Abstract: A downflow coal gasifier, supplied lime/limestone with the coal, removes sulfur and obviates the production of particulate matter in generating a clean, low BTU gas for the combustor of an MHD channel. Air for both the combustor of the MHD channel and the gasifier is heated by the discharged fluids from the channel.

Abstract: The rotor of a turbine meter has a high performance polymer bushing and is mounted on a stainless steel shaft. The polymer bushing through the rotor has a flange formed on each end to capture the body of the rotor. The stainless steel shaft on which the rotor is journaled is bonded into a cavity of a spider with a slip-fit, the flanges on the bushing bearing alternatively on the spiders, depending upon the direction of metered flow.

Abstract: Voltage pulses, whose frequency represents the flow rate of a stream of oil well production fluids, generate a train of clock pulses. Each train of clocked pulses is characterized into a non-linear analog ramp and compared with a matching non-linear analog signal representative of the percentage of water in the oil/water mixture of production fluids. The comparison controls a gate to distribute each train of clocked pulses between two digital indicators.

Abstract: A fluidized bed for the combustion of coal, with limestone, is replenished with crushed coal from a system discharging the coal laterally from a station below the surface level of the bed. A compartment, or feed box, is mounted at one side of the bed and its interior separated from the bed by a weir plate beneath which the coal flows laterally into the bed while bed material is received into the compartment above the plate to maintain a predetermined minimum level of material in the compartment.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is mounted in the upper portion of a fluidized combusting bed for the control of the temperature of the bed. A support, made up of tubes, is extended from the perforated plate of the fluidized bed up to the heat exchanger. The tubular support framework for the heat exchanger has liquid circulated therethrough to prevent deterioration of the support.

Abstract: A grinder is supported within a pipe, the support being arranged to adjust the movement of the head of the grinder radially and axially of the pipe axis to bear against internal cracks in the pipe wall.

Abstract: A first atmospheric bubbling fluidized bed furnace is combined with a second turbulent, circulating fluidized bed furnace to produce heat efficiently from crushed solid fuel. The bed of the second furnace receives the smaller sizes of crushed solid fuel, unreacted limestone from the first bed, and elutriated solids extracted from the flu gases of the first bed. The two-stage combustion of crushed solid fuel provides a system with an efficiency greater than available with use of a single furnace of a fluidized bed.

Abstract: A polyester is formed from a polyol of high molecular weight and a polybasic acid with a reactive acid catalyst to have an effective viscosity and acid number.

Abstract: A structure for impounding liquid is disclosed below the combustion chamber of a steam generator. The structure divides the impounded liquid in two sections, or pools. The first section, or pool, receives the hot residue gravitated from the combustion chamber and absorbs the thermal and mechanical shock of the residue. The second section, or pool, is connected to the first pool through a gate valve and contains a continuous conveyor which transports the cooled residue, received from the first pool, to a point of ultimate disposal.

Abstract: An entire crude oil stream is preheated by various sources of heat and brought to final temperature by a furnace. At this highest temperature, the stream is flashed into two portions, the heavier portion used only as a source of sensible heat for conservation. The vaporized fractions have their heat recycled into the crude oil stream and are then fractionated to extract a product of desired boiling range, flash point, and vapor pressure. The fractionation column is heated by the heavier, separated portion of the stream and refluxed by heat exchange with the crude oil stream.

Abstract: The vertical fuel pipe of a fluidized bed extends up through the perforated support structure of the bed to discharge granulated solid fuel into the expanded bed. A cap, as a deflecting structure, is supported above the discharge of the fuel pipe and is shaped and arranged to divert the carrier fluid and granulated fuel into the combusting bed. The diverter structure is spaced above the end of the fuel pipe and provided with a configuration on its underside to form a venturi section which generates a low pressure in the stream into which the granules of solid fuel are drawn to lengthen their residence time in the combustion zone of the bed adjacent the fuel pipe.

Abstract: A plurality of electrostatic fields is arranged to progressively separate the liquids from their emulsions having a low dielectric strength. The emulsions are first passed through one of the electrostatic fields between insulated electrodes. With the breaking of the emulsion begun by the first electrostatic field, the emulsion is next flowed in an electrostatic field between uninsulated electrodes. The final stage is the passing of the almost completely broken emulsion through an electrostatic field between electrodes which are arranged to systematically degrade their field.

Abstract: A support rack is shown as constructed of stainless steel angle members permanently welded together so as to comply with seismic requirements for nuclear power plant components. The four basic sides of the rack form a rectangle with the longer sides vertically extended. Permanent stainless steel plates extend between the vertical sides of the rack to add to the overall stability of the rack and form mounting bases. To some of the mounting bases is removably connected a second plate which bears signal transducers and transmitters. The rack is adapted for both floor and wall mounting at its permanent station.

Abstract: A steam generator is fired by a fossil fuel burner. The generator is shown as producing approximately 80% quality steam to be injected into oil wells to promote secondary recovery. The flame body from the burner is propagated along the longitudinal axis of a horizontally extended cylindrical chamber. Water and/or steam is passed through tubes mounted on the internal walls of the cylindrical chamber in order that they may absorb radiant heat from the flame body. The heat absorbing tubes are divided into groups, or sets, to establish the rate of water and/or steam flow through the tubes. The tubes within each group are extended as a plurality of reaches the length of the cylinder and are joined to each other by 180.degree. bends of that part of the tube between reaches. Each reach of each tube group is arranged on the internal wall of the cylinder to result in uniform exposure of the tube groups to the radiant heat.

Abstract: In the back-pass of a steam generator, hot fly ash collects at a station. At the station to which the ash gravitates, a liquid bath is provided to receive the ash. Nozzles are arranged within the liquid receiving the ash to urge the material into a mechanical grinder in which the ash is reduced for ultimate disposal.

Abstract: The essential elements of the electrical system of a treater, or dehydrator, of produced oil well fluids are connected and physically oriented as mounted within the shell of the treater. The electrodes (1 and 2) of the treater are energized from a line supply, or mains, through a transformer (10), to establish an electrostatic field. The transformer introduces an inductive component to the load. A control circuit (40) is arranged to respond to the current demanded by this inductive load and disconnect the load from the line supply, or mains, in a predetermined program designed to protect the components of the system, yet reconnect the load to the supply as frequently as practical.

Abstract: An aqueous solution of a zinc salt is used to selectively remove hydrogen sulfide from a gas mixture. An insoluble basic zinc compound is added to the solution to regenerate, or replenish, the salt. A dispersant is added to both decrease the surface tension of the liquid and reduce the degree of hydration of the basic compound, thereby retarding significantly the agglomeration, settling and loss of the basic zinc compound.

Abstract: A tube receives a liquid-gas mixture into a first end. Blades are mounted at the first end of the tube and the gas-liquid mixture impinges on the blades and is directed by the blades into a vortex within the tube. Openings in the tube wall conduct the liquid thrown against the interior of the wall into a casing formed over the wall openings. The gas, separated from the liquid, is passed from the second end of the tube while the liquid separated from the gas and collected in the annulus between the external wall of the tube and the casing over the wall openings is discharged.

Abstract: Semi-automatic welding apparatus is suspended from a plug body vertically force fitted into the end of a tube to which the plug is welded. The plug body configuration is disclosed, along with the internal arrangement it provides for suspending the welding apparatus. A mandrel is depicted in its movable parts which enables it to be manually linked between the plug body and welding apparatus.

Abstract: A short-stroke steam lance is reciprocated through an opening in a furnace wall. A protuberance is mounted on a section of the lance to extend into spiral grooves of a structure mounted on the framework. The steam to the lance is supplied when its valve is actuated by the lance moved into its extreme forward position.