Abstract: A wire-guide/nozzle assembly for an electric arc welding torch, with at least one nozzle for delivering gas and at least one wire-guide system for guiding at least one consumable wire, distinguished in that the downstream end of the wire-guide system runs into the nozzle. The peripheral wall of the nozzle has at least one cut-out through which the wire-guide system passes. The wire-guide system is fastened to the nozzle. A TIG welding torch utilizing such a wire-guide/nozzle assembly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating a gas by adsorption. A gas is compressed and then treated by being circulated in an adsorber. A regenerating fluid is indirectly heated by the gas coming from the compressor. In a second regeneration phase, the regenerating fluid is sent directly to the adsorber, while the treated gas is refrigerated by an auxiliary refrigerator.

Abstract: A method of separating a gas mixture using a permeation membrane unit, wherein the gas mixture, containing primarily hydrogen and carbon monoxide, is first treated to reduce the level of secondary components to lower than 100 molar ppm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling a fluid in the liquid state, possibly also containing solid elements, comprising feeding said fluid into a containing member for said fluid and also feeding into said member a cooling fluid in the liquid state, such as a liquefied gas; said fluids are brought into direct contact within said containing member so that by absorbing heat, the cooling fluid passes into the gaseous state and cools the fluid to be cooled, these fluids then being extracted directly from said member by separate conduits.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing and mixing two pressurized gases. The apparatus has an outer container for storing the first gas and an inner container, situated inside the outer container, for storing the second gas. The gases exit their containers through outlet passages, are mixed together resulting in a mixture which leaves the apparatus through and output channel.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for enhancing the metallurgical quality of products treated in a furnace with several zones, wherein the temperature and the atmospheric conditions can be controlled. The applies to any type of product treated in a furnace, such as billets, blooms, slugs or slabs. Alternatively, this may be used by iron and steel manufacturers in the production line for sheets, plates, tubes, etc.

Abstract: A plate-type heat exchanger containing a number of stacked dividing plates of roughly uniform thickness (e), at least one passage, and at least one fin. The minimum thickness (e?) of the fin is 0.8 times greater than the thickness (e) of each dividing plate(s).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method involving the intake (through 16) of air in an intake of an air separation plant (14), supplying (though 16) at least a fraction of the intake air from a gas turbine compressor section (2), and extracting from the air separation plant (16) two gas streams (through 20, 24, 32, and 36) respectively nitrogen-enriched and oxygen-enriched streams; detecting (through 18) a substantial decrease in the flow rate of the air fraction from the gas turbine compressor section (2), then recycling (through 28, 42), to the inlet of the air separation plant (14) at least part of one of the two gas streams, and thus avoiding any major fluctuation of the intake air flow rate of said air separation plant.

Abstract: A furnace apparatus and method for increasing the productivity and/or quality of reheated products by improving the temperature profile of a furnace for reheating products.

Abstract: A fluid expansion valve with a main body and a method of its use. The main body has an internal fluid passage and an outlet connector. The outlet connector is suitable for delivering the expanded fluid and for connecting with a socket. The internal profile of the socket is suited for connection with the external profile of the outlet connect. The outlet connect has three connention sections of varying external diameters. The valve may be used to introduce a pressurized gas to a liquid or a beverage.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting cooling power from helium flowing through a cooling system regenerator includes a heat exchanger disposed within the regenerator capable of extracting cooling power from the helium and a thermal link coupled to the heat exchanger for thermally coupling the heat exchanger with a component. A method of extracting cooling power from helium in a regenerator includes flowing the helium through a first portion of the regenerator, flowing the helium through a heat exchanger disposed between the first portion and a second portion of the regenerator to transfer heat from the heat exchanger to the helium, and transferring heat from a component via a thermal link to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method for operating a typical cyclic adsorption unit that is easily implemented in both new and existing treatment plants, wherein fluctuations in the stream compositions due to the adsorption and regeneration phase transitions of the cycles are minimized.

Abstract: A method of combustion and a burner assembly wherein at least one fuel and at least one oxidizer are injected separately. The oxidizer comprises a primary oxidizer stream and a secondary oxidizer stream. The primary oxidizer stream is divided into at least two portions. One portion is injected close to the fuel whereby generating a first incomplete combustion. The second portion is injected downstream of the first injection point with the fuel source consisting of the remaining uncombusted fuel of the first incomplete combustion in addition to the fuel. The secondary oxidizer stream is injected downstream from the primary oxidizer stream, whereby resulting in combustion with the unreactive fuel gases remaining from the first combustion.

Abstract: A method for partially oxidizing, in a Claus furnace, at least one gas containing hydrogen sulfide and ammonia with at least one gas rich in oxygen. The residual ammonia content at the outlet of the furnace is measured with a laser diode. Based upon this measurement, the flow rates of the ammonia containing gases and the oxygen rich gases may be modified to obtain the desired residual ammonia content.

Abstract: In a process for separation of air by cryogenic distillation integrated with an associated process, air is separated in a separation unit (1), fluid is sent from the separation unit to an associated process, steam (3) is derived from the associated process, at least part of the steam is used in the separation unit and at least one fluid stream (11) is sent from the air separation unit to the atmosphere, at least when the steam is used in the air separation unit.

Abstract: This method permits the production of at least two gaseous fluxes enriched in a permeable component from a gaseous mixture wherein the fluxes are considerably different, compared to the gaseous mixture. A first permeation unit (20) is supplied by the gaseous mixture feed. A second permeation unit (22) is supplied by the non-permeate produced by the first unit (20). The permeate produced by the second unit (22) which forms a first enriched flux is then sent to the third permeation unit (24) to form a second enriched flux.

Abstract: The invention provides a spinnerette assembly for forming multicomponenthollow fibers of the sheath/core type. The spinnerette assembly contains an extrusion orifice and a core forming material passage in communication with the extrusion orifice. A hollow needle extends through the extrusion orifice in a concentric manner to define an annular passage surrounding the needle. The core forming material passage includes a core forming material inlet port extending from a surface of the spinnerette assembly to an interior of the assembly and a transverse passage extending from the core forming material port to the annular passage surrounding the needle. A bore forming fluid passage communicates with the interior of the needle. The spinnerette assembly contains at least one sheath forming material passage also in communication with the extrusion orifice.

Abstract: A method of controlling a plant for processing a gas by adsorption, with N adsorbers R1 to R0 and variable N phase times. The method utilizes a mobile parameter for identifying the operating state of N adsorber which is in each successive phase time of the cycle. For a given phase time, a parameterized sequence (S, S′) of control steps for the plant are defined. A control sequencer of the plant is generated by matching an adsorber (R1 to R0) with each mobile parameter of the parameterized sequence during each phase time of the cycle, causing the succession of phase times of the cycle to be followed at all the adsorbers in operation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for generating energy, which consists in conveying to an air separation apparatus (5) air from a compressor (1) coupled to an expansion machine (3). A nitrogen-enriched gaseous flow (11) containing between 3 and 18% of oxygen is conveyed to a combustion chamber (19) with a combustible flow (17) and the combustion gases (33) are expanded in the expansion machine. Optionally air from an auxiliary compressor (21) can be conveyed to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: The invention concerns a valve assembly or an on-off pressure reducer device for a pressurised gas container designed to co-operate with a conditioning connection for filling said container. The valve assembly or on-off pressure reducer comprises a filler connection (14) with a longitudinal axis, a guide end (18), and a thread (22) axially offset relative to said end. The end (18) has a periphery (20) provided with at least an impression (40) protruding outside the periphery, projecting in a plane orthogonal to said longitudinal axis, the impression (40) of said connection end being secant to a circle centred on said axis and whereof the diameter is equal to the smaller of the internal and external diameters of said thread.