Abstract: A vapor/liquid separation apparatus for treating a flow of vapor/liquid mixtures of hydrocarbons and steam comprises a vertical drum with a side inlet to introduce hydrocarbon/steam mixtures, an overhead vapor outlet, and a lower section in communication with a cylindrical boot of less diameter than the drum, the boot comprising sufficient gas-liquid contact surface, e.g., that provided by one or more sheds, baffles and/or distillation trays, to provide at least a partial theoretical distillation stage, and a lower portion for receiving liquid from the drum, a lower outlet for removing the liquid, and an inlet for introducing a stripping gas, such as steam, hydrogen, light crackable hydrocarbon, and/or methane, below the distillation tray and preferably above the level of liquid in the boot.

Abstract: A spinning impingement multiphase contacting device and method for heat or mass transfer are disclosed. A first fluid, from which the transfer is to occur, is caused to impinge and be entrained in a spinning permeable element, creating a highly dispersed phase. The highly dispersed phase contacts the second fluid to cause the desired heat or mass transfer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method characterised in that it consists in: determining online at least an ultraviolet spectrum portion of at least one of the compounds present in one or the other of the waste water feeding circuits (7, 13) or of the column (8) waste water output (16); qualitatively and quantitatively determining, by mathematical processing of the measured intensity levels, at least a contaminant present in the samples; on the basis of the results obtained and by comparing with pre-defined setpoint values, in restoring said data in the form of electric signals, which control the waste water supply and the stripping column water vapour flow rates.

Abstract: Method and system for processing natural gas containing contaminants through the use of one or more rotary screw compressors. A natural gas containing a contaminant (e.g., water or carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide) and a contaminant removing agent are combined and processed within a rotary screw compressor. The contaminant removing agent may be a dehydrating agent such as a glycol or a carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide removing agent such an amine. The method and system of the present invention also may employ a series of rotary screw compressors to process natural gas containing a plurality of contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention generally offers a system and a method that allows a vessel to treat water while providing corrosion inhibition. An oxygen stripping gas source produces oxygen stripping gas that may be pumped directly to, preferably but optionally, a venturi injector, or may first be pumped into an empty tank and then delivered to the injector means. Water being pumped through the injector via a transfer piping means comes into contact with the oxygen stripping gas, and dissolved oxygen in the water transfers to micro-fine stripping gas bubbles generated by the injector. The water and the micro-fine bubbles are pumped from the injector and into the tank, where the micro-fine bubbles float to the surface, and the oxygen is released into the tank's headspace. The deoxygenated water may be re-circulated through the system for additional deoxygenation or released from the tank into the surrounding waterways.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gas/liquid separation on an array of jets or streams of liquid is provided. Layers of substantially spherical aggregates of meshed material are provided to “quiet” high-velocity liquid flow with entrained gas to provide a uniform flow at moderate or low velocity from which the gas has been substantially separated from the liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying water containing dissolved gas comprising a flowmeter for measuring a flowrate of pure or ultra-pure water and a mechanism for controlling a flowrate, a means for adjusting an amount of water which adjusts an amount of the pure or ultra-pure water supplied to the apparatus for dissolving a gas, a tank which receives the water containing dissolved gas in an excessive amount which is not used at a point of use, a piping system through which the water containing dissolved gas glows from the tank towards the point of use and the water containing dissolved gas in an excessive amount returns to the tank, a piping system for supplying the water containing dissolved gas to the tank, and a controlling means for adjusting an amount of water based on a water level in the tank.

Abstract: Decontamination systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system comprises a first adsorption/desorption subsystem that is configured to receive a contaminated gaseous solution and remove substantially all of the contaminants from the contaminated gaseous solution during an adsorption cycle, while a second subsystem is configured to purge captured contaminants during a desorption cycle. An evacuator is configured to drive potentially flammable gas compositions from the subsystem operating in a desorption cycle back into the system such that potentially flammable gas compositions are purged from the subsystem operating in the desorption cycle at the beginning of the desorption cycle. A heat source is configured to heat contaminants adsorbed in the adsorption/desorption subsystems to remove the contaminants from the adsorption/desorption subsystems in a gaseous state during their respective desorption cycle.

Abstract: A spinning impingement multiphase contacting device and method for heat or mass transfer are disclosed. A first fluid, from which the transfer is to occur, is caused to impinge and be entrained in a spinning permeable element, creating a highly dispersed phase. The highly dispersed phase contacts the second fluid to cause the desired heat or mass transfer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gas/liquid separation on an array of jets or streams of liquid is provided. Layers of structured packing material are configured to “quiet” high-velocity liquid flow with entrained gas to provide a flow at moderate or low velocity from which the gas has been substantially separated from the liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improve aeration system. The aeration system of the present invention more efficiently removes contaminates, such as hydrogen sulfide, from water. The increased efficiency is achieved by adjusting the pH level of the water in between sequential mass transfer media stages within the aerator. The present invention also relates to an aeration system wherein the forced or induced air is used to strip contaminants from the processed water is reutilized by one or more aeration towers connected in series.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for degassing liquids particularly cationic monomers. Fluid comprising liquid to be degassed together with sweep gas is admitted tangentially into a column (10) and forced down the column by a tubular baffle (16) which defines, with the inner wall of the column, an annulus (18) that is closed at its top (20). After passing to the bottom of the annulus the fluid forms an even film over the inner surface of the column and gas disengaging from the liquid can rise up the column while liquid accumulates at the bottom of the column. To assist the disengagement of the gas from the liquid the column is preferably of increasing cross section towards the bottom so that the thickness of the film is also reduced.

Abstract: A ventilation system for a tank which stores water to be supplied to a fuel cell, which includes: a ventilator for ventilating the tank; a gas discharge line to guide gas in the tank to outside; a separator for separating moisture and/or water from the gas from the tank; a water discharge line to guide the water separated by the separator to outside; and an air supply line connected to the water discharge line, which is to supply air for vaporizing water from the water discharge line.

Abstract: Volatile organic compounds are removed from a liquid and destroyed using a device in which an air stripper having alternating phases of hydrophilic and hydrophobic packing materials promotes transition of the VOC from the liquid phase into the gas phase, and wherein the is oxidized VOC in the gas phase on a hydrophobic carbon nanostructure that further comprises a catalytically active metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for continuously deaerating a liquid. The method comprises the step that the liquid is led into a closed container (1) so that a liquid surface (7) is formed within the container (1). The space above the liquid surface (7) is under vacuum. The method further includes the step that a gas is led into the liquid at a level below the liquid surface (7). The invention also relates to an apparatus which comprises a closed container (1). The container (1) has an inlet (5) for the liquid which is to be deaerated, as well as an outlet (6) for the liquid which has been deaerated, both placed in the lower region of the container (1). The container (1) further has a connection (13) to a vacuum pump (14) placed in the upper region of the container (1), as well as an inlet (15) for a gas placed in the lower region of the container (1).

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method for reducing pattern distortions in imprinting layers by reducing gas pockets present in a layer of viscous liquid deposited on a substrate. To that end, the method includes varying a transport of the gases disposed proximate to the viscous liquid. Specifically, the atmosphere proximate to the substrate wherein a pattern is to be recorded is saturated with gases that are either highly soluble, highly diffusive, or both with respect to the viscous liquid being deposited. Additionally, or in lieu of saturating the atmosphere, the pressure of the atmosphere may be reduced.

Abstract: In a process for thermally degassing the water in a steam system, in particular a heat recovery steam generator, which steam system preferably includes at least one steam drum, at least one economizer connected upstream of it, and at least one evaporator, economic, efficient and structurally simple degassing is achieved by virtue of the fact that water is sucked out of at least one water volume, this water is mixed with steam from a steam volume, and the two-phase mixture that is formed flows out into the water volume.

Abstract: A segmented plate adapted for assembly within a confined area or volume, and a method of assembly of the segmented plate. The plate, as assembled, has an exterior perimeter that includes exterior edge-boundaries of a plurality of generally rigid plate-sections, each of the plate-sections are sized smaller than the access to permit passage therethrough. Extending at least partially along adjacent boundaries of plate-sections that have been adjacently arranged, is a self-lock seam, or interposed therebetween is a flexible barrier. The self-lock seam may have a variety of configurations. An aperture or opening having an inner perimeter may be included. The inner perimeter of the aperture/opening may be of a variety of shapes. The confined area may consist of a chamber of a deaerator tank or other volume to which access is limited. The flexible barrier may be made of a material having resiliency.

Abstract: Method and system for compressing and dehydrating wet natural gas produced from a low-pressure well using a rotary screw compressor. A dehydrating agent is combined with wet natural gas within a rotary screw compressor. Operation of the rotary screw compressor causes compression and dehydration of the wet natural gas to produce a compressed dry natural gas. Engine exhaust produced by the engine which powers the rotary screw compressor may be used to remove water absorbed by the dehydrating agent and thereby recover the dehydrating agent for re-circulation in the system.

Abstract: A method for contacting large volumes of gas and liquid together on a microscopic scale for mass transfer or transport processes wherein the contact between liquid and gas occurs at the interfaces of a multitude of gas bubbles. Multiple porous tubes assembled in a bundle inside a pressure vessel terminate at each end in a tube sheet. A thin film helical liquid flow is introduced into the inside of each porous tube around and along its inside wall. Gas is sparged into the porous media and the liquid film so that an annular two phase flow with a uniform distribution of tiny gas bubbles results. The gas flow is segregated from the liquid flow without first passing through the porous media and through the liquid film. Nozzles at the lower end of the tubes divert liquid flow to a vessel and redirect the gas flow in a countercurrent direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for reducing residual solvent levels in extracted biomass that is contaminated with HFC solvent that includes sparging the biomass extract with a solvent stripping gas such as air or nitrogen are disclosed. Apparatus for carrying out the method include a vessel (12;25) containing extract (26) and a source of the gas. The source may be in the form of a moveable, hollow wand (27) having a sparging gas outlet; or a fixed gas inlet (30) for bubbling the gas through the extract (26).

Abstract: A high viscosity liquid is fed into a rotation pack bed at a position with a distance far enough from a rotation axis, creating a centrifugal force exerted on the high viscosity liquid overwhelming a drag thereof, so that it can flow radially through the rotation pack bed. A high pressure gas is introduced into the rotation pack bed peripherally and/or a suction force source is connected to a position near the rotation axis, so that a volatile component contained in the high viscosity fluid is entrained in the gas counter currently flowing through the rotation pack bed and withdrawn from the position near the rotation axis, or the volatile component exits from the position near the rotation axis in gas phase, and thus the volatile component is removed from the high viscosity liquid. A second fluid can also be fed into the rotation pack bed to react with the high viscosity liquid, so that a reaction product is formed, and a volatile side product is removed at the same time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing volatile contaminants, such as methyl tertbutyl ether (MTBE), from water or other supplies of liquid. In one embodiment of the invention, a gas is sparged through a helical flow of liquid to strip away contaminants. The flowrate of the helical flow of liquid and the flowrate of the gas are held at an optimum ratio to maintain flow stability and maximize stripping efficiency. In another embodiment of the invention, the liquid is processed through a series of stripping stages until volatile contaminants are stripped to a desired level. A portion of the liquid is recycled within each stage, while a system flow of liquid passed from one stage to the next. The flowrate of the recycled flow and the flowrate of the system flow have a ratio that provides improved system capacity while ensuring proper volatile removal.

Abstract: The present invention generally offers a system and a method that allows a vessel to treat water while providing corrosion inhibition. An oxygen stripping gas source produces oxygen stripping gas that may be pumped directly to, preferably but optionally, a venturi injector, or may first be pumped into an empty tank and then delivered to the injector means. Water being pumped through the injector via a transfer piping means comes into contact with the oxygen stripping gas, and dissolved oxygen in the water transfers to micro-fine stripping gas bubbles generated by the injector. The water and the micro-fine bubbles are pumped from the injector and into the tank, where the micro-fine bubbles float to the surface, and the oxygen is released into the tank's headspace. The deoxygenated water may be re-circulated through the system for additional deoxygenation or released from the tank into the surrounding waterways.

Abstract: A slurry tray and a method for removing residual vinyl chloride monomer from a polyvinylchloride resin slurry with reduced discoloration of the polyvinylchloride resin is provided. The slurry tray preferably includes partitioned channels that cause the slurry to flow at a velocity that maintains solids contained with the slurry in a liquid suspension and weirs contains holes to allow solids trapped at the bottom of the weir to flow continuously downward to a bottom of the plate tower for removal from the tower. The method preferably includes supplying the slurry towards the top of the tower and a vapor towards the bottom of the tower. The slurry descends the tower, while the steam simultaneously ascends the tower, both through directional valves. The solids trapped upon the surface of the trays travel down the tower through the holes within the weirs for removal from the tower.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus including a mixing bath having an open portion where a carbonic acid gas intermixed with water to be treated by the water treatment apparatus and dissolved oxygen excluded from the water to be treated are discharged. The water treatment apparatus also includes water storage tank separate from the mixing bath and in which treated water from the mixing bath is stored.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing volatile contaminants, such as methyl tertbutyl ether (MTBE), from water or other supplies of liquid. In one embodiment of the invention, a gas is sparged through a helical flow of liquid to strip away contaminants. The flowrate of the helical flow of liquid and the flowrate of the gas are held at an optimum ratio to maintain flow stability and maximize stripping efficiency. In another embodiment of the invention, the liquid is processed through a series of stripping stages until volatile contaminants are stripped to a desired level. A portion of the liquid is recycled within each stage, while a system flow of liquid passed from one stage to the next. The flowrate of the recycled flow and the flowrate of the system flow have a ratio that provides improved system capacity while ensuring proper volatile removal.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method characterised in that it consists in: determining online at least an ultraviolet spectrum portion of at least one of the compounds present in one or the other of the waste water feeding circuits (7, 13) or of the column (8) waste water output (16); qualitatively and quantitatively determining, by mathematical processing of the measured intensity levels, at least a contaminant present in the samples; on the basis of the results obtained and by comparing with pre-defined setpoint values, in restoring said data in the form of electric signals, which control the waste water supply and the stripping column water vapour flow rates.

Abstract: A sparge vessel having a liquid sample is heated with an immersion heater to more completely purge the analytes from the sample to a sorbent trap. A thermocouple may be used to help the immersion heater maintain the sample at a desired temperature between 70 and 85 degrees C.

Abstract: A continuous process for removing oxygen from aqueous monomer solutions, including flowing an inert gas and a monomer solution in a column-shaped apparatus as a countercurrent, wherein the monomer solution is added at the head of the apparatus, flows through the apparatus as a liquid column, and is withdrawn slightly above the bottom, at least one section of the liquid column is mixed in radial flow direction and in a turbulent fashion, and the at least one section of the liquid column is mixed using at least one stirring element which is one of a turbine disk and a dispersing disk.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that allow the reduction of the oxygen concentration and/or a concentration of other natural gases in process liquids used in the processing of substrates, preferably substrates that receive and/or contain exposed metal surfaces, such as copper surfaces. By introducing an inert gas in a water system or in a chemical storage tank for process liquids, already dissolved oxygen will be removed and the further dissolving of oxygen may be substantially prevented. Thus, the probability for the formation of corrosion and discoloration on copper surfaces is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A method and system for treating crude oil to improve its flowability includes operating an internal combustion engine to produce exhaust gas, reducing the temperature of the exhaust gas, injecting cooled exhaust gas into a separator in which water is extracted to provide dry exhaust gas, pumping crude oil at an elevated pressure into a treatment vessel, compressing the dry exhaust gas to provide pressurized exhaust gas that is introduced into the treatment vessel and intimately mixing the crude oil and the pressurized exhaust gas in the treatment vessel to provide treated crude oil having a substantial portion of the exhaust gas absorbed therein to thereby provide crude oil having improved flowability.

Abstract: The present invention generally offers a system and a method that allows a vessel to treat water while providing corrosion inhibition. A nitrogen source produces nitrogen gas that may be pumped directly to, preferably but optionally, a venturi injector, or may first be pumped into an empty tank and then delivered to the injector means. Water being pumped through the injector via a transfer piping means comes into contact with the nitrogen, and dissolved oxygen in the water transfers to micro-fine nitrogen bubbles generated by the injector. The water and the micro-fine bubbles are pumped from the injector and into the tank, where the micro-fine bubbles float to the surface, and the oxygen is released into the tank's headspace. The deoxygenated water may be re-circulated through the system for additional deoxygenation or released from the tank into the surrounding waterways.

Abstract: The present invention generally offers a system and a method that allows a vessel to treat water while providing corrosion inhibition. An oxygen stripping gas source produces oxygen stripping gas that may be pumped directly to, preferably but optional a venturi injector, or may first be pumped into an empty tank and then delivered to the injector means. Water being pumped through the injector via a transfer piping means comes into contact with the oxygen stripping gas, and dissolved oxygen in the water transfers to micro-fine stripping gas bubbles generated by the injector. The water and the micro-fine bubbles are pumped from the injector and into the tank, where the micro-fine bubbles float to the surface, and the oxygen is released into the tank's headspace. The deoxygenated water may be re-circulated through the system for additional deoxygenation or released from the tank into the surrounding waterways.

Abstract: Undesirable dissolved gas is removed from a liquid by pressurizing the liquid containing the undesirable dissolved gas therein. The liquid is then directed into a hydrocyclone having an inlet optimized for liquid particle movement through a liquid vortex stream created by the hydrocyclone. A preferred gas is injected into an evacuated central area of the liquid vortex stream for absorption therein. The pressure of the liquid is then lowered, such as by directing the liquid to a discharge tank, in order to remove a proportional amount of absorbed preferred gas and the undesirable dissolved gas from the liquid.

Abstract: In a process for removing bubbles from viscous polymer solutions (P) in which the content of dissolved gases lies below the saturation limit, the viscous polymer solution (P) is subjected to a superatmospheric pressure. The superatmospheric pressure is such that the gases contained in the bubbles of the polymer solution (P) dissolve.

Abstract: In a method of separating carbon dioxide from a gas mixture, a liquid solvent flows down an array of vertical wires with the gas mixture flowing over the liquid. Once on the wire, the liquid quickly breaks up into drops of varying sizes, with each size moving down the wire at a different velocity. Large, faster moving drops overtake the small, slower moving drops to form even larger drops. As the drops fall, new drops are created behind the falling drops. Consequently, drops of a large range of sizes are forming, colliding, and mixing as they travel down the wire. During this process, gas molecules that have adsorbed onto the liquid surface are mixed into the interior of the solvent, resulting in highly effective mass transfer and gas absorption. This enhanced mass transfer allows greater flexibility in the choice of solvent and in the system design.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus for treating ozone with water is disclosed. A treatment carafe has a gas conduit so that off gases which accumulates in the carafe may be vented during a treatment cycle. The gas conduit conveys the off gas from the carafe to an ozone destructor via a passageway. An accumulator is provided in the passageway upstream from the destructor to hinder water entrained in the off gas from contacting and damaging the destructor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for reducing residual solvent levels in extracted biomass that is contaminated with HFC solvent that includes sparging the biomass extract with a solvent stripping gas such as air or nitrogen are disclosed. Apparatus for carrying out the method include a vessel (12;25) containing extract (26) and a source of the gas. The source may be in the form of a moveable, hollow wand (27) having a sparging gas outlet; or a fixed gas inlet (30) for bubbling the gas through the extract (26).

Abstract: A slurry tray and a method for removing residual vinyl chloride monomer from a polyvinylchloride resin slurry with reduced discoloration of the polyvinylchloride resin is provided. The slurry tray preferably includes partitioned channels that cause the slurry to flow at a velocity that maintains solids contained with the slurry in a liquid suspension and weirs contains holes to allow solids trapped at the bottom of the weir to flow continuously downward to a bottom of the plate tower for removal from the tower. The method preferably includes supplying the slurry towards the top of the tower and a vapor towards the bottom of the tower. The slurry descends the tower, while the steam simultaneously ascends the tower, both through directional valves. The solids trapped upon the surface of the trays travel down the tower through the holes within the weirs for removal from the tower.

Abstract: The compound/curvilinear immiscible liquid separator has a separator section with an outer, elongated, cylindrical shell aligned vertically opening into an upper transition section and vapor dome at the top and a lower transition section and solid/heavy crude containment section at the bottom. A center column is disposed in the axial center of the separator section and a plurality of serially connected curved plates are disposed between the outer shell and center column to define an elongated curvilinear flow path having reverse flow pathways. An oil-water-gas mixture is introduced into the separator section under pressure past heating coils and through the curvilinear path, the lighter density oil entering and being removed from the top of the center column, and heavier sludge and brine collecting in the containment section. Gases bubble up through the center column and are removed from the vapor dome.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus for treating ozone with water is disclosed. The water treatment reservoir has a bottom, a fill line, a head space for receiving off gas provided above the fill line and a passageway for conveying off gas from the head space to an off gas venting outlet and for removing water which is above the fill from the water treatment reservoir.

Abstract: Equipment for the treatment of a liquid such as a metal melt has one or more rotors (5) for the supply of gas and/or particulate material to the liquid in a reaction chamber (1). The reaction chamber (1) is closed and has an inlet (3) and an outlet (13) and is designed to be placed under a vacuum. The outlet (13) communicates with another chamber or outlet passage (2). The equipment may have several reaction chambers (1, 2) arranged in series. The first reaction chamber (1) then communicates with the second reaction chamber (2), the second reaction chamber with a third, etc. via an opening (16).

Abstract: It has been discovered that a mechanical device may be used to effectively displace a first undesired gas from within a liquid with a second desired or at least inert gas. The device is a vessel that receives the liquid containing the first gas and passes the liquid through a series of gasification chambers. Each gasification chamber has at least one mechanism that ingests and mixes a second gas into the liquid thereby physically displacing at least a portion of the first gas into a vapor space at the top of each gasification chamber from which it is subsequently removed. There is an absence of communication between the vapor spaces of adjacent chambers. The ingesting and mixing mechanisms may be a dispersed air flotation mechanism, and may be a conventional depurator. The liquid now containing the second gas and very little or none of the first gas is removed from the vessel for use.

Abstract: A headspace sampling system monitors materials in wastewater. The headspace sampling system comprises a sample receptacle that can contain a wastewater sample; a sparger chamber vapor column; a sample receptacle cover assembly that connects the sparger chamber vapor column to the sample receptacle; a sparger tube; at least one sensing device; and at least one analytic device. The sparger tube and the sample receptacle define a headspace. The sparger chamber vapor column is in communication with the sample receptacle and is closed by a sparger chamber vapor column cover at a second end that is opposed to the sample receptacle. The sparger tube extends into the sample receptacle and the wastewater sample in the sample receptacle. The sparger tube is connected to a source of inert gas at a first end opposed to the sample receptacle and comprises a dispersion device at an end opposed to the first end. The sensing device is disposed in the headspace sampling system in the headspace.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for aerating liquids including pumping liquids to be aerated into a hollow manifold, providing nozzles on the manifold and openings in the top of the manifold for spraying the liquids to be aerated therefrom, swirling the liquids in a spiral direction prior to the liquids reaching the nozzles, injecting air under pressure into the nozzles prior to discharge of the liquids to be aerated from the nozzles, and discharging the liquids through the nozzles and the openings from the interior of the manifold to the exterior of the manifold.

Abstract: A radon stripper system for removing radon from well water including a draft tube and an air supply line that is interfaced with a gas supply. The draft tube is vertically aligned beneath the surface of the water in a well. Gas is delivered into the draft tube a sufficient distance induces a flow in the well water. The gas interface between the gas delivered to the radon stripper system and the well water is increased. The induced water flow and increased gas to radon-contaminated water interface removes the radon from the well water.

Abstract: Process and apparatus to strip volatile contaminants from a liquid supply stream in which the contaminants are dissolved. A gas inducing mixer-injector injects a stripping gas into the stream to form a mixed stream of liquid with its contaminants and bubbles of the stripping gas. The mixed stream is passed through a tangential degasser separator, withdrawing separated gas and water, while maintaining the flow part from the injector to the outlets of the separator at sub-atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus and an associated method of operation are disclosed for removal of gaseous contaminants, particularly oxygen, from closed containers. The apparatus is economical, simple to install and operate, of convenient size, and highly effective. A gas extractor communicates with a container for a gas-sensitive product. A high gas concentration in the container causes operation of the extractor until the gas concentration is reduced to a desired low level, when the extractor operation stops. Separate sensors and controllers responsive to concentrations can be present, or the extractor can be self-actuated by use as a power source of a battery which operates on gas generated by operation of the extractor. The system preferably is used for oxygen extraction from containers holding oxygen-sensitive contents. The preferred extractor includes an electrochemical cell which has a ion-permeable membrane disposed between two electrodes.

Abstract: A system for recovering absorbate such as carbon dioxide using an alkanolamine absorbent fluid, wherein the loaded absorbent is heated in a two step heating procedure prior to the separation of the absorbate from the absorbent, and wherein the loaded absorbent is deoxygenated after the first heating step and prior to the second heating step.