Abstract: A method of compressing oxygen includes passing the oxygen into a vessel 12 containing finely divided material. Next a driving gas, for example, air is compressed to a greater pressure than the oxygen and passed through the vessel 12 and the bed of material contained therein which creates a plug flow effect such that the oxygen is compressed by the air substantially without back-mixing.

Abstract: Air is compressed in a compressor and has water vapor and carbon dioxide removed therefrom in an apparatus. A portion of the resulting purified air is then cooled by passage through a main heat exchanger to a temperature suitable for its separation by rectification. The air is then introduced into the higher pressure stage of a double rectification column (which also has a lower pressure stage). Liquid oxygen is withdrawn from the lower pressure stage by a pump and is vaporized by passage through the heat exchanger countercurrently to the aforementioned air to form a high pressure gaseous oxygen product. A second portion of the purified air is further compressed in compressors and is then passed through the heat exchanger 6 countercurrently to the oxygen product, thereby helping to warm such product. A part of the first portion of air is withdrawn from an intermediate region of the heat exchanger, is expanded in a turbine and is introduced into the lower pressure rectification stage.

Abstract: A process for separation of a gas mixture containing three components, e.g. a mixture comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide produced by steam reforming a hydrocarbon, by pressure swing adsorption is disclosed.

Abstract: A gas cylinder has mounted therein a venturi device through which the constituents of a gas mixture pass when the cylinder is being filled with gas. The venturi device causes rapid and thorough mixing of the various constituents of the gas mixture.

Abstract: A rotary apparatus for purging empty bottles with nitrogen gas includes a rotor from which arms of flexible material radiate. Each arm carries a gas supply lead. The arrangement is that advancing bottles engages the heads and thereby drive the rotor. Valve means is provided whereby each head in turn is placed in communication with a purging gas supply when it reaches a first position and the communication is ended when the head reaches the second position. During its course of travel from the first position to the second position, the head communicates with a respective bottle and the bottle is thereby purged.

Abstract: A process vessel has side walls of concrete which are lined with a gas and moisture-impermeable material to prevent:a) the egress of gas from the interior of the vessel; andb) ingress of moisture through the concrete into the interior of the vessel.

Abstract: Liquid is cooled in a columnar vessel having an inlet and an outlet for the liquid. The cooling is effected by introducing liquid cryogen into the vessel through a pipe. The liquid cryogen vaporizes and crates turbulence in the liquid in the vessel. Perforated plates dampen the turbulence and disengage the vaporized cryogen from the liquid being cooled. Pressurized gas is introduced from an inlet into the liquid beneath the liquid cryogen. This pressurized gas crates turbulence in the region where the cryogen enters the liquid and thus is able to prevent local freezing of the liquid in the mouth of the pipe. The liquid is typically water and the liquid cryogen typically liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: Air is compressed in a first compressor and has carbon dioxide and water vapor removed therefrom in a purification apparatus. The air is then cooled by passage through main heat exchangers and to a temperature suitable for its separation by rectification. The cooled air is separated in a single rectification column. Liquid oxygen is withdrawn from the column by a pump and is passed through the heat exchangers and countercurrently to the air stream and is thereby vaporized, a high pressure gaseous oxygen product thus being formed. Nitrogen vapor is withdrawn from the top of the column through an outlet is warmed by passage through a further heat exchanger and the heat exchanger. The nitrogen is then divided. One part is further warmed in the heat exchanger, is compressed in a compressor, and is returned through the head exchangers as a heat exchange stream countercurrently to the oxygen product stream.

Abstract: An article such as a mattress, carpet or curtain is treated by spraying its surface with liquid cryogen (usually liquid nitrogen). The liquid nitrogen acts as an acaricide and kills house dust mites. The dead mites are then removed from the freshly sprayed fabric. Such a treatment is also effective in dislodging particles of dirt from the articles and may be used for example to clean a carpet in situ. After treatment with the liquid nitrogen, the carpet may be subjected to a conventional vacuum cleaning.

Abstract: A combination of bottle, collar and cap where the bottle collar has a keying lug that interfits with a cap slot and which keying is necessary to screw the cap onto the bottle.

Abstract: An anesthetic vaporizer 1 of the by-pass type includes a vaporizing chamber 12 containing an anesthetic agent which at normal atmospheric pressure has a boiling point of approximately 25.degree. C. The vaporizing chamber 12 is surrounded by thermal insulation 18 to prevent uncontrolled boiling of the anesthetic agent.

Abstract: A pipeline has an inner surface which comes into contact with cryogenic fluid at a temperature of 70.degree. K. The outer surface of the pipeline carries a coating of foamed polyurethane having closed cells containing carbon dioxide. The pipeline is located in an outer sleeve. The annular space defined between the pipe and the sleeve is filled with perlite powder and is able to be purged with dry nitrogen gas.In operation with the inner surface of the pipelines subjected to a temperature of 70.degree. K., the carbon dioxide in the cells of the polyurethane solidifies creating a vacuum therein. This increases the temperature difference across the polyurethane coating and enables the perlite powder to be maintained at a temperature above 77.degree. K. so that the nitrogen purgant does not condense. A relatively simple alternative to conventional vacuum insulation is thereby provided.

Abstract: A method of producing a breathable fog comprises (a) passing air through a dryer unit to remove moisture; (b) cooling the dried air to a temperature below 0.degree. C.; and (c) inducing water vapor into the dried and cooled air to produce breathable fog.

Abstract: An apparatus for freezing foodstuffs includes a drum 1 mounted for rotary movement at an angle to the horizontal such that individual compartments 12 in the drum 1 successively descend into and rise from a vessel 11 containing cryogenic fluid. Frozen products tumble under gravity towards a central outlet 5 in one surface 4 of the drum, guided by the curved partitions 14 defining individual compartments 12.

Abstract: Prior to slaughter, poultry are caused to undergo anoxic convulsions by exposure to an atmosphere for a sufficient period of time to lose consciousness. The poultry are then slaughtered. After slaughter, the poultry are chilled and then deboned or portioned. It is found that deboning or portioning can be performed within four hours of slaughter, instead of the conventional period of twelve hours or more, without adversely affecting the quality of the resultant meat. This result is attributed to the anoxic convulsions causing glycolysis in the pectoral and other muscles of the birds.

Abstract: A method of forming glass containers, including the steps of drying a stream of air, passing the dried air into a vacuum-insulated mixing chamber, evaporating liquid cryogen in the mixing chamber, allowing the resulting cryogen vapor to mix with the air to form a mixture at a temperature below -20.degree. C., passing the gas mixture into a vacuum-insulated manifold, and causing the gas mixture to flow from the manifold and into the insides of glass containers being formed in molds to cool the containers.

Abstract: An air stream is compressed in a compressor, and purified in an apparatus. A major portion of the compressed, purified air stream is then cooled in a main heat exchanger to a temperature suitable for its separation in a double rectification column comprising a higher pressure column and a lower pressure column. The lower pressure column typically operates at a pressure in the range of 2.5 to 4.5 bar. A minor portion of the compressed, purified air stream is employed to generate refrigeration for the air separation by being further compressed in the compressor and expanded in a turbine. Oxygen and nitrogen product streams are withdrawn from the lower pressure column. The nitrogen product stream is passed through the main heat exchanger countercurrently to the major air stream. A part of this nitrogen stream is withdrawn at an intermediate region of the heat exchanger and is expanded in an expansion turbine.

Abstract: An anesthetic vaporizer 1 for use particularly with anesthetic agents having a low boiling point comprises an inlet 2 for carrier gas an an outlet 4 for carrier gas and gaseous anesthetic agents. A first passage 6 extends between the inlet 2 and the outlet 4. A flow restrictor 8 is located within the passage 6. A second passage 10 extends between the first passage 6 at a location upstream of the flow restrictor 8 and a regulator 14. The regulator 14 controls the pressure of gaseous anesthetic agent when flowing through a third passage 26 extending from a vaporizing chamber 12 containing anesthetic agent to the first passage 6 at a location downstream of the flow restrictor 8. A flow control valve 28 is located in the third passage 26.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sealing arrangement for effecting a seal with a rotatable shaft having with respect to its longitudinal axis a generally cylindrical shape but with a portion thereof of conical shape, which comprises a shaft seal positioned so that its sealing lip engages the shaft and so that any liquid escaping from a first (liquid) side of the seal to a second (air) side of the seal enters an annular cavity formed on one side by the conical portion of the shaft whose cross-sectional diameter decreases in a direction away from the sealing lip on the second side.

Abstract: A membrane gas separation apparatus, typically for separating air, includes a gas separation cell containing an array of membranes in the form of hollow fibres. The cell has a first gas port and a second gas port. Flow of gas to and from the ports is controlled by a four-port, two-position valve. In one position, the valve admits incoming air to the first port and allows product nitrogen to flow out of the second port. In the other position the roles of the ports are reversed and hence the direction of flow of the gas is reversed. During prolonged operation, there is a tendency for contaminants to affect disproportionately the feed gas inlet of the membrane fibres. By periodically changing the position of the valve, different ends of the membrane fibres are presented to the feed gas, and thus the operating life of the membranes is lengthened.