Abstract: A system for monitoring foaming or carry over, at a well site, of a formation fluid by taking a sample of the gas exiting from a high-pressure separator and either measuring the density of the sample or measuring the amount of oil particles present. A correlation of the density or optical density with a level of foaming is made and a signal is transmitted to a device to control the supply of at least one additive to control the foaming.

Abstract: The production of foam which occurs in many chemical and physical materials conversion processes can be avoided by performing the materials conversion process in an ascending jet reactor, including a baffle-free container with a tapering lower section, preferably a conical lower section, and a device for gas injection, and the contents of the reactor are thoroughly mixed by means of ascending jet circulation caused by gas injection.

Abstract: A flow through bubble trap for fluid flow lines comprises a chamber having a substantially flat, lateral side, a first port tube, and a second, opposed port tube. A flow directing baffle system is positioned in the chamber to direct incoming fluid from one of the port tubes into a first, lateral flow direction to allow substantially horizontal fluid flow circulation in the chamber. Fluid flow from the circulating fluid in the chamber enters into the other of the port tubes in a lateral flow direction that is generally the same as the first lateral flow direction, while the baffle system prevents direct flow between the first and second port tubes. The chamber is adaptable to fit with a large variety of conventional dialysis machines and the like, having multi-purpose supplemental access ports, for a simplification of the number of codes necessary for product distribution.

Abstract: A system for automatically delivering an anti-foaming agent to a biological aste treatment system includes a sensor for monitoring the amount of foam present in the system, a pump for pumping a predetermined quantity of anti-foaming agent into the system, and a controller for initiating the pumping sequence when the quantity of foam in the system reaches a preselected level. The controller includes two relays. The first relay controls the length of time the pump is on, thereby controlling the amount of anti-foam injected into the system, and the second relay establishes a period of time following the pumping period when the pump cannot be activated, thereby providing a period of time for the anti-foam to break down the foam before additional anti-foam can be added.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating froth from liquid includes a feed conduit to carry partially aerated feed liquid, and a separator to receive and separate the feed liquid into a first component of froth or gas and a second component of de-aerated liquid or sludge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cyclone, mainly for separating liquid from gas/vapor, which is formed upon pressure reduction of spent cooking liquid in connection with pulp production. The cyclone includes an inlet arrangement connected to a supply line and a valve and the inlet arrangement includes an insertion pipe, the length of which preferably exceeds one meter.

Abstract: A simple, self-supporting cardiotomy filter/defoamer is formed by a 20 .mu.m cylindrical spray spun hollow plastic filter cartridge impregnated with an anti-foaming agent.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for conducting gas-liquid reactions, comprising a vessel having at least one ascending flow chamber and at least one descending flow chamber. The vessel is especially useful in conducting high cell density fermentation processes, for maintaining a predetermined and relatively high gas holdup within the vessel and simultaneously preventing foaming through hydrodynamics.

Abstract: A defoaming device and method for aeration, for use in a processor equipped with an aeration apparatus for sending air into a processing solution. The defoaming device includes a pipe for guiding foam produced in the aeration apparatus to outside the aeration apparatus; and at least one of a throttle portion, which is disposed midway in the pipe and formed by reducing a cross-sectional area of the pipe, and an air-stream guiding device for guiding an air stream into a portion of the pipe in a downstream direction corresponding to the direction of the flow of the foam. The flow rate of foam in the pipe is accelerated by the throttle portion and/or the air-stream guiding device, thereby positively removing the foam produced in the aeration apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a corresponding plant for the purification of gases, in particular flue gases, using a foam-forming reaction medium with which dirty gas is contacted in a reaction chamber, in which the foam is broken after the reaction between dirty gas and the reaction medium, the reaction medium recovered by the breaking and the settling sludge are separately collected and the purified gas is withdrawn. This invention is intended to enable the substances removed from the gases to be purified to be separated, when dirty gas having a temperature of <60.degree. C.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for defoaming aerobic fermentation cultures is provided, where the amount of liquid culture medium used is greater than that in conventional aerobic cultures (70% or more of the total capacity of the culture tank) without lowering the productivity of the intended, desired product. In the present apparatus and method, a device for separating vapor from liquid of a foam is in fluid communication with the fermentation tank, a device for condensing residual liquid of the vapor received from the separating device is in fluid communication with the separating device, and a sensor for detecting foams is provided in a location along the fluid communication pathway. In the defoaming apparatus, an optional defoaming device is provided, which may be based on either a rotary body rotating at a high speed by use of an electric motor which beats the foams, or on a centrifugal atomizer. The defoaming device may be provided between the vapor-liquid separating device and the condensing device.

Abstract: A foam control system is provided for eliminating foam in a process fluid system, such as foam generated in the course of blanching steps and the like involving processing of potatoes or other food products. The foam control system includes one or more capacitive type proximity probes for detecting the presence of foam in a corresponding number of process fluid systems or tanks, and for automatically supplying a spray of a selected defoamer agent to the tank. The defoamer agent spray is supplied to the tank for a selected time interval, with a portion of the spray being directed at the associated detector probe to insure clearing of foam from the probe.

Abstract: A surfactant mediation sparge tube for use with analytical instruments includes a two part purge vessel having an upper portion attached to a lower portion by a coupling device, an inner foam directing tube carried by a non-permeable disk positioned generally between the purge vessel upper and lower portions, and an internal physical foam barrier positioned in the purge vessel upper portion. The foam directing tube and disk, which may be fixed or removable, seals the lower portion of the vessel from the upper portion, directing purge gas and foam to the upper portion of the vessel only via the inner foam directing tube.

Abstract: An oil pick-up device of a refrigeration compressor. This device includes an oil pick-up tube for raising a refrigeration oil to a drive part of the compressor. The oil pick-up tube has an annular protrusion for scattering the refrigeration oil ascending an outer surface of the tube and restricting generation of oil foams. The tube also has an air exhaust port for exhausting air bubbles and foreign substances of the refrigeration oil ascending the inside of the tube. This oil pick-up device efficiently scatters refrigeration oil while restricting the generation of oil foams, exhausts air bubbles as well as foreign substances from the refrigeration oil and prevents the generation of a pressure differential to reduce noise.

Abstract: Leucocyte depletion filter assemblies and methods for removing leucocytes and other deleterious matter from a leucocyte-containing liquid are disclosed. Leucocyte depletion filter assemblies have a generally cylindrical housing having first and second chambers and an inlet into the first chamber and an outlet from the second chamber and a vent. A porous degassing element is positioned between the first and second chambers to remove gas from the liquid and the degassing element communicates with a vent covered with a liquophobic membrane which allows gas but not the liquid to flow through the vent. A hollow, cylindrical filter element is positioned in the second chamber and comprises a fibrous mass of microfibers capable of decreasing the leucocyte content of the liquid at a flow rate capacity of six liters per minute at a differential pressure of less than 15 psi.