Abstract: A device and method for treating high-altitude sickness can include a handheld device, and can deliver a therapeutic amount of nitric oxide to an individual's lungs in order to minimize or treat high-altitude sickness. The device is self-contained and portable, which allows an individual to carry and use the device in high-altitude or other low-oxygen environments.

Abstract: A compact two-stage evaporator waste heat recovery (WHR) device (7) is disclosed, and a system using the device. The device recovers energy from waste heat passing through the device and transfers that energy to a Rankine Cycle working fluid also passing through the device. The device includes a first and second evaporator (15); and, a state separator (17) connected between the outlet of the first evaporator and the inlet of the second evaporator. The state separator (17) separates the working fluid into liquid and vapor. The liquid is re-cycled to the inlet of the first evaporator (15); the vapor is sent to the inlet of the second evaporator (19) for superheating. An overall WHR system using the device further includes an expander (21), condenser (23), and pump (25). The system further includes control circuitry (26) for controlling operation of the waste heat recovery device (7) itself and the WHR system.

Abstract: A foam reducing device may impart a mechanical shear flow to a foam and may dispense an anti-foam agent. The device may reduce highly aerated foam into a dense foam or a liquid, and may significantly reduce the volume of material. One version of the device may have an inlet tube with a nominal diameter or dimension, where the inlet tube transitions to a pair of surfaces that are close together. The foam passes through the pair of surfaces causing flow with a high a mechanical shear. A mesh material may be present between the surfaces, and the mesh material may be treated with an anti-foam agent, such as silicone, which may further reduce the volume of foam. A catch basin may collect the reduced foam for disposal. The pair of surfaces may be configured with a weight or spring to move with respect to each other during periods of high flow.

Abstract: In order to solve the numerous problems with existing steam, vacuum, and hot water heating systems, presented are novel systems and methods of vapor vacuum heating having several improvements over the prior art, including: condensate return which can operate without steam traps; naturally-induced vacuum; improved vacuum pump operation for sustaining vacuum in such systems; liquid lift apparatus for use with such systems; and other improvements. All innovations presented herein make vapor vacuum heating more efficient and economical for industrial, commercial, and home applications. A field test conducted with these innovations show results of about 26-50% reduced energy usage, implying significant energy savings from the use of the present invention over current heating systems.

Abstract: A steam boiler includes a boiler housing. A helical coil for boiling water and superheating the wet steam is disposed within the boiler housing. A burner emits combustion gases which heat a heat emitter which is disposed in the inner space of the helical coil. Combustion gases from the burner enter the internal cavity of the heat emitter and then pass through perforations in the heat emitter before contacting the helical coil. As such, the heat emitter is heated by the combustion gases and serves as a radiant heat source for the helical coil.

Abstract: To achieve a downsized drain tank without reducing an effective drain recovery rate. A closed drain recovery system includes: a steam boiler (2); a closed-type drain tank (4); an air-open-type makeup water tank (7); a steam introduction line (10) for introducing a first flush steam within the drain tank (4) to the makeup water tank (7); a surplus drain introduction line (8) for introducing surplus drain to the makeup water tank (7) from the drain tank (4); and condensing units (33) and (39) provided for the makeup water tank (7), and configured to condense one or both of the first flush steam and a second flush steam by bringing the one or both of the first flush steam and the second flush steam into contact with the makeup water within the makeup water tank (7), the second flush steam being generated from the surplus drain.

Abstract: A sampling and rejection device for a boiler or steam generating system is described. The sampling and rejection device receives the condensate or fluid and allows a volume of the condensate to liquefy or the fluid to build up in the interior of the sampling and rejection device. One or more conductivity, pH, and temperature sensors or probes are positioned in the sampling and rejection device to measure the condensate. The sampling and rejection device includes a collection vessel to hold and temporarily store the condensate. The sampling and rejection device includes an outlet or a return line (to a central boiler) and a drain line. If the sensor measures undesirable conductivity, pH, or temperature in the condensate in the collection vessel, then a valve to the drain line is opened and the condensate is rejected.

Abstract: There is provided a drain recovery system with which power for driving a feedwater pump can be reduced and the feedwater pump can be driven at low costs. The drain recovery system includes: a buffer tank; an assist tank disposed below the buffer tank; a first drain supply line that connects a load device and the buffer tank; a second drain supply line that connects the buffer tank and the assist tank; a drain supply valve; a communication line that establishes communication between the assist tank and the buffer tank; a communication valve; a steam supply line that supplies steam from a boiler to the assist tank; a steam supply valve; a feedwater line that supplies drain from the assist tank to the boiler; and a feedwater pump.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of generating steam for the recovery of hydrocarbon from a hydro-carbon producing system comprising: (i) generating supercritical steam from water; (ii) converting said supercritical steam to a subcritical steam; and (iii) injecting said subcritical steam into said system.

Abstract: Steam is generated using high total dissolved solids (TDS) boiler feedwater while still maintaining relatively low boiler blowdown rates. In one embodiment, a boiler is adapted to generate low quality steam from the high TDS feedwater to maintain wet conditions in the boiler tubes to mitigate against fouling/scaling problems. The low quality steam is then separated into a vapor fraction and a liquid blowdown stream. The vapor fraction is superheated to superheated steam. The liquid blowdown stream is allowed to exchange heat with the thus-created superheated steam to vaporize a portion of the blowdown to form a finished steam and a waste stream. This reduces the blowdown to waste and creates more end user steam. The finished steam is routed to its end use, e.g., a hydrocarbon thermal recovery process. Advantages include lower cost, higher efficiency, and less equipment complexity.

Abstract: A method of recovering oil from an oil well and producing steam for injection into an injection well is provided. After recovering an oil-water mixture from the oil well, oil is separated from the mixture to produce an oil product and produced water. In one process, the produced water is directed to an indirect fired steam generator which is powered by an independent boiler or steam generator. As water moves through the indirect fired steam generator, the same is heated to produce a steam-water mixture. The steam-water mixture is directed to the steam separator which separates the steam-water mixture into steam and water. The separated water is directed from the steam separator back to and through the indirect fired steam generator. This separated water is continued to be recycled through the indirect fired steam generator. Steam separated by the steam separator is directed into the injection well.

Abstract: Steam power plants utilize high pressure and low pressure feedwater heaters to increase overall system efficiency. Both types of feedwater heaters generally include a subcooling zone that is separate from a condensing zone. The viability of the separation of the zones is critical to the efficiency of the overall system, specifically with regard to the inefficiencies inherent in the leakage of steam from the condensing zone into the subcooling zone. An improvement in the viability of that zone separation for such feedwater heaters is taught by the use of dual end plates for the subcooling zone to create a triple layer of separation between the condensing and subcooling zones to prevent unwanted and inefficient steam leakage.

Abstract: A steam system is provided that includes a steam generator including boiler tubes that are modified to form a number of intermediate take-offs for removing water and steam from the boiler tubes. A number of intermediate separators are provided to separate the water and steam at each of the intermediate take-offs. Intermediate couplings are used to inject the water back into the boiler tubes downstream of each of the plurality of intermediate take-offs.

Abstract: A system is provided for improved steam generation. The system includes at least two steam systems, wherein a wet steam output from a first steam system is passed through a first separator. The first separator configured to separate dry steam from condensate, and a piping connection is configured to blend the condensate with a boiler feed water stream at the inlet of a second steam system.

Abstract: A process for producing dry alcohol (including ethanol) that comprises at least one stage wherein a gaseous feedstock, which includes alcohol and water, is contacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of a water-gas shift catalyst, at a temperature sufficiently high so that carbon monoxide and water are consumed and carbon dioxide and hydrogen are produced, thereby removing a portion of the water. The process may include multiple stages; the dry alcohol produced contains 99.5 wt. % or greater of alcohol and 0.5 wt. % or less of water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steam generator wherein a continuous heating panel of a generator, which is formed from a number of evaporator tubes, and an overheating panel, which is formed from a number of over-heating tubes which are arranged downstream from the evaporator tubes and on the flow side, are arranged in a heating gas channel. According to the invention, a water separating element is integrated into a number of over-flow tubes which are connected on the flow side of one of several evaporator tubes to one or several overheating tubes.

Abstract: A steam turbine plant of one embodiment includes a boiler to change water into steam, an upstream turbine including plural stages of rotor vanes and plural stages of stator vanes and to be driven by the steam from the boiler, a downstream turbine including plural stages of rotor vanes and plural stages of stator vanes and to be driven by the steam from the upstream turbine, a condenser to change the steam exhausted from the downstream turbine into water, a collector to collect water from, for example, the steam which exists upstream of an inlet of the final-stage rotor vane in the upstream turbine, and a collected matter path to cause collected matter in the collector to flow into, for example, the steam between an outlet of the final-stage rotor vane of the upstream turbine and an inlet of the final-stage rotor vane of the downstream turbine.

Abstract: Low-pressure steam for a steam consuming device, and particularly a steam reboiler, is generated at the steam consumption pressure to maximize the heat recovery from a utility fuel and/or waste heat source. Most preferably, steam is generated at the lowest possible pressure by fluidly coupling the steam generator to the steam consuming device (e.g., by integrating the condensate drum with the steam drum). Therefore, it should be appreciated that the steam generator pressure in such configurations and methods will ride on the reboiler pressure.

Abstract: In a moisture separator, a manifold that communicates with a steam inlet is disposed in a shell. A plurality of blowout outlets for steam is provided on a side of the manifold. A first support plate and a lower support frame are fixed to a lower part in the shell to compart a steam drift space and a drain path. A moisture separating element is provided corresponding to the manifold, and steam from which moisture is removed by the moisture separating element is heated by a group of heating tubes to flow as high-temperature reheat steam to the steam outlet. The moisture is led from the drain opening through the drain path to the drain outlet. A blocking plate blocks a part of the drain opening.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for producing steam are provided. A steam boiler system may include a steam boiler. The steam boiler may comprise an enclosure with a burner, first and second fluid conveyance members, and one or more radiants therein. The burner produces hot combustion gases which warm the fluid conveyance members and thereby the fluid therein. The radiants are also heated by the combustion gases, and they thereby emit radiation which is absorbed by the fluid conveyance members and/or the fluid therein. The boiler system may additionally comprise a steam separator which separates out a steam component. The steam component can be directed back through the enclosure in a third fluid conveyance member to expand the steam before being fed to a steam engine to produce power.

Abstract: A solar thermal power generator includes an inclined elongated boiler tube positioned in the focus of a solar concentrator for generating steam from water. The boiler tube is connected at one end to receive water from a pressure vessel as well as connected at an opposite end to return steam back to the vessel in a fluidic circuit arrangement that stores energy in the form of heated water in the pressure vessel. An expander, condenser, and reservoir are also connected in series to respectively produce work using the steam passed either directly (above a water line in the vessel) or indirectly (below a water line in the vessel) through the pressure vessel, condense the expanded steam, and collect the condensed water. The reservoir also supplies the collected water back to the pressure vessel at the end of a diurnal cycle when the vessel is sufficiently depressurized, so that the system is reset to repeat the cycle the following day.

Abstract: In a moisture separator, a manifold that communicates with a steam inlet is disposed in a shell; a plurality of blowout outlets for steam is provided on a side of the manifold; a first support plate and a lower support frame are fixed to a lower part in the shell to compart a steam drift space and a drain path; a moisture separating element is provided corresponding to the manifold; steam from which moisture is removed by the moisture separating element is heated by the group of the heating tubes to flow as high-temperature reheat steam to the steam outlet; the moisture is led from the drain opening through the drain path to the drain outlet; and a blocking plate that blocks a part of the drain opening is provided.

Abstract: A water preseparator (1) for steam turbine plants for the separation of water from the operating steam (SW) from a high-pressure steam turbine has a feed pipe (2) which extends over the starting section of a steam transfer pipe (4), wherein the two pipes are separated from each other by a gap (11) through which water (12) together with transporting steam (St) flow into a housing. The water discharges from the preseparator (1) via a water discharge pipe (6). the preseparator has structure for recycling of the transporting steam into the operating steam of the steam turbine plant, wherein this recycling structure has built-in fittings or a baffle (9) of the transporting steam, and also structure (4) for achieving a pressure drop, wherein the pressure drop exists between the gap (11) and a point at which the transporting steam is reintroduced into the operating steam (SW).

Abstract: The invention relates to a steam circuit in a power station, comprising at least one evaporator and at least one superheater, characterized in that a condensate collector and return line is provided between the superheater and the steam generator to trap condensate in the superheater and return the condensate to the evaporator

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system and operation of surface equipment to generate steam while reducing the quantity of boiler blowdown and thereby increasing the amount of feedwater that is re-used or re-cycled in generating said steam. The present invention teaches that, on a sustained basis, the blowdown stream at the outlet of a once-through steam generator can be routed to the inlet of a second once-through steam generator that is in series with the first, that blowdown stream can be used to generate additional steam in the second once-through steam generator and further reduce the amount of blowdown, and that this can be accomplished without need of any treatment that reduces hardness or silica levels of the blowdown stream prior to its entering or during its entry into the inlet of the second once-through steam generator.

Abstract: A stratified vapor generator (110) comprises a first heating section (H1) and a second heating section (H2). The first and second heating sections (H1, H2) are arranged so that the inlet of the second heating section (H2) is operatively associated with the outlet of the first heating section (H1). A moisture separator (126) having a vapor outlet (164) and a liquid outlet (144) is operatively associated with the outlet (124) of the second heating section (H2). A cooling section (C1) is operatively associated with the liquid outlet (144) of the moisture separator (126) and includes an outlet that is operatively associated with the inlet of the second heating section (H2).

Abstract: A moisture separator 100 includes a plurality of flat frame plates 102 disposed parallel to each other to define a plurality of zigzag passages 101 between the frame plates 102, side walls facing the upstream side of the passages 101 defining entrance openings 120a and 122a of droplet collecting pockets 120 and 122.

Abstract: A steam generator system incorporates multiple processes, either in series or independently and with each process having a process fluid associated therewith, to transfer heat between a common working fluid and the process fluids in order to generate steam from the working fluid. The heat transfer may be controlled by controlling the flow of the working fluid to further regulate and control the generation of steam and/or the individual processes themselves. The generator system includes a vessel and may optionally have baffles located within the vessel to separate the flow of working fluid into a recirculation system to facilitate in the overall operation of the system. The working fluid must be capable of forming steam and preferably consists essentially of water. Straight tubes, plate-type heat exchange surfaces having a common boiling fluid stream, U-tubes, helical tubes, and/or curved tubes may be used as heat exchange means for transferring heat between the working fluid and the process fluids.

Abstract: A steam generator for converting water to steam by the transfer of heat from a heating medium includes two or more water/steam circuits. Each water/steam circuit has at least one evaporator for transferring the heat from the heating medium to the water. A single water/steam drum receives steam or water and steam from the evaporators. A descending pipe has at least one bypass, from which the supply pipes of the respective water/steam circuits branch off, and a venturi device in the area of the bypass. The inlet opening of the supply pipe of at least one water/steam circuit is disposed in the area of diffuser-shaped outlet of the venturi device such that the supply pipe section acts as a dynamic compression pipe in order to increase the pressure of the working medium in this circuit.

Abstract: A steam generator system incorporates multiple processes, either in series or independently and with each process having a process fluid associated therewith, to transfer heat between a common working fluid and the process fluids in order to generate steam from the working fluid. The heat transfer may be controlled by controlling the flow of the working fluid to further regulate and control the generation of steam and/or the individual processes themselves. The generator system includes a vessel and may optionally have baffles located within the vessel to separate the flow of working fluid into a recirculation system to facilitate in the overall operation of the system. The working fluid must be capable of forming steam and preferably consists essentially of water. Straight tubes, plate-type heat exchange surfaces having a common boiling fluid stream, U-tubes, helical tubes, and/or curved tubes may be used as heat exchange means for transferring heat between the working fluid and the process fluids.

Abstract: An oxygen separation and combustion apparatus such as a boiler or a nitrogen generator in which a plurality of fluid passages and oxygen transport membranes are located within a combustion chamber. The oxygen transport membranes separate oxygen from an oxygen containing gas, thereby to provide the oxygen within the combustion chamber to support combustion of a fuel and thereby to generate heat. The fluid passages are positioned to allow a portion of the heat to be transferred from the combustion to the oxygen transport membranes to heat said oxygen transport membranes to an operational temperature and a further portion of the heat to be transferred from the combustion to the fluid, thereby to heat the fluid and also, to help stabilize the operational temperature of said oxygen transport membranes. Fuel is introduced into the combustion chamber by injection or as a mixture with circulated flue gas.

Abstract: The invention concerns a water steam sterilizer, a so-called autoclave which consists of a steam generator (5), a chamber (13), a condenser (19) and a vacuum pump (20), whereby a pipe (9) connects the steam generator (5) with the chamber (13) and a pipe (35) connects the chamber (13) with the steam generator (5), whereby a valve (16) is provided in a pipe (34) between the chamber (13) and the condenser (19). The autoclav according to the invention is characterised in that valves (10, 17) are provided in the pipe (9) and the pipe (35) respectively. The invention further relates to a method for steam-sterilizing a load in a chamber.

Abstract: A steam boiler's condensate return piping is connected to the piping that directly connects the boiler outlet pipe to the boiler's water return connection above the boiler's water level to reduce water level fluctuations in the boiler.

Abstract: A separator separates water and steam. The separator has a steam-side outlet conduit, a water-side outlet conduit, and a separating chamber between a number of inlet conduits. A swirl breaker is upstream of the water-side outlet conduit. To achieve the lowest possible pressure loss with a simultaneously high medium throughput and an effective separating action, the length of the separating chamber is at least 5 times the internal diameter (DI) of the chamber. Furthermore, the ratio of the overall flow cross section of the inlet conduits to the square of the internal diameter of the separating chamber is between 0.2 and 0.3. Within a water/steam separating apparatus, the separator is connected to a water-collecting tank such that the top end of the latter is located beneath halfway along the length of the separator—calculated from the water-side, bottom end of the same.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating water and steam in a water-steam mixture includes two collectors being disposed horizontally at different heights and being connected together by a connecting pipe. In addition to the connecting pipe, the first collector situated at the bottom has an inlet pipe for the water-steam mixture and as well as a water outlet pipe for the separated water. The second collector lying thereabove includes a steam outlet pipe for the separated steam, in addition to the connecting pipe. The apparatus, which works in accordance with the gravity separation principle, is particularly thermally resilient and therefore permits reliable operation even with large temperature gradients.

Abstract: The invention relates to a boiler (1) wherein at least one steam generating circuit comprises an ejector (25) capable of providing induced circulation of water in the boiler in normal operating conditions. The corresponding water/steam separation reservoir (17) is arranged at any height with respect to the outlet collector (manifold) (15) of the evaporator device (11) of said circuit.

Abstract: A steam chamber has a bottom portion that defines a tray for holding water to be distilled and a top portion for collecting steam created in the chamber by heating the water in the tray. An outlet conducts steam from the top portion of the steam chamber to a condenser. A check valve occupies the outlet for opening communication between the steam chamber and the condenser in response to steam pressure above atmospheric pressure in the steam chamber and for closing communication between the steam chamber and the condenser in the absence of the steam pressure in the steam chamber. In a preferred arrangement, a baffle member extends between the tray and the top portion of the steam chamber for allowing steam to enter the top portion of the steam chamber while preventing water globules carried in the steam from entering the top portion of the steam chamber.

Abstract: A steam processing apparatus and method in which a plurality of separators are disposed along the length of a cylindrical drum having inlet means for receiving a mixture of liquid and vapor and outlet means for discharging the separated liquid and vapor. The mixture is discharged against a baffle after which the separated liquid is passed to the drum liquid outlet and the separated vapor is passed upwardly by natural buoyant forces to the drum vapor outlet. The separators are disposed in a plurality of rows--two to each side of the axis of the drum along the length thereof.

Abstract: A fluid flow circuit for a boiler having a combustion chamber and an exhaust passage. In one embodiment there is provided at least one upflow evaporative generating bank module in the exhaust passage and at least one downflow evaporative generating bank module in the exhaust passage, positioned downstream of the upflow module. One or more upper downcomers are connected to a steam drum and supply water to the lower header of the upflow module and to the upper header of the downflow module. If needed, the convection pass wall enclosures can also be fed by the upper downcomers to their upper inlet headers. One or more lower downcomers may be connected to each lower header of the downflow module (and to the lower outlet headers of the convection pass wall enclosures) for supplying the water to a plurality of furnace circuits which extend along the combustion chamber in the boiler. The opposite end of each furnace circuit is connected to one or more risers which, in turn, are connected to the steam drum.

Abstract: An improved gas-jet hot water heater system for the generation of high-temperature water at atmospheric pressure simultaneously with superheated water and/or steam. The heater system comprises a primary tank for the generation and storage of high-temperature water. The primary tank includes a combustion zone whereat the products of combustion of a gas-jet burner may heat the water passing therethrough and a storage zone located beneath the combustion zone for receipt and storage of the heated water. A supplemental sub-assembly includes a pressurized remote storage tank, a heat exchanger in the combustion zone for water to being superheated by the products of combustion of the gas-jet burner and conduit means coupling the heat exchanger with the storage tank. The heat exchanger will create and store superheated water in the lower extent of the storage tank and steam in its upper extent. In an alternate embodiment, the output of the heat exchanger may be fed remotely for direct use.

Abstract: A heat recovery system including a closed working fluid loop constituted by connecting an evaporating apparatus supplied with warm waste water, a steam turbine having an output shaft to be coupled to the load, and a condensing apparatus supplied with cooling water, works on the basis of a Rankine cycle and utilize non-azeotropic mixture as the working fluid.

Abstract: A vertical distillation column for vacuum distillation having a feed inlet, a gas outlet and a de-entrainment device which comprises a downstream chamber and an upstream chamber separated from each other by an inclined permeable wall comprising coalescence means and flow controlling means restricting fluid flow through the upper part of the coalescence means.

Abstract: A pure steam generator having a feed line for conducting feed water thereinto, a heating steam input for conducting heating steam thereinto, and a heat exchange apparatus therein for providing heat exchange between the heating steam and the feed water. A pure steam output is also provided, with a separation space being located in a lower portion of the pure steam generator, along with a centrifugal separator through which the pure steam flows from the separation space to the pure steam output.The pure steam output communicates through a circulation line with the pure steam generator for circulating pure steam from the pure steam output to the pure steam generator. The circulation line is preferably arranged to feed a mixing space, in which the feed water and the circulating pure steam are mixed.

Abstract: A device for cooling a reactor positioned in a vessel. The vessel comprises a water space and a steam space. Cooling pipes that convey evaporating water extend through the reactor. The pipes communicate outside the reactor with the water space at the intake end and with the steam space at the outflow end. The object is to prevent local excess cooling that would interfere with the reaction. A fresh-water preheating section is positioned inside the steam space. The preheating section communicates with an inflow outside the vessel and with an outflow inside the steam space. The preheating section also has open pipes extending through it from top to bottom into the steam space.

Abstract: A steam generator feed water heater comprises a pressurized enclosure inside which is a heat exchanger through which the feed water is caused to flow. There is at least one horizontal condensate inlet tube, as well as at least one condensate outlet tube at a low point on the enclosure. A double screen device associated with the condensate inlet tube comprises an inner screen with a cylindrical side wall and, surrounding this inner screen, an outer screen having one end linked to the inner screen. A bottom wall common to both screens constitutes an impact wall facing the inner screen. Passage areas are provided by perforations in the screens not facing each other over most of the perimeter of their transverse cross-sections.

Abstract: There is described a water still (1) comprising a boiler assembly (5) and a condenser assembly (3) communicating by means (7) for removing droplets from vapour.The means comprise at least one jet, e.g. a plurality of jets (15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25) radially disposed around a capped annulus (9), the jets capable of imparting to the droplets a spiralling motion, and urging the droplets to impinge on an interposed deflecting surface, e.g. a side wall (13) of the still (1).Stills (1) including a heatable distillate receiver (39), a gas vent (51, 53), a level detector (69), a boiler outlet valve (59) and an improved condenser (45) are also described.The stills described are useful for preparing water of low conductivity.

Abstract: A moisture separator is provided which incorporates two perforated plates assembled in association with a plurality of nipples. The nipples extend through a plurality of holes in a first of the two perforated plates. Each nipple is provided with one end which has an upset portion to prevent its complete passage through the holes of the first perforated plate. A second perforated plate is assembled with the first perforated plate in such a way so as to prevent the reverse passage of the nipples in a direction opposite that of assembly. The first and second perforated plates can be rigidly fastened together by bolting, riveting or welding. In a moisture separator made in accordance with the present invention, the individual nipples do not require welding, rolling or hydraulic expansion during the assembly process and do not have to be rigidly attached to either of the two perforated plates. The cooperation of the two plates holds the nipples in position.

Abstract: A thermodynamic method is described and claimed for improving the quality of wet steam produced by conventional and once through type boilers. Moisture entrained with such steam is first separated in a steam-water separation vessel. The separated moisture is thereafter vaporized by pressure reduction and flashed to form lower pressure steam and condensate containing dissolved solids. The condensate is utilized to preheat fresh boiler feedwater. The lower pressure steam is condensed and supplements the boiler feedwater to form a hotter combined net feedwater stream containing reduced quantities of dissolved solids. Practice of the method, in association with commercially available boilers producing saturated to moderately superheated steam at temperatures of up to about 970.degree. F. and steam pressures of up to about 2,900 psig, has resulted in increases in the quality of the steam produced from about 70% to about 99% (substantially dry steam).

Abstract: An improvement in a high pressure condensate return unit and a method of using such a unit are disclosed. In a high pressure condensate return vessel of the type which includes a receiver portion and a deaeration portion for separating non-condensible gases from the steam condensate for venting from the vessel, the improvement includes a throttle valve responsive to the level of condensate within the vessel for controlling the amount of condensate returned directly to a steam boiler or recirculated to the interior of the unit. When fully open, the throttle valve substantially causes all of the condensate pumped from the outlet of the vessel to be returned to the vessel for deaeration, whereas when the throttle valve is fully closed, all of the condensate is provided directly to the boiler.

Abstract: A method of controlling the equilibrium conditions and of simultaneously producing steam under high pressure in the production of methanol by a reaction of oxides of carbon and of hydrogen-containing gases at temperatures of 200.degree. to 300.degree. C. under a pressure of 20 to 100 bars at a copper-containing catalyst, which is contained within the reactor in tubes, which are indirectly cooled by boiling water under pressure, wherein the resulting steam is withdrawn together with circulating water and is separated from the water, the water is recycled and the evaporated water is replaced by feed water. According to the invention the process is carried out in such a manner that a perforated thin intermediate bottom plate is provided in the reactor spaced 20 to 150 cm over the lower tube plate, the reactor is fed with the circulating water above that intermediate bottom and with feed water below that intermediate bottom, the gaseous reaction mixture is cooled by 20.degree. to 50.degree. C.