Abstract: A process and apparatus for obtaining a hydrogen product and a sulfur product from a feed gas comprised of hydrogen sulfide. In the process, a first separating step separates the feed gas to obtain a first purified hydrogen sulfide fraction comprised of at least about 90 percent hydrogen sulfide by volume. A dissociating step dissociates hydrogen sulfide present in the first purified hydrogen sulfide fraction to convert it into a dissociated first purified hydrogen sulfide fraction comprised of elemental hydrogen and sulfur. A second separating step separates the dissociated first purified hydrogen sulfide fraction to obtain a hydrogen rich fraction comprised of elemental hydrogen. The sulfur product may also be obtained from the dissociated first purified hydrogen sulfide fraction. Finally, the hydrogen product is obtained from the hydrogen rich fraction. The apparatus is provided for performing the process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for causing pressure variations in a wellbore. A valve mechanism and a sealing device are provided in the wellbore. The valve mechanism is part of a valve device which may be actuated between an open position and a closed position. The valve device is actuated to the closed position to allow an increase in pressure below the sealing device and is actuated to the open position to allow a fluid to pass through the valve device up the wellbore. The valve device is alternately actuated between the closed position and the open position to cause cyclical pressure variations in the wellbore below the sealing device. The valve device includes the valve mechanism, a fluid passage, a control mechanism for controlling the valve mechanism, and a delay mechanism for delaying the actuation of the valve device from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for causing pressure variations in a wellbore. A valve mechanism and a sealing device are provided in the wellbore. The valve mechanism is part of a valve device which may be actuated between an open position and a closed position. The valve device is actuated to the closed position to allow an increase in pressure below the sealing device and is actuated to the open position to allow a fluid to pass through the valve device up the wellbore. The valve device is alternately actuated between the closed position and the open position to cause cyclical pressure variations in the wellbore below the sealing device. The valve device includes the valve mechanism, a fluid passage, a control mechanism for controlling the valve mechanism, and a delay mechanism for delaying the actuation of the valve device from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: An actuation system for a clamping assembly for use in a pipe clamping apparatus, including a shaft and an actuator defining an actuator chamber having a peripheral chamber wall. The actuator is movably mounted about the shaft such that the shaft extends through the actuator chamber and the actuator is longitudinally reciprocable thereon. A piston is fixedly mounted about the shaft and positioned within the actuator chamber. The piston has first and second sides and an outer perimeter sealingly engaging the peripheral chamber wall to create first and second chambers such that the actuator reciprocates along the shaft in response to a differential force applied within the first and second chambers. The clamping assembly is associated with the actuator such that reciprocation of the actuator along the shaft causes the clamping assembly to move radially relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: An actuation system preferably for mounting between front and rear clamping mechanisms in a pipe clamping apparatus as part of an internal backup ring system. The system includes a guide, a cam plate positioned adjacent to the guide and rotatable relative thereto, a drive mechanism coupling the guide and the cam plate such that actuation of the drive mechanism causes the cam plate to rotate relative to the guide about an axis of rotation, and a power source for driving the drive mechanism. A backup ring assembly, having a plurality of backup shoe units, may be associated with the cam plate such that rotation of the cam plate relative to the guide plate causes the backup ring assembly to move radially relative to the axis of rotation of the cam plate in order to engage or disengage the inner wall of a pipe. The system may also include auxiliary means for dislodging the backup ring assembly when at least one of the backup shoe units is stuck to the inner wall of the pipe.