Abstract: A jack-up platform of the type having a buoyant upper barge (10) mounted so that it can be moved along the length of bearing legs (12), mechanical mechanism (18) for moving the legs (12) relative to the barge (10), and submerged storage tank (14) intended to rest on the bottom. The tank (14) has a lower opening (26) allowing the inside of the tank (14) to be placed in contact with the marine environment. The tank defines a bell-shaped/inverted U-shaped cavity confining an air bubble (30) in its upper part. The tank (14) is connected to the lower end of the legs (12) so that it can be moved relative to the barge (10) from the mechanical mechanism (18) for moving the legs.

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: An off-shore oil production platform of the present invention includes an upper barge (1) stretching above the level of the sea. The barge (1) is connected to a completely submerged hollow lower base (3) by partially submerged connecting legs (2) forming a buoyance tank and stretching substantially vertical. The legs (2) along their submerged height includes at least two successive portions (10, 14). A first portion (10) with solid walls delimits a closed space and forms a buoyancy tank. A second portion (14) with openwork sidewall has an interior space open to a surrounding marine environment.

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: The invention concerns a method of assembling sections (20) of support legs (2) of an oil platform in which an opening (11) is formed in the hull and in the lower part of the drive mechanism support framework (10) for each leg (2) to pass through, the sections (20) are engaged successively in the lateral opening (11) and the sections (20) are assembled to form each leg (2).

Abstract: A jack-up offshore drilling or production oil platform of the type including a barge (1) mounted so that it can be moved between a position for floating and a position for production out of the water. The barge is moved along bearing legs (2) by means of drive mechanisms (10) which each include at least two opposed sets (11). Each set is formed of a motor (12) associated with at least one set of reduction gears (13) driving, via a shaft, an output pinion (15) interacting with opposed racks (16) mounted on the bearing legs (2). Each rack (16) is provided along a length of the corresponding leg (2) necessary for moving the barge (1) between the position for floating and the production position. Also provided are devices for controlling the lowering of each leg (2) as far as a bearing structure (6) or as far as a seabed (7).

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: The process for assembling long sections (11) of booms of support legs of an oil platform comprises machining an inclined flat surface (15) on the whole of the length of each main face of a rectangular plate (12), machining a groove behind each flat surface (15), machining an inclined chamfer on longitudinal edges of a stiffener (13), placing a stiffener (13) on each main face of the rectangular plate (12), welding each stiffener (13) to the rectangular plate (12), under a vacuum from the exterior by means of an electron beam, in the region of the chamfers and the flat surfaces so as to produce a section (11), and heat treating the section (11).

Abstract: Offshore oil drilling or producing platform comprising a hull (1) carried by legs (2) provided with feet (3) adapted to rest on the sea bed, characterized in that the walls of each of the legs (2) define a space opening onto the respective foot (3) in which are retracted anchoring piles (5) for the leg carried by the foot, each leg (2) being also provided in its upper part with support means (7) in vertical alignment with the piles within the space defined by the walls of the leg (2) for supporting a device for driving the piles into the sea bed.

Abstract: A method of dehydrating a solvent originating from a hydrocarbon dewaxing operation, wherein a moist composite organic solvent, for example a moist MEK/toluene mixture is dehydrated in a first distillation zone, the resulting first distillate is contacted with water to form two phases one of which, rich in organic solvent, is returned as a reflux to the first distillation zone whereas the other phase rich in water is distilled in a second distillation zone, and the head product and one portion of the bottom product of the second distillation zone are returned to the zone of contact between the first distillate and water, the invention being applicable to the dewaxing of lubricating oils.

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 tubular pressurized catalytic hydrocarbon converter provided with a cylindrical casing (1) containing vertical gas exhaust pipes (4) around which are arranged reaction tubes (2) which are coaxially placed in sleeves (3). The lower portions of these tubes are connected to the vertical pipes by "pig-tails" and have a novel design since the aim is to increase the converter's reliability and working life by eliminating reaction tube deformation and facilitating "pig-tail" assembly and maintenance. To this end, the converter is provided with a transverse wall attached to the lower ends of the sleeves and provided with openings in which the lower ends of the tubes and vertical pipes are freely inserted. It is also provided with plates (7) having movable covers (8) and attached to the lower ends of the vertical pipes which are in turn connected to the "pig-tails".

Abstract: A method of liquefying natural gas, wherein the gas (1) is cooled and separated into a liquid phase (6) and a gaseous phase (8) which is expanded (9) and added to the liquid phase in the column (7), at the head of which the gas enriched with methane (21) is separated and recompressed (27) and carried to the liquefaction (32, 33, 34) whereas the liquid phase from the bottom of column (7) is expanded and rectified in column (14); the head effluent (19) being condensed (20) and conveyed as a reflux (25) to column (7); the pressure in column (7) being higher than that of column (14); the C.sub.3 + hydrocarbons from the bottom (16) being separated and the methane liquefaction (33, 34) being conventional.

Abstract: A platform comprises a hull mounted on legs such that it can be moved relative to the legs be by jack mechanisms disposed in a carrying structure. The jack mechanisms include a plurality of output gear pinions which cooperate with racks mounted along at least a part of the length of the legs. The hull is provided with a first device for applying an overload on the leg through the jack mechanisms. A second overload device is also provided an includes at least one additional load which is temporarily and directly lockable to each leg of the platform when the legs are being set on the sea bed.

Abstract: A method of and a plant for recovering liquid hydrocarbons in a gaseous batch, the plant comprising a compressor for the gaseous batch, a column for absorbing C5 and heavier hydrocarbons associated with a debutanization column; a column for absorbing C3 and heavier hydrocarbons associated with a de-ethanization column and with a heat exchange system connected to a refrigeration cycle, the plant providing from a gaseous batch issuing from a catalytic cracking unit a debutanized gasoline, a liquefied gas cut (C3 and C4-hydrocarbons) and a gaseous cut (C2 and lighter hydrocarbons) wherein the losses of C3 and higher C-hydrocarbons are much smaller than that occurring with existing plants.

Abstract: A device for the integrated suspension and manipulation of legs supporting a jack-up oil platform having a hull mounted displaceably on the legs by drive mechanisms having at least two opposite units each formed by a motor associated with at least one speed reducer driving an output gear co-operating with opposite racks mounted on at least part of the length of the legs. The opposite units of each drive mechanism are mounted in articulated fashion on a structure supporting them via at least one bearing allowing a determined angular deflection of the units and of each corresponding output gear. The motor and the speed reducer of each opposite unit are housed in a member for absorbing energy, used, in particular, at the moment of the placement of the legs on the sea bed and for limiting the stresses due to the flexure of the legs under the action of swells and the wind.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a tightness between two parts rotatable relative to each other. The system includes at least two sealing units, with each of the sealing units having at least two possible states or conditions, namely, a first state or condition for ensuring a tightness between the two parts and a second state or condition wherein it does not ensure a tightness. Each sealing unit is deformable and includes a drive arrangement for intermittently actuating each of the sealing units.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inflatable value having a multilobed double wall, adapted to be opened out and retracted, and confining a layer of intermural air under pressure. The vault is constructed by assembling side by side a plurality of separate inflatable hollow beams, each of which includes at least two longitudinal panels which are sequentially connected together along at least two longitudinal edges. The panels of each beam are connected together and to panels of adjoining beams by a plurality of short quick-connect type female connectors. The joints between panels of each respective beam are made leaktight by including flexible membranes which span the respective joints. The inflatable vault according to the invention is particularly applicable to the covering of stadiums, swimming pools, tennis courts, restaurants, auditoriums, storage hangers and other large installations.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a tightness between two parts rotatable relative to each other. The system includes at least two sealing units, with each of the sealing units having at least two possible states or conditions, namely, a first state or condition for ensuring a tightness between the two parts and a second state or condition wherein it does not ensure a tightness. Each sealing unit is deformable and includes a drive arrangement for intermittently actuating each of the sealing units.