Abstract:
An apparatus for the distillation of a fluid containing at least two constituent components is disclosed. The apparatus includes a microwave energy source and a solar energy collector, both of which may be used to heat a subject fluid to a greater temperature for the purpose of distillation of same. Further, the disclosed invention combines a vacuum within the apparatus to facilitate operation and enhance the overall energy efficiency of the apparatus.
Abstract:
The vacuum chamber includes an airtight generally cylindrical wall and a pair of end members. Vacuum pumps in the chamber evacuate the chamber. The chamber is rotated along the longitudinal axis whereby the centrifugal force of the rotating cylindrical wall acts against the force resulting from the pressure differential between the inside of the evaluated chamber and ambient pressure on the outside of the cylindrical wall to prevent the cylindrical wall from collapsing. An inner member is mounted in the chamber, but the chamber rotates with respect to the inner member. In a low temperature embodiment for freeze drying refrigerated air cools the outside of the chamber to reduce the temperature within the chamber. The consensables condense on the inside of the cold cylindrical wall. A lathe adjacent the inside of the cylindrical wall and lathe drive means for moving the lathe along the length of the cylindrical wall as the wall passes thereover upon rotation of the chamber for removing excess ice from the inside of the cylindrical wall. A higher temperature embodiment for hydrocarbon pyrolysis is also disclosed. Shale is fed into bins, is heated, and vapors condense on the chamber wall where they form a liquid from which is pumped through the chamber by centrifugal force of the rotating chamber.
Abstract:
A vacuum operated work piece holder and method are disclosed for holding slides and the like during subsequent work operations. In the apparatus of this invention, an elongated and generally cylindrical vacuum chamber containing a plurality of ports is provided. When a vacuum is drawn through the chamber, biological laboratory slides or the like may be held in place on the port to enable gram staining and washing operations to be carried on in sequence. Multiple chambers may be used and each chamber is preferably mounted so as to be rotatable to allow the operator to rotate the chamber to aid in draining the wash water.
Abstract:
Relatively wide workpieces, such as auto grilles, are rapidly conveyed into and from a vacuum processing chamber provided with entry and exit air locks and vacuum isolation valves, in which thin metallic coatings are deposited uniformly over workpiece surfaces. The gate member of the valve is supported for sliding vertical movement, as well as limited outward and inward movement for sealing the chamber opening, at the protruding ends of an elongated member backing the gate. Air cylinders act directly on these ends to close the gate. A linkage and air cylinder above the gate vertically propels the gate. The processing chamber is provided with several side by side arrays of sputtering sources with circular cathodes, the workpieces moving thereunder at a steady rate orthogonally to the arrays. The spacings of each source relative to the other in each array, the workpiece to source distance, and the degree of outboard placement of the outer sources relative to the workpiece edges are defined to provide both even coatings on horizontal workpiece surfaces, as well as on the vertical surfaces. A compact conveyor system with space-saving corner modules is coordinated with the valve action to maintain an even steady flow through the evacuated processing chamber for optimum coating.
Abstract:
A process for preparing ultrafine carbide powder of silicon or titanium and other carbide which are used as refractory materials comprises the steps of passing electric current to a carbon member held in contact with a material such as silicon in a vacuum vessel into which an inert gas at a desired pressure is introduced and collecting a carbide powder of the material fuming into the gas as a result of a high-temperature reaction between the material and carbon member in contact, thus producing carbide powder of ultrafine particles and of high-purity with high efficiency. A preheater facilitates the passing of electricity through the material by reducing the resistance thereof and leads to efficient preparation of the ultrafine carbide powder.
Abstract:
A liftable housing form of pressure tight treating chamber is especially adapted to providing multiple stage treatments to catalyst support members, such as honeycomb-type elements, in order to place a catalytic coating on all of the interior surfaces of the multiple passageways through the elements. Power operated lifting of an open-bottomed housing permits the placement of members on sharp edged pin support means in the interior of the chamber such that passageways will not be blocked while the element is being subjected to vacuum, liquid coating, and air blowing stages.
Abstract:
1,156,163. Evaporators; freeze drying. CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE. 26 Aug., 1966 [28 Aug., 1965], No. 38443/66. Heading B1B. A liquid mixture such as milk or a solution of tea or coffee is concentrated and, if required, submitted to freeze drying, by injecting the liquid upwards through a vibrating nozzle 7 in a chamber 1 maintained under vacuum by pump 4, so that the injected liquid forms droplets which rise and then fall without contacting the walls of the chamber, the time taken to. rise and fall back being sufficient to allow liquid to evaporate adiabatically from the droplets thereby bringing about the required concentration and freezing. The vapours freeze on coil 3, which may be cooled with calcium chloride brine at -40‹C.; and non-condensable gases are withdrawn from the system by pump 4. The concentrated liquid or frozen particles are collected by chute 5 and directed onto plate 6 mounted above coil 10 which may be supplied with heating-medium if it is desired to effect freeze drying. Nozzle 7 may be fastened to a vibratory member arranged so that its natural frequency vibrations are maintained by electrical means. Chamber 1 may be provided with several nozzles.