Abstract: A reaction chamber has a surface to be protected and a longitudinal axis transverse to this surface. For the protection of the surface, a method is used comprising introducing a primary flow of reactants into the chamber in a manner whirling around the longitudinal axis thereof, withdrawing reaction products at an opposite end of the reaction chamber in a flow along the longitudinal axis, and introducing into the chamber a secondary protecting flow directed from a periphery of the surface towards the longitudinal axis. The primary flow and the flow of reaction products approximate a free vortex flow and a pressure created by this vortex flow keeps the secondary flow adjacent the surface to be protected, substantially over its entire area.

Abstract: Separate recovery of high and low molecular weight gases from a gaseous starting mixture, e.g. a mixture resulting from thermal water splitting. A set of three chambers is used which are arranged in series and separated by membranes permeable preferentially to the low molecular gas. Gases permeate from the first to the second chamber and from there to the third chamber. A gaseous mixture enriched with the high molecular weight gas is withdrawn from the first chamber and a gaseous mixture enriched with the low molecular weight gas is withdrawn from the third chamber. Undesired gaseous components are rendered non-gaseous and the remaining low and high molecular weight gases are withdrawn separately.

Abstract: Method and multiple-stage absorber for effecting gradual absorption of a gas in a solvent under controlled conditions so as to obtain a high-enthalpy solution of the gas in the solvent with maximum recuperation of the heat of absorption. This is achieved by passing the solvent and the gas in respectively opposite directions through a plurality of discrete absorption stages so as to form a relatively concentrated solution and recirculating this solution through some or all of said absorption stages, counter-currently to the flow of the solvent, so as to extract heat from some or all of said stages by indirect heat exchange with the fluid in said stages; and extracting additional amounts of heat from some or all of said absorption stages by indirect heat exchange with a coolant fluid which is passed through said stages.