Abstract: A device for starting up a fuel cell includes: two valves (17 and 18) mounted in the inlet and the outlet of the hydrogen circuit of the anode compartment; and a controlled bridge circuit (24) between the inlet of the hydrogen circuit to the anode compartment and either the anode compartment or the ambient.

Abstract: This column includes at least one exchange section (5, 9, 10, 11) defined between an associated upper liquid distributor (4, 6, 7, 8) and a lower fluid inlet/outlet (21, 23) or an associated lower liquid distributor (7, 8), the exchange section including an upper portion (5A, 9A) and, under it, another portion (5B, 9B, 10B, 11B) preferably of the conventional type. The upper packing portion of at least one packing section includes a packing module having less transfer units than a packing module of the conventional packing portion of the same section. Application to double columns for air distillation.

Abstract: The feed gas contains essentially hydrocarbons, particularly methane, and impurities including helium. The process includes the conversion of the hydrocarbons into hydrogen and CO2, and the purification by adsorption of the hydrogen contained in the resulting gaseous mixture. Prior to the conversion of the hydrocarbons, the feed gas is processed in a unit for separation by permeation producing a retentate gas impoverished in helium, containing essentially hydrocarbons, and a permeate gas enriched in helium, the retentate gas being then treated by the conversion of the hydrocarbons, particularly of the methane.

Abstract: A method for sanitizing a food processing environment includes preparing an ozonated foam sanitizing medium and applying the sanitizing medium to either objects in the food processing environment, such as food processing equipment, food contact surfaces, interior surfaces of the food processing facility, or the ambient environment within the food processing facility, or both the objects within the food processing facility and the ambient environment of the food processing facility. An ozonated foam sanitizing medium includes a foaming agent dissolved in an aqueous solution and an ozone concentration of at least about 0.1 ppm and is prepared by either injecting gaseous ozone or introducing an aqueous ozone solution into an aqueous solution containing a foaming agent. In a system for generating the ozonated foam medium, the gaseous ozone can be injected with a feed gas, such as oxygen, air, an inert gas, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: In order to boost production of a product (A) of an existing separation plant (X, 1), an additional plant (Y) is integrated with the original plant so as to enable the original plant (X) to produce more of that product (A+B), whilst the additional plant may or may not necessarily itself produce the same product directly. For example, air is separated in a first unit, which is an existing double column distillation plant, to produce an oxygen rich fluid. So as to increase the production of the oxygen rich fluid, a second unit, which is a wash column (15), is integrated with the first unit. Air (41) is separated in the single nitrogen wash column (15) to remove oxygen and gaseous nirogen (42) is produced at the top of the column. The wash column is fed with liquid nitrogen (39) from the high pressure column (25) of an existing air separation unit.

Abstract: Isopycnic or asymmetric mixed matrix hollow fiber membranes for gas separation can be made by a continuous spinning process. Mixed matrix membranes are characterized by a continuous phase of selectively gas permeable polymer in which are uniformly dispersed discrete absorbent particles such as molecular sieves that also have selectivity enhancing properties. The fibers can be monolithic in which the fiber wall is entirely mixed matrix, or composite in which an active mixed matrix layer is positioned adjacent to a supporting substrate layer. The novel mixed matrix hollow fiber membranes provide higher selectivity than dense film membranes of the continuous phase polymer.

Abstract: Method and plant for cutting or welding by a laser beam with dual-flow and double-focus cutting head. The plant includes a laser generator to generate at least one main laser beam (10), a first optical element (1) enabling the main laser beam (10) to be divided into at least two subsidiary laser beams (11, 12), a first outlet nozzle (4) through which one (11) of the subsidiary laser beams passes, and a second outlet nozzle (3) through which the other (12) of the subsidiary laser beams passes, the first and second outlet nozzles (4, 3) being approximately coaxial one with the other. In this way, it is possible to focus the central beam (11) onto a focusing point (PF) by a first focusing element (1), such as a lens, and the other beam (12) onto an annular focusing zone (ZAF).

Abstract: An oxy-fuel burner generates a long, luminous, stable and adjustable flame temperature profile flame by incorporating separate, fuel and oxygen jets oriented in a unique geometry. In one preferred embodiment, the fuel is injected horizontally at medium injection velocity (50-200 m/s) while primary oxygen is injected underneath the fuel jet at supersonic velocity (300-500 m/s). The supersonic velocity oxygen jet (20 to 50% required for stoichiometric combustion) entrains fuel and furnaces gases in it's core for the primary flame development over the furnace load. The subsequent mixing of the fuel, primary oxygen and entrained furnace gases establish a low NOx, stable, long and luminous primary flame. The secondary oxidant, preferably air or low purity oxygen (50 to 80% of stoichiometric needs), is injected above the flame using one or more oxygen jets to create an oxy-fuel flame with adjustable flame characteristics.

Abstract: A method for conditioning a receptacle which can contain a pressurized liquid, e.g. a gas cylinder, whereby the receptacle is fitted with a positive pressure valve into which a gas with a water or water vapor content of less than 40 ppmv is introduced after the internal volume, i.e. the inside, of the receptacle has been dried in order to remove any water vapor therein. A receptacle conditioned in such a way can be used in a welding operation, especially TIG, MIG or MAG welding, or in a plasma-arc cutting operation.

Abstract: Provided is a copper source liquid useful in MOCVD processes for forming copper thin films on semiconductor wafers. The source liquid comprises water and a source component wherein the source component contains at least 90 weight % Cu(hfac)TMVS and the copper source liquid preferably contains no more than 10 weight % water. The dissolved oxygen concentration in the water is established at no more than 0.5 ppm relative to the water. Decomposition of the Cu(hfac)TMVS is controlled in the present invention by lowering the dissolved oxygen concentration in the water. The resulting copper source liquid allows for improved reproducibility of CVD film quality by raising the capacity to control the amount of water addition to the copper source liquid used in MOCVD processes.

Abstract: Method of reheating metallurgical products, in which solid products, especially steel products, are reheated so as to bring them from a temperature substantially below 400° C. to a temperature of at least about 1000° C. by passing them through a furnace having an upstream zone in which the said products are preheated and a downstream zone in which the said products are brought to their final temperature on leaving the furnace, the downstream zone of the furnace being fitted with burners, at least some of which operate with an oxidizer which is air, the smoke (flue gases) generated by these burners flowing as a countercurrent to the products and preheating these products in the upstream preheating zone. According to the invention, at least one burner is placed in the upstream preheating zone of the furnace, this burner being fed with a mixture of oxidizer and fuel, the oxidizer containing more than 21 vol % and preferably more than 30 vol % oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward providing a system for the remote monitoring and control of operating equipment. Through a series of sensors located on or near the equipment, a plurality of operating and production parameters are read and metered. Should any of the readings exceed predetermined levels, an alarm signal is triggered, thereby notifying service personal located remote from the equipment site. Through the automated resources at the monitoring site, the system automatically logs the readings, events, and alarms; communicates alarms to the appropriate personnel dependent upon the nature of the alarm, the type of equipment involved, and the location of the equipment. Service and maintenance information and aids are available to personnel at the equipment site through a communication network to the remote monitoring site.

Abstract: A device for connecting cryogenic fluid containers includes a connection having screw-threaded connection portions and a flange having at least one pair of openings spaced by a predetermined distance. The device also includes a retaining strap of L shape with two wings cut out in U shape, the front wing also having a pair of openings spaced by the same distance as the openings of the flange. Rivets secure the strap and the flange to each other. The front wing also has a marking identifying the gas corresponding to the distance between openings.

Abstract: Protective cap for a plasma arc working torch, includes a cap body (7) having an opening (17) for the passage of plasma gas, the cap body (7) being made of at least one material of ceramic type. The ceramic is a silicon nitride or an aluminum silicate. Preferably, the ceramic cap body (7) is clad with boron nitride deposited on the external surface of the cap body, the thickness of the cladding of boron nitride being less than 3 mm. Torch provided with such a cap and its use in a steel plate plasma cutting operation.

Abstract: A tank for a cryogenic fluid, of the type comprising an inner vessel (2) intended to receive the cryogenic fluid and delimiting, with an outer vessel (8), a space (9) for the insertion of multilayer thermal insulation (7). The tank comprises multilayer thermal insulation (7) supporting the inner vessel (2) and an outer vessel (8) without a rigid connection to the inner vessel (2).

Abstract: Provided is a novel regenerative heat exchanger and a method for heating a gas in the heat exchanger. The regenerative heat exchanger features a chamber separated into a plurality of annular concentric spaces, including: a first, inner annular space defining a hot collection chamber; a second, outer annular space concentric to and around the first space defining a cold collection chamber; and a third annular space defining a heat exchange zone concentric to and between the first and second spaces. The heat exchange zone contains a particulate heat transfer material. The third space is supported on the inside by a concentrically disposed hot grid, and the external diameter of the third annular space is less than about double the internal diameter of the third annular space. The invention has particular applicability to the feeding of hot blast to a blast furnace in the iron making industry.

Abstract: A reboiler/condenser bath heat exchanger for heat exchange between a first fluid to be vaporized and a second fluid to be condensed includes a number of passages for heat exchange between the two fluids in order to make the second fluid flow, which fluid has a temperature of T2-2 at the outlet of the passages; a vessel containing the passages for making the first fluid flow between the passages by thermosiphon effect from the bottom upwards over a height h, the first fluid having an entry temperature T1-1 where T1-1<T2-2 and an exit pressure P1-2; elements for giving the entry pressure P1-1 of the first fluid a value such that the pressure P1-2 is greater than a minimum pressure Pm,ex and elements for ensuring that at least one of the following two conditions is fulfilled: the height h of the passages is at least equal to 2.5 m; and the temperature T2-2 of the second fluid is less than T1-1+1.2° C.

Abstract: Steam generation apparatus and methods are presented that are dedicated to oxygen-enriched air combustion of a fuel, wherein the oxygen concentration of the oxygen-enriched air may range from just above 21 percent to 100 percent. One apparatus comprises an oxygen-enriched air preheater through which oxygen-enriched air flows and exchanges heat indirectly with flue gas, creating a preheated oxygen-enriched air stream. The apparatus further comprises a boiler having a radiant section and a convection section, and other heat transfer units adapted to handle reduced flue gas flow rate and higher temperature flue gases than comparable air/fuel combustion boilers, thus allowing a smaller heat transfer surface area, a more compact design and a higher efficiency.

Abstract: In an integrated method of air separation, a plant includes at least one first air separation unit (1, 101), a first air compressor (13), a first combustion chamber (17), a first expansion turbine (19), a second air compressor (15), a second combustion chamber (23) and a second expansion turbine (25) and a third air compressor (21) in which compressed air is sent from the first air compressor to the first combustion chamber and to the first air separation unit, compressed air is sent from the second air compressor to the second combustion chamber and to the first air separation unit.

Abstract: A formed adsorbent material includes an adsorbent solid phase and a gas phase ensuring transport of the gaseous components right to the adsorbent, being such that the constants for the transport kinetics of the components adsorbable in the gas phase and in the solid phase are in a ratio of between 0.1 and 10 defined for a gas discharge velocity of 0.2 m/s measured on air at 1 bar and 20° C. or in a ratio of between 0.1 and 10, defined for a gas discharge velocity of 0.01 m/s measured on hydrogen at 30 bar and 40° C.