Abstract: A process for reducing free oxygen in a gaseous nitrogen stream includes the steps of (i) reforming a hydrocarbon to generate a gas mixture containing hydrogen and carbon oxides, (ii) mixing the gas mixture with a nitrogen stream containing free oxygen, and (iii) passing the resulting nitrogen gas mixture over a conversion catalyst that converts at least a portion of the free oxygen present in the nitrogen to steam wherein the hydrocarbon reforming step includes oxidation of a hydrocarbon using an oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: A process for reducing free oxygen in a hydrocarbon gas stream comprises the steps of (i) forming a gas mixture containing hydrogen from a hydrocarbon, (ii) mixing the hydrogen gas mixture with a gaseous hydrocarbon stream containing free oxygen, and (iii) passing the resulting hydrocarbon gas mixture over a conversion catalyst that converts at least a portion of the free oxygen present in the gaseous hydrocarbon to steam.

Abstract: A process for treating offshore natural gas includes processing the natural gas on an off-shore processing facility by, (i) liquefying and fractionating the natural gas to generate a liquefied natural gas stream and a higher hydrocarbon stream, (ii) vaporizing at least a portion of the higher hydrocarbon stream, (iii) passing the vaporized higher hydrocarbon stream and steam over a steam reforming catalyst to generate a reformed gas mixture comprising methane, steam, carbon oxides and hydrogen, (iv) passing the reformed gas mixture over a methanation catalyst to generate a methane rich gas, and (v) combining the methane-rich gas with the natural gas prior to the liquefaction step.

Abstract: A process for reducing free oxygen in a gaseous nitrogen stream includes the steps of (i) reforming a hydrocarbon to generate a gas mixture containing hydrogen and carbon oxides, (ii) mixing the gas mixture with a nitrogen stream containing free oxygen, and (iii) passing the resulting nitrogen gas mixture over a conversion catalyst that converts at least a portion of the free oxygen present in the nitrogen to steam wherein the hydrocarbon reforming step includes oxidation of a hydrocarbon using an oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: A process for reducing free oxygen in a gaseous nitrogen stream comprises the steps of (i) reforming a hydrocarbon to generate a gas mixture containing hydrogen and carbon oxides, (ii) mixing the gas mixture with a nitrogen stream containing free oxygen, and (iii) passing the resulting nitrogen gas mixture over a conversion catalyst that converts at least a portion of the free oxygen present in the nitrogen to steam wherein the hydrocarbon reforming step includes oxidation of a hydrocarbon using an oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: A process for treating offshore natural gas includes processing the natural gas on an off-shore processing facility by, (i) liquefying and fractionating the natural gas to generate a liquefied natural gas stream and a higher hydrocarbon stream, (ii) vapourising at least a portion of the higher hydrocarbon stream, (iii) passing the vapourised higher hydrocarbon stream and steam over a steam reforming catalyst to generate a reformed gas mixture comprising methane, steam, carbon oxides and hydrogen, (iv) passing the reformed gas mixture over a methanation catalyst to generate a methane rich gas, and (v) combining the methane-rich gas with the natural gas prior to the liquefaction step.

Abstract: A process for reducing free oxygen in a gaseous nitrogen stream comprises the steps of (i) reforming a hydrocarbon to generate a gas mixture containing hydrogen and carbon oxides, (ii) mixing the gas mixture with a nitrogen stream containing free oxygen, and (iii) passing the resulting nitrogen gas mixture over a conversion catalyst that converts at least a portion of the free oxygen present in the nitrogen to steam wherein the hydrocarbon reforming step includes oxidation of a hydrocarbon using an oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: A process for the removal of one or more nitrogen compounds, e.g. basic nitrogen compound from a fluid stream is described in which the fluid is contacted with a functionalized polymer fibre material having functional groups capable of reacting with the nitrogen compounds.

Abstract: A process for reducing free oxygen in a gaseous hydrocarbon stream comprises the step of passing the gaseous hydrocarbon stream over a material comprising a metal selected from Ni, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn or Ag in a reduced state so that oxygen present in said stream reacts with the metal, wherein the metal in the reduced state is formed by, (i) withdrawing a portion of the hydrocarbon stream, (ii) forming a gas mixture containing hydrogen from the hydrocarbon portion, and (iii) passing the gas mixture containing hydrogen over the material containing the metal in reducible form.

Abstract: A process for reducing free oxygen in a hydrocarbon gas stream comprises the steps of (i) forming a gas mixture containing hydrogen from a hydrocarbon, (ii) mixing the hydrogen gas mixture with a gaseous hydrocarbon stream containing free oxygen, and (iii) passing the resulting hydrocarbon gas mixture over a conversion catalyst that converts at least a portion of the free oxygen present in the gaseous hydrocarbon to steam.

Abstract: A method of making a sulphided ion exchange resin from an ion exchange resin containing primary or secondary amino group comprises passing a non-aqueous liquid, e.g. a hydrocarbon, feedstock containing elemental sulphur or organic, or inorganic, di-or poly-sulphides through a bed of an ion exchange resin containing primary or secondary amino groups, and so unsulphided ion exchange resins containing primary or secondary amine groups may be used to remove such elemental sulphur or sulphur compounds from liquid, e.g. hydrocarbon, feedstocks. The sulphided ion exchange resins may be used to remove elemental mercury or organic mercury compounds from liquid, e.g. hydrocarbon, streams.

Abstract: The invention is a process for removing mercury compounds from a glycol- or alcohol-containing liquid absorbent stream which contains mercury compounds, especially a glycol stream which has been used in a glycol drying plant for removing water from natural gas streams. The process comprises contacting the mercury-laden liquid absorbent stream with a bed of solid absorbent particles, comprising a sulphided metal, optionally supported on support material, or sulphur supported on carbon.

Abstract: A process for the purification of a fluid stream containing a sulphur contaminant, such as hydrogen sulphide, and mercury, phosphine, stibine, and/or arsenic compounds as a second contaminant wherein said fluid stream is passed through a bed of a particulate absorbent containing a sulphide of a variable valency metal, especially copper, that is more electropositive than mercury, to remove said second contaminant and then the sulphur contaminant is removed from at least part of the effluent from that bed by passing that part of the effluent through a bed of a particulate sulphur absorbent comprising a compound selected from oxides, hydroxides, carbonates and basic carbonates of said variable valency metal is disclosed. The removal of the sulphur contaminant converts said variable valency metal compound to the corresponding sulphide. The resulting bed of variable valency metal sulphide is subsequently used for the removal of the second contaminant.

Abstract: A double-loop process for the removal of specified gas or gases from a process gas by absorption with a liquid absorbent for said specified gas or gases wherein the process gas is contacted counter-currently in a first absorption stage with semi-lean absorbent liquid and then in a second absorption stage with lean absorbent liquid to give a sweet process gas and the absorbed gases are stripped from the laden absorbent liquid in a first stage giving a semi-lean absorbent liquid. Part of the semi-lean absorbent is recycled to the first absorption stage while the remainder is subjected to further stripping by counter-current contact with an auxiliary gas that has a concentration of the specified gas or gases that is lower than the concentration of the specified gas or gases in the process gas to give the lean absorbent liquid which is recycled to the second absorption stage.

Abstract: A process for the purification of a fluid stream containing a sulphur contaminant, such as hydrogen sulphide, and mercury, phosphine, stibine, and/or arsenic compounds as a second contaminant wherein said fluid stream is passed through a bed of a particulate absorbent containing a sulphide of a variable valency metal, especially copper, that is more electropositive than mercury, to remove said second contaminant and then the sulphur contaminant is removed from at least part of the effluent from that bed by passing that part of the effluent through a bed of a particulate sulphur absorbent comprising a compound selected from oxides, hydroxides, carbonates and basic carbonates of said variable valency metal is disclosed. The removal of the sulphur contaminant converts said variable valency metal compound to the corresponding sulphide. The resulting bed of variable valency metal sulphide is subsequently used for the removal of the second contaminant.

Abstract: Absorbent granules comprising an intimate mixture of particles of alumina trihydrate, 0.5 to 2 parts by weight of particles of a sodium component selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and mixtures thereof per part by weight of said alumina trihydrate and from 5 to 20% by weight of a binder, said alumina trihydrate, sodium component and binder being present in such proportions that, after ignition of a sample of the granules at 900.degree. C., the sample has a sodium oxide, Na.sub.2 O, content of at least 20% by weight. Processes for manufacturing such absorbent granules and for using such absorbent granules for the removal of acidic gases are also disclosed.

Abstract: Absorbents, suitable for absorbing sulphur compounds such as hydrogen sulphide from gases and liquids, in the form of shaped units having an average size within the range 1-10 mm and containing at least 75% by weight of an absorbent material comprising copper carbonate, basic copper carbonate, and/or copper hydroxide. The units preferably have a bulk density of at least 0.9 kg/l, especially at least 1.2 kg/l. The units are preferably agglomerates containing a small amount of a binder such as a cement and may also contain a proportion of alumina to catalyse hydrolysis of carbon-containing sulphur compounds such as carbonyl sulphide or carbon disulphide.

Abstract: Tracking means for establishing a line-of-sight between a control point to which the second craft is being guided and tracking the line-of-sight to follow the second craft and deriving a signal .sub.a representing the rate of rotation of the line-of-sight about the control point; monitoring means for deriving a signal representing the displacement e of the first craft from the line-of-sight, a signal representing the range R.sub.m between the first craft and the control point, and a signal representing the rate of change R.sub.m of the range R.sub.m, presetting means for providing a signal representing a positive quantity k; and a computer for deriving signals representing .sub.c, .sub.c, and k to satisfy the equation ##EQU1## and minimize the difference -.sub.a, k being initially set equal to k.sub.1 ; control means for deriving from the representations provided by the computer a signal representing f(e)+R.sub.m .sub.c +2R.sub.m .sub.

Abstract: Tracking means for establishing a line-of-sight between a control point towards which the second craft is being guided and tracking the line-of-sight to follow the second craft and deriving a signal .theta..sub.a representing the rate of rotation of the line-of-sight about the control point; monitoring means for deriving a signal e representing the displacement of the first craft from the line-of-sight, a signal representing the range R.sub.m from the control point to the first craft and a signal representing the rate of of change R.sub.m of the range R.sub.m ; ranging means for deriving a signal representing the range R.sub.t from the control point to the second craft and a signal representing the rate of change R.sub.t of the range R.sub.t ; a computer for deriving representations of .theta..sub.c, .theta..sub.c and .theta..sub.c which satisfy the equation.sub.c =-2.theta..sub.c.sup.3 -3.theta..sub.c (R.sub.t /R.sub.t)where the difference .theta..sub.c -.theta..sub.

Abstract: A container blank comprises a base panel; wall panels joined to the base panel; and a lid panel joined to one of the wall panels along an edge thereof remote from its junction with the base panel. The junctions between the panels are formed by hinges which are integral with the panels. Interengageable fingers and openings are provided for releasably securing the walls in their erected condition, the fingers being disposed on edge portions of at least some of the wall panels for passing through the openings and hooking over edge portions of the adjacent wall panels.