Abstract: A metering feeder for delivering solid fuels, such as municipal or industrial refuse, for combustion includes a pair of generally vertically arranged hoppers. An upper hopper containing relatively compacted or intertangled fuel discharges metered amounts of fuel into a lower hopper through the action of a ram-type pusher. Fuel discharged from the upper hopper is dropped into the lower hopper to develop sufficient kinetic energy to decompact the fuel. An upwardly inclined conveyor removes fuel from the lower hopper at an independently metered rate under optional control of a combustion control system. The action of the inclined conveyor further decompacts the fuel by underraking and mixing, thereby providing a well controlled, uniform, loose density fuel for combustion. The conveyor has a closed course of cleats which cyclically moves to remove fuel. The cleats extend in acute angular relation to the direction of movement for improved performance.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for burning solid fuels, preferably coal in pulverized form, which are mixed with a carrier liquid, such as water and/or oil or the like, to thereby form an emulsion, and for this purpose the fuel emulsion is injected through a substantially annular entrance port into a combustion chamber so that an approximately hollow cone-shaped flow configuration is produced. Within this flow configuration, a low pressure is built up immediately behind the entrance port for the fuel emulsion opening into the combustion chamber so that a portion of hot combustion gases and a remainder of unburnt fuel particles are recirculated to the entrance port. Furthermore, gas entrance ports are provided in the end wall of the combustion chamber, through which the gas or air flows, the path of flow of which extends concentrically and spirally towards the axis of the entrance port for the fuel emulsion opening into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A steam generator having a tube sheet, tubes ending in the tube sheet, a chamber adjoining the tube sheet having an access opening formed therein and a device disposed in the chamber for inserting a sleeve into one of the tubes in a plurality of partial insertion strokes, the inserting device includes a movable clamping device holding and moving the sleeve in axial direction of the tube in one of the partial insertion strokes, and a stationary clamping device associated with the movable clamping device holding the sleeve during a backstroke of the movable clamping device.

Abstract: A process for the separation of C.sub.2+ hydrocarbons from natural gas under pressure wherein the natural gas is cooled (2, 6), partially condensed, and separated (9) into a liquid fraction and a gaseous fraction. The liquid fraction (10) is subcooled (11) and then expanded into the upper zone of a rectifying column (7). The gaseous fraction (23), after engine expansion (25), is also introduced into the rectifying column (7). During rectification, a product stream (37) containing essentially C.sub.2+ hydrocarbons and a residual gas stream (22) containing predominantly lower-boiling components are obtained. The residual gas stream (22) is initially heated by heat exchange (11) with the liquid fraction (10) and then heated by heat exchange (21) with the gaseous fraction obtained after partial condensation. The residual gas stream is then further heated (6, 2) by heat exchange with the feed stream of natural gas to be partially condensed.

Abstract: The rich liquid received at the base of the main column (3) at high pressure is expanded in two stages. After the first expansion to medium pressure, it is distilled so as to produce an addition of pure nitrogen. The second expansion achieves the reflux in the medium pressure column (4). Liquid nitrogen is pumped from this column to the high pressure column (3) and all the nitrogen can be produced at high pressure.

Abstract: A process by which a vapor side product stream is taken from the bottom section of a cryogenic distillation column, such as a propane or ethane recovery column, which process optionally employs a nonpolar liquid additive for use in the separation of acid gases from a hydrocarbon feed stream. The withdrawal of the vapor side stream prevents the build-up of water in the column which would ordinarily lead to free-water formation or the formation of solid hydrates in the cryogenic distillation column.

Abstract: In a process for the separation of argon from a gaseous mixture comprising argon, nitrogen and oxygen by fractional distillation in a plurality of distillation zones, first and second fluid streams comprising nitrogen and oxygen, respectively, drawn from the same or different distillation zones, are introduced into different regions of a liquid-vapor contact and mixing zone. There is established in the contact and mixing zone a liquid flow that becomes progressively richer in nitrogen and a vapor flow that becomes progressively richer in oxygen. A mixed waste stream containing both oxygen and nitrogen is withdrawn from an intermediate point in the contact and mixing zone thereby enhancing its efficiency. Vaporous oxygen from the warmer end of the contact and mixing zone is condensed and returned to the mixing zone to enhance its reflux and/or may be passed into a distillation zone.

Abstract: The argon recovery of an air distillation plant is increased by increasing the argon rectifier reboil and simultaneously decreasing the nitrogen stripping reboil. No additional power and minimal added equipment is required. Referring to FIG. 1, two separate argon rectifier reflux condensers (7 and 9) are provided, either for a single argon rectifier or optionally as shown for two separate argon rectifiers (12 and 13). Kettle liquid is partially evaporated in reflux condenser 7 and the liquid residue is further evaporated in reflux condenser 9 to a vapor of differing (higher) O.sub.2 content. The two vapor stream are separately fed to different heights of column 2, separated by countercurrent contact zone 11.

Abstract: An air diffuser (10) is disclosed which has the significant advantage of employing only three subassemblies at the point of installation, including a base (12), a cone assembly (14) and a single bolt (16) to fasten the subassemblies together. Contoured rods (26, 28) are mounted with the base (12) to receive channels (48) on a series of brackets (46) to align the cone assembly and base. The brackets (46) forming the channels (48) also perform the function of securing a middle and lower diffuser cone together. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.

Abstract: A trough is formed above the moisture separators in a moisture separator reheater for a power plant and drain conduits are connected to the trough to direct moisture collected in the trough to the bottom of the shell where it joins other collected moisture and is drained from the lower portion of the shell via drain nozzles disposed therein preventing droplets from forming above the separator and dripping down into the flow path of motive steam, becoming reentrained, and resulting in erosion of the separators.

Abstract: A low temperature phase separation, dephlegmation and distillation process is described for resolving a light hydrocarbon gas stream to recover and purify C.sub.3+ and/or C.sub.4+ hydrocarbons. The phase separation bottoms stream is segregated from the dephlegmation bottoms stream and both streams are expanded to produce refrigeration for the feed stream. Both streams are then separately introduced into a distillation column for final purification of the heavy hydrocarbon product.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a residential water heater 10 or the like without the need for draining and re-filling the tank. The water heater is generally vertically disposed and has a cylindrical side wall 12, a top 14, and a bottom 16. A water supply tube 20 terminates in a nozzle 22 which permits entry of a stream of water 24 in a generally horizontal spray pattern along the bottom to flush and agitate any foreign matter 38 along the bottom. A drain cock 28 is provided within the heater side wall and opposite the nozzle, the drain cock being opened upon flushing of the bottom of the water heater so that any foreign matter is removed through the drain cock. In lieu of a simple, single-orificed nozzle, a multiple-orifices nozzle 22b or a plurality of nozzles may be provided.

Abstract: The invention provides an axle reduction apparatus for a tractor having a planetary reduction mechanism mounted between an axle and an axle drive shaft. The axle carries an integrated gear consisting of an input gear to receive drive from the drive shaft and a sun gear of the planetary reduction mechanism.

Abstract: A tool for storing dispensing, and applying hemostatic clips includes a shell-like housing, and a pair of ring-handle actuating levers extending therefrom. An elongated dispensing and applying portion extends longitudinally from the housing, and includes a jaw strut extending fixedly from the housing with a pair of laterally opposed jaw members pivotally supported on a distal portion thereof. A channel-like jaw housing extends from the housing in longitudinally translatable fashion, and is received about the jaw strut and jaw members. A magazine member secured to the jaw strut stores a plurality of hemostatic clips in serial, end to end fashion, and is disposed to deliver the distal-most clip between the open jaw members. A feeder slide adjacent to the jaw strut is resiliently biased to urge the clip toward the distal end of the jaw members. Within the housing a shuttle block is disposed for longitudinal translation by squeezing of the levers.

Abstract: A process for separation of a high pressure gas stream such as refinery gas in which the starting gas mixture is cooled and separated into a first vapor portion and a first liquid portion which is expanded to an intermediate pressure. The first vapor portion is further cooled and separated into a second vapor portion which may be further processed for ultimate recovery of, for example, a methane-rich product gas and a second liquid portion which is expanded to essentially the same intermediate pressure and combined with the expanded first liquid portion. The resulting mixed intermediate pressure stream or a portion thereof is then employed as refrigerant.

Abstract: A cryogenic refrigerator operating on the Split-Sterling cycle principle is disclosed. The refrigerator has a seal-less expander and achieves efficient operation without the use of external control apparatus. This is accomplished by sizing the expander so that two pressure differential forces developed across a displacer in the expander are approximately equal in magnitude. For efficient operation, the expander's gas flow rate is selected to provide the proper time delay between the two pressure differential forces.

Abstract: A low profile ceiling duct assembly to be used with rooftop air conditioners. The unit combines an octagonal sheet metal ceiling plate which provides the upper portion of a plenum chamber; this extending into the roof space above a ceiling opening. The lower plenum portion is provided by the molded plastic octagonal air distributor box, mounted against the edges of the plate and extending into the room space sufficiently to afford air flow sidewardly outward from the plenum. The air distributor box has outlet grilles at alternate sides of the octagon. They discharge air in four directions along the ceiling line while return air is drawn centrally upward.

Abstract: A process for separation of a high pressure gas stream such as light refinery gases in which the gas mixture is expanded, preferably through a turbine, and separated into first vapor and liquid portions. The first vapor portion may be recovered as, for example, methane-rich product gas. The first liquid portion is raised to an intermediate pressure, revaporized, and introduced to a fractionator from which an ethane-containing stream is recovered. The ethane-containing stream is then cooled and separated into a second vapor portion and a second liquid portion which is then expanded and combined with the expanded starting gas mixture to increase the amount of refrigeration that may be recovered from the first liquid stream prior to its fractionation.

Abstract: A process to produce methane gas product with reduced product compression requirements comprising pumping liquid methane from a cryogenic nitrogen rejection plant to a high pressure thereby utilizing available excess refrigeration, and rewarming the pumped liquid methane product against incoming process streams.

Abstract: A process for the separation of CO.sub.2 from gases containing light hydrocarbons and a relatively high proportion of CO.sub.2 comprises a two stage fractionation procedure. In a first fractionating stage, the entire amount of C.sub.1 and C.sub.2 hydrocarbons are separated from the gaseous mixture; the resultant bottoms fraction, which contains the C.sub.3+ hydrocarbons and CO.sub.2, is pumped to a higher pressure and further distilled in a second fractionating stage. During this process, the head cooling of the second fractionating stage is coupled with the bottoms heating of the first fractionating stage.