Abstract: A compressed air stream is cooled in an exchanger to form a compressed cooled air stream. The stream is then cryogenically compressed in a first compressor to form a first pressurized gas stream. The first pressurized gas stream is further cooled in the exchanger, cryogenically compressed in a second compressor, and then it is cooled and partially liquefied. The cooled and partially liquefied product is then fed to a system of distillation columns. A liquid product is removed from the system of distillation columns. This product is then pressurized, vaporized and warmed in the exchanger to yield pressurized gaseous product.

Abstract: A method of PSA gas separation for a gas mixture containing hydrogen and hydrocarbon impurities. The gas mixture is put in contact with silica gel and activated carbon so as to adsorb the impurities in the gas mixture. Hydrogen rich and waste gas flows are produced. The waste gas flow may be sent to the combustible network of a petrochemical site, without having to make a pressure adjustment to the waste gas.

Abstract: This disclosure discusses providing safer and more accessible insulating cold boxes for cryogenic equipment. A cold box of the current invention includes a housing partially extending out of the cold box jacket wherein equipment that may need to be accessed can be located. The housing includes a breakaway barrier between the main cold box and the external housing to allow overpressures to be relieved into the cold box. Cold boxes may contain cryogenic columns, sections of cryogenic columns, distillation columns, mixing columns, storage vessels, pressure vessels, heat exchangers, and combinations thereof. The housing may contain auxiliary elements such as rotating equipment, pumps, turboexpanders, instrument devices, valves, and piping. Placing auxiliary elements in a housing outside the main cold box allows for safer access to cryogenic equipment.

Abstract: A method of treatment of a gas mixture which contains H2, H2S and possibly of other impurities, such as hydrocarbons. The treatment method is aimed at purifying the hydrogen mixture without incurring a overall pressure loss. The method according to the invention uses a device for pressure swing adsorption where the device includes an integrated compressor. In each adsorber of the device a pressure swing cycle is carried out which includes the steps of: adsorption, decompression, purge, and repressurization.

Abstract: A method which include an air intake into an air separation unit; extracting from the separation unit at least a gas stream, essentially consisting of an air gas, in particular oxygen or nitrogen, and directing one or more of these gas streams towards the combustion chamber of a gas turbine; controlling at least one parameter related to the or each gas stream, by acting on a compressor in each gas stream arranged downstream of the air separating unit; assigning to one or more parameter a variable setpoint value, based on a value representing the load of the gas turbine.

Abstract: An integrated air separation and oxygen fired power generation system includes an air separation unit and a gas turbine including an air compressor to provide compressed air for the air separation unit. The system further includes a gas turbine expander and at least one additional turbine to drive the air compressor, as well as at least one combustion unit to provide drive gas for expander and additional turbine(s). A portion of oxygen produced by the air separation unit is delivered to the combustor(s) to facilitate production of drive gas for use by the expander and additional turbine(s). Turbine inlet temperatures are controlled by recycling water or steam to the combustor(s).

Abstract: The invention concerns a treatment method which consists in using a pressure swing adsorption treatment unit (16) and causing said treatment unit (16) to follow a nominal operating cycle, based on nominal operating conditions and in order to ensure minimal performances of the feed gas treatment. It further consists in providing at least a pre-programmed auxiliary operating cycle, different from the nominal cycle, and, when the operating conditions differ from the nominal conditions to the extent that the treatment unit (16) no longer achieves its minimal performances, in imposing to the treatment unit (16) to follow the or one of the auxiliary cycles.

Abstract: This disclosure discusses problems associated with using natural gas to produce a variety of synthetic hydrocarbon products by production processes that require syngas feedstocks with varying H2/CO and (H2?CO2)/(CO+CO2) ratios. A number of gas separation membranes are used to vary the composition of the feed streams to different hydrocarbon synthesis units so that different synthetic hydrocarbon products can be produced. The process supplies syngas to an integrated hydrocarbon processing system comprising a number of hydrocarbon synthesis units. Gas (usually a portion of a raw syngas stream) is routed through the separation membrane units, multiple H2-rich and H2-lean streams are produced. These H2-rich and H2-lean streams can then be combined in a controlled fashion to produce feed streams of the desired compositions for the various hydrocarbon synthesis units. A variety of liquid synthetic hydrocarbon products can be produced from a given syngas source as required by market demands.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for a hybrid laser beam and electric arc welding process. A laser beam, an electric arc, a shielding gas and a consumable welding wire are used to create a weld on a steel work piece by melting the welding wire. The weld contains 30 to 1000 ppm titanium by weight, at least 0.7% manganese by weight, 50 to 1000 ppm oxygen by weight, and less than 10% nickel. The welding wire is either solid welding wire or cored welding wire, and may contain, in varying percentages: titanium, manganese, iron, nickel, boron, molybdenum, carbon or chromium.

Abstract: A method of brazing galvanized metal parts such as those used for motor vehicle elements or container components. The parts are joined together to create a brazed joint by using at least one electric arc, a metal filler wire, and a gas shield. The gas shield contains hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and argon.

Abstract: In an integrated process for the production of synthesis gas, a partial oxidation unit and a steam methane reformer are used to convert natural gas or another fuel to first and second mixtures of at least carbon monoxide and hydrogen, only the first process consuming oxygen. Carbon dioxide derived from the second mixture is sent to the inlet of the first process to reduce the oxygen consumption. The first and optionally second mixtures may be used as synthesis gas for a process such as a Fischer Tropsch process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring the quantity of chemical species contained in a high-temperature gas, and especially the quantity of CO and/or CO2 contained in a gas emitted from a metal treating furnace, especially a light-arc furnace (EAF) or a converter (BOF). According to the invention, part of the gas to be analysed is extracted, the temperature of said gas is reduced to at least 300° C., preferably to a temperature that is lower than or equal to 200° C., in such a way as to obtain a at a temperature between 300° C., preferably 200° C., and the ambient temperature, and at least the quantity of CO and/or CO2 said gas is then measured by means of the coherent light signal which is emitted by a laser diode through the gas and is retrieved on emergence from the gas.

Abstract: A self-contained oxygen generator containing a PSA unit and a flowmeter in the outlet line. The flowmeter provides a signal which represents the flow rate of the oxygen in the outlet line. A leakage circuit with a calibrated orifice and a solenoid valve are also located on the outlet line. In response to a signal from the flowmeter, the solenoid can be actuated so as to provide a calibrated leakage at the outlet of the PSA. This calibrated leakage is useful when overall oxygen usage is too low.

Abstract: Silicon nitride film is formed on substrate by feeding trisilylamine and ammonia into a CVD reaction chamber that contains a substrate. The ammonia gas/trisilylamine gas flow rate ratio is set to a value of at least about 10 and/or the thermal CVD reaction is run at a temperature no greater than about 600° C. Silicon oxynitride is obtained by introducing an oxygen source gas into the CVD reaction chamber. This method avoids the production of ammonium chloride and/or the incorporation of carbonaceous contaminants which are detrimental to the quality of the deposited film.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for non-destructive ultrasonic control, combining time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) and inclined longitudinal wave techniques, of weld joints assembling two abutted parts. The method consists of using the time-of-flight diffraction technique, displacing in the longitudinal or circumferential direction, along the weld joint to be controlled, at least one pair consisting of a first transducer and of a second transducer, one transmitting and the other receiving ultrasonic waves, these transducers being laterally positioned on either side of the joint to be controlled, these transducers comprising piezoelectric ceramics or crystals. Furthermore, it consists of displacing along the welded joint to be controlled, using the inclined longitudinal wave technique, at least a third transducer, so as to detect any defect of the joint located at a thickness ranging between 0.5 mm and 15 mm.

Abstract: An installation to provide data concerning an object. An electronic label, which includes data storage, is fixed on the object. The installation is capable of reading least part of the data stored by the label and is also capable of accessing a database which contains data concerning the object. The database is associated with an address in that database locating information is stored in the electronic label. The database is accessed on the basis of this locating data, which may be read by a reader. The installation may be used for marking and tracing gas packages.

Abstract: The use of ozone during certain stages of metal separation by flotation degrades certain collectors that are absorbed on the particle surface, as well as the collectors and frothers in the liquid slurry. As a result, the mineral particle has a fresh surface and new chemical reagent(s) can be added in the subsequent flotation step(s). Also since ozone oxidizes the iron sulfide particles faster than the other mineral particles, depending upon the duration of treatment, the ozone concentration, and the kg O3/ton consumed by the treated ore, the surface of the iron sulfide particles may be partially or even totally oxidized, thus allowing better separation. As a consequence, the iron content is decreased, and the grade of the mineral value such as zinc, copper, and nickel increases. Also, sulfide emissions during heat treatment or further processing of the minerals are decreased due to decrease iron sulfide content.

Abstract: A method for reducing the production of sludge derived from the treatment of wastewater. The sludge is subjected to a mechanical action in the presence of a gas containing oxygen. The mechanical action is performed in such a way as to destroy the cell walls of between 5% and 80% of the microorganisms present in the sludge.

Abstract: Process for purifying or separating a gas or gas mixture using a monolithic adsorbent for the separation or purification of gases or gas mixtures, having a cellular structure with open porosity in the form of a solid foam permeable to the gas molecules. The gas phase of the adsorbent possesses an essentially convex structure and the solid phase an essentially concave structure. The solid foam has a density of greater than or equal to 500 kg/m3 and an open porosity of between 20 and 60%. The gas is air or an H2/CO mixture. The process is of the VSA, PSA or TSA type. This process can be used in particular in OBOGS-type systems to supply passengers of the vehicle or a device participating in the traction of the vehicle and/or in its electrical supply, in particular a fuel cell. This process can also be used in medical oxygen concentrators.

Abstract: A welding machine with a power source and an inverter. The inverter has at least one switching leg, made up of switches in series, and an output terminal. The power source has a circuit for controlling the switches by delivering an on-signal or and off-signal. The power source also has a transformer linked to a rectifier. The power source also has a circuit for detecting the voltage that the terminals of each switch of the inverter. A pilot circuit is also present for receiving control and voltage signals. The pilot circuit then sends a pilot circuit to each of the switches. The pilot signal corresponds to an on-command when the control signal corresponds to an on-signal and when the voltage between the power electrodes is very close to zero.