Abstract: A staged air burner having a swirl chamber for providing a swirl flow path for primary combustion air, a tangential duct system for providing a tangential flow path for primary combustion air flowing toward the swirl flow path, and a converging passage structure for providing a converging flow path for secondary air which flows along the converging flow path inwardly toward an axis of the swirl chamber downstream of the latter. At least two fuel supply systems are respectively situated at two of the above flow paths for supplying combustible fuel thereto so that it is possible to fire fuel simultaneously at least at two of the flow paths.

Abstract: A shielded anode for use in controlling corrosion, for example, in a truck or a tanker, comprising a perforated plastic shield encompassing the anode and having a hinged flap on opposite sides thereof supporting at its free end a float member, such that the flap will lift from closed or down position to a raised position due to buoyancy of the float member during immersion of the anode. When the tank in which the shielded anode is located is empty, the flaps will close, thus protecting the anode due to hazards which may result from falling or contact with other metal bodies. The aforesaid hinge may take the form of a living hinge, i.e. integrally with the shield, and in conjunction with the integral float member will permit the anode to function normally to prevent or at least minimize corrosion while still providing the desired protection against sparks caused by falls or other accidents.

Abstract: An electrochemical technique and device for estimating absolute rates of metal degradation through evaluation of the stability of petroleum film at an interface such as a metal/petroleum phase/aqueous phase. Basically, there is provided a polarization cell comprising separate compartments for containing immiscible liquids. The liquids have different densities and in a typical test the first compartment contains a first phase of lighter density, such as petroleum, and the second, smaller compartment contains a second phase of relatively greater density, such as water. Electrodes are provided such that a metal rod (which is of the same metal as the component for which metal degradation information is desired) typically referred to as the "working" electrode is positioned relative to an "auxiliary" electrode and placed in contact sequentially with the petroleum phase and with the aqueous phase in order to simulate conditions occurring in field operations.

Abstract: A burner for burning a liquid hydrocarbon fuel at low outputs (no more than 50 kw) comprises a vaporizer to which liquid fuel is supplied and in which fuel is vaporized at autogeneous pressure, and means operative to furnish a flow of air at atmospheric pressure which sweeps fuel vapor escaping from the vaporizer to a burner head where the air-fuel vapor mixture is burned. The vaporizer operates independently of the conditions at the burner head, and the ratio of air to fuel vapor passed to the head is automatically maintained stoichiometric. The vaporizer is constructed to avoid fuel decomposition, and the fuel supply is arranged to ensure operating stability. Means to avoid fuel vapor emission at start-up and shut-down are provided.

Abstract: The state of mobility of a substance--e.g., the pour point of a liquid, is determined by disposing in or in contact with the substance a shear device at the bottom end of a substantially vertical elongate probe mounted for rotation about its vertical rotational axis. The probe is urged to a datum position by suitable means (e.g. a pair of magnets) and, intermittently, a rotational force is momentarily applied to the probe at its top end to cause rotation about the probe axis away from the datum position. If the probe rotates, because the mobility of the substance so permits, a member attached to the probe interupts a light path between a light source and a light sensor, giving rise to a signal indicative of the mobility of the substance. When there is no, or slow, rotation, the non-interruption of the light path over a selected time interval indicates a reduced mobility of the substance.

Abstract: An improved viscosity measurement device which employs a sample container having a sleeve therein and a rotor disposed within the sleeve. The rotor is cylindrical and includes openings which extend through the rotor in the axial or longitudinal direction, parallel to the rotor axis. This enables the viscometer to test non-Newtonian oils at very low shear rates without introducing non-uniform shear rate.

Abstract: A mixing system which prevents accumulation of buoyant stagnant particles on the liquid surface and produces substantially uniform outlet slurry concentrations, comprising a tank having partial baffles in combination with an agitator. The baffle designs may be suitable for variable or constant level tanks depending upon the particular design selected and basically includes a plurality of baffles located within the tank substantially at or just below the liquid surface. These baffles are spaced about the tank wall and for a constant level agitated tank can be secured to the wall at a fixed location. In the case of variable level tanks the baffles can be maintained at the desired location by means of a floating member.Another embodiment locates the baffles as mentioned above and further provides a centrally located draft tube located above the agitator. Still another embodiment for variable level tanks locates narrow fixed baffles extending substantially from the liquid surface to the bottom of the tank.

Abstract: An atomizing device for mixing or atomizing fluids without moving parts and comprising, in combination, a hollow tube which has a substantially cylindrical inner wall and a core member situated within the tube in substantial coaxial relationship with and spaced from the inner wall. The surface of the core member includes at least one non-intersecting helical channel which extends substantially continuously for the length of the channel. Also, channel-forming means is provided about the core member in close proximity with the surface thereof and with the inner wall of the tube, which comprises at least one layer of at least one non-intersecting helical winding. Each winding in any single layer is in the opposite direction to each winding in the next or adjacent layer and each winding in the layer nearest the core is in the opposite direction to the helical channel formed in the core member.

Abstract: A hinged tray, preferably for use in fractionation towers, capable of relieving small but sudden pressure surges caused by the flashing of relatively small amounts of water remaining in the tower feed or in the stripping steam. By hinging the trays distortion and upset normally caused by the flashing which could cause damage to the trays is substantially eliminated, as well as costly shutdown of the towers for tray repair. The hinged portion of the tray is stiffened by means of a frame and a counterweight can be provided to eliminate tray vibration during normal operation.

Abstract: A shielded anode, preferably of the aluminum type, comprising an elongated anode body encased on all sides including the top, bottom and the ends by a sheathing which comprises a pair of plastic casings including an inner casing which is in direct contact with the anode body, at least at the corners thereof, and an outer casing surrounding said inner casing and in contact therewith at least at the corners thereof. The outer casing is further supported by spacer members located between the outer surface of the inner casing and the inner surface of the outer casing.

Abstract: The invention comprises a fluid distributor which, in a preferred embodiment, comprises an array of parallel rollers rotatably mounted at their ends. All, or alternate, rollers have a number of peripheral grooves or slots which define, with adjacent rollers, apertures for the passage of fluid through the distributor. Suitable deposit-removing means (e.g. in the form of chisel-blades) are mounted either on rollers or separate support members so as to be opposite respective grooves or slots in the rollers and to be receivable in the grooves or slots, so that on relative movement of the grooved or slotted rollers and the deposit-removing means, the latter remove deposited material from the grooves or slots. The invention is useful in passing deposit-forming fluids (e.g. tarry or dusty gases) into fluidized beds supported on the distributor.

Abstract: A method of enhancing heat transfer between a heating or cooling element (such as a steam tracer heating line) and a conduit or vessel, comprising emplacing heat transfer material (such as a heat transfer cement) in a mouldable or plastic state between and in contact with the element and at least part of the adjacent surface of the conduit or vessel, and around and in contact with the element so that the element is surrounded by heat transfer material which contacts the element and applying a relatively rigid recessed retaining member such as a channel of "U" or "V"-shaped cross-section round the heat transfer material so that edges of the retaining member substantially abut the conduit or vessel and maintain coherence in the heat transfer material enclosed in the volume defined between the retaining member and the conduit or vessel and securing the retaining member and conduit or vessel relative to each other to maintain said coherence.

Abstract: A multicylinder internal combustion engine is operated with one cylinder supplied with a fuel-rich charge and the other cylinder(s) with a lean or leaner charge so that the said one cylinder produces "rich" exhaust gas which is rich in combustible components and the other cylinder(s) produce "lean" exhaust gas which is lean in combustible components. Air is mixed with the exhaust gas from each cylinder, and the rich exhaust gas ignites. The rich exhaust gas is passed into one end of a cylindrical reactor and the lean exhaust gas into the remaining part of the reactor. A tubular member disposed concentrically within the reactor has one or more flame-trap orifices at or towards the said one end and is connected to an exhaust pipe at the other end. Burning rich exhaust gas passes through the flame trap orifices into the tubular member and entrains therewith lean exhaust gas causing combustion of combustible components therein.

Abstract: An analyzer and method for measuring the properties of a liquid sample, such as the monitoring of water streams for oil detection as in ballast water monitoring onboard tankers, wherein a sample stream is passed through a nonreflective chamber where it is illuminated by suitable light such as fiber optic. The stream is detected either visually through a viewing port or photoelectrically for desired properties or characteristics as the flowing sample stream fails by gravity through the chamber to collection pit.

Abstract: A refractory erosion indicator gage for use in blast furnaces and other equipment which require an indication of the erosion wear in the refractory or other lining. The erosion indicator comprises a structural plate member having a configuration preferably triangular. The member is welded within the refractory lining of the equipment in which it is employed. This may be accomplished by welding the plate member to the equipment shell before the refractory lining insulation is installed or alternatively, it may be provided within the refractory lining per se and secured to the shell with the refractory. As the new refractory surface wears or erosion takes place, the exposed portion of the triangle is determinative of the remaining actual thickness of the refractory lining or of the amount of lining eroded away, depending on the orientation of the plate. This permits an easy determination to be made of the remaining refractory life.

Abstract: An indicator for use in monitoring and determining axial deflection or positioning of a coupling, e.g., of the flexible diaphragm type, wherein a pair of suitably configured indicia such as stepped edge decals are located on opposite ends of the coupling torque tube or spacing member adjacent each coupling hub. Initially each coupling guard ring covers a portion of the indicia, while leaving the remainder exposed. This is indicative of the normal nondeflected position of the diaphragm or similar flexible coupling component. As the shaft rotates, a stroboscope is employed to flash a light frequency corresponding to the rotational speed of the shaft and in the event there is axial misalignment the indicia will appear to deviate from their normal nondeflected position such that more or less of the indicia will be seen as the torque tube or spacing member is observed with the strobe light applied to it.

Abstract: A device for controlling maximum speed and/or acceleration of a diesel engine by means of a spring-loaded valve located upstream on the air inlet manifold. The valve, which normally is open, operates on a pressure differential basis and is designed to close when maximum speed is exceeded. By sending the air flow rate to the engine, the air flow can be shut off when it exceeds a rate corresponding to an excessive engine speed.

Abstract: An improved mixing vane grid spacer having enhanced flow mixing capability by virtue of mixing vanes being positioned at welded intersecting joints of the spacer wherein each mixing vane has an opening or window formed therein substantially directly over the welded joint to provide improved flow mixing capability. Some of the vanes are slotted, depending on their particular location in the spacers. The intersecting joints are welded by initially providing consumable tabs at and within each window, which are consumed during the welding of the spacer joints.

Abstract: A vessel such as a storage vessel is permanently moored, by means such as a yoke pivoted on the forecastle of the vessel, to a mooring leg, e.g. a riser or anchor chain, which is attached to a base located on the ocean floor. Mounted on the vessel is tension existing means, for example, counterweights, springs, winches, or the like, operably connected with the mooring leg for applying tension thereto such as by lifting the yoke. The top of the mooring leg is connected to the end of the yoke through a mooring swivel and a gimbaled mooring table or a universal joint. A fluid swivel may be located above the mooring table or about a load-carrying shaft connected to the mooring leg.

Abstract: A bladeless mixing device for use in a mixing system to mix streams of the same or different composition, for example, liquid/liquid, gas/gas, solid/solid, or any combination thereof. In the mixer device streams are tangentially directed into an inlet mixing chamber comprising a convergent conical cavity wherein a converging vortex is created, which is passed through an orifice into an outlet mixing chamber comprising a divergent conical cavity wherein a diverging vortex is developed, which is extracted from the outlet cavity tangentially for subsequent passage through further stages of the mixing system. The streams are combined, separated and recombined several times during the course of their passage through the mixing system which comprises a plurality of stages, until the desired mixing is obtained. The orifice size may be varied, depending upon the extent of mixing and velocity required for thorough mixing of the streams.