Abstract: A cryogenic fluid flow control system. This cryogenic fluid flow control system utilizes a first element forming a fluid inlet channel and an outlet passage that can be selectively blocked off by a second element that can move relative to the first element by an effect due to the difference in expansion coefficients between the materials of the first and second elements. The outlet passage utilizes a part extending transversely relative to the inlet channel and emerging on the periphery of an end part of the first element, the second element being placed at least partly around said end part.

Abstract: A method and a device for cooling various articles. A gas stream is cooled with liquid nitrogen and the cooled stream is then applied to articles in order to cool them.

Abstract: An apparatus for stirring and injecting a gas into a liquid. A drive device, located above a container containing a liquid, is connected to a vertical output shaft. The shaft has a self-suction turbine at its. The turbine is made of two stacked disks where the surface area of the lower disk is less than the surface area of the upper disk.

Abstract: This abstract discusses membranes needed to separate fluids for the production of oxygen-enriched air, nitrogen-enriched-air, for the separation of carbon dioxide from hydrocarbons, and the separation of hydrogen from various petrochemical and oil refining streams. Membranes are needed that provide a resistance to interaction with process components or contaminants, provide the mechanical strength required to withstand high membrane differential pressures and high process temperatures, and exhibit sufficient maximum strain such that membranes are not brittle and can easily be formed into desirable membrane forms. Membranes of polyimide polymers, particularly polyimide polymers sold under the trade name P-84, are annealed in a controlled annealing step to improve the mechanical properties of the polymers used to make separation membranes.

Abstract: A medicinal composition and method to treat or minimize post-ischemic brain cell deterioration that comprises nitrous oxide or a nitrous oxide donor and xenon or a xenon donor. The medicinal composition may be administered prior to or subsequent to a stroke.

Abstract: The invention concerns an oxide ion conductive ceramic membrane, characterized in that it comprises a non-null finite volume with non-null total thickness E, comprising, a dense layer (CD) of a solid electrolyte, a so-called bonding layer (CA), of mixed conductive porous cathode (EP) and porous anode (EP?), a cathode current collector (CC) and an anode current collector (CC?), a coating porous layer (ER), and a coating porous layer (ER?), and characterized in that the volume E of said membrane, is equal to the sum of the thickness of said elements. The membrane is used for separating oxygen from air or from a gas mixture containing same and in particular for producing ultra-pure oxygen under high pressure in a closed chamber.

Abstract: Membranes are used to separate fluids for the production of oxygen-enriched air, nitrogen-enriched-air, for the separation of carbon dioxide from hydrocarbons, and the separation of hydrogen from various petrochemical and oil refining streams. Membranes are discussed that provide a resistance to interaction with process components or contaminants, which can lead to plasticizing of the membrane, while providing the mechanical strength required to withstand high membrane differential pressures and high process temperatures. Membranes of blended polymers are used to improve the mechanical strength of the polymers used to make separation membranes. Specifically, polyimide polymers are combined with a blend polymer that is a polyamide and/or a polyamide-imde polymer. The resulting polymer mix is used to produce various forms of high strength, chemically resistant membranes, including hollow-fiber membranes that are suitable for high pressure, high temperature applications.

Abstract: ozone is dissolved ozone in a liquid cryogen. A container containing a liquified cryogen is provided. A gaseous stream of ozone is allowed to flow into at least one adsorption unit containing an adsorbent material, thereby adsorbing ozone thereupon. The cryogen is allowed to flow from the container to the at least one adsorption unit and therethrough thereby extracting an amount of the ozone adsorbed upon the adsorbent material, wherein the cryogen is in either a liquid, gaseous or supercritical phase as it flows through the adsorption unit. ozone becomes dissolved in the cryogen.

Abstract: A method for guaranteeing at least one characteristic of a fluid used for producing food products. This method utilizes a system for piping and delivering the fluid, combined with means for producing the products, in order to use the fluid for producing the products; the measuring a value of the characteristic; the comparing the measured value with a predetermined threshold value; the act of executing an action if the measured value departs from the threshold value; the combining the measured value with first information for identifying at least one product; and then the storing the associated value and the associated information.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for welding with a laser beam. A shielding gas mixture of nitrogen and helium is used and the proportions of the component gases are modified depending on the laser beam's power or power density. Plasma formation in the shield gas is minimized by increasing the proportion of helium as the laser beam's power or power density increases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heat treating objects in an enclosure, where the enclosure has an inlet passage, an outlet passage, and a treatment zone. Gaseous first fluid is injected into the treatment zone and the objects to be treated are passed through the treatment zone. A second fluid, with a density greater than that of the first fluid, is injected near the inlet and outlet passages.

Abstract: Methods for treating aqueous effluent, which include reducing sludge formation during the biological treatment of an aqueous effluent. The sludge formation is reduced by injecting an ozone containing gas into an aeration tank which contains the effluent. The affluent is in contact with microorganisms in the tank at least once during the method. The ozone containing gas contains at least 2.5 mg of ozone per liter of the gas.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for preparing a thin ceramic and/or metallic solid-state composition consisting of three phases: a material (A), a material (B) and pores. The concentration of each phase varies continuously from one face of the article to the other in a continuous and controlled gradient. The porous matrix of material (A) has a porosity gradient of 0% to about 80%, the pores being completely or partly filled with material (B). The concentration of material (B) in the article therefore varies from 80% to 0% of small thicknesses.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for fluid distribution and control. A valve body defines at least two pairs of chambers which are each connectable to an external fluid circuit. A mobile structure, which moves according to a controlling unit, forms an internal penetrating passage. An internal bearing surface, which is located at the first end of the internal passage, is capable of cooperating in a sliding manner with a stationary piston head. The internal bearing surface may move beyond either side of the piston head. When the mobile structure is in an extreme position, an end chamber of the valve body is in fluid communication with the internal passage. When coupled with a PSA adsorber system, the system is capable of supplying oxygen enriched air to an occupant of an aircraft.

Abstract: The invention relates to an exchanger, advantageously a plate exchanger, comprising counter-current parallel exchange sections (8,9). According to the invention, the exchange section for the water (8) has an essentially constant cross-section, whereas the exchange section (9) for the cryogen has a reduced inlet region (9a) enabling the possible formation of ice (10) in the water passage (8) to be concentrated on a small volume, without blocking said water passage. The invention can especially be applied to the supply of gaseous hydrogen stored in a liquid form to an on-board power generating device in a vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for removal of solvents, or other materials, from an exhaust stream, uses an active adsorption bed and a bed that is periodically regenerated. Electrically heated nitrogen may be used to regenerate the beds. A portion of the exhaust stream to be cleaned is diverted to a heat exchanger, so as to pre-heat the nitrogen used for regeneration. Liquid nitrogen, preferably from the same source as that used to provide gas for regeneration, is directed to the active bed, lowering its temperature and increasing its efficiency. The invention avoids the need for the use of steam to heat the nitrogen, and provides a system that is more efficient than those known in the prior art.

Abstract: The invention concerns an oxide ion conductive ceramic membrane, characterized in that it comprises a non-null finite volume with non-null total thickness E, comprising a dense layer (CD) of a solid electrolyte, a so-called bonding layer (CA), of two porous electrodes (EP) and (EP?), two porous current collectors (CC) and (CC?), and at least at least a coating porous layer (ER), characterized in that the thickness E of the volume of said membrane, is equal to the sum of the thickness of each of said elements. The membrane is used for separating oxygen from air or from a gas mixture containing same.

Abstract: An ammonia purification system includes a hydrocarbon removal station that removes hydrocarbons from gaseous ammonia via adsorption, a moisture removal station that removes water from gaseous ammonia via adsorption, and a distillation station including a distillation column connected with a condenser to facilitate removal of impurities from ammonia and condensation of gaseous ammonia to form a purified liquid ammonia product. The system further includes a storage tank to receive purified ammonia, a remote station connected with the storage tank, and a vaporizer connected with the storage tank. The vaporizer is configured to receive and vaporize liquid ammonia from the storage tank and deliver gaseous ammonia back to the storage tank so as to facilitate pumping of the ammonia to the remote station based upon a vapor pressure established within the storage tank.

Abstract: An integrated valve assembly and apparatus. The assembly has a main body that includes (1) an internal gas passage for conveying gas between a gas inlet and a gas outlet; (2) a gas expansion means placed in the internal gas passage between the gas inlet and the gas outlet; (3) and a locking valve that is used for controlling the release of the gas. Also included is a rotary actuator that can be operated by the user. This rotary actuator includes a blocking means that acts on the rotary actuator to prevent rotation of the rotary actuator. The integrated valve assembly may be used in a portable equipment unit that includes a compressed-oxygen bottle on which the valve assembly is mounted, and may optionally include a protective shroud for protecting the assembly and a demand valve connected to oxygen therapy nose clips, to a flowmeter or to any other similar device.

Abstract: Methods for hybrid laser/MIG welding processes. A bevel formed between the edges of material to be welded together is partially filled with molten metal. The molten metal is delivered in the form of a filler wire, which is melted by a combined electric arc and laser beam. The welding speed is at least 2 m/min, the filler wire feed speed is at least 20 m/min and the filler wire diameter is less than 1.2 mm.