EP0602762B1 - Apparatus for dissolving gas in a liquid - Google Patents

Apparatus for dissolving gas in a liquid Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0602762B1
EP0602762B1 EP93300117A EP93300117A EP0602762B1 EP 0602762 B1 EP0602762 B1 EP 0602762B1 EP 93300117 A EP93300117 A EP 93300117A EP 93300117 A EP93300117 A EP 93300117A EP 0602762 B1 EP0602762 B1 EP 0602762B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
liquid
nozzle
conduit
passageway
gas
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP93300117A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0602762A1 (en
Inventor
Michael Ernest Garrett
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BOC Group Ltd
Original Assignee
BOC Group Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by BOC Group Ltd filed Critical BOC Group Ltd
Publication of EP0602762A1 publication Critical patent/EP0602762A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0602762B1 publication Critical patent/EP0602762B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01FMIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
    • B01F23/237Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids characterised by the physical or chemical properties of gases or vapours introduced in the liquid media
    • B01F23/2376Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids characterised by the physical or chemical properties of gases or vapours introduced in the liquid media characterised by the gas being introduced
    • B01F23/23761Aerating, i.e. introducing oxygen containing gas in liquids
    • B01F23/237612Oxygen
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01FMIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
    • B01F23/231Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids by bubbling
    • B01F23/23105Arrangement or manipulation of the gas bubbling devices
    • B01F23/2312Diffusers
    • B01F23/23121Diffusers having injection means, e.g. nozzles with circumferential outlet
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01FMIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F25/00Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
    • B01F25/30Injector mixers
    • B01F25/31Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows
    • B01F25/312Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows with Venturi elements; Details thereof
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01FMIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F25/00Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
    • B01F25/30Injector mixers
    • B01F25/31Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows
    • B01F25/312Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows with Venturi elements; Details thereof
    • B01F25/3124Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows with Venturi elements; Details thereof characterised by the place of introduction of the main flow
    • B01F25/31242Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows with Venturi elements; Details thereof characterised by the place of introduction of the main flow the main flow being injected in the central area of the venturi, creating an aspiration in the circumferential part of the conduit
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01FMIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F25/00Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
    • B01F2025/91Direction of flow or arrangement of feed and discharge openings
    • B01F2025/919Direction of flow or arrangement of feed and discharge openings characterised by the disposition of the feed and discharge openings
    • B01F2025/9191Direction of flow or arrangement of feed and discharge openings characterised by the disposition of the feed and discharge openings characterised by the arrangement of the feed openings for one or more flows, e.g. for the mainflow and the flow of an additional component
    • B01F2025/91912Direction of flow or arrangement of feed and discharge openings characterised by the disposition of the feed and discharge openings characterised by the arrangement of the feed openings for one or more flows, e.g. for the mainflow and the flow of an additional component with feed openings at the circumference of the main flow
    • B01F2025/919121Direction of flow or arrangement of feed and discharge openings characterised by the disposition of the feed and discharge openings characterised by the arrangement of the feed openings for one or more flows, e.g. for the mainflow and the flow of an additional component with feed openings at the circumference of the main flow with feed openings around the complete circumference of the main flow, e.g. being a perforated or porous part
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01FMIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
    • B01F23/237Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids characterised by the physical or chemical properties of gases or vapours introduced in the liquid media
    • B01F23/2376Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids characterised by the physical or chemical properties of gases or vapours introduced in the liquid media characterised by the gas being introduced

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to apparatus for dissolving gas in a volume of liquid and more particularly to nozzles for use in such apparatus.
  • gas is intended to include gas mixtures.
  • a sewage pump forms a stream of the waste liquid and passes said liquid through a ring main.
  • a ring main Depending vertically from the ring main are a plurality of conduits each conduit having located at its upper end a venturi.
  • Each venturi has an inlet for gaseous oxygen.
  • a T-piece pipe At the lower end of each conduit downstream of the venturi is a T-piece pipe in which is received one or more outlet nozzles for passing a liquid-gas mixture into the main volume of liquid in the sewage treatment tank.
  • Each venturi creates a restriction in its associate conduit whereby turbulence is imparted to the liquid flowing therethrough.
  • the flow of oxygen to the turbulent region from the inlet of the venturi breaks the oxygen into small bubbles.
  • the liquid-gas mixture passes down the conduit and through a nozzle which has an outlet diameter much smaller than that of the diameter of the associated conduit such that the liquid-gas mixture leaves the nozzle at a relatively high velocity thereby creating turbulence and helping further to break up or sheer bubbles in the liquid-gas mixture to even smaller bubbles that are readily dissolved in the main body of liquid in the sewage treatment tank.
  • an apparatus for dissolving a gas in a volume of liquid comprises a pump for passing the liquid through a plurality of conduits, each conduit terminating in a nozzle, each nozzle having a passageway for the flow therethrough of a stream of said liquid, in which said passageway comprises a first convergent portion, a second parallel portion downstream of the first portion and a third divergent portion downstream of the second portion and means defining an annular gas passage communicating with the passageway at a location along the second parallel portion, said gas passage being located at or adjacent to the root of the third divergent portion.
  • the nozzle comprises two parts, an outer part which defines the third divergent portion and an inner part secured within the outer part which defines the first convergent and second parallel portions.
  • Each part may be made of moulded plastics material.
  • the illustrated apparatus may be located wholly within a large volume of liquid, for example, liquid contained within a sewage treatment tank.
  • a sewage pump 2 having a suction inlet forms a stream of waste water which enters a ring main 4.
  • the ring main 4 is adapted to feed the liquid to a plurality of conduits 6 which depend generally vertically therefrom.
  • Each conduit 6 has a venturi 8 disposed therein.
  • Each venturi 8 has an inlet 10 for gaseous oxygen.
  • Each conduit 6 has a downstream T-piece pipe 13 at its bottom end in which is received one or more outlet nozzles 12 for passing a liquid gas mixture into the main volume of liquid in which the ring main is immersed.
  • each venturi 8 creates a restriction in its associated conduit 6 such that turbulence is imparted to the liquid flowing through the conduit 6.
  • the flow of oxygen to the turbulent region from the inlet 10 breaks the oxygen into bubbles.
  • Each nozzle 12 has an outlet diameter much smaller than the diameter of the associated conduit 6 such that the liquid-gas mixture leaves the nozzle 12 at a relatively high velocity thereby creating turbulence, helping further to break up or sheer bubbles in the mixture into even smaller bubbles that are readily dissolved in the main body of liquid.
  • FIG 2 this illustrates a nozzle 20 which is intended for use in an apparatus for dissolving gas in a volume of liquid of the type described in European Patent Publication No. 0389230 and which obviates the need of a venturi.
  • the nozzle 20 comprises an outer part 22 within which is securely attached an inner part 24. Both parts 22, 24 may be made of moulded plastics material.
  • the nozzle 20 has a central passageway 26 for the flow therethrough of a stream of liquid from left to right (as shown).
  • the passageway 26 comprises a first convergent portion 28 and downstream therefrom a second parallel portion 30 both defined by the inner part 24; and a third divergent portion 32 downstream of the second parallel portion 30 said portion 32 being defined by the outer part 22.
  • the outer part 22 is formed with an inlet 34 for gas, for example, oxygen and opposing surfaces 36, 38 of the inner part 24 and 40, 42 of the outer part 22 defined between them means in the form of an annular passage 44 which communicates with the passageway 26 at a location along the second parallel portion 30 adjacent the root of the third divergent portion 32.
  • gas for example, oxygen
  • opposing surfaces 36, 38 of the inner part 24 and 40, 42 of the outer part 22 defined between them means in the form of an annular passage 44 which communicates with the passageway 26 at a location along the second parallel portion 30 adjacent the root of the third divergent portion 32.
  • nozzle 20 is intended for attachment either directly to a conduit 6 or a T-piece pipe 13 of the type illustrated in Figure 1.
  • oxygen passes through inlet 34 and annular passage 44 and is injected into the liquid passing through passageway 26 near the root of the third divergent section 32 and the liquid-oxygen mixture leaves the nozzle 20 at a velocity which exceeds the sonic velocity for the mixture thereby creating shock waves in the main body of liquid.
  • a plurality of shallow vanes can be formed on the surface of the third divergent portion 32 to impart a rotating motion to the liquid-oxygen mixture leaving the nozzle 20.
  • the vanes can be moulded as a spiral or long pitch thread to the surface of the divergent portion 32. Rotary motion of the liquid-oxygen mixture as it leaves the nozzle 20 helps with dispersion and mixing.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)

Description

  • The present invention relates to apparatus for dissolving gas in a volume of liquid and more particularly to nozzles for use in such apparatus.
  • For the avoidance of doubt, throughout this specification the term "gas" is intended to include gas mixtures.
  • In our European Patent Application, Publication No. 0389230, there is described a method of treating a large volume of liquid contained in a sewage treatment tank. A sewage pump forms a stream of the waste liquid and passes said liquid through a ring main. Depending vertically from the ring main are a plurality of conduits each conduit having located at its upper end a venturi. Each venturi has an inlet for gaseous oxygen. At the lower end of each conduit downstream of the venturi is a T-piece pipe in which is received one or more outlet nozzles for passing a liquid-gas mixture into the main volume of liquid in the sewage treatment tank.
  • Each venturi creates a restriction in its associate conduit whereby turbulence is imparted to the liquid flowing therethrough. The flow of oxygen to the turbulent region from the inlet of the venturi breaks the oxygen into small bubbles. The liquid-gas mixture passes down the conduit and through a nozzle which has an outlet diameter much smaller than that of the diameter of the associated conduit such that the liquid-gas mixture leaves the nozzle at a relatively high velocity thereby creating turbulence and helping further to break up or sheer bubbles in the liquid-gas mixture to even smaller bubbles that are readily dissolved in the main body of liquid in the sewage treatment tank.
  • It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved nozzle for use in apparatus of the type described in European Publication No. 0389230 which avoids the need for an independent venturi.
  • According to the present invention, an apparatus for dissolving a gas in a volume of liquid comprises a pump for passing the liquid through a plurality of conduits, each conduit terminating in a nozzle, each nozzle having a passageway for the flow therethrough of a stream of said liquid, in which said passageway comprises a first convergent portion, a second parallel portion downstream of the first portion and a third divergent portion downstream of the second portion and means defining an annular gas passage communicating with the passageway at a location along the second parallel portion, said gas passage being located at or adjacent to the root of the third divergent portion.
  • In a preferred embodiment the nozzle comprises two parts, an outer part which defines the third divergent portion and an inner part secured within the outer part which defines the first convergent and second parallel portions.
  • Each part may be made of moulded plastics material.
  • An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, reference being made to the Figures of the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:
    • Figure 1 is a schematic drawing, partly in perspective of an oxygenation apparatus as described in European Patent Application Publication No. 0389230; and
    • Figure 2 is a vertical cross-section through a nozzle of the present invention for use in an apparatus of the type as described in European Publication No. 0389230.
  • Referring first to Figure 1, the illustrated apparatus may be located wholly within a large volume of liquid, for example, liquid contained within a sewage treatment tank. A sewage pump 2 having a suction inlet forms a stream of waste water which enters a ring main 4. The ring main 4 is adapted to feed the liquid to a plurality of conduits 6 which depend generally vertically therefrom. Each conduit 6 has a venturi 8 disposed therein. Each venturi 8 has an inlet 10 for gaseous oxygen. Each conduit 6 has a downstream T-piece pipe 13 at its bottom end in which is received one or more outlet nozzles 12 for passing a liquid gas mixture into the main volume of liquid in which the ring main is immersed.
  • As explained in European Patent Application Publication No. 0389230, each venturi 8 creates a restriction in its associated conduit 6 such that turbulence is imparted to the liquid flowing through the conduit 6. The flow of oxygen to the turbulent region from the inlet 10 breaks the oxygen into bubbles.
  • Each nozzle 12 has an outlet diameter much smaller than the diameter of the associated conduit 6 such that the liquid-gas mixture leaves the nozzle 12 at a relatively high velocity thereby creating turbulence, helping further to break up or sheer bubbles in the mixture into even smaller bubbles that are readily dissolved in the main body of liquid.
  • It will be evident that the apparatus described in European Publication No. 0389230 requires with each conduit 6 a separate venturi 8 and one or more nozzles 12.
  • Referring now to Figure 2, this illustrates a nozzle 20 which is intended for use in an apparatus for dissolving gas in a volume of liquid of the type described in European Patent Publication No. 0389230 and which obviates the need of a venturi.
  • The nozzle 20 comprises an outer part 22 within which is securely attached an inner part 24. Both parts 22, 24 may be made of moulded plastics material. The nozzle 20 has a central passageway 26 for the flow therethrough of a stream of liquid from left to right (as shown). The passageway 26 comprises a first convergent portion 28 and downstream therefrom a second parallel portion 30 both defined by the inner part 24; and a third divergent portion 32 downstream of the second parallel portion 30 said portion 32 being defined by the outer part 22. The outer part 22 is formed with an inlet 34 for gas, for example, oxygen and opposing surfaces 36, 38 of the inner part 24 and 40, 42 of the outer part 22 defined between them means in the form of an annular passage 44 which communicates with the passageway 26 at a location along the second parallel portion 30 adjacent the root of the third divergent portion 32.
  • It will be apparent, that the nozzle 20 is intended for attachment either directly to a conduit 6 or a T-piece pipe 13 of the type illustrated in Figure 1.
  • In use, oxygen passes through inlet 34 and annular passage 44 and is injected into the liquid passing through passageway 26 near the root of the third divergent section 32 and the liquid-oxygen mixture leaves the nozzle 20 at a velocity which exceeds the sonic velocity for the mixture thereby creating shock waves in the main body of liquid.
  • Use of the nozzle 20 in an apparatus of the type as illustrated in Figure 1 avoids the need, cost and pressure drop associated with a venturi and since conduit 6 no longer conveys a gas-liquid mixture the velocity of the liquid can be reduced resulting in the pressure drop associated with the conduit being reduced by 25% when compared with the apparatus as illustrated in Figure 1. The net benefit will be to halve the power consumption required to operate the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1.
  • Modifications can be made to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 in that e.g. a plurality of shallow vanes can be formed on the surface of the third divergent portion 32 to impart a rotating motion to the liquid-oxygen mixture leaving the nozzle 20. The vanes can be moulded as a spiral or long pitch thread to the surface of the divergent portion 32. Rotary motion of the liquid-oxygen mixture as it leaves the nozzle 20 helps with dispersion and mixing.

Claims (4)

  1. An apparatus for dissolving a gas in a volume of liquid comprising a pump (2) for passing the liquid through a plurality of conduits (6), each conduit (6) terminating in a nozzle (20), each nozzle (20) having a passageway (26) for the flow therethrough of a stream of said liquid, said passageway (26) comprising a first convergent portion (28), a second parallel portion (30) downstream of the first portion (28) and a third divergent portion (32) downstream of the second portion (30) and means defining an annular gas passage (44) communicating with the passageway (26) at a location along the second parallel portion (30), said gas passage (44) being located at or adjacent the root of the third divergent portion (32).
  2. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the nozzle (20) comprises first and second parts, an outer first part (22) which defines the third divergent portion and a inner second part (24) secured within the outer first part (22) and which defines the first convergent and second parallel portions (28, 30).
  3. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, characterised in that the passage (44) is defined, at least in part, by opposed, spaced surfaces (36, 40, 38, 42) of the first and second parts (22, 24).
  4. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, characterised in that each part (22, 24) is made of moulded plastics material.
EP93300117A 1992-01-21 1993-01-08 Apparatus for dissolving gas in a liquid Expired - Lifetime EP0602762B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9201193 1992-01-21
GB929201193A GB9201193D0 (en) 1992-01-21 1992-01-21 Treatment of liquids

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0602762A1 EP0602762A1 (en) 1994-06-22
EP0602762B1 true EP0602762B1 (en) 1996-12-27

Family

ID=10708927

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93300117A Expired - Lifetime EP0602762B1 (en) 1992-01-21 1993-01-08 Apparatus for dissolving gas in a liquid

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0602762B1 (en)
AU (1) AU657021B2 (en)
DE (1) DE69306923T2 (en)
GB (1) GB9201193D0 (en)
NZ (1) NZ245677A (en)
PL (1) PL169306B1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA93348B (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BR9408156A (en) * 1993-11-26 1997-08-05 Hyperno Pty Ltd Method for chemical treatment of waste
DE10228853B4 (en) * 2002-06-27 2007-02-08 Esau & Hueber Gmbh Nozzle arrangement for introducing gas into a liquid
CN108786513A (en) * 2018-06-19 2018-11-13 中国海洋石油集团有限公司 A kind of salt water tank mixing arrangement

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1068223B (en) * 1959-11-05 Ernst Schlick, Coburg (Bay.) Device for ventilating or gassing liquids that flow through an injector charged with air or gas
GB1547808A (en) * 1976-03-05 1979-06-27 Moore Business Forms Ltd Continuous stationery addemblies
FR2612084B1 (en) * 1987-03-12 1991-03-29 Djet Sarl DEVICE FOR THE DOSED INJECTION OF AN ADJUVANT INTO A FLOW OF LIQUID
GB8906483D0 (en) * 1989-03-21 1989-05-04 Boc Group Plc Dissolution of gas
SE465502B (en) * 1990-02-12 1991-09-23 Johansson Sven Halvor NOZZLE DEVICE FOR EXHAUSTING A GAS / HYDROGEN MIXTURE INTO A PROCESS GAS

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9201193D0 (en) 1992-03-11
NZ245677A (en) 1994-06-27
DE69306923D1 (en) 1997-02-06
EP0602762A1 (en) 1994-06-22
PL169306B1 (en) 1996-06-28
PL297470A1 (en) 1993-08-23
ZA93348B (en) 1993-08-25
AU657021B2 (en) 1995-02-23
DE69306923T2 (en) 1997-05-07
AU3034392A (en) 1993-07-22

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4157304A (en) Aeration method and system
CA2210892C (en) Oxygen dissolver for pipelines or pipe outlets
CA1139464A (en) Multiple stage jet nozzle aeration system
US6382601B1 (en) Swirling fine-bubble generator
US5403522A (en) Apparatus and methods for mixing liquids and flowable treating agents
US4123800A (en) Mixer-injector
US7624969B2 (en) Two-stage injector-mixer
US4224158A (en) Aeration system and method with tapered nozzle
US3947359A (en) Aeration and mixing of liquids
US5091118A (en) Device for dissolving gasses into liquids
US5183335A (en) Hydraulic jet flash mixer with flow deflector
AU2009243891B2 (en) Device for mixing gas into a flowing liquid
EP0993342B1 (en) Infusion nozzle
JPS60241921A (en) Mixer for liquid
EP0602762B1 (en) Apparatus for dissolving gas in a liquid
JP3086252B2 (en) Formation of gas particles
US4230570A (en) Aerator
CA2282326C (en) Swirling type micro-bubble generating system
JP6646300B2 (en) Bubble generator for sewage purification and sewage purification method
EP3747534A1 (en) Device and method for generating nanobubbles
JP2018130653A5 (en)
CN110124547A (en) A kind of liquid blending tank
WO1991015287A1 (en) Apparatus and method for sparging a gas into a liquid
CS208105B2 (en) Appliance for distribution of gases in the liguids mainly for aerating the refuse waters
KR100551983B1 (en) Air diffuser using bubble jet collision

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB IT NL

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19941020

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19950427

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB IT NL

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed
REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69306923

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19970206

ET Fr: translation filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20090127

Year of fee payment: 17

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20100108

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20110117

Year of fee payment: 19

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20110128

Year of fee payment: 19

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20110105

Year of fee payment: 19

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20110105

Year of fee payment: 19

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20110225

Year of fee payment: 19

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: THE *BOC GROUP P.L.C.

Effective date: 20120131

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: V1

Effective date: 20120801

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20120108

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20120928

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120108

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120801

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 69306923

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20120801

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120131

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120131

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120801