Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating air to produce an oxygen product in which air is separated within a double column arrangement. In the double column arrangement part of the air to be separated reboils a lower pressure column and is then introduced into the higher pressure column for separation. Another part of the air is partially cooled and then expanded with the performance of work and then introduced into the lower pressure column to supply part of the refrigeration requirements. The remaining part of the refrigeration requirements is supplied by partially vaporizing a crude liquid oxygen stream within a head condenser used to produce reflux for the higher and lower pressure columns. The partially vaporized stream is then phase separated into liquid and vapor phases. The liquid phase is introduced into the lower pressure column and the vapor stream after having been partially warmed is turboexpanded to provide the remaining refrigeration requirements of the plant.

Abstract: An iron ore refining method in which a secondary reactor is employed for partly reducing iron ore and partly oxidizing a carbon containing substance to form partly reduced secondary iron ore, the coal char and a calorific containing carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in a ratio of no less than about 0.25. The calorific gas is separated from the partly reduced secondary iron ore and the coal char and the resulting heated solids are introduced into the primary reactor without substantial cooling. All or part of the iron product is formed from the partly reduced iron ore produced in the primary reactor. Since the secondary reactor operates at a lower temperature than the primary reactor, part of the iron product is processed at a lower temperature to reduce oxygen requirements for the refining and to increase thermal efficiency.

Abstract: A process for the combustive destruction of noxious substances from a gas stream in which the gas stream and added fuel gas as a mixture into a combustion zone that is surrounded by an exit surface of a foraminous gas burner. A fuel gas and air/oxygen mixture are simultaneously supplied to the foraminous gas burner to effect combustion at the exit surface. The resulting combustion product stream is discharged from the combustion zone. The oxygen is added to the gas stream and the fuel gas prior to the introduction of the mixture to the combustion zone and the oxygen/fuel gas mixture burns at the point of injection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating nitrogen within a single column nitrogen generator in which refrigeration is added by waste expansion. Part of the incoming air stream after having been partially cooled is turbo-expanded to increase the refrigeration supplied, thereby to allow the removal of the liquid nitrogen product.

Abstract: A liquid distributor tray for a distillation column for distributing a descending liquid phase to be contacted with an ascending vapor phase within the distillation column. A tray is provided for collecting the descending liquid phase and has rows of apertures for downward passage of the descending liquid phase. Rows of vapor risers are located between the rows of apertures for a passage of the ascending vapor phase, and an upward direction through the tray. Rows of elongated liquid collectors are located above the rows of vapor risers and between the rows of apertures for collecting all or part of the descending liquid phase before the descending liquid phase reaches the tray. Rows of elongated liquid collectors provided with slots or openings are provided for collecting and then redistributing the descending liquid phase caught in the liquid collectors over a central region of the tray. Such redistribution prevents replication of maldistribution throughout the column.

Abstract: A burner arrangement for ferrous scrap melting and the like includes a fuel outlet and a primary oxidant supply outlet communicating with a mixing chamber. The burner also has a main outlet and secondary oxidant supply outlets. In addition there is a convergent-divergent nozzle communicating with the mixing chamber. Valves control the flow of gaseous fuel to the fuel outlet, and the flow of primary and secondary oxidant to the primary and secondary oxidant supply outlets. In operation, oxidant is supplied to the primary and secondary outlets, hot flame or combustion gases are accelerated through the nozzle with the result that a sonic or supersonic velocity can be created. Such high velocities facilitate the penetration of the combustion gases through a slag layer into molten metal.

Abstract: Air is separated in a double rectification column including a lower pressure rectification column. A first oxygen product containing less than 3.5% by volume of argon impurity is withdrawn through an outlet of the column which has a packed section below the level of the outlet. The argon impurity is striped from liquid descending through the packed section and a second relatively pure oxygen product containing less than 100 volumes per million is withdrawn from below the section through an outlet thereof. Impurities less volatile than oxygen are preferably separated from the second oxygen product in a side rectification column.

Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus, typically for use in association with a double rectification column for the separation of air, has a downflow reboiler with boiling passages. In addition, there is a condenser in a position at a higher elevation than the reboiler. The condenser is fed with liquefied gas to be reboiled from the sump of a lower pressure column forming part of the double rectification column. A first conduit feeds the liquefied gas under gravity to the reboiler. The feeding of the condenser is effected by a vapor lift pump comprising a second conduit and an expansion valve disposed therein. Some of the liquefied gas is vaporized by passage through the expansion valve, and this vapor provides the vapor lifting pumping effect. The vapor is recondensed in the condenser.

Abstract: A method for the scrubbing of noxious substances from an exhaust gas stream from an evacuated process chamber containing a tool for the processing of semiconductor devices. The method comprises directing the stream from the chamber in to a duct containing a multi-way valve and selectively adjusting the valve to cause different fractions of the stream to be directed to relevant treatment/collection/exhaust points.

Abstract: A diffusion pump for evacuating a chamber is provided with a hollow outer body including an outlet for connection to a backing pump and a base for containing a working fluid. A vapor chimney extends from the base within the hollow outer body and includes at least two spaced apart jet stages. The working fluid is heated when present in said base. Two or more inlets are formed in the hollow outer body for communicating with said at least one chamber to be evacuated. The presence of the two inlets provides the possibility of differential pumping.

Abstract: Air is separated in a double rectification column comprising a higher pressure rectification column, a lower pressure rectification column, and a condenser-reboiler placing the column in indirect heat exchange relationship with the column. A stream of pressurized liquid, comprising oxygen and nitrogen, typically taken from the bottom of the higher pressure rectification column, is expanded through a valve and is typically partially vaporized in a vaporizer-condenser which is separate from a second vaporizer-condenser in which argon is condensed. The vaporized liquid is expanded with the performance of external work in an expansion turbine and is introduced into the lower pressure rectification column. An oxygen product is withdrawn from the column through an outlet.

Abstract: A transfer port system to allow material to transfer between two dockable sterile environments. Two doors provide access to the sterile environments. A peripheral flange frames one of the doors while another peripheral flange forms the opening to the other sterile environment. Doors connect to one another, when the sterile environments are docked, and then move as a unit into the one sterile environment in order to allow the material transfer. Outer and inner gaskets seal the sterile environments and with the peripheral flanges form an interface between the sterile environments during material transfer. The portions of the gaskets and peripheral flanges that were exposed to the unsterile ambient prior to docking are actively heated in order to maintain sterility during the time when the sterile environments are docked and prior to the time that the doors are moved to the open position. The doors can be connected to one another prior to their opening by vacuum.

Abstract: Air is separated in a double rectification column comprising a higher pressure rectification column, a lower pressure rectification column and a condenser-reboiler placing the higher pressure rectification column in heat exchange relationship with the lower pressure rectification column. At least one stream of air is introduced into the double rectification column, a stream of pressurized liquid comprising oxygen and nitrogen is reduced in pressure by passage through a valve and is partially or totally vaporized in a vaporizer-condenser, a stream of resulting vapor from the partial or total vaporization is compressed in a compressor at cryogenic temperature and is introduced into the double rectification column, and an oxygen produce is withdrawn from the lower pressure rectification column through an outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a slurry from a slurry concentrate in which streams of slurry concentrate, de-ionized water and oxidizer are pumped to form three pumped streams that are brought together to form a mixture. Homogeneity is promoted within the mixture by such devices as a static mixer and an in-line mixer of special design. The resultant homogenous stream is then pumped to dispense pressure by a dispense pump to produce a dispense stream. Part of the dispense stream, preferably about fifty percent, is recycled back to a junction at which the pumped streams join to further promote homogeneity of the slurry. For such purpose a flow network is connected to an outlet pump and such flow network is branched so as to have a dispense leg from which the dispense stream issues and a recycle leg connected to the junction for recirculating the recycle stream.

Abstract: A burner is provided with a central fuel outlet and a plurality of oxygen outlets shaped and positioned for creating a converging, rotating stream of oxygen which intersects with any fuel issuing from the fuel outlet. Such oxygen/fuel interaction results in two zones of combustion and a recirculation effect which assists in the complete or substantially complete combustion of undesirable exhaust gas components.

Abstract: Air is separated into oxygen and nitrogen in a double rectification column comprising a higher pressure rectification column and a lower pressure rectification column. Liquid nitrogen reflux for the separation is provided by condensing nitrogen vapor taken from the column in a condenser-reboiler. Additional separation is performed in an intermediate pressure rectification column. A first stream of argon-enriched vapor is withdrawn from an intermediate region of the lower pressure rectification column and has an argon fraction separated from it in a first side rectification column. A second stream of argon-enriched vapor is similarly withdrawn and is separated in a second side rectification column which provides vapor to heat a reboiler associated with the intermediate pressure rectification column. Alternatively a stream of oxygen vapor can be so employed instead of the second argon-enriched vapor stream.

Abstract: Air is separated in an arrangement of rectification columns including a double rectification column for separating oxygen and nitrogen from the air. The double rectification column comprises a higher pressure rectification column and a lower pressure rectification column. There is in addition a side rectification column for separating argon from a stream of argon-enriched oxygen/vapour withdrawn from the lower pressure rectification column. An intermediate pressure rectification column is employed to separate further nitrogen (oxygen-depleted vapour) from the air. An upward flow of vapour through the intermediate pressure rectification column is created by operation of a reboiler to boil liquid in the bottom of the column. In addition a flow of vaporised air is introduced into an intermediate mass transfer region of the column.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing nitrogen within a nitrogen generator in which coolant streams composed of column bottoms and liquid having a nitrogen content greater than column bottoms are withdrawn from the column and then used to condense tower overhead for reflux purposes. The liquid composed of the oxygen-rich liquid after vaporization is expanded in a turboexpander with a performance of work. The other coolant stream is recompressed, cooled and then used to produce boil-up in the bottom of the column in order to produce the liquid vapor ratio in the bottom of the column.

Abstract: A liquefied gas mixture comprising at least two components of which one is more volatile than the other or others is boiled in an apparatus including stripping passages for vaporising part of a flow of the mixture. The passages are arranged alternately with condensing passages. The stripping passages each have at least one heat exchange surface which is heated to a temperature which causes the liquid to boil and along which the liquefied gas mixture flows in countercurrent mass exchange relationship with a vapour flow evolved from such liquid. The more volatile component is progressively stripped from the liquefied gas mixture such that the vapour flow is enriched in its direction of flow in the more volatile component and the mixture itself is depleted of the more volatile component in its direction of flow. Accordingly, separation of the mixture takes place in addition to its boiling.

Abstract: An elevated pressure nitrogen stream from an air separation plant is used to provide cooling for one or more sulphur condensers in an oxygen-enhanced Claus process for recovering sulphur.