Abstract: This installation for the distribution of a stock of gas cylinders (16, 18) comprises a storage space (12) for the cylinders which is equipped with means (32, 34) for evaluating the stock of cylinders with a view to restocking the installation. The stock-evaluation means include means (32) for image capturing the storage space which are connected to synchronization means for periodic image capturing of the storage space and a central processing unit (34) which compares the pictures successively delivered by the image capturing means (32).

Abstract: This invention is related to a method for encapsulating bond regions in electronic components comprising, for example, metallic bond regions, the method comprising the steps of exposing an electronic component having at least one bond region through a primary gas atmosphere comprising unstable or excited gaseous species, the gaseous species being substantially devoid of any electrical charges, the primary gas atmosphere having a pressure ranging from about 0.5×105 Pa to about 3.0×105 Pa, thereby forming a treated, non-encapulated electronic component, then encapsulating the electronic component.

Abstract: Integrated air-separation process and plant, including at least two air separation units (1, 101), an air compressor (13), which feeds a combustion chamber and at least one of the air separation units with compressed air, and at least one dedicated air compressor (21, 121) feeding one or both of the air separation units, so that, if both air separation units receive air from the compressor (13), the proportions of air coming from the air compressor are different in the case of the two air separation units.

Abstract: There is produced (at 2) air enriched in inert gas, from a source (9) of compressed air internal to the aircraft, and this enriched air is admitted (via 10) into the fuel tank (12). During the cruising phase of the aircraft, there is produced a first fraction of air having a first inert gas content, and this first fraction is admitted into the fuel tank (12) at a first flow rate. Moreover, during the descent phase, there is produced a second fraction of enriched air having a second inert gas content substantially less than the first content, and the second fraction is admitted to the reservoir (12) at a second flow rate substantially greater than the first flow rate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vaporizer-condensor (4) of the bath type, comprising at least one heat exchange body (13), having a multitude of flat passages (18) for the countercurrent circulation of two fluids in a same direction, and a sealed chamber (14) for confining a fluid containing the or each heat exchange body, the confinement chamber comprising a central section (50) of generally cylindrical shape along a longitudinal axis (Y—Y). The longitudinal axis of the central section of said or each confinement chamber is orthogonal to the direction of countercurrent circulation of the fluids in the flat passages of the corresponding heat exchange body. Use in double column air distillation installations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for combusting a fuel with an oxidant are described, the apparatus comprising a ceramic burner block, the burner block having a back face and a front face. The burner block has at least one oxidant cavity in an upper portion of the burner block, and at least one fuel cavity in a lower portion of the burner block, each cavity extending from the back face to the front face. The at least one oxidant cavity has positioned therein a fuel supply conduit, the fuel supply conduit having a fuel supply conduit exit positioned a sufficient distance from the front face to allow combustion of at least a portion of fuel exiting the fuel supply conduit exit with at least some of the oxidant traversing the oxidant cavity, and the least one fuel cavity having connected thereto, near the back face, an oxidant conduit, thereby allowing mixing of a minor portion of the oxidant with the fuel.

Abstract: An apparatus of measuring both concentration and amount of a liquid in a liquid chemical container is presented, comprising viewing light emanating from a first optical member that is in visual contact with the liquid, the light emanating from the optical member having a level indicating quality; and routing light from a second optical member that is in visual contact with the liquid to means for optical discrimination between liquid chemical based on different optical properties.

Abstract: Process for the on-site purification of an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, in which the solution is made to pass through a resin bed capable, at least partially, of adsorbing or absorbing the impurities present in the solution. The hydrogen peroxide solution is injected into the resin bed and passes through the latter at an approximately linear velocity preferably of between 10 m/h and 50 m/h and more preferably between 10 m/h and 20 m/h, while the resin bed is kept substantially compacted for at least 50% of the time during which the solution is being purified by coming into contact with the said resin.

Abstract: A section of pipe, for a device for treating a gas by exciting the latter by way of incident microwave radiation suitable for producing a surface-wave plasma in the gas, including a discharge tube made of dielectric material intended to pass through the device in a region for concentrating the incident radiation. The tube comprises, over at least part of its length, a double wall.

Abstract: A plant (1) includes, an air distillation apparatus (4) having at least one outlet (25) for a nitrogen-rich fluid and an outlet (32) for a product to be delivered in the liquid state and a gas turbine unit (3) having a combustion chamber (17) and an electricity-generating turbine (18), the intake of which is connected to an outlet of the combustion chamber. An expander (13) for expanding a nitrogen-rich fluid in order to generate refrigerating power allowing the liquid product to be delivered, the air distillation apparatus being connected in parallel to the expander (13) and to the intake of an electricity-delivering turbine in order to feed them with at least one nitrogen-rich fluid. Control elements (41,42) are provided for controlling the flow rates of the nitrogen-rich fluid streams sent to the expander (13) and to the electricity-generating turbine (18), respectively, and determination elements (40) for determining the electrical power to be generated by the electricity-generating turbine (18).

Abstract: A mixture containing oxygen is introduced into a distillation column (1); an intermediate stream, substantially free from impurities heavier than oxygen, is withdrawn (at 17) at a level of the column located above the point (4) of introduction of the air, the point (22) of withdrawal being separated from this point (4) of introduction by a distillation section (6), particularly with packing; the stream withdrawn (at 17) is sent to an oxygen purification column (2), and a reflux liquid is distributed over the section (6) by a distributor (9). A predetermined non-uniformity of the distribution of the reflux liquid over the upper surface (8) of the section (6) is effected in at least one localized region (23) of this surface.

Abstract: In a plant for separating air which does not comprise an argon column, an intermediate-pressure column (102) has a bottom reboiler (24) which is heated by a gas (233) coming from the low-pressure column (103). The intermediate-pressure column is fed from the high-pressure column (101). This makes it possible to reduce the energy consumption while improving the efficiency of the process.

Abstract: Method and its associated device for the regulated injection of liquid carbon dioxide (CO2L) into a liquid (L) under pressure inside a chamber. The liquid carbon dioxide (CO2L) is, according to this method, injected at a fixed flow rate, in stepped mode, under the protection of a stream of gas (when injection is stopped).

Abstract: Compound of formula (I): in which W1, W2 and W3, which are identical or different, each represent, independently of one another, a divalent radical chosen from those represented by the general formula (A): —[(CT5T6)a—(CT1T2)n—[N(R4)]p—(CT3T4)m—(CT7T8)b]1—  (A) as defined in the description and in which R4 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl radical, a [(hetero)aryl]alkyl radical or a radical represented by the general formula (B), R5—Si(X1) (X2) (X3), as defined in the description, and R1, R2 and R3, which are identical or different, each represent, independently of one another and of R4, a hydrogen atom, an alkyl radical, a [(hetero)aryl]alkyl radical comprising from 7 to 12 carbon atoms or a radical represented by the general formula (B), it being understood that the compound of formula (I) comprises more than six cyclic nitrogen atoms.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for removing carbon monoxide from a gas stream comprising a major portion of an inert gas and a minor portion of carbon monoxide are provided. The process involves contacting a feed gas stream with at least a primary metal oxide in a reaction zone of a reactor vessel at conditions effective to convert substantially all of the carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, thus producing a purified gas stream consisting essentially of the inert gas and carbon dioxide and substantially free of carbon monoxide.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cutting a workpiece made of structural steel or mild steel, i.e. alloy or non-alloy steels, by the use of a transparent or reflecting optical unit for focusing a laser beam, and of an assist gas for the laser beam. The optical unit is of the multifocus type and is chosen from lenses, mirrors and combinations thereof. The assist gas is nitrogen or a nitrogen/oxygen mixture. The method of the invention makes it possible to obtain a low or almost zero oxidation of the cut face and to do so while increasing the cutting performance by about 40% compared with a laser cutting method using nitrogen or a nitrogen/oxygen mixture.

Abstract: A device for storing gas includes at least one container (1) for gas, of the high pressure type, that has an outlet conduit with which is associated a branch (5) ensuring a closeable calibrated loss. The gas is in gaseous phase in this container over a range of pressures extending from about 40 to 250 bars and preferably from 50 to 200 bars and over a range of temperatures extending from about 15° K to 210° K and preferably from 20° K to 200° K. The device includes a thermally insulating envelope (2) in which the container (1) is disposed.

Abstract: An oxygen concentrator portable by a patient, permitting producing a flow of gas containing 50% to 95% of oxygen from air, comprising air compression device, elements for gas separation by adsorption with pressure variations, and electrical energy storage unit keeping its charge for at least 30 minutes, the concentrator having a total weight less than 10 kg. Preferably, the gas separation elements are a PSA system using a zeolite X exchanged with lithium, as the adsorbent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of oxidation, of the wet oxidation or ozonization type, of a liquid contained in a reactor. The gas of the gas headspace is aspirated into the liquid, and the portion which is not dissolved in the liquid is recovered in the gas headspace. The agitation means creates a flow of liquid immediately adjacent to the end of the duct opening into the liquid, and generates a gas/liquid dispersion in the zone, within which the liquid reacts with the gas, then conveys and ejects the said dispersion at its periphery, such that the gas is dissolved in the liquid in the zone extending from the agitation means to the surface of the liquid. The said process is particularly suitable for oxidations which make use of considerable quantities of oxygen or of ozone. It is particularly applied for the oxidation of papermaking liquors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for controlling at least two production units whose outputs are connected in parallel in order to produce a common output flow which is intended to feed a consumer plant. It controls the common output flow as a function of a predetermined target value (u) and includes the steps consisting in measuring at least one variable representing the common output flow; for each unit, determining a control instruction corresponding to one operating state of the unit among a finite set of predetermined operating states; and controlling the units with the control instructions determined. Two variables representing the common output flow are measured and the control instructions are determined by a fuzzy-logic controller. Application to controlling a set of compressors.