Abstract: Device for attachment of a bundle of tubes (3) coiled into a helix according to several cylindrical coaxial layers, comprising longitudinal rods (4) provided with concave cylindrical recesses (16) for receiving each tube portion (3) corresponding to the same cylindrical layer, the rods (4) being so disposed between each layer as to form several flat radial sheets, elements (8) for attachment of the tubes on the rods being interposed between two consecutive rods of a given radial sheet, each attachment element (8) comprising essentially a piece (8) adapted to cover two turns slotted consecutively in the corresponding rod, the device maintaining the tube by pinching in isostatic fashion, the contact between the device (4, 8) and the corresponding tube (3) being localized in three quasi-pinpoint zones (14, 15) of the tube spaced from one another. The device is useful for the support of a bundle of tubes of steam generators of the sodium-water type.

Abstract: A process for the cryogenic purification of industrial by-product hydrogen streams to recover a high yield of a high purity hydrogen product is disclosed in which two or more of such by-product streams, one containing detrimental amounts of non-readily condensible impurities having boiling points below that of methane, e.g., nitrogen, helium and the like, the other containing by-product hydrogen gas streams which are substantially free of non-readily condensible impurities. These two feed streams are then separately passed through successive cooling and separation stages. At each separation stage, a liquid bottom fraction containing readily condensible hydrocarbons is separated from the overhead of each of the two feed streams. Successive separations are carried out until the overhead from the stream which is substantially free of non-readily condensible impurities (but which contains a significant amount of readily condensible impurities, including methane) attains the desired degree of purity.

Abstract: An improved vacuum process is disclosed for use in treating vapors created during deodorization and/or physical refining of edible oils and fats. Vapors are condensed by contact with a saline solution which may be introduced at a temperature below the freezing point of pure water, the temperature being adjusted according to desired absolute pressure. Saline solution is recirculated through a flotation and cooling unit where a constant addition of salt and a purge of solution are made.

Abstract: A thermal treatment system includes thermally insulated housing structure in which conditioning plenum structure and distribution plenum structure are disposed. The distribution plenum is disposed adjacent a treatment zone that extends through the housing, and the side of the distribution plenum adjacent the treatment zone defines an open port region that corresponds in dimension to the length and width of the treatment zone. Seal flange structure extends along the edges of the open port region. Conveyer structure for supporting product to be thermally treated is disposed in the treatment zone in juxtaposition to the open port region of the distribution plenum. A series of sealed chamber units, each of which includes an array of nozzle tubes that provide an array of spaced parallel flow passages through the sealed chamber, close the open port region so that the series of sealed chamber units defines a wall of the distribution plenum adjacent the treatment zone.

Abstract: A boiler having a furnace, a tunnel section and a rear gas duct is improved by the fact that a partition wall at right angles to side walls of the rear gas duct is disposed in the rear gas duct to divide it into two passages. A low-pressure reheater is disposed in the divided passage nearest to the tunnel section and has a narrow width. Two partition walls are disposed in the other divided passage parallel to the side walls of the rear gas duct to further divide the passage into three passages. Superheaters are disposed in the further divided passages close to the side walls and a high-pressure reheater is disposed in the central further divided passage. In another embodiment, the locations of the superheater and the high-pressure reheater are reversed.

Abstract: In a compression piston, the wrist pin clearance bearing is lubricated by gas from the volume of working gas. The clearance bearing is formed by a wrist pin positioned within a pinhole of the piston. During reciprocation of the piston, the wrist pin oscillates in the piston pinhole and compresses the gas therein. The compression produces a squeeze film which prevents contact between the wrist pin and piston. The stroke time of the piston is not long enough during a cycle to collapse the squeeze film. The gas squeeze film thus lubricates the wrist pin clearance bearing. A clearance seal is formed between the piston and a cylinder of the piston housing. The clearance seal is of small clearance relative to the clearance bearing so that it limits leakage by the wrist pin. The small clearance seal also enables the requisite pressure buildup within the pinhole to generate an adequate squeeze film about the clearance bearing.

Abstract: A process and apparatus to produce ultra high purity oxygen comprising serially oriented absorbing and stripping columns having defined flow stream relationships.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing moisture from smoke produced in a chemical reaction, such as a combustion reaction, by circulating outside air in heat-exchange relationship with smoke at a point near the chamber where the smoke is produced, thereby heating the air and cooling and partially dehydrating the smoke. A portion of the air which is thus heated is passed in further heat-exchange relationship with smoke and is then directed toward a smoke discharge stack where it is mixed with the partially dehydrated smoke.

Abstract: A propane-propylene splitter is operated by compressing the propylene overhead to increase its condensing temperature, using the compressed overhead to heat bottoms in a reboiler, which is operated to condense the overhead and remove a maximum amount of heat from the condensed overhead, additionally cooling the condensed overhead to a temperature no lower than the temperature on the top tray of the splitter and no higher than 15.degree. F. above the temperature on the top tray, whereby the throughput of the splitter is increased by 10 to 20%.

Abstract: A method of stable combustion in a fluidized bed incinerator for burning and decomposing refuse such as municipal wastes while fluidizing them is disclosed. A number of air diffuser tubes are provided inside the incinerator body for fluidizing the refuse and the fluidizing medium. The fluidizing air from the air diffuser tubes is supplied at high speed or low speed from each of the tubes respectively. By alternately forming more and less fluidized areas inside the fluidized bed, the refuse is stably burned. Because of the stable combustion of the refuse, the combustion air ratio can be reduced and the combustion chamber temperature inside the incinerator can be maintained at a high level.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing ice comprising the steps of: supplying gas into a pressure-resistant vessel containing ice grains, the pressure of the supplied gas being kept increased; applying a press force to the ice grains to increase the density of the ice grains, contact portions of the ice grains being allowed to be melted; and cooling the ice grains, in the pressed state, to freeze the ice grains. Gas to be introduced into the vessel is at least one selected from those of air, oxygen and carbon dioxide. An apparatus used for the method is also provided.

Abstract: An improved high yield process is disclosed for argon recovery from an ammonia synthesis plant purge gas comprising hydrogen, nitrogen, argon, ammonia, and methane. In one embodiment of the present invention, this purge gas is subjected to the following steps:(i) Separation of ammonia at high pressure by adsorption using zeolite molecular sieve material, which is subsequently regenerated by hot purge combined with pressure reduction;(ii) Separation of methane and most of the nitrogen by pressure swing adsorption using a molecular sieve or an activated carbon material having greater selectivity for methane than argon;(iii) Separation of hydrogen for recycle to the ammonia synthesis plant using a high pressure cryogenic distillation column or a membrane separator; and(iv) Separation of the nitrogen by cryogenic distillation means to obtain essentially pure liquid argon product.

Abstract: A batch-type pyrolysis furnace fired by a main heat source such as a gas burner or an electric heating coil in combination with an afterburner to burn volatiles generated in the furnace's main chamber, is operated to incinerate high-polymer loads smokelessy, yet is effectively safeguarded from explosions. A single thermocouple (throat TC) senses the instantaneous temperature in the throat of the furnace and in cooperation with a programmable controller, maintains a preselected ramp and soak temperature profile over the entire burn cycle. When the temperature required by the profile is exceeded, a single water spray actuated by a signal from the PC lowers the temperature below the profile. The throat TC thus maintains a fire under controlled temperature conditions in the main chamber without an explosion, using a single-stage system.

Abstract: A cryogenic process for recovering propane and heavier hydrocarbons from natural gas streams or similar refinery or process streams containing lighter hydrocarbons such as methane and ethane. In the process disclosed, the gas to be separated is cooled which may include some condensation, in which case the condensate is separated from the vapor and fed to a lower region of all the fractionating column. The cooled vapor from the separator is split into two streams. One portion of the split vapor stream is work expanded to a midpoint of the fractionating column, while another portion of the split vapor stream is further cooled causing partial condensation, the condensate being separated and fed to the fractionation column above the feed from the first work expander, and the vapor being work expanded through a second expander and fed to the top of the fractionator as reflux.

Abstract: A freezing apparatus for bringing samples of biological tissue in contact with a block of sapphire that is chilled to 15.degree. K. has a toggle linkage that controls movement of a plunger carrying a biological tissue sample into contact with a cold surface of sapphire, and minimizes rebound by slowing the rate of approach of the tissue sample toward the cold surface to a velocity of substantially zero at contact. An outer box of plexiglass is used to limit the formation of condensates on the surface of the sapphire, and the specimen carrier includes a miniature moist chamber that protects the specimen from drying before moving it toward the surface. The moist chamber is removed just before operation of the freezing apparatus. The toggle linkage provides repeatability of results with minimum setup time between insertion of samples, and substantially reduces rebounding and vibration that retards the rate of freezing of the specimen.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for the recovery of argon from a gas mixture comprising hydrogen, nitrogen, methane and argon. An example of such a gas mixture is purge gas from an ammonia synthesis plant which has been subjected to the conventional steps of ammonia absorption and a membrane separation to obtain hydrogen for recycle to the ammonia plant. In a first embodiment, the gas mixture is treated in a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system to remove the methane, residual moisture and most of the hydrogen, the resulting gas mixture is treated in a membrane separator to remove most of the hydrogen, which may be used as purge gas for the PSA system, and the resulting stream treat by cryogenic distillation to separate the nitrogen and residual hydrogen to obtain an essentially pure argon product. In a second embodient, the second treatment is eliminated and all of the hydrogen is removed by the cryogenic distillation.

Abstract: A control device adapted to be installed in a conduit for an automotive air conditioning system includes a generally rectangular housing mounted, for example, in the dash board of a vehicle to define an opening. A louver assembly is rotatably mounted in the housing on a pair of shafts which extend from end walls of the louver assembly into bearing apertures formed in the ends walls of the housing. An O-ring is installed on one of the shafts and frictionally engages the inner wall of one of the bearing apertures to enable the louver assembly to be selectively and rotationally positioned in the housing for controlling the amount and directional flow of the air out of the opening. A pair of slots formed in the end wall of the housing on either side of at least one of the bearing apertures define a resilient tab which allows the louver assembly to be snapped into and out of the housing.

Abstract: The invention is a system for detecting the level of slag in a solid fuels gasification reactor. In this invention a pokerod is extended into the quench chamber of the reactor, and pulled back to a retract position, in a timed sequence. The timed sequence is initiated by an electronic controller unit, in combination with an air pressure regulator, a solenoid valve, a double chamber air cylinder, and two sensor switches. The end of the pokerod that moves into the quench chamber is designed to contact the solid slag without penetrating the material itself. If the pokerod makes contact with the slag material, the controller sets off an alarm to warn the operator of slag build up in the reactor.

Abstract: A method for disposing of waste materials including wastes generated by residential neighborhoods and business districts of a municipal area, by collecting waste materials centrally, sorting out and removing non-combustible materials from the collected wastes, and shredding the combustible materials coarsely. The coarsely shredded materials are then transported, if necessary, to the location of an incinerator or other furnace into which the materials are fed as fuel at a rate controlled in accordance with the requirements of the burner for complete and clean combustion, by feeding the coarsely shredded materials into a further shredder, shredding the materials to a final size, and immediately conveying the reshredded materials into the burner. Transportation and measurement of the coarsely shredded materials is thus accomplished with the waste materials at an optimum density for convenient handling and transportation at an economical cost.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for substantially eliminating flow induced vibrations of the flow tubes of a steam generator in the U-bend region. Antivibration bars are provided between columns of flow tubes in the U-bend region which are contoured on one side to correspond with the exact as-built and as-bent diameter of the tubes as located within the tube bundle. Measurements of the actual flow tube diameters are made and recorded and stored either on tape or in a computer which is then used to control a numerically operated machine which configures or machines cutouts in the antivibration bars to precisely correspond with the respective measured diameters of the flow tubes. Only one side of the antivibration bars need to be machined because of the flexibility of the flow tubes which allow the positioning of the other side of the flow tubes along a flat plane.