Abstract: The invention relates to an architectural assembly consisting of wall elements made of concrete containing conductive particles with a conductive mesh forming an electromagnetic radiation shielding. Said wall elements consist of a panel 1 made of concrete containing conductive particles without a conductive mesh, at least one face of which is provided with a skin 2, 3 comprising a conductive mesh, with meshes being less than 30×30 mm in dimensions.

Abstract: In the process for the hydroponic cultivation of aquatic plants and, in particular, water hyacinth, the plants are cultivated in a nutrient aqueous solution containing at least one nitrogen compound and elements such as P, K, Ca, Mg, S and Fe.The nitrogen compound is formed by adding urea to the nutrient solution.Use of the juice extracted from the resulting aquatic plant as a bio-stimulant for plant growth and seed germination.

Abstract: A liquid product (4) leaving a furnace (2) is introduced into a series of cyclone separators (5, 6, 7). The liquid product to be vaporized is introduced tangentially into the top portion (5a, 6a, 7a) of each cyclone to place the product into contact with a side wall (5b, 6b, 7b) of the cyclone. A gaseous phase (11, 12, 13) formed in each cyclone is collected in the central zone (8, 9, 10) of the cyclone and is then introduced into a vacuum distillation column (3). The liquid phase obtained in each cyclone is collected at the bottom (5c, 6c, 7c) of the cyclone and then is introduced tangentially into the top (6a, 7a) of the following cyclone or, in the case of the last cyclone, is introduced directly into the vacuum distillation column (3). The side wall (5b, 6b, 7b) of each cyclone (5, 6, 7) is heated to a temperature near the maximum temperature allowable for avoiding all thermal deterioration of the product.

Abstract: A device for aiding maintenance of an electromechanical installation, which installation has an automatic monitoring and control apparatus, provides remote supervision of the electromechanical installation. The device includes a control unit connected to the automatic monitoring and control apparatus and to the public telephone system. The device also includes at least one external supervision video terminal having a keyboard, a display screen, and a printer. The video terminal is connected to the public telephone system for remote interrogation of the control unit.

Abstract: The electronic interface device permits remote control and monitoring of a power distribution panelboard coupled with a management system. In respect of each outgoing power line, a local control unit is connected to a remote control unit while a central unit is assigned to each local control unit to the remote control unit which then converts the data delivered by the local control unit into data which are compatible with the central unit. Exchange of data between each remote control unit and the management system is achieved by at least one microprocessor-based control circuit located in the central unit, through a series link or current loop.

Abstract: An installation for chemical conversion of a gas mixture containing hydrogen and hydrocarbons comprises a series of reactors in which the gas mixture undergoes endothermic reactions at temperatures within the range of 350.degree. C. to 900.degree. C. A furnace is placed upstream of each reactor for reheating the gas mixture prior to introduction into the reactor. The furnaces are equipped with electric heating resistors which are intended to be placed in direct contact with the gas mixture as it is introduced into each furnace.

Abstract: The pipeline (1) installed in an underwater environment (2) is engaged in a series of guides (4) placed above the seabed (3). These guides (4) are spaced from each other along a substantially straight-line direction (D) from land (5) towards the open sea (6). These guides (4) are connected by cables (7) to the seabed (3) and suspended from floats (8) placed at a sufficient depth (p) to minimize storm effects. Use particularly for installing a pipeline for withdrawing cold water from the depths of the sea to feed a tidal-thermal power station.

Abstract: The procedure for manufacturing thin profiled strips, made up of continuous unidirectional fibers embedded in a thermoplastic resin, consists of impregnating a lap (1) of parallel fibers with resin particles, achieving resin fusion, forming the profiled strip and of cooling the latter.The lap (1) of fibers is dipped into a bath (26) of resin particles, mechanically impregnated with the particles, by feeding it for instance around rollers (15, 16, 17) immersed in the resin particles and the excess particles are removed to obtain the desired resin to fiber content ratio.Use of profiled strips obtained, in particular for outwardly reinforcing tubes or for producing moulded items.

Abstract: The automatic testing apparatus is connected to a power supply system and to the connecting terminal of transmission and distribution lines of a subdistribution frame in a telephone installation. The apparatus comprises a keyboard for successively entering the numerical codes and constitution numbers of the technical subscriber-file to be checked, connectors to be joined to the terminals of the subdistribution frame, a test unit comprising a programmed microprocessor for storing the entered data and initiating transmission of a coded signal to the transmission and distribution cables of the telephone pairs to be tested. This signal is tested in order to check whether the designated constitution is correct or not in the corresponding pairs of the transmission and distribution cable terminals of the subdistribution frame, the results of the test being then displayed on a printer.

Abstract: The high-power electric heating device is capable of heating gas mixtures such as a mixture of hydrocarbons and hydrogen to temperatures and pressures attaining 900.degree. C. and 60 bar respectively. A central duct connects the gas mixture inlet to the outlet and is constituted by a plurality of superposed independently removable modules. Each module comprises a plurality of electric resistance elements formed by banks of adjacent metallic strips. A peripheral zone of the device contains power supply conductors connected to the modules. By means of passages in the form of slits between the central duct and the peripheral zone, a small fraction of the gas stream is permitted to flow within the peripheral zone.

Abstract: According to the method of the invention there is wound, around a hollow body (1) and in substantially contiguous turns, a flexible strip (2), the latter strip being fixed onto the hollow body. The strip is of a material, the tensile limit of which is in excess of that of the material of which the hollow body (1) is made, and when wound around the hollow body, a tension is applied thereto which is sufficient for the stresses which may develop within the body and the winding of the strip (2) to reach their permissible maximum limits at substantially the same time, when the hollow body is used under pressure.

Abstract: A device for desalting sea or brackish water by means of solar energy essentially comprises two adjacent canals or equivalent systems fed with seawater or brackish water and a greenhouse-type structure placed over one of the canals for evaporating the water. A fresh-water condensing and collecting structure is adapted to communicate with the greenhouse structure and is largely immersed in the water of the other canal which performs the function of a cold source for the condensing structure.

Abstract: The pipeline for the conveying of hot or cold fluids comprises metallic and rigid tubes (2) which are assembled directly end to end, a covering (5) of heat-insulating material in the form of sleeves (6) which are made on the basis of a cement filled with thermically insulating inorganic particles, with said covering (5) being disposed inside said tubes (2) and being in direct contact with the fluid conveyed by the pipeline.The thickness of the covering (5) made of heat-insulating material is determined in such a way that the expansion or contraction of the tubes (2) upon the feeding of hot or cold fluid into the pipeline remains compatible with the mechanical resistance of the tubes and that the outer diameter of the sleeves (6) is slightly smaller than the interior diameter of the tubes (2), with the annular space between said tubes (2) and said sleeves (6) being filled by a sealing material (8) which is injected under pressure and is more elastic than the material of the sleeves.

Abstract: A device for desalting sea or brackish water using solar energy, characterized by the fact that it includes two adjacent canals or equivalent structures fed with the sea or brackish water, a green house type structure over one of the canals to vaporize water from it and a structure for condensation of water and for collecting softwater, the structure being in communication with the greenhouse structure and largely immersed in the other canal, which acts as the cold source for the condensating unit.

Abstract: In a low-head hydroelectric power station, a turbine runner is mounted within the hub of a convergent-divergent draft tube at the base of a dam. At least one turbine is coupled to one or more electric generators housed within a casing which is totally submerged within the upstream pool. The distance from the generator casing to the draft tube intake is sufficient to prevent any interference with the water flow. The casing is provided with a vertical access and inspection shaft, the top opening of which is located above the normal water level and removably fixed on a flooring structure.

Abstract: A method for heating crude oil to be processed in a petrochemical installation, comprises successive heat exchangers disposed in series, each heat exchanger using pressurized steam as the heating fluid. Each exchanger has a lower exchange chamber, a liquid product supply line and a tube bundle, the steam transferring heat to liquid product flowing through the tube bundle. Each heat exchanger comprises an upper separation chamber disposed above the lower exchange chamber, the separation chamber having a gas phase outlet and a liquid phase outlet, the liquid phase outlet being disposed lower than the level at which the tube bundle extends into the separation chamber. Successive heat exchangers are connected together by a pipe communicating between the liquid phase outlet of the upper separation chamber of one of the heat exchangers and the liquid product supply line of the next heat exchanger.

Abstract: Emitters and rotary hydraulic displacement pumps are associated with one or a number of propeller-type transducers and connected to receivers each having a rotary hydraulic displacement motor coupled to an alternator. The emitters are connected to the receivers by means of a hydraulic circuit for an auxiliary fluid which is admitted into at least one shunt-connected energy dissipator and the flow of which is regulated as a function of the random energy variations of the natural fluid. The energy-conversion system is primarily applicable to hydroelectric power plants of the stream or river type, to wind-driven power plants and to ship propulsion.

Abstract: The device for protecting a structure against the effects of dynamic stresses and especially stresses produced by earthquakes comprises a system of friction supports constituted by seating blocks associated respectively with the structure and with the foundation floor. The blocks are applied against each other and capable of relative displacement in frictional contact. The coefficients of static and dynamic friction of the contact surfaces range from a minimum value of approximately 0.08 to a maximum value of approximately 0.5.

Abstract: In a chemical processing plant such as a petroleum refinery, provision is made for steam boilers and heating furnaces in which the energy consumed by the boilers for generating steam exceeds the energy consumed by the heating furnaces. The steam is produced at a pressure level which is sufficient to operate at least one back-pressure turbo-alternator, then to heat the chemical process stream to a sufficiently high temperature by heat exchange with the steam recovered at the outlet of the turbo-alternator.