Abstract: A heat exchanger has been developed with a helical insert (9) permanently mounted in a housing (2). Between the windings in the insert (9) there is formed a helical channel (20) for one heat exchange medium. The insert (9) is designed with a channel (10) for the second heat exchange medium. The heat exchanger is designed with a central tube (13) which is axially movable and rotatable. The central tube (13) is designed with scraper elements for removal of deposits in the channel (20). In one embodiment the scraper element is formed by a helical insert (15) of the same design as the insert (9). The insert (15) is designed with a channel (16) for the second heat exchange medium. In a further embodiment the central tube (13) is designed with one or more scraper arms (23) which may be liquid-cooled. Deposits are often formed on the heat transfer surfaces.

Abstract: Device aboard floating craft for tightening/slackening of an elongated flexible element (13) such as a mooring cable that extends from a body of water up to the device (11, 12) is rotatably mounted about the longitudinal axis of the flexible element (13) directed towards the device (11,12).

Abstract: In order to enrich natural gas or other hydrocarbon gases with hydrogen, thus reducing the carbon content and thereby achieving a reduction or elimination of the discharge of carbon dioxide during combustion of the gases, a pyrolytic process is conducted in the feed stream for the natural gases or hydrocarbon gases which are to be burned. The gas is passed through a reactor in which it is decomposed at least partially into a carbon constituent and a hydrogen constituent. The carbon constituent is removed to a desired level. Any remaining constituent together with the hydrogen constituent is conveyed to the combustion process while the removed carbon constituent is conveyed out of the process for separate application. The pyrolytic process can be carried out on the entire stream or only a partial stream.

Abstract: For producing carbon black material having a surface area of less than 5 m.sup.2 /g, a dibutyl phthalate absorption of less than 30 ml/100 g and density compressed to 1.5-1.7 g/cm.sup.3 and a specific electrical resistance of less than 0.1 ohmcm for use as an anode material for aluminum production, a method includes a first stage delivering feedstock through a feed tube to a plasma torch to a reaction area to raise the temperature of the feedstock to about 1600.degree. C., then passing the dehydrogenated carbon material to a second stage to complete the decomposition to carbon black and hydrogen; adding additional raw material to cause quenching and reaction with formed carbon black to increase particle size density and quantity produced.

Abstract: A plasma torch includes an arc having a generator for producing an axial field in the arc's area of operation in which one or more bodies of ferromagnetic material are placed along the torches central axis; the body is in the form of an element incorporated in the torch and is cooled by the provision of channels for a cooling medium wherein the ferromagnetic body is located near the arc's area of operation to reinforce the magnetic field with the body being moveable in an axial direction to adjust the operation parameters of the arc.

Abstract: A plasma torch has two or more tubular electrodes located co-axially with one inside the other for chemical treatment of a reactant and includes a lead-in tube supplying the reactant and which is located co-axially in the inner electrode; the lead-in tube includes a liquid-cooled tube provided with a heat-insulating layer on the outer surface; the lead-in tube has a longitudinal axis along which the lead-in tube can be moved for positioning the nozzle at its lower end in relation to the plasma flame; the nozzle end is replaceable and is shaped with a conical wall portion to define a venturi passage to increase the exit velocity of the reactant; between the lead-in tube and the inner electrode an annular passage is provided through which plasma-forming gas is introduced which can be used to cool the reactant gas.

Abstract: A submerged fairlead for a mooring line for use on a structure at sea is rotatably mounted in a swivelling elongated rigid tube mounted on the structure and through which the mooring line passes, and the free end of which is equipped with a line stopper. The tube is several meters in length. It causes direct transfer of the mooring forces to the structure when the line stopper is activated.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for transport of hydrocarbons in a pipeline flow across large distances, from a first location at an offshore hydrocarbon reservoir to a second location. At said first location a liquid absorbent is provided in the form of a gas-poor hydrocarbon liquid flow. A flow of gas saturated hydrocarbon liquid and released associated hydrocarbon gas is supplied to the gas-poor liquid flow at first location, the volume of gas-poor hydrocarbon liquid being selected so as to be sufficient for all released associated hydrocarbon gas to be absorbed by the gas-poor hydrocarbon liquid. Then the hydrocarbon liquid with absorbed hydrocarbon gas is transported to said second location. A plant for transport of hydrocarbons in a pipeline flow is also disclosed. The plant comprises an absorption chamber (6) at a first location. Absorption chamber (6) is connected to a well pipe (3). At a second location a separator plant (9) is provided.

Abstract: A subsea flowline connection system wherein a terminal connector on a flowline is pulled by a cable into a funnel on a connector base structure. The upper and lower 5 surfaces of the terminal and funnel cooperate to align the component in the vertical plane. The terminal has curved vertical sides which make only line contact with straight vertical walls in the funnel to deliberately allow limited, misalignment (.+-.6.degree.) between the components in the horizontal plane as the terminal is drawn into the funnel. Securing device is then installed between the misaligned components to lock them together in that position. A pull-in tool is provided which is lowered onto the base and includes a pull-in cable for drawing the terminal into the funnel and a device for installing the securing device which lock the components together.