Abstract: A process for producing highly asymmetric hollow fibers useful as permselective gas separation membranes and for producing composite membranes thereof by extruding the spinning dope through a tube-in-orifice spinneret into a gas-filled chamber maintained at reduced pressure and then conveying the extruded hollow fiber through a liquid bath to solidify the extrudate.

Abstract: A tuyere and method for discharging an agitating gas into the molten contents of an electrically heated furnace to reduce temperature and composition variations in its contents. The tuyere comprises a refractory plug and sleeve for installation into the refractory wall and shell of the furnace, and a dielectric section in the tuyere pipe outside the furnace shell to prevent electrical arcing and current flow into the gas supply piping and external supports.

Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system comprising two cryogenic rectification plants wherein a fluid mixture comprising argon and nitrogen is withdrawn in a defined manner from the first plant and passed into the second plant such that argon production is enhanced to more than offset the additional separation power requirements.

Abstract: A cryogenic air separation system wherein pressurized feed air is at least partially condensed to vaporize elevated pressure liquid nitrogen and elevated pressure liquid oxygen to produce elevated pressure nitrogen and oxygen gas eliminating or reducing the need for product compression.

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: Oxygen-permeable polymeric complexes comprise (a) a transition metal (II) ion, (b) a liqand of meso-tris(.alpha., .alpha.,.alpha.-o-substituted-amidophenyl)-mono-(.beta.-o-substituted amidophenyl) porphyrinato, and (c) an aromatic amine polymer.

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.

Abstract: Ammonia-containing sour gas is combusted at high flame temperature with at least 90 percent purity oxygen in an externally cooled combustor, the ammonia-free product is cooled, then, in conjunction with additional acid gas which does not contain ammonia, is passed to a Claus furnace wherein less than one-third of the hydrogen sulfide is combusted with oxygen enriched air enabling boosting sulfur recovery in a Claus plant without detrimental effects on catalyst life, furnace refractories and pressure drops.

Abstract: A sulfur recovery process wherein a minor fraction of a hydrogen sulfide-containing gas is precombusted with oxygen in an externally cooled combustion zone while extracting the major fraction of the heat released in the substantially complete combustion of hydrogen sulfide to sulfur dioxide in that zone, the gas is further cooled and is then passed to a Claus reaction furnace together with the major fraction of the gas, enabling using oxygen for a substantial productivity increase within the temperature and flow rate limitations of a Claus plant without need for a temperature moderator introduced into the precombustor.

Abstract: A cryogenic rectification method employing rectification over a defined height within the lower pressure column of a double column system which reduces the nitrogen concentration of an argon, nitrogen, oxygen mixture while maintaining the argon concentration at or near its maximum enabling production of nitrogen-free argon directly from the argon column system.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for producing composite gas separation membranes by treating the gas separation layer of the composite membranes with a treating agent that ionically bonds to the gas separation membrane layer of the treated composite membrane. The invention also relates to the membranes produced and to gas separation processes utilizing the improved membranes.

Abstract: Structured metal column packing with corrugations and textured surfaces having a defined construction of the corrugation corners which enables significantly improved performance especially under turndown conditions.

Abstract: A process for controlling the temperature and flame front in a liquid waste incinerator comprising: dispersing fluid wastes into the flame of at least one oxygen/fuel burner to incinerate the waste in and around the flame, wherein flame energy is regulated by adjusting the fuel to the low heating value waste ratio to control the flame front and temperature in said incinerator. The flue gas resulting from burning the waste may be used to heat, possibly concentrate partially and/or evaporate (if liquid is present) the fluid waste prior to dispersing it into the flame.

Abstract: A short hood for enclosing and providing a protective atmosphere over not more than the solder pot of a machine for wave soldering printed circuit boards. Other operative areas of the machine are exposed to air. The entrance and exit openings to the hood for the circuit boards are covered by electrically conductive curtains of thin material cut into vertical strips. The process employs a thin layer of no-clean flux and allows up to 5% oxygen content in the protective atmosphere.

Abstract: Feed air is separated in a membrane system, with recovered nitrogen being purified in a deoxo unit and dried in an adsorbent dryer using high temperature purge gas. The heat generated in the deoxo unit can be used to satisfy the thermal energy requirements of dryer regeneration, without decrease in product recovery. Membrane permeate gas can be used for purge at high purge/feed ratio to reduce the energy requirements of bed regeneration.

Abstract: A support plate, together with the shell of an aluminum holding and/or refining vessel, in combination with a refractory sheet positioned on the inner wall of a graphite block in which a heating element assembly is positioned, is used to hold and seal the heating assembly against exposure to air, without the need for enclosing the heating elements in a metal heating element container.

Abstract: Feed air to a prepurifier adsorption system/cryogenic air separation system for dry, high purity nitrogen and/or oxygen production is dried in a membrance dryer preferably characterized by a countercurrent flow path. Drying is enhanced by the use of purge gas on the permeate side of the membrane dryer, with adsorption system or cryogenic air separation system product or waste gas, dried feed air or ambient air being used as purge gas. Two membrane materials are employed in the membrane dryer, in a single stage or in two stages, for enhanced removal of water and carbon dioxide from the feed air.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for melting glass forming ingredients in a glass melting furnace adapted therefore, said furnace having an upstream melting zone and a downstream fining zone, wherein the glass forming ingredients introduced to the upstream melting zone via inlet means and the resulting melt therefrom travel along a path from the melting zone to the fining zone, said melt being withdrawn from outlet means which communicate with the fining zone, the improvement comprising; providing at least one high momentum oxygen-fired flame in the vicinity of said outlet means to sweep unmelted glass forming ingredients floating on the surface of the melt in said vicinity to prevent said unmelted glass forming ingredients from entering the outlet means whereby the contamination of an outflowing molten glass from said outlet means is avoided or reduced.

Abstract: A cryogenic air separation system wherein one portion of the feed air is turboexpanded to generate refrigeration, a second portion is condensed against vaporizing product from the air separation plant, and both portions are fed into the same column to undergo separation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for changing the direction of a fluid stream injected into a combustion zone wherein a flow of biasing fluid is provided to a high velocity fuel or oxidant stream in a perpendicular direction proximate the inlet of an outwardly tapered cavity, causing the fluid stream to be deflected toward a wall of the cavity and to flow in a direction along the wall by a pressure differential across the fluid stream.