Abstract: A device for studying the behavior of a multiphase effluent in circulation includes a test pipe having two ends containing the effluent and a unit for delivering a working fluid alternately into each end of the pipe to effect movement of the effluent. The effluent to be studied which has been placed in the test pipe, is displaced according to an alternating circulation generated by injection of a working fluid into each of the ends of the pipe. A process for studying the behavior of the multiphase fluid in circulation involves placing the effluent in a test pipe, displacing the effluent in the test pipe in an alternating motion by delivering a working fluid alternately into each end of the pipe and measuring behavior of the effluent during the alternating displacement of the effluent.

Abstract: A device for regulating the fluctuations of a multi-phase flow having gas, fluid and solid components characterized in a vessel having a feed pipe and a draw-off tube disposed therein. The feed pipe being horizontally disposed and having a plurality of downwardly facing apertures to help suspend solids that have accumulated at the bottom of the vessel. The draw-off tube being vertically located within the vessel having a plurality of apertures all of which are disposed above the horizontal location of the feed pipe. The draw-off tube drawing off a mixture of gas and liquid. The vessel dampening the fluctuations of the multiphase mixture exiting the feed pipe.

Abstract: Device, in particular for regulating and reducing the fluctuations in the composition of a polyphasic flow including at least one liquid phase and one gaseous phase. This device comprises a container for separating said phases and at least one admission opening for the polyphasic mixture, as well as means for extracting the content of the container. The extraction means (3, 7, 40, 41) extend into said container (2, 39, 56) in such a manner that during normal operation, they extend through the liquid-gas interface (6). Said extraction means include extraction openings (4, 16, 19, 50, 51) arranged on both sides of the interface in normal operation; the sum of the throughflow sections of said openings, estimated from a reference position on at least a portion of a vertical axis, varies as a function of the slope, considered on said axis and for said portion, said portion extending during normal operation on both sides of said interface.

Abstract: This device comprises a collector element which caps a source of escaping fluid. At least the lower part of this collector element is foldable and its wall comprises a permeable lower portion to facilitate positioning of the element over the source of polluting fluid.

Abstract: This floating boom comprises a flexible structure forming a barrier provided with transverse stiffeners to which are secured floats adapted to support this structure in a substantially vertical position in water. The stiffeners are designed so as to be resiliently bent at their lower part under the action of the water current for a velocity of the water current sufficient to cause bending without causing any substantial change in the inclination of the remainder of the boom in water.

Abstract: This floating boom comprises a flexible structure forming a barrier equipped with transverse stiffeners to which are secured floats adapted to support the flexible structure in a substantially vertical position in water. Each stiffener forms a buoyant unit with the floats secured thereto. The successive buoyant units are interconnected by an assembly of articulated linking rods longitudinally extending along the upper part of the boom. These longitudinal rods support the flexible structure which forms a barrier.

Abstract: A floating boom unit having a flexible structure which comprises a water transparent armouring is supported by floats in a substantially vertical position. The armouring includes longitudinal and transverse elements. The longitudinal elements are adapted to withstand substantially the whole of the longitudinal traction loads to which the boom is subjected in service, and a balanced distribution of these longitudinal loads between the different longitudinal elements is assured by resistant transverse elements connected to the longitudinal elements as to maintain a substantially uniform spacing between adjacent longitudinal elements, said armouring being further provided with transverse stiffeners adapted to support the floats.

Abstract: This method and apparatus comprises displacing the product to be removed from a tank by forming and permanently maintaining at the upper part of the tank, above the product, an aqueous phase filling progressively the tank as the product is removed through a drain pipe. Jets of hot water are introduced into this aqueous phase and a secondary injection is effected in said aqueous phase above the level of these jets.

Abstract: This method and apparatus comprises displacing the product to be removed from a tank by forming and permanently maintaining at the upper part of the tank, above the product, an aqueous phase filling progressively the tank as the product is removed through a drain pipe. Jets of hot water are introduced into this aqueous phase and a secondary injection is effected in said aqueous phase above the level of these jets.

Abstract: A benzene dicarboxylic acid is purified by heating a solution thereof to 110.degree. - 350.degree. C in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst; the solvent is a mixture of water with a secondary or tertiary alcohol.

Abstract: This process for purifying waste-water containing ammonium sulfate comprises reacting said waste-water with calcium oxide, calcium sulfide and ammonium sulfite; roasting the resulting precipitate to regenerate calcium oxide and calcium sulfide; and reacting sulfur dioxide with hydrogen sulfide obtained in a prior step to yield sulfur.

Abstract: Process for recovering sulfur from waste waters containing sulfuric acid, comprising reacting in a first step, the waste water with an aqueous solution of ammonium sulfite, separating the formed sulfur dioxide from the solution, reacting the resulting solution in a second step with calcium oxide to form calcium sulfate and an aqueous ammonia solution, vaporizing ammonia therefrom, reducing the calcium sulfate by means of carbon to form calcium oxide and sulfur dioxide, contacting said vaporized ammonia with said sulfur dioxide and with water, thereby forming an aqueous solution of ammonium sulfite, which is joined to that used in the first step and recycling at least a part of the calcium oxide obtained by reduction of the calcium sulfate to the second step.

Abstract: Process for treating a waste water containing sulfuric acid and/or ammonium sulfate comprising (1) reacting said water with barium sulfide to form barium sulfate, (2) reacting the latter with carbon containing inorganic impurities, at high temperature, thereby forming barium sulfide, at least a major portion of which is recycled to step (1), and a gas which is separated, (3) dissolving in water a minor portion of the barium sulfide produced in step (2), separating the insoluble impurities therefrom and recycling at least one portion of the resulting purified solution to step (1).