Abstract: A transfer port system between two sterile environments having docked and undocked positions which is made up of two door frames connected to the environments and two doors connected to the two door frames. When the sterile environments are in the docked position the door frames of the two doors are juxtaposed and in close physical contact with one another and when the two sterile environments are in the undocked position the two door frames are spaced apart from one another and the two doors seal the sterile environments. The two door frames and the doors have a potentially non-sterile peripheral juncture located at the juncture between the doors and door frames when the doors are in a closed position sealing the sterile environments when the sterile environments are in their docked position.

Abstract: A method of producing gaseous oxygen in accordance with a variable demand cycle in which pumped liquid oxygen from a double column air separation unit is vaporized within a mixing column. During low demand phases, excess liquid oxygen is stored within a storage tank and used to augment the liquid oxygen to vaporized during the high demand phase. Reflux to the lower pressure column of the air separation unit is kept constant by storing liquid with column bottoms produced within the mixing column during the high demand phase for use in the low demand phase when less liquid oxygen is vaporized and therefore less column bottoms is produced in the mixing column.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for storing a multi-component cryogenic mixture as a liquid. The multi-component cryogenic mixture of interest contains at least first and second components. The first component is more volatile than the second component and the second component has a bubble point temperature atmosphere pressure, lower than that of the first component at an above atmosphere pressure. A container is provided in the apparatus for storing the cryogenic mixture. An inevitable heat leakage causes a cryogenic mixture to vaporize so that the vapor phase of the mixture is enriched in the first component and the liquid phase in the mixture is enriched in the second component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of mixing liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen to form a liquid mixture in which such streams are passed through a parallel flow heat exchanger in order to form a subcooled liquid oxygen stream and a partly vaporized liquid nitrogen stream both having the same temperature. The partly vaporized liquid nitrogen stream is phase separated in a phase separator to form liquid and vaporized nitrogen phases. The liquid phase stream composed of the liquid nitrogen is mixed with the subcooled liquid oxygen stream, preferably in a mixing tee, in order to form the desired mixture.

Abstract: A liquid redistribution system for redistributing liquid descending in a packed distillation column in which liquid is distributed from one side of the column to the other side of the column and vice-versa. To this end, a plurality of parallel, spaced apart liquid distributor elements provide inlet openings for receiving the liquid as it descends and outlet openings located on the underside of the distributor elements for discharging the liquid from the inlet openings. Channels provide flow communication between the inlet and outlet openings.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for use within a sump to condense an vapor and to vaporize the liquid. The heat exchanger includes a core having alternating passages to vaporize the liquid and to condense the vapor. Liquid is distributed into passages through a liquid distributor and the passages involved in vaporizing the liquid are provided with a down flow, stage and one or more thermosiphon stages situated below the down flow stage. In such manner, part of the liquid is vaporized within the down flow stage and the remainder is vaporized within the thermosiphon stage or stages.

Abstract: A method of tempering an article is disclosed in which an article is heated so that the material making up the article is in an essentially stress-free state and the article thereafter is quenched and cooled. At the conclusion of the quenching, a stress pattern in initiated through the thickness of the article in which the midplane layer is in tension and the surface layers are in compression. This stress pattern is further developed during the cooling stage. The article is quenched by spraying the surfaces with a coolant, preferably comprising either liquid nitrogen or liquid air in the form of a two phase flow of liquid and vapor. The liquid is sprayed so that the surface tensile stress of the surface layers are not exceeded and the liquid does not accumulate on the surface layers as a film.

Abstract: A vacuum pump assembly which comprises at least two cylinders of different diameters and arranged coaxially relative to each other to define an annular space therebetween and a helical member positioned within the space to define a helical path between the cylinders. Rotation of the cylinders is effected relative to the helical member, or vice versa, about their longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A valve body having a circular throat and three vanes mounted for rotation within the circular throat of the valve body. The three vanes comprise two outlying vanes, each having two opposed circular peripheral edges configured so that one of the two opposed circular peripheral edges fits against a circular throat when the vanes are in the closed position. A central vane, preferably of hour glass configuration, is located between the two outlying vanes so that all three vanes nest within the circular throat and against one another when the valve is a closed position. Each of the vanes has a symmetrical axis of rotation and is mounted within the circular throat of the valve body so as to rotate about the symmetrical axis.

Abstract: An atomization device and method in which two streams of liquid to be atomized are produced within one or more passages so that the streams are directed towards one another and meet to form a stagnation point and therefore generate a shear force within the liquid. An opening is provided within the passage or passages to allow an outlet stream of the liquid to flow in a divergent flow pattern that undergoes atomization due to the shear force developed within the liquid.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for indirectly exchanging heat between first and second fluids. The heat exchanger is provided with a plurality of parallel plates to define first and second heat exchange passages for the first fluids to undergo indirect heat transfer. Corrugated fin-type material is positioned within the first and second heat exchange passages to increase the heat transfer area within the first and second heat exchange passages. Liquid distribution means are provided for distributing liquid composed of the second fluid to the second heat exchange passages. Overflow weirs are provided in such distribution means from which liquid overflows and falls into the second heat exchange passages. The overflow weirs are positioned to feed both sides of the second heat exchange passages and the corrugated fin-type material of the second heat exchange passage extend above the second heat exchange passage to ensure entry of the liquid into each corrugation. In such wetting of all corrugations is promoted.

Abstract: An impingement freezer having a zoned freezing chamber in which the temperature of each zone is independently controllable so that the temperature profile within the impingement freezer is coldest at a zone adjacent the outlet and warmest at a zone adjacent the inlet for maximum thermodynamic usage of the refrigerant. Additionally, the velocity of each of the impingement jets is independently adjustable from zone to zone so that in the zone adjacent the entrance of the freezing chamber, the impingement jets can be adjusted to have maximum velocity to produce maximum heat transfer coefficients and thereby an acceptable rate of cooling within the impingement jet freezer. Impingement jets are formed within nozzles that are tapered in two orthogonal directions to prevent frost build-up. Circulation within the impingement jet freezer is produced by venturi-like devices driven by vaporization of incoming refrigerant.

Abstract: A method of cooling a liquid process fluid in which a liquid process stream is formed from the liquid process fluid and the process fluid contained within the liquid process stream is frozen into a conveyable particulate form. The conveyable particulate form is introduced back into the liquid process fluid. The liquid process fluid can be contained within a container and pumped through a pipe connected to the container to form the liquid process stream. A freezing chamber connected to the top of the container can be provided to countercurrently directly exchange heat between rising vaporized coolant and descending liquid process fluid. The resultant conveyable particulate form can be metered by provision of a valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying a substance in which the substance is rectified within first and second distillation columns to produce a tower overhead in the second distillation column, lean in both heavy and light impurities. The column bottoms produced within the second distillation columns is boiled to provide boil-up within the second distillation column, thereby to initiate formation of an ascending vapor phase. A vapor stream in removed from the second distillation and then fed into a bottom region of the first distillation column to initiate formation of the ascending vapor phase therein. The vapor stream removed from the second distillation column is formed from the ascending vapor phase produced within the second distillation column. The second distillation column is reboiled by a reboiler that can include a reservoir containing a heat exchange fluid that condenses against boiling the column bottoms provided in the second distillation column.

Abstract: Air is compressed in a compressor, pre-purified in an unit, and cooled in a heat exchanger. The resulting flow of air is subjected to a first rectification in a double rectification column so as to separate the air into an oxygen-rich fraction and a nitrogen-rich fraction. A further oxygen fraction, enriched in argon, is withdrawn from the double rectification column and is introduced into the bottom of a second rectification column in which relatively pure argon is separated from the oxygen. A stream of relatively impure argon is supplied from an independent source to an intermediate region of the second rectification column through an inlet thereof.

Abstract: A liquid-vapor contact apparatus has pairs of vertical outer walls disposed in the manner of the vertical faces of a cuboid. The apparatus includes a plurality of spaced, parallel, vertical plates. Between each pair of adjacent plates there is a packing comprising a vertical array of corrugated liquid-vapor contact elements of the type that are used in structured packing. The corrugations in each element slope from top to bottom in a direction opposed to that in which the corrugations in contiguous elements slope. The two outermost plates form the walls of the apparatus. The walls comprise alternate edge portions of plates and of spacer bars. The plates define first and second sets of passages, respectively. One set of passages performs a first fractionation duty, and the other set another fractionation duty.

Abstract: A liquid-vapour contact apparatus has pairs of vertical outer walls disposed in the manner of the vertical faces of a cuboid. The apparatus includes a plurality of spaced, parallel, vertical plates. Between each pair of adjacent plates there is a packing comprising a vertical array of corrugated liquid-vapour contact elements of the type that are used in the assembly of structured packing, and having the apexes of the elements in fluid tight engagement with the respective plates. The corrugations in each element slope from top to bottom in a direction opposed to that in which the corrugations in contiguous elements slope. The two outermost walls form the walls of the apparatus. The other walls comprise alternate edge portions of plates and of spacer bars. Liquid is distributed appreciably evenly between the passages formed by adjacent vertical plates at the top of the apparatus and flows over the elements and effectively vertically downwards.

Abstract: Cooled and purified air is introduced into a higher pressure rectification column and separated into oxygen-enriched liquid and nitrogen vapour. A stream of the oxygen-enriched liquid is flashed through a pressure reducing valve to form a mixture of liquid further enriched in oxygen and vapour depleted of oxygen. The liquid is reboiled by reboiler. A stream of the further enriched liquid is reboiled in condenser and is introduced into a lower pressure rectification column for separation into oxygen and nitrogen products. Reflux for the columns and is formed by condensing in condenser nitrogen vapour separated in the higher pressure rectification column. A reboiler provides an upward flow of vapour through the column. The condenser and reboiler take the form of a single heat exchanger. The reboiler is located in a phase separator, the reboiler is located in a rectification column containing liquid-vapour contact devices above the level at which fluid issuing from the valve is introduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of separating air in which the air is rectified wig a single column nitrogen generator which produces a nitrogen stream which is expanded into a refrigerant stream and then taken as a medium pressure product. Oxygen enriched air can be taken as low pressure and medium pressure enriched air products. A stream of oxygen enriched air can be used to regenerate the pre-purification unit and also taken as a wet product.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between first and second fluids. A plurality of vertically oriented passages are defined between alternating first and second passage walls. The first and second passages are provided for bringing the first and second fluids into a heat transfer relationship. To this end, the first passage incorporates an inlet and an outlet, for instance, to admit gaseous nitrogen into the top of the first passages and to discharge condensed nitrogen from the bottom of the first passages. An inlet is provided to introduce the second fluid into the second passages. The second fluid, which is a liquid is to be at least in part vaporized within the second passages. Liquid film, composed of the liquid, is distributed within the second passages by way of an arrangement of slotted dividing bars having staggered slots along the length of such slotted dividing bars to urge liquid against the passage walls defining the passages.