Abstract: A floating structure having an oscillation angle i not more than about 10°, bears an air distilling column with corrugated criss-cross packing. The undulating configuration of the corrugated strips of at least one pack is selected such that d/i<0.6, where d is the axis deviation of the cone spreading the liquid, when each pair of adjacent strips of the pack is inclined at an angle i in its general plane.

Abstract: This distributor (1) includes: a primary distributor (3) which delimits a closed volume provided with liquid predistribution openings (8) which open into the column; a device for feeding the primary distributor (3) with liquid under a pressure very much greater than the internal pressure of the column; and a secondary distributor (4) which occupies substantially the entire cross-section of the column, which includes a gas overhead in communication with the internal space of the column and which is subdivided by partitions (13, 17) into a plurality of compartments (16), each of which receives liquid originating from at least one of the said openings (8) of the primary distributor (3), this secondary distributor (4) having a bottom (9) provided with orifices (12) for fine distribution of the liquid over virtually the entire cross-section of the column, the number of these orifices being very much greater than the number of openings (8) of the primary distributor.

Abstract: An aqueous solution with a pH of greater than 5, preferably of at least 6.5, can be used in an ion-exchange process, in particular a process for the manufacture of a zeolite. This aqueous solution comprises metal cations, such as zinc, and an agent for complexing the metal cations, such as citric acid or a salt of this acid. The proportion of free cations in solution represents from 0.1% to 99%, preferably from 1 to 30%, of the total amount of the metal in the solution. The invention also relates to a process for the manufacture of zeolites X or A employing such an aqueous solution and the use of the zeolites thus obtained for separating, purifying or converting one or more constituents of a gas stream, such as air, synthesis gases or hydrocarbons, in particular olefins, by employing an adsorption process, in particular a PSA, VSA or TSA.

Abstract: In a combined plant consisting of a fluid production apparatus (P) having a main air compressor (44) and a fluid-consuming unit (2), a gas derived from the unit is expanded in a turbine (10, 20, 30, 40, 150) or another device capable of generating mechanical energy which drives a compressor (14, 24, 34, 44, 154° [sic]. Another turbine or device may expand another gas or the same gas derived from the unit so as to drive another compressor.

Abstract: This reboiler-condenser (1) comprises two exchanger parts (2A, 2B) one placed above the other. The lower part (2A), immersed in the liquid, has supplied vaporization passages (8A). The vapour which leaves therefrom is sent to the inlet of the vaporization passages (8B) of the upper part and liquid is delivered into the stream of vapour which penetrates each of these passages. Application to the vaporization of liquid oxygen by the condensation of nitrogen.

Abstract: An improved scrubbing dust collector and exhaust gas treatment installation are described. The collector (2) includes a tank (21) containing a washing liquid, a scrubbing tower (22) on the upper portion of the tank into which an exhaust gas is introduced, a jetting nozzle (25) on the upper portion of the tower, and at least one netting member (42) located in a lower portion of the tower. The netting may be installed in a frame (40) which has slits therein. A plurality of netting members may be employed and a lower member may have a smaller mesh size than an upper one. The installation includes the scrubbing dust collector (2), a combustor (1) and a separator tower (23). As washing liquid is jetted from the nozzle (25), it passes downward in the scrubbing tower and forms a membrane-like layer on the netting member thereby providing a larger contact area between the exhaust gas and the washing liquid.

Abstract: The process includes shielding of at least part of the welding zone with a gas mixture consisting of 1.2 to 1.70% oxygen and the balance being argon.

Abstract: Provided are novel gas permeable bricks of a refractory material suitable for use in a hot grid of a regenerative heat exchanger. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the brick has an inner face and an outer face on opposite sides of the brick. One or more cavities extend from the inner face partially into the brick. A plurality of channels for each of the cavities extend from the outer face to the cavities. The cavities and channels allow a gas to pass through the brick. Also provided is a hot grid suitable for use in a regenerative heat exchanger formed from a plurality of the bricks.

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: In an apparatus for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation, the overhead gas of a mixing column is sent to the passages for warming a bottom reboiler of the low-pressure column of a double column fed with air to be distilled. The production of oxygen in the bottom of the low-pressure column is increased.

Abstract: A mixed gas concentration regulating method and a concentration regulating apparatus, in which the maintenance of the recovery of an easily permeable gas and the restraint of the power expense are compatible.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for obtaining fibers integral with calcium carbonate particles, in which the fibers to be treated are contacted with carbon dioxide generator means and at least one composition comprising Ca++ ions capable of reacting with the carbon dioxide so as to give “in fine” a precipitation of calcium carbonate “in situ” on the fibers. Preferably, the carbon dioxide generator used is calcium bicarbonate.

Abstract: A gas separation membrane is formed from a copolyimide produced by copolymerization of monomers which include o-tolidine sulfone, at least one other hydrophilic diamine and 2,2-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane dianhydride. One or more additional aromatic dianhydrides can optionally be included. The novel membrane exhibits an excellent combination of high selectivity of gases to be separated from a gas mixture, high permeability and strong solvent resistance to hydrocarbon chemicals. The membrane is therefore useful in separating gases from gas mixtures in which vapor or liquid hydrocarbon contaminants are present, for example in the separation of carbon dioxide from methane and/or nitrogen in the purification of natural gas.

Abstract: Improved polymer blends, and polymer blend membranes having improved mechanical properties are provided by alteration of the critical solution temperature of the polymer blend spinning solution through the incorporation of organic or inorganic complexing agents.

Abstract: A process, especially a PSA or TSA process, for purifying a gas containing at least carbon dioxide (CO2) as impurity, in which the carbon dioxide is adsorbed on an adsorbent comprising particles of activated alumina. According to this process, the activated alumina has a specific surface area of between 200 m2/g and 299 m2/g and contains at least 80% aluminum oxide (Al2O3), silicon oxide (SiO2), iron oxide (Fe2O3) and from 0.001% to 7.25% of at least one oxide of at least one alkali or alkaline-earth metal, such as sodium and potassium oxides. According to the invention, the gas stream to be purified is air or a synthesis gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for distributing fluid under pressure, particularly welding gas, comprising at least one body (1′) provided with at least one manometer (3, 3′) comprising a housing (4) and a connection ferrule (2, 2′), said connection ferrule (2, 2′) being inserted in a recess (5, 5′) provided in the body (1′), characterized in that said body (1′) comprises moreover at least one passage (6, 16) communicating with said recess (5, 51), and in that said connection ferrule (2, 2′) comprises at least one recess (7, 71) and in that at least one connection means (8, 18) is inserted in at least one portion of at least one passage (6, 16) of the body (1′) and in at least one portion of at-least one recess (7, 7′) of the connection ferrule (2, 21), so as to permit the solidarization, at least temporarily, of said manometer (3, 3′) on said body (1′).

Abstract: The distillation unit includes at least one cryogenic distilling column and at least one heat exchanger, arranged in a chamber with a double casing in which the intermediate partition contains a solid insulator. The unit can be on board offshore floating terminals and drilling platforms.

Abstract: To reduce the level of oxygen concentration in the waste gases emitted by the stack of such installations, according to the invention, connecting means (15) connect the respective internal spaces of a chamber (13), for discharging an inert gas miscible with oxygen and of lower density than air, such as nitrogen, and of the stack (2); thus, this inert gas is mixed with at least the oxygen flowing through the stack and the mixture obtained is discharged with a velocity at least equal to approximately 7 m/s at the exit of the stack.

Abstract: Column for the cryogenic separation of gaseous mixtures comprising: liquid traps (10, 26, 27) located between two active zones (5, 14, 28, 29) consisting of a cylindrical container with a perforated bottom (11) and defining, with the column, an annular space (9) through which the ascending gases pass; internal linings (30, 31) of the column, means (15) for causing the ascending gases to pass into the said internal linings (30, 31) and means (18) for causing the said gases and the liquid they contain to leave the said linings (30, 31), returning them to the interior of the column above the said liquid trap (10, 26, 27); external jackets (21, 32, 33) of the column, comprising means (22, 34, 35) of introducing a cooling fluid (23) into their lower part and means (24, 36, 37) of extracting the said fluid from their upper part, the said external jacket (21, 32, 33) allowing heat transfers between the said fluid (23) and the matter circulating in the internal lining (30, 31); and means (38) for introducing a li

Abstract: Combustion process especially applicable to cement works, in which process it is desired to use fuels which are difficult to ignite. To do so, a flame comprising a primary zone and a secondary zone is created. The hot primary zone is created using an oxy-fuel flame, which makes it possible to preheat the fuel which is difficult to ignite so as to raise it to the suitable temperature in the secondary zone where it burns, with air, in order to create the main flame. Applications: cement, metallurgy, glass, etc.