Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for the cryogenic separation of air and particularly with respect the separation of air in oxygen enriched zones within a distillation column. The improvement resides in utilizing aluminum packing in structured or random form in the oxygen enriched zones wherein the oxygen concentration ranges from about 80 to 96% by volume and optionally a sheet copper packing of structured or random form in the oxygen enriched zones, wherein the oxygen concentration is greater than 97% by volume. The aluminum packing may also be used in an argon column where argon is separated from oxygen by distillation.

Abstract: A gas regulator includes a housing having a high pressure chamber with an inlet passage thereto, a low pressure chamber with an outlet passage therefrom, and an orifice extending between the high pressure chamber and the low pressure chamber. The low pressure chamber is open at one end and an enclosed bonnet is mounted on the housing across the open end of the low pressure chamber. A movable pressure sensing/control element is mounted across the open end of the low pressure chamber and separates the low pressure chamber from the bonnet. The bonnet is filled with a gas under pressure which applies a force onto one side of the pressure sensing/control element. A valve plug is in the high pressure chamber and is connected to the pressure sensing/control element so as to be movable toward and away from the orifice to open and close the regulator. A spring is connected to the pressure sensing/control element so as to apply a force thereto opposite to the force applied by the gas in the bonnet.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved ambient-air liquid cryogen vaporizer and a method of using the same. The interconnections between the vertical starfinned pipe lengths of the vaporizer are arranged such that the coldest temperature pipe lengths are placed at more remote locations from the warmer pipe lengths than in previous vaporizer set-ups. This arrangement increases the capacity of the vaporizer by reducing ice bridging between the colder and warmer fins.

Abstract: A safety pressure regulator employing a diaphragm actuator that upon exposure to high temperature an element melts to release the valve from the actuator to effect its automatic closing.