Abstract: A regenerative heating system includes at least a pair of regenerators of the type which are operable so that while one is being heated by waste gas the other is heating air for the combustion of fuel. The system includes a pair of regenerators 1 and 2 which are interconnected adjacent one end to form a chamber 4 having an outlet 8 to discharge waste gas flow into the chamber from one or other of the regenerators. Air nozzles 7 extend into the chamber 4 to inject air into the regenerators 1 and 2 during the air heating cycle of regenerator. The waste gas may be removed by the suction force of a fan or eductor.

Abstract: A regenerative heating system comprises two heat regenerators 1 and 2 of the type which are operable so that while one is being heated by waste gas the other is heating air for the combustion of fuel. The regenerators 1 and 2 communicate with each other adjacent one end to form a chamber 11 into which fuel gas is injected by means of a fuel pipe 3. The waste gas enters its respective regenerator by way of end 8 and passes through the bed 5 of the regenerator which stores the heat. Air travelling in the opposite direction is heated in the bed 5 and entrains the fuel gas. The steps 12 provide a venturi or choke effect on the air causing the pressure in the regenerator heating air to be lower than that in the regenerator being heated by waste gas. Fuel gas is thereby drawn into the air stream for admixture therewith and ignition for combustion by means of a pilot light 14.

Abstract: A seismic acoustic source for generating acoustic pulses in both solid rock and sedimentary layers on land and in both water, rock and sedimentary layers at sea comprises: two chambers; a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber communicating but separated from each other by, for example, a first diaphragm, the low pressure chamber being closed by, for example, a second diaphragm. The high pressure chamber contains gas e.g. helium at high pressure whereas low pressure chamber contains a gas such as carbon dioxide at a lower pressure. The pulse is generated by bursting the diaphragm separating the two chambers whereupon the shock wave generated in the carbon dioxide then travels to the other end of the low pressure chamber and leaves by over-pressure behind the shock bursting the second diaphragm. Repetitive operation may be achieved by replacing the first diaphragm with a shock wave valve and the second with operable valve means such as an iris diaphragm or full-bore gate valve.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell for use in the detection and measurement of water soluble gases includes a vessel having a first chamber adapted to receive and contain said gas and having located therein a working electrode and a second chamber adapted to contain an electrolyte and having located therein a reference electrode arranged to be in contact with said electrolyte. A counter electrode is located in either the first or second chamber. The working electrode consists of an absorbent material communicating between said first and second chambers, which is adapted to be in contact with said electrolyte and has an electro-active substrate deposited on at least a portion of the surface of that part of the material located in the first chamber.

Abstract: A system comprises a pair of straps which are preferably hinged and are arranged to be clamped around a structure, for example, a tubular member to be strain gauged, and secured, for example, by a single swing bolt with a diver sized hand knob. Across these two straps are a number of, for example, two sets of four equally spaced arranged strain gauge assemblies, aligned along the longitudinal axis of the tubular member. Vibrating wire strain gauges are uniformly suspended by compression springs from a protective cover. Because such compression springs are relatively free to move laterally by small amounts, they do not significantly increase the axial stiffness of the strain gauge. The protective cover is attached to the two clamping straps by set bolts with diver sized hand knobs. When tightened the strain gauge will be pressed onto the member surface with the pre-determined spring force.

Abstract: A compact, gas-fired water heater in which a reservoir of bulk water is indirectly heated by a gas burner-fired immersion tube and directly heated by mutual contact between the hot flue gases from the immersion tube outlet and feed water droplets as they pass each other in contra-flow through the apertures in a plurality of plates and through a packed bed of graded solid particles or Rashig rings. The packed bed may also include suitable chemicals for modifying the quality of the stored water. One or more calorifiers may be located in the reservoir with limited direct heat conduction contact with the immersion tube.

Abstract: A pipe repair clamp comprises a two-piece type split-collar, the collar being formed by joining the two pieces together about the surface of the pipe to be repaired. The pieces are shaped to form scarf-type joints and are provided with, affixed to their internal surfaces, portions of a gasket for sealing the surface of the pipe to be repaired from the external surface of the collar.

Abstract: Apparatus for the measurement of fluid flow, particularly flow rates for compressible fluids, comprises at least four transducer sources of ultrasonic energy arranged in fluid conduit system and adapted to project a beam of ultrasonic sound to corresponding receivers, the paths defined by the beams being angularly disposed with regard to both the fluid flow and each other, and being arranged in an intersecting but spaced-apart relationship.

Abstract: Joints and leaks in pipelines or mains are sealed by injecting into the joint or leak a sealant by means of an expandible tubular pig which is moved endwise through the pipeline or main. The sealant is in the form of an anaerobically curable monomer which cures in the relatively air free conditions in the joint or leak. The pig forms within the pipeline or main an air-free space which communicates with the joint or leak and which is isolated from the fluid in the main. Nevertheless the pig is hollow to permit the flow of fluid therethrough while the joint or leak is sealed. The sealant is injected into the joint or leak by way of the space so that the sealant cures in situ in the joint or leak.

Abstract: The apparatus increases the hydraulic pressure in rams 16 until one pipe moves towards a heater plate 14. The movement is detected by a limit switch 26 and a microprocessor-based control system 28 adds a pre-programmed value of pressure to that pressure which caused the movement (drag pressure). The total pressure is applied to force the pipe ends against a heater plate 14 to form end beads (bead-up). After heating for a pre-programmed period the control system automatically initiates plate retraction and forces the pipe ends together (fusion) for another programmed period. The applied pressure is the sum of the recorded drag pressure and a pre-programmed added pressure. Operator judgement of bead size, pressures and time periods is eliminated. Pressurised fluid is supplied to the rams 16 from a pump and accumulator combination. The sense of ram motion is determined by changeover valves controlled by the control system 28.

Abstract: A coupling device (1) for use with an electrofusion fitting (14) so as to identify the fitting and to provide an indication of the period of time for which such fittings should be electrically energized to provide a satisfactory bond to thermoplastic pipes, the device comprising relatively rotatable parts (2) and (3) which are brought into register with fixed identification locations (18) and (19) on the fitting, and when in register automatically select an electrical parameter which is representative of that particular fitting and the energization period required.

Abstract: Joints and leaks in pipelines or mains are sealed by injecting into the joint or leak a sealant by means of an expandible tubular pig which is moved endwise through the pipeline or main. The sealant is in the form of an anaerobically curable monomer which cures in the relatively air free conditions in the joint or leak. The pig forms within the pipeline or main an air-free space which communicates with the joint or leak and which is isolated from the fluid in the main. Nevertheless the pig is hollow to permit the flow of fluid therethrough while the joint or leak is sealed. The sealant is injected into the joint or leak by way of the space so that the sealant cures in situ in the joint or leak.

Abstract: Aqueous effluent liquors such as those derived from the ash-slagging of coal are treated to remove halide, e.g. chloride ions by heating the liquor to 400.degree. C. to 500.degree. C. and contacting the vapor with, for example, a fixed or fluidized bed of calcium carbonate maintained at the reaction temperature.During the heating, the temperature is increased at a rate of at least 50.degree. C. sec.sup.-1 over the range 100.degree. C. to 300.degree. C. The treated liquor may be used as a reactant in the ash-slagging gasification of coal.

Abstract: A mounting for locating in side-by-side relationship two ultrasonic wheel probes 10 used for ultrasonically inspecting a pipeline, the mounting including a mounting member 12 defining a slide 16, and two slider members 14 located in back-to-back relationship in the slide 16 and retained therein by a backing member 38. Each slider member 14 is adapted to locate one of the wheel probes 10.

Abstract: This invention relates to the tracking of a pipeline pig during its movement through a pipeline carrying gas, for instance.The pig is tracked by detecting energy emission resulting from impact of the moving pig with at least two previously identified features which are located within the pipeline at known spaced intervals.The energy emission takes the form of vibrational signals which are sensed by a geophone 1 which is coupled externally to the wall or associated equipment of a gas pipeline 2. An electrical output proportional to the vibration is amplified by a preamplifier 5 and is then filtered by a unit 6 to remove unwanted frequency components of the signal. The filtered signal is fed to a chart recorder 7. The unfiltered preamplified signal is fed to an audioamplifier 9 where the signal is amplified to audible levels.

Abstract: Joints and leaks in pipelines or mains are sealed by injecting into the joint or leak a sealant by means of an expandible tubular pig which is moved endwise through the pipeline or main. The sealant is in the form of an anaerobically curable monomer which cures in the relatively air free conditions in the joint or leak. The pig forms within the pipeline or main an air-free space which communicates with the joint or leak and which is isolated from the fluid in the main. Nevertheless the pig is hollow to permit the flow of fluid therethrough while the joint or leak is sealed. The sealant is injected into the joint or leak by way of the space so that the sealant cures in situ in the joint or leak.

Abstract: A wheel probe for ultrasonically inspecting a component, such as the wall of a pipeline, is of hollow form to define a chamber in which an ultrasonic transducer is located. The transducer is supported by a mounting which occupies a major proportion of the chamber and comprises material for attenuating background noise in the wheel probe. The chamber is closed by an end member which also comprises material for attenuating background noise, while an elastomeric tire on the rim of the wheel probe extends over a portion of reduced diameter of the rim to attenuate unwanted ultrasound.