Abstract: The present invention is an improvement to a process for the conversion of natural gas to produce higher molecular weight hydrocarbon products, wherein the natural gas is partially oxidized to produce a synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen, wherein the synthesis gas is catalytically reacted to produce the higher molecular weight hydrocarbon products, wherein the conversion process generates excess steam and wherein oxygen used to partially oxidize the natural gas is produced by an air separation process. The improvement is characterized by operating such air separation process at an elevated pressure so that the feed air to the air separation process is compressed to between 8 and 20 Bar(a); expanding at least a portion of the excess steam generated by the conversion process to generate work and using at least a portion of the generated work to drive the compression requirements of the air separation process.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an improvement for a process for the generation of electrical power, wherein, in a cryogenic air separation unit, compressed air is distilled into an oxygen product and a waste nitrogen product, wherein at least a portion of the oxygen product is compressed and reacted with a carbonaceous fuel, in a gasifier or partial oxidation unit, to produce a synthesis (fuel) gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen, wherein feed air is compressed in a gas turbine feed air compressor and subsequently saturated; wherein the synthesis gas is combusted with the saturated, compressed, gas turbine feed air in a combustor to produce a combustion gas, which passes through a transition piece and is then expanded in a gas turbine to generate work, wherein at least a portion of the generated work is used to drive the gas turbine feed air compressor and wherein at least another portion of the generated work is used to generate electricity.

Abstract: A process and system for controlling a cryogenic air separation unit during rapid changes in production. During operation of an air separation unit, demands for oxygen will vary and the pressure of the feed air will fluctuate. The changes in oxygen demand and feed air pressure translate into a ramping, either up or down, of the distillation system pressure in the air separation unit. Because the product streams have tight purity requirements, the ramping system pressure (which could adversely affect product purity) is compensated for. This compensation is by way of a net transfer of refrigeration, in the form of liquid nitrogen, into and out of the distillation system. This transfer of refrigeration is implemented using a storage vessel of liquid nitrogen connected to the reflux path of the distillation system. Liquid nitrogen via the reflux path is removed and stored or added to the distillation system to decrease or increase the refrigeration, respectively.

Abstract: Flexible electrical connectors are employed to connect rigid members, such as plugs and printed circuit boards. Such connectors have a tendency to tear, especially in the region near the rigid member, and this can prove expensive to remedy. The invention provides reinforcing thread members, for example, along the connector which prevent any tear which may develop from growing further.

Abstract: A dial of a knitting machine has jacks (14) at least the operating part (18) of which is made of a cominutable, preferably plastics material, to ensure broken off parts are ground up so as not to damage the dial.

Abstract: A yarn feeder and changer unit for a knitting machine comprises a number of adjacent yarn feeders any one of which can be moved from a yarn trapping position to a yarn feeding position while the others retain severed ends of their respective yarns at the trapping positions. The movement of each feeder to its feeding position comprises an upward component of movement from below the needle level by pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, and forward movement over the needles by a sliding component of movement. The creation of two distinct components of movement for each feeder (pivotal and sliding) enables the feeder path to pass close to but out of the path of the needles, and enables accurate yarn placement to be achieved.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine, especially of body garment knitting type, has drive arrangements for a pair of rotary cam carriers of conventional lay-out involving a motor, drive shafts and upper and lower gears for the respective cam carriers. Instead of mounting the creel with yarn fast with respect to the upper gear there are provided means mounting the creel coaxially with the ring gears and permitting relative angular movement of the creel and the ring gears, at least one drive abutment for engaging the creel to rotate it conjointly with the ring gears and a shock absorber associated with the creel and the ring gears to thereby permit the creel to overrun the ring gears and move away from the drive abutment on stopping the motor and drive shafts.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine includes a cylinder with knitting instrumentalities and a cam arrangement for operating the instrumentalities, the cylinder and the cam arrangement being relatively rotatable, a striper associated with the cam arrangement and having a yarn cutting mechanism, an aperture in the cylinder for propelling air outwardly of the cylinder past the instrumentalities to carry yarn ends cut off by the yarn cutting mechanism outwardly of the striper and a means for collecting yarn ends carried outwardly by the air.