Abstract: An apparatus for producing high purity oxygen and nitrogen in the liquid and gaseous phases. The apparatus is a modular, mobile system employing a low design operating pressure. The system purifies ambient air through filters and a dual immobilized fixed bed molecular sieve type pressure swing adsorber prior to the cryogenic distillation of the air. Through the incorporation of the pressure swing adsorber having a high frequency regeneration cycle, the disclosed system provides a reduced system size. The configured system employs waste gas from the distillation process to purge the pressure swing adsorber. The cryogenic distillation procedure includes a heat exchanger, a turboexpander, high and low pressure distillation columns, a subcooler and a condenser.

Abstract: A more compact high energy loss device is provided having a series of uniquely formed multiturn labyrinth assemblies which reduce the pressure of a fluid flowing therethrough. The inlet of the labyrinth assemblies is formed according to a substantially circular configuration to have a predetermined inlet area while the outlet is formed according to a substantially scalloped configuration to provide an outlet area greater than the inlet area. The scalloped configuration of the outlet yields an outlet area which is also greater than if the outlet were of circular configuration. The scalloped outlet configuration also makes the labyrinth assembly less susceptible to circumferential thermal stresses resulting from high temperature fluids passing through the device producing high temperature inlet conditions and low temperature outlet conditions.

Abstract: A more compact high energy loss device is provided having a series of uniquely formed multiturn labyrinth assemblies which reduce the pressure of a fluid flowing therethrough. The inlet of the labyrinth assemblies is formed according to a substantially circular configuration to have a predetermined inlet area while the outlet is formed according to a substantially scalloped configuration to provide an outlet area greater than the inlet area. The scalloped configuration of the outlet yields an outlet area which is also greater than if the outlet were of circular configuration. The scalloped outlet configuration also makes the labyrinth assembly less susceptible to circumferential thermal stresses resulting from high temperature fluids passing through the device producing high temperature inlet conditions and low temperature outlet conditions.

Abstract: A more compact high energy loss device is provided having a series of uniquely formed multiturn labyrinth assemblies which reduce the pressure of a fluid flowing therethrough. The inlet of the labyrinth assemblies is formed according to a substantially circular configuration to have a predetermined inlet area while the outlet is formed according to a substantially scalloped configuration to provide an outlet area greater than the inlet area. The scalloped configuration of the outlet yields an outlet area which is also greater than if the outlet were of circular configuration. The scalloped outlet configuration also makes the labyrinth assembly less susceptible to circumferential thermal stresses resulting from high temperature fluids passing through the device producing high temperature inlet conditions and low temperature outlet conditions.

Abstract: Nested concentric sleeves or tubes subdivide flow of fluids through a fluid control valve into a myriad of streams between the valve inlet and outlet which flow through passages that create a high energy loss and pressure drop on the fluid to release the fluid at low pressures without generating noise, permitting cavitation or eroding equipment through which the fluid flows.

Abstract: High energy loss fluid control is attained by subdividing flow of high pressure fluid into a plurality of individual streams in respective passageways having a long length to diameter ratio to impart high frictional resistance losses to the fluid flow, the passageways being in and between laminar surfaces and configurated along their lengths. For extremely high efficiency the passageways are in labyrinth formation.