Abstract: The present invention relates to composite membranes and membranes which are formed from modified poly(phenylene oxide) polymers having improved film forming properties and separation characteristics. The present invention further relates to poly(phenylene oxide) polymer and modified poly(phenylene oxide) polymer, having improved membrane forming characteristics and processes for producing the same.

Abstract: A fluid impeller blade with lowered stress and increased useful life has an edge extending from the hub of the blade and forming, in part, a boundary for axial fluid flow. The edge, at least at its extremity, is spaced axially into the blade, at an angle of about 0.5.degree. to about 20.degree. from the radial line through the edge at the hub of the blade, whereby the mass of blade material exerting centrifugal force on the edge at the blade hub during rotation of the impeller is reduced.

Abstract: A getter capsule comprising at least one particular container (1 or 10) containing getter particles (9) is useful for removing reactive gases in at least one vacuum space(21d or 22d). The particular container (1 or 10) may be made of a material containing sintered particles or may be made of a combination of a filtering means (11) and a perforated inorganic pipe or cup (12). At least one closing means (5 or 15) employed in each container (1 or 10) to close or cover the opening (4 or 14) of the container (1 or 10) may be particularly designed to prevent the getter particles (9) from escaping the container (1 or 10) without using any sealants, even when the container (1 or 10) is subject to vibrations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recovering heat from deodorized edible oils and stabilizing the same comprising: introducing or injecting non-condensible inert gas into hot deodorized edible oil as the hot deodorized edible oil is cooled by indirectly heat exchanging with crude oil to be deodorized.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring a rate of leakage from a closed vessel enclosed in a container. Air is expelled from the container and a charge of helium-free gas is introduced. The preferred container is comprised of flexible sheets with mating edges sealed together. The flexible container is collapsed when air is expelled, and then limply charged with a known volume of helium-free gas. The vessel is pressurized with helium, the rate of accumulation of which is measured in the container gas to determine the leakage from the vessel.

Abstract: A process for inerting an interior of a container, the process comprising:(a) introducing an inert fluid rich stream into the interior of the container, the concentration of inert fluid in the inert fluid rich stream inert fluid being greater than the inert fluid concentration in the interior of the container;(b) increasing the concentration of inert fluid in the inert fluid rich stream during its introduction into the interior of the container; and(c) withdrawing or purging a waste gas stream containing at least one impurity and inert fluid from the interior of the container.

Abstract: A radial inflow turbine having a radial nozzle assembly comprising a plurality of vanes, wherein downstream of the throat, the vane suction surfaces, relative to a radius of the circle on which the vane trailing edges lie, have a specified range of angles, or decreasing radii of curvature.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to apparatus for providing uniform fluid flow in vessels having packing materials or particulates and, in particular, to apparatus for providing uniform gas flow in pressure swing adsorbent vessels.

Abstract: The invention relates to the control of multistage fluid separation processes and systems. The processes and systems employ at least one recycle compressor or pump in conjunction with their associated controlling system to separate a fluid mixture in an efficient manner during off demand or turndown conditions. The operation of at least one recycle compressor or pump is controlled so as to maintain the pressure in the permeate side or sides at a set value, thus maintaining the desired pressure ratio across the multistage membrane and obtain the desired, reduced power consumption during off demand or turn-down conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and apparatus for mixing oxidizable reactants with oxidant and oxidizing oxidizable reactants. When ammonia is used as the reactant, nitric acid can be obtained. Through using particular mixing and oxidizing arrangements, the volume of reactant oxidized can be significantly increased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and apparatus for welding or joining metal parts which comprise moving a welding torch in a direction along a joint between said parts, causing a molten pool of metal with said welding torch along the joint and directing a laminar flow of inert fluid toward a freshly welded area behind said welding torch in the form of a trailing shield whereby the freshly welded area is protected from the surrounding air during its solidification. The laminar flow or inert fluid may also be directed along the joint ahead of the welding torch in the form of a leading shield such that turbulence in and around the joint caused by a high welding speed is reduced, thereby preventing oxygen entrainment in said molten pool of metal. The laminar flow of inert fluid is usually provided through at least one diffuser having at least one porous diffusing surface which is generally provided with a screen and/or a spatter shield.

Abstract: Statistical process control system for an air-separation plant using off-line and on-line computer means to define control chart limits, trend thresholds and dynamic models for use with on-line process variable data for determination of statistical process control.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for deodorizing edible oils and/or fats comprising: heating edible oil and/or fat to an elevated temperature; introducing or injecting non-condensible inert gas into said edible oil and/or fat to strip or remove substances that impart disagreeable odor and taste to said edible oil and/or fat; and recovering the resulting deodorized edible oil and/or fat, wherein an amount of said non-condensible inert gas introduced or injected is substantially less than the theoretically required amount for deodorizing said edible oil and/or fat. The condensible gas may be preheated before its introduction into the edible oil and/or fat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic pump system comprising:(a) a variable displacement pump;(b) an engine used to drive the variable displacement pump;(c) a power takeoff unit for engaging or disengaging the engine from the variable displacement pump;(d) a hydraulic motor driven by the variable displacement pump via hydraulic fluid pressure;(e) a liquid pump driven by the hydraulic motor;(f) a hydraulic fluid cooler in communication with the hydraulic motor;(g) a hydraulic fluid reservoir in communication with the cooling means and the inlet the variable displacement pump;(h) hydraulic piping and/or hose for connecting the hydraulic motor, cooler, reservoir and variable displacement pump; and(i) filters located within the hydraulic piping and/or hose.

Abstract: This invention uses a first or roughing stage to remove the bulk of moisture and a second or polishing stage to complete the drying. The first stage can use a relatively small membrane area and a relatively low quality purge gas whereas the second stage can use a large membrane area and high quality purge gas, such as some product back purge. The arrangement provides efficient usage of available high quality purge gas, such as product, while minimizing product contamination. This two stage purging arrangement is especially attractive for those processes or systems where multigrade purge gases are available.

Abstract: A process for incinerating fluid waste, which comprises introducing a high heating value fluid waste and an oxidant having at least about 28% oxygen concentration into an oxygen/fuel burner to engender a flame and providing additional oxidant annularly around the flame.

Abstract: The invention relates to injecting ozone through at least one injecting means operating with a pressure drop of at least about 35 psi into a pressurized stream of aqueous solution, allowing the ozone injected stream to travel or flow at a velocity of at least about 7 feet per second for a distance sufficient to dissolve at least about 70% of the ozone injected and mixing the resulting ozonated stream with an aqueous stream solution to be ozonated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and apparatus for welding or joining metal parts which comprise moving a welding torch in a direction along a joint between said parts, causing a molten pool of metal with said welding torch along the joint and directing a laminar flow of inert fluid toward a freshly welded area behind said welding torch in the form of a trailing shield whereby the freshly welded area is protected from the surrounding air during its solidification. The laminar flow or inert fluid may also be directed along the joint ahead of the welding torch in the form of a leading shield such that turbulence in and around the joint caused by a high welding speed is reduced, thereby preventing oxygen entrainment in said molten pool of metal. The laminar flow of inert fluid is usually provided through at least one diffuser having at least one porous diffusing surface which is generally provided with a screen and/or a spatter shield.

Abstract: The invention relates to the employment of at least one oxygen-fuel burner in a particular manner in glass melting cross-fired regenerative furnaces. By operating oxygen-fuel burners positioned in particular places in a cross-fired regenerative furnace in an appropriate manner, the glass melting can be accomplished without disrupting the flame momentum of the air-fuel burners, thereby improvidng the efficiency of the glass melting and increasing the production of the glass products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for melting solid glass forming ingredients in a regenerative of recuperative furnace having an upstream melting zone and a downstream fining zone comprising:a) introducing said solid glass forming ingredients into said upstream melting zone;b) heating said solid glass forming ingredients so that an interface of solid glass forming ingredients and molten glass is formed;c) providing heat sufficient to maintain the molten glass in the molten state through said downstream fining zone and sufficient to melt said solid glass forming ingredients, wherein at least a part of said heat is provided by at least one flame from at least one oxygen-fuel burner located on the roof of said furnace, the position of said at least one oxygen-fuel burner on the roof being such that the tip of its flame is directed approximately at the interface of said solid glass forming ingredients and said molten glass in an angle ranging from about 25.degree. to about 90.degree.