Abstract: A valve which has a gate of springy sheet material pressing at its peripheral region against an endless valve seat when the valve is in a closed position. The endless valve seat has a seating surface situated in a predetermined plane generally perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow through an opening defined by the endless valve seat. The gate of springy sheet material is of a dished configuration and has a hollow interior directed toward the opening defined by the endless valve seat when the valve is in a closed position. The dished springy sheet material which forms the movable gate of the valve has a central region situated upstream of the plane in which the seating surface is located, when the valve is closed, and a springy endless peripheral region situated in the plane of the seating surface in engagement with the latter when the valve is closed.

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 load control link for limiting maximum dynamic loads in and preventing overstressing of tension members by absorbing some of the energy which causes such loads. The load control link comprises a cylindrical housing, a metal sleeve mounted over a shaft within the housing and a cutting collar mounted at one end of the housing and around the sleeve. The inside radius of the cutting collar is slightly less than the outside radius of the sleeve, and is shaped as a cutting edge. The load control link is connected in series with a tension carrying member, with the end of the shaft which extends through the cutting sleeve connected at one end, and the opposite end of the housing connected at the other end. As the tension load on the control link increases, the shaft tends to be withdrawn from the housing causing metal to be cut from the surface of the sleeve by the cutting collar. The shaft remains stationary in the housing as long as the tension load remains lower than that required to cut metal.

Abstract: A load control link for limiting maximum dynamic loads in and preventing overstressing of tension members by absorbing some of the energy which causes such loads. The load control link comprises a cylindrical housing, a metal sleeve mounted over a shaft within the housing and a cutting collar mounted at one end of the housing and around the sleeve. The inside radius of the cutting collar is slightly less than the outside radius of the sleeve, and is shaped as a cutting edge. The load control link is connected in series with a tension carrying member, with the end of the shaft which extends through the cutting sleeve connected at one end, and the opposite end of the housing connected at the other end. As the tension load on the control link increases, the shaft tends to be withdrawn from the housing causing metal to be cut from the surface of the sleeve by the cutting collar. The shaft remains stationary in the housing as long as the tension load remains lower than that required to cut metal.

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 burner vessel or regenerator vessel is disclosed which has an elliptical bottom head which supports a particulate refractory fill which in turn supports and stabilizes an air distributor inlet manifold. The manifold is supported at radially arranged distribution pipes so that the main air header floats freely for expansion and contraction. A fluidized bed of particulate is combusted above the refractory fill layer. Other appropriate operation apparatus for the vessel are also disclosed. The burner vessel is used in a fluid coker apparatus and the regenerator vessel is used in a fluid catalytic cracking unit.

Abstract: A reactor for the oxidation of unburned and partially burned components in the exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine comprising a chamber which is substantially circular in cross-sections perpendicular to its axis, one or more inlet pipes which pass a mixture of exhaust gas and air substantially tangentially into the chamber near to one end thereof, and an outlet pipe near to the other end of the chamber and which is so arranged that exhaust gas leaves the chamber substantially tangentially. The tangential inlet and tangential outlet of gases minimizes energy losses in the gas passing through the reactor. The ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the inlet pipe(s) to reactor chamber is preferably from 1:9 to 25:36, and similar ranges of cross-sectional area ratios are preferred for the outlet pipe and chamber. The ratio of the length of the reaction chamber to diameter is preferably from 1:1 to 4:1.

Abstract: A method for removing oil-based materials floating on the surface of ballast water contained in the ballast tank of a cargo carrier having vertical steel surfaces is provided comprising adding to said surface a spreading agent having a spreading force greater than said oil-based material in an amount sufficient to force substantially all of said material against said surfaces; and discharging said ballast water from said tank at a point below the surface of said water, said oil-based material being forced to deposit on said steel surfaces vacated by said discharged water.

Abstract: In a vessel such as for a fluid coker burner, there is provided a plenum chamber which functions as a collection header for the clean gas discharge from a plurality of cyclone stages supported within the vessel. The plenum chamber comprises a cylindrically-shaped support skirt welded at one end to the vessel head and at the other end to a relatively thin, flat steel floor, no more than about three-sixteenths to five-eighths of an inch thick. Each of the cyclone stages are individually and separately supported by support means connected directly between each stage and the vessel head and the plenum chamber floor is welded to the cyclone stages, thereby supporting the floor. This permits use of a thinner plenum chamber floor which is capable of sustaining distortions which arise from the differential vertical thermal expansions of the cyclone stages during operation.

Abstract: A gasoline dispensing nozzle is magnetically held in place to the fueling filler neck of the vehicle, while at the same time providing for a tight seal at the nozzle filler neck interface preventing escape of vapors to the atmosphere. Vapor directional control means may be included in the nozzle or be operably associated therewith, which will permit the recovery or redirecting of gasoline vapors issuing from the vehicle fuel tank during the refueling process. At the filler end of the nozzle is a switchable permanent magnet to latch, support and hold the nozzle to the vehicle fillpipe. To remove the nozzle when refueling is completed, the magnetic flux is switched in a different direction away from the fillpipe to a metal element known as a keeper. A pressure sensing mechanism is provided at the outer face of the magnet so that when a suitable seal is made between the nozzle magnet and the filler neck surface, a signal is provided via the pressure sensor that the seal has been made.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for use in atomizing a combustible material into a form for improved combustion comprising (i) an atomization zone, (ii) an ante-chamber connecting with the atomization zone, (iii) at least two feed inlets to the ante-chamber at least one being for said combustible material and at least one other for an auxiliry atomizing gas, and (iv) means (e.g. a mixing vane) at or in the immediate vicinity of the exit of the atomization zone for modifying the profile of atomized material exiting from the zone; and in which apparatus the atomization zone is of generally cylindrical cross-section and is provided internally with means which are adapted to impart to the streams of the combustible material and atomizing gas passing therethrough multiple shearing action and changes of rotational direction. Substantially no atomization of the fuel by the auxiliary gas occurs prior to entry into the atomization zone.

Abstract: A slide valve for use in throttling solids flow, preferably including a pair of opposed discs. The valve discs are in bearing contact with the valve seat and effectively will operate with the valve in almost any position. The internal valve construction and arrangement is unitized which simplifies removal of the internals as a single assembly, and permits quick reassembly as well as adjustment. The discs are retained by guide bars to insure that disc movement is essentially limited to a back and forth motion. The valve discs according to the invention can be centered in the valve so that the discharge is centered in the conduit in which they are mounted, thereby reducing flow impingement on the conduit wall to avoid or minimize erosion, or they can be operated singly and/or independently or in conjunction with each other in order to provide desired flow control. With single disc operation, one disc may be retracted and control achieved by throttling with the other disc against part of the seat.

Abstract: A fluid flow distributor for mixing and distributing gas and liquid over the cross-section of the reactor vessel having an upward fluid flow path. The distributor comprises an inlet pipe for directing quench liquid into and through an inlet feed conduit connected with the reactor and an elliptically-shaped cover plate disposed above the outlet of said conduit, against which the flow from the conduit is directed. A relatively uniform distribution of the gas and liquid to the vessel is obtained by means of the plurality of apertures provided in the plate and the double reflection of the flow from the cover plate and the bottom of the vessel. The inlet conduit includes a plurality of baffles and orifices which aid in the thorough mixing of the quench liquid and the primary or main gas-liquid flow. This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 777,028, filed Mar. 14, 1977 now abandoned.

Abstract: A system for suppressing cavitation in fluid pipeline passages such as fluid loading arms, particularly of the marine type, comprising extended turning vanes in the elbows of the loading arm, preferably in the upstream direction from the elbow tangent point, and also including the capability for adjusting the attack angle of the vane relative to the pipe axis. The combined effect of the extended vane and the negative attack angle improves cavitation performance to a greater extent than each of these expedients when used separately. This system obtains increased flow rates without significantly increasing the system back pressure and the adjustability of the attack angle will allow for optimization relative to changes in products and flow conditions.

Abstract: A mixing device for combining a quench or catalyst stream with the main fluid stream in an upflow gas-liquid contactor, such as a reactor. A gas-liquid stream is passed through a reduced size passage wherein the quench or catalyst streams are injected. The combined stream then is mixed and redistributed.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling plant and other gaseous emissions from processes and stacks by decomposing predetermined components, particularly vinyl chloride, of these emissions by exposure to ultraviolet radiation to form less hazardous materials which then are absorbed in a scrubber. This results in the substantial elimination of vinyl chloride and most of the other decomposition products from being ejected into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of enhancing heat transfer between a heating or cooling element (such as a steam tracer heating line) and a conduit or vessel, comprising emplacing heat transfer material (such as a heat transfer cement) in a mouldable or plastic state between and in contact with the element and at least part of the adjacent surface of the conduit or vessel, and around and in contact with the element so that the element is surrounded by heat transfer material which contacts the element and applying a relatively rigid recessed retaining member such as a channel of "U" or "V"-shaped cross-section round the heat transfer material so that edges of the retaining member substantially abut the conduit or vessel and maintain coherence in the heat transfer material enclosed in the volume defined between the retaining member and the conduit or vessel and securing the retaining member and conduit or vessel relative to each other to maintain said coherence.

Abstract: A drain valve for a floating roof tank, employing a float for controlling the opening and closing of the valve. The buoyancy of the float is adjusted by means of a calibration weight such that the float is buoyant in water and sinks in oil. The inlet into the valve compartment is separated from the float and valve seat compartments by partitions which prevent the valve from prematurely closing because of forces set up by the velocity of fluid flow through the system and also due to the reduction of fluid density because of air bubbles.

Abstract: A gas distributor for distributing high temperature reaction gases to a fluidized bed of coal particles in a coal gasification process. The distributor includes a pipe with a refractory reinforced lining and a plurality of openings in the lining through which gas is fed into the bed. These feed openings have an expanding tapered shape in the downstream or exhaust direction which aids in reducing the velocity of the gas jets as they enter the bed.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for the atomization of a combustible material comprises feeding at least one stream of the combustible material and at least one stream of an auxiliary gas, under pressure, through an elongated zone in which atomization of the combustible material is achieved by expansion of the auxiliary gas while causing the said streams frequently to split into partial streams, recombine, and changing their rotational flow pattern throughout substantially the whole length of the zone; and adjusting the feed of the said auxiliary gas and combustible material into the atomization zone such that the atomized product from the zone is one in which the auxiliary gas occupies an appreciably greater volume than that occupied by the combustible material. At the zone outlet is provided a nozzle for constraining the atomized combustible material in a desired predetermined profile. There is substantially no atomization of the fuel by the auxiliary gas prior to entry into the atomization zone.