Abstract: A process for liquefaction of and nitrogen extraction from natural gas, an installation for implementation of the process, and gases obtained by this process. In the process, a first top fraction is cooled and liquefied, separated into a second top fraction which is relatively volatile and which provides gaseous nitrogen, and into a second bottom fraction which is withdrawn. The first bottom fraction is cooled in order to provide liquefied natural gas essentially free nitrogen.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the purification of a gas, in particular natural gas, in order to eliminate mercaptans without the use of gas adsorption or cryogenic expansion processes. Natural gas, dried and cooled, is supplied to an absorption column under pressure, producing a head product of a purified gas, and a base product supplied to a fractionating column which separates the most volatile compounds, free from mercaptans, from a gasoline fraction of the natural gas. The mercaptans are eliminated at the head of at least one distillation column, producing a base end product consisting of a mixture of C5 hydrocarbons, heavier than and free from volatile mercaptans, partially mixed with the most volatile recompressed compounds of the natural gas. This mixture is cooled and sent by reflux to the absorption column.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for driving a cylinder in rotation about its longitudinal axis, and includes a ring gear perpendicular to the cylinder axis; truncated rollers arranged on each side of the ring gear, at least one of which is a drive roller; and at least one actuator acting on at least one roller for pressing it on the ring gear. The actuator supports and the roller supports are linked to a common structure capable of moving to respond to the movements and possible direction changes during its operation. The invention is specifically applicable for a rotary furnace for firing minerals.

Abstract: A system for the connection of an annular tire (1) to a rotary drum (10) comprising blocks (2a, 2b) bearing upon the side faces of the tire and held in place by retaining elements fastened to the drum, said blocks comprising a portion (8) inserted underneath the tire, the blocks being connected in pairs by clamping means (13) independent of the tire and extending through the block portions inserted under the tire, the clamping control means (4) of the successive pairs of blocks being arranged alternately on either side of the tire.

Abstract: An equipment for and a method of calcining mineral materials comprising a precalciner consisting of a combustion zone followed by a reaction zone and then by a contact zone and by a post-combustion zone, the latter communicating itself with a separating cyclone, the reaction zone being fed with smokes coming from a firing furnace, the supply of mineral material being distributed between the combustion zone and the contact zone, the invention being applicable in particular to the manufacture of cement clinker while considerably decreasing the emission of nitrogen oxides.

Abstract: A method of drying a gas making use of the distillation of a liquid desiccant, the method comprising the introduction of a stream of make-up liquid containing water and of an organic solvent miscible with water, the solvent being a more volatile solvent than water under the conditions of the method and forming no azeotropes with water, in an intermediate zone of an elongated vertical contact and fractional distillation zone.

Abstract: A method of and equipment for producing snow in a closed circuit, including blowing air with a turbine into a tunnel having an air cooling member, a member for the relative reheating of the air, one or several snow guns and a snow depositing chamber, the method and equipment being usable for testing the behavior of materials in a snowy atmosphere.

Abstract: A large capacity tank for the seasonal storage of hot water from electrical power-generating thermal and nuclear plants to be used seasonally to heat buildings, consisting of a large basin which comprises partitions dividing the basin into several portions communicating with each other in parallel and/or series relationship, at least one hot water supply input from said plants, leading to the distribution systems which open into one portion of the basin and at least one cold make-up and/or return water supply input for the distribution systems opening into another portion of said basin.

Abstract: A method and a device for winding tubes around a core, for example in the manufacture of heat-exchangers, the device including a single horizontal platform concentric with the core and supporting a plurality of winder assemblies. The platform is movable both in translation and in rotation relative to the core so as to perform the winding of the tubes around the core and along the length of the core in a single operation.

Abstract: A process for the high-yield recovery of ethylene and heavier hydrocarbons from the gas produced by pyrolysis of hydrocarbons in which the liquid products resulting from the fractionated condensation of a cracking gas for the recovery of almost all the ethylene, are supplied to a distillation column, called a de-ethanizer, at different intermediate levels. At the top of the de-ethanizer the vapor of the column distillate is treated directly in an acetylene hydrogenation reactor, the effluent containing virtually no acetylene being separated by a distillation column called a de-methanizer, into an ethylene- and ethane-enriched tail product, while the head product is recycled by compression or treated for subsequent recovery of ethylene.