Manufacture of aerogel(s) by transfer of lyogel formed in portable vessel

摘要

Manufactured lyogel is transferred to a vessel on castors, for two or more following stages; the vessel having inlets and outlets for connection at stations supplying and draining materials, where further process stages are carried out. The portable vessel employs a permeable gel processing sack, held by a gripping and sealing arrangement and allowing swift movement between stations for treatment and processing, whilst handling product carefully. An Independent claim is also included for the equipment used for aerogel manufacture which comprises a vessel with upper- (2) and lower- (1) sections, surrounding seal (8) and a sack (10, 11) introduced into the vessel. The sack includes a peripheral bead (11), and has projections (9) holding the edges in a defined configuration. Intermediate rings (3, 4) having projections or beads, are provided to hold the sack. Upper and lower vessel sections connect gas-tight with a holder (3, 4-7, 9). Preferred features: The vessel includes a device (the sack or a sieve base) permeable to gases and fluids but not gel. Gel flows down the vessel, and a grid (5, 6) is attached to an intermediate ring and carries the projections. The thickened section (11) of the sack is flexible, resilient and extends along the entire circumference. The section is held in an upper hem of the sack, and contains a resilient metal wire surrounded by a material inert to predetermined chemicals.