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 relates to a particular optical configuration employed in a solid-state laser, in particular a fiber laser, cutting head for controlling the problems of focal drift and laser damage of the optics of the focusing head and to a laser unit equipped with such a focusing head, in particular an ytterbium-doped fiber laser unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for decreasing or eliminating unwanted hydrocarbon and oxygenate products caused by FTS reactions in a syngas treatment unit by utilizing heat exchangers and optionally associated pipes that are substantially fabricated of a metal material selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel, cobalt, carbon steel or stainless steel and having deposited on the metal surfaces that will come in contact with the coldbox overhead gas stream an inert coating selected from the group consisting of silicon based materials, zinc based materials, tin based materials, chromium based materials, polymers, ceramics and mixtures thereof for heating up gas streams having a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide and obtained from a front end purification unit/cold box unit.

Abstract: A process for gas purification or separation intended to produce a gas mixture containing mainly hydrogen and, to a minor extent CO, it being imperative for the CO content to remain below a set value is presented. This invention particularly relates to adsorption processes and even more particularly to processes of the PSA (“Pressure Swing Adsorption”) type.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing high pressure nitrogen is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drying a moist gas is provided. The apparatus includes a revolving desiccant rotor with at least an adsorption sector and a regeneration chamber; the regeneration chamber comprising at least a first dry gas sector, a hot regeneration sector, and a second dry gas sector, and optionally a cold regeneration sector. The method includes at least an adsorption sector and a regeneration chamber; the regeneration chamber comprising at least a first dry gas sector, a hot regeneration sector, and a second dry gas sector, and optionally a cold regeneration sector.

Abstract: Techniques are described for monitoring the performance of advanced process control (APC) systems used to control complex industrial processes. By correlating an alarm status of the APC system with an alarm status associated with the service factor (or service factor thresholds), a plant operator can understand how well the APC system performs over time, as well as identify when operator intervention may be required (or alternatively, may be the source of poor plant performance). Accordingly, embodiments of the invention can significantly impact both the reliability and efficiency of complex industrial process, e.g., the production of industrial gases using air separation units (ASUs) and steam methane reformer (SMR) furnaces.

Abstract: As described, a neural network based fault detection and analysis tool may be integrated with a physical (or semi physical) model based fault detection and analysis tool. The physical modeling tool provides a mathematical model of plant processes, e.g., a set of mass/energy balance equations modeling the systems at a specific plant. In contrast, the neural network develops a model of a given set of sensors from process data. One advantage of the neural network based tool is that it does not require fundamental knowledge of the process. However, the neural network is only valid for the conditions for which it was trained (i.e., conditions represented by a set of training data). Therefore, the neural network will occasionally need to be re-trained as the process conditions change. In contrast, the physical modeling tool based tool does not need to be retrained and remains valid for all process conditions accounted for in the fundamental models.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a catalytic specie consisting essentially of a metallic support, which is coated with a ceramic active phase layer, mainly compound of the general formula (I): [RhxNiyMglAlm(OH)2]z+(An?z/n) kH2O.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid concentrate for preserving cosmetic products which comprises a combination of carboxylic acid salts chosen from the salts of benzoic acid, propionic acid, salicylic acid, sorbic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, dehydracetic acid, formic acid or 10-undecylenic acid and alcohols chosen from 2-phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, phenethyl alcohol, 1-phenoxypropan-2-ol, 3-(4-chlorophenoxy)-1,2-propanediol, chlorobutanol or 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol in a solvent, where the active ingredient content is greater than 45% by weight.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing ceramic foam, including impregnating polymer foam having an open porosity with a first suspension of ceramic particles in a solvent; drying the impregnated polymer foam; heat treating the dried polymer foam by thermally decomposing the dried polymer foam; unbinding the organic compounds contained in the polymer foam, and pre-sintering the ceramic particles contained in the polymer foam; impregnating the polymer foam with a second suspension of ceramic particles in a solvent; drying the polymer foam, sintering the ceramic particles contained in the polymer foam.

Abstract: A method for producing a chemical reaction is provided. This method includes providing at least two helical tubes, wherein the helical tubes comprise: a first axis and a second axis; wherein the first axis and the second axis are normal to each other; a cross-sectional shape of a predetermined contour; and an inlet end and an outlet end. The method includes reforming a first gas stream and a second gas stream into a third gas stream in the presence of a catalyst. The method includes surrounding a heat source with the helical tubes are, and operating the tube with an average catalyst temperature of above 500 F. An apparatus for producing a chemical reaction is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and device for cutting materials, such as metals, concrete, wood, plastics or any other type of material, by means of a jet of cryogenic fluid at very high pressure with added abrasive, in particular corundum. Materials can be cut using a disk cutter (concrete, stone, metals, etc.), with a saw (metals, wood, plastics, etc.), by laser beam (metals, plastics, etc.), using a plasma jet (metals), using an ultrahigh pressure (UHP) water jet with or without abrasives (any type of material).

Abstract: A novel steam reformer unit design, a novel hydrogen PSA unit design, a novel hydrogen/nitrogen enrichment unit design, and novel processing scheme application are presented.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing carbon monoxide consisting, during an adsorption step, in using N adsorbers (4A, 4B), wherein N is equal to greater than two, each of which follows, at an offset; the same period T cycle during which adsorption and regeneration phases succeed each other, in exposing, at the beginning of the adsorption phase, each adsorber to an eluting phase during which only a part of a nominal flowrate of the mixture is transferred to the adsorber until said adsorber is substantially carbon monoxide saturated while at least the second adsorber is maintained in the adsorption phase and a purified gaseous mixture is partially liquefied for producing a liquefied gaseous mixture, in storing said mixture in a capacity (7) and in transferring the liquefied gaseous mixture from the capacity to at least one column (11) for the separation thereof into a carbon monoxide rich product and, during at least one part of the adsorber eluting phases, the liquid level in the container is decrea

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for checking and calibrating one or more concentration sensors in an open or closed system. More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the disclosed method allows for the checking and calibration of one or more concentration sensors in which removal of the liquid from the system is required. In two additional embodiments, the disclosed methods allow for the checking and calibration of one or more concentration sensors without having to remove the liquid from the closed system thereby minimizing contamination of the system while at the same time greatly reducing or eliminating contact of the user with the liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are tellurium metal-organic precursors and methods for depositing tellurium-containing films on a substrate.

Abstract: On cold filling of pressure containers the filling gas is cooled before introduction into the pressure container to be filled. On completion of the filling process the pressure container is sealed in a pressure-tight manner. As the gas warms up the pressure in the pressure container rises rapidly. According to the invention, the pressure container is cooled before the introduction of the filling gas. The filling gas cools rapidly by means of heat transfer to the pressure container, whereby the filling capacity of the pressure container is considerably increased. Said method is particularly suitable for the filling of small tanks, in particular, for gas-driven vehicles and fuel-cell systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the deoxygenation in a chemical loop of smokes resulting from oxidation-combustion reactions, that comprises: a first step during which the smokes are stripped from their oxygen by trapping the same by the oxidation of an oxygen-carrier material, thus producing a main flow of smokes with a reduced oxygen content; and a second step for also producing smokes that can join the main smoke flow and during which the material oxidised during the first step is reduced and regenerated by reaction with the fuel in order to be used again during said step. The invention also relates to an apparatus for implementing said method.

Abstract: A process for improving the thermodynamic efficiency of a hydrogen generation system is provided. This includes producing a syngas stream in a reformer, wherein the reformer has a combustion zone. This also includes introducing a syngas stream into a pressure swing adsorption unit, thereby producing a product hydrogen stream and a tail gas stream. This also includes heating the tail gas stream by indirect heat exchange with a heat source, thereby producing a heated tail gas stream; and introducing the heated tail gas stream into the combustion zone.