Abstract: This gas hot water heater has a storage tank with a vertical flue having an elongated tube surrounding the flue to form an inverted inner tank that is closed at its top portion while being open at its bottom portion to the storage tank. A service water inlet pipe is located at the upper portion of the storage tank to discharge cold water into the upper portion of the inner tank to flow in a swirling direction down and around the outside of the flue. This downward swirling action of the cold service water relative to the upward flow of the hot flue gases within the flue tube represents the counterflow action. A thermostatic control valve is located through the wall of the upper portion of the inverted tank so as to open the valve to the inner tank when the water temperature within the inner tank reaches a normal, predetermined high temperature at a stand-by mode when no hot water is being drawn. Hence, the control valve is normally-open during high temperature stand-by conditions.

Abstract: A combustion barrel used in a rotary combustor is constructed of cooling pipes joined by perforated webs to form a generally cylindrical side wall. Water-cooled baffle pipes are attached to the interior of the generally cylindrical side wall at widely spaced intervals. The baffle pipes and cooling pipes are coupled at an exit end of the combustion barrel to a ring header which in turn is coupled to heat exchanging equipment. The ring header supplies low-energy coolant from the heat exchanger to the cooling and baffle pipes and discharges high-energy coolant from the cooling and baffle pipes to the heat exchanging equipment. At an input end of the combustion barrel, the cooling and baffle pipes are coupled to U-tubes or a return header for returning the coolant to the ring header. Solid material is supplied at the input end of the combustion barrel for incineration. The combustion barrel is slowly rotated as the solid material is transported to the exit end of the barrel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of cleaning the heat transmission surfaces of a steam boiler or the like. In the method the deposits which are formed on the heat transmission sufaces of the superheater of the boiler and the other heat transmission surfaces thereof during the operation and which hamper the heat transmission are removed by directing a cleaning jet of medium to said surfaces through sweepers. In order to provide a reliable, simple and energy saving cleaning method, the flue gases of the boiler are used as a medium. The flue gases can be taken from a gas flue positioned after an electric filter.

Abstract: A rotary combustor formed of water cooled tubes in an inclined cylindrical array with the lower portion being conical so as to reduce the incline at the lower end. The combustor extends into the cooperating furnace, and is formed with openings between the tubes that increase in size toward the lower end.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquids recovery process useful for the separation and recovery of C.sub.3.sup.+ liquid hydrocarbons from gas mixtures containing high concentrations of lighter components such as are produced by the dehydrogenation of liquefied petroleum gases or by the catalytic cracking of heavy oils. The recovery process employs an absorption refrigeration cycle to supply high level refrigeration to the process; the absorption cycle utilizes low pressure steam or a heated fluid derived from secondary heat recovery of a process flue gas to effect heating in the absorption refrigeration cycle.

Abstract: This invention makes an optimal control of an air separator for any set value of a product quantity by inputting a necessary product quantity, calculating a minimum necessary raw air quantity by use of the capacity of the air separator and its operating condition and using this quantity as a set value for a raw air quantity adjustment loop.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the rejection of nitrogen from natural gas with the optional recovery of natural gas liquids. The process of the present invention employs a dephlegmator which provides a high purity nitrogen reflux for a low pressure distillation column and provides subcooling of the feed and reflux to the low pressure column and reboiling of the low pressure column. The dephlegmator of the present invention combines the high pressure column and three heat exchangers of a conventional double column process into a single, compact unit, with corresponding reductions in interconnecting piping and capital investment.

Abstract: Hydrogen and carbon monoxide are each separately recovered in high yield from a multicomponent gas stream containing these compounds together with carbon dioxide and a zero to minor amount of one or more gaseous components from the group consisting of nitrogen, methane, water vapor and C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 hydrocarbons, by a process wherein the multicomponent gas stream, such as that obtained by steam methane reforming, is initially treated in a pressure swing adsorption unit to remove water and CO.sub.2, and the obtained effluent freed of CO.sub.2 and water is then further subjected to (1) cryogenic fractionation to condense CO and to (2) hydrogen purification by selective adsorption (in either order) to recover high purity carbon monoxide and essentially pure hydrogen. The CO.sub.2 -laden adsorbent is regenerated by purging with a H.sub.2 O and CO.sub.2 -free waste gas stream from the hydrogen purification adsorbent bed or from the cryogenic fractionation or from both of these.

Abstract: A model steam generator including an improved feedwater system for monitoring the conditions of the heat exchange tubes within a nuclear steam generator is disclosed herein. The feedwater system generally comprises a first conduit fluidly connected between the boiler vessel of the model steam generator and the feedwater of the nuclear steam generator via a first valve, and a second conduit which is fluidly connected between this boiler vessel and a feedwater reservoir by way of a second valve. The feedwater reservoir is in turn connected to a source of demineralized, deaerated water by means of a third conduit having a third valve. This reservoir is further fluidly connected to the feedwater of the nuclear steam generator by means of a fourth conduit having a fourth valve. The improved feedwater system of the invention gives the operator three running options. First, he may run the model steam generator directly off the feedwater used in the nuclear steam generator.

Abstract: A sliding sash window ventilator assembly for insertion between one sash and the window frame. A ventilation channel is closable by a facing member mounted by a parallel motion linkage for adjustment of its position. The facing member is disposed and mounted such that it fails to extend beyond the overall dimensions of the ventilator assembly even when fully open, to thus avoid obstructing motion of the sashes. Preferably, the facing member is mounted on external flange members of the assembly for ease of construction.

Abstract: Heavy components of hydrocarbon gas mixtures are recovered through partial condensation of a first portion of the starting gas by indirect heat exchange with a refrigerant wherein the condensate formed is entrained in the gas stream. The condensate is separated from the resulting partially condensed, two-phase mixture and the separated condensate is then thermally stripped of light components by heat exchange with a second portion of the starting gas which is thereby also partially condensed. Heavy components from the starting gas mixture are recovered as stripped hydrocarbon condensate.

Abstract: An apparatus for exhausting and collecting gases comprising a slotted exhaust conduit fixed in position and provided on its one face with an elastic, axial lip seal for guiding in sealed relationship a suction nozzle of at least one carriage which can be moved in the axial direction along guide sections. The suction nozzle is connected to a hose, and a vacuum is generated in the slotted exhaust conduit through an exhauster. In order to make such a system suited for use in factory halls in which the space above the assembly system and the operating space must remain clear from obstructions in order to permit cranes or assembly installations, or the like, to be positioned and operated in this clear space, the slotted exhaust conduit is arranged below axially movable assembly frames. The carriage can be moved in synchronism with the assembly frames. The lips of the lip seal are directed upwardly and the hose takes the form of a bellows and can be attached to an opening in the assembly frame from below.

Abstract: A cryogenic refrigeration apparatus comprises an electrically actuated compressor which supplies a working fluid to a free moving displacer which includes a regenerator matrix, so that a container in which the displacer is slidable has a cold end and an ambient temperature end. The matrix comprises a plurality of heat exchange elements which are graded lenthwise of the displacer so as to have larger surface areas adjacent the colder end of the matrix and a reduced flow resistance at the ambient end. The actuator for the compressor is responsive to signals which indicate that the displacer is at the colder end of the container and that the temperature of the colder end is above a pedetermined value.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for separating air a distillation zone is employed to separate air into an oxygen-enriched liquid fraction and a nitrogen-enriched vapor-fraction. A first stream is taken from the nitrogen-enriched vapor fraction and is mixed with a stream taken from the oxygen-enriched liquid fraction. At least part of the resultant mixture is employed to perform a refrigeration duty, for example the condensation of nitrogen-enriched vapor to provide reflux for the distillation column.

Abstract: An anti-obesity balloon and a placement system for the balloon includes a balloon with a needle-pierceable, self-sealing plug and an insertion catheter having a needle at its distal end. The needle is movable between an extended position in which it protrudes distally of the insertion catheter and a retracted position in which it is withdrawn interiorly of the insertion catheter. A handle arrangement is provided at the proximal end of the insertion catheter to control the position of the needle. Means are provided for aspirating and inflating the balloon. The balloon structure and insertion catheter structure protect and enclosed the sharp tip of the needle at all times during insertion and withdrawal of the insertion catheter. The insertion catheter is detachable from the balloon, after the balloon has been inflated in the patient's stomach, in a manner which imposes no force or load on the balloon.

Abstract: An improved friction heater with driveshaft that rotates one frictional part relative to another interfitted with it provides, on the driveshaft, screw-and-inertia member to release frictional force between the frictional parts when the frictional parts are being stopped, permitting use of a less powerful drive for start-up and lighter structural support. The interfitted frictional parts are conical in shape and also have automatic-driveshaft release to prevent overheating from wear at the frictional interface after long use. The release provision includes a slot in the lower part of the rotor and a transverse pin in the driveshaft, that engages the slot for normal driving operation. When as result of wear, the relative axial position of rotor and housing changes sufficiently to pass out of the range of normal operation, the slot and pin automatically and correspondingly pass from engagement with each other.

Abstract: An arrangement for forming an automobile cowl structure comprises a windshield supporting frame with a closed cross section provided for supporting a lower end of a front windshield and composed of a cowl top member formed in the shape of a bank protruding upward and elongating along the front windshield in the direction of the width of an automobile body construction and a cowl cover panel provided with the cowl top member fixed thereon and having a prolongation thereof horizontally extending backward beyond a rear end portion of the cowl top member, and an upper dash panel having a rear end wall portion thereof connected to a rear end portion of the prolongation of the cowl cover panel at its upper end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing sprayed material from the air exhausted from a spray booth comprising an enclosure in which the material is sprayed. Air supply means are arranged to supply air to the enclosure, and outlet fans are provided for extracting air laden with the sprayed material from the enclosure. Two physically separate air outlet paths are provided for the extracted air and respective washing means for removing the sprayed material from the laden air are associated with each said path. The washing means are arranged to bring the material laden air into intimate contact with a cleaning liquid. Means are provided for controlling the volume of air flowing through each outlet path such that the volume flowing along each outlet path can be varied in dependence upon the volume of air exhausted from the spray booth. This enables the efficiency of the respective washing means to be maintained.

Abstract: A low capital cost, energy efficient process for separation of carbon dioxide, sulfide gases and hydrocarbons from carbonaceous off-gas streams, for example, oil shale retorting off-gases, coal gasification off-gases, oxygen fire flooding off-gases or carbon dioxide miscible flood enhanced oil recovery off-gases is disclosed. The process comprises separation of the off-gases into an essentially sulfur-free light fuel gas, a heavy hydrocarbon stream and a carbon dioxide gas stream wherein the off-gas is compressed if necessary and cooled prior to separation of the various streams in a distillation column. The carbon dioxide stream is expanded in an auto-refrigeration step to provide some of the necessary process refrigeration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the recovery of ethylene from a feed gas containing ethane, methane and other light gases, e.g. cracked gas or refinery off-gases, wherein ethylene is condensed in two stages, preferably rectified, and fed to an integrated demethanizer column. Refrigeration for the process is provided by an integrated combination of work expansion of rejected light gases, by vaporization of separated ethane at low partial pressure but high total pressure, and by a mixed refrigerant system. The process results in the separation and purification of ethylene from the feed gas stream while significantly reducing the energy consumption to do so.