Abstract: In the removal of HF from hydrocarbon streams by chemical reaction with solid potassium hydroxide, runaway temperatures and subsequent explosions can occur when excess HF is present in the hydrocarbon charged to the KOH treater. According to the invention, a control system and method are provided which regulate the flow of hydrocarbon charged to the KOH treater responsive to temperature changes within the system indicative of excessive amounts of HF in the hydrocarbon stream, thereby preventing the treater temperature from exceeding a preselected maximum allowable value. Several embodiments are provided whereby temperature changes in the KOH treater or a differential temperature across an HF stripper are used as temperature sensing points to control flow of hydrocarbon to the KOH treater.

Abstract: A radial ammonia converter system including first and second heat interchangers and first, second and third catalyst beds. The synthesis gas is heated in said first and second interchangers by catalyst bed effluent prior to full flow through each of the catalyst beds. In one embodiment, two of the catalyst beds are mounted with the first and second interchangers in one vessel; and in another embodiment, the first interchanger and second catalyst bed are mounted in one vessel and the second interchanger and first catalyst bed are mounted in a separate vessel. In both embodiments, the radial ammonia converter system is completed by a third catalyst bed in a separate vessel.

Abstract: A carbon black reactor includes a housing which has a refractory lining defining an elongate chamber. The chamber is comprised of a plurality of compartments which include a combustion compartment, a reaction compartment and a quench compartment. An inlet means opens into the combustion compartment and is operable for introducing hot combustion gases into the combustion compartment. Another inlet means opens into the chamber and is operable for introducing a feedstock hydrocarbon into the chamber. Quench liquid inlet means opens into the quench compartment and is operable for introducing quench liquid into the quench compartment. The quench inlet means includes a plurality of tubular members extending into the quench compartment, each having spaced apart discharge openings along the length thereof.

Abstract: A gas-liquid contacting apparatus for removing sulfur dioxide from a flue gas is provided which comprises a vessel for receiving therein a liquid aqueous absorbent in a continuous phase; gas sparger means having an opening means at one end thereof, the gas sparger means extending vertically from above the surface of the aqueous absorbent liquid and through the surface such that the opening means is positioned below the surface wherein the opening means comprises notch means formed in the side walls of the gas sparger means and an open end of the gas sparger means; air sparger means in the aqueous absorbent, below the gas sparger means; outlet means for the gas after it contacts the aqueous absorbent, the outlet means being located above the level of the aqueous absorbent; reactant inlet means into the vessel; aqueous absorbent inlet means into the vessel; and outlet means for the reaction products and spent aqueous absorbent.

Abstract: An autoclave comprises a long upwardly open channel-shaped vessel, a gas and pressure resistant lid closing the vessel, means for actuating the lid for simultaneously closing and opening the autoclave along its entire length, the structure of the vessel being unitary and supported at a plurality of locations along its length for permitting heat promoted variations in length of the autoclave.

Abstract: In testing for cleanliness a cuvette having translucent wall portions, the cuvette is preferably partially filled with pure water and then a beam of optical radiation is directed at a said wall portion, the intensity of radiation which has passed through the cuvette by direct transmission or by scattering is detected, and the state of cleanliness of the cuvette is determined from a comparison between the detected optical intensity and a criterion indicative of cuvette cleanliness.The invention finds particular application to testing cuvettes for cleanliness which have been washed in a laundry of an automatic blood analysing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for the sulfatizing roasting of a selenium-containing raw material, especially the anode slime from copper electrolysis, with sulfuric acid at a raised temperature, the apparatus comprising a furnace chamber having a feed pipe for feeding a slurry of a finely-divided, selenium-containing raw material and sulfuric acid into the furnace chamber, an outlet for withdrawing the roasted solid from the furnace chamber, an outlet for discharging the selenium bearing gases produced during the sulfating roasting, members for heating the slurry in the furnace chamber, and devices for transferring, as a layer, the slurry fed into the furnace chamber from the slurry feed point towards the outlet for solid, the members for transferring the slurry being one or more combinations of a tray which supports slurry and a scraper which scrapes the tray, at least some of the slurry-heating members being mounted in the tray in order to heat it.

Abstract: Emission gas to be scrubbed of sulfur dioxide or the like has turbulent lengthwise flow through an elongated mixing vessel. At a mixing zone in the vessel, near where said gas enters it, finely comminuted lime (Blaine Number preferably 6000 before calcining) is fed into the gas and carried out of the vessel with the gas to a cyclone separator. From the cyclone the gas passes to a baghouse at which residual lime is removed from it and it is released. A minor portion of the lime separated at the cyclone is sent to waste; most is returned to the mixing zone for recycling. Make-up lime is fed to the mixing zone from a suspension calcining furnace, reaching the mixing zone while still heated. To maintain 650.degree. C. to 750.degree. C. at the mixing zone, recycled lime may be reheated in passing from the cyclone to that zone.

Abstract: A conical reaction region in a pyrolysis device has an adjustable height, adjustable speed agitator in the vicinity of the grate and a second agitator stirring the incoming material. A feed auger stops short of the reaction chamber to produce a sealing region in which the incoming feed material effectively produces a gas tight seal preventing the exit of reaction products. A gas outlet flow rate sensor controls the air inflow rate and/or lower agitator speed. Temperature and other sensors may be used to further optimize the process.

Abstract: A fertilizer product and method for providing controlled application of high analysis fertilizer. A controlled initial light release of a water soluble plant food consistent with growth requirements of the plant is provided. As the plant increases in size and requires an increase of plant food the subject fertilizer and method supplies increasing amounts of plant food without fertilizer burning. The subject product and method includes a water expandable reverse osmosis membrane barrier, preferably in the form of a collar providing a source of plant food released in controlled varying amounts as required by plant growth.

Abstract: A composite injector is provided for handling the introduction to a thick-walled, high pressure polymerization autoclave of both monomer and catalyst streams. Said injector comprises an inner, separately enclosed, high pressure catalyst conduit of relatively small cross-section terminating in a fine orifice at its downstream end which substantially coincides with the inner wall boundary of said autoclave, and, surrounding the upstream portion of said catalyst conduit at least, a pressure-tight outer housing of much larger inner cross-section having an upstream monomer supply connection and a downstream fitting for sealing engagement with a matched opening through said thick-walled autoclave. By introducing the catalyst and the monomer through their respective separate passageways of this composite injector, the resultant catalyst stream is released into the monomer stream just as said streams are both emerging into the open space beyond the inner wall boundary of said autoclave.

Abstract: A regeneration equipment for spent activated carbon comprises a regeneration reactor provided vertically through a vertical heating furnace and an integrated body of a longitudinal series of numerous spiral elements fixedly provided almost throughout the length of said regeneration reactor. Steam ducts are provided so that they are inserted in said regeneration reactor at about the middle portion thereof. On the outside surface of the wall of said regeneration reactor, fixedly provided are exhaust chambers, each of which communicates at its bottom portion with the inside of said regeneration reactor through exhaust holes provided in the wall of said reactor, and is filled with heat-resisting balls piled up in three layers so that the balls in the top and bottom layers are larger in diameter than said exhaust holes and those in the middle layer are similar in diameter to activated carbon particles.

Abstract: A generator for producing an atmosphere of nitrogen containing hydrogen by racking ammonia and recycling a previously generated atmosphere that already had been used. The atmosphere generated by cracking, and the recovered atmosphere that previously had been used, are subjected in a reactor to a catalytic treatment at a temperature between 0.degree. and 600.degree. C. and then, after passing through a refrigeration arrangement, the resultant atmosphere is prepared for use. As one example the atmosphere is adapted to be used as a protective atmosphere for metallurgical heat-treating furnaces.

Abstract: Storage-stable fertilizer compositions comprising aqueous solutions of zinc nitrate, ammonium nitrate and optionally, urea, in minor amounts, are provided.

Abstract: Plant nutrient compositions comprising various plant nutrients attached to calcined clay are provided as well as methods for their preparation and processes for their use.

Abstract: Aqueous urea solutions particularly suited for foliar fertilization are disclosed. They are characterized by low phytotoxicity, low corrosivity, and improved toxicity stability and comprise urea nitrogen and between about 0.005 and about 0.1 molar equivalents per mole of urea of a pH buffer having a buffering point between about 6 and about 7.6. Also provided are aqueous urea solutions suitable for foliar application containing mineral or organic acids, or both, in the presence or absence of a pH buffer having pH values between about 6 and 7.6. Either solution is foliarly applied at substantially non-toxic rates of at least about 10 pounds of nitrogen per acre.

Abstract: A plant for transforming organic substances, contained in town solid waste, into a fertilizer or compost, characterized by the fact that the plant is substantially composed of a basin which is provided with a supporting plane, of a reel which is provided with a rotary motion about its own axis and of a translation motion along the previously mentioned plane, of charging and discharging means for the material to be treated and for the treated material.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved hood for transfer of coke which prevents binding of the retractable section when it is raised or lowered. The outer surface of the fixed hood section is of circular arc-shape and has at least one track extending therealong. A wheel assembly on the retractable section engages the track so as to guide the retractable section concentrically over the fixed section and prevent binding. Preferably the wheel assembly is outboard of the upper edge of the retractable section. A device is then provided to exert force on the wheel assembly toward the track so as to retain contact between the wheel and track as the retractable section is raised.

Abstract: A carbon black reactor capable of producing carbon black of varying properties is disclosed comprising a longitudinally extending reactor tunnel having combustion, reaction, and quench zones in contiguous axial alignment. First and second venturi flow constrictions are provided in spaced relationship in the reaction zone of the reactor tunnel to create a pressure profile in the reaction zone. The pressure profile produces carbon blacks having certain physical properties. The second venturi constriction may be provided with means for varying the effective area of the second constriction for altering the pressure profile in the reactor tunnel to vary the properties of the produced carbon black. Further, carbon blacks of varying properties are produced for a given pressure profile by varying the point and direction of feedstock oil injection into the reaction zone.

Abstract: A device for collecting emissions rising from a quenching car of a battery of coke ovens which device is displaceable on rails parallel to the battery of coke ovens and a collecting conduit for the emissions of the quenching car. The device includes a withdrawal connection for the emissions which is connectable to desired spots of the collecting conduit. The device also includes a first hood above which there is provided a collector for the emissions which extends in the longitudinal direction of the first hood. At one end of the first hood the collector is provided with a transition or conveying member from the first hood to the collector. This transition or conveying member has associated therewith a pre-adjustable throttle flap.