Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reforming impure methanol wherein residual gas produced during the reforming reaction is combusted simultaneously with residual gas coming from the purification of the hydrogen produced. The apparatus includes a tubular reactor in which the steam reforming is performed, a vaporizer for the reaction mixture, a heat exchanger to exchange heat between the outgoing gases and the feed liquid, a separator, a purification unit, and a combustion furnace for the residual purification gas. The apparatus further comprises a pipe for bringing in the condensed water-alcohol mixture to the combustion furnace, this pipe being equipped with two heat exchangers.

Abstract: A process for extracting spices in liquid carbon dioxide in the presence of an alimentarily acceptable cosolvent which does not degrade the flavors of the spices. The process is particularly applicable to the extraction of piperine and aromatic compounds of pepper.

Abstract: In the method for the manufacture of a paper pulp for currency use from a stock comprising textile fibers, the operations of boiling, bleaching, chopping, breaking, cutting and washing of the textile fibers are performed in at least one treatment machine (10, 40) of the type having two co-rotating screws, in a plurality of phases taking place successively and continuously. The operations include a phase of feeding and mixing the stock with water, at least oen compression phase, at least one phase of shearing of the textile fibers, at least one phase of treatment of introduction of boiling and bleaching reagents, at least one phase of washing of the bleached pulp by introduction of washing water, and a phase of transferring and evacuating the bleached and washed pulp.

Abstract: A process for depositing tungsten silicide films on a silicon substrate by chemical vapor deposition, comprises the steps of producing a silicon sub-fluoride by passing SiF.sub.4 over pieces of silicon heated in a tubular oven about 1200.degree.-1500.degree. K., mixing gaseous WF.sub.6 with the silicon sub-fluoride, and then immediately depositing the tungsten silicide films on said silicon substrate.

Abstract: Process for separating a gaseous mixture by adsorption includes the steps of: (a) a cocurrent isobaric production (f.sub.p1 -f.sub.p2); (b) a pressure equalization between the adsorber undergoing decompression and another adsorber undergoing countercurrent recompression (f.sub.c1 -N.sub.4); (c) a cocurrent partial emptying to a reservoir (f); (d) a final countercurrent decompression (f.sub.a); (e) a countercurrent scavenging by the gas of the reservoir (f.sub.b); (f) a countercurrent partial recompression by at least one pressure equalization (f'.sub.e); (g) a countercurrent final recompression (f'.sub.di -F'.sub.

Abstract: The plant comprises a conveyor (1) above which are disposed a device (3) for injecting liquefied gas into the containers and, on the downstream side of the device relative to the direction of travel of the conveyor, a device (4) for closing the containers, and a tunnel (5) for protecting the containers against the surrounding air and extending between the injecting device (3) and the closing device (4). Application in the packing of non-gaseous beverages and organic products in cans or bottles.

Abstract: Oxygen from the bottom of a low pressure column (4) is purified from hydrocarbons in a first auxiliary column (12), and the vapor at the top of this column is distilled in a second auxiliary column (17) heated at the base thereof with air at medium pressure. Ultra-pure oxygen is produced at the bottom of the second auxiliary column. Application in the production of ultra-pure oxygen for the electronic industry.

Abstract: Aromatic aldehydes are produced by oxidation with oxygen of a para-cresol derivative in a solvent, in the presence of a base and a catalytic amount of a cobalt compound. The catalyst is a chelated complex of cobalt with a rigid structure that is slightly oxidizable selected from the group consisting of bis-(4-methylpyridine isoindolinato)cobalt(II) acetate, phthalocyaninatocobalt(II), and sulfophthalocyaninanatocobalt(II). The process is particularly suited to the production of p-hydroxy benzaldehydes.

Abstract: The process comprises putting the must or wort in contact with a side of a membrane permeable to oxygen and putting the other side of this membrane in contact with a gas containing oxygen under partial pressure higher than the partial pressure in oxygen of the liquid. Application in vinification.

Abstract: A cylinder (1) having a plunger tube (3) contains a mass of supercritical CO.sub.2 containing 7 to 8% dissolved hydrogen, surmounted by a gaseous sky constituted by hydrogen under a pressure higher than about 120 bars. Supercritical CO.sub.2 containing several percent of dissolved hydrogen can thus be obtained by merely opening the valve (5) of the cylinder. Used in the cosmetic industry.

Abstract: A device for the continuous determination of a surface state index for a ing sheet, creped in the form of undulations, comprising a light source, a first optical system, a cell intended to receive the back-scattered beam and a system for processing the beam, wherein: the light source is a laser source; the first optical system is an astigmatic system, intended to adapt the size of the laser beam at the point where it meets the sheet to the average pitch of the said undulations in the moving creped sheet; the cell is an optoelectronic cell whose sensitive surface receives at least part of the back-scattered light, concentrated by a second convergent optical system; and the processing system comprises a means for determining a surface state index for the sheet from the electrical signals.

Abstract: This PSA cycle comprises two successive pressure equilibration steps in the course of which gas is withdrawn in a cocurrent manner from an adsorber at the beginning of countercurrent decompression and respectively introduced in a countercurrent manner and then in a cocurrent manner in another adsorber at the beginning of recompression. Application in the production of impure oxygen from air of the atmosphere.

Abstract: An annealing treatment in a continuous furnace in which a flow of dense inert gas is injected in a rising duct and a descending duct, these flows being regulated by the analysis of hydrogen detected by a pressure controller acting on valves to achieve a minimum escape of hydrogen.

Abstract: The separation of a gaseous mixture of at least three components, by permeation, wherein a more permeable component, e.g. hydrogen, is separated from an intermediately permeable component and a less permeable component, e.g. CO.sub.2 and CO, respectively, in a first permeator. The residue from the first permeator, e.g. CO.sub.2 and CO, is introduced into a second permeator in which the intermediately permeable component, e.g. CO.sub.2, is separated from the less permeable component, e.g. CO. The less permeable component, e.g. CO, is then directly and completely introduced into the downstream side of the first permeator, where it rejoins the more permeable component, e.g. H.sub.2. The partial pressure of the more permeable component in the starting gaseous mixture, e.g. H.sub.2, is maintained higher than its partial pressure in the final mixture of e.g. H.sub.2 and CO.

Abstract: Centralized greasing installation, each stage of which comprises a metering iston (12) with two rods (19, 20), the ends of each of the two rods (19, 20) sliding respectively inside a lubrication chamber (21) and a resetting chamber (22), said chambers being supplied with air and connected to the atmosphere by a bore (23, 24) of an adjusting stopper (17, 18) which is closed by the end of the corresponding rod at the end of corresponding lubrication and resetting travel of the piston (12), with means for detecting the establishment of pressure, wherein the various lubrication air chambers (21) are connected together and to a common air source having a limited flow rate as well as to a common pressure switch, while the various resetting air chambers (22) are placed in communication with each other and with another compressed-air source having a limited flow rate and to another pressure control switch, in order to verify, with limited means, that between the resetting phase and the lubrication phase, all the mete

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for treating gaseous effluents containing sulfur dioxide. Sulfur dioxide is oxidized by oxygen in a concentrated sulfuric acid medium in the presence of a catalyst comprising electrooxidized salts of Mn+2. The gaseous effluents are converted to directly usable sulfuric acid.

Abstract: An optical waveguide for infrared light includes a series of metal layers. A thick outer layer of nickel is provided for mechanical stiffness to make the structure self-supporting. Thinner inside layers are also provided of metals such as silver, gold and copper which are good heat conductors. Since nickel has a low thermal conductivity, the waveguide can be damaged due to heat build-up. The layers of good conductors spread the heat efficiently to remove this possibility while the nickel continues to provide the necessary strength. A highly-reflective inert inside layer of gold may also be provided.

Abstract: A device for calibrating an apparatus for measuring the formation index of a sheet of paper in which an emitted light beam is directed through the sheet of paper and detected and electronically processed into a modulated output signal. The device has a frosted glass for diffusing the measuring beam of light and an opaque rod mounted for rotation in and out of the beam of light so as to provide a modulation of the detected light of a known amount which can then be used to calibrate the measuring apparatus by adjusting the various parameters of the apparatus to yield the desired known output modulation.

Abstract: A process for continuous cooling of an extruded product, wherein the product passes successively in its direction of movement in a tunnel through at least three cooling zones; an upstream zone for cooling by convection in which the gas and the product move countercurrently, a cooling zone by cryogenic fluid spraying on the product, and a downstream stabilization zone in which the gas and the product move concurrently.

Abstract: The microwave torch comprises at least one gas supply conduit (1, 2); a resonant cavity (3) forming around the conduit a sleeve open adjacent to the outlet of the conduit and including a lateral opening (4); a transition coaxial structure perpendicular to the sleeve comprising, on one hand, an outer tube (5) connected to the lateral opening (4) of the sleeve and, on the other hand, an inner element (6) having one end (20) in contact with the conduit and an opposite end which is in contact with the outer surface of a wave guide (8) and carries a transition member (7) disposed in the wave guide; said wave guide supplying microwave energy and having a rectangular section and perpendicular to the coaxial structure (5, 6) being provided with an opening (27) where the outer tube (5) of the coaxial structure is connected; shielding gas supply means in the wave guide and/or the coaxial structure and/or the sleeve; optionally tuning means; and optionally plasma igniting means.