Abstract: One or more rigid sealing segments are attached to pipe end sections and the assembly lined to form a fluid-resistant joint. A segment surface forms the primary sealing interface of lined pipe sections without the need for a conventional removable liner edge seal. The lining process and configuration sealably bonds the liner to the fluid-resistant sealing segment and to the non-fluid-resistant pipe. The manner of bonding both avoids (or limits) liner stress and covers the non-fluid-resistant material of the pipe. In an alternative embodiment, the sealing segments are engaged at mating threaded surfaces, the mated threads providing a single primary sealing and engagement interface. Redundant liner end sealing may also be accomplished by a sandwiched deformable material if added reliability of sealing harsh fluids is desired. In another embodiment, portions of the rigid sealing segments are slidably mounted relative to each other and the primary seal interface is temperature actuated.

Abstract: One or more rigid sealing segments are attached to pipe end sections and the assembly lined to form a fluid-resistant joint. A segment surface forms the primary sealing interface of lined pipe sections without the need for a conventional removable liner edge seal. The lining process and configuration sealably bonds the liner to the fluid-resistant sealing segment and to the non-fluid-resistant pipe. The manner of bonding both avoids (or limits) liner stress and covers the non-fluid-resistant material of the pipe. In an alternative embodiment, the sealing segments are engaged at mating threaded surfaces, the mated threads providing a single primary sealing and engagement interface. Redundant liner end sealing may also be accomplished by a sandwiched deformable material if added reliability of sealing harsh fluids is desired. In another embodiment, portions of the rigid sealing segments are slidably mounted relative to each other and the primary seal interface is temperature actuated.

Abstract: One or more rigid sealing segments are attached to pipe end sections and the assembly lined to form a fluid-resistant joint. A segment surface forms the primary sealing interface of lined pipe sections without the need for a conventional removable liner edge seal. The lining process and configuration sealably bonds the liner to the fluid-resistant sealing segment and to the non-fluid-resistant pipe. The manner of bonding both avoids (or limits) liner stress and covers the non-fluid-resistant material of the pipe. In an alternative embodiment, the sealing segments are engaged at mating threaded surfaces, the mated threads providing a single primary sealing and engagement interface. Redundant liner end sealing may also be accomplished by a sandwiched deformable material if added reliability of sealing harsh fluids is desired. In another embodiment, portions of the rigid sealing segments are slidably mounted relative to each other and the primary seal interface is temperature actuated.

Abstract: A method is provided for protecting flow-conducting elements, such as pipe, fittings, valves, and vessels which are constructed of austenitic and duplex stainless steel alloy materials and which are used in hot geothermal brine service from stress cracking caused by small amounts of the brine leaking onto exterior surfaces of such flow-conducting elements. According to the method, residual stress regions of the flow-conducting elements are thermally-sprayed with a metal such as mild steel, aluminum, magnesium, or zinc, which is anodic relative to the stainless steel, to provide a metal coating having a preferred thickness of between about 10 mils and about 20 mils, the preferred metal to be thermally-sprayed onto the stainless steel being mild steel. A metallized article made by the present method is provided.

Abstract: A valve of special usefulness in handling solids-containing or solids-producing fluids comprises a floating valve seat comprised of inner and outer rings, the outer ring being fixed within the valve body and the inner ring being urged directly from the outer ring by one or more springs against a gate element controlling the flow of fluids through the valve. The springs are housed within chambers provided by aligned cavities in the inner and outer rings while similarly aligned notches house a bellows or accordian shaped flexible metal seal. The flexible metal seal is in contact with the fluid but prevents entry of fluid between the rings to the spring; thus, the action of the inner and outer rings is not impeded by solids depositing from the fluid.

Abstract: A matrix in a rotating rotor prevents or inhibits formation of waves in a liquid ring. The matrix may be located in first and/or second channel sections defined by the rotor, liquid passing from the first to the second channel section; and a turbine may have a scoop removing liquid from the second section, proximate ends of barriers defined by the matrix.The matrix includes grooves between the barriers to communicate liquid generally parallel to an axis defined by the rotor. The grooves have end openings and may be closed in a direction toward that axis.

Abstract: In a system wherein a fluid exhibits a regressive vapor dome in a T-S diagram, the following are provided:(a) a two-phase nozzle receiving the fluid in pressurized and heated liquid state and expanding the received liquid into saturated or superheated vapor state, and(b) apparatus receiving the saturated or superheated vapor to convert the kinetic energy thereof into power.

Abstract: Reaction turbine and pump apparatus includes:(a) a first nozzle or nozzles to receive heated fluid for expansion therein to form a two-phase discharge of gas and liquid,(b) a separator rotor having an axis and a rotating surface located in the path of said discharge for supporting a layer of separated liquid on said surface,(c) the rotor having a reaction nozzle or nozzles to communicate with said layer to receive liquid therefrom for discharge in a direction or directions developing torque acting to rotate the rotor,(d) and a pump associated with and driven by the rotor, the pump including an annular rim surface to receive impingement of liquid to be pumped, the liquid collecting as a rotating ring on the rim surface.In addition, the rim surface may be integral with the separator rotor; and the heated fluid may consist of a low vapor pressure fluid component which remains liquid and a high vapor pressure fluid component which at least partially vaporizes in the first nozzle or nozzles.

Abstract: An improved scoop is usable in combination with a wheel providing a rotating peripheral surface with an annular body of liquid supported on that surface and rotating with the wheel. The improvement comprises:(a) The scoop projects partially into the rotating annular body of liquid;(b) The scoop is mounted for rotation about an axis and in a forward direction in response to force transmission to the scoop from liquid entering the scoop;(c) The scoop has an interior surface that is locally curved to turn the entering liquid for discharge from the scoop in a relatively rearward direction; and(d) Substantially the entirety of the scoop interior rearwardly of said interior surface is rearwardly open to the exterior.

Abstract: Steam is produced from aqueous brine, by a process that employs hot fluid, nozzle means and rotary separator means. Process steps include:(a) transferring heat from said hot fluid to said brine,(b) passing the heated brine in pressurized state to the nozzle means for flow therethrough, and expanding the flow therein thereby to form steam and liquid droplets, and(c) causing said expanded flow to rotate the rotary separator means for forming a layer of said brine on the separator means and accompanied by steam separation and for subsequent removal.The liquid from the rotating layer and/or the separated steam may be used to drive turbine means; the hot fluid may comprise combustion products from a combustion source; and several stages of separators may be employed.