Abstract: A burner has a nozzle formed of generally concentric inner and outer pieces. The inner piece defines a fuel conduit, and the outer piece defines an annular gas conduit which tapers down towards the outlet end of the nozzle. The inner piece has a rounded edge near the outlet end. The inner piece is longitudinally translatable, within a limited range of movement, relative to the outer piece, and can be locked into a desired position. The nozzle promotes efficient mixing of fuel and air (or oxygen) outside the burner. The stream of air creates a partial vacuum in the vicinity of the outlet end, serving to draw fuel out of the fuel conduit. Longitudinal adjustment of the inner piece allows the shape of the flame to be optimized. The burner can be used with virtually any fuel that can be provided in fluid form, whether solid, liquid or gas.

Abstract: Oxygen is mixed with waste water at an early stage in a water treatment facility, to reduce odor caused by anaerobic reactions of sulfur. Waste water is withdrawn from a collection basin, by a pump connected to a suction pipe, and is mixed with oxygen from an external source. The mixture, having been saturated with oxygen, is then returned to the collection basin through a discharge pipe. The end of the discharge pipe is positioned at a higher vertical level than the end of the suction pipe, to prevent gas from entering the pump which would cause cavitation. Also, the end of the discharge pipe has a blind flange, such that the oxygen-enriched water exiting the discharge pipe flows in a direction which is non-parallel to the axis of the pipe. This arrangement provides better mixing of the oxygen with the water in the basin, and prevents the oxygen-enriched water from flowing too soon to the suction pipe.

Abstract: A compact device for injecting cryogenic liquid into containers is capable of use with containers of varying sizes. A vessel containing the cryogenic liquid is connected to a nozzle by a thermally-insulated, flexible hose. The nozzle is connected to an arm which is mounted to a support, such that the arm can move in different directions relative to the support. The nozzle can thus be moved with three degrees of freedom, and can be easily positioned over a container to be filled. The apparatus also includes conduits for conveying excess gas from the vessel into a process controller housing, to keep moisture out of that housing. The nozzle includes ports which receive gas formed by vaporizing cryogenic liquid from a supply. Gas flowing into these ports can be used to control the formation of droplets. When heated, such gas can also be used to prevent ice formation in the nozzle, or to remove ice that has already formed.

Abstract: Oxygen is mixed with waste water at an early stage in a water treatment facility, to reduce odor caused by anaerobic reactions of sulfur. Waste water is withdrawn from a collection basin, by a pump connected to a suction pipe, and is mixed with oxygen from an external source. The mixture, having been saturated with oxygen, is then returned to the collection basin through a discharge pipe. The end of the discharge pipe is positioned at a higher vertical level than the end of the suction pipe, to prevent gas from entering the pump which would cause cavitation. Also, the end of the discharge pipe has a blind flange, such that the oxygen-enriched water exiting the discharge pipe flows in a direction which is non-parallel to the axis of the pipe. This arrangement provides better mixing of the oxygen with the water in the basin, and prevents the oxygen-enriched water from flowing too soon to the suction pipe.

Abstract: Oxygen is mixed with waste water at an early stage in a water treatment facility, to reduce odor caused by anaerobic reactions of sulfur. Waste water is withdrawn from a collection basin, by a pump connected to a suction pipe, and is mixed with oxygen from an external source. The mixture, having been saturated with oxygen, is then returned to the collection basin through a discharge pipe. The end of the discharge pipe is positioned at a higher vertical level than the end of the suction pipe, to prevent gas from entering the pump which would cause cavitation. Also, the end of the discharge pipe has a blind flange, such that the oxygen-enriched water exiting the discharge pipe flows in a direction which is non-parallel to the axis of the pipe. This arrangement provides better mixing of the oxygen with the water in the basin, and prevents the oxygen-enriched water from flowing too soon to the suction pipe.

Abstract: Water in an aeration pond is treated with substantially pure oxygen. The oxygen originates from a pressurized oxygen supply, and is conducted through a conduit to the bottom of the pond. Perforations located around the perimeter and along the length of the conduit allow oxygen to bubble through the pond. A hood disposed to float above the surface of the pond collects unreacted oxygen, and this oxygen flows, through a suitable gas line, back to the original conduit. The unreacted oxygen mixes with fresh oxygen from the pressurized source, and is recycled through the pond. In one embodiment, before mixing with fresh oxygen, the recovered oxygen is pressurized by a double-diaphragm pump which is operated by pressure from the oxygen supply. The pressurized oxygen is the sole source of motive force for moving gas through the system. The rate of gas flow through the system is controlled by adjusting the supply pressure, through the use of a control valve.

Abstract: A sugar refining process uses carbon dioxide obtained from a module containing a plurality of gas-permeable polymeric membranes. Flue gas from a boiler is scrubbed, and then passed through the gas-separation module. The output of the module contains an enhanced concentration of carbon dioxide, in the range of about 20% by volume. The carbon dioxide enhanced gas is then directed into a reactor in which raw sugar is exposed to carbon dioxide to cause carbonation, an essential step in the decolorization of the raw sugar. The same boiler used to produce the carbon dioxide is also used to produce steam which drives the reaction. The present invention provides carbon dioxide for carbonation in a highly efficient manner, as the gas separation membrane has no moving parts and requires little maintenance. The invention is especially suited for retrofitting existing sugar refining plants, to improve their efficiency, at a relatively small cost.

Abstract: A cabinet, sized to accommodate a compressed gas cylinder, includes a heater which maintains the contents of the cylinder within a desired temperature range. By heating the air surrounding the cylinder, the heater heats not only the cylinder but also its valve and regulator. Vent holes, placed near the top and bottom of the cabinet, provide continuous air flow, preventing possible accumulation of flammable gas in the cabinet in the event of a cylinder leak. The invention is especially useful in maintaining a calibration gas at a temperature which insures the stability of the components of the gas. The invention can also be used in any situation in which it is necessary to heat a compressed gas cylinder.

Abstract: A pulp mill includes a digester which contains a raw material, a digesting medium, and a source of steam. Oxygen is injected into the steam line, at a point which minimizes exposure of the oxygen to the steam outside of the digester. The oxygen can also be injected directly into the digester. The oxygen speeds the chemical reactions in the digester, allowing the digesting process to be completed with a reduced quantity of chemicals and/or steam, and at a faster rate. The present invention improves the quality of the effluents from a pulp mill, and makes it easier for the operator of the mill to comply with environmental regulations.

Abstract: A water distribution system facilitates automatic corrosion control. The operator enters a set of values of parameters associated with water in the system. The system automatically and repeatedly measures the temperature and pH of the water. The system then computes a target pH for the water, according to a function which depends on the temperature and the other parameters, and on an index of corrosion. The system then varies the pH of the water, so as to minimize the deviation between the measured pH and the target pH. The system performs this process repeatedly, to maintain the desired properties of the water. In particular, the operator can easily and automatically control the water so as to make it either more corrosive or more scale-forming, in such a manner as to minimize the dissolution of lead or copper into the water while limiting the tendency of the water to form scale.

Abstract: One forms spherical or spheroidal glass particles by entraining a powder of glass particles in a carrier gas and injecting the entrained particles into the center of the flame of an oxygen-fuel burner. Separate conduits carry fuel, such as natural gas, and substantially pure oxygen into the burner to support combustion. The temperature in the burner flame does not exceed about 5000.degree. F. Heat from the flame causes the particles to become spheroidal, due to surface tension, but the particles do not remain in the flame long enough to melt. By adjusting a valve in the line which conveys the carrier gas and glass particles, one varies the time during which the particles reside in the flame. If the pressure becomes too high, the residence time decreases, and the particles may not become entirely spheroidal. If the pressure becomes too low, the residence time increases, and the particles may melt and/or form undesirable filaments.

Abstract: A non-cryogenic system for producing ultra-pure nitrogen includes a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit for converting incoming ambient air into a process stream containing mainly nitrogen. The process stream is combined with hydrogen, in a reactor, to remove residual oxygen. The process stream is then cooled, and the cooled process stream is directed through a dryer. The output of the dryer is ultra-pure, dry nitrogen. The dryer contains at least two sections, one being the active section and the other section being regenerated. A portion of the output nitrogen leaving the active section is directed back into the section being regenerated, where it absorbs moisture, and is then recycled to the PSA unit. The result is an ultra-pure and dry product. The invention avoids the need for providing heat to the dryer, and also eliminates the need for many of the components used in prior art systems. The invention is economically operated even for small or medium-sized flow rates.

Abstract: The interior of a gas cylinder is cleaned using a supercritical fluid. A treating material, such as carbon dioxide, is injected into the cylinder, and the pressure in the cylinder is increased until the pressure of the treating material exceeds its critical pressure. Then, the cylinder is heated until the temperature of the treating material exceeds its critical temperature. The treating material therefore becomes a supercritical fluid. The treating material is maintained in its supercritical state while the cylinder is rolled for a period of time, while the supercritical fluid dissolves contaminants on the interior surface of the cylinder, and on objects within the cylinder. Then, the supercritical fluid is vented from the cylinder, preferably while the fluid in the cylinder is maintained in its supercritical state.

Abstract: The present invention produces discrete droplets of cryogenic liquid, suitable for injection into receptacles such as cans or plastic bottles, at high speeds. A container of cryogenic liquid includes a hole and an orifice, spaced apart from each other, and defining a path for liquid to flow out of the container. A conduit directs a gas into the space between the hole and the orifice. The orifice is formed in an orifice plug which can be adjusted so as to vary the volume of the space between the hole and the orifice. When gas fills the space, the gas tends to prevent the outflow of liquid. When gas is withdrawn from the space, liquid can flow out of the container. By rapidly closing opening a valve which supplies gas to the space, and by proper choice the volume of the space, the liquid can be made to fall out of the container in discrete droplets.

Abstract: An incinerator for combustible or thermally-decomposable gases includes a device which insures that gas continues to flow through the incinerator in the event of failure of the scrubber fan connected to the outlet of the incinerator. When the scrubber fan fails, a solenoid-operated valve opens, and compressed gas from a tank flows through the valve into the main conduit of the incinerator. The compressed gas enters the main conduit through an air flow amplifier installed within the main conduit. The air flow amplifier magnifies the effect of the compressed gas, and creates a region of negative pressure which assures that toxic or hazardous gases do not remain in the incinerator, but instead continue to flow toward the scrubber fan, even after the fan has failed.

Abstract: The present invention produces a cold gas stream having a constant temperature and pressure. The gas stream is obtained from two initial streams, one being a liquefied gas and the other being a gas at ambient temperature. The liquefied gas stream is combined with the warm gas stream, causing the liquid to vaporize. The two streams are combined in proportions that yield a cold gas mixture having a desired temperature. The resulting cold gas mixture is directed into an insulated container having a volume significantly larger than the volume of the conduits through which the streams flow. The container therefore acts as a buffer to reduce pressure fluctuations in the stream. A temperature equalization coil is located in the interior of the container. The coil has one open end which communicates with the interior region of the container, the other end of the coil being connected to an outlet line.

Abstract: A sterilizing gas mixture, containing ethylene oxide and a diluent, is used to sterilize articles in a sterilizing chamber. When the sterilization has been completed, the chamber is purged of sterilizing gas, usually in two or more purging cycles. During the first purging cycle, the spent sterilizing gas mixture is directed to a condenser, where the residual ethylene oxide and diluent are liquefied. During the second and subsequent purging cycles, the additional sterilizing gas mixture remaining in the chamber is conveyed to a disposal unit to dispose of the remaining ethylene oxide. The disposal unit can be a catalytic device which converts the ethylene oxide to carbon dioxide and water. Alternatively, the disposal unit can be a chemical device, such as an acid scrubber which converts the ethylene oxide into a non-toxic substance. Thus, virtually none of the ethylene oxide vents to the outside.

Abstract: Plastic objects are exposed to a gas mixture containing fluorine and a gaseous oxidizing agent, to produce an extremely smooth surface on the objects. The oxidizing agent can be oxygen, and the object is preferably exposed to the gaseous mixture for about 10-30 seconds. The surface of the object treated according to the present invention is found to be considerably more smooth and glossy than objects treated with fluorine alone, without the oxidizing agent. The surface formed according to the present invention therefore minimizes the contact area between the treated object and the surrounding media.

Abstract: Plastic objects are exposed to a gas mixture containing fluorine and a gaseous oxidizing agent, to produce an extremely smooth surface on the objects. The oxidizing agent can be oxygen, and the object is preferably exposed to the gaseous mixture for about 10-30 seconds. The surface of the object treated according to the present invention is found to be considerably more smooth and glossy than objects treated with fluorine alone, without the oxidizing agent. The surface formed according to the present invention therefore minimizes the contact area between the treated object and the surrounding media.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for recovering one or more components of a sterilizing gas. Typically, the sterilizing gas is ethylene oxide, mixed with a relatively inert diluent such as a halocarbon. The sterilizing gas discharged from a sterilizing chamber is cryogenically cooled in a condenser, such that the ethylene oxide and the diluent are liquefied. The remaining gaseous impurities, such as air, are removed from the condenser, filtered, and vented to the atmosphere. The liquefied mixture of ethylene oxide and diluent is periodically drained from the condenser, and filtered to remove impurities. This liquid mixture can then be separated into its constituent components for later use. The liquid mixture can also be vaporized and combined with fresh ethylene oxide, as needed, to produce a fresh sterilizing gas mixture which is recycled to the sterilizing chamber.