Abstract: Apparatus for preparing maleic anhydride by heterogeneously catalyzed gas-phase oxidation of a stream containing hydrocarbons having at least 4 carbon atoms per molecule, which includes a reactor with reaction tubes into which a solid-state catalyst over which the exothermic reaction of the stream with an oxygen-comprising gas stream takes place is introduced and one or more pumps and heat exchangers located outside the reactor and through which a heat transfer medium formed by a salt melt flows through the intermediate space in the reactor between the reaction tubes and takes up the heat of reaction, with the temperature of the melt being in the range from 350 to 480° C. The reaction tubes are made of a heat-resistant alloy steel which includes at least 0.5% by weight of chromium or at least 0.25% by weight of molybdenum or both.

Abstract: Method to obtain methylene malonate and related monomers following a bis(hydroxymethyl) malonate pathway. A bis(hydroxymethyl) malonate intermediary is subsequently reacted (i.e., subjected to thermolysis) to provide a methylene malonate monomer species. A source of formaldehyde (e.g., formalin) is provided in the presence of a basic catalyst (e.g., calcium hydroxide), to which a malonate (e.g., diethyl malonate) is added under suitable reaction conditions to obtain the desired intermediary (e.g., dialkyl bis(hydroxymethyl) malonate). The intermediary is reacted (i.e., subjected to thermolysis) under suitable conditions in the presence of a suitable catalyst (e.g., a zeolite) to obtain a methylene malonate monomer. In an exemplary embodiment, the thermolysis reaction includes the addition of the bis(hydroxymethyl) malonate intermediary onto a heated catalyst. The reaction product is collected and purified. The disclosed methods may be performed in a continuous operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for reducing and/or harvesting drag energy from transport vehicles. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a mobile transport platform, a donor substance source carried by the platform, and a thermochemical reactor carried by the platform and coupled to the donor substance. The reactor is configured to carry out a non-combustion dissociation process that dissociates the donor substance into a first constituent and a second constituent. An energy extraction system carried by the transport platform and positioned to extract energy from an airstream passing the transport platform is coupled to the reactor to provide energy for the dissociation process.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fabricating bodies (e.g., porous bodies) are described. Various aspects provide for reactors and the fabrication of reactors. Some reactors include surfaces that provide for heterogeneous reactions involving a fluid (and/or components thereof). A fluid may be a gas and/or a liquid. A contaminant in the fluid (e.g., a dissolved or suspended substance) may react in a reaction. A contaminant may be filtered from a fluid. Some reactors provide for independent control of heat transfer (between the fluid, the reactor, and the environment) with respect to mass transfer (e.g., fluid flow through the reactor).

Abstract: A reactor capable of near absolute catalytic conversion of at least one alternative compound containing a specified moiety into a select compound containing the specific moiety, and an analytical instrument employing the reactor. The reactor including a catalytic element configured and arranged for fluid contact with a test fluid and a reactant, with at least 90% of the surface area of the catalytic element located within a thermal target zone in the reaction chamber of the reactor.

Abstract: A closure (40) includes a body (42) with a threaded portion (44) for engaging the closure with a container. Inwards of portion (44) is a liner (46) comprising a hydrogen generating device, wherein the liner includes one layer (48) which incorporates a hydride dispersed in a polymeric matrix and, on opposite sides of layer (48) are arranged PET layers (50, 52). Layer (50) acts as a control layer to control the rate of passage of water vapour from the beverage in the container to the hydride containing layer (48) and thereby control generation of hydrogen by the hydrogen generating device. In use, water vapour passes through layer (50) and contacts the hydride associated with layer (48) which results in production of molecular hydrogen which combines with oxygen. Thereafter, a reaction between the hydrogen and oxygen takes place, catalysed by a catalyst associated with the container thereby to scavenge the oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an axial radial catalytic reactor with a shell (as gas tight seal to maintain process gas flows within it) and a feed tube (passing from a source of process gas flow through the shell and into it do deliver feed gas to one or more levels of two annularly sequential catalyst beds), where one end of the feed tube is used as an inlet for feeding reaction mass. In one embodiment of the invention, an interior end of the feed tube is sealed.

Abstract: Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) is produced by apparatus and methods wherein a ClO2 gas produced in the apparatus is quickly introduced into a fluid stream to be treated with said gas. To this end, the apparatus has an interior chemical reaction chamber which houses an internal fluid flow tube having a fluid impervious upper section and a porous lower section that respectively define two zones within the interior chemical reaction chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for synthesizing nitroalkanes by reaction of a hydrocarbon feedstock with aqueous nitric acid. The apparatus may be designed such that it can synthesize more than one nitroalkane using the same equipment.

Abstract: A system for converting animal waste into fuel, oil and other useful products is presented and includes a confinement building, a waste storage facility or lagoon for holding animal waste, a solids separating system for separating solids from liquids, a mixing and macerating unit for mixing the proper combination of fluids and solids and for managing the particle size, a pumping unit for pressurizing the system, a first heat exchanger unit, a reactor vessel, a second heat exchanger unit, an oil and water separating unit and an oil storage facility. The reactor vessel includes at least one auger blade that extend around a centrally positioned column that conducts heat into the reactor vessel. The animal waste is pumped through the reactor vessel as heated is applied. The heat and pressure converts the animal waste to oil and water which is later separated.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing silane that use electrolysis to regenerate reactive components therein are disclosed. The methods and systems may be substantially closed-loop with respect to halogen, an alkali or alkaline earth metal and/or hydrogen.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides biorefining systems for co-producing activated carbon along with primary products. A host plant converts a feedstock comprising biomass into primary products and carbon-containing co-products; a modular reactor system pyrolyzes and activates the co-products, to generate activated carbon and pyrolysis off-gas; and an oxidation unit oxidizes the pyrolysis off-gas, generating CO2, H2O, and energy. The energy is recycled and utilized in the host plant, and the CO2 and H2O may be recycled to the reactor system as an activation agent. The host plant may be a saw mill, a pulp and paper plant, a corn wet or dry mill, a sugar production facility, or a food or beverage plant, for example. In some embodiments, the activated carbon is utilized at the host plant to purify one or more primary products, to purify water, to treat a liquid waste stream, and/or to treat a vapor waste stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a fluid with a body are disclosed. Various aspects involve treating a fluid with a porous body. In select embodiments, a body comprises ash particles, and the ash particles used to form the body may be selected based on their providing one or more desired properties for a given treatment. Various bodies provide for the reaction and/or removal of a substance in a fluid, often using a porous body comprised of ash particles. Computer-operable methods for matching a source material to an application are disclosed. Certain aspects feature a porous body comprised of ash particles, the ash particles have a particle size distribution and interparticle connectivity that creates a plurality of pores having a pore size distribution and pore connectivity, and the pore size distribution and pore connectivity are such that a first fluid may substantially penetrate the pores.

Abstract: A storage to store a dispersion liquid in which particles including a resin are dispersed in a solvent is provided. The storage includes a storage tank to store the dispersion liquid, which is arranged on a passage leading from a dispersion liquid producing device to produce the dispersion liquid to a solvent removing device to remove the solvent from the dispersion liquid; and a pressure adjuster to adjust the pressure of the dispersion liquid in the storage tank to a pressure between the pressure of the dispersion liquid in the dispersion liquid producing device and the pressure of the dispersion liquid in the solvent removing device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for producing hydrogen and capturing CO2 from emissions combine both H2 production and CO2 capture processes in forms of thermochemical cycles to produce useful products from captured CO2. The thermochemical cycles are copper-chlorine (Cu—Cl) and magnesium-chlorine-sodium/potassium cycles (Mg—Cl—Na/K—CO2). One system comprises a Cu—Cl cycle, a CO2 capture loop, and a hydrogenation cycle. Another system comprises an Mg—Cl—Na/K—CO2 cycle and a hydrogenation cycle. Devices for hydrogen production, CO2 capture, hydrogenation, and process and equipment integration include a two-stage fluidized/packed bed, hybrid two-stage spray-fluidized/packed bed reactor, a two-stage wet-mode absorber, a hybrid two-stage absorber, and a catalyst packed/fluidized bed reactor.

Abstract: Integrated Combustion Reactors (ICRs) and methods of making ICRs are described in which combustion chambers (or channels) are in direct thermal contact to reaction chambers for an endothermic reaction. Superior results were achieved for combustion chambers which contained a gap for free flow through the chamber. Particular reactor designs are also described. Processes of conducting reactions in integrated combustion reactors are described and results presented. Some of these processes are characterized by unexpected and superior results.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for preparing specific sized particles, the system comprising a continuous stir tank reactor adapted to receive reactants; a centrifugal dispenser positioned downstream from the reactor and in fluid communication with the reactor; a particle separator positioned downstream of the dispenser; and a solution stream return conduit positioned between the separator and the reactor. Also provided is a method for preparing specific sized particles, the method comprising introducing reagent into a continuous stir reaction tank and allowing the reagents to react to produce product liquor containing particles; contacting the liquor particles with a centrifugal force for a time sufficient to generate particles of a predetermined size and morphology; and returning unused reagents and particles of a non-predetermined size to the tank.

Abstract: The temperature control system is provided with a lower heat removing unit which is disposed at the bottom of a reactor inside which an exothermic reaction takes place and through which a liquid coolant is flowed, and an upper heat removing unit which is disposed in the reactor further above from the lower heat removing unit and through which the liquid coolant is flowed, recovering reaction heat inside the reactor and controlling a temperature inside the reactor. The lower heat removing unit is supplied with the liquid coolant which is adjusted for temperature by a first temperature adjustment unit, and the upper heat removing unit is supplied with the liquid coolant which is adjusted for temperature by a second temperature adjustment unit different from the first temperature adjustment unit.

Abstract: The hydrocarbon synthesis reaction apparatus is provided with a synthesis gas supply line in which a synthesis gas is compressed and supplied by a first compressor, a reactor configured to accommodate a catalyst slurry, a gas-liquid separator configured to separate an unreacted synthesis gas and hydrocarbons discharged from the reactor into a gas and a liquid, a first recycle line in which the unreacted synthesis gas after separation into a gas and a liquid is compressed and recycled into the reactor by a second compressor, and a second recycle line configured to recycle a residual unreacted synthesis gas after separation into a gas and a liquid into the inlet side of the first compressor at the time of start-up operation when the synthesis gas is gradually increased in the amount to be introduced.

Abstract: A novel catalytic reactor is provided for controlling the contact of a limiting reactant with a catalyst surface. A first flow vessel defines an interior surface and an exterior surface, and the interior surface has a catalyst deposited on at least a portion thereof. A second flow vessel is positioned within the first flow vessel and the second flow vessel defines a porous surface designed to deliver a fluid uniformly to at least a portion of the interior surface of the first flow vessel.