Alberta Research Council Incorporated

Other

Oslo Alberta Limited

Canadian Flamecoat Systems, Inc.

Varagur S Rajan

Karl T Chuang

Rodney K Ridley

Douglas A Lillico

Robert N Tipman

Mario De Rocco

Dean Wallace

Structured packing for mass-exchange or energy-exchange processes uses a stack of parallel, flat sheets forming flat channels therebetween. A number of tabs extends between adjacent pairs of sheets to form both bridges for fluid flow and spacers for structural rigidity of the packing. Some of the tabs serve predominantly to divert fluid over the entire surface of a given sheet to prevent so-called channeling, while other tabs are disposed to predominantly enhance fluid transfer between the adjacent sheets. Fluid communication between both sides of each sheet is facilitated due to perforations caused by the manufacturing of the tabs. The design allows for the use of very thin sheets resulting in a light-weight packing assembly.

Structured packing assembly

The invention is an apparatus and a method for characterizing the flow of a multi-phase fluid. The apparatus is comprised of: a conduit having a first end and a second end, for flowing the fluid from the first to the second ends, and a first point and a second point located between the first and second ends; a mixer for mixing the fluid as it flows from the first to the second ends such that the fluid is substantially homogeneous at the first point and such that the substantial homogeneity of the fluid is maintained between the first and second points; and means for determining at least one of a volumetric flow rate of the substantially homogeneous fluid at a first location in the conduit between the first and second points and a density of the substantially homogeneous fluid at a second location between the first and second points. The method is comprised of the steps of: mixing the fluid as it flows from the first to the second ends of the conduit such that the fluid is substantially homogeneous at the first point and such that the substantial homogeneity of the fluid is maintained between the first and second points; and determining at least one of the volumetric flow rate of the substantially homogeneous fluid at the first location and the density of the substantially homogeneous fluid at the second location.

Multi-phase fluid flow measurement apparatus and method

Thermoplastic powder entrained in a stream of carrier gas is conveyed through a carrier gas line extending between a flame spray applicator and a remote supply hopper. A bypass line is included to divert the carrier gas before it reaches the hopper and introduce it into the carrier gas line immediately downstream of the hopper, whereby powder supply from the hopper can be terminated while the carrier gas continues to purge the carrier gas line downstream of the hopper to remove contained powder. The flame applicator delivers fuel gas, combustion air and a carrier gas-powder mixture in separate streams to maximize the quality of the flame and the surface coating. The carrier gas-powder mixture is delivered as a central stream, the combustion air as a generally concentric annular stream around the central stream and the fuel gas as an outermost generally concentric annular stream. The body member is formed with a first central bore for delivering the carrier gas-powder mixture. A removable nozzle member is provided at the outlet end of the first central bore. The size of the nozzle opening can be varied in order to adjust the amount of powder being delivered from the flame applicator.

Flame spray applicator system

A process and an apparatus are described for separation of water and solids from oil sands froth in which heated froth is fed into a gravity settling vessel at a level below a bitumen-water interface established between a bitumen froth layer floating on a quiescent body of water whereby water and solids contained in the froth separate from the froth stream, the oil rises to accumulate in the bitumen froth layer, and the solids fall by gravity to the bottom of the gravity settling vessel. The apparatus comprises an injector manifold suspended horizontally within the vessel below the bitumen-water interface, said injector manifold having a plurality of equispaced, inwardly facing openings for the inward discharge of oil sands froth into the body of water. The injector ring manifold may also have a plurality of outwardly facing openings for both inward and outward discharge of froth. A level probe for monitoring the level of the bitumen-water interface preferably is mounted in the vessel in electrical communication with a valve for discharging underflow for control of the level of the bitumen-water interface.

Growing community of inventors

Sherwood Park, Canada

Varagur S Rajan