Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption system includes a pressure vessel, a nozzle plate coupled to the vessel and sealed with respect to the pressure vessel, a backing plate that supports the nozzle plate, and a manifold including a plenum cavity and coupled to the nozzle plate via a neck such that the plenum cavity is in fluid communication with an interior of the pressure vessel. The neck is sealed with respect to the nozzle plate via a movable sealing surface. A method is provided in which pressure from the plenum cavity assists in closing valve coupled to the manifold. A removable insert is provided to the manifold to provide a removable sealing surface against which the valve closes.

Abstract: A method of operating a multistage gas compressor system including providing a plurality of compressor stages connected in series, receiving a gas flow having contaminants within a gas passage, and supplying solvent to the gas passage at or upstream of a compressor in a compressor stage of the plurality of compressor stages to entrap or dissolve the contaminants in the gas flow. The method includes resisting disabling fouling of the compressor in the compressor stage from any contaminants entrapped or dissolved in the solvent, for example, by controlling a discharge temperature of the compressor, and/or using a type of compressor that is not susceptible to being disabled by fouling in at least the first stage. The discharge temperature can be controlled by providing the compressor with a pressure ratio selected to provide a desired discharge temperature.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption system includes a pressure vessel, a nozzle plate coupled to the vessel and sealed with respect to the pressure vessel, a backing plate that supports the nozzle plate, and a manifold including a plenum cavity and coupled to the nozzle plate via a neck such that the plenum cavity is in fluid communication with an interior of the pressure vessel. The neck is sealed with respect to the nozzle plate via a movable sealing surface. A method is provided in which pressure from the plenum cavity assists in closing valve coupled to the manifold. A removable insert is provided to the manifold to provide a removable sealing surface against which the valve closes.

Abstract: A ductwork system including a duct having a plurality of ducting panels joined together to define a flow passage extending therethrough, and the duct having structure for resisting damage thereto caused by a detonation within the duct. The structure for resisting damage can include an internal bracing within and extending across the flow passage of the duct to tie at least two sides of the duct together. For example, the internal bracing can be a reinforcement panel including a mounting frame with one or more elongated members extending from one side of the frame attached to a ducting panel to another side of the frame attached to an opposite ducting panel. Alternatively or in addition to the above structure, the duct can have structure for resisting damage that includes providing the duct with at least one curved or faceted side along an axial length of the duct.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for treating a waste gas stream containing on or more hydrocarbon contaminants such polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The system, method and apparatus may include a heat treatment chamber having a recycling apparatus that includes a supply of a food oil solvent; a mixing device to mix the solvent with the waste gas stream. The system, method and apparatus dissolve the hydrocarbon contaminants from the gas stream into a solvent containing the food oil.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption process including the step of separating a gas mixture by absorbing at least one gas component in an adsorbent mass provided within each vessel of a plurality of vessels. The separating step has a single pressure equalization cycle. The separating step is preferably performed with only four valves per vessel of the plurality of vessels. Additionally, a pressure swing adsorption system of the invention includes a plurality of vessels each containing therein an adsorbent mass configured to separate a gas mixture by absorbing at least one gas component in said adsorbent mass, where the system is configured to separate the gas mixture using a single pressure equalization cycle and includes only four valves per vessel of the plurality of vessels.

Abstract: A recycling apparatus for spent protective atmosphere gas contaminated with fouling organic decomposition byproduct materials. The recycling apparatus includes a compressor having an inlet connected to a spent protective atmosphere gas supply line, and a solvent supply configured to supply solvent to a gas passage at or upstream of the compressor. The recycling apparatus also includes a first chamber connected to an outlet of the compressor, where the first chamber is configured to receive compressed gas from the compressor and to collect a mixture including the solvent and any contaminants entrapped or dissolved in the solvent.

Abstract: A catalyst that can be used for the production of hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuels in steam reforming processes contains an active metal of, e.g., at least one of Ir, Pt and Pd, on a catalyst support of, e.g., at least one of monoclinic zirconia and an alkaline-earth metal hexaaluminate. The catalyst exhibits improved activity, stability in both air and reducing atmospheres, and sulfur tolerance.

Abstract: A recycling apparatus for spent protective atmosphere gas contaminated with fouling organic decomposition byproduct materials. The recycling apparatus includes a compressor having an inlet connected to a spent protective atmosphere gas supply line, and a solvent supply configured to supply solvent to a gas passage at or upstream of the compressor. The recycling apparatus also includes a first chamber connected to an outlet of the compressor, where the first chamber is configured to receive compressed gas from the compressor and to collect a mixture including the solvent and any contaminants entrapped or dissolved in the solvent.

Abstract: A recycling apparatus for spent protective atmosphere gas contaminated with fouling organic decomposition byproduct materials. The recycling apparatus includes a compressor having an inlet connected to a spent protective atmosphere gas supply line, and a solvent supply configured to supply solvent to a gas passage at or upstream of the compressor. The recycling apparatus also includes a first chamber connected to an outlet of the compressor, where the first chamber is configured to receive compressed gas from the compressor and to collect a mixture including the solvent and any contaminants entrapped or dissolved in the solvent.

Abstract: An evaporator including a lower drum, an upper drum, and at least one tube extending between the lower drum and the upper drum. The plurality of tubes have fluid passageways therein extending from the lower drum to the upper drum. A duct is provided having a heating gas passageway provided therein. The at least one tube extends through the heating gas passageway. The fluid passageways define an overall flow path from the lower drum to the upper drum extending in a direction substantially counter-current to an overall flow path defined by the heating gas passageway extending from a gas inlet of the heating gas passageway to a gas outlet thereof.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption (PSA) including a first PSA module having a first manifold, a second manifold, and a plurality of pressure vessels extending between the first manifold and the second manifold. The unit further includes at least one support member attached to one of the manifolds and configured to provide rigidity thereto. The support member is preferably made of a material different from the manifold to which it is attached. The PSA unit can also include a structure for clamping the plurality of pressure vessels between the first manifold and the second manifold without imposing a bending moment to the vessels.

Abstract: A system for recycling vented atmosphere gas discharged from a heat treatment chamber utilizing a protective atmosphere gas therein. The system includes an atmosphere recycling apparatus configured to receive the vented atmosphere gas. The atmosphere recycling apparatus includes a gas separator configured to separate the vented atmosphere gas into a purified atmosphere gas stream and an impure stream. The atmosphere recycling apparatus is configured to feed the purified atmosphere gas stream to the heat treatment chamber. A storage vessel can be provided to receive the purified atmosphere gas stream from the atmosphere recycling apparatus, and configured to supplement an atmosphere gas supply to the heat treatment chamber with the purified atmosphere gas stream.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption system including a plurality of vessels having one or more layers of adsorbent material therein, a feed gas channel, a waste channel, and a product channel. The system also includes at least one parallel channel connected to each of the vessels via a respective conduit with a valve. At least one pressure measuring device i configured to measure a pressure within the parallel channel. And, a controller is provided that is configured to monitor the at least one pressure measured by the at least one pressure measuring device during a PSA cycle performed within the PSA system, in order to determine the performance of the cycle and monitor proper operation of the system.

Abstract: A catalyst that can be used for the production of hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuels in steam reforming processes contains an active metal of, e.g., at least one of Ir, Pt and Pd, on a catalyst support of, e.g., at least one of monoclinic zirconia and an alkaline-earth metal hexaaluminate. The catalyst exhibits improved activity, stability in both air and reducing atmospheres, and sulfur tolerance.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption process including the step of separating a gas mixture by absorbing at least one gas component in an adsorbent mass provided within each vessel of a plurality of vessels. The separating step has a single pressure equalization cycle. The separating step is preferably performed with only four valves per vessel of the plurality of vessels. Additionally, a pressure swing adsorption system of the invention includes a plurality of vessels each containing therein an adsorbent mass configured to separate a gas mixture by absorbing at least one gas component in said adsorbent mass, where the system is configured to separate the gas mixture using a single pressure equalization cycle and includes only four valves per vessel of the plurality of vessels.

Abstract: A reactor air supply system including a first air inlet configured to receive air supplied from a first air supply. The system includes a burner having a burner nozzle configured to discharge fuel for mixing with the first air and configured to ignite the fuel/air mixture. A second air inlet is provided that is configured to receive heated air supplied from a second air supply, and a duct is provided to receive the ignited fuel/air mixture and the heated air supplied from the second air supply. The duct has an outlet configured to connect to a reactor. The duct is configured to receive the heated second air such that the heated second air mixes with the ignited fuel/air mixture at a location downstream of the burner.

Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus including a housing, a first array of fluid conduits provided within the housing, and a second array of fluid conduits provided within the housing. The first and second arrays of fluid conduits are configured to carry a first fluid. The heat exchange apparatus also includes a first fluid passageway provided within the housing, where the first fluid passageway is defined by an internal surface of the housing and by a baffle plate. The first fluid passageway is configured to carry a second fluid. The baffle plate is configured to divide the first fluid passageway into a first flow path and a second flow path, where the first array of fluid conduits extends through the first flow path and the second array of fluid conduits extends through the second flow path.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for treating a waste gas stream containing on or more hydrocarbon contaminants such polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The system, method and apparatus may include a heat treatment chamber having a recycling apparatus that includes a supply of a food oil solvent; a mixing device to mix the solvent with the waste gas stream. The system, method and apparatus dissolve the hydrocarbon contaminants from the gas stream into a solvent containing the food oil.

Abstract: A method of operating a multistage gas compressor system including providing a plurality of compressor stages connected in series, receiving a gas flow having contaminants within a gas passage, and supplying solvent to the gas passage at or upstream of a compressor in a compressor stage of the plurality of compressor stages to entrap or dissolve the contaminants in the gas flow. The method includes resisting disabling fouling of the compressor in the compressor stage from any contaminants entrapped or dissolved in the solvent, for example, by controlling a discharge temperature of the compressor, and/or using a type of compressor that is not susceptible to being disabled by fouling in at least the first stage. The discharge temperature can be controlled by providing the compressor with a pressure ratio selected to provide a desired discharge temperature.