Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement to cryogenic air separation processes which produce an ultra-high purity oxygen product and nitrogen and/or commercial purity oxygen products. In particular, the improvement of the present invention is characterized by removing a portion of liquid descending the distillation column system from the distillation section proximate to the location for withdrawing the oxygen-containing side-draw stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Stirling cooler, comprising a compressor for generating a time-varying pressure in a gaseous medium, a cooling element provided with at least a displacer and at least a regenerator and additionally comprising a connecting line between the compressor and the cooling element. The incorporation of heat flow-reduction means for reducing the heat flow from the compressor to the cooling element causes a sharp drop in temperature on the warm side of the cooling element as a result of which heat sinking will no longer be required.

Abstract: Natural gas liquids (NGLs) are recovered by cooling and partial condensation of a purified natural gas feed wherein a portion of the necessary feed cooling and condensation duty is provided by expansion and vaporization of condensed feed liquid after methane stripping, thereby yielding a vaporized NGL product. Additional refrigeration for feed cooling is provided by vaporizing methane-stripped liquid, which in turn provides vapor boilup for the stripping step. Recompression and cooling of the vaporized NGL product can be utilized if a liquid product is required.

Abstract: An organ storage device permits both static storage and perfusion of an organ without removing the organ from an organ container. The organ storage device includes a contoured organ container. The organ container is stored and transported in an insulated temperature controlled static storage module. The container module is equipped with monitoring devices for monitoring the organ during storage and transportation. The container module is also equipped with an assembly for connecting the organ container to a perfusion module.

Abstract: Superconducting magnet and regenerative refrigerator can be reduced in size of the apparatus and is capable reducing the evaporating amount of liquid helium. A coil portion second thermal shield 17a and a coil portion thermal shield 8a are disposed so as to enclose a coil portion helium tank 2a which contains superconducting coil 1. Further, a helium portion second thermal shield 17b and a helium reservoir portion thermal shield 8b are disposed so as to enclose a helium reservoir tank 2b which stores liquid helium 3. A coil portion second thermal shield 17a and a coil portion thermal shield 8a are cooled by a coil portion 2-stage type Gifford-McMahon cycle refrigerator 50a while a helium portion second thermal shield 17b and a helium reservoir portion thermal shield 8b are cooled by a helium reservoir portion 2-stage type Gifford-McMahon cycle refrigerator 50b.

Abstract: A liquid nitrogen capillary tube heat exchanger comprises a vertical array of alternating vaporization chambers and pressure control chambers connected together in series. The vaporization chambers each have a plurality of capillary tubes mounted in exterior loops along the exterior of the chamber in communication with liquid nitrogen in the chamber. The capillary tubes provide a contolled rate of vaporization of the liquid nitrogen and increased exterior surface area to facilitate refrigeration. The pressure control chambers are filled with copper filings and a dessicant.

Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system for producing nitrogen having a low argon content wherein the reflux ratio in the upper portion of the higher pressure column of a double column system is modified by withdrawing nitrogen vapor from below the top of the column, liquefying the withdrawn vapor, and returning the liquefied nitrogen to the column at or near the withdrawal point and below the top of the column.

Abstract: Air is compressed in an air compressor and cooled in an air cooler whereafter the impurities which have condensed out are removed. The air is subsequently reheated in a heat exchanger which is connected on the hot air side between the air compressor and the air cooler. The reheated air is passed through a plurality of membrane-type nitrogen separators, whereby the permeate of the last separator is constituted by nitrogen of the desired purity. The concentrate of this separator is recirculated to the suction side of the air compressor. The output control of the apparatus can be effected by means of an air feedback line which branches off before the heat exchanger and leads to the suction side of the air compressor. The flow through the air feedback line can be controlled by a valve which operates in dependence on the outlet pressure of the air compressor.

Abstract: Cooled and purified air is introduced into a higher pressure rectification column and separated into oxygen-enriched liquid and nitrogen vapor. A stream of the oxygen-enriched liquid is flashed through a pressure reducing valve to form a mixture of liquid further enriched in oxygen and vapor depleted of oxygen. The liquid is reboiled by reboiler. A stream of the further enriched liquid is reboiled in condenser and is introduced into a lower pressure rectification column for separation into oxygen and nitrogen products. Reflux for the columns and is formed by condensing in condenser nitrogen vapor separated in the higher pressure rectification column. A reboiler provides an upward flow of vapor through the column. The condenser and reboiler take the form of a single heat exchanger. The reboiler is located in a phase separator, the reboiler is located in a rectification column containing liquid-vapor contact devices above the level at which fluid issuing from the valve is introduced.

Abstract: A process for producing an ultra-high purity fluid product comprising the steps of collecting in the lower portion of a cryogenic fractionation zone an ultra-high purity fluid product; providing reboil to said fractionation zone by condensing a portion of a lesser purity composition of the same fluid product by indirect heat exchange in a first reboiler; and vaporizing said portion of said lesser purity composition by indirect heat exchange with a warmer stream of an impure fluid.

Abstract: A cryogen delivery apparatus for delivering cryogen in a saturated state includes a vessel to contain the cryogen in liquid and vapor phases. The vessel has a headspace region and a heat exchanger located within the headspace region for indirectly exchanging heat between the vapor located within the headspace region and a liquid stream composed of the liquid phase of the cryogen. In case the cryogen is introduced into the vessel as a subcooled liquid, the vapor will condense into the liquid phase and the subcooled liquid will be converted into a saturated liquid. The saturated liquid will then be discharged from a liquid outlet connected to the heat exchanger. In the event the liquid enters the vessel as two-phase flow, the vessel will act as a phase separator. A branched supply line is provided having a liquid inlet branch connected to a bottom liquid inlet of the vessel so that a supply stream composed of the cryogen flows into the vessel.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the liquefaction of hydrogen, of the type using a refrigeration cycle whose cycle fluid comprises mostly hydrogen, and a closed liquid nitrogen refrigeration cycle. The cycle fluid is hydrogen and a mixture of C.sub.2 + hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons are liquefied and expanded to form fluids which vaporize in a substantially continuous manner between a temperature of the order of -120.degree. C. and a temperature adjacent ambient temperature. More particularly, the mixture of hydrocarbons is saturated C.sub.2, C.sub.3, and C.sub.5 hydrocarbons, and if desired C.sub.4, and separated liquefied fractions of these hydrocarbons are expanded at respective temperatures before expansion of the order of 0.degree. C. to -10.degree. C., -40.degree. C. to -50.degree. C. and -110.degree. C. to -120.degree. C., to form refrigerant liquids adapted to be vaporized.

Abstract: A chiller or tunnel freezer for rapid chilling of chicken carcasses and the like wherein a cryogen such as liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide snow is sprayed directly on the carcasses or other items as they travel through a passage or tunnel, and wherein vortical flow of air and/or vaporized cryogen is effected within the chiller to continuously sweep the bottom surface of the chiller and recirculate cryogen from the bottom surface, thereby avoiding accumulation of liquid nitrogen or CO.sub.2 snow on the bottom surface. The vortical flow is preferably provided by one or more fans disposed within the tunnel. A deflector may be provided on the tunnel interior to direct recirculated cryogen onto the items being chilled. A damper may be provided to regulate fan output and thereby enable optimization of operational efficiency.

Abstract: A cooling system includes a cold-accumulating refrigerator, and a cooling circuit. The cold-accumulating refrigerator includes a regenerator. The cooling circuit includes a main circuit, and a branched circuit. The main circuit includes a counterflow heat exchanger. The branched circuit is branched from an upstream portion of the main circuit, and joined to a downstream portion thereof, thereby reducing one of the flows of a refrigerant, flowing in a high-pressure-side passage and a low-pressure-side passage which are disposed in the counterflow heat exchanger, with respect to the other one of the flows. Moreover, the branched circuit includes a heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger is thermally brought into contact with a portion of the regenerator whose temperature is varied from a high temperature to a low temperature by another refrigerant flowing therein.

Abstract: A cryogenic refrigeration method for use in connection with a cryogenic temperature swing adsorption process. The cryogenic temperature swing adsorption process has a discontinuous production cycle during which production of a purified vapor stream ceases or is reduced through use of purified vapor to purge a regenerating adsorption bed. Additionally, the purified vapor stream in part of the production cycle is superheated through use of the purified vapor stream to cool the regenerating adsorption bed. A heat exchange stream is liquefied against the vaporization of at least part of an impure liquid stream to produce an impure vapor stream to be purified by the adsorption process. Process liquid is continually produced from the liquefaction of the process stream. The process liquid is used to in turn liquefy the purified vapor stream at varying flow rates that are sufficient to liquefy the purified vapor stream throughout the production cycle.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The stream is divided into first and second streams. The first stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to the fractionation tower pressure and supplied to the fractionation tower at a first mid-column feed position. The second stream is expanded to the tower pressure and is then supplied to the column at a second mid-column feed position. A recycle stream is withdrawn from the tower overhead after it has been warmed and compressed. The compressed recycle stream is cooled sufficiently to substantially condense it, and is then expanded to the pressure of the distillation column and supplied to the column at a top column feed position.

Abstract: An ambient air freezing system for producing chilled air in the cryogenic range of -120.degree. C. to -180.degree. C. without the use of cryogenic chemicals or other refrigerants.

Abstract: A filament cooler suitable for cooling freshly drawn optical fibre preparatory for being coated with a protective plastics coating has a water-cooled body member provided with a through hole opening out abruptly into a succession of spherical chambers in which a cyclonic gas flow is induced by the tangential injection of helium.

Abstract: Air is distilled in a distillation apparatus (13) associated with a heat exchange line (11) in which is circulated a heat transfer fluid under high pressure. A storage (20, 23) is supplied, at least intermittently, with gas in liquid phase; and gas in liquid phase withdrawn from the storage is raised to a vaporization pressure, and vaporized under this pressure in the heat exchange line (11). The supply of liquefied gas to the storage can be from the distillation apparatus (13) and/or from an external source such as a tank truck (29, 34). It is useful particularly for the supply of oxygen, nitrogen and argon under pressure to installations for the production of stainless steel such as electric arc furnaces.

Abstract: A vapor recovery system is provided which includes a vapor recovery cycle and a regeneration cycle. The vapor recovery is condensation of the vapors in an air-vapor mixture utilizing a chiller cooled by a refrigerant gas to condense and remove vapor and to vent the air. The refrigerant cooling is provided by a compression-condensation-expansion refrigeration cycle. During the vapor recovery cycle ice tends to build up in the chiller due to the small amounts of water contained in the air-vapor mixture. In the regeneration cycle the hot refrigerant gas from the compressor by-passes the condenser and expansion valve to heat the "chiller", which heats the air-vapor mixture and melts any accumulated ice. During the regeneration cycle there is no venting and the entire air-vapor mixture is recycled to the chiller until the regeneration is completed. In addition to heating and meting ice in the system, the heated air-vapor mixture may be used to dry and regenerate desiccant material in the system.