Abstract: A liquid product (4) leaving a furnace (2) is introduced into a series of cyclone separators (5, 6, 7). The liquid product to be vaporized is introduced tangentially into the top portion (5a, 6a, 7a) of each cyclone to place the product into contact with a side wall (5b, 6b, 7b) of the cyclone. A gaseous phase (11, 12, 13) formed in each cyclone is collected in the central zone (8, 9, 10) of the cyclone and is then introduced into a vacuum distillation column (3). The liquid phase obtained in each cyclone is collected at the bottom (5c, 6c, 7c) of the cyclone and then is introduced tangentially into the top (6a, 7a) of the following cyclone or, in the case of the last cyclone, is introduced directly into the vacuum distillation column (3). The side wall (5b, 6b, 7b) of each cyclone (5, 6, 7) is heated to a temperature near the maximum temperature allowable for avoiding all thermal deterioration of the product.

Abstract: An installation for chemical conversion of a gas mixture containing hydrogen and hydrocarbons comprises a series of reactors in which the gas mixture undergoes endothermic reactions at temperatures within the range of 350.degree. C. to 900.degree. C. A furnace is placed upstream of each reactor for reheating the gas mixture prior to introduction into the reactor. The furnaces are equipped with electric heating resistors which are intended to be placed in direct contact with the gas mixture as it is introduced into each furnace.

Abstract: Punches having attachment heels of different types are mounted on a bending press by means of an adapter consisting of a bar or a series of bar segments secured to the top die-shoe of the press. The bottom portion of the adapter body is provided in one vertical face with a recess of greater depth than any type of punch attachment heel. A bearing spacer having the same height as the adapter body recess is placed against the punch heel either at the bottom of the recess or in an external position. The spacer and heel of the corresponding punch are held in position by a cramp which is tightly applied against the adapter body on the same side as the recess opening.

Abstract: This device for bending the tool holder of a folding press comprises structure for controlling the deformation of the wedge secured at either end, in the form of a hollow screw engaged in a socket rigid with the tool holder so that it can accomplish movements of translation within this socket, a member for fastening the screw to the wedge, a sprocket mounted coaxially to the screw on the screw-threaded shank thereof for causing the translation of the screw in the socket, and a single driving system for controlling the rotation of the set of sprockets acting at different thrust points disposed at spaced intervals along the wedge, this single wedge having a relatively great length and being therefore easily deformable under the control of the single control system.

Abstract: In a low-head hydroelectric power station, a turbine runner is mounted within the hub of a convergent-divergent draft tube at the base of a dam. At least one turbine is coupled to one or more electric generators housed within a casing which is totally submerged within the upstream pool. The distance from the generator casing to the draft tube intake is sufficient to prevent any interference with the water flow. The casing is provided with a vertical access and inspection shaft, the top opening of which is located above the normal water level and removably fixed on a flooring structure.

Abstract: A method for heating crude oil to be processed in a petrochemical installation, comprises successive heat exchangers disposed in series, each heat exchanger using pressurized steam as the heating fluid. Each exchanger has a lower exchange chamber, a liquid product supply line and a tube bundle, the steam transferring heat to liquid product flowing through the tube bundle. Each heat exchanger comprises an upper separation chamber disposed above the lower exchange chamber, the separation chamber having a gas phase outlet and a liquid phase outlet, the liquid phase outlet being disposed lower than the level at which the tube bundle extends into the separation chamber. Successive heat exchangers are connected together by a pipe communicating between the liquid phase outlet of the upper separation chamber of one of the heat exchangers and the liquid product supply line of the next heat exchanger.

Abstract: Emitters and rotary hydraulic displacement pumps are associated with one or a number of propeller-type transducers and connected to receivers each having a rotary hydraulic displacement motor coupled to an alternator. The emitters are connected to the receivers by means of a hydraulic circuit for an auxiliary fluid which is admitted into at least one shunt-connected energy dissipator and the flow of which is regulated as a function of the random energy variations of the natural fluid. The energy-conversion system is primarily applicable to hydroelectric power plants of the stream or river type, to wind-driven power plants and to ship propulsion.

Abstract: In a chemical processing plant such as a petroleum refinery, provision is made for steam boilers and heating furnaces in which the energy consumed by the boilers for generating steam exceeds the energy consumed by the heating furnaces. The steam is produced at a pressure level which is sufficient to operate at least one back-pressure turbo-alternator, then to heat the chemical process stream to a sufficiently high temperature by heat exchange with the steam recovered at the outlet of the turbo-alternator.