Abstract: A gas cylinder monitoring device (34) for use with a valve (18) for controlling the flow of gas from a cylinder (14). The valve (18) has a valve body (20), and the device comprises an ambient temperature sensor (38) to measure the ambient temperature (TA), a valve body temperature sensor (36) to measure the temperature (TV) of the valve body, and a processor (42). The processor (42) operates to process a compensated temperature (CT) calculated from the difference between the measured valve body temperature (TV) and the ambient temperature (TA) over time (t). A flow-rate (FR) of the flow of gas from the cylinder and/or the pressure (P) on the gas is determined.

Abstract: A process is proposed for production of dimethyl ether (DME) from synthesis gas (SG), in which at least one feed stream formed from synthesis gas (SG) is subjected to at least one synthesis step, in which components present in the feed stream are at least in part converted to dimethyl ether (DME), wherein at least one crude product stream is obtained which contains at least dimethyl ether (DME) and the unreacted components of the feed stream. The feed stream contains at least hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, and has a stoichiometric number of 2.0 to 5.0. The feed stream further contains 4 to 20 mol percent carbon dioxide, and the ratio of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide in the feed stream is in a range from 0.5 to 4. The at least one synthesis step is carried out under isothermal conditions. A system for production of dimethyl ether (DME) from synthesis gas (SG) is likewise subject matter of the present invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing compressed nitrogen and liquid nitrogen. A separation system has a high-pressure column, a low-pressure column with a top condenser and a main condenser. Air is compressed in an air compressor, purified, cooled in a heat exchanger and introduced into the high-pressure column. A first part of the gaseous top nitrogen from the low-pressure column becomes compressed nitrogen product. A second part of the gaseous top nitrogen is condensed in the condensing space of the top condenser and vapor is drawn off as a residual gas stream. The vapor is expanded in a first expansion machine. A second compressed nitrogen stream from the top of the high-pressure column is expanded in a second expansion machine and then drawn off as compressed nitrogen product. A part of the nitrogen condensed in the top condenser is drawn off as liquid nitrogen product.

Abstract: A welding apparatus having a welding tool and a weld cooling apparatus for forced cooling of the weld zone. The welding tool has a welding nozzle with a longitudinal axis, and the weld cooling apparatus uses a source of CO2 as the coolant. A coolant delivery conduit is arranged to move with the welding tool and has a first tube with a longitudinal axis that extends alongside the welding tool, and a second tube with a longitudinal axis extending downwardly and away from the welding tool. A coolant nozzle is located at the end of the second tube to eject coolant at the weld zone. The coolant nozzle outlet is spaced from the workpiece and arranged to direct a jet of coolant behind the welding tool onto the weld zone at least 10 mm from the longitudinal axis of the first tube.

Abstract: A method and plant for the cryogenic separation of air, the plant having an air compressor, a heat exchanger and a distillation column system having a low-pressure column at a first pressure and a high-pressure column at a second pressure. Feed air is compressed in the air compressor to a third pressure at least 2 bar above the second pressure A first fraction of compressed feed air is cooled in the heat exchanger and expanded in a first expansion turbine. A second fraction is cooled in the heat exchanger and expanded in a second expansion turbine A third fraction is compressed to a fourth pressure, cooled in the heat exchanger and then expanded. The third fraction is compressed to the fourth pressure in sequence in a recompressor, a hot first turbine booster and a second turbine booster. A dense fluid expander is used to expand the third fraction.

Abstract: A fluid recovery system includes a separator configured to separate a hydrocarbon stream into L-Grade, water, and natural gas. The system further includes a storage vessel in communication with the separator and configured to store the L-Grade separated from the hydrocarbon stream. The system further includes a compressor in communication with the separator and configured to pressurize the natural gas.

Abstract: A method for detecting leaks in pipelines, particularly those transporting natural gas is disclosed. Leak sensitive particles are added either as soluble particles or in a nitrogen atmosphere which will transmit signals to an appropriate sensor when a leak condition is detected. The sensors can be located along the length of the pipeline or in a pig that will be transported through the pipeline along with the leak sensitive particles.

Abstract: A method for separating a hydrocarbon mixture, which is obtained at least in part by steam cracking and which contains at least hydrocarbons having one, two and three carbon atoms, including ethane and ethylene, a first fraction initially being obtained from the hydrocarbon mixture by separating off other components at least in part, said fraction containing the predominant part of the hydrocarbons having two or more carbon atoms previously contained in the hydrocarbon mixture or the predominant part of the hydrocarbons having two or fewer carbon atoms previously contained in the hydrocarbon mixture, further fractions subsequently being obtained from the first fraction. A fraction containing ethane is separated off in an amount which reduces the ethane content in the first fraction to less than 25%, the fraction containing ethane being low in or free from other hydrocarbons having two carbon atoms.

Abstract: To obtain hydrogen from a gaseous C2minus feed, it is cooled from a first to a second temperature level at a first pressure level forming one or more condensates. A gaseous remainder is cooled to a third temperature level and subjected to a counterflow absorption at the first pressure level, obtaining a top gas rich in hydrogen and methane and a sump liquid. The former is heated and subjected to pressure swing adsorption at the first pressure level, forming a product stream rich in hydrogen and depleted in or free from methane. The condensate(s) and/or the sump liquid is/are expanded to and fed into a low pressure demethanizer at the second pressure level. The counterflow absorption is carried out using fluid taken from the demethanizer at the second pressure level, compressed in gaseous form to the first pressure level and cooled to the third temperature level.

Abstract: In order to overcome the limitations and problems that earlier apparatus and methods have experienced, a 3D printing head is disclosed having a nozzle, wherein the nozzle has: a material extrusion portion, and at least one protective gas injection portion co-acting with the material extraction portion. A related apparatus for 3D printing an article, in particular a food article, is also proposed. A related method of 3D printing an article, in particular a food article is also proposed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for drying and impregnating a material with a fluid blowing agent, having a blowing agent source (13) for providing a fluid blowing agent (20), a first vessel (11) set up to dry a material (22) with the fluid blowing agent (20) or a drying gas (25) and to load the dried material (23) with the fluid blowing agent (20) at a pressure of at least 2 bar, wherein the first vessel (11) can be flow-connected to the blowing agent source (13) or to the blowing agent source (13) and a drying gas source (17) for provision of the drying gas (25), and a dryer (14) for removing water (27) from the fluid blowing agent (21) or the drying gas (26), wherein the dryer (14) can be flow-connected to the first vessel (11).

Abstract: A method for obtaining an ethylene product in a supercritical state is proposed, in which method a gas mixture containing predominantly or exclusively ethylene and ethane is separated in a distillation column (1), which is operated at a distillation pressure level of from 5 to 15 bar, into an overhead product containing predominantly or exclusively ethylene and a bottom product containing predominantly or exclusively ethane, the overhead product being withdrawn in the gaseous state from the head of the distillation column (1) and a first portion thereof being liquefied and returned as reflux to the distillation column (1) and a second portion thereof being converted into a supercritical state and being used as the ethylene product.

Abstract: A rotor for a slip ring motor includes a hollow shaft with an open end, a plurality of electric cables, and a cable guide arranged in the open end guiding the electric cables from inside the hollow shaft towards connection points of the electric cables outside of the hollow shaft.

Abstract: A method for cryogenic separation of air uses an air separation plant, wherein, in a mass transfer column, a liquid first fluid and a gaseous second fluid are subjected to mass transfer with one another. A gaseous third fluid is removed from the column and is at least partly discharged from the air separation plant. A liquid fourth fluid is removed from the column and is at least partly fed into a low-pressure column. The first fluid is formed using at least a part of an oxygen-rich liquid removed from the low-pressure column. The second fluid is formed using an oxygen-enriched liquid removed from a high-pressure column. The oxygen-enriched liquid removed from the high-pressure column and bottom liquid of the mass transfer column are mixed and partly evaporated in a condenser-evaporator. A liquid fifth fluid is removed from the mass transfer column between a feed point for the first fluid and a feed point for the oxygen-enriched liquid, and is at least partly fed into the low-pressure column.

Abstract: A method for operating a gas scrubber is disclosed in which components are removed from a crude gas by scrubbing with a chemical or physical scrubbing medium to obtain a pure gas present at elevated pressure which, after heating, is introduced into an expansion machine which after work-performing decompression the pure gas leaves at an exit temperature. The amount of heat supplied to the pure gas during heating thereof is deliberately altered to approximate the exit temperature thereof to a predetermined target value at all times.

Abstract: A method for leak detection of a packaged sealed product according to the steps: feeding liquid nitrogen to a vaporizer thereby forming gaseous nitrogen; mixing the gaseous nitrogen with multifunctional particles; feeding the mixture of gaseous nitrogen and multifunctional particles to a chamber wherein a packaged sealed product is present in the chamber; and transmitting a signal when the multifunctional particles contact a component leaking from the packaged sealed product. Typically, the packaged sealed product is a pharmaceutical or other medicinal product.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for use in petrochemical plants, such as an ethylene production plant includes a refrigerant vent rectifier. The rectifier purifies the refrigerant by removing low molecular weight inerts. The refrigeration system is more efficient, consumes less energy and increases plant capacity.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for indirectly exchanging heat between a first medium and a second medium, the heat exchanger having a easing enclosing an encased area for receiving the liquid phase of the first medium and at least one plate heat exchanger arranged in the encased area for receiving the first medium and the second medium. The plate heat exchanger is surrounded by the liquid phase of the first medium during operation. A collecting channel is located in the encased area in order to allow for discharge of part of the liquid phase of the first medium from the encased area.

Abstract: The method and the device arc used for the cryogenic decomposition of air in a distillation column system for separating nitrogen and oxygen, said system having a first high-pressure column (23), a low-pressure column (25, 26), and three condenser-evaporators, namely a high-pressure column head condenser (27), a low-pressure column bottom evaporator (28), and an auxiliary condenser (29; 228).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a contiguous frozen mass in an area of ground wherein at least one first cooling lance is introduced into the area of ground in which the contiguous frozen mass is to be generated, wherein a first fluid coolant is fed into the at least first cooling lance to support the formation of a contiguous frozen mass which surrounds the at least first cooling lance, the first coolant evaporates during formation of the contiguous frozen mass and the evaporated coolant is displaced out of the at least first cooling lance into a means for holding and/or dissipating the evaporated coolant. In this context, it is provided according to the invention that noise emissions generated during the creation of the contiguous frozen mass are minimised by a soundproofing means. The invention relates further to a device for performing the method according to the invention.