The very small bubbles are also carried by the mass flow of the coating toward the outlet end of the tube and into the open end of the reject conduit.

Abstract: A device for separating oil from a gas is provided which includes a housing forming a peripheral wall with an inlet at a top end of the housing for receiving an oil/gas mixture, a gas outlet formed by a conduit extending through the top end of the housing and an oil outlet at a bottom end of the housing. Within the housing there is a helical wall extending between the gas outlet conduit and the peripheral wall to cause the oil/gas mixture to flow in a largely circumferential path along the peripheral wall. Between the helical wall and the peripheral wall there is provided a mesh screen for collecting and separating the oil from the oil/gas mixture. The collected oil drips from the screen to a baffle with apertures therein which directs the oil therethrough for receipt in an oil collection zone below the baffle. The gas outlet conduit has an opening above the baffle for permitting relatively oil-free gas to exit the oil separator.

Abstract: A mixing element according to this invention comprises a passage tube through which fluids to be mixed pass, a fluid structure providing a plurality of fluid passage in the interior of the passage tube, and an auxiliary body disposed on the inner wall surface of the passage tube and at least a part of the surface of the fluid passage structure, whereby the area in contact with the fluids and the shearing force are increased, whereby the mixing effect is improved.

Abstract: A filter canister assembly utilizes a sealant deflector to seal a particulate filter to the canister wall, even after the canister is sealed. The canister housing has a wall and an aperture with a particulate filter disposed therein. The particulate filter has an edge adjacent the wall, and is designed for removing particles of contaminants from a fluid, such as air, passed through the canister. A sealant deflector includes a plurality of vanes standing proud of a support substrate, and is situated between the aperture and the particulate filter and forms a permanent part of the canister assembly. The sealant deflector deflects a sealant in liquid state toward the wall to form a seal between the edge and the wall when the sealant is deposited on the sealant deflector while spinning. This deposits a sealant ring sealing the wall to the edge.

Abstract: An engine air precleaner which is efficient at both low and high engine speeds as described. The precleaner has two air flow designs incorporated within it: one for a lower velocity of air flow and one for a high velocity of air flow. The dual air flow design is accomplished by an outer tubular sleeve member and an inner tubular sleeve member attached to an engine air intake stack. At low engine speeds, the air flow passes into the precleaner and through the inner tubular sleeve, causing the contaminant removal system to efficiently remove contaminants from the air. When the engine speed is increased, a valve opens allowing air to flow through tubular sleeve. Therefore, the contaminant removal system will operate substantially the same speed whether the engine is running at a lower or higher throttle.

Abstract: An oil/air separator includes a tank having a cylindrical wall and opposed end walls. The first channel wall has a bend portion therein and a cap portion normal thereto which interconnects the first channel wall with the cylindrical wall. The first channel wall further includes a first end and a second end, each of which is spaced from the cylindrical wall. A second channel wall is also positioned within the tank between and substantially axially aligned with the cylindrical and first channel walls. The second channel wall is spaced from each of the cylindrical and first channel walls and also has a bend portion therein. The second channel wall has a cap and a base portion which are spaced apart by and normal to the second channel wall. The second channel wall further includes a first end engaged with the cylindrical wall and a second end spaced from the cylindrical wall. The cylindrical wall has an inlet for admitting an oil/air mixture into the tank.

Abstract: A mist recovery apparatus recovers a mist of water, oil and the like from an exhaust gas produced in the rolling operation of aluminum plates. The apparatus has a shell provided with upper and lower pipe plates and a plurality of exhaust passing pipes extending between the upper and lower pipe plates and, each pipe having a twisted strip therein. The shell has an upper casing and a lower casing, which are respectively placed above the upper plate and beneath the lower plate. The exhaust gas containing a mist flows through the upper casing, exhaust passing pipes, and the lower casing sequentially. These exhaust passing pipes are cooled by a coolant passing around the pipes, so that the mist is removed from the exhaust gas and recovered. The experimentally suitable ratio of the length (L) of the exhaust passing pipe to the twisting half pitch (P) of the twisting strip is from 8-35.

Abstract: An air precleaner (10) has a base assembly (12) a dome-shaped hood (18), and a rotor assembly (20). The base assembly (12) includes an inner circumferential wall (24) and an outer circumferential wall (22), the inner circumferential wall (24) defining an air outlet port (16). Angled web supports (28) connect the outer circumferential wall (22) to the inner circumferential wall (24) and their arrangement forms air inlet ports (14) that direct air upon the rotor assembly (20). The rotor assembly (20) includes a hub (64) that has arms (66) extending outward therefrom, each of the arms (66) including a first blade (68) a second blade (70) descending at right angles from the first blade (68), and a tab (72). Air incident upon the arms (6) causes rotation of the hub (64), the arms (66) flinging particulates outward. A gap (62) is formed at the interface between the base assembly (12) and the hood (18) that is positioned above the base assembly (12) and that encloses the precleaner (10).

Abstract: The air in which the oil particles are suspended is drawn from the environment through an air intake (4) as a result of the vacuum created by a centrifugal aspirator (11) and then passes along a substantially vertical duct (5) in which an internal helical element (6) causes the mechanical separation of the oil particles by centrifugal action due to the rotation of the air imparted by the helix, the oil particles collecting on the wall of the duct (5) from which they drain into a collecting hopper (2), after which the air is further filtered by an additional filter (9, 10) before reaching the delivery opening (13).

Abstract: A vertical dropshaft having internal helicoidal ramps for dissipating the energy of liquid passing through the dropshaft and for exhausting air entrained by the falling liquid up the center of the dropshaft.

Abstract: A column for separating a liquid from a gas by means of a horizontal liquid coalescer and a centrifugal liquid separator is improved by positioning the coalescer below the centrifugal separator and extending both these devices over the whole cross section of the column.

Abstract: An apparatus for fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) of a hydrocarbon feed in an open or closed system, which includes a multistage stripper system, which comprises a means for spinning a gasiform mixture of catalyst and cracked hydrocarbons exiting from a riser, a first means for stripping the spun gasiform mixture, and a means for deflecting the gasiform mixture to separate catalyst from the cracked hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A high performance water collector (1) dries a moisture-laden airstream within a duct (7) by providing an air guide (20) with a gap (12) between a collector inlet section (4) and discharge section (6). The guide (20) defines a scupper (26) to direct the heavily moisture-laden air to a diffuser (14) surrounding the gap (12). The diffuser (14) slows the air, causing the water to fall naturally within the diffuser (14) for subsequent removal. The guide (20) further defined an ejector (28) for infusing the dried air back into the duct.

Abstract: A grease extractor incorporating a plurality of oblique baffles disposed within a barrel in angularly displaced relation with a longitudinal axis of the barrel. The oblique baffles intercross with each other at the longitudinal axis and are arranged in spaced and angularly displaced relation with each other so as to define within the confines of the barrel a plurality of congruent flow paths extending generally spirally about said longitudinal axis. When the grease-laden fumes are drawn into the grease extractor, they are forced to follow said flow paths as whirling about the longitudinal axis to move at ever-changing velocities, whereby the grease particles entrained in the fumes are subject to centrifugal action during the substantially entire course of flow to impinge continuously on the oblique baffles and the inner surface of the barrel to be deposited thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating solid particles from vapor is disclosed. The apparatus includes a novel inlet system, a novel particle outlet system and a chamber having novel dimensional relationships which result in an apparatus that separates solid particles from vapor with less attrition, or "break-up" of particulate matter, while maintaining a high separation efficiency at high loading conditions, e.g., the apparatus maintains a tangential wall velocity of less than about 50 feet per second and separates, from a mixture of solid particles and vapor, more than about 95% of the solid particles that are larger than about 20 microns in diameter while processing more than about 200 cubic feet of the mixture per second.

Abstract: A gas cleaning and heat transfer apparatus has a plurality of gas cleaning units that concurrently operate to separate foreign matter from the gas and reduces the temperature of the gas. Each cleaning unit has a heat conducting wall surrounding a tubular passage for carrying gas and foreign matter. A plurality of helical elements located in the passage are positioned in angular relationship relative to each other so that the gas moving through the passage is divided into separate helical gas streams. Heat from the gas in the passage is transferred through the wall to the fluid. The jacket around the cylindrical wall has a generally spiral rib in one embodiment which directs the flow of liquid in the chamber in a spiral path. The heating liquid is pumped to a location where the heat in the liquid is utilized. In another embodiment a spiral fin surrounds the heat conducting wall and a relatively airtight jacket surrounds the fin. Air cools the heat conducting wall as it circulates in the jacket.

Abstract: A gas cleaning and heat transfer apparatus associated with a cooking hood assembly to separate foreign matter from gas moving through the hood assembly and transferring heat from the gas to a liquid. The apparatus has a plurality of gas cleaning and heat transfer units. Each unit has a heat conducting wall surrounding a tubular passage accommodating a plurality of helical elements that divide and direct the gas into separate helical gas streams. A spiral ribbed jacket having a liquid accommodating a chamber surrounds the cylindrical wall and directs the flow of a liquid in the chamber in a spiral path. The foreign matter is separated from the gas as it moves in the spiral path through the passage by the combined mechanisms of centrifugal force, adhesion, condensation, and impaction. The liquid surrounding the wall lowers the temperature of the gas adjacent the inside of the wall causing condensation of vapors carried by the gas on the wall.

Abstract: Apparatus for the separaton of the liquid and vapor phases of a fluid incorporating an open ended cylinder in which are arranged blades. Each blade is in the form of a curvilinear triangular surface, whereof a first side contiguous with the cylindrical wall of the cylinder defines a helix whose axis coincides with the cylinder axis, an apex opposite to said first side is arranged substantially at the axis and the remaining sides define a leading edge substantially perpendicular to the cylinder axis and a trailing edge inclined with respect to said axis. A number of blades are joined together at their apices to define the blade arrangement within the cylinder.The invention also relates to a steam generator having an outer casing, a first circuit in which circulates a hotprimary fluid and a second circuit in which circulates a secondary fluid, whereby the latter incorporates at least one group of two separation apparatuses connected in series.

Abstract: A separator for an air compressor to separate aqueous vapor and oil gas from an air stream in which air from a compressor is directed into a casing and onto a conically converging member disposed in a protective sleeve, the impingement effecting separation. The air then passes through a zig-zag shaped tube extending from the sleeve bottom and impinges on an L-shaped plate to effect more separation. The liquid accumulates in the bottom of the casing to which a transparent tube is connected for indicating the liquid level. The separated air passes to the casing outlet via a round tube having a screw rod therein to provide final separation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for degassing mud. The mud, which has been returned from a borehole, is forced to flow upwardly through a main cylindrical housing by the action of an auger device. The auger flight is spaced from the auger shaft, so that a longitudinally extending, axial passageway is formed within the housing for removal of gases from the mud. The auger flight is comprised of a plurality of sections, each axially spaced from one another, with a perforated member being interposed therebetween. The combined action of the flight and the perforated member causes the mud to assume a flow path which releases an unexpected amount of gas therefrom. An annular trough at the top of the housing collects the degasified mud. A closure member at the upper end of the housing enables the axial passageway to be evacuated which enhances the removal of gases from the mud.

Abstract: An air precleaner for an internal combustion engine includes an outer cylindrical casing with a top air intake opening and a set of stationary vanes within the casing which impart a centrifugal motion to air entering the casing. A clean air discharge tube positioned centrally within the casing extends from an upper air inlet below the vanes through a frusto-conical bottom of the casing to a connection with the conventional air filter of the engine. The bottom wall of the casing includes a generally radially extending slot, the upstream edge of which is offset downwardly from the downstream edge to discharge dirt-laden air from outer portions of the casing back to the atmosphere while cleaner air at central portions of the casing is drawn by engine suction through the discharge tube and air filter into the engine.

Abstract: An exhaust extractor is disclosed in which a curvate path is provided for installation in the exhaust system of a vehicle and has an external chamber for receiving extracted fuel constituents of the exhaust for supply to the intake of the vehicle engine while precluding re-ingestion of undesirable particulate and pollutant matter. A main duct carries a plurality of inwardly-directed transfer scoops for interception and transfer of usable particulates and other fractions of the exhaust into the external chamber at selected portions of the periphery of the main duct away from the outer portion of the curvate path therein to minimize the transfer of heavy particulates or solids to the external chamber and the remainder of the exhaust recycle system.

Abstract: In a reactant-fluid catalyst suspension system, an arrangement of apparatus is provided contiguous with a riser discharge which centrifugally initially separates the suspension into a solids phase and a gasiform material phase prior to discharge from the riser. The catalyst may be further stripped if desired in equipment above and about the riser discharge. The arrangement contributes substantially to the efficiency and economics of the separation of catalyst from gasiform products including products of hydrocarbon conversion and combustion products of catalyst regeneration.

Abstract: A precleaner assembly for the air intake system of a heavy duty vehicle ejects duct particles and other heavy material from the incoming air stream so that the heavy particles will not clog the normal vehicle air cleaner, thereby greatly increasing its life. The precleaner assembly includes an inlet which faces the direction of vehicle movement, so ambient air is rammed into the inlet of the precleaner. The rammed air is directed through turning vanes located in a diverging portion of the assembly to induce a vortex or spiral flow component to the fluid. Centrifugal force generated by movement of the dust particles in the spiral path causes the latter to be centrifuged radially outwardly with respect to the direction of movement of the flow stream. These heavy particles therefore are concentrated in the radial outermost portion of the flow stream, which is ejected from the assembly, so that the remaining portion of the flow stream will be relatively free of the heavy particles.

Abstract: In a method of operating such chemical and physical reactions as oxidation, reduction, absorption, mixing, heat exchanging, deodorizing of a fluid or fluids, an improved method of performing a multi-effect operation of any one of a combination of such chemical and physical reactions with a substantial acceleration effect comprising the steps of passing a fluid mixture of exhaust gases and an absorbent solution under appropriate pressure and flow velocity conditions through a flow deflecting member provided within a reacting area, thereby causing the fluid mixture to flow in an accelerated whirling flow state and to be split into concentrically dual layers of a generally liquid fluid and a generally gaseous fluid under effect of centrifugal force produced from the whirling motion of the fluids, and thereafter directing the dual fluid flows to collide against a plurality of projection members having a special cross-sectional shape, thereby causing the fluid mixture flow to be agitated violently and developing d

Abstract: A hood assembly for use with cooking equipment having a plurality of units for separating foreign matter from air moving through the hood assembly. Each unit has a cylindrical tubular member having a passage for carrying the air and entrained foreign matter. A plurality of helical elements are located in the passage. The adjacent helical elements are located in 90.degree. relationship relative to each other so that the air moving through the passage is divided into separate helical paths which direct the air in spiral patterns whereby the foreign matter is separated from the air by the mechanisms of centrifugal force, adhesion and impaction. The foreign matter is collected and carried to a container. The cleaned air is recycled into the environment surrounding the hood assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating hydrogen and oxygen from water molecules. A solar reflecting means reflects solar energy onto a water containing tank to boil water contained therein and form steam. The steam is transferred either to a turbine-generator assembly for producing power, or to a dissociating means for producing hydrogen and oxygen. The steam in the dissociating means is forced to traverse a spiral path wherein it undergoes a circular motion to subject it to centrifugal force while contacting a heat transfer surface. Solar energy is concentrated on the heat transfer surface and heat in amounts sufficient to raise the temperature of the steam to the dissociation temperature thereof is transferred thereto. Hydrogen and oxygen are separated from each other by the centrifugal forces, and are withdrawn from the dissociating means. An electric starter and means for moving solar reflecting means are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved type of centrifugal separator for separating liquids such as oil and/or water from a mixture of gas and liquid. It consists of an upright cylindrical shell divided by transverse dividers into three chambers. The mixture of gas and liquid is introduced through a tangential diverter into the lower chamber to produce a high velocity vortex of gas and liquid. A central axial vortex tube penetrates and is sealed through both transverse dividers. This vortex tube is comprised of two spaced longitudinally aligned portions which define a gap between them. The gap is positioned inside the central chamber. The upper end of the vortex tube extends into the top chamber and is sealed into a first mist extractor. The lower end of the vortex tube extends into the lower chamber.Due to the vortex action the liquid is thrown outwardly against the inner wall of the shell, the gas forming a high velocity vortex column along the central axis of the shell.

Abstract: A mechanism for the removal of impurity particles from a gas for cleansing the gas including directing the gas in a circular axial flow through an elongate axially extending circular separator chamber; introducing liquid droplets at the inlet end of the chamber for capturing the particles, passing the droplets through a perforate wall on the chamber into an outer annular wall and removing the liquid from the outer chamber through an air lock valve. In one form the speed of the gas is increased at the location of the droplet introduction by a decrease in the annular size of the chamber, and in another form, the perforate collecting wall is tapered to diminish in size. The size of the chamber is such that the distance from the droplet introduction to the wall is no greater than 25 cm.

Abstract: An air pre-cleaner is provided for use with an internal combustion engine. The pre-cleaner comprises a housing and vanes fixed to the top of the housing for imparting a circular motion to the air entering the housing between the vanes. This circular motion causes the heavy particles in the air to be projected away from the axis of the housing because of the centrifugal force on the particles caused by the circular motion. A tube means is positioned in the housing and a separator having a plurality of louvers is positioned in the housing between the wall of the housing and the tube. The heavy particles pass through the openings in the louvers and fall from the separator means under the influence of gravity and exit from the housing. The air with the heavy particles removed therefrom then passes through the tube and into the engine. A control mechanism is positioned in the housing between the separator and the exit for controlling the flow of air through the exit towards the separator.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for achieving separation of particulate matter from a gas flow by interacting the gas flow with a water curtain within a contacting chamber. The gas flow enters the contacting chamber tangentially near the bottom thereof whereby it tends to spiral upwardly toward an exhaust opening at the top of the chamber. Means are provided to form a water curtain across the passage through which the gas flow enters the chamber whereby particulate matter such as dust carried in the gas flow is entrained by water droplets thereof. Above the area of the gas flow inlet passage, spaced-apart ring-like members are provided for disrupting the upwardly spiraling gas flow and forcing the flow away from the chamber's side wall. A chamber rinsing means is provided adjacent the upper end of the chamber for directing a rinsing water flow downwardly against the chamber side wall in a spiral flow countercurrent to the gas flow.

Abstract: A gas processing apparatus for causing physical and chemical changes in a gaseous material. The apparatus can be used for removing particulate materials from gases, selectively sorbing portions of gases, causing gases to chemically react with each other, and for removing odors and killing bacteria. By this apparatus high electrostatic and intensive sonic forces are simultaneously imparted to gaseous materials while the flow of such gases is controlled, i.e. by baffling. The sonic forces, moreover, are preferably imparted by a novel, flexible vibratable series of conductive ribbons connected to alternate current voltage source. For odor removal and germicide action negative ions and ultraviolet rays can also be employed.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifier for internal combustion engine, has a porous filter impregnated with a desired adsorbent or a porous filter made of bulk metal catalyst. Instead of extending perpendicular to the main axial direction of the exhaust pipe, the filter extends axially and is mounted on a metal screen cylinder having a baffle which diverts the flow of exhaust gas toward and through the cylinder and filter. In this manner, the exhaust gas flows axially into the screen cylinder and then passes radially through the filter to a second flow passage which is connected to the purifier outlet. Very low back pressure is obtained with this arrangement.

Abstract: A cyclone separator having a central fluid conduit. An interceptor ring is externally attached to the end of the fluid conduit and has a surface which intercepts fluid flowing longitudinally along the outer surface of the fluid conduit and directs the fluid outwardly toward the interior wall of the container. Circumferential and longitudinal slots are located in the container in proximity to the interceptor ring to enhance the outward direction flow of fluid from the ring. A diffuser collar having a central opening therein is connected to the interceptor ring in a manner leaving an annular space or circumferential slots between the ring and the collar through which space unwanted materials.In an alternate version the diffuser collar is larger in diameter than the fluid conduit and the conduit extends into the diffuser collar forming a space therebetween by which an outer layer of fluid is skimmed from the spiraling column of fluid entering the fluid conduit to further cleanse the fluid of unwanted substances.

Abstract: Particulate solids are separated from their admixture with gases by passage through a cyclone separator, wherein the solids are guided down the lower conical section thereof by helical channels which minimize recirculation of the particles and thereby minimize agglomeration thereof.