Abstract: Air is supplied along a pipeline to an apparatus for separating an oxygen-enriched gas stream from the air by vacuum swing adsorption. The oxygen-enriched gas stream is supplied to a burner which fires into a furnace. A hot gas stream leaves the furnace through an outlet. Steam is raised from the hot gas in a waste heat boiler. Steam so raised flows through one or more of the eductors to draw through a pipeline the vacuum necessary for the operation of the vacuum swing adsorption apparatus.

Abstract: A vacuum swing adsorption apparatus for separating a gas mixture includes a pipeline along which the vacuum is able to be drawn. The apparatus is provided with a plurality of eductors each connected to the pipeline 6 and in parallel with the other eductor respective stop valves. The stop valves are arranged and operable so as to select the number of eductors in communication with the pipeline. Thus the degree of vacuum to which the apparatus is subjected may be varied.

Abstract: A thermodynamic pressure swing adsorption cycle utilizing "loudspeaker" diaphragms or pistons which are located at the top and bottom of a column containing a bed of adsorbent. The diaphragms are vibrated out of phase with each other so as to provide a displacement wave in the gas mixture within the bed of adsorbent. In addition to this displacement wave the gas is compressed prior to upward displacement and the gas pressure is lowered before the downward displacement by way of a second set of "loudspeakers" which form the side walls of the column. The second set of loudspeakers vibrate in phase with each other and operate at the same frequency as the displacement speakers.

Abstract: A method of supplying both an oxygen steelmaking process and an ironmaking process with oxygen. The oxygen is separated from air by rectification of the air. A first stream of oxygen from the rectification to the steelmaking process. A second stream of oxygen is also supplied from the rectification to the ironmaking process. The first and second streams of oxygen are both withdrawn from essentially the same stage of the rectification and both contain from about 97 to about 98% by volume of oxygen and less than about 100 parts per million of nitrogen.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for mixing two cryogenic liquids in which a first amount of first cryogenic liquid is introduced into a vented vessel having one or more vents. The vent or vents are then closed and a second amount of a second cryogenic level is introduced into the closed vessel at a level above the surface of the first cryogenic liquid in the vessel. The second cryogenic liquid has a greater density or both a greater density and a higher boiling point temperature than that of the first cryogenic liquid, thereby to produce a substantially homogeneous cryogenic liquid mixture of predetermined composition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of storing and transporting acetylene in which acetylene is introduced under pressure into liquid nitrogen to produce a liquid solid mixture. The feeding of the acetylene can be done by spraying the acetylene over the liquid nitrogen or sparging the acetylene into a pool of liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: A gas delivery system includes a capsule for storing a propellant fluid, e.g. helium under pressure, e.g. between about 60 and 80 bar. The capsule is provided with a stopper having a stem formed with a frangible section. In use, mechanical means is employed to rupture the stem about the frangible section to release the fluid under high pressure.

Abstract: A process for the scrubbing of undesirable substances from an exhaust gas stream which comprises passing the stream through a hollow cathode.

Abstract: A liquid fuel burner is provided with a central fuel outlet having a generally divergent conical inner surface, formed of two contiguous divergent conical surfaces of different angles of divergence, and a plurality of oxygen outlets shaped and positioned for creating a converging, rotating stream of oxygen which intersects with any liquid fuel issuing from the fuel outlet. Such oxygen/fuel interaction results in two zones of combustion and a recirculation effect which assists in the complete or substantially complete combustion of undesirable exhaust gas components. The oxygen and fuel are preferably supplied such that their velocities are approximately equal at the point at which the two zones of combustion meet.

Abstract: A process for the scrubbing of species of an element of Group 3, 4 and 5(b) of the Periodic Table from a gas stream. The process comprises contacting the gas stream with an aqueous solution of hydrofluoric acid (HF) or a solution containing the hydrogen fluoride ion HF.sub.2.sup.- and an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating air to produce an oxygen product in which air is separated within a double column arrangement. In the double column arrangement part of the air to be separated reboils a lower pressure column and is then introduced into the higher pressure column for separation. Another part of the air is partially cooled and then expanded with the performance of work and then introduced into the lower pressure column to supply part of the refrigeration requirements. The remaining part of the refrigeration requirements is supplied by partially vaporizing a crude liquid oxygen stream within a head condenser used to produce reflux for the higher and lower pressure columns. The partially vaporized stream is then phase separated into liquid and vapor phases. The liquid phase is introduced into the lower pressure column and the vapor stream after having been partially warmed is turboexpanded to provide the remaining refrigeration requirements of the plant.

Abstract: A process for the combustive destruction of noxious substances from a gas stream in which the gas stream and added fuel gas as a mixture into a combustion zone that is surrounded by an exit surface of a foraminous gas burner. A fuel gas and air/oxygen mixture are simultaneously supplied to the foraminous gas burner to effect combustion at the exit surface. The resulting combustion product stream is discharged from the combustion zone. The oxygen is added to the gas stream and the fuel gas prior to the introduction of the mixture to the combustion zone and the oxygen/fuel gas mixture burns at the point of injection.

Abstract: A chiller for chilling a quantity of fluid of the type comprising an adsorbent for receiving and adsorbing under pressure a quantity of gas, the desorption of gas from the adsorption causing a reduction in temperature of the adsorbent and adsorbate which acts to chill the fluid, wherein the chiller comprises one or more thin-walled vessels for placement in direct thermal contact with the fluid to be chilled, each vessel comprising two thin sheets of substantially similar size and shape, joined together around the peripheral edges thereof so as to form a cavity therebetween for containing the adsorbent. Preferably, heat transfer means are provided to ensure efficient transfer of heat between the surface of the body of adsorbent and the adsorbent therewithin.

Abstract: Air is separated in a double rectification column including a lower pressure rectification column. A first oxygen product containing less than 3.5% by volume of argon impurity is withdrawn through an outlet of the column which has a packed section below the level of the outlet. The argon impurity is striped from liquid descending through the packed section and a second relatively pure oxygen product containing less than 100 volumes per million is withdrawn from below the section through an outlet thereof. Impurities less volatile than oxygen are preferably separated from the second oxygen product in a side rectification column.

Abstract: A burner arrangement for ferrous scrap melting and the like includes a fuel outlet and a primary oxidant supply outlet communicating with a mixing chamber. The burner also has a main outlet and secondary oxidant supply outlets. In addition there is a convergent-divergent nozzle communicating with the mixing chamber. Valves control the flow of gaseous fuel to the fuel outlet, and the flow of primary and secondary oxidant to the primary and secondary oxidant supply outlets. In operation, oxidant is supplied to the primary and secondary outlets, hot flame or combustion gases are accelerated through the nozzle with the result that a sonic or supersonic velocity can be created. Such high velocities facilitate the penetration of the combustion gases through a slag layer into molten metal.

Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus, typically for use in association with a double rectification column for the separation of air, has a downflow reboiler with boiling passages. In addition, there is a condenser in a position at a higher elevation than the reboiler. The condenser is fed with liquefied gas to be reboiled from the sump of a lower pressure column forming part of the double rectification column. A first conduit feeds the liquefied gas under gravity to the reboiler. The feeding of the condenser is effected by a vapor lift pump comprising a second conduit and an expansion valve disposed therein. Some of the liquefied gas is vaporized by passage through the expansion valve, and this vapor provides the vapor lifting pumping effect. The vapor is recondensed in the condenser.

Abstract: A method for the scrubbing of noxious substances from an exhaust gas stream from an evacuated process chamber containing a tool for the processing of semiconductor devices. The method comprises directing the stream from the chamber in to a duct containing a multi-way valve and selectively adjusting the valve to cause different fractions of the stream to be directed to relevant treatment/collection/exhaust points.

Abstract: A diffusion pump for evacuating a chamber is provided with a hollow outer body including an outlet for connection to a backing pump and a base for containing a working fluid. A vapor chimney extends from the base within the hollow outer body and includes at least two spaced apart jet stages. The working fluid is heated when present in said base. Two or more inlets are formed in the hollow outer body for communicating with said at least one chamber to be evacuated. The presence of the two inlets provides the possibility of differential pumping.

Abstract: Air is separated in a double rectification column comprising a higher pressure rectification column, a lower pressure rectification column, and a condenser-reboiler placing the column in indirect heat exchange relationship with the column. A stream of pressurized liquid, comprising oxygen and nitrogen, typically taken from the bottom of the higher pressure rectification column, is expanded through a valve and is typically partially vaporized in a vaporizer-condenser which is separate from a second vaporizer-condenser in which argon is condensed. The vaporized liquid is expanded with the performance of external work in an expansion turbine and is introduced into the lower pressure rectification column. An oxygen product is withdrawn from the column through an outlet.

Abstract: Air is separated in a double rectification column comprising a higher pressure rectification column, a lower pressure rectification column and a condenser-reboiler placing the higher pressure rectification column in heat exchange relationship with the lower pressure rectification column. At least one stream of air is introduced into the double rectification column, a stream of pressurized liquid comprising oxygen and nitrogen is reduced in pressure by passage through a valve and is partially or totally vaporized in a vaporizer-condenser, a stream of resulting vapor from the partial or total vaporization is compressed in a compressor at cryogenic temperature and is introduced into the double rectification column, and an oxygen produce is withdrawn from the lower pressure rectification column through an outlet.