Abstract: A valve trim for a pressure reduction valve containing a plurality of high hydraulic flow resistance flowpaths therethrough. Each flowpath comprises at least two inlets (208, 209) and at least one impingement zone (210) having two zone inlets (211, 212) and two zone outlets (213, 214). The zone inlets (211, 212) communicate with the inlets (208, 209) and are arranged substantially 180 degrees to one another. The two zone outlets (213, 214) are arranged substantially perpendicular to the zone inlets (211, 212) such that flow entering the two zone inlets (211, 212) mutually impinges on itself creating an area of high energy loss, and thereafter separates and exits through the zone outlets (213, 214).

Abstract: A cartridge (10) for dispensing a reagent contained in a reagent reservoir (32). The reservoir (32) is in fluid communication with a deformable dispense tube (26) that is a least partially compressible, in use, to dispense a volume of reagent from the tube (26). The reservoir (32) defines an enclosed gas space (46) above the reagent, and the cartridge (10) includes a gas vent (40) that, in use, admits gas to the gas space (46) in response to dispense of reagent from the tube (26) that serves to control the reservoir pressure as the reservoir (32) is depleted by subsequent dispensing of reagent. A dispenser employing the cartridge (10) and a method of dispensing a volume of reagent are also disclosed.

Abstract: A valve having a trim comprising a plurality of a vortex flowpaths, each flowpath comprising a central vortex chamber and having three tangential inlet passages is provided. As the fluid flows through the inlet passages and enters the vortex chamber the flows start to turn and impinge upon one another, i.e., the flow entering via inlet passage will impinge upon the flow entering via inlet, the flow entering inlet will impinge on the flow entering inlet and the flow entering inlet will impinge on the flow entering inlet. As the flow entering vortex chamber impinges on another fluid flow as opposed to a wall of the flowpath the vortex can be used to create a flowpath with reduced erosion. The flow from the inlets combine in a radial flow within the vortex chamber and exit via the outlet which is substantially axial to the vortex chamber.

Abstract: A dispense tap for a frozen beverage machine has a transition section defining a tapered bore with an inlet for frozen beverage from a freeze barrel of the machine and an outlet for frozen beverage controlled by a valve operable by a handle. The handle is rotatable to allow frozen beverage to flow from the transition section through a dispense cavity in the valve for exiting the tap. The outlet has a cross-section greater than the cross-section of the inlet which prevents ice conglomerating and forming a plug in the bore of the transition section.

Abstract: A valve having a trim comprising a plurality of a vortex flowpaths, each flowpath comprising a central vortex chamber and having three tangential inlet passages is provided. As the fluid flows through the inlet passages and enters the vortex chamber the flows start to turn and impinge upon one another, i.e., the flow entering via inlet passage will impinge upon the flow entering via inlet, the flow entering inlet will impinge on the flow entering inlet and the flow entering inlet will impinge on the flow entering inlet. As the flow entering vortex chamber impinges on another fluid flow as opposed to a wall of the flowpath the vortex can be used to create a flowpath with reduced erosion. The flow from the inlets combine in a radial flow within the vortex chamber and exit via the outlet which is substantially axial to the vortex chamber.

Abstract: A cartridge (10) for dispensing a reagent contained in a reagent reservoir (32). The reservoir (32) is in fluid communication with a deformable dispense tube (26) that is a least partially compressible, in use, to dispense a volume of reagent from the tube (26). The reservoir (32) defines an enclosed gas space (46) above the reagent, and the cartridge (10) includes a gas vent (40) that, in use, admits gas to the gas space (46) in response to dispense of reagent from the tube (26) that serves to control the reservoir pressure as the reservoir (32) is depleted by subsequent dispensing of reagent. A dispenser employing the cartridge (10) and a method of dispensing a volume of reagent are also disclosed.

Abstract: A valve having a trim comprising a plurality of impingement flowpaths, each flowpath comprising a central impingement chamber and having three radially directed inlet passages is provided. As the fluid floes through the inlet passages and enters the impingement chamber the flow starts to turn and impinge upon one another at a substantially central point within the impingement chamber and exit together via the outlet which is substantially axial to the impingement chamber. As the flows entering the impingement chamber impinge on one another as opposed to a wall of the flowpath, the impingement can be used to create a flowpath with reduced erosion.

Abstract: A thermo-hydrolysis reactor (1) for producing ammonia-containing gas by heating an aqueous solution of urea is described. The reactor (1) comprises an elongate vessel (2) having a middle tubular section, an enlarged lower section (4) having an inlet (5) for the urea solution, and an enlarged upper section (3) having an outlet (6) therein for the ammonia-containing gas. The reactor (1) is adapted such that, in use, heat transmitted through the walls of the reactor (1) from an external heat source heats the urea solution causing it to hydrolyse producing the ammonia-containing gas.

Abstract: A device (1) is disclosed for generating gaseous ammonia formed by the hydrolysis of an aqueous solution of urea at elevated temperature and pressure and for feeding the gaseous ammonia into the exhaust gas of an IC engine as it flows through the exhaust system of the engine. The device (1) is placed in the exhaust system and has an inlet (2) for the exhaust gas and an outlet (3) for the exhaust gas so that the exhaust gas will flow through the device (1) during use. The aqueous solution of urea is contained in a reaction vessel located between the inlet (2) and the outlet (3) such that, in use, the vessel and therefore the urea solution are heated by heat exchange with the exhaust gas as it flows from the inlet (2) to the outlet (3).

Abstract: A disposable pump cartridge for use in conjunction with a pump driver characterized in the disposable pump unit containing a pair of piston pumps and inlet and outlet valves positioned at one end of each piston. The piston pump has a pair of pistons arranged for reciprocal motion and which are retained by a retainer adjacent the inlet and outlet valves during transit.

Abstract: A device 1, capable of being placed in-line in the exhaust conduit of an IC engine upstream of an SCR catalyst, which produces a gaseous hydrolysis product, containing ammonia, which is added to the exhaust gas in a controlled manner to pass therewith through the SCR catalyst to reduce the NOx content of the exhaust gas. The device 1 has an inlet 2 and an outlet 3 for the exhaust gas flowing therethrough and comprises an outer body 4, which forms a pressure barrier, and passing through the outer body 4 is an inner body 5 which comprises a flowpath longitudinally therethrough from the inlet 2 to the outlet 3.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing NOx comprising an exhaust conduit (101) of an IC engine (not shown) in which is placed a urea hydrolysis reactor (102) supplied with aqueous urea from urea storage tank (103). Flow of the hot exhaust gas through the exhaust conduit (101) heats the reactor (102) and causes the temperature of the urea therein to rise, promoting its hydrolysis and producing gaseous hydrolysis products. A pressure control valve (106) controls the release of the gaseous hydrolysis products from the reactor to a condenser (107). The condenser (107) is provided with a heat exchanger (108) which has an inlet (109) and an outlet (110) for connection to a coolant supply. When the gaseous hydrolysis gas enters the condenser (107) it is cooled by heat exchange with the engine cooling fluid and the ammonia and steam condense to form a pool of liquid in the bottom of the condenser (107).

Abstract: Apparatus for generating an ammonia-containing gas is described for use in the selective catalytic reduction of NOx contained in the exhaust gases of an IC engine. The apparatus has a hydrolysis reactor (101) for containing an aqueous solution of urea that is heated, in use, to an elevated temperature by way of heat exchange with the exhaust gases to hydrolyse the urea and liberate ammonia containing gases. A pressure control valve (105) is operable between a substantially closed position for enabling the pressure of the ammonia-containing gas to attain a predetermined elevated pressure within the reactor (101) and an open position when the gas is above the predetermined pressure. A reservoir (106) receives all of the ammonia-containing gas discharged from the reactor (101) when the pressure control valve (101) is in its open position and has an outlet for feeding ammonia-containing gas to the exhaust gases.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a post-mix beverage is characterized by a beverage concentrate metering system comprising a reservoir of beverage concentrate, a disposable pump unit containing a pair of piston pumps and inlet and outlet valves from each piston pump. The inlet valves are coupled to the reservoir of beverage concentrate and the outlet valves are coupled to a mixer. A control valve introduces diluent to the concentrate intermediate the outlet valves and mixer and a reusable pump drive operates the piston pumps. The control valve and pump drive are operated by a control system in a manner such that a predetermined ratio of diluent to concentrate is delivered to the mixer. Downstream from the mixture the admixture of diluent and concentrate is dispensed as a beverage into a cup.

Abstract: A post-mix beverage valve provides for automatic, accurate beverage ratioing. A valve body can be assembled, and includes a water flow hard body, syrup body and common nozzle body. The water and syrup flow bodies define flow channels and include one end for connection to water and syrup respectively, and opposite ends for fluid connection to the nozzle body. The water flow channel includes a turbine flow sensor connected to a micro-controller determining the water flow rate. The syrup flow channel includes a flow sensor, two MEMS pressure sensors, monitoring the syrup. The sensors are connected to the micro-controller and positioned about an orifice and senses sense a differential pressure indicative of syrup flow rate solenoid regulates flow of syrup through the syrup body. A stepper motor on the water body controls a rod in the flow channel in conjunction with a V-groove.

Abstract: A fluid flow control valve is provided with means for detecting and quantifying valve seat leakage when the valve is in its closed position. Any fluid leaking past the seat flows through an orifice of known, fixed dimensions present downstream of the seat when the valve is in its closed position. Pressure transducers measure a first pressure immediately upstream of the seat, a second pressure between the seat and the orifice, and a third pressure immediately downstream of the orifice. The second and third pressures are used to calculate flow through the orifice, and the calculated flow is used with the first and second pressures to determine the size of a leak path across the seat.