Abstract: A process by which a vapor side product stream is taken from the bottom section of a cryogenic distillation column, such as a propane or ethane recovery column, which process optionally employs a nonpolar liquid additive for use in the separation of acid gases from a hydrocarbon feed stream. The withdrawal of the vapor side stream prevents the build-up of water in the column which would ordinarily lead to free-water formation or the formation of solid hydrates in the cryogenic distillation column.

Abstract: A load management control system and method which communicates load shedding information from a central station controller via existing telephone lines to a substation controller. The substation controller in turn controls the tap position selection of a load tap changing transformer to send encoded step voltage signals down a power distribution line to a load control receiver. The load control receiver decodes the encoded signal message and appropriately controls uniquely associated loads. The substation controller interrupts automatic operation of the voltage maintenance circuitry of the load tap changing transformer during transmission of a message. Control is returned to the automatic circuitry of the load tap changing transformer after the message is completed so as to make existence of the load management control system of the present invention transparent to existing equipment in the field.

Abstract: A recycle process for the separation of landfill gas containing a wide variety of impurities into a carbon dioxide product stream and a fuel-grade-pressurized methane product stream, the process providing for the removal of both the impurities and the carbon dioxide in a cryogenic column as a bottom stream, the separation of the methane from the overhead product stream by a membrane process, and, optionally, the removal of impurities from the carbon dioxide bottom stream in a separate purification column, to recover a high-quality, liquid, carbon dioxide stream.

Abstract: A method and system for filtering cooking oil in cooking vessels is disclosed. In accordance with the method and system, there is provided a collection vessel for collecting filtered oil, a filter member for filtering contaminants and particulate matter from the cooking oil, and a centrifugal pump apparatus which includes an impeller, an impeller discharge, and a flexible conduit having an inlet end connected to the impeller discharge and an outlet end. The filter member is supported in relation to the collection vessel so as to be in position to receive oil to be filtered, and then to discharge filtered oil into the collection vessel. The centrifugal pump apparatus is adapted to be placed directly in the cooking vessel so that at least the impeller thereof is in direct contact with the oil to be filtered, and the outlet end of the flexible conduit is arranged to be in position to discharge oil pumped therethrough into the filter member.

Abstract: Distillative separations of hydrocarbon feed mixtures containing at least methane and carbon dioxide, as well as other components, such as ethane, higher hydrocarbons, and hydrogen sulfide are disclosed. In the separations described, methane is preferably separated from an acid gas under conditions of composition, temperature and pressure which would normally produce acid gas solids. Acid gas solids are prevented by adding a liquid solids-preventing agent into this distillation column. A second distillation column is subsequently employed to further separate the feed gas mixture. The second distillation column is operated under conditions which an azeotrope would normally form between the light hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide, which azeotrope would limit the carbon dioxide overhead composition. The azeotrope is prevented by introducing an agent for preventing azeotrope formation. Alternatively, the second distillation column may be operated to separate carbon dioxide from hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: A method and system for filtering cooking oil in cooking vessels is disclosed. In accordance with the method and system, there is provided a collection vessel for collecting filtered oil, a filter member for filtering contaminants and particulate matter from the cooking oil, and a centrifugal pump apparatus which includes an impeller, an impeller discharge, and a flexible conduit having an inlet end connected to the impeller discharge and an outlet end. The filter member is supported in relation to the collection vessel so as to be in position to receive oil to be filtered, and then to discharge filtered oil into the collection vessel. The centrifugal pump apparatus is adapted to be placed directly in the cooking vessel so that at least the impeller thereof is in direct contact with the oil to be filtered, and the outlet end of the flexible conduit is arranged to be in position to discharge oil pumped therethrough into the filter member.

Abstract: An improvement in a Ryan/Holmes separation of methane from carbon dioxide is disclosed wherein the upper portion of a distillation column is operated, i.e., -70.degree. F., while still effectuating a separation of methane from carbon dioxide. This is achieved by increasing the amount of nonpolar liquid agent added to the condenser of the column to an amount sufficient to maintain the condenser and all portions of the column above such temperatures.

Abstract: A filter bag is provided with an integral flap for agitating a liquid which is being filtered to thereby inhibit particulate matter from collecting on the filter bag and clogging it during a filtering operation.

Abstract: A flue gas dry scrubbing system achieves higher sulfur dioxide removal efficiency with a better utilization of alkali reagent chemicals as well as increased dry product recovery performance using a combination of spray drying with an alkali reagent slurry and with a recycled stream comprising a mixture of unreacted alkali, sulfite and sulfate reaction products and flyash which directly contacts the sulfur dioxide-containing flue gas. Preferably the recycled mixture contacts the flue gas in the spray dryer. The invention utilizes a splitting method and a splitter apparatus wherein the particle product powder is separated into two fractions for recycling and for product disposal. The rate of splitting is fully adjustable over a wide range.

Abstract: A method for the distillative separation of a feed stream containing light hydrocarbons and acid gas components in a distillative column into an enriched overhead product, such as a carbondioxide fraction, and an enriched bottom product of C.sub.2 + and hydrogen sulfide, the method which comprises: introducing a liquid alkane additive into the column, to provide a relatively uniform, constant temperature zone in the column above the point of feed inlet of the feed stream; extracting heat from the upper portion of the low-temperature zone; and introducing heat into the lower portion of the temperature zone approximately at or above the feed inlet of the feed stream, to reduce the energy requirement of the distillation.

Abstract: An improved method for the distillation of a feed stream containing hydrocarbon components, which method is directed toward the production of a bottom product stream and an overhead product stream, both with desired specifications, which method comprises recycling a minor portion of the bottom product stream typically, but not necessarily, derived from said separation directly to a reflux condenser for the overhead product stream of said method, in order to effect a savings in energy in said distillative method, such as by adjusting the column operating conditions, such as the column operating pressure or the top or bottom operating temperatures of said column.

Abstract: Radioactive waste treatment apparatus in which the waste is burned in a controlled combustion process, the ash residue from the combustion process is removed and buried, the gaseous effluent is treated in a scrubbing solution the pH of which is maintained constant by adding an alkaline compound to the solution while concurrently extracting a portion of the scrubbing solution, called the blowdown stream. The blowdown stream is fed to the incinerator where it is evaporated and the combustibles in the blowdown stream burned and the gaseous residue sent to the scrubbing solution. Gases left after the scrubbing process are treated to remove iodides and are filtered and passed into the atmosphere.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electrostatic precipitator with a discharge electrode having dimensional and configuration characteristics which provide high field strength and high current density particularly in a wet electrostatic precipitator. The round cylindrical collector tube of length (L) and with an inner diameter (D) has a coaxially positioned discharge electrode having an electrode supporting mast of a diameter from 0.25 to 0.40 D with an electrically conducting closed screw flight secured to the mast. The screw flight has an overall diameter (d) of from 0.33 to 0.67 D with a pitch of from D-d/2 to D-d and an overall length of from one screw revolution to L-(D-d), preferably one-half L or less and most preferably one to two revolutions. The short screw flight is economical and readily adjusted. The screw flight has a thickness of from about 0.05 to 0.15 inch and has a symmetrically curved outer edge.

Abstract: An improvement in a Ryan/Holmes separation of methane from carbon dioxide is disclosed wherein the upper portion of a distillation column is operated at temperatures above the triple point of carbon dioxide, i.e., -70.degree. F., while still effectuating a separation of methane from carbon dioxide. This is achieved by increasing the amount of non-polar liquid agent added to the condenser of the column to an amount sufficient to maintain the condenser and all portions of the column at such temperatures.

Abstract: A distillative separation of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide is improved by adding a C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkane, a mixture of C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkanes, SO.sub.2 or SO.sub.3 to a distillation column to increase the relative volatility of carbon dioxide to hydrogen sulfide. Increasing the relative volatility facilitates the separation.

Abstract: A system and process for flue gas processing to remove both gaseous contaminants such as sulfur dioxide and particulate matter such as flyash integrates spray scrubbing apparatus and wet electrostatic precipitation apparatus and provides for the advantageous extraction and utilization of heat present in the flue gas which is being processed. The integrated system and process utilizes a spray scrubbing tower into which the flue gas is introduced and into which aqueous alkali slurry is introduced as spray for sulfur dioxide removal therein. The flue gas leaves the tower moisture laden and enters a wet electrostatic precipitator which includes a heat exchanger where flyash and entrained droplets in the flue gas are removed by electrostatic precipitation and heat is removed from the flue gas. The cleaned flue gas exits from the precipitator and discharges into a stack. The heat removed from the flue gas finds use in the system or otherwise in the steam generation plant.

Abstract: An improved distillative separation of carbon dioxide and light hydrocarbons is disclosed in which the formation of an azeotrope between these components is prevented by addition of an agent to said distillation column and in which prevention of the azeotrope allows a more complete separation to be achieved.

Abstract: A method and composition for a determination of alkaline materials such as soap in fat are disclosed. In the disclosed method, a predetermined amount of a test solution containing a solvent and a dye is mixed with fat; the fat and test solution are allowed to separate into two phases; and the color developed in one of the phases is compared with a known standard to determine the amount of alkaline materials in the fat. A test solution and test kit for performing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved method for the distillation of a feed stream containing hydrocarbon components, which method is directed toward the production of a bottom product stream and an overhead product stream, both with desired specifications, which method comprises recycling a minor portion of the bottom product stream typically, but not necessarily, derived from said separation directly to a reflux condenser for the overhead product stream of said method, in order to effect a savings in energy in said distillative method, such as by adjusting the column operating conditions, such as the column operating pressure or the top or bottom operating temperatures of said column.

Abstract: An improved method for the distillation of a feed stream containing hydrocarbon components, which method is directed toward the production of a bottom product stream and an overhead product stream, both with desired specifications, which method comprises recycling a minor portion of the bottom product stream typically, but not necessarily, derived from said separation directly to a reflux condenser for the overhead product stream of said method, in order to effect a savings in energy in said distillative method, such as by adjusting the column operating conditions, such as the column operating pressure or the top or bottom operating temperatures of said column.