Abstract: An energy efficient process for hydrolyzing lignocellulosic materials which comprises using a primary system by providing a start-up energy input to operating saturated steam conditions and thereafter operating the primary system with substantially constant energy input, the condition of the hydrolyzing saturated steam being controlled by water injection and/or steam bleeding from the primary system. The dwell time of the solids stream in the primary sustem is controlled by controlling its passage with flashing off of steam into a secondary system where drying occurs together with some small measure of hydrolysis in a lower pressure superheated steam environment, there being an energy input into the secondary system using steam bled from the primary system. The output solids material stream is preferably capable of being self polymerized into a formed shape eg a board.

Abstract: An energy efficient process for hydrolyzing lignocellulosic materials which comprises using a primary system by providing a start-up energy input to operating saturated steam conditions and thereafter operating the primary system with substantially constant energy input, the condition of the hydrolysing saturated steam being controlled by water injection and/or steam bleeding from the primary system. The dwell time of the solids stream in the primary system is controlled by controlling its passage with flashing off of steam into a secondary system where drying occurs together with some small measure of hydrolysis in a lower pressure superheated steam environment, there being an energy input into the secondary system using steam bled from the primary system. The output solids material stream is preferably capable of being self polymerized into a formed shape eg a board.

Abstract: A subsea flowline connector for connecting a flowline through a port in a subsea atmospheric chamber vessel to a subsea christmas tree within the chamber including an actuator assembly within the chamber with at least one arm extending through the vessel adjacent the port, a carriage supported on the end of a flowline, a piston secured to the flowline and supported on the carriage, a receptacle on the piston to engage the arm, a flowline passage through the piston, actuation of said actuator moving said arm into engagement with said receptacle and pulling said piston into engagement with the port, a valve controlled bleed line to bleed pressure from said port as the piston has moved therein and a lock for retaining the piston within the port.

Abstract: A shoe for adjustably supporting a pipeline relative to a ramp of a lay vessel is comprised of a cradle which supports the pipeline in longitudinally movable relation with the ramp. The cradle contacts the pipeline intermediate the longitudinal axis of the pipeline and the surface of the ramp. An elongated lever is pivotally connected at one extreme to the ramp and at another extreme to the cradle. The elongated lever is rotated by rotating means about the pivotal connection with the surface of the ramp to alternately raise and lower the cradle and thereby adjustably support the pipeline relative to the ramp.According to the method of the invention, a pipeline can be adjustably supported relative to a ramp of a lay vessel by first cradling the pipeline above the surface of the ramp in longitudinally movable relation therewith. This step may be accomplished by a cradle having two degrees of freedom relative to the ramp and pivotally connected thereto through an elongated lever.