Abstract: A method for combined cycle electrical power generation comprises utilizing a coal hydrogenator 1 to produce gaseous, liquid and char products. The gaseous product, an optionally the liquid product, is combusted to drive a gas turbine 4, which in turn drives a first electrical generator 5, whilst the char is fed to a boiler 9 and combusted therein to produce steam to drive a steam turbine 10 which in turn drives a second electrical generator 11. The method enables electrical power to be generated from gaseous, lqiuid and char products produced by the coal hydrogenator.

Abstract: Cutting apparatus is provided for cutting a hole or `window` in the wall of a pipe for example prior to joining a branch pipe to a host pipe. The apparatus comprises a chassis frame 14 carrying a cutter unit 42 supporting a cutter tool 62. The chassis is attached to and movable around the pipe 12 by means of `roller` chains 24. The cutter unit is movable with respect to the chassis frame by means of the associated slider block 38 which is slidable along longitudinally extending chassis frame which is slidable along longitudinally extending chassis frame members 16. Thus, the cutter tool 62 can be moved relative to the workpiece in one sense by movement of the chassis frame 14 and in another sense by movement of the cutter tool relative to the chassis frame. A combination of such movements enable the hole or `window` to be cut.

Abstract: Before effecting a cut-out operation to remove a section 24 of a pipeline such as a gas main, the pipe 10 is pre-loaded by clamping clamp assemblies 12, 14 around the pipe 10 and locating yokes 16, 18 against the assemblies. Struts 20, 22 engage the yokes and include hydraulic cylinders 32 which can be pressurized by a pump 30. Nuts (38) can be tightened onto the cylinders 32 to maintain the pre-load when the hydraulic pressure is removed. The force applied equals the otherwise unbalanced gas load "A" or "B" provided by the gas pressure in the pipe 10 acting on the stop plugs. Each clamp assembly comprises thrust members tightened against the pipe 10 by chains. The forces applied pre-loads the yokes equal to the forces provided by the gas pressure in the pipe 10 acting on the stop plugs. The thrust members are located on fabric straps which are adjusted to make the members equispaced and then tensioned to lock them in place before the chains are tensioned.

Abstract: A measurement system includes a housing 10 with a duct 11 having an inlet 13 and outlet 14. Fluid passes though a number of apertures 47 in a chamber 21 and then through a measuring tube 40 which incorporates extensions 41. Fluid exits via chamber 22 and its apertures 47 to outlet 14. Transducers 36,37 are provided in chambers 53,50 and have an acoustic path through the measuring tube. Control electronics cause the transducers to send a burst of signals in alternate directions through the tube to determine fluid speed.

Abstract: A fitting for connection to the end of a pipe lined internally with a compressible lining with which the fitting is to form a seal a portion of which lining extends beyond the end of the pipe, comprises a collar 1 having an internal wall adapted to fit over the end of the pipe 4 and to sleeve the portion 8 of the lining 6 and means 2 adapted to clamp a circumferential portion of the lining 6 to the adjacent internal wall of the collar 1.

Abstract: Apparatus for radiator valve servicing has a main body 1 including a valve 5 and an adaptor 2 connecting the main body to a valve assembly support body 102. Mounted for movement within the main body is an extractor 3 comprising a shaft 30 and coupler 31 which is connected by a bayonet fitting 39,40 to the shaft and mechanically connected by a screw 37 to the valve assembly spindle 103. The coupler includes a socket 33 which fits on and facilitates unscrewing of the spindle and valve assembly from the support body. After being unscrewed, the valve assembly can be lifted past the valve 5 and, after closing the valve, withdrawn reliably from the main body because of the screw connection for servicing. A selection of adaptors and couplers enable a range of different valve systems to be serviced without draindown.

Abstract: A pipe block for reversibly blocking the bore of a pipe comprises a body 2 having a shaft 3,4, a plurality, in this case three, spaced apart annular flanges 5 extending from the shaft to form a close fit with the internal wall 31 of the pipe 30 and structure in the form of a funnel 8 attached to the shaft for guiding the threaded end 23 of a rod 20 into an internally threaded bore 6 of the shaft.

Abstract: The presence of the oxides of nitrogen in the exhaust gas leaving a regenerator is limited by injecting water or water vapour into the regenerator 1 during its firing phase and causing the water or water vapour to reach the combustion chamber 26 of the regenerator 1 by way its heat storage bed 11 which has been preheated during a previous heat collecting phase.

Abstract: A method of lining installed pipework which includes the steps of taking a length of liner pipe made from a memory retaining plastics material of external diameter greater than the internal diameter of the pipework to be lined, drawing the liner pipe through a swaging die which is attached directly or indirectly to the pipe to be lined using pulling means under tension attached to the leading end of the liner pipe and threaded through the pipework to reduce the external diameter of the liner pipe by up to 15%, the tension applied by the pulling means being such as partially to restrain the radial expansion of the outer surface of the liner pipe after its emergence from the die, drawing the liner pipe after its emergence from the die, drawing the liner pipe through the installed pipework with its outer diameter reduced to and/or maintained at a dimension less than that of the inner diameter of the pipework and thereafter allowing the liner pipe to expand within the pipework by relaxation of the said tension fo

Abstract: A moling system comprises a mole (10) having a head (26) with a slant face at the leading end of a string of hollow rods (20). The rods are rotatable by a rig (12). The mole is an impact mole fed by air passed through the rods. While the mole rotates it travels approximately straight, but nonrotating it travels according to the direction of the slant face (28). The mole contains a radio sonde having one coil lying lengthwise and one transverse to the lengthwise direction of the mole. A receiver (22) is traversed across the ground to locate the radio sonde and display roll angle. The mole is stopped from rotating at the correct position when steering is required and powered without rotating to change course. An impact activated switch in the mole switches off the battery supply while the impact mechanism is activated.

Abstract: A cover (1) for temporarily covering a trench, e.g. in a thoroughfare such as a road or footpath, by extending over, and resting on the ground on opposite sides respectively of the trench, the cover (1) being releasably engageable with other adjacent covers (1a and 1b) by means of male members (5 and 5b) mating with respective corresponding female members (6a and 6) in such a manner that when the covers (1, 1a and 1b) are engaged in a ground resting position to form an assembly (7) of covers, one cover (1b) of the assembly can be disengaged from the adjacent cover (1) only by moving the cover (1b) out of the general plane of the assembly.

Abstract: A measurement system for measuring the time for a signal to pass between two transducers TDR1,2 to allow fluid speed or flow to be determined in a gas meter for example. Each transducer can transmit or receive signals. The system is controlled by a microcontroller 31 and a signal with a phase change acts as a marker which is transmitted from transmitter 21 via matching stage 22,23 from one transducer and is received by the other. On receipt via the matching stage and amplifier 24 it is sampled by capacitor array 25 and detected in detector 29. Amplitude information from array 25 is made available to the microcontroller to compute time of signal travel and hence flow rates.

Abstract: To detect escape or spillage of a cold liquid, for example liquefied natural gas, a narrow, robust, flexible, resilient, plastics tube, placed where the escaped or spilled cold liquid can contact it, is filled with carbon dioxide gas from a gas supply via a non-return valve and a pressure regulator which ensures that the maximum pressure in the tube is at a desired value which is preferably greater than the pressure of the ambient atmosphere surrounding the tube. A gas pressure drop detector is provided to observe a pressure drop in tube. Should escaped liquefied natural gas contact the tube the latter is so cooled that the carbon dioxide gas inside de-sublimates to a solid of greatly reduced volume causing a marked drop in pressure in the tube. This is observed by the pressure drop detector which initiates a warning or some safety action. A gas flow restrictor ensures the gas supply cannot rapidly re-charge the tube before the pressure drop detector has responded to the pressure drop.

Abstract: An electro-fusion fitting (10) includes a body (12) of thermoplastics e.g. polyethylene, with a heater element (14) connected to heater terminals (16, 18) and identification devices (60, 62) moulded in the body (12). The devices are connected to the heater terminals and to identification terminals (20, 22). A control unit (24) connects a reference voltage (74) in turn to the device (60) and then to the device (62). In each case the device forms a voltage divider with a resistance (80) so that the value of the device is found. The two values identify the fitting so that the time the element (14) is energized can be set automatically by the unit (24) for each different size or kind of fitting. Neither device is required to be a specially accurate component and the range of values of the devices is less than it would be for a given range of fittings if only one device was used per fitting.

Abstract: A fluid speed measurement device includes a pair of ultrasonic transducers (T1, T2) spaced in a measuring chamber. A transmitter and receiver system is controlled by a microprocessor (100) which generates pulses which periodically invert and these are switched by switches (140, 150) to allow alternate direction of transmission. Reception and detection of signals is effected by blocks (152-168). Time calculation is determined by counter (109) and results are used to calculate flow speed or volume using the microprocessor. A speed increase in the measurement region is effected using a venturi device.

Abstract: An apparatus for lining installed pipework which includes a swaging die which is attached directly or indirectly to the pipe to be lined, pulling structure attached to the leading end of the liner pipe and threaded through the pipework to reduce the external diameter of the liner pipe by up to 15%, pushing structure located between the die and the pipework, and heating and cooling apparatus for the liner pipe.

Abstract: A fluid speed measurement device includes a pair of ultrasonic transducer T1,T2 spaced in a measuring chamber. A transmitter and receiver system is controlled by a microprocessor 100 which generates pulses which periodically invert and these are switched by switches 140,150 to allow alternate direction of transmission. Reception and detection of signals is effected by blocks 152-168. Time calculation is determined by counter 109 and results are used to calculate flow speed or volume using the microprocessor. A speed increase in the measurement region is effected using a venturi device.

Abstract: Cutting apparatus is provided for cutting a hole or `window` in the wall of a pipe, for example prior to joining a branch pipe to a host pipe. The apparatus comprises a chassis frame 14 carrying a cutter unit 42 supporting a cutter tool 62. The chassis is attached to and movable around the pipe 12 by means of `roller` chains 24. The cutter unit is movable with respect to the chassis frame by means of the associated slider block 38 which is slidable along longitudinally extending chassis frame members 16. Thus, the cutter tool 62 can be moved relative to the workpiece in one sense by movement of the chassis frame 14 and in another sense by movement of the cutter tool relative to the chassis frame. A combination of such movements enable the hole or `window` to be cut.

Abstract: For excavation of a clay seabed, particularly in a coffer dam to expose a buried pipeline, a minimum of three water nozzles producing water jets and the associated effects 16, 17 and 18 are used. The nozzles are mounted on a disc 12 which can move horizontally and vertically and which rotates in a horizontal plane. The effect 18 (if operated alone) would produce a trench 22 having sloping sides. The two effects 16, 17 enable a trench having vertical sides to be cut and enable the disc 12 to be moved downwardly until obstructed by the base of the trench. The three nozzles are equiangularly spaced about the axis. The rotation of the disc 12 makes the effect of the nozzles possible.

Abstract: A method of sealing a joint in a gas main comprising boring a hole in the wall of the main at a point spaced from the joint, inserting into the main through the hole so formed a sealant spraying means, moving the spraying means to the site of the joint, pumping a settable anaerobic type sealant to the spraying means, causing the spraying means to spray the sealant onto the inner wall of the main to form a layer covering the joint, removing the spraying means through the hole and allowing the sealant to set.