Abstract: A method of washing one or more fresh vegetables, which entails washing the one or more fresh vegetables with at least one aqueous liquid containing at least an antimicrobially effective amount of dissolve carbon dioxide, and at least an amount of dissolved argon effective to inhibit bleaching and oxidizing effects of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A process for the substantial removal of at least one of the carbon monoxide and hydrogen impurities contained in a composite gas, according to which:(a) at least one of the carbon monoxide and hydrogen impurities contained in the composite gas are reacted with oxygen, in contact with a catalyst comprising particles of at least one metal chosen from the group consisting of gold and palladium, these particles being supported by titanium dioxide, in order respectively to form carbon dioxide and water;(b) optionally, the carbon dioxide and the water formed are removed from the composite gas;(c) the composite gas, substantially free of its carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen impurities, is recovered.

Abstract: A detector device delivering a signal representative of the respiration of patient, adapted to be used in a charged and sensitive electromagnetic environment. The device is principally constituted by at least two non-metallic electrodes (1) and by a unit for the processing of electrical signals emitted by the heart, comprising a first module (5) for acquiring and shaping cardiac electric signals, a second module (6) for extraction of the respiratory signal, and a third module (7) for electro-optical conversion of this latter, the modules being disposed in a shielded casing (8) forming a Faraday cage and, finally, by an optical connection (9) connecting the casing (8) to at least one other apparatus or device.

Abstract: Continuous process for the manufacture of solid alkali metal persalt particles coated by crystallization of a supersaturated aqueous solution of persalts and covering of the persalt particles in a post-crystallization vessel into which at least one coating agent is introduced and in which crystallization of the coating agent around the persalt particles is carried out under controlled temperature and stirring conditions.

Abstract: A method is provided for heating a gas in a regenerator with a heat accumulation mass consisting of a loose bulk material arranged in a ring between two coaxial cylindrical grids, a hot collection chamber, surrounded by the inner hot grid, for the hot gases and a cold collection chamber, enclosed between the outer cold grid, on the one hand, and the wall of the regenerator, on the other hand, for the cold gases, wherein the increase in the head loss during the heating phase is at least 5 times as great as the product .rho..g.H, in which H is the height of the regenerator, .rho. is the density of the gas at a temperature of 20.degree. C. and g is the acceleration due to gravity, and the gas flow rate is at least equal to 300 m.sup.3 N/h.m.sup.2 of surface area of the hot grid at standard pressure.

Abstract: A lining member for a rotary grinder in the shell of which the member forms a series of corrugated cylindrical surfaces intersected by rings defined by transverse projections (12) on the lining members. The corrugations on each member are at an angle to the shell generatrix along at least a part of the length of the member. The member is suitable for grinders in cement works or the mining industry.

Abstract: The metering device includes a hollow plunger (5) delimiting a defined volume, mounted so that it can move on a receptacle (1), and communicating with it, as well as an elastic member connecting the plunger to the receptacle, consisting of an elastically deformable cylindrical collar (8) including at least one valve (14) capable of closing off the outlet orifice of the receptacle, and fitted around a closed cylinder (6), having the same axis as the cylindrical collar, integral with the receptacle (1). Application to the administration of pharmaceutical products in fluid form.

Abstract: In a process for the production of gas under pressure by cryogenic distillation, the gas is produced by vaporizing (or pseudo-vaporizing) a liquid drawn off from a distillation column. In order to supply additional gas under pressure, a flow of a gas coming from an external source is at least partially liquefied, and the liquid thus formed is added to the liquid drawn off from the column before or after an optional pressurization step.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing a flow which is substantially purified with respect to at least one of the impurities O.sub.2 and CO, according to which:a) a flow to be purified, comprising at least 90 mol % of a compound chosen from nitrogen, helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon or a mixture of these compounds and at least one of the impurities O.sub.2 and CO, is cooled to a temperature of less than -40.degree. C.;b) the cooled flow is passed through an adsorbent for the adsorption of at least one of the impurities O.sub.2 and CO, the adsorbent comprising at least one porous metal oxide;c) a flow which is substantially purified with respect to at least one of the impurities O.sub.2 and CO is recovered.

Abstract: The heat exchanger is of the type comprising a series of first passages (4) in which a diphase fluid circulates, each of the passages being adjacent to at least one second passage (5) for the circulation of another fluid which is a heating or refrigerating fluid. At least one of the first passages (4) comprises, in at least one region of the length thereof, an increase in the cross section of the passage and means (9, 11) for receiving and discharging one of the two phases of the diphase fluid.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a method of lubricating a mold (1) for the continuous casting of a metal product (16), of the type including a vigorously-cooled vertically-oscillating metal tubular element (2) defining a passage (4) for the cast metal and intended to cause, in contact with its wall (3) in said passage, the solidification of said metal product, in which a lubricant in the liquid state is injected through said metal tubular element toward said metal product being solidified, wherein said injection is carried out at points distributed annularly at a single level of said tubular element, said level lying at a distance greater than 20 cm from the lowest level at which solidification of said product is able to be initiated, and in that the flow rate of said lubricant is sufficient to cause a fraction of said lubricant to rise up along said wall to the level at which solidification of said product is effectively initiated.

Abstract: A process and system for producing an argon-enriched stream comprising a multiple column air separation system, a first crude argon column, and a second crude argon column is provided. The improved process involves removing a vapor stream from the upper portion of the first argon column; reducing the pressure of the vapor in a pressure reducing device; and then flowing the reduced pressure vapor to a second argon column which operates at a lower operating pressure relative to the first argon column.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of an article comprising a surface treatment step of at least part of the article in the substantial absence of oxygen; the surface of the article which is to be treated consists of a material which comprises at least one polyolefin and which contains less than 5 mg of oxygen per kg (no account being taken of the optional additives).

Abstract: Gas control and dispensing assembly comprising a lower unit (1) which is mounted on a gas tank (4) and houses a regulator (10, 9) and an upper unit (5) which is mounted on the lower unit (1) via a threaded ring (24) and houses an indexed flowmeter valve (14, 43) upstream of a low pressure gas outlet (19). The invention is suitable for transportable gas tanks and vehicle-body integrated gas tanks.

Abstract: A device for the separation of gas by adsorption, of the so-called VSA or MPSA type, comprises, between a utilization line (L) and a source (S) of gaseous mixture to be separated, at least one module (M) comprising in series a reversible rotatable machine (R), typically a Roots, an adsorber (A) and a shut-off valve (V). The rotary machine (R) is alternately actuated, in one direction during a first phase of pressurization and of production and then, in the other direction, during a second phase of depressurization and desorption. Used particularly in the production of small and medium volumes of oxygen in modular installations.

Abstract: Electrode for an electrochemical process, comprising, on an electrically conductive substrate, a platinum, iridium oxide and tin oxide coating, the coating comprising more than 8% by weight of iridium oxide. Use of the said electrode as the anode in a process for electrolyzing an alkali metal salt in aqueous solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flush-mountable cooktop having a steel support table covered on its two faces by a layer of an electrically insulating material, which table has openings in which burners are fixedly flush-mounted to the table by mounting elements which provide a seal. The burners each include a support layer of steel coated on its two faces with an electrically insulating material, and an electrically conducting layer having electrically conductive buses or the like for connecting the burner to an external source of electrical energy.

Abstract: A method of detecting a malfunction or failure of a pressure regulator in a corrosive or reactive gas distribution system while in use involves continuously measuring or monitoring the output pressure of the pressure regulator, both in the presence and the absence of gas flow. The onset of a malfunction of the pressure regulator can be predicted when the differential output pressure between flowing and non-flowing gas fluctuates highly and increases gradually. Failure of the pressure regulator or of the total system is detected when the differential output pressure in the presence and absence of flowing gas exceeds some experimentally determined value.