Abstract: A process for humidifying a gas stream in a humidifier chamber by passing heated water downwardly through the humidifier and passing gas upwardly through the chamber to transfer water vapor to the gas stream. One or more portions of the water is removed at an intermediate stage in the chamber and the remaining portion of the water collected at the bottom is removed. The intermediate portion and final portion may have make-up water added thereto and the portions are reheated either separately or as a combined mixture. The process provides an improved economic method for humidification with good energy savings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a closure system for pressure vessels, the closure consisting of a cover and of two clamp halves each of which can be moved into closing or open position by means of guiding elements. The clamp halves, the cover, and the pressure vessel housing being equipped with stop surfaces, the stop surfaces of the clamp halves being opposite to those of the cover and of the pressure vessel housing in closing position. The closure system is especially suitable in cases where an entirely automatic closing device is required for pressure vessels having an operating pressure of more than 10 bar.The clamp halves are connected by means of tensible flexible bearings to guiding elements to allow for a cover movement in axial direction. The tension of the flexible bearings is sufficient for automatic resetting of the clamp halves into zero position after depressurization of the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane electrolysis cell of the filter press type with one or more plate-type electrode pairs, each comprising at least one non-continuous active central part, with a membrane provided between the electrode pairs, and with a seal installed between each electrode and membrane rim. The membrane cell is suitable for the production of an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution (cell liquor) as well as of halogen and hydrogen by electrolyzing an aqueous halide-bearing electrolyte (brine).The non-continuous central part of the electrodes has a grid-type structure, the grid rods of the electrode pairs are staggered by a maximum of half the rod width, the grid rods of the electrodes are arranged so that their interspace is smaller than the projection of their width, the grid rods have a convex face at least on the active side, and the thickness of the seals between the electrode and membrane rims is equal or inferior to the height of the grid rod portion protruding over the electrode rim.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for conditioning atmospheric sea air for subsequent use as process air in floating chemical processing plants. A stream of atmospheric sea air, is injected with a salt-free aqueous spray for dissolving salt particles contained therein. The excess water is then removed by passing the over saturated air stream through a drop separator. The residual intake air is then heated to reduce the relative humidity of the air prior to its passing through a blower.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve assembly for high-pressure pumps especially where pressures above 2,000 bars are concerned. The valve assembly for such high-pressure pumps consists of a distribution section, a suction valve, and a discharge valve. A surge vessel is provided in the discharge line in order to obtain a uniform operating pressure.

Abstract: A device for damping vibrations in machine sets having a vertical rotor shaft including an annular cushioning element and springs resiliently supporting the cushioning element on the machine set. The springs may include vertically acting springs and horizontally acting springs which may be equally circumferentially distributed and adjustable.

Abstract: An electrolyzer is provided which includes at least one set of closely spaced electrode assemblies consisting of a flat anode and a flat cathode separated by a membrane permeable to ions. One side of the electrode assembly is supported by a rigid pressure plate while a flexible pressure plate disposed along the opposite side of the electrode assembly biased the anode and cathode towards each other. The flexible pressure plate includes a flat portion having contact pads struck and formed therefrom. The contact pads are sized to cover from 30 to 70% of the overall plate surface and include portions which are plane-parallel to the flat portion. The contact pads bent to one side are designed to be vertical on a longitudinal axis after mounting of the flexible pressure plate in an electrolyzer.

Abstract: A method for producing a pumpable suspension in oil of dehydrated, finely-ground lignite is disclosed. The method involves mixing hydrous, ground lignite with an oil and gasoline, grinding the lignite in the mixer so that substantially all the particles are finer than 2 mm, heating and pressurizing this suspension which results to a temperature in the range of 190.degree. to 240.degree. C.

Abstract: The inventive combination provides for a profitable and efficient utilization of low-pressure waste heat in conjunction with medium-pressure steam. The combination of mechanical and thermodynamic compression for the generation of superheated low-pressure steam is a method that has better results regarding energy and cost than any other known configuration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a rigid, essentially elbow-shaped coaxial double pipe with a hollow space between inner and outer pipes, consisting of an elbow-shaped cold-bent high-pressure pipe for operating pressures of over 1000 bar as the inner pipe, the two shanks of the elbow each comprising a straight piece of pipe with a length of at least 5 times the outside diameter, and an elbow-shaped cold or hot-bent outer pipe which envelops the inner pipe in a manner as to leave an annular space between inner and outer pipes and extending the length of the outer pipe, with the outer pipe enveloping the bend and one straight shank only. Elbow-shaped coaxial double pipes of this type can, for instance, be part of a heat exchanger of up to 3000 m in length in the form of a coil type cooler comprising a plurality of straight pipes and U-shaped bends.

Abstract: An electrolyzer is provided for processing fluids. The electrolyzer includes electrode plates having laterally extending electrical busses. The electrode plates are mounted in a non-conducting external frame having a plurality of ducts for the flow of process fluids between the electrolyte chamber and the ducts. Seals are provided between the electrode plates and the external frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tubular reaction furnace for the indirect heating of crackable fluids, particularly for cracking hydrocarbons used for the extraction of gases rich in CO and H.sub.2, said furnace consisting of a plurality of vertical reaction tubes arranged in a firing chamber with internal fuel-gas burners. The invention primarily relates to furnaces in which cracking takes place at high pressures and temperatures and which are installed on floating carriers such as ships.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tubular reaction furnace for the indirect heating of crackable fluids, particularly for cracking hydrocarbons used for the extraction of gas rich in CO and H.sub.2. The furnace has a plurality of vertical reaction tubes arranged in a firing chamber which is heated by a plurality of internal burners mounted in the furnace ceiling, the flue gas being withdrawn via an appreciable number of flue gas ducts on the furnace floor. The invention primarily relates to furnaces in which cracking takes place at high pressures and temperatures and which are installed on floating carriers, i.e. floating plant platforms.

Abstract: In a heat exchanger for heat transfer between ammonia converter effluent recycle gases and water, a plurality of U-shaped tubes have their inlet and outlet ends connected to a tubesheet which divides the interior of a shell into a pressure chamber and a heat exchange chamber containing the tubes. The pressure chamber is divided into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber with the cooled recycle gases flowing into the outlet chamber and cooling the inlet chamber. The tubes are formed of ferritic steel and are welded to the tubesheet. A tubular cladding of nitriding-resistant material extends through the tubesheet at the inlets to the tubes and spaces the recycle gases from the tubes at the inlet ends.

Abstract: An electrolysis cell having an inlet and an outlet for transient electrolytes and including monopolar electrodes arranged in a staggered pattern such that the electrode plates of one polarity extend into the gaps formed between the electrode plates of the opposite polarity.

Abstract: An improvement in a method for the reprocessing, by oxidation, of condensate obtained in urea production plants and having a urea content of approximately 50 mg/l and a biuret content of approximately 2 mg/l, is disclosed. The improvement comprises performing the oxidation at elevated temperatures and at alkaline pH values; preferably, the oxidation is performed at a temperature greater than 60.degree. C. and a pH value greater than 8.

Abstract: A process for the removal of tritium from the product solutions obtained in the reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuels by the Purex process comprising a plurality of series-connected extraction cycles having an organic solvent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for measuring solids in a moving stream installed in a closed system in which the prevailing pressure therein is equal to or higher than the ambient pressure. The device includes an inlet which is smaller in cross-section than a main portion of the housing for providing a solid free internal volume vertically downwardly of the inlet. A diverter member rotatable about a horizontally disposed axis is disposed in the housing portion and has a length greater than the width of the housing so as to permit the upper edge of the diverter member to swing outside the flow of solids into the main portion of the housing while the lower edge of the diverter contacts the opposite wall of the housing for dividing the main portion of the housing into two spaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the defluorination of phosphoric acid by the addition of active porous silica gel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of processing the waste sludge obtained in purification facilities for phosphoric acid produced by the wet process. The composition of this sludge is such that it cannot be utilized for any purpose in this state. It is known that sludge from wet phosphoric acid purification facilities contains different quantities of certain substances, the concentrations being such that these substances may not be allowed to mix with surface water or ground water under any circumstances, not even in the case of dumps. A typical composition of such waste sludge is as follows:______________________________________ Fe 9.0% by weight P.sub.2 O.sub.5 21.0% by weight CaO 6.2% by weight SiO.sub.2 12.5% by weight MgO 5.8% by weight Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 2.7% by weight Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 0.7% by weight V.sub.2 O.sub.5 0.6% by weight Na.sub.2 O 18.0% by weight K.sub.2 O 0.3% by weight F 1.7% by weight C 2.5% by weight S 0.3% by weight Remainder* 18.7% by weight 100.