Abstract: A method of inhibiting leakage of a fluid through a defect (4) in a wall of a pipe (2), comprising the steps: introducing a loss control medium (30) into a first portion of a pipe (2); conveying the loss control medium (30) along the pipe from the first portion to a second portion of the pipe, wherein the second portion is embedded in a porous medium and has a defect (4) through which fluid conveyed by the pipe during normal use leaks into the porous medium; and applying a pressure to the loss control medium (30) such that at least a portion of the loss control medium (30) is expelled from the pipe through the defect (4) into the porous medium thereby causing the loss control medium to accumulate within the porous medium in the vicinity of the defect which inhibits flow of a liquid through the defect into the porous medium.

Abstract: A method for configuring a field of view of a digital media frame. The method comprises analysing a digital image to identify at least one first portion of the digital image having a first predetermined characteristic. Determining an optimum location within the field of view. Positioning the identified at least one first portion of the digital image within the optimum location.

Abstract: A 3-dimensional, upwardly convex frame (40) constructed from a plurality of substantially identical longitudinally extending frame members (42). The frame (40) includes: the frame members (42) connected at approximately their ends to above approximately the middle of adjacent frame members (42) and the frame members (42) connected at approximately their middle to below approximately the ends of adjacent frame members (42) in a generally outwardly extending sequence. The outwardly facing ends of the outermost frame members (42) are un-connected.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing a sheath of a pipe includes a sleeve adapted to surround the pipe, at least two circumferential seals between the surface of the pipe and a pressure source for forcing a sealing solution against the surface of the pipe between the two circumferential seals. The apparatus is arranged such that the sleeve is spaced from the outer sheath of the pipe to form a sealed annulus and a sealing solution is introduced into the sealed annulus.

Abstract: A 3-dimensional, upwardly convex frame (40) constructed from a plurality of substantially identical longitudinally extending frame members (42). The frame (40) includes: the frame members (42) connected at approximately their ends to above approximately the middle of adjacent frame members (42) and the frame members (42) connected at approximately their middle to below approximately the ends of adjacent frame members (42) in a generally outwardly extending sequence. The outwardly facing ends of the outermost frame members (42) are un-connected.

Abstract: A flash steam powered flywheel turbine is provided comprising a stator housing with an internal channel for the flash and expansion of steam, the channel having a plurality of jet orifices to direct jets of expanding steam toward a rotary flywheel which is fixed to a rotational shaft within the stator housing. The rotary flywheel. is fitted with a plurality of inlet jet passages generally extending radially inwardly from the peripheral surface of the flywheel and oriented such that the force of expanding and impinging steam causes the flywheel to rotate about its central axis. Each inlet jet passage merges into one or more outlet jet passages oriented generally laterally such that the force of discharging steam causes further rotation in reaction to the discharging steam. The discharging steam is directed against steps or depressions formed on the inner lateral walls of the stator housing to add a jet-propulsion effect.

Abstract: The present invention describes an apparatus (1) for establishing a subsea environment to enable an intervention operation to be carried out on a pipe, the apparatus comprising a frame (2) adapted to abut an outer surface of the pipe, sealing means (7) to enable the frame to be sealed against the surface of a pipe, and means for monitoring the condition of the seal, wherein the environment is established between the frame and the surface of the pipe and further describes a method of establishing a subsea environment to enable an intervention operation to be carried out on a pipe, the method comprising the steps of deploying a frame (2) subsea, locating the frame against the side of a pipe to establish the environment between the frame and the pipe, sealing the frame against the side of the pipe, and monitoring the condition of the seal.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of isolating a section of rough bore flexible pipe (1), said method including the steps of deploying a sealing device (10) into the pipe to the required position and forcing a sealing solution through the carcass (2) of the flexible pipe to seal the space between the sealing device and the internal pressure sheath (5) of the flexible pipe and also a sealing device (10) for isolating a section of a rough bore flexible pipe, said apparatus comprising means for anchoring the sealing device in the pipe and means for sealing the device in the pipe, said sealing means comprising means for forcing a sealing solution through the carcass of the pipe.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for repairing the outer sheath of a pipe, said apparatus comprising a sleeve (12) adapted to surround the pipe, sealing means (16) for establishing at least two circumferential seals between the surface of the pipe and means (17, 18) for forcing a sealing solution against the surface of the pipe between the two circumferential seals, the arrangement being such that in use the sleeve is spaced from the outer sheath of the pipe to form a sealed annulus therebetween and a method of repairing an outer sheath of a pipe, said method comprising the steps of mounting a sleeve over the pipe to provide an annulus therebetween, securing the sleeve in place around the pipe, providing two circumferential seals between the sleeve and the pipe and forcing a sealing solution against the surface of the pipe between the two circumferential seals to form a pressure seal between the circumferential seals and sealing the annulus between the pipe and the sleeve.

Abstract: Described is an anti-vibratory handle for installation on a reciprocating tool supplied with a pressurized fluid and producing vibrations in the direction of an axis of reciprocation of the tool. The anti-vibratory handle comprises a stationary portion mounted to a body of the tool, a mobile portion comprising a hand-grip member and an articulation between the stationary and mobile portions. This articulation comprises a pivot assembly interconnecting the stationary and mobile portions, the pivot assembly defines a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the tool reciprocation axis, and the hand-grip member of the mobile portion is spaced apart from both the pivot axis and the tool reciprocation axis. The articulation also comprises a resilient vibration-damping assembly interposed between the stationary and mobile portions to avoid transmission of vibrations through the articulation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for electronic article surveillance wherein the time taken for articles to move from a starting point to a destination point by way of a series of zones is monitored in real time, taking into account bottleneck and non-bottleneck zones. A set of simple rules is applied so as to give estimated times of arrival for any given article. When it is calculated that an article will arrive after a predetermined critical time, an alert is triggered and remedial action may be taken. Various attributes of each zone may additionally be monitored, for example the number of articles in the zone or the temperature of the zone. The system and method may be applied to passengers in an airport, a warehouse or distribution center, or any other application where articles are being moved from one place to another.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for recovering copper and/or other metal values from a metal-bearing ore, concentrate, or other metal-bearing material using pressure leaching and direct electrowinning. More particularly, the present invention relates to a substantially acid-autogenous process for recovering copper from chalcopyrite-containing ore using pressure leaching and direct electrowinning in combination with a leaching, solvent/solution extraction and electrowinning operation. In accordance with one aspect of the process, at least a portion of the residue from the pressure leaching operation is directed to a heap, stockpile or other leaching operation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for recovering metal values from metal-bearing materials. During a reactive process, a seeding agent is introduced to provide a nucleation site for the crystallization and/or growth of solid species which otherwise tend to passivate the reactive process or otherwise encapsulate the metal value, thereby reducing the amount of desired metal values partially or completely encapsulated by such material. The seeding agent may be generated in a number of ways, including the recycling of residue or the introduction of foreign substances. Systems embodying aspects of the present invention may be beneficial for recovering a variety of metals such as copper, gold, silver, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, zinc, rhenium, uranium, rare earth metals, and platinum group metals from any metal-bearing material, such as ores and concentrates.

Abstract: A method for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material to produce high quality cathode copper from a leach solution without the use of copper solvent extraction techniques or apparatus. A method for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore generally includes the steps of providing a feed stream containing comminuted copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material, leaching the feed stream to yield a copper-containing solution, conditioning the copper-containing solution through one or more physical or chemical conditioning steps, and electrowinning copper directly from the copper-containing solution, without subjecting the copper-containing solution to solvent extraction.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for the production of sulfuric acid and liberation of precious metal values from materials containing sulfur through pressure leaching operations. In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, the sulfur-bearing materials may comprise residues from pressure leaching operations, such as those carried out at medium temperatures. The process of the present invention can be advantageously used to convert such sulfur-bearing materials to sulfuric acid by means of pressure leaching. The sulfuric acid so produced can be used beneficially in other mineral processing operations, for example those at the site where it is produced. Metals, such as precious metals, that are contained within the sulfur-bearing materials advantageously may be recovered from processing products by established precious metals recovery technology.

Abstract: A system and process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material to produce high quality cathode copper from a leach solution without the use of copper solvent/solution extraction techniques or apparatus. A process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore generally includes the steps of providing a feed stream containing comminuted copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material, leaching the feed stream to yield a copper-containing solution, conditioning the copper-containing solution through one or more physical or chemical conditioning steps, and electrowinning copper directly from the copper-containing solution in multiple electrowinning stages, without subjecting the copper-containing solution to solvent/solution extraction prior to electrowinning.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for recovering copper and/or other metal values from a metal-bearing ore, concentrate, or other metal-bearing material using pressure leaching and direct electrowinning. More particularly, the present invention relates to a substantially acid-autogenous process for recovering copper from chalcopyrite-containing ore using pressure leaching and direct electrowinning in combination with a leaching, solvent/solution extraction and electrowinning operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for producing a metal powder product using either conventional electrowinning or alternative anode reaction chemistries in a flow-through electrowinning cell. A new design for a flow-through electrowinning cell that employs both flow-through anodes and flow-through cathodes is described. The present invention enables the production of high quality metal powders, including copper powder, from metal-containing solutions using conventional electrowinning processes, direct electrowinning, or alternative anode reaction chemistry.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for producing a metal powder product using conventional electrowinning chemistry (i.e., oxygen evolution at an anode) in a flow-through electrowinning cell. The present invention enables the production of high quality metal powders, including copper powder, from metal-containing solutions using conventional electrowinning processes and/or direct electrowinning.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for producing a metal powder product using either conventional electrowinning or alternative anode reaction chemistries in a flow-through electrowinning cell. The present invention enables the production of high quality metal powders, including copper powder, from metal-containing solutions using conventional electrowinning processes, direct electrowinning, or alternative anode reaction chemistries.