Abstract: Process and device for compression and transportation of a gas containing a liquid hydrocarbon fraction.The process includes introduction of a solvent into the gas coming from the well, formation of a homogeneous dispersion, compression of the resulting mixture, at least partial separation in the compressor of the liquid fraction contained in the gas, and transportation of the compressed mixture.The process is particularly suitable for production of gas at sea and can be carried out entirely under the sea.

Abstract: A mixture of at least two constituents A and B is submitted to selective separation across a selective membrane.The membrane comprises an active layer comprising particles of a selective solid (5) dispersed in a continuous non-porous and non-elastomeric polymer phase (4) and a porous support (6). The thickness of the active layer is less than 100 micrometers, advantageously less than 20 micrometers.

Abstract: A heat exchange device is provided whose exchange zone is formed by juxtaposing a plurality of plates parallel with each other and spaced apart two-by-two by a plurality of spacing elements consisting of spacers parallel to each other, which may be crenellated (they then comprise crenels and projecting parts) or continuous, said plates being formed so that for any two adjacent plates, at least one of the facing faces is provided with spacers, at least one part of said spacers being, over at least a part of their length, in contact with the facing face of the adjacent plate or with at least a part of the spacers possibly present on said facing face, over at least a part of their length, said plates, defining flow spacers for two fluids being further formed and disposed so that for one flow space out of two the spacers carried by at least one of the facing faces of two adjacent plates defining said space are crenellated spacers. The fluids flow advantageously in cross-current relation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the simultaneous exchange of heat and matter through a porous wall. A relatively hot gaseous mixture of two constituents passes through an exchange compartment by flowing along the first surface of a porous wall and is progressively cooled, which causes the condensation of a fraction of said mixture. This fraction is vaporized on the second surface of the wall in contact with a relatively cold gas. This process is useful for the fractionation of a mixture of two constituents of a gas, for example, of a mixture of pentane and heptane.

Abstract: This new process provides for the treatment of a gas containing a light fraction and a heavy fraction, so as to extract at least a portion of the heavy fraction.The process is characterized in that the gas to be treated (1) is contacted with a solvent (8) under cooling conditions to selectively absorb at least a portion of the heavy fraction of the gas in the solvent; the light unabsorbed fraction is discharged (16) and the solution of the heavy fraction in the solvent (18) is subjected to desorption (B.sub.1): the solvent (6) is recycled and the evaporated heavy fraction (9) is condensed (C), expanded (V.sub.1) and evaporated in thermal exchange contact (E.sub.2) with the mixture of the gas and the solvent to be cooled; the heavy fraction is discharged (14).The process may be used for the treatment of gas on the field (associated gas, natural gas) and/or in refining and petrochemical operations.

Abstract: A gas containing methane and water is treated in order to remove water therefrom. The process comprises a step of contacting the gas with a liquid phase formed of water and solvent, whereby water free of solvent can be removed, and a subsequent step of cooling the resultant gas. The process is applicable to natural gas and to refinery gas.

Abstract: A heat exchange device is provided whose exchange zone is formed by juxtaposing a plurality of plates parallel with each other and spaced apart two by two by a plurality of spacing elements consisting of spacers parallel to each other, which may be crenellated (they then comprise crenels and projecting parts) or continuous, said plates being formed so that for any two adjacent plates, at lest one of the facing faces is provided with spacers, at least one part of said spacers being, over at least a part of their length, in contct with the facing face of the adjacent plate or with at least a part of the spacers possibly present on said facing face, over at least a part of their length, said plates, defining flow spaces for two fluids being further formed and disposed so that for one flow space out of two the spacers carried by at least one of the facing faces of two adjacent plates defining said space are crenellated spacers. The fluids flow advantageous in cross-current relation.

Abstract: A method of transferring heat from a hot fluid to a cold fluid by means of a heat carrying fluid formed from at least two non azeotropic constituents contained in a looped circuit. The hot fluid gives up its heat in an exchanger, this heat being used for evaporating the heat carrying fluid which is then condensed in an exchanger while giving up its condensation heat to the cold fluid. A heat carrying agent reservoir accomodates the heat flux variations and a system imposes a flow direction on the heat carrying fluid.

Abstract: A heat exchange device is provided whose exchange zone is formed of a stack of perforated plates having perforations disposed so that superimposition of the perforations creates flow spaces for at least two fluids at different temperatures, said perforated plates being separated two by two by at least one seal disposed so that each perforation of the plates corresponding to a flow space through which fluid passes is separated from the perforations corresponding to the flow spaces through which a different fluid passes, said stack being kept at a clamping pressure of 2 to 50 bars by means of a plurality of tie-rods passing through it and said seal being formed by an expanded graphite manufactured under such conditions that it has a bulk density of about 200 to 500 kg.m.sup.-3.

Abstract: A process and device for compressing a fluid by releasing a working fluid that includes an initial pocket wherein the working fluid circulates, a second pocket in which the fluid to be compressed circulates, a third pocket wherein the mixture of the working fluid circulates along with the fluid to be compressed, with the mixture being supplied from a mixing pocket that is connected to the third pocket as well as to the first and second pockets. The mixing pocket has a ring-like configuration and the first and second pockets are connected to the mixing pocket through passages that are adapted to introduce the working fluid and fluid to be compressed substantially tangentially. The device is adaptable to compress or pump an effluent which is of an oil type nature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing heat and/or cold by means of a compression engine operating with a nonazeotropic mixed working fluid. It is characterized in that the mixed working fluid, partially vaporized at the output of evaporator (E1), is contacted, in heat exchange conditions, in (E2), with the compression system (K), in order to continue or complete the vaporization of the fluid which is then compressed, condensed in exchanger (E3), expanded through an expansion valve (V) and then recycled to evaporator (E1).

Abstract: A heat exchange device comprises at least one zone for the circulation of at least two fluids in heat exchange relationship and input and output means for these fluids, the zone being of modular structure and consisting essentially of a stacking of lattices jointly assembled and each formed of two series of intercrossed walls. The stacking of lattices define spaces for the circulation of the fluids, each lattice, which constitutes a module, being formed in one piece and so designed that, on each face thereof, the edges of the walls of one of the two series are protruding from the plane formed by the edges of the walls of the other series. The lattice stacking is achieved by registering the protruding edges of a series of walls of one face of any lattice with the recessed edges of the corresponding wall series on the opposite face of the adjacent lattice. The protrusion height is equal to the depth of the registering recess in the lattice stacking.

Abstract: Process for producing cold and/or heat by using a non-azeotropic mixture of fluids in a cycle with ejector. The working fluid is condensed (C), then separated in two fractions (2 and 7); the first fraction (2) is evaporated (EV) at relatively low temperature, the second fraction (7) is evaporated (B) at a relatively high temperature, and then the two vaporized fractions pass through an ejector (E) and are fed back to condenser (C). This process can be used for domestic heating or for refrigeration.

Abstract: The heat exchanger consisting of a stack, forms a right prism, of polygonal plates with perforations of elongate shape. The rows of perforations are stacked and each perforation of a plate communicates with two perforations of the following plate, thereby forming series of independent networks of interconnected perforations. Two systems of networks are thus provided, each of which is used to circulate a fluid. Supply and discharge means are also provided for each of the fluids.

Abstract: Heat and/or cold are produced in an absorption heat converter operated with a solvent and at least two distinct working fluids condensed and vaporized in a temperature range, whereby the yield is increased.

Abstract: A heat exchanger of modular structure comprises stacked lattices which can engage with each other, and each is formed of two series of intercrossed small plates jointly assembled by mutual engagement at the level of cuts located on the edges of the plates, with spaces being generated for circulating fluids therethrough in heat exchange relationship.

Abstract: In a process for purifying natural gas in which methanol is injected into the natural gas, the temperature of the mixture of natural gas and methanol is lowered to the absorption temperature, at which undesirable components present in the natural gas are absorbed by the methanol, and the natural gas thus purified is separated from the methanol, the natural gas is subject to a succession of purification stages, each of which incorporates methanol injection into the natural gas, circulation of the mixture at the absorption temperature, and separation of the natural gas from the methanol phase. The partially purified natural gas which leaves a stage other than the last stage enters the stage which follows it and the purified natural gas is obtained at the outlet of the last stage.

Abstract: Process for separating the components of a gaseous mixture, saving energy and operating by demixing wherein the mixture to be separated is contacted under extracting conditions with a solvent which is then cooled down to a demixing temperature to provide two liquid phases, one of which has an increased extract content and the other an increased solvent content. The extract is recovered and the solvent recycled. The process can be used for numerous applications in the field of gas treatment.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing cold and/or heat by means of a thermal unit operating by absorption. Increased performances are obtained by using a condensable auxiliary fluid and performing the absorption in two successive steps (absorbers A.sub.20 and A.sub.21). The unit for conducting the process essentially comprises a generator (S.sub.20), a condenser (E.sub.20), an evaporator (E.sub.21) and two absorbers (A.sub.20 and A.sub.21).

Abstract: Buildings are advantageously heated or heat-conditioned with a heat pump operated with a non-azeotropic mixture consisting essentially of two working fluids, with the mixture comprising a major component of monochlorodifluoromethane (R 22) and a minor component of trifluoromethane (R 23).