Abstract: Controlling flow of gas in an gas pipeline network, wherein flow of gas within each of the pipeline segments is associated with a direction (positive or negative). Processors calculate minimum and maximum production rates (bounds) at the gas production plant to satisfy an energy consumption constraint over a period of time. The production rate bounds are used to calculate minimum and maximum signed flow rates (bounds) for each pipeline segment. A nonlinear pressure drop relationship is linearized to create a linear pressure drop model for each pipeline segment. A network flow solution is calculated, using the linear pressure drop model, comprising flow rates for each pipeline segment to satisfy demand constraints and pressures for each of a plurality of network nodes over the period of time to satisfy pressure constraints. The network flow solution is associated with control element setpoints used to control one or more control elements.

Abstract: A steam-hydrocarbon reforming process utilizing a prereformer where a portion of the effluent from the prereformer is conditioned and the C2+ hydrocarbon content in the conditioned effluent measured. The molar flow rate of steam to the prereformer is increased or decreased responsive to measuring the C2+ hydrocarbon content of the conditioned effluent.

Abstract: A steam-hydrocarbon reforming process utilizing a prereformer where a portion of the effluent from the prereformer is conditioned and the C2+ hydrocarbon content in the conditioned effluent measured. The molar flow rate of steam to the prereformer is increased or decreased responsive to measuring the C2+ hydrocarbon content of the conditioned effluent.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for acquiring temperature data from a plurality of features in a chamber including capturing a first image of an interior area of the chamber, capturing a second image of the interior area of the chamber, identifying a plurality of features within the data for the first image and the data for the second image, generating an interior area representation based on the first image data, the second image data, and the identification of each feature of the plurality of features in the interior area, and correlating the interior area representation to temperature information related to the interior area.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for acquiring temperature data from a plurality of features in a chamber including capturing a first image of an interior area of the chamber, capturing a second image of the interior area of the chamber, identifying a plurality of features within the data for the first image and the data for the second image, generating an interior area representation based on the first image data, the second image data, and the identification of each feature of the plurality of features in the interior area, and correlating the interior area representation to temperature information related to the interior area.

Abstract: Apparatus for attenuating the amplitude of a time-variant property of a fluid stream which comprises an enclosed volume, wherein the enclosed volume includes a mixing zone having an inlet and three or more outlets; piping means for introducing an inlet fluid stream into the inlet of the mixing zone; and piping means for withdrawing from the mixing zone three or more individual fluid portions through the three or more outlets and combining the three or more individual fluid portions into an outlet fluid stream. The distance between at least one pair of adjacent outlets may be different than the distance between another pair of adjacent outlets, and the distance between adjacent outlets may decrease as the distance of each outlet from the inlet increases.

Abstract: A method to reduce or attenuate the amplitude of time-variant properties of a fluid stream by introducing the stream into a defined enclosed volume in a controlled manner such that the residence time distribution of the fluid exiting the enclosed volume approaches that of a preferred flat residence time distribution. This is accomplished by the concept of temporal mixing in which different residence times are imparted to a fluid in a mixing zone by physically dividing the fluid into individual portions, each of which has a different residence time while passing through the mixing zone. The desired fluid portions are created by means of specifically-designed multiple inlets into the mixing zone and/or by means of specifically-designed multiple outlets from the mixing zone.

Abstract: A method to reduce or attenuate the amplitude of time-variant properties of a fluid stream by introducing the stream into a defined enclosed volume in a controlled manner such that the residence time distribution of the fluid exiting the enclosed volume approaches that of a preferred flat residence time distribution. This is accomplished by the concept of temporal mixing in which different residence times are imparted to a fluid in a mixing zone by physically dividing the fluid into individual portions, each of which has a different residence time while passing through the mixing zone. The desired fluid portions are created by means of specifically-designed multiple inlets into the mixing zone and/or by means of specifically-designed multiple outlets from the mixing zone.

Abstract: A method to reduce or attenuate the amplitude of time-variant properties of a fluid stream by introducing the stream into a defined enclosed volume in a controlled manner such that the residence time distribution of the fluid exiting the enclosed volume approaches that of a preferred flat residence time distribution. This is accomplished by the concept of temporal mixing in which different residence times are imparted to a fluid in a mixing zone by physically dividing the fluid into individual portions, each of which has a different residence time while passing through the mixing zone. The desired fluid portions are created by means of specifically-designed multiple inlets into the mixing zone and/or by means of specifically-designed multiple outlets from the mixing zone.

Abstract: A process delivers oxygen at a variable flow rate from a distillation system. The process uses a higher pressure column and a lower pressure column. The effects of oxygen product rate fluctuations on the distillation system are reduced by maintaining essentially constant flow rates within the columns.

Abstract: In a process for the cryogenic separation of air and recovery of argon in a distillation system having at least one distillation column that produces a nitrogen-enriched stream, an oxygen enriched stream, and an argon-enriched stream, and at least one sidearm column which receives the argon-enriched stream from the distillation column, controlling argon recovery by manipulating the total amount of argon inventory within the system at a given time.

Abstract: A process for separating mixtures which comprise oxygen, nitrogen, and argon by cryogenic distillation in a distillation system where the system is comprised of a distillation column that produces a nitrogen-enriched stream, an oxygen-enriched stream, and an argon-enriched stream, and a sidearm column which has a sump and receives the argon-enriched stream from the distillation column. During an interruption of flow of the argon-enriched stream into the sidearm column, the liquid inventory in the sidearm column is collected at a point above the sump and recirculated through the sidearm column during re-startup of the sidearm column.