Abstract: The invention concerns a method involving the intake (through 16) of air in an intake of an air separation plant (14), supplying (though 16) at least a fraction of the intake air from a gas turbine compressor section (2), and extracting from the air separation plant (16) two gas streams (through 20, 24, 32, and 36) respectively nitrogen-enriched and oxygen-enriched streams; detecting (through 18) a substantial decrease in the flow rate of the air fraction from the gas turbine compressor section (2), then recycling (through 28, 42), to the inlet of the air separation plant (14) at least part of one of the two gas streams, and thus avoiding any major fluctuation of the intake air flow rate of said air separation plant.

Abstract: According to this process, there is supplied to the passengers a first fraction of air enriched in oxygen from independent supply elements, in particular high pressure cylinders (16), during a descent phase of the aircraft between a normal cruising altitude and an intermediate re-routing altitude. There is moreover compressed air taken from a source of compressed air belonging to the aircraft, to produce (in 2) a second fraction of the air enriched in oxygen which is delivered to the passengers, at least during a phase of stabilized flight of the aircraft, adjacent the re-routing altitude, greater than 5,500 meters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for air distillation. Two cold boxes and an air treatment unit are used to distill air. The cold boxes contain a heat exchanger for cooling the air to be distilled and an air distillation unit for producing either oxygen, nitrogen or argon. The air treatment unit has many individual treatment elements which are connected in parallel. The outlet of the air treatment unit is connected to both cold boxes and to all the individual treatment units.

Abstract: A method for conducting laser absorption measurements in high temperature process streams having high levels of particulate matter is disclosed. An impinger is positioned substantially parallel to a laser beam propagation path and at upstream position relative to the laser beam. Beam shielding pipes shield the beam from the surrounding environment. Measurement is conducted only in the gap between the two shielding pipes where the beam propagates through the process gas. The impinger facilitates reduced particle presence in the measurement beam, resulting in improved SNR (signal-to-noise) and improved sensitivity and dynamic range of the measurement.

Abstract: A method for producing silicon nitride and silicon oxynitride films by CVD technology, where even at lower temperatures, acceptable film-deposition rates are achieved, without the by-product production of large amounts of ammonium chloride.

Abstract: A furnace apparatus and method for increasing the productivity and/or quality of reheated products by improving the temperature profile of a furnace for reheating products.

Abstract: A method for producing a plate heat exchanger with multiple plates made of a solderable material. The plated define circuits for fluid circulation and are assembled together by soldering. The soldering is done after a soldering material is applied to the regions to be soldered. The soldering material is deposited on the plates with an electrolytic solution.

Abstract: A fluid expansion valve with a main body and a method of its use. The main body has an internal fluid passage and an outlet connector. The outlet connector is suitable for delivering the expanded fluid and for connecting with a socket. The internal profile of the socket is suited for connection with the external profile of the outlet connect. The outlet connect has three connention sections of varying external diameters. The valve may be used to introduce a pressurized gas to a liquid or a beverage.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a gas mixture containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and optionally nitrogen, from at least a hydrocarbon such as methane, propane, butane or LPG or natural gas, which comprises performing a partial catalytic oxidation of one or several hydrocarbons, at a temperature of 500° C., at a pressure of 3 to 20 bars, in the presence of oxygen or a gas containing oxygen, such as air, to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Recuperating the gas mixture, which can subsequently be purified or separated, by pressure swing adsorption, temperature swing adsorption or by permeation, to produce hydrogen having a purity of at least 80% and a residue gas capable of supplying a cogeneration unit. In another embodiment, the gas mixture can subsequently be purified of its water vapor impurities and carbon dioxide to obtain a thermal treatment atmosphere containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and nitrogen.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a composite membrane includes coating a substrate, such as, for example, an asymmetrical porous hollow fiber substrate, with a solution which includes a perfluorinated polymer and a perfluorinated solvent. Prior to coating, the substrate is impregnated with an impregnation fluid which is immiscible with the perfluorinated solvent. The method of the invention further includes removing the perfluorinated solvent and the impregnation fluid. A composite membrane includes a porous asymmetric hollow fiber substrate having an outer surface coated with a perfluoropolymer coating. Separation devices which include composite membranes and methods of separating a fluid mixture into a fraction enriched in a first component and a fraction depleted in that component also are described.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring the amount of liquid in a container, and for causing the liquid to flow from the container to a point of use. The weight of the container is measured at several time intervals to determine the weight change of the liquid contained within. When the weight change is less than a predetermined fraction of either the weight of container weight and/or of the liquid originally contained in the container, a signal is generated to indicate that the container may be empty.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting cooling power from helium flowing through a cooling system regenerator includes a heat exchanger disposed within the regenerator capable of extracting cooling power from the helium and a thermal link coupled to the heat exchanger for thermally coupling the heat exchanger with a component. A method of extracting cooling power from helium in a regenerator includes flowing the helium through a first portion of the regenerator, flowing the helium through a heat exchanger disposed between the first portion and a second portion of the regenerator to transfer heat from the heat exchanger to the helium, and transferring heat from a component via a thermal link to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: In a process for separating air in a system comprising a gas turbine, including a compressor (1), a combustor (5) and an expander (17), said expander being coupled to the compressor, a natural gas conversion unit (23) and an air separation unit (20), air is compressed in the compressor, a first part (3) of the air is sent to the combustor and a second part (7) of the air is sent to the air separation unit, oxygen enriched gas (21) is sent from the air separation unit to the natural gas conversion unit, compressed nitrogen enriched gas (16) is sent upstream of the expander, a first stream (33) of natural gas is sent to the natural gas conversion unit, a second stream of natural gas (35) is sent to a natural gas liquefaction unit and work produced by the expander is used to operate a cycle compressor of a refrigeration cycle of the natural gas liquefaction unit.

Abstract: Provided is a device for the microwave-sustained plasma treatment of gases, which comprises a hollow structure forming a waveguide intended to be connected to a microwave generator, and means for making the gas to be treated flow through the said structure in a region in which the amplitude of the electric field associated with the incident wave is high. The means for making the gas flow comprise a plasma torch for producing a plasma in the gas. The torch comprises an injector made of an electrically conducting material mounted on a first large face of the said structure and extending so as to project through an orifice made in a second large face opposite the said first large face. A gap for passage of the incident waves lies around the injector.

Abstract: An emissive electrode insert formed from an alloy containing hafnium and zirconium. The insert typically contains at least about 80% hafnium by weight and about 0.1 to about 8% zirconium by weight. The invention also relates to a plasma torch electrode formed from an electrode body with a cavity into which such an emissive insert is fitted, to a plasma torch utilizing such an electrode, and to a plasma cutting process for cutting a steel workpiece, in which such a plasma torch is employed.

Abstract: A method of combustion and a burner assembly wherein at least one fuel and at least one oxidizer are injected separately. The oxidizer comprises a primary oxidizer stream and a secondary oxidizer stream. The primary oxidizer stream is divided into at least two portions. One portion is injected close to the fuel whereby generating a first incomplete combustion. The second portion is injected downstream of the first injection point with the fuel source consisting of the remaining uncombusted fuel of the first incomplete combustion in addition to the fuel. The secondary oxidizer stream is injected downstream from the primary oxidizer stream, whereby resulting in combustion with the unreactive fuel gases remaining from the first combustion.

Abstract: A method for operating a typical cyclic adsorption unit that is easily implemented in both new and existing treatment plants, wherein fluctuations in the stream compositions due to the adsorption and regeneration phase transitions of the cycles are minimized.

Abstract: A method for partially oxidizing, in a Claus furnace, at least one gas containing hydrogen sulfide and ammonia with at least one gas rich in oxygen. The residual ammonia content at the outlet of the furnace is measured with a laser diode. Based upon this measurement, the flow rates of the ammonia containing gases and the oxygen rich gases may be modified to obtain the desired residual ammonia content.

Abstract: A gas burner for use with a Claus furnace made up of at least five concentric tubes and the spaces formed between them. The diameters of the tubes increase radially outward so that the first tube has a smaller diameter than the fifth tube. At the end of the burner closest to the furnace, the tube ends of the third, fourth, and fifth tubes lie in the same plane. The first and the second tubes are fastened together and capable of movement along the central longitudinal axis of the burner, but their ends closest the furnace are not capable of moving past the plane formed by the third, fourth, and fifth tubes. An injector is located between the first and second tubes at the end closest the furnace. The injector is oriented towards the periphery of the burner.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for cutting a metal or metal alloy workpiece using at least a laser beam and at least an assist gas of said laser beam wherein the assist gas consists of a mixture of helium and argon and/or nitrogen or of nitrogen and oxygen and the cutting speed is faster than 15 m/min. The thickness of the workpiece to be cut ranges between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, preferably more than 0.5 mm. The workpiece to be cut is selected among plates, metal sheets and tubes. The laser beam is delivered by a CO2 type or YAG:Nd laser device.