Abstract: The apparatus comprises a heat exchange line, a fractionating column which is cooled by means of a rich liquid and a section for adiabatic enrichment with nitrogen derived from entering air, the whole being integrated into a parallelepipedal heat exchanger of the plates and blades type. Use for the production of nitrogen of average purity.

Abstract: The process comprises the steps of mounting two rotary furnaces in series including a smelting station and a charge preheating station, effecting a smelting in the furnace at the smelting station while causing the fumes from the first furnace to pass through the furnace at the preheating station towards an exhaust chimney to preheat the charge in the preheating furnace, and transferring the furnace which is at the smelting station towards a casting station. To enable the various transfers of furnaces each furnace is associated with a transfer support including a device for causing rotation of the furnace.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing a gas component in pure form by separation through adsorption from other components of a gas mixture including inter alia combustible components, of the type in which a flow of the gas mixture at a high cycle pressure is sent through an adsorbent which gives, during a production stage, at the high cycle pressure, the gaseous component which is not adsorbed, for example pure hydrogen, then, during a desorption-elution stage, a desorption gas or residual gas under a low cycle pressure, which is added, after having raised its pressure, to a network of auxiliary gas, which is available under higher pressure, the addition of the residual gas to the auxiliary gas being carried out by sending the residual gas into an ejector which operates under the effect of a driving gas normally available under high pressure.

Abstract: The refrigerator, in its internal cavity (2), comprises a compartment (4) in which at least a part manually movable and defining a second internal cavity (5) which is substantially water tight with respect to the first internal cavity (2) and communicating with a gas source containing less oxygen than air, typically consisting of a separation module (17) cyclically supplied with compressed air by means of a moto-compressor unit (19).Application to the long term domestic preservation of fruits and vegetables.

Abstract: According to this process, compressed air is cooled and purified by adsorption by passing same in a first direction through a mass of adsorbent material (8), then a residual gas from the distillation apparatus passes in opposite direction through this mass to regenerate same. During the entire regeneration, the residual gas is at a constant regeneration temperature which is between the temperature of the air entering into the mass of adsorbent material and at a temperature which is about 50.degree. C. above this temperature.

Abstract: The liquid in the vat portion of the hydrogen withdrawing column is sub-cooled, expanded and divided into three flows: a first flow which is sent directly at about its bulb temperature into the column for separating CO and CH.sub.4, a second flow which is vaporized and warmed up to its dew point and is introduced at that temperature into the separation column and a third flow which is vaporized and warmed to a temperature which is intermediate between said bulb and dew temperatures and which is introduced into the separation column at that intermediate temperature. Application to the production of carbon monoxide and methane from a gas for reforming hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process for the separation by adsorption of at least a component of a gaseous mixture whereby the gas mixture is circulated through an adsorbent mass. A plurality of adsorbent mass compartments are provided and are arranged sectorially about and fixed to a support shaft rotating about an axis, and collection chambers are provided radially internally and externally of each adsorbent compartment. Gas circulation is provided radially through each adsorbent compartment as it rotates about a stationary gas distribution unit.

Abstract: This distributor comprises: a peripheral crown; a series of vertical partitions fixedly mounted on the crown at both ends thereof and extending parallel to one another; sealingly closing means bounding, between the vertical partitions, alternate spaces for collecting gas and liquid; means enabling the upward evacuation of the gas contained in the spaces for collecting gas; and a perforated bottom disposed at the base of each liquid collecting space and sealingly connected to the or each adjacent vertical partition and to the crown. Application to air distillation columns.

Abstract: A device for separating particles in a liquid in which a paper suspension to be cleaned and supplied to a chamber of revolution (1) rotating about an axis (2). Movable deviators (7, 8) precede the fixed outlets (9, 10) to intercept most of the through-put of the suspension in the region of the periphery of the chamber (1), then deviate it towards the longitudinal axis of rotation (2) so as to recover most of the kinetic energy of rotation. The outlets (7, 8, 9, 10) are situated at the opposite end to that of chamber (1) from the supply (5, 6) and are arranged at the periphery of this chamber (1). A diabolo-shaped central body of revolution (11) is arranged inside the chamber, along the longitudinal axis of rotation (2) for rotation about its axis and with a radial run-off (12) in the vicinity of its smallest cross-section connected to an axial outlet duct (13).

Abstract: The device comprises an assembly intended to be mounted on a closure valve of a high pressure container and comprises a manual control device operating a distribution valve in which the upstream end communicates with the closure valve, a pressure reducer and a safety device against over pressures between the distribution valve and an outlet for connection to a user circuit, as well as a manometer which measures the pressure upstream of the distribution valve. A pusher-rod operates the valve of the closure valve in response to a movement of the distribution valve.

Abstract: Fresh fruit and vegetables are preserved under refrigerated temperatures generally between 0.degree. C. and 20.degree. C. by placing the fruits and vegetables in a gaseous atmosphere initially containing an effective amount of nitrogen monoxide or argon in the range of 10-100%, with optionally up to 50% oxygen, any remainder being composed of an inert gas. The fruits and vegetables may be maintained continuously in such atmosphere or in stages interspersed by placing the vegetable products in a different atmosphere.

Abstract: Process for producing an atmosphere for the manufacture of high performance composite parts, of the type wherein the atmosphere is used in an autoclave above a superposition of cutouts with fibrous structure impregnated with a thermosetting organic material disposed between a lower mold and an upper sealing covering member, the space between the covering member and the mold being under vacuum. The atmosphere is nitrogen gas prepared from raw nitrogen by separation from air through permeation or adsorption, incorporating a residual content of oxygen between 0.5% and 6%, with a low content of water vapor. Application for example to the manufacture of secondary and primary structures in aeronautical and space construction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multilayer protective coating for a substrate and a process for protecting a substrate by the deposition of a continuous, transparent, amorphous, inorganic coating essentially comprising silicon, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen by means of a plasma. The invention also concerns the application of the coatings according to the invention in the protection of substrates and in particular against electrostatic charges.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a cutting head made of a cutting nozzle (2) with cutting oxygen duct (6) having radial ribs (11), the assembly being force fitted in a sheath (3) thus forming ducts of oxycombustible mixture (32). This nozzle which produces an improved heat dissipation can be made of reduced dimensions.

Abstract: A thermal decomposition trap includes a trap main body (21) having an inlet port (26) for supplying a gas to be thermally decomposed and an outlet port (27) for exhausting the gas, and a heater (23, 25) for heating the gas supplied in the trap main body (21). An oil trap (28) containing an oil and having an oil discharge port (29) and a valve (V3) connected thereto is formed on a bottom portion of the trap main body (21). Particles generated by thermal decomposition of the gas are precipitated in the oil in the oil trap (28). The oil containing the particles is easily discharged in a short time period by opening the valve (V3) mounted on the oil discharge port (29). An oil-free auxiliary pump is arranged between a reaction chamber and the thermal decomposition trap, whereby a mass flow rate of exhaust from rate in the reaction chamber is not reduced regardless of the arrangement of the thermal decomposition trap.

Abstract: The holding container comprises an inner casing and an outer casing of the same or different materials and a cryogenic liquid withdrawing pipe including an inner portion having a section advantageously in the form of adjacent spiral turns, which is kept in resilient contact, typically by means of a spring spacer against the inner face of the other casing, thus enabling to provide heat exchange contact between the section of the first part of the pipe and the outer casing notwithstanding the nature of the materials constituting the pipe and the outer casing. Application for example to self-pressurizable holding containers.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a catalytic composition comprising titanium and phosphorus and resulting from the contacting of at least one titanate with at least one quaternary "onium" salt of an acid selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid and the phosphonic acids of formula R.sup.7 H.sub.2 PO.sub.3 in which R.sup.7 is a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 38 atoms of carbon and the "onium" remainder is a remainder of formula (R.sup.8 R.sup.9 R.sup.10 R.sup.11 M).sup.+ in which M is an element from the group VA of the periodic table of elements, preferably nitrogen or phosphorous, and R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.10 and R.sup.11, identical or different, represent each an atom of hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 38 atoms of carbon.This catalytic composition is utilizable for producing asters and polyesters from epoxides and carboxylic acid anhydrides.

Abstract: Process for protecting a transparent optical substrate which is polymeric and has a vitreous transformation temperature and is selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, polymethylmethacrylate, polystyrene acrylonitrile, crystalline polystyrene, polyimide, polyester, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride and glass, by deposition of an inorganic continous and transparent film consisting essentially of silicon, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen of the formula Si C.sub.x N.sub.y O.sub.z H.sub.t, in whichx is between 0 and 5y is between 0.3 and 0.8z is between 1.3 and 2.5t is between 0.5 and 1.2.A surface of the substrate is exposed to a plasma at a temperature below the temperature of vitreous transition of the substrate in the presence of precursors of Si, C, N, O and H is gaseous form, the precursor gas of the silicon being selected from the group consisting of SiH.sub.4, Si.sub.2 H.sub.6 and Si.sub.3 H.sub.

Abstract: Process for the gas treatment of a product in a confined treatment zone by a flow of an inert gas, such as nitrogen, wherein a gas flow which originates from a gas treatment containing a high proportion of nitrogen, becomes loaded with impurities such as: oxygen, and/or carbon dioxide, and/or water, and wherein the flow of gas which originates from the treatment undergoes at least substantially in part, a removal of the impurities in a separator of the adsorption or permeation type before being recycled as treatment gas, with addition of a compensating gas flow predominantly containing nitrogen. Application for example to the deoxygenation of liquids, in particular nutritious liquids, to the providing of inert conditions in ovens or storage enclosures for products such as electronic pieces, or in chambers used for preserving nutritious products in an atmosphere which is substantially free from oxygen.

Abstract: A thin copper film is formed by CVD, by (a) forming a gas stream containing a copper halide, followed by introducing said gas stream into a CVD reaction chamber having a heated catalytic metal filament arranged herein, (b) introducing hydrogen gas into the CVD reaction chamber for activation of said hydrogen gas by the heated catalytic metal filament, and (c) carrying out the reaction between the copper halide contained in the gas stream introduced in step (a) and the hydrogen activated in step (b) near the surface of a substrate arranged within the CVD reaction chamber so as to deposit a thin copper film of copper on the substrate surface.