Abstract: A burner structure and a method of operating a burner to reduce the pollutant emissions produced thereby are disclosed. Air and gas are premixed in a manner such that a substantially homogeneous mixture containing excess combustion air results. The velocity of the substantially homogeneous mixture is increased as it passes through the burner causing the "residence time" associated with the formation of the flame to be decreased, i.e., the combustion gases are in the reaction zone of the flame for a significantly shorter period of time, reducing the production of NO.sub.x. In order to prevent the flame from "lifting-off" the burner because of the high velocity of the substantially homogeneous air/gas mixture, flame stabilizing devices and/or a burner structure which provides flame stabilization are utilized resulting in the production of a high heat flux and low pollutant emissions.

Abstract: A burner structure and a method of operating a burner to reduce the pollutant emissions produced thereby are disclosed. Air and gas are premixed in a manner such that a substantially homogeneous mixture containing excess combustion air results. The velocity of the substantially homogeneous mixture is increased as it passes through the burner causing the "residence time" associated with the formation of the flame to be decreased, i.e., the combustion gases are in the reaction zone of the flame for a significantly shorter period of time, reducing the production of NO.sub.x. In order to prevent the flame from "lifting-off" the burner because of the high velocity of the substantially homogeneous air/gas mixture, flame stabilizing devices and/or a burner structure which provides flame stabilization are utilized resulting in the production of a high heat flux and low pollutant emissions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for measuring pressure in a pressure containing vessel with a non-intrusive, metal-embedded fiber optic pressure sensor. The pressure containing vessel may, for example, be the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. A Fabry-Perot Interferometer is arranged in a terminated, single mode fiber to function as a strain gauge. The fiber Fabry-Perot Interferometer (FFPI) is embedded in a metal part which may be disposed in a wall of the pressure containing vessel. The metal part and FFPI experience a longitudinal strain in response to the pressure in the vessel. In another aspect of the invention, a non-intrusive fiber containing the FFPI may be embedded along the axis of a metal bolt. The bolt may be used to attach a part or structure, which is directly exposed to the pressure, to the wall of the vessel. Consequently, the bolt and FFPI experience a longitudinal strain in response to the pressure on the part or structure.

Abstract: A burner structure and a method of operating a burner to reduce the pollutant emissions produced thereby are disclosed. Air and gas are premixed in a manner such that a substantially homogeneous mixture containing excess combustion air results. The velocity of the substantially homogeneous mixture is increased as it passes through the burner causing the "residence time" associated with the formation of the flame to be decreased, i.e., the combustion gases are in the reaction zone of the flame for a significantly shorter period of time, reducing the production of NO.sub.x. In order to prevent the flame from "lifting-off" the burner because of the high velocity of the substantially homogeneous air/gas mixture, flame stabilizing devices and/or a burner structure which provides flame stabilization are utilized resulting in the production of a high heat flux and low pollutant emissions.

Abstract: A feed valve is disclosed for self-feeding of air or fuel gas to a pulse combustion burner in response to oscillating burner pressures. The feed valve includes a housing having a plurality of flapper valves arranged to provide additive one-way flows into the valve housing and a combined single input flow into the burner.

Abstract: A pulse combustion powered apparatus is disclosed for temperature conditioning and pressurizing fluids. The alternating periods of positive and negative pressure of the combustion gases of a pulse combustion burner drive a reciprocating compressor and the rejected engine heat is recovered by heat exchange with a primary fluid. The compressor may be included in a reversible refrigeration circuit to provide heating and cooling of secondary fluids.

Abstract: The pulsed combustion gases of a primary burner having a low fuel input rate are combined with those of a main burner having a high fuel input rate to provide an integrated combustion process having a single pulse frequency and improved stability. The combustion gases of the primary burner are used to start the main burner by inducing the self-feeding of an air and fuel mixture into the main burner and igniting the mixture.

Abstract: A pulse combustion powered apparatus is disclosed for temperature conditioning and pressurizing fluids. The alternating periods of positive and negative pressure of the combustion gases of a pulse combustion burner drive a reciprocating compressor and the rejected engine heat is recovered by heat exchange with a primary fluid. The compressor may be included in a reversible refrigeration circuit to provide heating and cooling of secondary fluids.

Abstract: A pulse combustion burner having a multi-apertured combustion chamber wall surrounded by a primary heat transfer zone. Gas jets issuing out of the wall apertures induce high turbulence in the gas flow path through the heat transfer zone and thereby promote an exceptionally high level of heat exchange. Dimensions of the gas flow path, including the primary heat transfer zone, are arranged to cause the primary heat transfer zone to serve as an effective portion of the tailpipe of the burner. Both the high heat transfer capability and reduced tailpipe length permit reduction in the overall size of a burner unit.

Abstract: Pulses of accoustic energy are transmitted at normal incidence to the wall of a welded pipe, and also at an oblique angle thereto, wherein such transmissions, from respective transducers, occur immediately adjacent a girth weld. Reflected pulses are then received and processed to analyze the radial extent of the girth weld at each interface between the pipe and the weld material. By these means, undercuts or cracks in the weld are detected and analyzed as to their depth and profile. The energy transmitted normal to the pipe wall determines the distance between the pipe and the pulse transducers, and a signal is then generated to simulate a reflection from the inner wall of the pipe with relation to an obliquely-directed pulse. The transducers are then moved axially of the pipe and towards the weld, in small increments, in order to cause the oblique transmission of pulses finally to intercept the weld, thereby producing reflected pulse data when cracks or undercuts are encountered.

Abstract: A process for the production of methane or methane containing gas from a feed mixture containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and gaseous compounds of sulfur, by contacting said feed mixture with a solid catalyst having from 1% up to 99% by weight of molybdenum and from 99% to 1% by weight of at least one element of the lanthanide or actinide groups of elements or mixtures thereof, at a temperature of from about 300.degree. C. to 600.degree. C. and a pressure of from about 100 psig. to 2000 psig.

Abstract: An improved method for the conversion of hydrogen and carbon monoxide to a methane-rich gas in which there is employed a supported nickel catalyst promoted by the addition of a small percentage of the iridium metal, typically 0.1 to 1.0% by weight. Said promoted catalyst is highly active for methanation and has good resistance against poisoning by sulfur compounds.

Abstract: A process for the production of hydrogen and oxygen from water comprising the steps of forming ferric chloride from ferriferrous oxide by reaction with a chloride ion yielding substance, thermally reducing the ferric chloride to produce ferrous chloride, reducing the ferrous chloride to metallic iron, then oxidizing the metallic iron with water so as to produce hydrogen. The metallic iron may be formed by reducing the ferrous compound with hydrogen. Two specific reactant regenerative closed cycle systems are disclosed utilizing the process of this invention for the production of hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: The specification discloses an improved paste electrolyte composition for use in a high-temperature molten carbonate fuel cell, using substantially pure alkali metal aluminate formed from reactive alumina as the only inert material in the electrolyte. Finely divided reactive alumina substantially completely free of silica is admixed with alkali metal carbonates and fired to remove carbon dioxide to form as final inert carrier material substantially pure inert alkali metal aluminate. The initial composition of the starting mixture is selected so that the final composition is between 40 and 70% by weight alkali metal carbonates. In contrast to magnesia supported fuel cells which show a 40% drop-off in power output, the aluminate paste electrolyte-utilizing fuel cells of the invention show essentially no deterioration.

Abstract: A process for the production of hydrogen and oxygen from water comprising the steps of forming ferric chloride from ferriferrous oxide by reaction with a chloride ion yielding substance, reducing the ferric chloride produced with a reducing agent to produce ferrous chloride, thermally reducing the ferric chloride to produce ferrous chloride, then oxidizing either the ferrous compound or metallic iron with water so as to produce hydrogen. The metallic iron may be formed by reducing the ferrous compound with hydrogen. Four specific reactant regenerative closed cycle systems are disclosed utilizing the process of this invention for the production of hydrogen with high energy efficiencies.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting stress-corrosion cracking of a steel pipeline transmitting gas under elevated pressure provided with an external protective coating and means for cathodic protection, and steep pipe and pipelines so protected are described. The method consists of introducing a composition containing at least one of the inhibitors, calcium monobasic phosphate, sodium monobasic phosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate and potassium silicate, into a buried pipeline environment. The inhibiting composition may be simply introduced to the environment adjacent the pipeline or it may be incorporated in a coating on the pipeline, either in the primer or in a top coating thereover or in an intermediate coating between a conventional primer and topcoating, or in a tape applied to the pipeline.

Abstract: The use of iron oxide sorbents to remove oxides of nitrogen (NO.sub.x) from gaseous mixtures containing small amounts of NO.sub.x such as the exhaust from an internal combustion engine or flue gases, without interference from carbon oxides or water vapor and thermally regenerable at relatively low temperatures, are disclosed. A preferred sorbent is supported ferric oxide for sorption of NO.sub.x from gaseous mixtures containing oxygen. Ferrous or ferrosoferric oxide sorbents are also suitable in the presence or absence of oxygen.

Abstract: A process for the production of hydrogen and oxygen from water comprising the steps of forming ferric chloride from ferriferrous oxide by reaction with a chloride ion yielding substance, reducing the ferric chloride produced with a reducing agent to produce ferrous chloride, and then oxidizing the ferrous compound with water so as to produce hydrogen. Suitable reducing agents include cuprous chloride, chromous chloride and platinum. Several reactant regenerative closed cycle systems are disclosed utilizing the process of this invention for the production of hydrogen with high energy efficiences.