Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a multi-step process of converting hydrocarbon fuel to a substantially pure hydrogen gas feed includes a plurality of modules arranged in a nested manner along a common axis. The multi-step process includes: providing a fuel processor having a plurality of modules arranged so that they are nested one within the other; and feeding the hydrocarbon fuel successively through each of the modules in the reactor to produce the hydrogen rich gas.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an IGCC which achieves improved plant thermal efficiency by using a cooling steam supply system that cools the high-temperature sections of the gas turbine 34. Embodiments of the invention further provide and IGCC in which the cooling steam recovery system recovers steam after cooling the gas-turbine high-temperature section and makes practical re-use of the energy and substances within the system. Therefore, embodiments of the invention can reduce or eliminate the degradation of certain equipment by cooling the high-temperature sections. Methods are provided for increasing the thermal efficiency o an IGCC.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating a gas-liquid feed stream with structured monolithic catalysts of honeycomb configuration wherein the catalysts are configured as a stack of honeycomb sections with offset channels, the resulting channel dislocations between adjacent contacting honeycombs in the stack introducing controlled, limited turbulence and mixing of feed stream portions traversing the channels to significantly increase the catalytic efficiency of the reactor.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing non-photosensitive fatty acid silver salt grains having a first feeding device for feeding a silver ion-containing solution, the solvent of which is water or a mixture of water and an organic solvent, to a closed mixing device; a second feeding device for feeding a solution of a fatty acid alkali metal salt, the solvent of which is water, an organic solvent, or a mixture of water and an organic solvent, to the closed mixing device; a third feeding device for feeding water, or a mixture of water and an organic solvent to the closed mixing device; and the closed mixing device for mixing matter fed from the first, second and third feeding devices, and discharging a liquid containing non-photosensitive fatty acid silver salt grains.

Abstract: A recycling and recovery system and process comprising a flash gas separator that receives a slurry comprising liquid medium and solid polymer particles. The flash gas separator separates the diluent from the solid polymer particles as a vapor stream comprising at least diluent and heavies. A line receives the vapor stream from the flash gas separator. The line leads to a heavies removal system that yields a liquid that is relatively concentrated in heavies and a diluent vapor that is relatively free of heavies. The liquid is passed to a heavies column, while the diluent vapor is passed to a diluent recycle chamber and then recycled to a slurry polymerization reactor without additional treatment to remove heavies.

Abstract: The method of protecting a surface in a gasifier which is normally an exposed surface in the gasifier. The method includes forming a refractory attachment with a securement surface that confronts the protectable surface in the gasifier and mechanically securing the refractory attachment onto the protectable surface in the gasifier without the refractory attachment penetrating the protectable surface. Such mechanical securing is achieved by providing a latch which if formed of complementary shapes of the securement surface and the protectable surface.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for regenerating spent acid liquor includes a primary roasting furnace for evaporating a substantial portion of the liquid from the spent acid to produce acid vapors and partially roasted metal salts. The partially roasted metal salts are transferred to a secondary roasting chamber where the acids adhering to the surface of the metal salts is vaporized and the metal salts are oxidized. The acid vapors from the primary roasting furnace are then transferred to an absorption column to regenerate the acid. The primary roasting furnace is operated at a different temperature from the secondary roasting chamber and has different retention times for the metal salts. The secondary roasting chamber includes a raking device to mix and convey the metal salts during the secondary roasting step to produce a uniformly roasted metal oxide.

Abstract: A low-energy input process for the pyrolytic conversion of biomass to charcoal or carbonized charcoal is provided. The biomass is sealed in a container, pressurized with air and heated to ignition. Control of pressure by input of air and release of gases to maintain successively lower pressure levels results in a typical time for the conversion of less than 30 minutes.

Abstract: Five combustion exhaust gas treatment systems capable of removing dust and selenium (Se) in combustion exhaust gas and making harmless are proposed: (1) combustion exhaust gas is cooled to 350° C. or less, dust is separated, Se is transformed into insoluble compound, and Se is separated; (2) combustion exhaust gas is cooled to 350° C. or less, dust is separated, Se elution preventive agent is added, and dust is formed into scale; (3) dust in combustion exhaust gas is collected by dust collector, dust is formed into slurry by making use of part of circulation liquid in desulfurization apparatus, and tetravalent Se in dust slurry is transformed into insoluble compound, which is separated into solid and liquid; (4) dust is separated from combustion exhaust gas by dust collector, and it is heated to gasify Se, and is led into desulfurization apparatus, etc.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a first chamber having a first wall with an inner peripheral surface and an outlet. A plurality of fluid supplying outlets are disposed along the first wall and are configured to supply a cooling fluid into the first chamber that travels in a circumferential direction around the inner peripheral surface of the first wall and in a direction towards the outlet. The cooling fluid exiting the plurality of fluid supplying outlets forms a cooling layer for cooling the inner peripheral surface of the first wall, and the outlet is configured for allowing the cooling fluid to exit therethrough while retaining the plasma within the chamber.

Abstract: A reaction state at an upstream portion of the catalyst unit in which a partial oxidation reaction occurs is detected by a first reaction state detector, and a reforming reaction state in the whole of the catalyst unit composed of a catalyst for promoting a steam reforming reaction and a catalyst for promoting a partial oxidation reaction is detected by a second reaction state detector. Based on a reaction state detected by the second reaction state detector, a first corrector corrects feed amounts of raw fuel gas and oxidation gas, which are supplied to the catalyst unit, and a second corrector corrects a feed amount of the oxidation gas supplied to the catalyst unit and/or a feed timing thereof, based on the reaction state detected by the first reaction state detector.

Abstract: A stack of very thin metal plates provides high surface area for catalytic decomposition of a fluid flowing axially from upstream to downstream through the stack. Each plate has flow-through passages of selected size and location to promote uniform flow and good surface contact with a catalyst surface on the plates. The downstream surface of each plate is etched to provide gaps between plates for lateral fluid flow. The plates are divided into groups separated by metering plates that promote more uniform flow from group to group.

Abstract: Five combustion exhaust gas treatment systems capable of removing dust and selenium (Se) in combustion exhaust gas and making harmless are proposed: (1) combustion exhaust gas is cooled to 350° C. or less, dust is separated, Se is transformed into insoluble compound, and Se is separated; (2) combustion exhaust gas is cooled to 350° C. or less, dust is separated, Se elution preventive agent is added, and dust is formed into scale; (3) dust in combustion exhaust gas is collected by dust collector, dust is formed into slurry by making use of part of circulation liquid in desulfurization apparatus, and tetravalent Se in dust slurry is transformed into insoluble compound, which is separated into solid and liquid; (4) dust is separated from combustion exhaust gas by dust collector, and it is heated to gasify Se, and is led into desulfurization apparatus, etc.

Abstract: In a process for the production of urea, substantially pure ammonia and carbon dioxide are reacted in a reaction space (1) from which comes out a reaction mixture subjected to stripping (2) to obtain a partially purified mixture sent to a urea recovery section (3, 4, 7, 8). From the recovery section (3, 4, 7, 8) it is obtained a dilute carbamate solution, which is subjected to stripping (9) with recycling of vapors to the reaction space (1) after condensation (6). This process achieves high conversion yield with reduced energy consumption and low implementation costs.

Abstract: A process for heating fuel gas under high pressure before it is expanded. The gas is directly heated by burning part of the gas in the gas pipeline.

Abstract: A reformer 34 includes three reforming reaction units 80, 82, and 84. These reforming reaction units 80, 82, and 84 respectively include catalyst layers 81, 83, and 85. A supply of crude fuel gas fed to the reformer 34 successively passes through the catalyst layers 81, 83, and 85 in this sequence to be subjected to reforming reactions and converted to a hydrogen-rich gaseous fuel. An air supply unit 90 feeds a supply of the air to each catalyst layer. Oxidation reactions proceed in addition to the reforming reactions in the catalyst layer which receives the supply of the air. Heat produced by the oxidation reactions is utilized for the reforming reactions. Temperature sensors 86, 87, and 88 respectively measure the internal temperatures of the catalyst layers 81, 83, and 85. The amount of the air fed to each catalyst layer is regulated, based on the results of the measurement.

Abstract: A novel flow deflector employed in a fluidized bed reactor for olefin polymerization is disclosed, which is installed on the entry conduit of the reactor, comprising an annular plate and a cone plate and providing at least three paths for the recycle stream to enter the mixing chamber, thereby permitting all the liquid and/or solid material to achieve a more complete and uniform mixing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a fired heater for heating a process fluid that uses U tubes provided with increased internal heat transfer surface to reduce tube metal temperatures and coking. and at the same time is not prone to plugging from coke. The fired heater comprises a radiant section enclosure with a number of U tubes in the radiant section. The U tubes are formed by connecting one or more tubular sections, and the U tubes are provided with internal generally longitudinal fins. The invention also is directed towards a process utilizing a fined heater with U tubes as disclosed for producing olefins from hydrocarbon feedstocks.

Abstract: A rotating process chamber assembly for processing various fluids comprises a substantially cylindrical process chamber has an outer wall extending between two end walls and a substantially cylindrical inner wall spaced radially inward from the outer wall in an axial direction. The outer wall and the inner wall define an annular reaction space therebetween. The housing has a central axis. The process chamber has an inlet located substantially coaxial with the central axial. The process chamber has an outlet located substantially axial with the central axis. A drive is coupled to the process chamber to rotate the housing about the central axis. A plurality of feed channels fluidically couples the inlet and the annular reaction space. A first plurality of product channels fluidically couples the annular reaction space to the outlet.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for recovering fumes from a roofing kettle (12) includes a fan (72) for drawing air from the hollow interior of a housing (20). A conduit (34) extends through the housing front wall (22) and terminates in the hollow interior. A burner assembly (44) is disposed within the conduit (34) for providing a flame within the conduit (34). The housing side wall (30) includes a fresh air intake (78). A flexible metal hose (80) extends between the outer free end of the conduit (34) and the roofing kettle (12). Rotation of the fan (72) causes air to be drawn from the interior of the housing (20) and in turn through the fresh air intake (78), through the conduit (34) and the hose (80) from the interior of the kettle (12), and through the duct (46) and tube (58) of the burner assembly (44).