Abstract: A method for forming and imploding cavities within a cavitation chamber is provided. The method uses a cavitation piston, coupled to a hydraulically actuated piston, to form the desired cavities during piston retraction and then implode the cavities during piston extension. The cavitation fluid is degassed prior to hydraulically driving cavitation within the chamber. Degassing can be performed within the cavitation chamber or within a separate degassing chamber. In one aspect, a coupling sleeve is interposed between the hydraulic driver and the cavitation chamber. Preferably the coupling sleeve is evacuated. In another aspect, a cavitation fluid circulatory system is coupled to the cavitation chamber. In-line valves on the chamber inlets allow the chamber to be isolated, when desired, from the circulatory system.

Abstract: When a reaction liquid is passed through a gas-liquid separation pipe having a larger volume per unit length than the volume per unit length of a pipe, a headspace part into which gas can be released is formed above the gas-liquid separation pipe, and the byproduct gas generated by the reaction changes into bubbles, moves upward in the reaction liquid, and is continuously released from a gas-liquid interface into the headspace part. While the gas is removed in the gas-liquid separation pipe, the pressure of the headspace part is controlled so as to be constant by a pressure adjustment device.

Abstract: A method for initiating cavitation within the fluid within a cavitation chamber is provided. In the cavitation preparatory steps, a hydraulically actuated piston is fully retracted and then the cavitation chamber is isolated. The hydraulic piston is then fully extended after which the chamber is partially opened until a predetermined cavitation piston position is obtained. After the chamber is once again isolated, cavities are formed and imploded by retracting and then extending the cavitation piston. At least one impeller, located within the cavitation chamber, is rotated in order to stabilize the cavities.

Abstract: A method for forming and imploding stabilized cavities within a cavitation chamber is provided. A hydraulically actuated piston is withdrawn to form the desired cavities and then extended to implode the cavities. At least one impeller is rotated in order to stabilize the cavities, the impeller being located within the cavitation chamber and magnetically coupled to an external drive system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a deaeration device for deaerating water used during ultrasonic focusing tumour treatment. The said deaeration device includes water purifiers (2), a vacuum pump (32), a water heater (6), electromagnetic valves (3, 5, 7-9, 19-23, 25-26, 30-31), water tanks (10, 18), content gauges (11, 15, 17), a thermometer (13), vacuum gauges (12, 16), and an aqueous capsule (24). The said vacuum pump (32) is a water jet vacuum pump, and there are two water tanks (10, 18). The vacuum pump (32) is connected to the tops of two water tanks (10,18) via a valve assembly composed of four electromagnetic valves (19-22). Two atomizing nozzles (14) are respectively provided at the water inlets on the tops of two water tanks (10,18).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gas/liquid separation on an array of jets or streams of liquid is provided. Layers of substantially spherical aggregates of meshed material are provided to “quiet” high-velocity liquid flow with entrained gas to provide a uniform flow at moderate or low velocity from which the gas has been substantially separated from the liquid.

Abstract: A fluid deceleration device is provided for a hydraulic system having a housing forming a sump, and a valve unit having an outlet port through which hydraulic fluid is expelled for communication to the sump. The fluid deceleration device includes an elongated tilted fluid container and a conduit which communicates fluid from the outlet port to an interior of the container. The container has an upper open end surrounded by a lip. When the container is filled, de-aerated fluid spills over the lip and falls into the sump.

Abstract: A self-regulated water separator provides centrifugal separation of fuel cell product water from oxidant gas. The system uses the flow energy of the fuel cell's two-phase water and oxidant flow stream and a regulated ejector or other reactant circulation pump providing the two-phase fluid flow. The system further uses a means of controlling the water outlet flow rate away from the water separator that uses both the ejector's or reactant pump's supply pressure and a compressibility sensor to provide overall control of separated water flow either back to the separator or away from the separator.

Abstract: A gas liquid separator comprising at least two containers, a first container for separating gas from a gas liquid mixture and a second container for receiving gas reduced or gas free liquid. The first container has an outlet port to the second container below the level of the gas for the gas reduced or gas free liquid and a separate outlet port for the separated gas. The second container has a height taller than the height of the first container to enable it to hold enough volume of the gas reduced or gas free liquid that can exert pressure on the liquid inside the first container so that the separated gas is forced to escape from the gas outlet port of the first container while allowing the gas reduced or gas free liquid to exit at a separate outlet port of the second container.

Abstract: Device and process for the removal of air from flotation foam formed during the flotation of a paper-fiber-containing suspension. The device includes a driven rotor that includes a shaft and at least one rotor blade positioned on the shaft, and a non-rotating wall arranged to surround the rotor in a region of the rotor blade by a non-rotating wall. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for treating a fluid having at least one treating zone, with a fluid inlet and separation device in it for introducing a separated mixture of liquid and gas into the treating zone. The fluid inlet device has a series of coaxially disposed circumferential vanes, in which each circumferential vane curvedly extends between an intercepting part having a substantially axially directed leading edge and a deflecting part having a substantially radially outwardly extending trailing edge, and wherein the central axis of the inlet device extends parallel or coaxial with an upwardly extending axis of the treating zone. The invention further relates to a fluid inlet device, to a use of the fluid inlet device, and to a method for treating a fluid.

Abstract: First, the overall quantity of bubbles in a coating liquid is reduced in advance by vacuum deaeration performed in conjunction with preparation of the coating liquid in a stirring tank in a first step, then bubbles of relatively large sizes, of bubbles that have not been removed in the first step are removed by a tank type deaeration device with ultrasonic waves in a floatation tank in a second step, and finally bubbles of very small to small sizes that are difficult to remove in the first and second steps are dissolved in the liquid under pressure with ultrasonic waves and thereby removed in a pipeline in a third step. According to this, bubbles in the coating liquid can reliably be removed irrespective of the nature of the coating liquid, a large amount of coating liquid can be treated, and the possibility that the quality of the deaerated coating liquid is adversely affected is eliminated.

Abstract: An apparatus for degassing plastic materials, e.g., high molecular weight polycarbonate solutions, is described. The apparatus includes a double-shaft extruder having a length-to-diameter ratio of less than or equal to 40, which comprises: (i) two co-rotating and meshing shafts; (ii) an intake opening; and (iii) upstream and downstream portions relative to the intake opening. The shafts of the extruder are designed with a double lead in a degassing zone, and with a triple lead in a pressure build-up zone. Each of the degassing and the pressure build-up zones are down-stream from the intake opening, and the pressure build-up zone is further down-stream than the degassing zone. Also described is a process for degassing plastic materials, which involves providing the described double-shaft co-rotating extruder, into which plastic material is fed, processed and degassed.

Abstract: A three-phase separator for separating off from a fluid gas and particles contained therein, includes at least one pair of two gas collection caps extending in a horizontal longitudinal direction (L) and each having a plate section. The plate sections converge in the downward direction. At the bottom ends the plate sections leave an inlet passage, elongated in the longitudinal direction, for the fluid containing particles and an outlet passage, elongated in the longitudinal direction, for settled particles. A discharge opening for fluid, opening into the settling chamber, is provided at a level higher than the inlet and outlet passages. The inlet passage and the outlet passage are located in the extension of one another, viewed in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the physicochemical treatment of fluid media. The aim of the method is to modify the surface tension and the viscosity of the fluid, to mechanically reduce and eliminate organic and/or inorganic substances, micro-organisms, such as for example microbes, bacteria, fungi or algae and to chemically oxidise or reduce substances and material compounds entrained by the fluids. According to said method, energy is supplied to the fluid that is to be treated as follows: at least two volumetric flows of the fluid are guided at high speed, so that their surfaces intermingle or collide with one another in the form of a translational and/or rotational motion at a different speed, if the flows originate from the same direction, or at a selectable speed, or optionally an identical speed, if the flows originate from opposite directions.

Abstract: A downhole liquid and gas separator system has a pump, a separator and a motor, and a shroud around the pump, separator and motor. The shroud has a lower impermeable portion with a closed lower end and an upper porous portion. The upper end of the impermeable portion is above the inlet port for the separator so that production fluid flows upwards between the well casing and the shroud, over the upper end of the impermeable portion and downwards to the inlet port, generating a pressure drop and releasing gas before the production fluid enters the separator.

Abstract: A continuous process for removing oxygen from aqueous monomer solutions, including flowing an inert gas and a monomer solution in a column-shaped apparatus as a countercurrent, wherein the monomer solution is added at the head of the apparatus, flows through the apparatus as a liquid column, and is withdrawn slightly above the bottom, at least one section of the liquid column is mixed in radial flow direction and in a turbulent fashion, and the at least one section of the liquid column is mixed using at least one stirring element which is one of a turbine disk and a dispersing disk.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for deaerating liquid crystal contained in at least one liquid crystal container. The apparatus includes a chamber, a holder, a displacement mechanism, a vacuum system and a gas supply. The chamber has an opening to provide access to an interior of the chamber and a cover to seal the opening. The holder is disposed in the chamber to hold the liquid crystal container having the liquid crystal while the displacement mechanism displaces the at least one container. Here, the vacuum system creates a vacuum state in the chamber during deaeration, and the gas supply restores the chamber to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A system for rapid collection of large volumes of dissolved gases from groundwater pumps the water from a large-diameter passage through a small-diameter restrictor passage, and then into a flow-through collection chamber. The small-diameter passage causes a drop in the hydrostatic pressure of the groundwater traveling therein, causing spontaneous ebullition of gas bubbles which are then collected in the collection chamber. Testing reveals that the gases are collected in proportion to their presence in the groundwater, and thus the system allows accurate quantification of concentrations of dissolved gas in groundwater. The system may beneficially be made easily portable, thereby allowing its use in the field as well as in laboratory settings.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for deaerating a liquid layer such as a coating solution using electrostatic forces. A flow of charged particles is created above and moved towards a low conductivity liquid layer. The flow of charged particles causes localized thinning of the liquid layer which facilitates the removal of bubbles of entrained gas from the liquid by bringing those bubbles closer to the exposed surface of the liquid and rupturing them at that surface. This electrostatic deaeration technique is combined with other non-electrostatic liquid layer thinning techniques or degassing techniques to further facilitate removal of bubbles from the liquid in preparation of further processing of the liquid. The liquid layer may be stationary or flowing with respect to the application of charge particles.

Abstract: A liquid-gas separator assembly is used in separating gas bubbles from a liquid coolant which liquid coolant is used in a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell power plant. The assembly includes a cylindrical housing containing a central tube which is surrounded by an annular chamber. The annular chamber is defined by the outer surface of the central tube and the inner surface of the cylindrical housing. An inlet line injects a stream of the coolant from the fuel cell stack area of the power plant into the bottom of the central tube in a tangential flow pattern so that the coolant and gas bubble mixture swirls upwardly through the central tube. The swirling flow pattern of the coolant and gas bubble mixture causes the gas bubbles to separate from the liquid coolant so that the gas in the mixture will migrate to the central portion of the swirl tube and the liquid component of the mixture will centrifugally migrate to the inner wall of the swirl tube.

Abstract: It has been discovered that a mechanical device may be used to effectively displace a first undesired gas from within a liquid with a second desired or at least inert gas. The device is a vessel that receives the liquid containing the first gas and passes the liquid through a series of gasification chambers. Each gasification chamber has at least one mechanism that ingests and mixes a second gas into the liquid thereby physically displacing at least a portion of the first gas into a vapor space at the top of each gasification chamber from which it is subsequently removed. There is an absence of communication between the vapor spaces of adjacent chambers. The ingesting and mixing mechanisms may be a dispersed air flotation mechanism, and may be a conventional depurator. The liquid now containing the second gas and very little or none of the first gas is removed from the vessel for use.

Abstract: A method and system for treating crude oil to improve its flowability includes operating an internal combustion engine to produce exhaust gas, reducing the temperature of the exhaust gas, injecting cooled exhaust gas into a separator in which water is extracted to provide dry exhaust gas, pumping crude oil at an elevated pressure into a treatment vessel, compressing the dry exhaust gas to provide pressurized exhaust gas that is introduced into the treatment vessel and intimately mixing the crude oil and the pressurized exhaust gas in the treatment vessel to provide treated crude oil having a substantial portion of the exhaust gas absorbed therein to thereby provide crude oil having improved flowability.

Abstract: Device and process for the removal of air from flotation foam formed during the flotation of a paper-fiber-containing suspension. The device includes a driven rotor that includes a shaft and at least one rotor blade positioned on the shaft, and a non-rotating wall arranged to surround the rotor in a region of the rotor blade by a non-rotating wall. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for the degassing small high-aspect ratio drilled holes or vias which are present in panels such as printed circuit boards prior to wet chemical processing, including copper plating of the vias, in order to remove any air or gas bubbles from the vias tending to inhibit the reliable plating thereof. This is carried out through the utilization of an ultrasonic prewetting in a liquid bath preceding cleaning for the electroless plating process, thereby enabling all of the vias or holes to be degassed; in effect, having air removed and the vias or holes filled with liquid; thereby allowing subsequent process cleansing solutions to easily flow into the respective holes or vias in order to facilitate the electroless copper plating process.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing bubbles from a sealant for fabricating a liquid crystal display device is disclosed in the present invention. The apparatus includes a drum, a rotating shaft in the drum, a first gear at an upper portion of the rotating shaft, a second gear matching the first gear, and a container at a lower portion of the second gear including an interior container accommodating a sealant, an exterior container surrounding the interior container, a space receiving cooling water between the interior container and the exterior container, a sealant discharge port formed at a lower portion of the interior container, and a water introducing port formed at the exterior container.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for treating a fluid having at least one treating zone, with a fluid inlet and separation device in it for introducing a separated mixture of liquid and gas into the treating zone. The fluid inlet device has a series of coaxially disposed circumferential vanes, in which each circumferential vane curvedly extends between an intercepting part having a substantially axially directed leading edge and a deflecting part having a substantially radially outwardly extending trailing edge, and wherein the central axis of the inlet device extends parallel or coaxial with an upwardly extending axis of the treating zone. The invention further relates to a fluid inlet device, to a use of the fluid inlet device, and to a method for treating a fluid.

Abstract: An aromatic polycarbonate extruder which is a twin screw extruder for kneading components into a molten aromatic polycarbonate, the extruder having at least one module consisting of a kneading unit, a material seal unit, a back kneading unit and full-flight unit which are arranged from an upstream side to a downstream side and a method of kneading components into an aromatic polycarbonate by using the above extruder. The present invention also provides a kneading apparatus and method for producing an aromatic polycarbonate which has an extremely small content of foreign matter and is free from residence deterioration such as coloration, crosslinking or gelation when the aromatic polycarbonate is to be kneaded with various components.

Abstract: A mass transfer machine removes dissolved gases or volatile organic compounds from air or a liquid. The mass transfer machine includes a vessel capable of containing a liquid and having a liquid inlet and an air inlet at a near end. It further includes a liquid outlet at a far end. Two or more baffles are located transversely inside of the vessel. The baffle located nearest to the far end of the vessel has a window. Two or more diffusers are located near a bottom surface of the vessel. The diffusers are in communication with the air inlet and have two or more orifices through a wall. An adjustable plate is releasably mounted over the window of the baffle located closest to the far end of the vessel. The plate is adjustable in a vertical direction. In one embodiment, an air source supplies air to the air inlet located on the near end of the vessel. In another embodiment, an air source is connected to the an air exit located on the far side of the vessel.

Abstract: It has been discovered that a mechanical device may be used to effectively displace a first undesired gas from within a liquid with a second desired or at least inert gas. The device is a vessel that receives the liquid containing the first gas and passes the liquid through a series of gasification chambers. Each gasification chamber has at least one mechanism that ingests and mixes a second gas into the liquid thereby physically displacing at least a portion of the first gas into a vapor space at the top of each gasification chamber from which it is subsequently removed. There is an absence of communication between the vapor spaces of adjacent chambers. The ingesting and mixing mechanisms may be a dispersed air flotation mechanism, and may be a conventional depurator. The liquid now containing the second gas and very little or none of the first gas is removed from the vessel for use.

Abstract: A system and multiple methods are described for removing dissolved gases from a liquid either prior to or following filling into a container. Prior to filling, gas is removed by creating a pressure differential, by application of heat, by sonication, or by generating a liquid by combination of dry solute and de-gassed solvent. Alternatively, liquids may be highly concentrated with solute to force any dissolved gas out of solution and later diluted with de-gassed solvents. In other embodiments, gases are percolated into liquids to displace atmospheric gases, wherein these percolated gases separate from solution and diffuse out of sealed containers after filling either by nature of their molecular size or chemical reaction with materials constructed into the container.

Abstract: In the instant invention a secondary gas pipeline is constructed which runs in parallel with the primary gas pipeline and which secondary gas pipeline is of an appropriate size and configuration that a liquid slug passing through the primary gas pipeline will tend to divide and partially enter the secondary gas pipeline, and while in the secondary gas pipeline will substantially become transformed into a two phase flow one phase of which is gas and the other phase of which is liquid, and wherein when the gas phase in the secondary gas pipeline re-enters the primary gas pipeline it will tend to cause the dissipation of any liquid slugs in the primary gas pipeline at the point of re-entry.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that is used for removing gas from drilling mud coming from gas and oil well-bores. The apparatus receives the gas ladened drilling mud and utilizes the energy from the gas ladened mud to power blower fans that are used to discharge any released gas. A set of conical trays are used to catch the gas ladened mud that is dispersed in the energy utilization by a set of helical blades. The gas ladened mud will slowly flow down the conical trays and liberate gas with the assistance of a partial vacuum that is within the reaction vessel. A liquid trap is also formed in the bottom portion of the reaction vessel, to prevent air from entering the reaction vessel. The gas generated is expelled out of the reaction vessel and burned off by a flare line or simply released into the outside air.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that is used for removing gas from drilling mud coming from gas and oil well-bores. The apparatus receives the gas ladened drilling mud and utilizes the energy from the gas ladened mud to power blower fans that are used to discharge any released gas. A set of conical trays are used to catch the gas ladened mud that is dispersed in the energy utilization by a set of helical blades. The gas ladened mud will slowly flow down the conical trays and liberate gas with the assistance of a partial vacuum that is within the reaction vessel. A liquid trap is also formed in the bottom portion of the reaction vessel, to prevent air from entering the reaction vessel. The gas generated is expelled out of the reaction vessel and burned off by a flare line or simply released into the outside air.

Abstract: A system is provided for de-gassing a material. The system includes a vessel and a material distributor. The vessel has an internal chamber in which a vacuum can be maintained. The material distributor is located inside the internal chamber and is adapted to distribute the material to be degassed as a thin film along at least one wall of the vessel in such a way that exposure of the thin film to vacuum within the internal chamber causes entrained air or other gasses from the material to be withdrawn from the thin film. Also provided is a method for degassing a material. Preferably, a material distributor is inserted into a vessel where degassing of a material is to be performed. The material distributor can comprise an inlet for the material to be degassed, a scaling lip, a film-forming lip, and a material distribution cavity. The sealing lip is adapted to sealingly engage at least one wall of the vessel. The film-forming lip is spaced apart from the sealing lip.

Abstract: A subsea multiphase fluid separation system and method are disclosed which provide for efficient and reliable remote separation operation at deep and ultra deep water depths including depths of ten thousand feet or more. The system is preferably of modular construction wherein the modules are secured in a single frame to be lowered as a unit to the seabed. The system utilizes reliable cyclonic operation. The sequence of process steps is designed to make the system more efficient as compared to surface separating systems and thereby permit a more compact size as is desirable for subsea operation. The method of operation includes up to five basic process steps with the initial step in one embodiment including cyclonically separating solids. In a presently preferred embodiment, the cyclonic solids separator is sized to eliminate solids greater than fifty microns. A second stage is directed to cyclonically removing bulk gas from the liquid in either a cyclone or auger separator.

Abstract: A method and system for orienting diamagnetic liquids in a container in a low gravity environment includes at least one magnet. The magnet or magnets are placed at the end of the container opposite a desired location for the diamagnetic liquid. The magnetic field generated by the magnet creates a diamagnetic force that repels the diamagnetic liquid away from the magnet and toward the desired location.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for degassing gas-containing fluid media in a container with the apparatus including a centrifugal pump for pumping the gas-containing fluid medium from the container, an ejector including a suction side, an ejector inlet for a drive fluid, and an ejector outlet for the drive fluid, whereby at least a portion of the pump fluid medium is fed to the suction side of the ejector for removing the gas therefrom, a diversion conduit for diverting a separate portion of the pump fluid medium from the centrifugal pump to the ejector inlet, and a return conduit for returning the separate portion of the fluid medium from the ejector outlet to the container.

Abstract: An extracorporeal, flow-through bubble trap for blood lines having improved capabilities at high flow rates and with smaller bubbles. The bubble trap comprises a chamber-defining wall, plus a blood inlet and a blood outlet, each extending through the wall to communicate with the interior of the chamber. The blood outlet connects with the chamber interior adjacent the bottom thereof. The chamber interior has a height that is less than 1.6 times the longest horizontal dimension of the chamber interior. As a result of this, blood flow in the bubble trap chamber is substantially horizontal.

Abstract: An air separator for liquid containing gas bubbles having an essentially cylinder-shaped chamber through which liquid, such as blood, flows essentially in helical flow paths, with the result that air bubbles are driven in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the chamber because of pressure differences produced by centrifugal forces. The inlet and outlet of the chamber of the air separator are coaxial relative to each other in the longitudinal axis of the chamber. The air separator also includes a flow-deflection component or influx distributor, which includes a rotation-symmetrical base body element whose outer surface faces inflowing liquid as a first deflection surface, which is geometrically defined by rotation of a curve section about the longitudinal axis of the chamber.

Abstract: A method for wetting a filter element by a high viscosity liquid and an apparatus for practicing such method are provided. In the method, a sealable container that is equipped with a vibration device and is capable of holding a pressurized liquid therein is used. The vibration device creates a vibration in the pressurized liquid such that trapped air bubbles in the filter element are separated from the filter element and are exhausted. The method and apparatus can be used for pre-wetting any filter element in any type of liquid, either of the high viscosity type or of the low viscosity type, even though it is particularly suitable for wetting a filter element by a high viscosity liquid and removing trapped air bubbles in the filter element.

Abstract: An automatic apparatus for substantially reducing gas levels in a fluid is provided. The apparatus comprises: (a) an upper portion comprising a reusable vacuum chamber with a resealable opening thereto; the vacuum chamber being capable of containing a suitable vessel holding a sample of the fluid; and (b) an enclosed lower portion comprising: (1) a magnetic stirrer positioned below the vacuum chamber; (2) mechanism for applying a vacuum in the vacuum chamber; (3) a microprocessor for controlling timing sequences for the magnetic stirrer and the vacuum means; and (4) one or more control switches or dials accessible to the user for selecting the timing sequences. A method for substantially reducing carbon dioxide levels in a pre-measured sample of a carbonated beverage is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for separating fluids of differing specific gravities are discussed. More specifically, apparatus and methods for separating a high volume flow mixture of air and water into an essentially dry air component and a pure water component are discussed. The separator is high volume and is structured around three physical elements which are defined as an input, a water chamber and an air separator chamber. A composite flow enters the input where most of the heavier water component separates, under the force of gravity, and flows into the water chamber. The remaining fluid, which is air and water in the form of vapor, mist, or droplets, is drawn into the air separator chamber using a vacuum pump, and subsequently flows through a condensate sub chamber which physically is an element of the air separator chamber. Any moisture in this flow is condensed within, and drained from, the condensate chamber such that dry air is discharged from the air separator chamber.

Abstract: In general terms, the present invention includes an apparatus for controlling macrofoulers and larvae thereof in an on-demand water conduit, and a method for controlling macrofoulers and larvae thereof in a water conduit having an intake opening. The apparatus comprises generally: a water conduit having an intake opening, the water conduit adapted to conduct a flow of water on demand; and a vacuum device adapted to receive water, the vacuum device adapted to produce oxygen-depleted water from the received water, the vacuum device also adapted to provide a flow of the oxygen-depleted water to the water conduit when no demand exists for a flow of water through the water conduit. The invention also includes a method for controlling macrofoulers and larvae thereof in a water conduit having an intake opening, such as through use of the apparatus of the present invention.

Abstract: A carrier recovery apparatus of a liquid electrophotographic printer includes a condenser for condensing a gas carrier recovered from a photoreceptor belt, a filtering tube having a cavity, whose first end is connected to the condenser, and whose second end has a plurality of throughholes leading to the cavity radially formed thereat, a filter bonded on the outer surface of the filtering tube and which filters the gas carrier contained in air passing through the throughholes, and an exhaust tube having an internal diameter larger than the outer diameter of the filtering tube, and whose first end is tightly fitted to the second end of the filtering tube to which the filter is coupled, for exhausting the air to the outside.

Abstract: A sample handling system provides an evenly-suspended, small volume, bubble-free sample to an analyzer such as a light scattering particle size analyzer. A flow of suspension is forced through an elongate channel below the surface of the liquid in the channel, along a downwardly sloping path, into impact with an end wall, and through an abrupt downward turn. Controlled turbulence created in the flow disperses particles and releases bubbles from the liquid.

Abstract: This invention consists of apparatus and methods for separating fluids of differing specific gravities, and more particularly apparatus and methods for separating a high volume flow of fluid comprising a mixture of air and water into an essentially dry air component and a pure water component. The separator is high volume and is structured around three physical elements which are defined as an input, a water chamber and an air separator chamber. A composite flow enters the input where most of and flows into the water chamber. The remaining fluid, which is air and water in the form of vapors mist, or droplets, is drawn into the air separator chamber using a vacuum pump, and subsequently flows through a condensate sub chamber which physically is an element of the air separator chamber. Any moisture in this flow is condensed within, and drained from, the condensate chamber such that dry air is discharged from the air separator chamber.

Abstract: A compact deaerator unit used in combination with a boiler feedwater receiver to eliminate corrosion in the feedwater receiver and in other components of a boiler system. The deaerator unit is mounted external to the feedwater receiver for receiving makeup water and return condensate through a spray nozzle, the deaerator unit in one embodiment having a water level overflow supplying the feedwater receiver with deaerated water and a submerged steam supply and temperature control for maintaining water in the deaerator unit at deaeration temperature, with the water level overflow being separated from the spray nozzle by a baffle, the steam supplied to the deaerator unit first passing through the feedwater receiver to continuously purge the receiver of any corrosive gases and maintain a positive steam pressure.

Abstract: A system for separating multiphase fluid flow having a separator which allows the gaseous phase to separate from the oil and water phases. The separator includes a vertical component, through which the multiphase fluid rises with the fluid phases becoming annular to separate from the gaseous phase and flow to the base of the separator.

Abstract: An apparatus for trapping bubbles in blood flowing in a circuit, such as blood in an extracorporeal circuit, is provided. The apparatus includes a housing which defines a substantially vertical chamber. Blood is introduced into the chamber through an inlet tube extending downwardly into the chamber and is removed from the chamber at an exit port near the lower end of the housing. A diverter having a container base and rim is positioned within the chamber. Blood is introduced near the container base. The blood is redirected upward upon contact with the container base and is then redirected downward over the rim. The redirection of blood flow provides an opportunity for bubbles in the blood to separate from the blood in the chamber and also helps prevent stagnation of blood in the chamber which might otherwise lead to clotting and separation of the blood.Blood is introduced into a chamber of the apparatus in a generally downward direction below the level of blood already present in the chamber.