Abstract: A liquid-vapour contact column includes an array of vertically spaced horizontal liquid-vapour contact trays having generally circumferential sides and arrangement of downcomers to conduct liquid from each tray in the array to the tray below. Each tray has gas passages to enable gas to pass into contact with the liquid. A weir is disposed on the floor of at least one downcomer. Each side of the weir is spaced from the corresponding side of the downcomer. This arrangement counteracts a tendency for liquid flowing along the floor of the downcomer to become detached from the sides of the downcomer, such detachment leading to maldistribution of liquid on the tray and hence to less efficient operation of the column.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption plant for the separation of gas mixtures includes at least one pressure vessel containing an adsorbent bed that is able preferentially to adsorb at least one component of the gas mixture. The pressure vessel has an inlet at its top for the feed gas mixture, an outlet at its bottom for non-adsorbed gas and at least one heat conductive member containing a liquid medium arranged within the bed such that, in operation, heat is able to be conducted by convection through the liquid from a region of maximum temperature at or near the bottom of the bed to a region of minimum temperature at or near the top of the bed.

Abstract: Air is taken from the air compressor of a gas turbine including in addition to the compressor a combustion chamber and an expansion turbine. The gas turbine drives an alternator. The air taken from the compressor is cooled in heat exchanger to remove heat of compression therefrom. The air is separated in an air separation plant into oxygen and nitrogen. A stream of oxygen is withdrawn from the plant and used in a blast furnace in which iron is made. The off-gas from the blast furnace is a low grade gaseous fuel. It is compressed in compressor which has interstage cooling to remove at least some of the heat of compression. The compressed fuel gas is passed through the heat exchanger countercurrently to the air stream. The resulting pre-heated fuel gas flows into the combustion chamber of the gas turbine and is burned therein to generate gaseous combustion products that are expanded in the turbine. A nitrogen stream is withdrawn in the air separation plant.

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.