Abstract: The invention relates to a corrugated criss-crossing packing structure for installations that transfer material and/or heat between a gas phase and a liquid phase, comprising a first surface (10), called the primary surface, having a number of parallel channels (11). According to the invention, this structure has a second surface (20), called the secondary surface, comprised of a number of secondary packing elements (21, 31), each secondary packing element being placed inside a channel (11) of said primary surface (10) and being formed separately from the first surface. The invention is for use in cryogenic distillation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for filling a pressurised gas tank, especially a pressurised tank for a protective airbag-type system, with a gas or a gaseous mixture. Said method comprises a first step wherein a determined first quantity of a gas or a gaseous mixture in the liquid state is introduced into the tank. The inventive method is characterised in that the first introduction step comprises an intermediate introduction step wherein an intermediate quantity of a gas or a gaseous mixture in the liquid state is introduced into the tank, the intermediate quantity being larger than the first quantity. The inventive method also comprises a step for removing part of the gas in the liquid state, in excess of the first quantity, from the tank, in such a way as to dose the first quantity of gas in the liquid state in the tank.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for refrigerating one or more thermal loads which consists in providing a first CO2 source derived from a mechanical cold system, and in feeding one or more evaporators from said first source so as to cause the CO2 to evaporate thereby cooling said one or more thermal loads. The method is characterized in that it consists in providing a second CO2 source, consisting of a cryogenic storage of CO2, and in inputting CO2 from said second source, so that the flow rate of fluid feeding the evaporator(s) is a mixture of liquid CO2 derived from said first source and liquid CO2 derived from said second source.

Abstract: A system for sampling cryogenic liquids, and an air separation unit provided with at least one such system. The cryogenic liquid is introduced into a vaporizer, through heat exchange with the compressed air. The liquid passes through the vaporizer generally downwards. The walls of the vaporizer that are intended to come into contact with the cryogenic liquid are maintained at a temperature above the sublimation temperature or the boiling point of the least volatile impurity contained in this liquid. Downstream of the vaporizer, a gaseous phase coming from the vaporization of the cryogenic liquid is withdrawn and at least some of the gaseous phase is sent to an analyzer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a corrugated criss-crossing packing structure for installations that transfer material and/or heat between a gas phase and a liquid phase, comprising a first surface (10), called the primary surface, having a number of parallel channels (11). According to the invention, this structure has a second surface (20), called the secondary surface, comprised of a number of secondary packing elements (21, 31), each secondary packing element being placed inside a channel (11) of said primary surface (10) and being formed separately from the first surface. The invention is for use in cryogenic distillation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an installation for purifying impure helium. Said method consists in subjecting the helium to at least two successive steps: (a) cryogenic refrigeration of impure helium so as to eliminate by condensation at least part of the main impurities it contains and recuperating helium with intermediate purity containing residual impurities; and (b) permeation of at least part of the helium with intermediate purity derived form step (a) so as to eliminate at least part of said residual impurities and recuperating helium with final purity higher than said intermediate purity. Said method and said installation are useful for purifying impure helium recuperated at the output of an optical fibre cooling chamber, prior to the reintroduction of the resulting purified helium into said chamber so as to recycle the helium.

Abstract: An evaporator has main passages placed in a heat-exchange relationship, an arrangement for forming a pool of the liquid to be evaporated so that it flows through at least a first of the main passages, and a device for introducing a refrigerant into at least a second of the main passages so that evaporation of the liquid is ensured.

Abstract: According to this method:

Abstract: Optimization of an installation in which an operation is performed that requires control over the atmosphere inside a chamber (3), the operation being performed in the presence of a gaseous mixture capable of giving off emissions, the optimization being obtained by the presence of inlet (5) and outlet (8) devices external to the chamber to oppose the ingress of air into the chamber and the exit of gaseous emissions; and of an extraction device (4) comprising means (42) for regulating the flow rate to maintain an approximately zero pressure differential between the inside and the outside of the chamber.

Abstract: A macroporous adsorbent comprising pores having a pore volume (Vm) and a mean pore diameter (dm) such that: Vm≧1 cc.g−1 and dm≧1 &mgr;m, Vm and dm being determined by mercury porosimetry; their manufacturing process using a spheronization and freeze-drying technique; and their use for separating or purifying gases, such as air, synthesis gases or hydrocarbons, especially olefins.

Abstract: In this corrugated fin, each corrugation leg (10A, 10B) has a notch (18A, 18B) on at least one edge (11A) and over at least part of its height. Application to brazed-plate heat exchangers.

Abstract: Optimization of an installation in which an operation is performed that requires control over the atmosphere inside a chamber (3), the operation being performed in the presence of a gaseous mixture capable of giving off emissions, the optimization being obtained by the presence of inlet (5) and outlet (8) devices external to the chamber to oppose the ingress of air into the chamber and the exit of gaseous emissions; and of an extraction device (4) comprising means (42) for regulating the flow rate to maintain an approximately zero pressure differential between the inside and the outside of the chamber.

Abstract: This bath reboiler-condenser (4), of the brazed plate type, includes vaporization passages (11) subdivided into a plurality of stacked vaporization regions (13A to 13C) each of which is immersed in a partial height bath (28A to 28C), and means for feeding the top vaporization region (13C) with liquid. The vaporization regions (13A to 13C) are spaced vertically and each region is entirely open at its top and bottom ends. Application to the main reboiler-condensers of double air distillation columns.

Abstract: In this corrugated fin, each corrugation leg (10A, 10B) has a notch (18A, 18B) on at least one edge (11A) and over at least part of its height.

Abstract: A device and a process for preparing a high-purity inert gas from air, includes the successive steps of:a) cryogenically distilling compressed air,b) recovering an impure inert fluid containing hydrogen impurities (H.sub.2) and residual impurities,c) adsorbing at least some of the residual impurities contained in the impure inert fluid by at least one bed of at least one adsorbent,d) recovering an intermediate inert fluid containing hydrogen impurities,e) removing the hydrogen impurities contained in the intermediate inert fluid by permeation, andf) recovering a high-purity inert fluid in the gas state.

Abstract: Process for preparing ultra-pure nitrogen containing less than 100 ppb (parts per billion) impurities, characterized in that at least the impurities consisting of carbon monoxide (CO) and/or hydrogen (H.sub.2) are removed by passing the gas from which at least one of these two components has to be removed, over a bed of particles including a metallic element namely copper (Cu) and/or ruthenium (Ru) and/or rhodium (Rh) and/or palladium (Pd) and/or osmium (Os) and/or iridium (Ir) and/or platinum (Pt) supported on a particulate support, by the technique of ion exchange and/or by the technique of impregnation. This technique enables to produce ultra-pure nitrogen by using it either with nitrogen obtained by distillation, or air to be distilled as an additional step for the removal of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O. A device for carrying out the process constitutes another object of the invention.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for preparing ultra-pure nitrogen containing less than 100 ppb (parts per billion) impurities, characterized in that at least the impurities consisting of carbon monoxide (CO) and/or hydrogen (H.sub.2) are removed by passing the gas from which at least one of these two components has to be removed, over a bed of particles including a metallic element namely copper (Cu) and/or ruthenium (Ru) and/or rhodium (Rh) and/or palladium (Pd) and/or osmium (Os) and/or iridium (Ir) and/or platinum (Pt) supported on a particulate support, by the technique of ion exchange and/or by the technique of impregnation. This technique enables to produce ultra-pure nitrogen by using it on air to be distilled as an additional step for the removal of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O.

Abstract: The process consists in providing at the outlet of a cutting nozzle, a central jet of cutting liquid and, simultaneously, a concentric jet of gas around the central jet of liquid, the jet of gas having a higher speed than that of the liquid jet. Typically, the liquid and the gas have the same composition, preferably oxygen. A device for carrying out the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a heat exchange line, a fractionating column which is cooled by means of a rich liquid and a section for adiabatic enrichment with nitrogen derived from entering air, the whole being integrated into a parallelepipedal heat exchanger of the plates and blades type. Use for the production of nitrogen of average purity.

Abstract: As the apparatus consumes liquid nitrogen and discharges cold gaseous nitrogen under low pressure, an additional nitrogen stream is liquified under high pressure by heat exchange with the gaseous nitrogen discharged by the apparatus 1, the liquid thus obtained is expanded to the pressure of utilization and the expanded liquid is added to the principal supply of liquid nitrogen to the apparatus. Application in the supply of nitrogen to large cryogenic crushing apparatus.