Abstract: A self-baking electrode includes a cylindrical shroud having a longitudinal central axis A. The shroud is made of an electrically-conductive material and disposed vertically on top of a vat of the furnace over one length of the self-baking electrode. The electrode includes a central column disposed within the shroud, substantially aligned on the longitudinal axis A. The central column is suspended from a device independent of the shroud such that the central column is adapted to slip in vertical translation within the shroud and a crude carbonaceous paste disposed around the central column in a top portion of the shroud. The paste is softened and baked under an effect of heat into a stiff carbonaceous paste sticking to the central column in a bottom portion of the shroud. The central column includes a series of electrically-conductive carbonaceous elongate elements. The carbonaceous elongate elements are flexible.

Abstract: Ultrasonic peening treatment is desirable where an application of a compressive stress is helpful to reduce the incidence of crack formation on highly stressed parts. Ultrasonic peening treatment can be performed in field applications without requiring a rotor to be removed from the machine. The system includes an acoustic element that excites peening media within a peen chamber. A frame is attachable to an assembled turbine rotor component and includes support structure engageable with the acoustic element. The frame is cooperable with a chamber tooling that defines and encloses the peen chamber together with the turbine rotor component.

Abstract: A method of making undersea steel pipes, by assembling unit pipe elements together end-to-end by welding, the steel or metal alloy weld beads of said welds being disposed on the outside of the pipe, wherein localized peening is performed on the inside of the pipe to increase the compression of the steel or metal in the vicinity of the welds and over the adjacent peripheral inside surface of the pipe on either side of the weld so as to create a swath of surface that has been peened over a limited distance L in the axial longitudinal direction of said pipe. The peening is preferably performed using a wheeled carriage fitted with a peening tool.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of shot peening at least a portion of a rotary machine comprising a rotor. Shot peening is carried out with a rotor which is at least partly assembled. The method comprises: fixing a system for supporting at least one acoustic assembly to the machine; and shot peening at least one region of the machine using projectiles which are moved by the acoustic assembly.

Abstract: Ultrasonic peening treatment is desirable where an application of a compressive stress is helpful to reduce the incidence of crack formation on highly stressed parts. Ultrasonic peening treatment can be performed in field applications without requiring a rotor to be removed from the machine. The system includes an acoustic element that excites peening media within a peen chamber. A frame is attachable to an assembled turbine rotor component and includes support structure engageable with the acoustic element. The frame is cooperable with a chamber tooling that defines and encloses the peen chamber together with the turbine rotor component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of shot peening at least a portion of a rotary machine comprising a rotor. Shot peening is carried out with a rotor which is at least partly assembled. The method comprises: fixing a system for supporting at least one acoustic assembly to the machine; and shot peening at least one region of the machine using projectiles which are moved by the acoustic assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of shot peening at least a portion of a rotary machine comprising a rotor. Shot peening is carried out with a rotor which is at least partly assembled. The method includes fixing a system for supporting at least one acoustic assembly to the machine; and shot peening at least one region of the machine using projectiles which are moved by the acoustic assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of shot peening at least a portion of a rotary machine comprising a rotor. Shot peening is carried out with a rotor which is a least partly assembled. The method includes fixing a system for supporting at least one acoustic assembly to the machine; and shot peening at least one region of the machine using projectiles which are moved by the acoustic assembly.

Abstract: A system for processing digital electrical power signals derived from at least one externally supplied, substantially continuous, substantially alternating, electrical signal having a primary or fundamental frequency, comprises: a multiply-accumulate arithmetic processor having three input ports with at least one input port for receiving the digital electrical power signals, an output port and a processor control port; a first memory unit for storing a plurality of processor control signals; a second and third memory unit each for storing a separate plurality of processor input signals; and a memory control unit having the capability to respectively couple the first memory unit to the processor control port, and the first processor input port to one of the second and third memory units for each cycle of the primary frequency so that newly received digital electrical power signals may be continually processed by the processor for a predetermined number of cycles.

Abstract: This invention relates to distillation in pressurized columns and provides a process for reboiling such columns. The column 1 working at a pressure of 11 bar is fed with a mixture of hydrocarbons preheated in exchangers 2a and 2b to about 130.degree. C. A part of the bottom is withdrawn, then expanded by means of an expansion valve 5 to 2.5 bar in an expansion balloon flask 6 where the phases are separated. The vapor phase is compressed in a compressor 7 to the pressure of the column and reinjected at the bottom of the column, whereas the liquid phase is removed.With the process, energy can be saved in pressurized distillation columns, for example in petrol stabilization columns.

Abstract: A process for continuously separating the constituents of a mixture characterized in that it consists in introducing the gaseous mixture in an enclosure containing a selective adsorption agent or adsorbent, and subjecting the said mixture to a cyclical series of hot and cold steps induced by sudden variations of temperature between a temperature T.sub.c called the "hot temperature" and a temperature T.sub.F called the "cold temperature" in order to create in the cold steps three distinct zones moving in the flow-direction at different speeds:a zone of low-speed propagation comprising a sorption front in which the concentration of gas having the most adsorbable constituents decreases;a zone called the "thermal wave" induced at times determined by the sudden cooling of the load mixture;a desorption zone where the mixture is enriched in the most adsorbable constituents.