Abstract: A method for treating a hydrocarbon-rich gas mixture containing mercury and acid gases, said gas mixture being natural gas in particular, wherein the gas mixture is subject to an adsorptive mercury removal and a downstream acid-gas scrubbing. Before the gas mixture to be treated is fed to the adsorptive mercury removal, the gas mixture to be treated is heated at least to such an extent that the gas mixture does not fall below the water dew point in the adsorptive mercury removal and does not fall below the hydrocarbon dew point in the acid-gas scrubbing.

Abstract: A process for liquefying and subcooling a hydrocarbon-rich fraction, particularly natural gas, is described wherein, once cooled down, the fraction is subjected to a partial condensation to remove heavy hydrocarbons, particularly benzene, by the steps of: a) the liquefied hydrocarbon-rich fraction is subcooled in a separate heat exchanger (normal mode), b) the supply of the liquefied hydrocarbon-rich fraction to the heat exchanger is interrupted at the latest when a defined solid deposition value in the heat exchanger is reached (cleaning mode), c) the solid in the heat exchanger is melted with a defrost gas and drawn off from the heat exchanger and d) the liquefied hydrocarbon-rich fraction is subsequently returned to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A turbocharger system for an air-throttled engine includes a variable flow expander (VFE) in the intake air conduit system that supplies intake air to the engine. At part-load operation, the VFE expands the air by an amount that is controllable, and thus regulates the air flow as needed by the engine. The power extracted by the VFE from the intake air flow is fed to the turbocharger, which helps to achieve quicker turbocharger response and improve scavenging of exhaust gases from the engine. The VFE can be a variable expansion ratio turbine.

Abstract: A condensate valve for condensate that is connectable to the inlet side of at least one oil/water separator of a compressor. The condensate valve is triggered for opening and closing via a blocking element. The outlet of the condensate valve discharges directly into a condensate collecting tank. The condensate valve also forms a pressure reducer for reducing the pressure of the outflowing condensate and discharges directly to the condensate collecting tank. Preferably, the condensate valve comprises a movable piston which can be pressed against a small-diameter opening of the valve seat when the condensate valve is closed by a blocking element. The piston has a larger cross-sectional area at its outlet side than at its inlet side on which condensate acts via an overflow line when the condensate valve has been opened. The overflow line can be formed by at least one through channel which extends axially through the piston.

Abstract: A process for reliquefying a methane-rich fraction, in particular boil-off gas, is described. In this process, a) a methane-rich fraction is compressed to a pressure at least 20% above the critical pressure of the fraction to be compressed, b) liquefied and supercooled, c) depressurized to a pressure in the range from 5 to 20 bar, d) separated into a gaseous nitrogen-rich fraction and a liquid nitrogen-depleted fraction, e) the nitrogen-depleted fraction is depressurized to a pressure in the range from 1.1 to 2.0 bar, f) the gaseous fraction obtained, without being warmed and compressed, is mixed into the methane-rich fraction, and g) the liquid product fraction obtained in the depressurization of the low-nitrogen fraction has a nitrogen content of ?1.5 mol %.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the separation of a hydrocarbon-rich, nitrogen-containing feed fraction (1, 101), preferably natural gas, wherein the feed fraction (1, 101) is at least in part liquefied (E1, E2) and divided by rectification (T1) into a nitrogen-enriched fraction (14, 110) and a hydrocarbon-rich, nitrogen-depleted fraction (11, 111) and wherein, in the upper region of the rectification (T1), a nitrogen-enriched stream (14) is taken off, cooled (E3) and applied (20) at least in part to the rectification (T1) as reflux and/or the nitrogen-enriched fraction (110) is cooled and partially condensed (E3), applied at least in part to the rectification (T1) as reflux (115) and the remaining stream (116) of the nitrogen-enriched fraction (110) is subjected to a double-column process (T3).

Abstract: A method for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich fraction, in particular natural gas, by indirect heat exchange with the refrigerant blend of a refrigerant blend circuit is described, wherein the refrigerant blend is compressed, separated into a liquid phase which is rich in higher-boiling components (HMR) of the refrigerant blend and a gas phase which is rich in lower-boiling components (LMR) of the refrigerant blend, and said phases are mixed before the indirect heat exchange.

Abstract: A variable nozzle for a turbocharger includes a plurality of vanes rotatably mounted on a nozzle ring and disposed in a nozzle flow path defined between the nozzle ring and an opposite nozzle wall. Either or both of the faces of the nozzle ring and nozzle wall include(s) grooves extending substantially transverse to a general flow direction of the flow through the nozzle, and there are clearances between the ends of the vanes and the adjacent faces. Leakage flow through the clearance between the end of each vane and the adjacent face having the grooves must proceed across the grooves, and thus a labyrinthine flow passage is presented to the leakage flow. The labyrinthine passage has a greater resistance to flow than would be the case without the grooves. Accordingly, leakage flow is reduced, which is beneficial to turbine efficiency.

Abstract: A variable-nozzle assembly for a turbocharger includes a generally annular nozzle ring and an array of vanes rotatably mounted to the nozzle ring such that the vanes can be pivoted about their axes for regulating exhaust gas flow to the turbine wheel. A unison ring engages vane arms that are affixed to axles of the vanes, such that rotation of the unison ring causes the vanes to pivot between a closed position and an open position. The vanes have proximal ends that are adjacent a face of the nozzle ring. A vane sealing member is supported on the nozzle ring and has a portion disposed between the proximal ends of the vanes and the face of the nozzle ring. The unison ring includes cams that engage cam followers. Rotational movement of the unison ring causes the cam followers to be moved axially and thereby urge the vane sealing member against the proximal ends of the vanes.

Abstract: A process is described for removing heavies and lights from a hydrocarbon-rich feed fraction. A heavies-rich liquid is rectificatorily removed (1st removal stage) from a partially condensed feed fraction. Heavies-depleted gas is partially condensed and rectificatorily separated into a methane-rich liquid fraction and a lights-rich gas fraction (2nd removal stage). The 1st removal stage is operated at a pressure of at least 25 bar. The heavies-depleted gas fraction does not undergo pressure elevation before being fed into the 2nd removal stage. Reflux for the 2nd removal stage is produced via an open loop refrigeration cycle. Refrigerant circulating in the open loop refrigeration cycle is vaporized to two different temperature levels against the reflux streams in a head condenser and a side condenser of the 2nd removal stage. The pressure of refrigerant vaporized in the side condenser is at least three times the pressure of refrigerant vaporized in the head condenser.

Abstract: A method is provided for separating off acid gases, in particular CO2 and H2S, from a hydrocarbon-rich fraction, in particular natural gas. The hydrocarbon-rich fraction is cooled and partially condensed. The resultant CO2-enriched liquid fraction is separated by rectification into a CO2-rich liquid fraction and a CO2-depleted gas fraction. The hydrocarbon-rich fraction is cooled close to the temperature of the CO2 triple point by means of a closed multistage refrigeration circuit. The refrigerant is a CO2 fraction of greater than 99.5% by volume. The rectification column is operated at a pressure between 40 and 65 bar. The reboiler of the rectification column is heated by means of a condensing refrigerant substream of the refrigeration circuit that is at a suitable pressure level.

Abstract: An electro-motor drive, in particular for a fan drive of a motor vehicle, includes a commutator motor, a motor shaft of which is rotatably mounted on axially opposite sides in shaft bearings facing away from the bearing shield in order to substantially dampen the sound of at least bearing play-related contact noise and vibration or humming noise.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacture of fast-disintegrating solid dosage forms, characterized in that one or more structure building components in mixed solid powder form are dosed into cavities of blister packs or moulds, the remaining components dissolved in water dosed and added to the powder to form a moistened, plasticized mass, frozen to below ?20° C., and the water sublimed in high vacuum. In this way solid dosage forms are obtained with a similar porous structure as usually result from freeze drying processes, but the process requires much less water, which means considerably less time and less energy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for resolving a hydrocarbon-rich, nitrogen-containing feed fraction (1, 1?), preferably natural gas, is described, wherein the feed fraction (1, 1?) is separated by rectification (T1, T2) into a nitrogen-enriched fraction (5) and a hydrocarbon-rich, nitrogen-depleted fraction (10), and wherein the separation by rectification proceeds in a rectification column consisting of a preseparation column (T1) and a main separation column (T2). A liquid fraction (6) is taken off from the main separation column (T2) above the feed-in site(s) of the fraction (7, 7?, 7?) that is taken off from the preseparation column (T1) and fed to the main separation column (T2), and the liquid fraction (6) is applied to the preseparation column (T1) as reflux.

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated process and apparatus for liquefaction of natural gas and recovery of natural gas liquids. In particular, the improved process and apparatus reduces the energy consumption of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) unit by using a portion of the already cooled overhead vapor from a fractionation column from an NGL (natural gas liquefaction) unit to, depending upon composition, provide, for example, reflux for fractionation in the NGL unit and/or a cold feed for the LNG unit, or by cooling, within the NGL unit, a residue gas originating from a fractionation column of the NGL unit and using the resultant cooled residue gas to, depending upon composition, provide, for example, reflux/feed for fractionation in the NGL and/or a cold feed for the LNG unit, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the LNG unit and rendering the process more energy-efficient.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich fraction, in particular natural gas, is described, in which the hydrocarbon-rich fraction that is to be liquefied is cooled in indirect heat exchange against a multistage precooling circuit, the refrigerant of the precooling circuit is at least 95% by volume carbon dioxide, the cooled hydrocarbon-rich fraction is liquefied and subcooled in indirect heat exchange against a mixed cycle, and the mixed refrigerant of the mixed cycle comprises exclusively the component(s) nitrogen, methane and/or ethane.

Abstract: A dual clutch transmission having a hydraulic circuit for controlling and cooling the clutches of a dual clutch transmission having lube valves in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid and wherein the cooling flow is controlled by a solenoid which is adapted to move a valve member to produce a flow area through the valve that is an inverse function of the current delivered to the solenoid and so as to deliver a predetermined control solenoid pressure ultimately to each of the clutches of a dual clutch transmission.

Abstract: An electro-motor drive, in particular for a fan drive of a motor vehicle, includes a commutator motor, a motor shaft of which is rotatably mounted on axially opposite sides in shaft bearings facing away from the bearing shield in order to substantially dampen the sound of at least bearing play-related contact noise and vibration or humming noise.

Abstract: A variable-nozzle assembly for a turbocharger includes a generally annular nozzle ring and an array of vanes rotatably mounted to the nozzle ring such that the vanes can be pivoted about their axes for regulating exhaust gas flow to the turbine wheel. A unison ring engages vane arms that are affixed to axles of the vanes, such that rotation of the unison ring causes the vanes to pivot between a closed position and an open position. The vanes have proximal ends that are adjacent a face of the nozzle ring. A vane sealing member is supported on the nozzle ring and has a portion disposed between the proximal ends of the vanes and the face of the nozzle ring. The unison ring includes cams that engage cam followers. Rotational movement of the unison ring causes the cam followers to be moved axially and thereby urge the vane sealing member against the proximal ends of the vanes.