Kamyr, Inc.

Glentech Inc.

Other

Michael I Sherman

Johan C Richter

Carl L Elmore

Robert J Brison

James R Prough

Oliver A Laakso

Bert Vogelstein

Kenneth W Kinzler

Joseph R Phillips

Erwin D Funk

Stefan Golston

Specific sequences in the human genome are the sites of strong binding of wild-type p53 protein, but not mutant forms of the protein. These sequences are used diagnostically to detect cells in which the amount of wild-type p53 is diminished. The sequences can also be used to screen for agents which correct for loss of wild-type p53 to DNA in cancer cells.

Sequence specific DNA binding p53

The production capacity of a conventional high pressure feeder having a pocketed rotor with a slotted screen at the low pressure outlet port is significantly increased by constructing the screen so that its arcuate bars have a width much less than normal, and thus a much greater open area of the screen is provided. Structural integrity is maintained by providing a reinforcing bar extending transverse to the arcuate screen bars, typically attached at the convex mid-point area. The screen is formed from a cast metal body, and the width of the arcuate screen bars is typically between about 0.14-0.20 inches.

High capacity high pressure feeding

The efficiency of a diffuser, for washing or bleaching paper pulp, is enhanced by taking steps to ensure that the approximate upstroke speed is only slightly faster than the pulp upflow velocity, to provide an early warning indication of the tendency of the diffuser screens to plug, and to prevent upward movement of the screen, after completion of a downstroke, uncontrolled by the hydraulic system designed to effect movement. The pressure under the annular screen is sensed and compared to normal static pressure at the elevation of the screen by a D/P cell in a leg, and a computer controls the hydraulic system so that the screen upstroke speed is only slightly faster than the pulp upward speed. Early detection of a tendency to plug is provided by a pressure sensor within the hollow interior of the screen spaced from the screen orifices. To prevent gas from pushing the screen upwardly, during an initial part of an upstroke, the hydraulic system is operated to effect quick upward movement a small predetermined distance before continuous, smooth movement is effected.

Diffuser efficiency

A leaching vessel comprises a central outlet in which is situated a multi-bladed pump for pumping slurry from the vessel. An inclined wall adjacent the bottom wall of the vessel surrounds the outlet and has a plurality of apertures. The inclined wall defines with the bottom wall of the vessel a chamber into which cyanide solution is pumped for passage through the apertures into the slurry. The chamber may be sub-divided into radially or circumferentially spaced chambers, or both, with each chamber having a discrete inlet and flow control valve.

Leaching vessel and slurry flow control

A method and apparatus for continuously treating cellulosic chips to prevent degredation of the chips as a result of mechanical action exerted on the chips by a scraper. A false bottom is provided in a vessel with the scraper mounted for rotation about a vertical axis just above the false bottom, a large central opening being provided in the false bottom. The scraper removes chips from the vessel through the false bottom opening to a bottom portion of the vessel. The temperature within the vessel at the area of the scraper is maintained at a first temperature that is low enough so that loss of strength of the chips material does not result from mechanical action exerted on the chips by the scraper. Liquid is introduced into the vessel bottom portion at a second temperature that is approximately at the cooking temperature for effecting digestion of the chips, and substantially higher than the first temperature. The heated liquid entrains chips and flushes them out an outlet from the vessel bottom, the chips subsequently being fed to the top of a digester in operative communication with the vessel.

Method of treating cellulosic chips in a vessel with a false bottom

A method and apparatus are provided for the treatment of comminuted cellulosic fibrous material to effect prehydrolysis, and then subsequently kraft digestion, thereof, to produce paper pulp. The material is steamed, entrained in liquid to form a suspension, and transferred by a high pressure feeder in a first circulation loop to the top of a first vertical vessel. At the top of the vessel, a liquid/solids separator is provided, and the liquid withdrawn from the top of the first vessel into the return conduit of the first circulation loop includes recoverable hydrolysate (which contains hemicellulose, sugars, and the like). In the first vessel, countercurrent acid hydrolysis takes place in the top of the vessel, and a countercurrent wash is effected in the bottom of the vessel. A part of the liquid in the return conduit of the first circulatory loop is diverted to one or more flash tanks, to produce steam and a liquid with a high concentration of hydrolysate. After hydrolysis and washing, the material is withdrawn from the bottom of the first vessel and passed through a second circulatory loop to the top of a kraft digester, preferably one having a steam phase at the top.

Method of countercurrent acid hydrolysis of comminuted cellulosic

A centrifugal pump for pumping suspensions having a consistency of about 6-20% (for example, for pumping paper pulp) has a second stage for increasing head. An auxiliary impeller is connected to the drive shaft in front of the main impeller, and upon rotation of the drive shaft directs the suspension being pumped axially into association with the main impeller. Mounted between the pump inlet and the auxiliary impeller are a plurality of stationary guide vanes, and mounted on the opposite side of the guide vanes from the auxiliary impeller are a plurality of prefluidizing vanes which are also connected to the drive shaft. The stationary guide vanes remove extreme prerotation of the suspension ahead of the auxiliary impeller, and change the turbulent and chaotic condition of the suspension into a directional flow at a definite angle of entrance. Utilizing the pump of the invention, there is no need to provide a vacuum system in order for the pump to operate properly.

Two stage medium consistency pulp pumping

Metal is removed from particlized metal bearing refractory ores in an efficient manner utilizing pressure metallurgy with heat recovery. The particlized ore is mixed with a heated liquid, and preferably a flocculant and fibers, to form a slurry. The ore in the slurry is oxidized at superatmospheric pressure, and elevated temperatures (e.g. around 300.degree. F.). The oxidized ore is washed to remove acids, and like products of oxidation, and the washed ore is subsequently subjected to conventional leaching processes to effect an actual metal recovery. Heat recovery is practiced by utilizing spent wash water as part of the slurrying liquid, and using two or more liquid-interconnected vessels in effecting the oxidization.

Pressurized reaction of refractory ores with heat recovery

A method of treating biomass having fermentable material is provided utilizing acid hydrolysis in a countercurrent diffusion treatment structure. By practicing the invention acid usage is minimized, pentose concentration in the hydrolysate solution is maximized, and ethanol, butanol, butanediol, and the alcohols can be produced without the input of any external energy whatsoever into the production method. Biomass is particlized and slurried, and then is continuously subjected to acid hydrolysis at temperature, acid concentration, and residence time conditions sufficient to effect hydrolysis of the hemicellulose in the biomass to effect separation of pentose and hexose sugars into a hydrolysate having insufficient furfural to substantially inhibit fermentation microorganism growth, while not substantially hydrolyzing the cellulose in the biomass. Fermentation of the pentose and hexose sugars in the hydrolysate may then be effected, and alcohol produced from the fermented pentose and hexose sugars utilizing conventional techniques. Hydrolysis is practiced in an upright diffusion vessel with countercurrent flow, the acid concentration being about 2 to 10%, the temperature in the vessel being about 120.degree. C. or less, the residence time of the biomass in the vessel being about 1 to 3 hours, the biomass solids to liquid ratio being about 20/100 to 40/100 on a volume basis, and the particle size of the biomass being about 1-4 mm.

Acid hydrolysis of biomass for alcohol production

Particlized mineral material, such as gold ore, silver ore, or coal, is subjected to a leaching process in a manner to maximize treatment effectiveness even when the particlized mineral material contains small fines. The material is slurried with a flocculating material and fibers, such as cellulosic fibers, fiberglass fibers, or ceramic fibers, and a liquid, and then is passed to the top of a leaching reactor. The slurry is continuously passed downwardly in the reactor while the leaching liquid, such as a cyanide solution, is passed counter-current to the slurry. Leaching liquid is removed from the top of the leaching reactor by a stilling well, and then passed through a carbon adsorber and reintroduced into the reactor. Leached slurry is passed to a continuous washing station, with spent wash liquid from the top of the washing station being utilized as a slurrying liquid for the particlized mineral material.

Leaching and washing a flocculated slurry having a fiber content

A method and apparatus for selectively withdrawing liquor from digester cooking screens for controlling the temperature in continuous digesters. First and second pairs of screens, with cooperating headers, are provided, and first and second outlets spaced circumferentially around the digester are associated with each header. Each header provides a circumferential cavity free of dividing members. Within each pair of screens withdrawal is practiced so that each header is rested during each ultimate withdrawal step, and the side from which the liquor is drawn each successive withdrawal step that the same header is used is alternated. In practicing the invention, header blockage caused by deposited debris and scale is minimized and increased uniformity and improved product quality result.

Method of withdrawing liquid from a pair of vertically spaced annular

A method and apparatus are provided for the dehydration of low rank coal, such as lignite, utilizing hot water. Particles of low rank coal are preheated, entrained in liquid, fed to a high pressure feeder, and transferred into a high pressure loop leading to a heat exchange vessel, and at a pressure of about 500-1,000 psi. Particles discharged from the bottom of the heat exchange vessel pass to the top of a dehydration vessel. Water at a temperature (e.g. 250.degree.-260.degree. C. at 700 psi) sufficient to facilitate dehydration of the coal is fed to the bottom of the heat exchange vessel, and to the particles as they pass from the heat exchange vessel to the dehydration vessel. For particles withdrawn from the bottom of the dehydration vessel the pressure is gradually reduced so that they do not explode, and then the liquid and particles are separated while still at a temperature of about 180.degree.-200.degree. F. utilizing a vibrating dewatering screen, Vortex sieve, and vibratory centrifuge. Liquid is withdrawn from a screen at a central portion of the dehydration vessel and fed to the bottom of the heat exchange vessel, and liquid is withdrawn from a central screen of the heat exchange vessel, passed to flash tanks, a Lamella gravity settler, and a disk filter, sodium, sulfur, and other minerals in the withdrawn liquid being removed from the system.

Hot water drying of low rank coal

Particlized mineral material, such as gold ore, silver ore, or coal, is subjected to a leaching process in a manner to maximize treatment effectiveness even when the particlized mineral material contains small fines. The material is slurried with a flocculating material and fibers, such as cellulosic fibers, fiberglass fibers, or ceramic fibers, and a liquid, and then is passed to the top of a leaching reactor. The slurry is continuously passed downwardly in the reactor while the leaching liquid, such as a cyanide solution, is passed counter-current to the slurry. Leaching liquid is removed from the top of the leaching reactor by a stilling well, and then passed through a carbon adsorber and reintroduced into the reactor. Leached slurry is passed to a continuous washing station being utilized as a slurrying liquid for the particlized mineral material.

Vessel false bottoming

A high transfer pressure device, and method, especially adapted for continuously conveying hard particulate material such as coal; and a screen specifically for use in such conveying. The high pressure transfer device includes a pocketed rotor containing a pair of diametrically through-going pockets perpendicular to each other, a housing enclosing the rotor and having four ports spaced around the periphery thereof, and a screen operatively associated with the rotor or the ports for screening out particles above a predetermined size that are conveyed in liquid passed through the device. Preferably the screen is associated with one of the ports of the housing and fluid injection nozzles are associated with the screen for injecting liquid under pressure toward the screen to effect dislodgement of any particles that may be lodged in the screen and thereby prevent damage to the screen. The operation of the fluid injection nozzles is timed to the rotation of the rotor. Alternatively, a particularly designed screen made from bars that are square or circular in cross-section may be located in an enlarged middle portion of each of the pockets.

Growing community of inventors

Glens Falls, NY, United States of America

Michael I Sherman