Abstract: A method of improving the efficiency in delivery of a cryogenic liquid (160) to the surface of a metal body in a furnace, the method comprising the steps of delivering a first liquid cryogen and a vaporized cryogen gas to a cooling coil (180) which is in heat transfer contact with a second liquid cryogen (140) at a lower temperature than the first liquid cryogen and a vaporized cryogen (160, 170), maintaining the first liquid cryogen and the vaporized cryogen gas in the cooling coil (180) for an amount of time sufficient to condense part of the vaporized cryogen gas to an additional amount of the first liquid cryogen, delivering the first liquid cryogen and the additional amount of first liquid cryogen to the surface of a metal body in a furnace (190, 150).

Abstract: A method of improving the efficiency in delivery of a cryogenic liquid (10, 160) to the surface of a metal body in a furnace, the method comprising the steps of a) causing a flow of the liquid cryogen i) from a source of the liquid cryogen (10, 160), ii) to the surface of a metal body, and b) sub-cooling the liquid cryogen or a combination of the liquid cryogen and a cryogen gas (40, 180) between step a), sub-step i) and step a), sub-step ii) to reduce a temperature of the liquid cryogen or the combination of the liquid cryogen and the cryogen gas.

Abstract: A method of improving the efficiency in delivery of a cryogenic liquid to the surface of a metal body in a furnace, the method comprising the steps of delivering a liquid cryogen (10, 20) to a liquid-gas phase separator (30), allowing a gaseous cryogen (45) present in a liquid phase (40) of the liquid cryogen to separate from the liquid cryogen (40), condensing (60, 70, 80) the gaseous cryogen (45) to an additional amount of liquid cryogen (40), delivering the liquid cryogen and the additional amount of liquid cryogen (50) to the surface of a metal body in a furnace.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for chilling or freezing objects, an interior surface of a rotating drum includes recesses formed between prominences extending inwardly from the interior surface. One or more liquid CO2 nozzles inject solid CO2 towards the interior surface. The injected snow replenishes a depth of solid CO2 in empty or partially empty recesses and/or provides a fresh layer of solid CO2 on top of the objects. Because the interior surface is made of polyethylene and the depth of solid CO2 is replenished in empty or partially empty recesses, the product/drum sticking problem experienced by conventional apparatuses and methods is reduced or avoided. Optionally, the CO2 snow is injected into empty or partially empty recesses by at least one first liquid CO2 nozzle and is deposited on top of the objects by at least one second liquid CO2 nozzle so that each opposing surface of the object is in direct contact with solid CO2.

Abstract: Systems and corresponding methods are described herein that provide an effective inert blanket over a metal surface (hot solid (charge) metal or molten metal) in a container such as an induction furnace. The system includes a container of metal and a system configured to delivery biphasic inert cryogen toward the metal. The delivery system may include a lance disposed at the top of the container. The lance has a hood that directs both a flow of liquid cryogen and a flow of vaporous gas toward the metal surface. The liquid cryogen contacts the metal surface, generating a volume of expanding gas over the metal surface. The vaporous cryogen creates a reinforcing vapor that slows the expansion rate of the expanding gas, localizing the expanding gas over the metal surface.

Abstract: An upwardly helical flow path of cryogen-rich air inside a cryogenic spiral freezer may be used to chill or freeze products.

Abstract: An upwardly helical flow path of cryogen-rich air inside a cryogenic spiral freezer may be used to chill or freeze products.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method and apparatus for inerting the surface of a metal charge in an induction furnace. The process generally involves use of a porous plug positioned near the surface of the metal charge. Argon (or other blanket gases) is flushed through the porous plug to back fill the volume of the induction furnace above the metal charge with an inert gas.

Abstract: A system for delivering a fluid into a container includes a housing configured to be secured to the container. The housing includes a reservoir to receive and retain a fluid as a liquid, and the housing further includes an opening that provides fluid communication between the reservoir and an interior within the container so as to facilitate a flow of inert gas which is formed from vaporization of the liquid within the reservoir into the container interior.

Abstract: The present invention provides for various processes for recovering high purity gaseous hydrogen and high purity gaseous carbon dioxide from the gas stream produced using steam hydrocarbon reforming, especially steam methane reforming, utilizing a H2 pressure swing adsorption unit in combination with either a CO2 pressure swing adsorption unit in combination with a membrane separation unit or a CO2 pressure vacuum swing adsorption unit in combination with a membrane separation unit. The present invention further relates to a process for optimizing the recovery of carbon dioxide from waste gas streams produced during the hydrogen purification step of a steam hydrocarbon reforming/water gas shift reactor/H2 pressure swing adsorption unit utilizing either a CO2 pressure swing adsorption unit in combination with a membrane separation unit or a CO2 pressure vacuum swing adsorption unit in combination with a membrane separation unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for laser cutting that comprises a rigid support table frame having a X-axis and a Y-axis, and one or more bridge rail modules running across the Y-axis of the table frame, each bridge rail module comprising at least one hold-down device module. The present invention further provides a process for laser cutting a metal plate using this apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and corresponding methods are described herein that provide an effective inert blanket over a metal surface (hot solid (charge) metal or molten metal) in a container such as an induction furnace. The system includes a container of metal and a system configured to delivery biphasic inert cryogen toward the metal. The delivery system may include a lance disposed at the top of the container. The lance has a hood that directs both a flow of liquid cryogen and a flow of vaporous gas toward the metal surface. The liquid cryogen contacts the metal surface, generating a volume of expanding gas over the metal surface, The vaporous cryogen creates a reinforcing vapor that slows the expansion rate of the expanding gas, localizing the expanding gas over the metal surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for the removal of hydrocarbons from a body of water comprising a temperature reduction device comprising a heat exchange in thermal communication with a flow of a liquefied cryogen, the temperature reduction device being adapted to receive a hydrocarbon/water mixture, position a first surface of the at least partially phase separated mixture in thermal communication with the heat exchanger, and reduce the temperature of the at least partially phase separated mixture to a temperature sufficient to cause the hydrocarbon phase to at least partially congeal or at least partially solidify.

Abstract: An improved fermentation device and method uses a combination of substantially pure Oxygen as the Oxygenation gas and a separate air (or other Oxygen reducing gas) purge through the headspace of a fermentation device. The air injection and air purge vent line are configured to maintain a backpressure within the headspace. The air purge permits improved oxygen utilization and increases safety through dilution and removal of ammonia gas emitted during fermentation.

Abstract: A billing system for supply contrasts in an industrial network is disclosed. In the case of a pipeline, a process flow computer installed at each customer site may each receive instantaneous flow readings from a flow meter. The process flow computer may be configured to accumulate product volumes in different volume groups, where each volume group corresponds to a range of instantaneous flow rates. Different volume groups may be associated with different rates ultimately charged to a customer. The volume groups may be assigned by a computing system running a billing application at a pipeline operations control center. Volume groups may be set for individual customers based on a contract summary of an agreement between a given customer and the operator of an industrial network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to various processes for recovering high purity gaseous hydrogen and high purity gaseous carbon dioxide from the gas stream produced using steam hydrocarbon reforming, especially steam methane reforming, utilizing a H2 pressure swing adsorption unit followed by either a CO2 vacuum swing adsorption unit or a CO2 vacuum swing adsorption unit in combination with an additional CO2 pressure swing adsorption unit. By using an uncoupled H2 PSA and CO2 VSA unit it is possible to produce high purity H2 and high purity CO2. The present invention further relates to a process for optimizing the recovery of CO2 from waste gas streams produced during the hydrogen purification step of a steam hydrocarbon reforming/H2 pressure swing adsorption unit utilizing either a CO2 vacuum swing adsorption unit or a CO2 vacuum swing adsorption unit in combination with a CO2 pressure swing adsorption unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling a mixture with an injection system. The injection system is adjustable to accommodate the relative position and particular specifications of a given container (e.g., concrete mixer). In one embodiment, the injection system is operable to inject a coolant directly into the mixture while in the mixing process.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a welding zone for welding together pipe sections. The temperature is controlled by a flow of inert gas through the pipes. The inert gas flow is cooled and acts as a heat sink to remove heat from the weld zone thereby controlling the weld zone temperature.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to the use of liquid nitrogen to displace air, or other water and/or oxygen containing atmospheres, from containers prior to filling with a highly sensitive product. The process in general has two steps: a) depositing a volume of liquid nitrogen into the cavity of an empty container and b) applying a vacuum to the cavity of the container. The vacuum will accelerate vaporization and thereby shorten the liquid nitrogen vaporization time frame. This procedure results in a highly effective one step de-oxygenation and/or de-humidification of the container cavity. Further, the evacuation ensures complete liquid nitrogen vaporization prior to product filling.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a welding zone for welding together pipe sections. The temperature is controlled by a flow of inert gas through the pipes. The inert gas flow is cooled and acts as a heat sink to remove heat from the weld zone thereby controlling the weld zone temperature.