Abstract: A method for producing lower alkali glass wherein fluxing activity provided by alkali oxides is partly replaced by fluxing activity provided by water in the glassmaking process. Water is effectively and efficiently provided to the glass by the establishment of a high water vapor concentration in the glassmelting zone atmosphere which is produced by a defined heat-generating oxygen-based combustion reducing nitrogen presence and boosting the water vapor concentration, and maintained in the glass by passing molten glass through successive refining and forehearth zones having atmospheres with high water vapor concentrations.

Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system for producing nitrogen having a low argon content wherein the reflux ratio in the upper portion of the higher pressure column of a double column system is modified by withdrawing nitrogen vapor from below the top of the column, liquefying the withdrawn vapor, and returning the liquefied nitrogen to the column at or near the withdrawal point and below the top of the column.

Abstract: A system which integrates a cryogenic air separation plant with a blast furnace system enabling efficient oxygen enrichment of the blast air, and, if desired, production of additional higher purity oxygen.

Abstract: An oxidant lancing nozzle and lancing method wherein first and second oxidant streams are injected into a combustion zone under defined conditions enabling the lancing of oxygen to augment a main combustion reaction with improved flame stability and unchanged or even reduced NO.sub.x formation.

Abstract: A nozzle and gas injection method using the nozzle wherein the nozzle comprises a section of porous material. Gas passes through one or more passageways running the length of the porous material section and also diffuses through the porous material section exiting across the nozzle face. This gas passing through the face serves to keep deleterious material, such as zone vapors, from contacting and fouling the nozzle.

Abstract: Oxygen is lanced into the main combustion reaction of a cement kiln to increase heat transfer to the clinker bed and to increase clinker production. Oxygen is separately lanced along the floor, i.e. the lowest wall of the kiln, to delay mixing with the flame to provide deep staging. The deeply staged oxygen flow is adjusted frequently to control emissions and stabilize the burning zone while the primary oxygen flow is maintained constant.

Abstract: A method for carrying out post combustion in an electric arc furnace comprising forming a preferential gas stream within the electric arc furnace, concentrating carbon monoxide within the gas stream, and providing post combustion oxygen into the gas stream where the carbon monoxide is concentrated.

Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system for producing elevated pressure gaseous oxygen wherein pressurized liquid oxygen is vaporized against pressurized working fluid which is then turboexpanded to form a dual phase stream having both vapor and liquid fractions.

Abstract: An aluminum melting method wherein an atmosphere above the aluminum charge is comprised of two strata, a lower strata covering the aluminum charge comprised of a non-oxidizing gas and an upper strata comprised of combustion gases from one or more burners. Heat from the burner or burners radiatively heats and melts the aluminum while the lower strata protects the aluminum from oxidative effects which would result if the aluminum surface were contacted with the combustion gases, thus serving to reduce dross formation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and apparatus for producing high purity product grade argon from an argon-containing stream using a cryogenic argon column in combination with a solid electrolyte ionic or mixed conductor membrane.

Abstract: A system for generating power as a result of an expansion of a pressurized working fluid through a turbine exhibits improved efficiency as the result of employing a tri-component working fluid that comprises water, ammonia and carbon dioxide. The pH of the working fluid is maintained within a range to prevent precipitation of carbon-bearing solids (preferably between 8.0 to 10.6). The working fluid enables an efficiency improvement in the Rankine cycle of up to 12 percent and an efficiency improvement in the Kalina cycle of approximately 5 percent.

Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system employing a double column and two auxiliary reboilers associated with one or two auxiliary columns wherein both lower purity oxygen and higher purity oxygen is produced.

Abstract: A particle sampling system which includes a flow restrictor positioned in a conduit between a vent and an analyzer probe and restricts flow in the conduit to maintain an overpressure of sample gas at the counter probe which, in turn, forces the gas sample into the particle analyzer. The system further includes a reservoir for holding a working fluid usable with a particle analyzer and a pressurized gas source which is used to pressurize the reservoir to enable supply of the working fluid against the pressure of the gas analysis sample and to provide a purge gas for the analyzer.

Abstract: A downflow heat exchanger, particularly applicable as the main condenser/reboiler of a double column cryogenic air separation plant, wherein liquid distribution for uniform flow is carried out above the vapor passages and the well distributed liquid is passed into the liquid passages, preferably angularly onto the bridge fins, and then down through the liquid passages cocurrently with vapor in adjacent vapor passages.

Abstract: A system for initiating the operation of a cryogenic pump wherein the suction line to the cryogenic pump and the cryogenic pump itself are brought to the proper cooldown temperature sequentially using separate temperature-based control schemes.

Abstract: A cooling system includes a unit for processing product to be cooled or frozen. A secondary refrigeration loop is connected to this unit and introduces a refrigerant at or near atmospheric pressure into the unit. The secondary refrigeration loop may be open or closed. The secondary loop includes a secondary heat exchanger for cooling the refrigerant. A primary, closed refrigeration loop, operating at a pressure of not less than 2 atmospheres, includes a forward flow path which comprises a primary refrigerant compressor for producing compressed primary refrigerant, a primary heat exchanger for receiving and cooling the compressed primary refrigerant and an expander for further cooling and transferring the compressed refrigerant to the secondary heat exchanger to enable cooling of the secondary refrigerant. The primary loop further includes a return flow path from the secondary heat exchanger to the primary refrigerant compressor and to the primary heat exchanger.

Abstract: A cryogenic gas compression system including a storage container and a gas/liquid mixer coupled to the storage container which employs a controlled flow of cryogenic liquid from the storage container to provide gas cooling action, and compressor for compressing the output gas to a high pressure. A sensor provides an indication of the gas entering the compressor and feeds it to a controller which controls the quantity of liquid cryogen fed from the storage container to the mixer.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of halogenated hydrocarbons from a gas stream comprises passing the gas stream through a bed of hydrophobic molecular sieve adsorbent, preferably of the high silica zeolite type. Such adsorbent has pore diameters large enough to permit molecules of the halogenated hydrocarbons to pass therethrough and be selectively adsorbed in the large internal cavities of the crystal framework, whereby the halogenated hydrocarbons are removed. The gas is continued to be passed through the bed of adsorbent material until the material is saturated to the extent that breakthrough of the hydrocarbons is determined. The adsorbent material with adsorb phase of halogenated hydrocarbons is removed from the machine and regenerated by exposing the saturated material to an inert purging gas stream under conditions which desorb the halogenated hydrocarbons from the adsorbent material into the purging gas stream.

Abstract: A cryogenic system for the recovery of fluorine compounds from a carrier gas stream such as an effluent stream from a semiconductor facility comprising a mass transfer contacting device, such as a cryogenic wash column, integrated with a cryogenic rectification column system.

Abstract: A gas turbine/air separation apparatus operates at both a design point and a turndown point and includes a gas turbine for providing pressurized air and an air separation plant which receives the pressurized air. The air separation plant produces an oxygen-bearing fluid at a first purity and first pressure when the pressurized air is at a design point pressure, and produces the oxygen-bearing fluid at a second purity and second pressure when the pressurized air is at a turndown pressure, the second purity and second pressure being lower than the first purity and first pressure, respectively. A compressor compresses the oxygen-bearing fluid to a design point pressure and feeds the compressed oxygen-bearing fluid to the use point.