Abstract: For reducing pollutant generation in a tangentially fired furnace, a method and apparatus for modification of a main air-fuel compartment. An extender dish for mounting on the discharge face of the compartment has a wide projection to extend across the discharge face half portion closer to the axis of the fireball in the furnace firing chamber and a narrow projection to extend across the discharge face half portion further from the fireball axis. Preferably a flow restricting plate is also provided to extend across a part of the discharge face portion closer to the axis of the fireball. These air restricting means cause a portion of the combustion air from the main air-fuel compartment discharge face to be directed outside the fireball therein reducing oxygen concentration and flame temperature thereby lowering pollutant generation.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a system comprising an air separation plant and a gas turbine engine, the method comprising: providing a nitrogen-rich stream from the air separation plant; expanding and thereby cooling the nitrogen-rich stream; and delivering the expanded stream to the inlet of the compressor of the gas turbine engine to combine with the air stream entering the inlet of the compressor to form a total feed stream with reduced temperature and oxygen content so as to increase power output, increase efficiency and reduce NOx emissions of the gas turbine.

Abstract: A method and system for supplying compressed air to a process plant using a combustor-turbine unit directly coupled to a bull gear meshing with pinions on which are mounted gas compression stages and expansion stages. Some stages compress a stream of air supplied to the combustor-turbine unit for combustion and to the process plant. Other stages expand or compress other gas streams directed to the combustor-turbine unit or to external applications. Direct energy transfers and intercooling and aftercooling after compression stages enhance the efficiency of the system.

Abstract: A cryogenic liquid vaporizer system 10 comprising an outer tube 22 for exposure to the atmosphere and enclosing an inner tube 16 to form an annulus 36. The fluid enters the inner tube 16 as liquid, flows in the inner tube 16 where it is at least partially vaporized, and discharges into the outer tube 22. In one embodiment the fluid discharges near the end 34 of the outer tube 22 and counterflow in the annulus 36 where it is usually completely vaporized and partially superheated. In another embodiment, the fluid discharges into the outer tube 22 and continues to flow in the longitudinal space 38 provided by the length of outer tube 22. The annulus 36 is occupied by quiescent fluid.

Abstract: A process for wave soldering or reflow soldering comprises contacting substrates with a supply of molten solder containing from about 0.0001 to about 0.1% by weight of phosphorous in an atmosphere of diluent gas containing up to about 0.1% by volume oxygen. A reduced incidence of bridging and other soldering defects occurs.

Abstract: A method for withdrawing from a vessel pressurized cryogenic helium fluid with an objectionable impurity concentration of less than 5 ppmv. The method comprises pressurizing at or near the top of the vessel with helium fluid from an external source having a concentration of up to 1000 ppmv of the objectionable impurity, and withdrawing from a port near the bottom of a vessel helium fluid at a cryogenic temperature below the temperature at which the withdrawn fluid has an objectionable impurity of 5 ppmv.

Abstract: A low heat-leak cryogenic system comprising a cryogenic fluid, a first lamina having an external side facing toward and exposed directly to, or indirectly to, the cryogenic fluid and an internal side facing away from the cryogenic fluid; a second lamina spaced apart from the first lamina, and at least one block or layer of coherent aerogel extending from the first lamina to the second lamina. In another version, the aerogel is in a gaseous environment having a pressure not greater than 250,000 micrometers of mercury. In another version, at least one of the lamina is flexible so as to at least partially transmit an external load, such as that imposed by the atmosphere, to the coherent aerogel, and the coherent+ aerogel is capable of at least partially transmitting a load imposed on it from one lamina to the other.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a controlled gaseous environment at the opening to a receiver and around a free liquid stream downwardly entering the receiver opening. The method comprises laminarly emitting at least two gas flows to extend and intersect over the receiver opening thereby forming an upward plume enveloping the free liquid stream.

Abstract: A process and system for pressurizing a vessel for integrity testing with gas comprising helium, recovering the gas comprising helium, and purifying the gas comprising helium for reuse. The process for purifying the gas stream comprising helium comprises drying the gas stream; separating the dried gas stream in a membrane separator stage into a helium-enriched permeate product stream and a helium-depleted raffinate stream; recovering helium in the raffinate stream in a membrane stripper stage thereby producing a purge stream; and purging water from the dryer with the purge stream.

Abstract: A fluid impeller blade with lowered stress and increased useful life has an edge extending from the hub of the blade and forming, in part, a boundary for axial fluid flow. The edge, at least at its extremity, is spaced axially into the blade, at an angle of about 0.5.degree. to about 20.degree. from the radial line through the edge at the hub of the blade, whereby the mass of blade material exerting centrifugal force on the edge at the blade hub during rotation of the impeller is reduced.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring a rate of leakage from a closed vessel enclosed in a container. Air is expelled from the container and a charge of helium-free gas is introduced. The preferred container is comprised of flexible sheets with mating edges sealed together. The flexible container is collapsed when air is expelled, and then limply charged with a known volume of helium-free gas. The vessel is pressurized with helium, the rate of accumulation of which is measured in the container gas to determine the leakage from the vessel.

Abstract: A radial inflow turbine having a radial nozzle assembly comprising a plurality of vanes, wherein downstream of the throat, the vane suction surfaces, relative to a radius of the circle on which the vane trailing edges lie, have a specified range of angles, or decreasing radii of curvature.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for increasing the capacity of a gas compressor. The apparatus comprises a supercharger for compressing a gas flow and an evaporative cooler for cooling and ducting the supercharged gas flow to the gas compressor. The cooler comprises a section of pipe connecting the supercharger and the compressor. Mounted on the wall of the pipe are nozzles oriented upstream to atomize water into droplets of mean diameter ranging from about 4 to about 12 microns. The pipe is sized to provide a residence time of from about 0.1 to about 0.5 seconds for the droplets in the gas flow.

Abstract: A collector for a vaned diffuser in a centrifugal compressor, wherein the radial cross-sectional area of the collector housing at the entrance to the collector outlet duct is 40% to 80% of the entrance area of the outlet duct and progresses smoothly to the outlet duct entrance area. Progression in collector housing cross-sectional area is produced by variation of the collector axial height. At the intersection with the outlet duct, the collector has a step in axial height so as to at least partially direct circumferential flow from the collector into the outlet duct entrance.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing liquid over the cross section of a liquid-vapor contacting column comprising a distributor plate having orifices for downward liquid flow and risers for upward vapor flow. Above the distributor plate is a trough for receiving liquid to be distributed. The vapor risers directly below the trough extend through the trough. The trough floor has annular openings around the penetrating vapor risers to discharge liquid onto the distributor plate below.

Abstract: Process for producing superconducting metal-oxide textiles comprising impregnating a preformed, organic textile material with metal compounds in a desired atomic ratio, heating the material in a weakly oxidizing atmosphere to pyrolize and oxidize the organic material, maintaining the material at temperature in an oxidizing atmosphere, and cooling the material in an oxidizing atmosphere, so as to form a crystalline structure capable of superconducting.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for supplying from a vessel to a pump liquified gas with subcooling so as to avoid cavitation during pumping. A supply conduit supplies liquified gas from the vessel bottom to a pump sump which envelops the flowpath elements of a pump and the pump suction. A return conduit returns vapor and excess liquified gas from the sump to the bottom of the vessel. Heating means, preferably heat leak into the return conduit, reduces the density of the fluid in the return conduit thereby increasing the rate of liquified gas flow in the supply conduit and reducing its temperature rise enroute to the pump. Further subcooling is secured by locating the intake to the supply conduit remote from a wall of the vessel in a cooler strata of liquid, and the discharge of the return conduit proximate to a wall of the vessel in a warmer strata in the vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing a workpiece in an ambient-free, atmosphere of selected gas. A preparation vessel has an opening for entry of the workpiece and a diffuser oriented to emit across the vessel opening a laminar curtain flow of the selected gas which enters, purges the vessel and prevents the infiltration of air. The workpiece on its carrier is transported into the preparation vessel where air is purged out and replaced with selected gas. A processing vessel has a similar workpiece entry opening and diffuser. The preparation vessel and the processing openings are brought into coincidence, and the carrier is transported into the processing vessel for processing of the workpiece in the atmosphere of selected gas provided by the processing vessel diffuser.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a selected atmosphere at and within an opening to the interior volume of a furnace. Two or more paralleled diffusers adjacent to the furnace opening laminarly emit different fluids and provide a multi-layer fluid curtain over the opening. The curtain has a composite modified Froude number from 0.05 to 10, and a thickness at emission of at least 5% of its extent in the flow direction. Partially covering the outside of the curtain is an optional, substantially flat, outer shield with an aperture coinciding with the furnace opening, which reduces the necessary flow rates of fluids. Optional side shields around the sides of the curtain also reduce the necessary fluid flow.A preferred diffuser comprises a porous tube in a housing with an outlet directed to emit fluid across the furnace opening. The outlet is covered with a screen to disperse the fluid flow and to protect the porous tube.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sampling of a liquified gas for composition analysis. A sample flow of liquified gas is induced into the open end of an admitting tube with sufficient length immersed in the liquified gas to avoid vaporization proximate the open end and in the admitting tube. Joined to the admitting tube is a conveying tube leading to an analyzer. The flow area of the admitting tube is in the range of from about 0.01 to about 0.5 times the the flow area of the conveying tube. In the proximity of the joint is a means for heating the conveying tube so as to vaporize the sample stream. The admitting tube penetrates and extends in a conduit through which, during sampling, liquified gas flows from a vessel containing the liquified gas to be sampled. During nonsampling, the liquified gas flow is valved off and vaporized liquid from the vessel is ducted to the portion of conduit contain in the admitting tube.