Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to an apparatus comprising a phase separator configured to separate a mixture comprising (i) water containing NaCl and (ii) oil and/or gas into separate streams comprising the water, the oil (when oil is in the mixture), and the gas (when gas is in the mixture), an electrochemical membrane separation cell configured to separate sodium and chloride ions in the water stream to form a stream comprising a first sodium hydroxide solution and a stream comprising (i) hydrochloric acid and/or (ii) chlorine gas, a compressor configured to compress a gas containing CO2, a spray dryer configured to mix aqueous NaOH and the compressed gas to form sodium carbonate, and a cyclone separator configured separate the sodium carbonate from any excess components of the aqueous NaOH and/or the compressed gas.

Abstract: A separator system includes a separator including an inlet configured to receive a mixed fluid, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The separator system includes a pressure tank physically coupled to the separator, and including a partition wall defining a collection chamber and a separation chamber in the pressure tank, a first inlet communicating with the collection chamber and coupled to the separator to receive at least some of the solids component from the separator, and a second inlet communicating with the separation chamber and in communication with the separator. The second inlet is configured to receive at least some of the liquid component and the gaseous component from the separator. The pressure tank also includes a first drain in communication with the collection chamber, and a first liquid outlet in communication with the separation chamber. The pressure tank includes a gas outlet in communication with the separation chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for removing particulates, such as sand, from a fluid at an oil and/or gas wellsite. In one aspect, a vessel for separating particulates from a fluid is provided. The vessel includes a body having an inlet and an outlet. The vessel also includes a first chamber and a second chamber disposed in the body. The vessel further includes a screen configured to separate particulates from the fluid. The screen is disposed in the second chamber. Additionally, the vessel includes a vessel door for inserting and removing the screen from the second chamber. In another aspect, a pressure vessel for separating particulates from a fluid is provided. In yet a further aspect, a method of separating particulates from a fluid is provided.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a process and apparatus for separation of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing produced water, wherein in stage 1 the hydrocarbon-containing produced water is supplied with a gas-containing component, whereupon a gas- and hydrocarbon-containing produced water mixture is fed to an inlet tube (22, 27) in the center of a tank, whereupon the said mixture is tangentially distributed via at least one nozzle (7) and at least one baffle plate (8.1), whereupon separated hydrocarbons are conveyed to at least one outlet from the tank and cleaned water is conveyed to an outlet (12) from the tank.

Abstract: A process for separation of oil from oil-containing produced water as well as an apparatus for separation of oil from oil-containing produced water. A perforated baffle plate is arranged in a separator tank to provide for equalizing of the downwardly flow rate of produced water. The insertion of such baffle plates has shown that less oil is following the stream downward.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a process and apparatus for separation of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing produced water, wherein in stage 1 the hydrocarbon-containing produced water is supplied with a gas-containing component, whereupon a gas- and hydrocarbon-containing produced water mixture is fed to an inlet tube (22, 27) in the center of a tank, whereupon the said mixture is tangentially distributed via at least one nozzle (7) and at least one baffle plate (8.1), whereupon separated hydrocarbons are conveyed to at least one outlet from the tank and cleaned water is conveyed to an outlet (12) from the tank.

Abstract: A method for removing hydrate plugs in a hydrocarbon production station, the method comprising: fluidically isolating the production station; diverting production flow to a bypass line; and adjusting the pressure in the production station to a level sufficient to melt the hydrate plugs.

Abstract: A gas-liquid separator includes a housing which encloses a separation chamber, an inlet port for feeding the multi-phase flow into the separation chamber, a liquid outlet port for discharging the liquid dominated flow from the separation chamber and a gas outlet port provided at a position above both the inlet port and the liquid outlet port for discharging the gas dominated flow from the separation chamber. Both the inlet port and the liquid outlet port are positioned adjacent to an elongated lower bottom wall of the housing and define a flow direction into the and out of the separation chamber approximately aligned along the bottom wall. The separation chamber extends above the bottom wall in between the inlet port and the liquid outlet port. The liquid outlet port is provided with a gas seal to prevent entrainment of free gas from the separation chamber into the liquid outlet port.

Abstract: A system comprises: a filter for removing at least one of a contaminant or gas bubbles from a liquid photoresist to provide a filtered photoresist at an outlet of the filter. The filter has a filter vent. A trap has an inlet coupled to receive the filtered photoresist from the filter, for removing a remaining contaminant or gas bubbles from the filtered photoresist. One or more valves and one or more conduits are connected to the filter and the trap. The one or more valves are operable to reverse a direction of flow of the filtered photoresist, so that the photoresist flows from the inlet of the trap, through the outlet of the filter, to the filter vent.

Abstract: A wet gas separator providing superior separation of entrained droplets of liquids in a gas stream when compared with prior art wet gas separators. The wet gas separator of the present invention has a combination of: a gas inlet system with vanes that divide and direct the gas stream very evenly across the cross-sectional area of the inlet portion of the apparatus, a first stage Z-shaped de-entraining device at the upstream side of a wire mesh mist eliminator, and a gas outlet system having cyclones for removal of traces of re-entrained droplets. The apparatus of the present invention has capability of improving processing throughput by 50% when compared with prior art apparatus, with greater de-entrainment efficiency (achieving 99.7% removal of droplets larger than 10 microns in size).

Abstract: The invention relates to a separation system comprising a flow inlet (16). The separation system comprises a swirl valve (100), arranged to receive and control the flux of a fluid flow via the flow inlet (16) and to generate a swirling flow, swirling about a central axis (11). The separation system further comprises a separation chamber (40) positioned downstream with respect of the swirl valve (100) to receive the swirling flow from the swirl valve (100), wherein the separation chamber (40) comprises a first and second flow outlet (41, 42). The first flow outlet (41) is positioned to receive an inner portion of the swirling flow and the second outlet (42) is positioned to receive an outer portion of the swirling flow.

Abstract: A blood reservoir (1) including a venous blood filter (40) and a cardiotomy filter (5). The cardiotomy blood filter includes a first cardiotomy blood filter member (51) and a second cardiotomy blood filter member (52). The filter member (52) is equipped with a first filter portion (52a) and a second filter portion (52b). The first filter portion (52a) forms the wall portion and the second filter portion (52b) forms the bottom portion. Specifications of the first filter portion (52a) and the second filter portion (52b) are different. A guide member (60) of the blood storage tank (1) is made of a foam material. The blood from which bubbles have been removed is guided while permeating the guide member (60). Consequently, the guide member (60) can lead the blood from which bubbles are removed to a predetermined position at a suitable liquid impact speed.

Abstract: A gas and liquid mixture separation and collection system for zero gravity operation that can be applied to a urinal toilet is disclosed. There is an inlet to receive the gas and liquid mixture. The mixture is directed to a filter having an air side. A vacuum pump on the air side of the filter generates a pressure delta to force the inlet flow. A peristaltic pump is used to transfer liquid away from the filter surface. In doing so, the flow on the liquid side of the membrane filter may contain some gas left over from the inlet flow mixture, but there is substantially less gas than in the gas and liquid mixture at the inlet. The filtered mixture is directed to an expandable collection bag that is attached to the air side of the filter so the filter process can be repeated to remove more gas from the mixture.

Abstract: Provided is a dehydrator that requires no excessively large apparatus structure and achieves cost-saving while maintaining suction efficiency at a desired level by use of suction means. A dehydrator 100 for separating water from a target liquid 13 includes at least two water separation membrane units 1a and 1b which are provided in series in a flow direction of the target liquid 13. The water separation membrane unit 1a on an upstream side out of the water separation membrane units 1a and 1b is connected to suction means 7 for sucking a gas phase containing water through one condenser 4, and the one condenser 4 condenses water in the gas phase and thereby separates the water. The gas phase sucked by the suction means 7 from the one condenser 4 is transferred to at least one downstream condenser 8 provided downstream of the one condenser 4, and the downstream condenser 8 condenses water in the gas phase and thereby separates the water.

Abstract: A choke assembly comprises an inlet (48) for a multiphase fluid stream, the stream comprising a first relatively heavy fluid phase and a second relatively light fluid phase; a first fluid outlet (116); a choke element (22) disposed between the inlet and the first fluid outlet operable to control the flow of fluid between the inlet and the first fluid outlet; a separation chamber (40, 114) disposed to provide separation of phases in the fluid stream upstream of the choke element; and a second outlet (118) for removing fluid from the separation cavity. The choke assembly is of particular use in the control of fluid streams produced from a subterranean well, in particular oil and gas produced from a subsea well.

Abstract: A fluid evaporation system includes a housing bounding an airflow path. A misting system is positioned within the airflow path for spraying a wastewater into the airflow path. Water in the misted wastewater is evaporated, thereby concentrating minerals in the wastewater. A pretreatment system is positioned upstream from the fluid evaporator. The pretreatment system includes a gas induced separator. Separation of hydrocarbons and water are enhanced using a polymer and/or by lowering the pH of the wastewater.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating multi-phase fluids, comprising a cyclonic separator (40) having an inlet (42) for multi-phase fluids, a cyclonic separation chamber, a first outlet (44) for relatively high density fluids and a second outlet (46) for relatively low density fluids, and a secondary separator (52) comprising a separation vessel in which fluids are separated primarily by gravity, a first inlet (96) connected to receive the relatively high density fluids, a second inlet (94) connected to receive the relatively low density fluids, a first outlet (54) in the upper part of the vessel for a separated gas phase and a second outlet (56) in the lower part of the separation vessel for a separated liquid phase.

Abstract: A gas and liquid mixture separation and collection system for zero gravity operation that can be applied to a urinal toilet is disclosed. There is an inlet to receive the gas and liquid mixture. The mixture is directed to a filter having an air side. A vacuum pump on the air side of the filter generates a pressure delta to force the inlet flow. A peristaltic pump is used to transfer liquid away from the filter surface. In doing so, the flow on the liquid side of the membrane filter may contain some gas left over from the inlet flow mixture, but there is substantially less gas than in the gas and liquid mixture at the inlet. The filtered mixture is directed to an expandable collection bag that is attached to the air side of the filter so the filter process can be repeated to remove more gas from the mixture.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method of destruction of volatile organic and inorganic compounds in wastewater, this method includes following stages: stripping the aforementioned volatile compounds in a stripping-chemisorption column; preliminary heating the gaseous medium containing these volatile compounds in a first heat regenerator; thermal, flare or thermo-catalytic oxidation of the volatile compounds in circulating gaseous medium; cooling the gaseous medium in a second heat regenerator; chemisorption of acidic gases from the gaseous medium in the stripping-chemisorption column with stripping at the same time additional amount of the volatile compounds from the wastewater. After specific period, direction of the gaseous medium flow is alternated. The proposed method can be executed at elevated temperature. The invention includes as well systems realizing the proposed method.

Abstract: A separator tank comprises an essentially cylindrical vertical tank (1) having an upper part (6) and a lower part (7), a tangentially arranged inlet (2) for fluid in the upper part of the tank, at least one first outlet (4) in the upper part of the tank, at least one second outlet (3) in the lower part of the tank, and means (12) for calming a stream around the second outlet. An inner annular wall (5) has a first opening (8) at an upper end of said inner annular wall to allow communication between the upper part and the lower part of the tank. The separator tank comprises a rod-shaped vortex eye breaker (11) extending vertically at the center of the tank in order to improve the capacity of the tank.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for implementing water separation in the vacuum system of a paper machine. The apparatus includes a guiding baffle structure connected to an inlet pipe and a water trap vessel, and a droplet separation cell mounted at the mouth of an outlet pipe.

Abstract: A separator tank (1) comprising an essentially cylindrical vertical tank, a tangentially arranged inlet (3) in an upper part (9) of the tank, at least one first outlet (4) for oil and gas in the upper part of the tank, and at least one second outlet (5) for water in a lower part of the tank. A vortex zone (7) comprises a downward protruding conical frusta shaped wall (8) with an opening (11) at the lower end to allow communication between the upper and lower part of the tank. A helical spiralling vane is disposed on the upward directed part of said conical frusta shaped wall.

Abstract: A well fluid separator tank comprises an essentially cylindrical vertical tank (1) having an upper part (6) and a lower part (7) divided by an upward protruding conical frusta shaped wall (5), a tangentially arranged inlet (2) for fluid in the upper part of the tank, at least one first outlet (4) in the upper part of the tank, at least one second outlet (3) in the lower part of the tank, and means (12) for calming a stream around the second outlet. The upward protruding conical frusta shaped wall (5) has a first opening (8) at an upper end of said upward protruding conical frusta shaped wall to allow communication between the upper part and the lower part of the tank. The conical frusta shaped wall (5) has an inclination (9) so that the angle between the wall of the tank and the upper side of the conical frusta shaped wall is in the range from 15° to 70°.

Abstract: A separator tank comprises an essentially cylindrical vertical tank (1) having an upper part (6) and a lower part (7), a tangentially arranged inlet (2) for fluid in the upper part of the tank, at least one first outlet (4) in the upper part of the tank, at least one second outlet (3) in the lower part of the tank, and means (12) for calming a stream around the second outlet. An inner annular wall (5) has a first opening (8) at an upper end of said inner annular wall to allow communication between the upper part and the lower part of the tank. The separator tank comprises a rod-shaped vortex eye breaker (11) extending vertically at the center of the tank in order to improve the capacity of the tank.

Abstract: A 3-dimensional air bubble trapping apparatus includes a plurality of chambers, each having an inflow and outflow channel at both ends, and which traps air bubbles in a material introduced through the inflow channel, wherein the chambers are divided into a previous chamber and a next chamber based on a moving direction of the material in the chamber, and wherein the outflow channel of the previous chamber is connected to the inflow channel of the next chamber, and wherein a face perpendicular to an outflow direction of the material in the outflow channel of the previous chamber is not disposed parallel with a face perpendicular to the outflow direction of the material in the outflow channel of the next chamber, whereby air bubbles in the material are trapped without being affected by an angle defined by a gravity direction and vibration of the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention as claimed shows a beverage production device (1) comprising a beverage production chamber (20) designed to have a liquid interact with a beverage ingredient (T) contained in a capsule, liquid supply means (8) for supplying liquid to said beverage production chamber (20), heating means (7) provided in the liquid supply means (8) for heating the liquid, and an air separating compartment (30) provided in the liquid supply means (8) after the heating means (7) for separating any air or other gas contained in the liquid, wherein the air separating compartment (30) comprises an inlet (35) for introducing liquid into the air separating compartment (30), means for breaking the kinetic energy of the liquid introduced through the inlet (35), a liquid outlet (37), separated from the inlet by the means for breaking the kinetic energy of the liquid introduced through the inlet (35), for evacuating liquid from the air separating compartment (30), and an air outlet (39), also separated from the inlet by the m

Abstract: A device in connection with a pipe separator. The pipe separator comprising an extended tubular body (1) with a diameter that is principally the same as or slightly larger than the diameter of the inlet pipe (3) of the pipe separator. A gas manifold (2) is arranged in connection with the inlet pipe. The manifold (2) includes a number of vertical degassing pipes (7), which are connected to the supply pipe (3) immediately ahead of the inlet to the separator and which end in an overlying, preferably slightly inclined gas collection pipe (6). The manifold is designed so that the gas will be diverted up through the vertical degassing pipes and collected in the gas collection pipe (6) for return to the outlet pipe after the separator or transported onwards to a gas tank or gas processing plant or the like.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for purifying a waste fluid stream. The system includes a recirculation pump having an inlet for a recirculation stream and an outlet to expel a pressurized stream. The system includes a compressor having an inlet for an evaporation stream and an outlet for a pressurized evaporation stream. A primary heat exchanger has inlets for the pressurized stream and the pressurized evaporation stream, an internal surface area for heat transfer from the evaporation stream to the pressurized stream, and outlets for a cooled product stream and a heated pressurized stream. The heated pressurized stream is formed by heating the pressurized stream and the cooled product stream is formed by cooling the evaporation stream. The system includes an evaporation unit having an inlet for the heated pressurized stream and outlets for an evaporation stream and the recycled liquid bottoms stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating multi-phase fluids, comprising a cyclonic separator (40) having an inlet (42) for multi-phase fluids, a cyclonic separation chamber, a first outlet (44) for relatively high density fluids and a second outlet (46) for relatively low density fluids, and a secondary separator (52) comprising a separation vessel in which fluids are separated primarily by gravity, a first inlet (96) connected to receive the relatively high density fluids, a second inlet (94) connected to receive the relatively low density fluids, a first outlet (54) in the upper part of the vessel for a separated gas phase and a second outlet (56) in the lower part of the separation vessel for a separated liquid phase.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus is disclosed for water desalination including steps of transferring water vapor from salt-water in a vaporization zone 7, via a water vapor transfer zone 12, to a condensation zone 11, and condensing the water vapor into fresh-water. The water vapor transfer zone 12 is maintained substantially free of any gas other than water vapor. Heat is supplied to the vaporization zone 7 and extracted from the condensation zone 11, at relative rates such that there is a net transfer of water from the vaporization zone to the condensation zone. Also disclosed is a method of and apparatus for degassing salt water using at least two degassing chambers 17A, 17B each provided with a valved vent 47 and a valved inlet 21,29,90,91, with a valved pipe circuit 17a, 72-82,85-87, having a pump 71.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to improve delivery of the multi-phase mixture, in particular hydrocarbons from a well, and to limit the free gas volume. According to the invention, this object is attained in that a partial liquid flow (13) is split off on the pressure side from the main delivery flow and guided to the high-pressure side of at least one ejector pump (2) arranged on the suction side as an auxiliary delivery device. The pump installation provides a feed line (7) connecting the pressure chamber of the displacement pump (1) with the high-pressure side of at least one ejector pump (2), whereby the ejector pump (2) is arranged on the suction side in the delivery direction of the displacement pump (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to feeding a fibrous suspension to a headbox of a paper or cardboard machine, or to a filter device. The method includes: diluting a high-consistency suspension with a liquid to form a fibrous suspension; degassing the fibrous suspension via a degassing device having a rotating rotor, which is structured to apply centrifugal forces to the fibrous suspension; and guiding a degassed diluting liquid out of the degassing device.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for collecting vapor gas generated by an oil-containing material within a production tank. The devices and associated methods result in produced oil having a reduced level of dissolved hydrocarbons and recovery of vapor gas for resale. The devices include vapor recovery units connected to conventional oil-production units so that a conventional unit is converted to a low emission unit. In an embodiment, the device is a column separator comprising a perforated, packed spiral baffle with one end that receives vapor gas and a second end for removing gas that has traversed the length of the column separator. Also provided are methods for converting an oil-production unit into a low-emission oil production unit using any of the devices disclosed herein.

Abstract: A slug flow separator facilitates the separation of a mixture flow into component parts. The separator includes an upper-tier elongate conduit, a lower-tier elongate conduit and a plurality of spaced apart connectors. Each of the upper and lower-tier elongate conduits has an outlet and at least one of the upper and lower-tier elongate conduits has an inlet for receiving the mixture flow. The upper and lower-tier elongate conduits also each have a plurality of openings such that one connector of the plurality of connectors may interconnect one of the upper-tier elongate conduit openings with a one of the lower-tier elongate conduit openings. The connectors enable communication of at least one of a liquid component and the at least one of another liquid component and a gas component of the mixture flow therebetween.

Abstract: Systems and methods to degas fluids are described herein. A fluid degassing treatment system may include a reservoir and/or one or more fluid treatment systems.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatuses for removing bubbles from a process liquid. The process liquid can comprise a plating solution used in a plating tool. The process liquid is supplied to a tank. A plurality of streams of the process liquid are directed towards a surface of the process liquid from below. This can be done by feeding the process liquid to a flow distributor comprising a plurality of openings providing flow communication between an inner volume of the flow distributor and a main volume of the tank. Before leaving the tank through an outlet, the process liquid flows through a flow barrier.

Abstract: In subsea multiphase pumping systems, the use of a gas-liquid cylindrical cyclone (GLCC) as a separator to recirculate liquid from pump discharge to pump suction, especially during high gas inlet conditions from a multiphase petroleum stream. Further contemplated is protection of the pump from momentary high gas inlet conditions due to an incoming slug flow profile from a petroleum stream, via transforming a naturally varying multiphase petroleum stream into separated phases for measured distribution to the pump suction and ensuring a minimum liquid flow.

Abstract: A slug flow separator facilitates the separation of a mixture flow into component parts. The separator includes an upper-tier elongate conduit, a lower-tier elongate conduit and a plurality of spaced apart connectors. Each of the upper and lower-tier elongate conduits has an outlet and at least one of the upper and lower-tier elongate conduits has an inlet for receiving the mixture flow. The upper and lower-tier elongate conduits also each have a plurality of openings such that one connector of the plurality of connectors may interconnect one of the upper-tier elongate conduit openings with a one of the lower-tier elongate conduit openings. The connectors enable communication of at least one of a liquid component and the at least one of another liquid component and a gas component of the mixture flow therebetween.

Abstract: A deaeration device for deaerating coolant fluid flow in a recirculation cooling system, where the recirculation cooling system includes a cooling fluid reservoir adapted to receive the deaeration device submerged within cooling fluid therein, includes an elongated deaeration tube including a fluid outlet and a deaerating skimming shaped slot for skimming air bubbles and cooling fluid from cooling fluid flow flowing through the deaeration tube, and including a fluid inlet for allowing the same amount of fluid that is skimmed off and removed through the top fluid outlet to re-enter the deaeration tube to maintain mass balance in the cooling fluid flow.

Abstract: Methods for reducing the number and/or size of gas bubbles in a material are disclosed. The disclosed methods involve subjecting materials to pressure for a period of time. The methods have been found to be useful in the preparation of dental composites and dental structures prepared from those composites. Materials produced using the disclosed methods can have enhanced structural and/or aesthetic features.

Abstract: A system for removing and purifying a carbon dioxide-containing stream from a batch process tool is provided. A multi-phase contaminated stream containing at least carbon dioxide and one or more co-solvent is removed from a process tool and conveyed to at least one intermediate pressure separator. The contaminant-containing stream is separated into an intermediate pressure carbon dioxide-enriched vapor stream and an intermediate pressure solvent and contaminant-enriched stream in the intermediate pressure separator.

Abstract: A method and system for sea-based handling/treatment of fluid hydrocarbons (oil) with associated gas include a first separation step in a high-pressure separator (18) installed on the sea bed, from which is output an oil flow containing an essentially predefined percentage of residual gas. The oil containing residual gas is carried through a riser (22) up to a surface vessel/production ship (12), where it is subjected to a second separation step in a second separator (24) incorporated in a low-pressure surface plant on board the vessel (12), this separated residual gas being used as fuel for direct/indirect generation of electric power for the operation of the underwater and above-water sections of the system. Water and gas produced in the first separation step is returned to a suitable reservoir by the use of a multiphase pump.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for deaerating a liquid layer such as a coating solution using electrostatic forces. A flow of charged particles is created above and moved towards a low conductivity liquid layer. The flow of charged particles causes localized thinning of the liquid layer which facilitates the removal of bubbles of entrained gas from the liquid by bringing those bubbles closer to the exposed surface of the liquid and rupturing them at that surface. This electrostatic deaeration technique is combined with other non-electrostatic liquid layer thinning techniques or degassing techniques to further facilitate removal of bubbles from the liquid in preparation of further processing of the liquid. The liquid layer may be stationary or flowing with respect to the application of charge particles.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for deaerating a liquid layer such as a coating solution using electrostatic forces. A flow of charged particles is created above and moved towards a low conductivity liquid layer. The flow of charged particles causes localized thinning of the liquid layer which facilitates the removal of bubbles of entrained gas from the liquid by bringing those bubbles closer to the exposed surface of the liquid and rupturing them at that surface. This electrostatic deaeration technique is combined with other non-electrostatic liquid layer thinning techniques or degassing techniques to further facilitate removal of bubbles from the liquid in preparation of further processing of the liquid. The liquid layer may be stationary or flowing with respect to the application of charge particles.

Abstract: The invention is a stackable packing element for use in degassing liquid ophthalmic lens monomer, and to a modular degasser and process, including an in-line degassing process, employing same. The stackable packing element is comprised of a body module and a removable puck component.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for deaeration of treatment agents applied to webs of paper and board, having an inlet manifold (3), an accept-fraction manifold (4), and a reject-fraction manifold (5). For deaeration the assembly uses a plurality of air separator units (12) connected to the manifolds so as to allow admission of the treatment agent to the air separator units (12) from the inlet manifold (3) and discharge of the accept and reject fractions formed in the air separator units (12) respectively to the accept-fraction and reject-fraction manifolds (4, 5). A cut-off valve (18) is mounted on at least the inlet manifold (3), between two parallel-operating air separator units (12), so as to permit cutting off the flow through the manifold (3) at this location of the cut-off valve, dividing the plural air separator units (12) by the cut-off valve (18) into two groups.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for the degassing small high-aspect ratio drilled holes or vias which are present in panels such as printed circuit boards prior to wet chemical processing, including copper plating of the vias, in order to remove any air or gas bubbles from the vias tending to inhibit the reliable plating thereof. This is carried out through the utilization of an ultrasonic prewetting in a liquid bath preceding cleaning for the electroless plating process, thereby enabling all of the vias or holes to be degassed; in effect, having air removed and the vias or holes filled with liquid; thereby allowing subsequent process cleansing solutions to easily flow into the respective holes or vias in order to facilitate the electroless copper plating process.

Abstract: A method and system for sea-based handling/treatment of fluid hydrocarbons (oil) with associated gas comprise a first separation step in a high-pressure separator (18) installed on the sea bed, from which is output an oil flow containing an essentially predefined percentage of residual gas. The oil containing residual gas is carried through a riser (22) up to a surface vessel/production ship (12), where it is subjected to a second separation step in a second separator (24) incorporated in a low-pressure surface plant on board the vessel (12), this separated residual gas being used as fuel for direct/indirect generation of electric power for the operation of the underwater and above-water sections of the system. Water and gas produced in the first separation step is returned to a suitable reservoir by the use of a multiphase pump.

Abstract: A process and apparatus therefore in which a sludge treatment stage 24 is controlled in response to the density or solids content of the sludge includes flowing sludge along a flow line 1 towards the treatment stage, taking a sample from the flow line 1, degassing the sample to produce a degassed sample, measuring the density or solids content of the degassed sample, and utilizing the measured degassed density or solids content of the degassed sample for controlling the treatment stage 24.

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.