Abstract: In the method and apparatus for transporting/storing chilled goods at a low temperature: a supply area of a liquefied gas such as liquid carbon dioxide, liquefied nitrogen and the like is provided in an upper portion of a hermetically-sealed space; and, the liquefied gas is supplied to the supply area to rapidly chill the interior of the space, whereby such interior is kept thereafter at the substantially same temperature as that of a surface of the chilled goods. The supply area has its bottom and/or side surface constructed of a gas-permeable material such as perforated panels, mesh members, net members and like materials, or of a gas-impermeable thin material such as aluminum foil, synthetic resin sheet or thin panels, metal sheet, non-woven fabrics and like materials.

Abstract: A refrigeration system comprises a mixing tank for a slurry of solid particles in a liquid, said mixing tank having first and second inlets and an outlet. A sublimator has a bottom inlet, a top outlet and several internal paths connecting the inlet and the outlet, said internal paths having no descending parts. A first conduit connects the outlet of the mixing tank to the bottom inlet of the sublimator via a pump, there being no descending parts between the pump and the inlet of the sublimator. A separator has an inlet and top and bottom outlets. A second conduit connects the outlet of the sublimator to the inlet of the separator, the bottom outlet of the separator being connected to the first inlet of the mixing tank. A compressor has an inlet and an outlet, and conduits connect the top outlet of the mixing tank to the inlet of the compressor and the outlet of the compressor to the second inlet of the mixing tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating an air stream that is substantially-columnated about a given axis includes a converging-diverging nozzle, a manifold in fluid communication with the nozzle, and a compressor supplying a quantity of compressed air to the manifold to induce a first air flow through the nozzle. The first air flow is characterized by sonic flow at the nozzle throat and supersonic flow at the nozzle exit. The supersonic first air flow exiting the nozzle is directed into one end of an elongate tube. The thus-directed first air flow induces a second flow of ambient air into the one end of the tube. The first air flow mixes with the second air flow within the tube and exits as an air stream that is substantially columnated about the axis of the tube.

Abstract: A package for cooling containing a superabsorbent polymer, the package including a bag for receiving and containing a liquid, the bag having an opening therein for receiving liquid medium, the bag being constructed of a material which is water impermeable, the bag having an inside and an outside, a pouch for holding a superabsorbent polymer, the pouch being connected to the inside of the bag, the pouch having a water permeable portion for enabling water to enter the pouch, and a superabsorbent polymer located inside the pouch.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to two embodiments of a process for recycling an impure argon effluent from a silicon crystal growing furnace using cryogenics. The first embodiment uses cryogenic distillation techniques, and the second embodiment uses cryogenic adsorption, both of which use catalytic treatments and adsorption in conjunction with their cryogenic process steps to provide a pure argon recycle stream for a silicon crystal growth furnace.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for the condensation of one or more gasses out of a gas stream. The degree of the condensation of volatile compound out of the gas stream A is controlled by regulating the liquid level of the cooling agent in a heat exchanger (8). Preferably a gas stream A from which the volatile compound has been removed is led to a further heat exchanger (1) and is utilized to pre-cool the gas stream A that is still to be treated. In order to be able to control the degree of condensation of volatile compound out of the gas stream A as accurately as possible, the apparatus is provided with an elongated, vertical heat exchanger (8).

Abstract: An air separation process and apparatus employing a single column nitrogen generator. Part of the incoming air stream to be separated is expanded and combined with a waste stream. After partial warming of the combined stream, the combined stream is expanded and then utilized to liquefy part of the incoming air and for refrigeration purposes.

Abstract: Apparatus for recovering high-boiling point solvents which comprises: a honeycomb-structured rotor 1 having an adsorbent supported thereon; a separator 3 for partitioning the neighborhood of each end face of the rotor into two regions, adsorption zone 5 and desorption zone 4; fan means F.sub.1 that supplies the adsorption zone 5 with air containing a solvent boiling at 150.degree. to 300.degree. C. and which causes part of the clean gas effluent a from the opposite end face of the rotor to be released into the air atmosphere while the remainder is supplied into the desorption zone 4; heating means H for heating the clean gas; cooling means C for separating a solvent enriched gas S into a liquefied product L to be recovered and a cooled lean gas V; and return means F.sub.2 for turning the cooled lean gas V back to the feed gas.

Abstract: A hybrid system for producing both low purity oxygen and high purity nitrogen at high product recovery rates wherein desorption effluent from an adsorbent system feeds a cryogenic rectification column and, preferably, bottom fluid from the column provides additional feed for the adsorbent system.

Abstract: A jacket (10) for keeping a transplant (46) cold during the time the transplant in surgical way is connected to a receiver comprises a wall (12, 14) with a cavity (22) containing a frozen liquid, which melts under absorption of heat from the transplant. Before the transplant is placed in the jacket (10), the liquid, e.g. water, is frozen by being subjected to vacuum, vapour released from the liquid being absorbed by a substance, e.g. zeolite.

Abstract: A pressurized natural gas is liquefied through at least one cooling cycle, in which a mixture of cooling fluids is used, comprising at least the following steps:a) at least some of the said cooling mixture is condensed by compression and cooling, for example, using an external cooling fluid to obtain at least one vapor fraction and one liquid fraction,b) at least some of each of the vapor and liquid fractions is expanded separately to obtain a light fluid M1 comprising mostly a vapor phase and a heavy fluid M2 comprising mostly a liquid phase,c) the fluids M1 and M2 are at least partially mixed to obtain a low-temperature mixture, andd) the natural gas is liquified and undercooled under pressure by a process of heat exchange with the low-temperature mixture produced during step c).

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel refrigeration method and apparatus in which air is used as coolant and primary refrigerant. The air is subjected to substantially isothermal compression in a water-injected screw-type compressor, cooling in first and second scrubber columns operated by separate refrigerant circuits, and subsequent adiabatic substantially isentropic expansion in a high-speed turbine. Heat exchangers may be provided for the removal of residual coldness from the expanded air and for preheating the air fed to the compressor.

Abstract: A cryogenic aerosol separator/classifier for separating and selectively removing particles from a stream of aerosol. The aerosol stream is produced by a cryogenic aerosol generator comprising a reservoir containing a cryogenic gas-liquid mixture at a first pressure, a delivery line coupled to the reservoir, and a nozzle. The nozzle has at least one exit opening which allows the cryogenic gas-liquid mixture to expand from the first pressure to a lower pressure and, thus, to produce cryogenic aerosol. A separator is coupled to the nozzle, such that the light particles having high mobility are removed from the stream, thereby producing a stream of cryogenic flow with particles having a controlled size to clean a contaminated surface. The apparatus is enhanced by utilizing a magnetic field and/or specially designed flow fields to fully take advantage of the enhanced mobilities of light particles.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a dewar and a refrigerator/liquefier which meets the variable demands of a superconducting magnet within the dewar. The system is sized to meet average loads over a defined duty cycle, and is variably operable to meed demands. In the preferred embodiment, a first supply of fluid circulates through a "condenser" element positioned in a dewar ullage to liquefy a separate supply of fluid in the dewar, and to refrigerate a pulsed cryogenic load therein, such as a superconducting magnet. A portion of the first supply of fluid may be diverted to refrigerate a second pulsed cryogenic load, such as magnet current leads permanently connected to the magnet. The dewar includes a cold gas vapor storage chamber separate from the dewar ullage, and the chamber is preferably located within the inner core of a solenoid superconducting magnet for compact and thermally efficient design. Responsive, independent adjustment of refrigeration to pulsed cryogenic loads is made possible.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a breathable, life-supporting cryogenic liquid mixture including the steps of: producing a stream of treated natural air having substantially all the carbon dioxide and moisture removed therefrom; admixing a quantity of mixing gas containing nitrogen in a proportion greater than natural air thereby to producing a product gas mixture having a desired oxygen/nitrogen ratio and liquefying this said mixture in a heat exchanger against a suitable chilling fluid.

Abstract: A process is set forth for the cryogenic distillation of an air feed to produce nitrogen, particularly high pressure nitrogen of various purity, varying from low purity (up to 98% nitrogen) to ultra-high purity (less than 1 part per billion of oxygen). The nitrogen may be produced at two different pressures and two different purities. The process uses an auxiliary low pressure separation zone in addition to the conventional high pressure column and low pressure column. The auxiliary low pressure separation zone, which is operated at the same pressure as the low pressure column and which is heat integrated with the top of the high pressure column by means of its bottom reboiler/condenser, pretreats the crude liquid oxygen from the bottom of the high pressure column.

Abstract: An heat exchange-cum-rectification apparatus comprises a heat exchanger having a first set of passages for separating by dephlegmation a first flow of compressed vaporous air into nitrogen-rich fluid and oxygen-enriched liquid air, and, in heat exchange relationship with said first set of passages, a second set of passages for separating by stripping reboiling an oxygen product from the oxygen-enriched liquid air. A valve is provided for reducing the pressure of the oxygen-enriched liquid air intermediate the said first and second sets of passages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of refrigerating a heat load in which heat is indirectly exchanged between the heat load and a cryogenic refrigerant so that the heat load cools. Further heat is then indirectly exchanged between the heat load and the mechanical refrigerant. The mechanical refrigerant is subjected to refrigeration cycle in which the mechanical refrigerant is compressed, cooled, condensed, expanded and evaporated. Other heat is indirectly exchanged between the cryogenic refrigerant and the mechanical refrigerant. The cryogenic refrigerant is subjected to its heat exchange with the mechanical refrigerant after having exchanged heat with the heat load. The mechanical refrigerant is subjected to the indirect heat exchange with the cryogenic refrigerant between condensation and expansion of the mechanical refrigerant within the refrigeration cycle.

Abstract: Compressed, purified, vaporous air and liquid air streams are introduced into a higher pressure rectification column. A stream of oxygen-enriched liquid flows from an outlet of the higher pressure rectification column via a reboiler and an expansion valve into a vessel. The oxygen-enriched liquid is partially vaporised in a boiler located in the vessel. The residual liquid flows from the vessel and a condenser to a lower pressure rectification column in which oxygen and nitrogen products are separated. A stream of vapour flows from the boiler through an outlet from the vessel to a pipeline which leads the air back for compression with incoming air. A greater yield of oxygen, and, if separated, argon is made possible by this recycle.

Abstract: A long-term thermally stable cryostat (40). The cryostat (40) pre-cools an incoming high-pressure gas, converts it to a cold liquid, contains the liquid, and cools an item by allowing the liquid to acquire heat from the item and boil into an exhaust gas, while maintaining an absolute pressure in the container to reduce thermal noise due to altitude-induced pressure changes. In specific embodiments, the cryostat (40) includes a hollow mandrel (52) disposed within a cooling volume (64) mounted within a dewar vacuum area (58). Pre-cooling fins (44) spiral around the hollow mandrel (52) within the cooling volume (64) and circulate an incoming high-pressure gas around the mandrel (52). A flow restrictor (60) receives the incoming gas from the pre-cooling fins (44) and releases it into the cooling volume (64), thereby converting the incoming gas into a cold liquid which can acquire heat from the item and boil into an exhaust gas.