Abstract: A clamp comprises a tubular support having a number of axially spaced sets of angularly spaced apertures for receiving spheres engageable with the exterior of a pipe and with tapered surfaces on a clamp body. A spring urges the support down in relation to the body to cause the spheres to grip the pipe. Rams can raise the support to release the clamp, whereupon the spheres can enter recesses in the body. The apertures may be axially elongated to accommodate a degree of pipe ovality and have diverging walls for the same purpose. A form of the clamp for gripping a pipe interior is also described. The clamp may have one or more seals for sealing against the pipe and two oppositely acting clamps may form a connector for two pipes.

Abstract: Chemical treatment agents are supplied to a well or borehole extending through an earth formation by subjecting the well to a fracturing treatment with a high pressure fluid and proppant particles. The proppant particles are thereby trapped in fractures in the earth formation. Some or all of the proppant particles are of porous insoluble inorganic material, and are impregnated with a chemical treatment agent, such as a scale inhibitor or a corrosion inhibitor. The porous particles may be of a ceramic or oxide material, for example a silica and/or an alumina-based material.

Abstract: A rotary kiln in which reaction is to occur between counterflowing reactants and an injector for a reactant extends into a reaction zone in the kiln. The injector is provided with means for adjusting the temperature of the injected reactant to a temperature in the desired range for that zone. Further means are provided for maintaining a temperature in the desired range throughout the zone. The arrangement be used in the production of uranium oxides from uranium hexafluoride.

Abstract: A fluid storage tank comprising a main body and covers to close off openings of the main body. The main body and covers have inside surfaces which are, in use, in contact with fluid stored in the tank the main body is made up of a casing and a liner which is provided inside the casing. The covers are releasable retained in place and seal with the inside surface of the main body so that fluid can be stored in the tank.

Abstract: In a solvent extraction method a contactor comprises a forward extraction section comprising sub-sections thereof and a back extraction section comprising sub-sections thereof. To enable higher concentrations of solute to be obtained in the backwash liquor, the contactor is operated with recycle of partially-loaded solvent, via a line from a back extraction sub-section to a forward extraction sub-section.

Abstract: During filtration, periodic application of a potential difference between an electrically conducting filter medium and counter electrode (as anode) generates a gaseous product at the filter and cleans the filter. To minimise corrosion the counter electrode is of low chromium stainless steel, for example 9% chromium.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a liquid spray from two jets of fluid which issue from a pair of opposing nozzles and interact, wherein the fluid is supplied to the nozzles under fully turbulent conditions such that random variations in the momentum of the fluid as it leaves the nozzles occur which results in random variations in the orientation of the resultant spray of liquid drops.

Abstract: A flexible cover, which can be rolled onto and about a support rotatable about an axis, and can be unrolled therefrom, consists of at least one translucent sheet having: a continuous outside wall extending throughout the width and throughout the length of the sheet, the length being the dimension which is parallel to the rotational axis of the support and the rolling and unrolling axis of the sheet; a discontinuous inside wall parallel to the outside wall and extending throughout the length and, in a discontinuous interrupted manner, the width of the sheet; and parallel longitudinal walls, extending throughout the length of the sheet, perpendicularly to and connecting the outside and inside walls to define groups of successive longitudinal cells, interruptions of the inside wall defining spaces between respective pairs of adjacent groups of successive cells, the groups being separate and being connected solely by the outside wall which, at the interruptions at the inside wall, constitutes a flexure portion fo

Abstract: Corrosion, scale-formation, or other deleterious processes are inhibited in an oil well by installing within the oil well (10) fluid-permeable elements, such as tubular filters (20), which comprises a suppressing material. Each filter (20) comprises two tubular filter screens (24) between which is a bed (26) of particles comprising suitable inhibitor material. The particles might for example be porous ceramic spheres impregnated with the inhibitor material. The inhibitor material gradually dissolves in the well fluids during operation, and may for example inhibit corrosion and/or scale formation.

Abstract: With the vehicle anti-collision system of the present invention, road vehicles in the vicinity of a railway crossing are alerted as a train approaches the crossing. A signalling device operating in conjunction with a GPS receiver located in the train emits a signal to a receiver located at the railway crossing to provide an indication of the rail vehicle's location with respect to the railway crossing. The signal is sent continuously at predetermined intervals to provide the railway crossing with sufficient data to estimate the velocity and time of arrival of the train or railway vehicle at the crossing. The railway crossing processes the information and transmits an alarm signal to approaching road vehicles as the rail vehicle approaches the crossing. The signal emitted by the crossing is received at the road vehicle which provides various levels of alarms depending on how close the rail vehicle is to the crossing.

Abstract: There is described a security device 10 and a method for verifying the identity of a person making a transaction. The security device 10 comprises a document 12 bearing a picture of the intended user 14 of the security device 10, the picture 14 having been produced by printing of picture 14 by a printer activated by computer memory in which a likeness of the intended user is stored. The devices 10 may be self adhesive for attachment to a second document and be provided in a form comprising a plurality of such devices.

Abstract: A clock, called a "mystery" clock because of its almost totally transparent nature, comprising a transparent dial bearing reference markers (11), a minute indicator, transparent except in the area of a reading pointer (28') and an hour indicator, also transparent except in the area of a reading pointer (26'), indicators and dial having a common geometric axis (Y) and being carried by a frame or surround (20) and at least part of these indicators and dial having teeth at their periphery, masked by the surround (20), for driving them in rotation, in relation to the surround (20), about said axis (Y).

Abstract: A mass-analysed ion beam generator in which the ion beam is in the form of a thin flat ribbon with its major transverse dimension aligned parallel with the direction of the mass-analysing magnetic field.

Abstract: A double lid system is provided with an electric motor (44) to actuate mechanisms to release the lid (20) from a drum (18) and simultaneously clamp the lid (20) to a door (14) of a port (or vice versa), and with an electric motor (74) to withdraw the door (14) from the port to open the port (or to close it). The system is monitored by sensors (60,62,64,82) associated with an electronic logic interlock to ensure the correct sequence of operations of the motors (44,74). The sensors (60,62,64,82) and the motors (44,74) are readily demountable for remote maintenance or replacement. The door-opening motor (74) may he a linear actuator cooperating with a part-helical slot (80) to open the door (14) and then swing it clear of the port.

Abstract: Apparatus for the on-line treatment of chemical reagents, including a flow line for a reagent flow, a vortex mixer in the flow line for combining and mixing the reagent flow with at least one further reagent flow, a pulser in the flow line for causing the pulsing of the mixed flow from the vortex mixer, and a vessel having an array of vortex cells for receiving the pulsing mixed flow to cause development and growth of precipitate under narrow residence time distribution conditions. Flow lines mix a flow of reagents to initiate precipitation. The pulser pulses the admixed reagents and causes the pulsing mixed flow to swirl with a constantly reversing rotational flow to achieve development and growth of precipitate.

Abstract: Decomposition of waste and particularly organic waste matter is carried out in an electrochemical cell (11) in which the electrolyte comprises nitric acid containing silver ions as an electrochemically regenerable primary oxidizing species. A separation plant (34) for continuously or periodically withdrawing anolyte is operated to remove or reduce contamination of the anolyte with anions of or containing phosphorus, sulphur, nitrogen or halogens.

Abstract: A corona discharge reactor which has a central electrode in the form of a metal rod with radial projections and a cylindrical outer electrode surrounding the inner electrode.

Abstract: An electromagnetic machine which is suitable for use as a direct-drive, directly-coupled, mains electricity generator (14) to be driven by a low speed device such as a wind turbine (18), consists of one or more rotor rings (30) of many permanent magnets (40) of alternating polarity, with coaxial stator rings (28) of many laminated yokes (35), each yoke defining slots to locate coils (38). The yokes (35) and coils (38) form modules which are supported by beams (32) relative to the rotor rings (30). The rotor rings (30) may also be of modular construction. Manufacture and assembly are thereby simplified, and sub-harmonic magnetic flux components are suppressed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for lining a pipe with a polymer liner in which the liner is pulled through a die to reduce the liner's diameter and through the pipe and on removal of the pulling load, allowing the liner to revert to at least the minimum internal diameter of the pipe, wherein the liner has a maximum diameter before entering the die and a minimum diameter in the die. The die having an aperture which is symmetrical with respect to a central, longitudinal axis and comprising in the direction that the liner is passed an entry, a throat and an exit. The diameter of the aperture decreasing over the entry to a minimum to the throat and increasing over the exit. The entry of the die, when viewed in a sectional plane extending longitudinally of the liner and containing the axis, is convex over substantially an entire axial length between where the liner first contacts the die and the throat, wherein the liner substantially continuously engages the die over substantially the entire axial length.

Abstract: An electric pump 13 is mounted on a support 24 and can be raised and lowered using chains 25 driven by a motor.Supply cable 14 for the pump is stored on drum 15. Fluid is discharged by the pump through hose 17 stored on drum 18.A spray ring 20 attached to the pump is supplied with water through hose 21 stored on drum 22. The drums are rotated by hydraulic motors 32 and chains eg 36, 37. As the pump is raised at a uniform speed the drums are rotated to take up the slack hose and cable. The height of the pump is sensed from movement of the pump motor and the pressure supplied to the hydraulic motors is changed in discrete steps to maintain the wind up speed on to the drums despite the change in weight of unwound hose or cable.