Liquid-solid contacting apparatus

Claim 2

Apparatus providing movement of a bed of solid particles substantially uniformly therethrough in a downwardly direction, comprising: (a) a generally vertically-disposed vessel for containing a compact bed of solid particles in contact with a liquid; (b) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed lower disc means located substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of a lower portion of said vessel for supporting said bed, said lower disc means being vertically stationary with respect to said vessel and having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough from said bed; (c) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed, upper disc means located substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of an upper portion of said vessel, said upper disc means having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough; (d) means for rotating said upper and lower disc means; (e) means independent of the rotation of said upper disc means for distributing said particulate solids over the upper surface of said upper disc means during rotation of said upper disc means; (f) said vessel being constructed above said lower disc means to permit solids therein to move uniformly by gravity downwardly in said bed substantially throughout the horizontal cross-sectional area of said bed; and (g) means for discharging solid particles from the lower portion of said vessel while maintaining liquid in said bed above said lower disc means.

Claim 3

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said upper and lower disc means comprises a generally vertically-disposed shaft means mounted for rotational movement in the central portion of said vessel.

Claim 4

Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said lower disc means, said upper disc means, and said distribution means are mounted on said shaft means.

Claim 5

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said distribution means comprises at least one spreader arm projecting radially from the central portion of said vessel and extending along substantially the entire radius of said vessel.

Claim 6

Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which said spreader arm further comprises a support bar and a depending blade, said blade being made of a flexible material.

Claim 7

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising means to rotate said upper disc means and said distribution means in the same direction and at different speeds of rotation to spread solid particles over the upper surface of said upper disc means.

Claim 8

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising means for maintaining liquid substantially throughout said bed of solid particles.

Claim 9

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising a plurality of generally vertically-disposed baffle means, said baffle means extending convergingly inwardly from the inner periphery of said vessel between said lower and upper disc means.

Claim 10

Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said baffle means are positioned immediately above said lower disc means.

Claim 11

Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein at least one of said baffle means is positioned in each quadrant of said vessel.

Claim 12

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said one or more openings in said lower disc means have means therebelow for restricting the flow of particulate solids through said openings.

Claim 13

Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said restricting means extends beneath substantially the whole area of its respective opening.

Claim 14

Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said one or more openings extend radially in said lower disc means, and said restricting means is attached to said lower disc means along the leading side of its respective opening with respect to the direction of rotation of said lower disc means, and said restricting means extends downwardly from said lower disc means.

Claim 15

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of baffle means are positioned between said upper and lower disc means, said baffle means comprising opposed sides forming an apex at their upper ends, said apex extending downwardly towards the center of said vessel.

Claim 16

Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said baffle means are positioned immediately above said lower disc means and at least one of said baffle means is positioned in each quadrant of said vessel.

Claim 17

Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said sides of said baffle means extend convergingly inwardly in said vessel.

Claim 18

Apparatus providing movement of a bed of solid particles uniformly therethrough in a downwardly direction, comprising: (a) a generally circular, vertically-disposed vessel for containing a compact bed of solid particles, said vessel having a conical downwardly-extending bottom with a centrally-located outlet in a lower portion of said vessel, said outlet having means for restricting the free flow of solid particles and liquid therethrough; (b) a generally vertically-disposed shaft means mounted for rotational movement in the central portion of said vessel; (c) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed lower disc means located substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of a lower portion of said vessel for supporting said bed and mounted for rotation with said shaft means without substantial vertical movement; (d) one or more radially-disposed openings in said lower disc means for passage of particulate solids therethrough, said openings having plate means therebelow for restricting the flow of solids through said openings; (e) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed, upper disc means located substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of an upper portion of said vessel and mounted for rotation with said shaft means, said upper disc means having one or more radially-disposed openings for passage of solids therethrough; (f) means for rotating said shaft means; (g) a plurality of generally vertically-disposed baffle means between said lower and upper disc means for countering the rotational force imparted to said bed of solid particles by said bottom disc means, said baffle means extending convergingly inwardly from the inner periphery of said vessel; and (h) means for distributing said particulate solids over the upper surface of said upper disc means during rotation of said upper disc means.

Claim 19

Apparatus providing movement of a bed of solid particles uniformly therethrough in a downwardly direction, comprising: (a) a generally circular, vertically-disposed vessel for containing a compact bed of solid particles, said vessel having a conical downwardly-extending bottom with a centrally-located outlet in a lower portion of said vessel, said outlet having means for restricting the free flow of solid particles and liquid therethrough; (b) a generally vertically-disposed shaft means mounted for rotational movement in the central portion of said vessel; (c) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed lower disc means located substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of a lower portion of said vessel for supporting said bed and mounted for rotation with said shaft means without substantial vertical movement; (d) one or more radially-disposed openings in said lower disc means for passage of particulate solids therethrough, said openings having plate means therebelow for restricting the flow of solids through said openings; (e) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed, upper disc means located substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of an upper portion of said vessel and mounted for rotation with said shaft means, said upper disc means having one or more radially-disposed openings for passage of solids therethrough; (f) means for rotating said shaft means; (g) a plurality of generally vertically-disposed baffle means between said lower and upper disc means for countering the rotational force imparted to said bed of solid particles by said bottom disc means, said baffle means extending convergingly inwardly from the inner periphery of said vessel; and (h) means for distributing said particulate solids over the upper surface of said upper disc means during rotation of said upper disc means.

Claim 20

Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said plate means extends beneath substantially the whole area of its respective opening, said plate means is attached to said lower disc means along the leading side of its respective opening with respect to the direction of rotation of said lower disc means, and said plate means extends downwardly from said lower disc means.

Claim 21

Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said baffle means comprise opposed sides forming an apex at their upper ends, said apex extending downwardly towards the center of said vessel.

Claim 22

Apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein said baffle means comprise opposed sides forming an apex at their upper ends, said apex extending downwardly towards the center of said vessel.

Claim 23

Apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein said baffle means are positioned immediately above said lower disc means and at least one of said baffle means is positioned in each quadrant of said vessel.

Claim 24

Apparatus providing movement of a bed of solid particles substantially uniformly therethrough in a downwardly direction, comprising: (a) a generally vertically-disposed vessel for containing a compact bed of solid particles; (b) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed lower disc means located substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of a lower portion of said vessel for supporting said bed, said lower disc means being vertically-stationary with respect to said vessel and having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough from said bed; (c) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed, upper disc means located substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of an upper portion of said vessel, said upper disc means having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough; (d) means for rotating said upper and lower disc means; (e) means independent of the rotation of said upper disc means for distributing said particulate solids over the upper surface of said upper disc means during rotation of said upper disc means; (f) a plurality of generally vertically-disposed baffle means, said baffle means extending convergingly inwardly from the inner periphery of said vessel between said lower and upper disc means, wherein said baffle means are positioned immediately above said lower disc means; (g) wherein at least one of said baffle means is positioned in each guadrant of said vessel; and (h) means for maintaining liquid in said vessel above said lower disc means.

Claim 25

Apparatus providing movement of a bed of solid particles substantially uniformly therethrough in a downwardly direction, comprising: (a) a generally vertically-disposed vessel for containing a compact bed of solid particles; (b) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed lower disc means located substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of a lower portion of said vessel for supporting said bed, said lower disc means being vertically-stationary with respect to said vessel and having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough from said bed; (c) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed, upper disc means located substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of an upper portion of said vessel, said upper disc means having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough; (d) means for rotating said upper and lower disc means; (e) means independent of the rotation of said upper disc means for distributing said particulate solids over the upper surface of said upper disc means during rotation of said upper disc means; (f) a plurality of generally vertically-disposed baffle means, said baffle means extending convergingly inwardly from the inner periphery of said vessel between said lower and upper disc means, wherein said baffle means are positioned immediately above said lower disc means; (g) wherein at least one of said baffle means is positioned in each guadrant of said vessel; and (h) means for maintaining liquid in said vessel above said lower disc means.

Claim 26

Apparatus providing movement of a bed of solid particles substantially uniformly therethrough in a downwardly direction, comprising: (a) a generally vertically-disposed vessel for containing a compact bed of solid particles; (b) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed lower disc means located substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of a lower portion of said vessel for supporting said bed, said lower disc means being vertically-stationary with respect to said vessel and having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough from said bed; (c) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed, upper disc means located substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of an upper portion of said vessel, said upper disc means having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough; (d) means for rotating said upper and lower disc means; (e) means independent of the rotation of said upper disc means for distributing said particulate solids over the upper surface of said upper disc means during rotation of said upper disc means; and (f) a plurality of baffle means are positioned between said upper and lower disc means, said baffle means comprising opposed sides forming an apex at their upper ends, said apex extending downwardly towards the center of said vessel.

Claim 27

Apparatus providing movement of a bed of solid particles substantially uniformly therethrough in a downwardly direction, comprising: (a) a generally vertically-disposed vessel for containing a compact bed of solid particles; (b) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed lower disc means located substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of a lower portion of said vessel for supporting said bed, said lower disc means being vertically-stationary with respect to said vessel and having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough from said bed; (c) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed, upper disc means located substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of an upper portion of said vessel, said upper disc means having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough; (d) means for rotating said upper and lower disc means; (e) means independent of the rotation of said upper disc means for distributing said particulate solids over the upper surface of said upper disc means during rotation of said upper disc means; and (f) a plurality of baffle means are positioned between said upper and lower disc means, said baffle means comprising opposed sides forming an apex at their upper ends, said apex extending downwardly towards the center of said vessel.

Claim 28

Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein said baffle means are positioned immediately above said lower disc means and at least one of said baffle means is positioned in each quadrant of said vessel.

Claim 29

Apparatus as claimed in claim 24 wherein said sides of said baffle means extend convergingly inwardly in said vessel.

Claim 30

Apparatus providing movement of a bed of solid particles uniformly therethrough in a downwardly direction, comprising: (a) a generally circular, vertically-disposed vessel for containing a compact bed of solid particles, said vessel having a conical downwardly-extending bottom with a centrally-located outlet in a lower portion of said vessel, said outlet having means for restricting the free flow of solid particles and liquid therethrough; (b) a generally vertically-disposed shaft means mounted for rotational movement in the central portion of said vessel; (c) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed lower disc means located substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of a lower portion of said vessel for supporting said bed and mounted for rotation with said shaft means and said lower disc means being vertically-stationary with respect to said vessel; (d) one or more radially-disposed openings in said lower disc means for passage of particulate solids therethrough, plate means extending below said openings for controlling the flow of solids through said openings; (e) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed, upper disc means located substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of an upper portion of said vessel and mounted for rotation with said shaft means, said upper disc means having one or more radially-disposed openings for passage of solids therethrough; (f) means for rotating said shaft means; (g) a plurality of generally vertically-disposed baffle means, between said lower and upper disc means, said baffle means extending convergingly inwardly from the inner periphery of said vessel; (h) means independent of the rotation of said upper disc means for distributing said particulate solids over the upper surface of said upper disc means during rotation of said upper disc means; and (i) said baffle means comprise opposed sides forming an apex at their upper ends, said apex extending downwardly towards the center of said vessel.

Claim 31

Apparatus providing movement of a bed of solid particles uniformly therethrough in a downwardly direction, comprising: (a) a generally circular, vertically-disposed vessel for containing a compact bed of solid particles, said vessel having a conical downwardly-extending bottom with a centrally-located outlet in a lower portion of said vessel, said outlet having means for restricting the free flow of solid particles and liquid therethrough; (b) a generally vertically-disposed shaft means mounted for rotational movement in the central portion of said vessel; (c) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed lower disc means located substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of a lower portion of said vessel for supporting said bed and mounted for rotation with said shaft means and said lower disc means being vertically-stationary with respect to said vessel; (d) one or more radially-disposed openings in said lower disc means for passage of particulate solids therethrough, plate means extending below said openings for controlling the flow of solids through said openings; (e) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed, upper disc means located substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of an upper portion of said vessel and mounted for rotation with said shaft means, said upper disc means having one or more radially-disposed openings for passage of solids therethrough; (f) means for rotating said shaft means; (g) a plurality of generally vertically-disposed baffle means, between said lower and upper disc means, said baffle means extending convergingly inwardly from the inner periphery of said vessel; (h) means independent of the rotation of said upper disc means for distributing said particulate solids over the upper surface of said upper disc means during rotation of said upper disc means; and (i) said baffle means comprise opposed sides forming an apex at their upper ends, said apex extending downwardly towards the center of said vessel.

Claim 32

Apparatus as claimed in claim 26 wherein said plate means extends beneath substantially the whole area of its respective opening, said plate means is attached to said lower disc means along the leading side of its respective opening with respect to the direction of rotation of said lower disc means, and said plate means extends downwardly from said lower disc means.

Claim 33

Apparatus as claimed in claim 27 wherein said baffle means are positioned immediately above said lower disc means and at least one of said baffle means is positioned in each quadrant of said vessel.

Claim 34

Apparatus providing movement of a bed of solid particles substantially uniformly therethrough in a downwardly direction, comprising: (a) a generally vertically-disposed vessel for containing a compact bed of solid particles; (b) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed lower disc means for supporting said bed of solid particles, said disc extending substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of the lower portion of said vessel for containing said bed, said lower disc means being vertically-stationary with respect to said vessel and having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough; (c) means for rotating said lower disc means; (d) a plurality of vertically-extending means in spaced-apart relationship in the lower portion of said bed vessel and above said lower disc means to permit solid particles to move downwardly in said vessel between said vertically-extending means; (e) said vessel being constructed above said vertically-extending means to permit solids therein to move uniformly by gravity downwardly in said bed substantially throughout the horizontal cross-sectional area of said bed; and (f) means to maintain liquid in said vessel above said lower disc means.

Claim 35

Apparatus providing movement of a bed of solid particles substantially uniformly therethrough in a downwardly direction, comprising: (a) a generally vertically-disposed vessel for containing a compact bed of solid particles; (b) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed lower disc means for supporting said bed of solid particles, said disc extending substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of the lower portion of said vessel for containing said bed, said lower disc means being vertically-stationary with respect to said vessel and having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough; (c) means for rotating said lower disc means; (d) a plurality of vertically-extending means in spaced-apart relationship in the lower portion of said bed vessel and above said lower disc means to permit solid particles to move downwardly in said vessel between said vertically-extending means; (e) said vessel being constructed above said vertically-extending means to permit solids therein to move uniformly by gravity downwardly in said bed substantially throughout the horizontal cross-sectional area of said bed; and (f) means to maintain liquid in said vessel above said lower disc means.

Claim 36

Apparatus providing movement of a bed of solid particles substantially uniformly therethrough in a downwardly direction, comprising: (a) a generally vertically-disposed vessel for containing a compact bed of solid particles; (b) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed lower disc means located substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of a lower portion of said vessel for supporting said bed, said lower disc means being vertically-stationary with respect to said vessel and having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough; (c) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed, upper disc means located substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of an upper portion of said vessel, said upper disc means having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough; (d) means for rotating said upper and lower disc means; (e) said vessel being constructed above said lower-disc means to permit solids therein to move uniformly by gravity downwardly in said bed substantially throughout the horizontal cross-sectional area of said bed; (f) means for maintaining liquid in said vessel to a substantial height above said lower disc means; and (g) means for discharging solid particles from the lower portion of said vessel.

Claim 37

Apparatus providing movement of a bed of solid particles substantially uniformly therethrough in a downwardly direction, comprising: (a) a generally vertically-disposed vessel for containing a compact bed of solid particles; (b) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed lower disc means located substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of a lower portion of said vessel for supporting said bed, said lower disc means being vertically-stationary with respect to said vessel and having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough; (c) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed, upper disc means located substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of an upper portion of said vessel, said upper disc means having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough; (d) means for rotating said upper and lower disc means; (e) said vessel being constructed above said lower-disc means to permit solids therein to move uniformly by gravity downwardly in said bed substantially throughout the horizontal cross-sectional area of said bed; (f) means for maintaining liquid in said vessel to a substantial height above said lower disc means; and (g) means for discharging solid particles from the lower portion of said vessel.

Claim 38

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 29 or 30 in which said lower disc means has flow-deflecting means extending across but spaced vertically away from said one or more openings in said lower disc means.

Claim 39

Apparatus for providing movement of a bed of solid particles substantially uniformly therethrough in a downwardly direction in contact with liquid comprising: (a) a generally vertically-disposed vessel for containing a compact bed of solid particles in contact with liquid; (b) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed lower disc means, said lower disc means extending substantially throughout the cross-sectional areas of a lower portion of said bed for supporting said bed, said lower disc means having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough from said bed; said one or more openings extending at least substantially between the axis and periphery of said disc means; (c) means associated with said lower disc means for controlling the passage of solid particles from said bed through said one or more openings in said lower disc means for substantially uniform downward gravity flow of said solids in said vessel as a compact bed across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the bed; (d) means for rotating said lower disc means; (e) means for counteracting rotational movement of said bed by said lower disc means; and (f) means for maintaining liquid in said vessel to a substantial height above said lower disc means.

Claim 40

Apparatus for providing movement of a bed of solid particles substantially uniformly therethrough in a downwardly direction in contact with liquid comprising: (a) a generally vertically-disposed vessel for containing a compact bed of solid particles in contact with liquid; (b) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed lower disc means, said lower disc means extending substantially throughout the cross-sectional areas of a lower portion of said bed for supporting said bed, said lower disc means having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough from said bed; said one or more openings extending at least substantially between the axis and periphery of said disc means; (c) means associated with said lower disc means for controlling the passage of solid particles from said bed through said one or more openings in said lower disc means for substantially uniform downward gravity flow of said solids in said vessel as a compact bed across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the bed; (d) means for rotating said lower disc means; (e) means for counteracting rotational movement of said bed by said lower disc means; and (f) means for maintaining liquid in said vessel to a substantial height above said lower disc means.

Claim 41

The apparatus according to claim 32 having means for discharging solid particles from the lower portion of said vessel while maintaining liquid in said bed.

Claim 42

The apparatus according to claim 32 or 33 having means for distributing said solids generally uniformly over the upper part of the bed of solid particles.

Claim 43

The apparatus according to claim 32 or 33 wherein said means (c) extends below said lower disc means and is located adjacent said one or more openings for directing said solid particles passed through said one or more openings during rotation of said lower disc means.

Claim 44

Apparatus for providing movement of a bed of solid particles substantially uniformly therethrough in a downwardly direction in contact with liquid comprising: (a) a generally vertically-disposed vessel for containing a compact bed of solid particles in contact with liquid; (b) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed lower disc means, said lower disc means extending substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of a lower portion of said bed for supporting said bed, said lower disc means having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough from said bed; said one or more openings extending substantially from the axis to the outer periphery of said disc means; (c) means associated with said lower disc means for controlling the passage of solid particles from said bed through said one or more openings in said lower disc means for substantially uniform downward gravity flow of said solids in said vessel as a compact bed across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the bed; (d) means for rotating said lower disc means; (e) means for maintaining liquid in said vessel to a substantial height above said lower disc means; and (f) means for discharging solid particles from the lower portion of said vessel while maintaining liquid in said bed.

Claim 45

Apparatus for providing movement of a bed of solid particles substantially uniformly therethrough in a downwardly direction in contact with liquid comprising: (a) a generally vertically-disposed vessel for containing a compact bed of solid particles in contact with liquid; (b) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed lower disc means, said lower disc means extending substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of a lower portion of said bed for supporting said bed, said lower disc means having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough from said bed; said one or more openings extending substantially from the axis to the outer periphery of said disc means; (c) means associated with said lower disc means for controlling the passage of solid particles from said bed through said one or more openings in said lower disc means for substantially uniform downward gravity flow of said solids in said vessel as a compact bed across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the bed; (d) means for rotating said lower disc means; (e) means for maintaining liquid in said vessel to a substantial height above said lower disc means; and (f) means for discharging solid particles from the lower portion of said vessel while maintaining liquid in said bed.

Claim 46

The apparatus according to claim 36 having means above said lower disc means for counteracting rotational movement of said bed by said lower disc means.

Claim 47

The apparatus according to claim 36 or 37 having means for distributing said solids generally uniformly over the upper part of the bed of solid particles.

Claim 48

Apparatus for providing movement of a bed of solid particles substantially uniformly therethrough in a downwardly direction in contact with liquid comprising: (a) a generally vertically-disposed vessel for containing a compact bed of solid particles in contact with liquid; (b) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed lower disc means, said lower disc means extending substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of a lower portion of said bed for supporting said bed, said lower disc means having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough from said bed; said one or more openings extending at least substantially between the axis and periphery of said disc means; (c) means associated with said lower disc means for controlling the passage of solid particles from said bed through said one or more openings in said lower disc means for substantially uniform downward gravity flow of said solids in said vessel as a compact bed across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the bed; (d) means for rotating said lower disc means; (e) arotatable, generally horizontally-disposed upper disc means extending substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of an upper portion of said vessel having one or more openings for passage of solids to said bed; (f) means for maintaining liquid in said vessel to a substantial height above said lower disc means.

Claim 49

Apparatus for providing movement of a bed of solid particles substantially uniformly therethrough in a downwardly direction in contact with liquid comprising: (a) a generally vertically-disposed vessel for containing a compact bed of solid particles in contact with liquid; (b) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed lower disc means, said lower disc means extending substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of a lower portion of said bed for supporting said bed, said lower disc means having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough from said bed; said one or more openings extending at least substantially between the axis and periphery of said disc means; (c) means associated with said lower disc means for controlling the passage of solid particles from said bed through said one or more openings in said lower disc means for substantially uniform downward gravity flow of said solids in said vessel as a compact bed across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the bed; (d) means for rotating said lower disc means; (e) arotatable, generally horizontally-disposed upper disc means extending substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of an upper portion of said vessel having one or more openings for passage of solids to said bed; (f) means for maintaining liquid in said vessel to a substantial height above said lower disc means.

Claim 50

The apparatus according to claim 39 having means for discharging solid particles from the lower portion of said vessel while maintaining liquid in said bed.

Claim 51

The apparatus according to claim 39 or 40 having means for distributing said solids generally uniformly over said upper disk means.

Claim 52

Apparatus for providing movement of a bed of solid particles substantially uniformly therethrough in a downwardly direction in contact with liquid comprising: (a) a generally vertically-disposed vessel for containing a compact bed of solid particles; (b) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed lower disc means, said lower disc means extending substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of a lower portion of said bed for supporting said bed, said lower disc means having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough from said bed; said one or more openings extending at least substantially between the axis and periphery of said disc means; (c) means associated with said lower disc means for controlling the passage of solid particles from said bed through said one or more openings in said lower disc means for substantially uniform downward gravity flow of said solids in said vessel as a compact bed across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the bed; (d) means for rotating said lower disc means; (e) means in the lower portion of said vessel and above said lower disc means for counteracting rotational movement of said bed by said lower disc means; and (f) means for discharging solid particles from the lower portion of said vessel while maintaining liquid in said bed.

Claim 53

Apparatus for providing movement of a bed of solid particles substantially uniformly therethrough in a downwardly direction in contact with liquid comprising: (a) a generally vertically-disposed vessel for containing a compact bed of solid particles; (b) a rotatable, generally horizontally-disposed lower disc means, said lower disc means extending substantially throughout the cross-sectional area of a lower portion of said bed for supporting said bed, said lower disc means having one or more openings for passage of solids therethrough from said bed; said one or more openings extending at least substantially between the axis and periphery of said disc means; (c) means associated with said lower disc means for controlling the passage of solid particles from said bed through said one or more openings in said lower disc means for substantially uniform downward gravity flow of said solids in said vessel as a compact bed across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the bed; (d) means for rotating said lower disc means; (e) means in the lower portion of said vessel and above said lower disc means for counteracting rotational movement of said bed by said lower disc means; and (f) means for discharging solid particles from the lower portion of said vessel while maintaining liquid in said bed.

Claim 54

The apparatus according to claim 42 having means for distributing said solids generally uniformly over the upper part of the bed of solid particles.