Abstract: A pump for pumping liquids which may contain solid debris, comprising a conduit having an orifice at its lowest region for the ingress of liquid when the lowest region is submerged in the liquid, one end of the conduit being connected to a sources of pulses of propellant fluid (e.g. air) and the other end being adapted to deliver slugs of liquid to a receiving vessel. The conduit may be U-shaped with the orifice at the bottom, or it may comprise one conduit portion within and open to another conduit portion having the orifice at the bottom thereof.

Abstract: A machine (1) suitable for removing sludge from the bottom of a storage tank which comprises a central body (15) rotatable about which is a casing (2, 3) provided with two substantially diametric nozzles (4, 5) arranged so that liquid emerging therefrom sweeps substantially only in one plane, a turbine (12) rotating the casing about the central body (15) and means (18) ensuring that when the casing (2, 3) is continuously rotated, alternately one nozzle is closed for substantially 180.degree. rotation while the other nozzle is open. Such machines may be suspended above the floor of the tank adjacent to a wall thereof.

Abstract: A hole, particularly an accidental perforation, is closed by manoeuvering a bladder (g) into the hole employing a hollow rod (f) on which the bladder is mounted at one end. An operator operating from the other end of the rod actuates a device such as a triggered valve to cause the components of a settable foamed plastics material to pass (via tubes b and rod f) from their sources (in a) to fill the bladder (g) so that it closes the hole. The settable foamed plastics material is preferably polyurethane foam. The bladder may be of natural or synthetic rubber and may be protected against tearing by a textile envelope. The sources of foamed plastics material may be either in a portable kit (a) or rupturable containers within the bladder (g) or rod (f).

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the viscosities and the density of fluids comprises:(1) a first hydraulic bridge (I) having two diametrically opposed elements (2,3) through which fluid undergoes laminar flow and two diametrically opposed elements (4,5) through which fluid undergoes turbulent flow and means (6) connected to a junction (6) between one laminar element (2) and one turbulent element (5) and a junction (d) between the other turbulent element (4) and the other laminar element (13) capable of detecting the equilibrium of the bridge,(2) a first pump (1) controlled by the detecting means (b) and connected to the supply of fluid from which the fluid is fed into the first bridge (I),(3) a second hydraulic bridge (II) through which the fluid from the first bridge (I) can flow, said second bridge having four identical elements (9,10,11,12) through which the fluid from the first bridge (I) flows turbulently and a constant flow volumetric pump (13) connected to a point (B) between one pair of adjacent elements (9

Abstract: The invention is for a fixed bed reactor with two phase gas and liquid flow. The reactor has at least one auxiliary bed of solid particles disposed above the main bed of solid particles. The auxiliary bed has a liquid bypass comprised of hollow tubing extending through the auxiliary bed. Liquid receptacles provide a liquid seal above the liquid bypasses, thereby preventing gas from bypassing along with the liquid. The liquid spilled from the flow receptacles seeks its lowest level and flows through the auxiliary bed. The tubing provides a bypass first for the liquid and later for both the liquid and gas when the auxiliary bed becomes fouled and the liquid seal is thereby broken. This feed arrangement allows for a low pressure drop bypassing of the auxiliary bed, when the auxiliary bed becomes fouled and clogged. The invention is also applicable to other apparatuses which use a flow arrangement similar to fixed bed reactors, but which do not necessarily utilize a chemical reaction.

Abstract: A visbreaker, letdown valve is featured which maintains a smooth flow of furnace effluent. Liquid passing through the throat of the valve is throttled, and a portion is caused to flash to vapor. The valve is designed to allow for subsonic flow of the vapor under all process conditions. A quenching fluid is also added to the liquid passing through the throat in order to cool the liquid.

Abstract: The invention is for a fixed bed reactor with two phase gas and liquid flow. The reactor has at least one auxiliary bed of solid particles disposed above the main bed of solid particles. The auxiliary bed has separate liquid and gas bypasses comprised of hollow tubing extending through the auxiliary bed to a distributor tray. A liquid layer on the tray provides a liquid seal above the liquid bypasses, thereby preventing gas from bypassing along with the liquid. This feed arrangement allows for a low pressure drop bypassing of the auxiliary bed, when the auxiliary bed becomes fouled and clogged. The invention is also applicable to other apparatuses which use a flow arrangement similar to fixed bed reactors, but which do not necessarily utilize a chemical reaction. One example of such apparatus is a packed absorption tower having co-current downflow of gas and liquid.

Abstract: At least part of the weight of a structure (such as a bank of heat recovery tubes) exposed to a hot environment (e.g. the convection region of a furnace) is supported by a multi-pipe heat exchanger of which the outer pipe has dimensions at least adequate to bear the imposed load, and the inner pipe(s) are so dimensioned in relation to the outer pipe as to maintain the outer pipe at a temperature at which its load-bearing strength is maintained for a reasonable and/or acceptable cooling fluid flow rate through the heat exchanger. In one embodiment, the heat exchanger is of the double pipe type, and the cooling fluid may be circulated from the heat exchanger to the bank of heat recovery tubes.

Abstract: A breakaway pipeline coupling is described which comprises first and second pipe sections forming a fluid seal and designed to separate at a predetermined axial load. A plurality of piston and cylinder pressure compensating devices are arranged around the exterior of the pipe sections to hold them together until separation.Shear pins or shear studs passing between the pipeline sections will fail when the coupling is subjected to an external tensile force exceeding the predetermined maximum force. The pressure compensating devices apply a compression load on the coupling to counteract the tension load exerted by internal pressure in the pipeline. The pressure compensating devices included pistons movable axially within cylinders in response to pressure differentials, and porting or tubing for exposing one side of the piston to the internal pressure within the coupling.

Abstract: A breakaway pipe coupling comprising first and second telescoping pipe sections that are joined together by a load control mechanism designed to release in a controlled manner at a predetermined axial load.The load control mechanism, which may assume the form of a cutter ring carried by one pipe section and which bears against the exterior of the other section, or may be a plurality of external cylinders housing cutter rings attached to one pipe section which bear against rods passing through the cylinders and attached to the other pipe section. Such a load control mechanism holds the pipe sections together up to a certain predetermined tension load.A valve is disposed within the first pipe section and is joined by a crank and a rod to a second pipe section so that when the pipe sections are joined together, the valve is retained in an open position and fluid can freely flow through the coupling. When the pipe sections separate, the valve is closed to prevent fluid flow.

Abstract: A gate valve has a hollow substantially T-shaped housing having opposed tubular ends through which a pair of coaxial sleeves extend, the sleeves terminating in the interior of the housing in a pair of seats. A gate includes a pair of gate members which are movable in the space between the seats to and from closed positions engaging the seats. The gate members are moved by a structure which first displaces the gates transversely to the common axis of the sleeves until the gates are in a position of alignment with the sleeves, and then while the structure which moves the gates continues to operate, a stop engages the gate members to guide them for movement into engagement with the seats. When engaging the stop the gate members move along the common axis of the sleeves. The sleeves serve to protect the housing from the effects of temperature fluctuations of the fluid flowing through the sleeves. In addition the sleeves can readily be removed and replaced as required.

Abstract: A device for taking fluid samples from one or more locations in a pipeline or vessel comprises a hollow body (31) for projection into the pipeline or vessel, a rotatable internal sleeve (50) having fluid inlet ports (53) which are in register with respective inlet ports (35) in the body (31) at least once per revolution, for fluid to enter a cylinder (70) which is within the sleeve (50), and fixed relative to the body (31). A piston (120) is moved in the cylinder in accordance with the profile of a cam groove (60) formed in the internal wall of the sleeve (50), and executes a fluid sample discharge stroke when the rotation of the sleeve (50) brings into register a fluid discharge port (74) of the cylinder, a fluid discharge port (57) of the sleeve and a fluid discharge port (38) of the body (31). The device provides reliable sampling for most fluids and over a very wide range of conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for dispensing a liquid additive to the surface of a receding liquid in a pressurized vessel, particularly for automatically dispensing a liquid oil spreading agent to the surface of ballast water contained in a pressurized tank of a cargo carrier having oil based material at least partially floating on the surface thereof.

Abstract: The invention is for a fixed bed reactor with two phase gas and liquid flow. The reactor has at least one auxiliary bed of solid particles disposed above the main bed of solid particles. The auxiliary bed has separate liquid and gas bypasses comprised of hollow tubing extending through the auxiliary bed. Liquid receptacles provide a liquid seal above the liquid bypasses, thereby preventing gas from bypassing along with the liquid. The liquid spilled from the flow receptacles seeks its lowest level and flows through the auxiliary bed, thereby leaving only the gas to flow through the gas bypasses. This separate feed arrangement allows for a low pressure drop bypassing of the auxiliary bed, when the auxiliary bed becomes fouled and clogged. The invention is also applicable to other apparatuses which use a flow arrangement similar to fixed bed reactors, but which do not necessarily utilize a chemical reaction. One example of such apparatus is a packed absorption tower having co-current downflow of gas and liquid.

Abstract: A multi-stage gas/liquid reactor is disclosed which has several concentric internal baffles, which define reaction stage zones. A central liquid inlet and an array of gas inlets supply the reactants which flow sequentially through diametrically opposed baffle passages to the various reaction stage zones. A method of using such a reactor to provide radially outward, positive pressure against the baffles is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of raising the propulsion efficiency of a propeller by reducing viscous drag. Basically, a fluid polymer solution is injected along the leading edge of the power face of the propeller blade to form a boundry layer solution adjacent the power face, thereby suppressing turbulence. A propeller suitable for practicing the above method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A non-contact seal for thin film treating ovens to prevent leakage of gas both into and out of the oven at the film entry and exit points. An inert buffer gas is introduced into a narrow sealing slit defined between a pair of upper and lower sealing members adjacent the oven opening to buffer the oven gas leakage. An eductor passage also communicates with the sealing slit to carry away gas leakage resulting from thermal diffusion. Apparatus for precisely adjusting the height of the sealing slit to compensate for various film thicknesses and widths are provided. The temperature of the sealing members is regulated by the circulation of a fluid within passageways provided therein, thus to prevent thermal distortions of the slit defining surfaces.

Abstract: A linear electric motor has an inner armature which is adapted to reciprocate axially and an outer stator which includes a plurality of axially extending laminations which have inner edges engaging each other and defining a cylindrical bore in which the armature is situated. These laminations respectively have axially extending outer edge regions which are oppositely inclined one with respect to the next with each lamination having an outer edge pressing against an outer edge of the next lamination and spaced from the outer edge of the preceding lamination, so that the outer edge regions of the laminations define between themselves axially extending spaces which alternately converge and diverge radially inwardly toward the common axis of the armature and stator.

Abstract: A separator suitable for the separation of a first liquid of relatively lower specific gravity and a second liquid of relatively higher specific gravity from a liquid mixture containing both liquids, the liquids being mutually immiscible, the separator comprising an inlet for introducing the mixture into a first separation zone so constructed and arranged as to promote the separation by gravity of a substantial part of the first liquid from the mixture, a first liquid outlet for the discharge of separated first liquid from the separator, a second liquid outlet for the discharge of separated second liquid from the separator, means for causing first liquid separated in the first separation zone to pass to the first liquid outlet, means for causing the remaining liquid mixture containing a minor proportion of the first liquid and a major proportion of the second liquid to pass towards the second liquid outlet along a flow path including a part extending downwardly through a second separation zone partially fille