Abstract: A furnace operating with steam and/or gas for cooking foodstuffs and comprising an enclosure containing on the one hand a gas burner connected to a system for supplying a mixture of gas and of combustion air under pressure which is mounted in the upper portion of the enclosure in an inverted downwards directed position and on the other hand a turbine for stirring the heated atmosphere within the enclosure.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions which contain a chlorofluorinated ether and at least one solvent, and their use in thermal absorption apparatus for the generation of heat or cold.In the compositions according to the invention, the chlorofluorinated ether is 1-difluoromethoxy-1,1,2-trifluoro-2-chloroethane (enflurane: CF.sub.2 H-O-CF.sub.2 CHFCl) and the solvent is selected among aromatic esters and .omega.,.omega.'-dialkylated polyoxyethylene glycols.The present invention can be particularly applied in the heating and refrigeration areas using absorption systems such as, for example, heat pumps.

Abstract: The apparatus includes at least one light-reflecting element (11) disposed on a portion of at least one of the conventional rotary elements (10) of the mechanism of a mechanical fluid meter. The apparatus further includes a light-emitting circuit (130) and a light-detecting and converting circuit (140) with first and second concentric fibers (21, 22) providing an optical connection between the circuits and the meter. The electrical signal delivered by the conversion circuit (140) is amplified and the amplified electrical signal is compared with first and second thresholds (S1, S2). An alarm and indicator circuit is responsive to the comparison made with the first threshold (S1), and a circuit (190) counts and stores the pulses delivered after comparison with the second threshold (S2).

Abstract: For seismic monitoring of a petroleum deposit at least one signal receiving unit is fixed to an outside of a casing pipe before the casing plate is cemented in a borehole passing through the monitored zone.At least one housing, defined by projecting elements, (longitudinal members, stops), is provided along an outer surface of the casing pipe, with the where the reception unit being embedded and fixed therein so as to protect the reception unit from shocks or compressive forces which may occur during lowering of the pipe into the well. Each reception unit comprises a support assembly with cavities for sensors, electronic cards for amplifying the signals delivered by the sensors and a sealed external case which is easy to position and which is held firmly in position by embedment in the housing. A multiconductor cable is used, for example, for connecting the reception unit to the surface.

Abstract: A catalyst for conducting non-selective oxidation reactions comprising a carrier material consisting mainly of alumina, if required in combination with one or more other metal oxides, the surface of said carrier material having applied thereto a catalytically active component consisting in a fine distribution of one or more oxides of one or more metals from the first series of transition elements of the Periodic Table, said carrier surface having applied thereto a stabilizing element on the basis of a metal or compound of a metal from subgroup 3 or 4 of the Periodic Table, said element being applied so uniformly that after treatment at 1050.degree. C. for 6 hours the catalyst shows no diffraction maxima in the X-ray diffraction pattern having a half-value width less than 1.0 degrees of arc (measured through the double angle of diffraction).

Abstract: The integrated multifunction regulator station for gas supply to secondary user mains from a principal distribution mains, comprises a single external housing having an essentially cylindrical shape, designed to withstand the gas operating pressure, in which are contained active elements including at least a filter, a pressure regulator and a safety valve.A flow meter and the pressure regulator are mounted on a traversal wall. The filter is formed from a cylindrical cartridge located between a removable bulkhead and the pressure regulator, which is itself mounted on the tranversal wall. The safety valve is mounted on the removable bulkhead and includes a safety valve head located upstream of the pressure regulator, at a to part of the latter, and inside the cylindrically shaped cartridge.

Abstract: This invention relates to corrosion inhibitors of steels, particularly carbon steels or low-alloy steels. They are ternary mixtures with synergetic action containing at least one strong base, at least one molybdate and at least one phosphate. This invention also relates to aqueous compositions of alkali metal halide containing said inhibitors. Such compositions are advantageously used as working fluid in high temperature absorption heat pump systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and to an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbons. According to the invention, at least one first gas containing at least 20% oxygen by volume and a type of hydrocarbon are first of all circulated in separate streams which are parallel to each other, without their being mixed, according to a spatial distribution such that the first gas is surrounded by the hydrocarbon; these substances are introduced into a mixing/reaction chamber, at a first given circulation level, and while the substances are then allowed to mix, the oxygen and the hydrocarbon are ignited so as to give rise to the conversion reaction and then, at a second given circulation level situated downstream of the first, a quenching of the resultant mixture is performed in a chamber; whereupon, the resultant quenched conversion products are recovered. The invention applies particularly to the manufacture of conversion products such as acetylene and ethylene.

Abstract: The invention relates to the automatic welding of plastic parts possessing a built-in winding. In order to carry out an automatic welding operation without risking damaging the parts by subjecting them to an excessive welding temperature, there are regulating means for varying the electrical energy supplied to the winding, in order, during the welding phase, to maintain the temperature of the winding between a minimum temperature, below which welding cannot be carried out, and a maximum temperature, beyond which the parts will be damaged. The invention is used particularly for the production of systems for the distribution of gas under pressure by means of plastic pipelines.

Abstract: A burner system comprising a central hearth tube defining a combustion chamber for a mixture of gas and air and made from thermomechanical ceramic, a tubular element comprising at its end located towards the gas outlet a radial restriction forming an axial and radial positioning stop for the hearth tube whereas the assembly of the latter to the other component parts of the burner is effected by a spring adapted to produce an axial pressure force under the impact of which the hearth tube is bearing upon said stop through a radial shoulder provided in its reduced portion, the burner providing a high velocity of outflow of the burnt gases.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system of guidance and protection for the laying of pipes. The system according to the invention includes a sleeve formed by at least two truncated cones, the center of which is traversed by a hole extending essentially axially to said sleeve. The invention applies in particular to inner tubing for pipes.

Abstract: The bleeder comprises a hydraulically remotely controlled bleed valve (150) and device for guaranteeing that during bleeding, the gas is exhausted away from the well head zone. The bleed valve (150) is advantageously situated at the top end of the pressure lock and has a valve body (9) defining a main channel (17) of sufficient cross-section to pass to wireline tool. The bleed valve also has a gas exhaust lateral orifice (16) for being put selectively into communication with a first transverse channel (15) which opens out into the main channel (17) by a closure member constituted by a valve seat and a valve member formed at one end of a piston (5). A second transverse channel (14) puts the main channel (17) into communication with a rear face of the piston (5), where the rear face has a greater section than its valve-forming front face.

Abstract: This invention relates to a high-yield methane production process, comprising cultivating on a culture medium containing a source of nitrogen and assimilable salts, the methanogenic bacterium Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum or any other methanogenic bacterium having the same physiological growth properties, with a forced supply of gaseous H.sub.2 /CO.sub.2 mixture.

Abstract: Gas burner of relatively low power of the blown air and premixture type comprising separate intakes for air and for combustible gas passing into a premixing chamber discharging into a combustion chamber at the level of which the premixture is ignited by means of a lighting electrode, the air intake and combustible gas intake each comprising at least one flow regulating valve. The burner is characterized in that a device having a calibrated orifice of the injector type is provided on the combustible gas intake while a passage of relatively small cross-section, of the diaphragm type, is provided on the air intake. The invention is particularly applicable to installations comprising this burner to serve as a pilot lighting burner.

Abstract: An apparatus for straightening and aligning the end of an elongated piece with the end of a second elongated piece, comprising a positioning device comprising a pusher means mounted in a radially movable manner with respect to an axis of one of the aforesaid ends in its straightened and aligned position and angularly movable about this axis, in a support structure, so as to be in a condition to exert a predetermined lateral radial pressure for the desired positioning of the said end.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolation chamber valve. The isolation chamber valve of the invention includes, for connecting its inlet passage and its outlet passage, a by-pass circuit of small section comprising at least a flap the opening and closing of which can be controlled as required. This isolation chamber valve is used in particular in the operation of shafts for deposits or the storage of gas or other fluids under pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to the conducting and to the monitoring, using an automatic machine, of the temperature rise of electrically heated components with which there is associated an identification chart comprising parameters which can be used for conducting and for monitoring this heating, the machine comprising apparatus for reading the chart and for initiating the determined heating program.According to the invention, the chart is divided into a number of zones into some of which are entered, in addition to the said parameters, additional data concerning some of them, the parameters and their associated data are read off using the said reading apparatus, and provision is made for at least some of these parameters to undergo conversions which are induced by some of the other associated zones as a function at least of the data which are contained therein.The invention applies particularly to the monitoring of welding together of plastic components.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for monitoring, in a cavity in the earth, the position of, or changes in the position of, an interface between two immiscible liquids of different densities. In accordance with the invention, two pipes, one positioned within the other to form a space between them, extends into the cavity in the earth. A probe is mounted on the outer wall of the inner pipe and is vertically positioned near the interface to be monitored. The probe includes an emitting source and a detector-receiver and readings are taken of signals received by the detector after emission by the source and at least partially reflected by at least one of the liquids. From the readings the position of or change in interface may be computed since the signal reading will vary as a function of the relative position of the probe and the interface. The invention may be applied to the monitoring of excavations of underground salt cavities.

Abstract: A method of methane production with a thioresistant catalyst wherein a mixture comprising in particular carbon monoxide, hydrogen and sulphur compounds is contacted with a thioresistant catalyst comprising a metal selected from the group comprising molybdenum, vanadium or tungsten and possible cobalt and/or nickel, this catalyst being deposited onto a cerium oxide support, the reaction being performed at a temperature lying between about 250.degree. C. and 650.degree. C. and at a pressure lying between about 5 bars and 140 bars. This method is useful to carry out the effective methane synthesis with a much improved selectivity in favor of methane.

Abstract: A method of methane production with a thioresistant catalyst wherein a mixture comprising in particular carbon monoxide, hydrogen and sulphur compounds is contacted with a thioresistant catalyst comprising a metal selected from the group comprising molybdenum, vanadium or tungsten and possibly cobalt and/or nickel, this catalyst being deposited onto a cerium oxide support, the reaction being performed at a temperature lying between about 250.degree. C. and 650.degree. C. and at a pressure lying between about 5 bars and 140 bars. This method is useful to carry out the effective methane synthesis with a much improved selectivity in favor of methane.