Abstract: An apparatus useful for determining the water dew point temperature of a water, hydrocarbon-containing gaseous material in which the water dew point is lower than the hydrocarbon dew point temperature comprises: an elongated column capable of being filled with liquid in substantial equilibrium with the water, hydrocarbon-containing gaseous material and placed in an environment having a temperature reduced relative to the water dew point of the material; a signal source acting to send signals through the column; a signal receiver acting to receive the signals sent through the column; a control system acting in response to the received signals to control the temperature of the liquid in the column at substantially the water dew point of the water, hydrocarbon-containing gaseous material; and a temperature indicator acting to determine the temperature of the liquid in the column. Improved methods for determining such water dew point temperature are also disclosed.

Abstract: The bubble point pressure, vapor pressure and liquid composition of hydrocarbon liquid flow streams is determined by causing the liquid flow stream to flow through a system having a plurality of eductors at selected various total pressure differentials across the eductors and measuring the pressure at the minimum pressure point or suction port of the eductors to obtain a reading of the vapor pressure. The system may comprise an array of three or more eductors arranged in parallel having flow regulating valves for controlling the flow rate and pressure drop across the eductors, respectively. The system may also comprise one eductor connected to a plurality of flow lines, each having flow control and/or shutoff valves arranged to provide for selective control of the flow rate and the resultant total pressure drop.

Abstract: A system for controlling turning of the trailer of a tractor-trailer unit comprising a cam which is supported on and fixed to the fifth wheel hitch member of the tractor and is engageable with cam followers mounted on a pivotable cam lever secured to the trailer frame. The cam lever includes opposed cam followers engageable with the cam and for actuating opposed traces of a flexible cable which extend along the trailer frame and are secured to a pulley mounted on a pivotable rear axle bogie of the trailer. In response to turning movements of the tractor, the trailer bogie follows a track or path through the turn which is approximately the same path as the tractor. The cam is configured so that on backing the trailer the bogie remains fixed in a non-turning position relative to the trailer frame.

Abstract: A method for restoring the catalytic activity of solid particles using an improved apparatus for separating solid particles from vapor is disclosed. The apparatus includes a novel inlet system, a novel particle outlet system and a chamber having novel dimensional relationships which result in an apparatus that separates solid particles from vapor with less attrition, or "break-up" of particulate matter, while maintaining a high separation efficiency at high loading conditions, e.g., the apparatus maintains a tangential wall velocity of less than about 50 feet per second and separates, from a mixture of solid particles and vapor, more than about 95% of the solid particles that are larger than about 20 microns in diameter while processing more than about 200 cubic feet of the mixture per second.

Abstract: A method for detecting small leaks in a tank storing a liquid by measuring changes in the location of a float suspended in the liquid. The method includes the steps of sealing the float to prevent the condensation of vapors within the float, positioning the float at a preselected depth, modulating an emitted signal by an amount which varies with the changes in the location of the float, and detecting the modulated signal. Changes in the signal are indicative of small changes in the location of the float and small leaks in the tank.

Abstract: A method for detecting small leaks in a tank storing a liquid by measuring changes in the location of a float suspended in the liquid. The method includes the steps of sealing the float to prevent the condensation of vapors within the float, modulating an emitted signal by an amount which varies with the changes in the location of the float, and detecting the modulated signal. Changes in the signal are indicative of small changes in the location of the float and small leaks in the tank.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for separating particulate matter from a contaminated gaseous medium containing the particulate matter, including the steps of passing the contaminated gaseous medium through a swirl-inducing zone to form a swirling-contaminated gaseous medium; introducing the swirling-contaminated gaseous medium into a cyclonic separation zone via an introduction zone to separate at least a portion of the particulate matter from the swirling-contaminated gaseous medium and to form a layer of particulate matter on the inner surface of a wall defining the periphery of the separation zone; deflecting the layer of particulate matter below the introduction zone; removing the gaseous product from the separation zone through an exhaust flow zone disposed radially inward from the swirl-inducing zone; and removing the particulate matter from a lower region of the separation zone.

Abstract: A system for measuring crush properties of a catalyst bed includes a catalyst bed container which includes at least one deformable wall around and adjacent to a catalyst bed. The catalyst bed container is enclosed within a pressure vessel. The pressure vessel is coupled to a pressure gauge and to a pump which acts to introduce measured quantities of an incompressible fluid such as water into the pressure vessel around the catalyst container. A pressure gauge is provided for measuring the pressure of the fluid within the pressure vessel. Two conduits extend from spaced positions within the catalyst vessel to the exterior of the pressure vessel, in order to create an air flow across a portion of the catalyst bed. Two spaced pressure taps also extend from locations within the catalyst vessel outside of the pressure vessel, and are coupled to a pressure sensor such as a manometer, for measuring the differential pressure between these two pressure taps.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating solid particles from vapor is disclosed. The apparatus includes a novel inlet system, a novel particle outlet system and a chamber having novel dimensional relationships which result in an apparatus that separates solid particles from vapor with less attrition, or "break-up" of particulate matter, while maintaining a high separation efficiency at high loading conditions, e.g., the apparatus maintains a tangential wall velocity of less than about 50 feet per second and separates, from a mixture of solid particles and vapor, more than about 95% of the solid particles that are larger than about 20 microns in diameter while processing more than about 200 cubic feet of the mixture per second.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting small changes in the location of a float, has, in combination, a signal generator for emitting a signal having a characteristic, a detector for detecting a modulated signal by producing a response signal directly related to the characteristic, a support for positioning the signal generator and the detector, and a float weighted to float at a desired depth in a selected liquid. Also included are a reservoir for holding a measuring medium, a plug for preventing condensation of vapors within the float, with the float movably connectable to the support, and the detector and the signal generator fixedly connectable to the support so that the signal when emitted by the signal generator will have the characteristic of the signal modulated by the measuring medium by an amount which varies with changes in location of the float to produce a modulated signal.

Abstract: A method for measuring changes in the amount of solids or liquids entrained in vapor in a container includes introducing a first vapor purge stream into a first sensor, introducing a second vapor purge stream into a second sensor located at a different level from the first sensor, and measuring the relative pressure between the sensors as indicative of changes in the amount of entrained solids or liquids.

Abstract: A method for determining the specific gravity of a liquid includes introducing a purge stream of a reference liquid into a column and introducing a first vapor purge stream into a first sensor located below the level of the reference liquid. Then a second vapor purge stream is introduced into a second sensor located below the level of the reference liquid sensor and a measurement of the difference in pressure between the two sensors is indicative of the specific gravity of the liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for measuring and/or continuously recording small pressure differences by means of a novel manometer-like device. Accuracies of plus or minus about 0.05 dynes/square centimeter are achieved by means of a disclosed device which can measure, record, and self-calibrate.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for separating solid particles from vapor is disclosed which in one embodiment employs at least one zone defined by at least two generally vertical and at least two generally horizontal vanes and in another embodiment optionally employs at least one vane to inhibit turbulence in a lower portion of this apparatus to aid the settling of particles within a particle outlet means.This apparatus is particularly suited to at least partially separating solid particles from a mixture of vapors and solid particles which arise either when restoring the catalytic activity of solid particles that had previously been used to promote a chemical conversion or when carrying out a chemical conversion, such as for example hydrocarbon cracking or reforming.Improved methods employing such apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for measuring the density of a vapor includes continuously introducing the vapor into the inlet of a vertical zone at a rate sufficient to maintain the zone completely filled with the vapor, and measuring the pressure at the lower portion of the zone relative to a reference pressure.

Abstract: A process for reducing the sulfur and ash content of coal wherein coal particles are treated in an aqueous slurry with a minor amount of hydrocarbon oil to form coal-oil aggregates. The coal-oil aggregates are separated from ash and mineral matter in the slurry by dissolved gas flotation. Optionally, the coal particles may be treated with a conditioning agent prior to the aggregation step. Recovered coal particles comprise a substantial part of the feed carbon values.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating solid particles from vapor which in one embodiment employs at least one zone defined by at least two generally vertical and at least two generally horizontal vanes and in another embodiment optionally employs at least one vane to inhibit turbulence in a lower portion of this apparatus to aid the settling of particles within a particle outlet means.This apparatus is particularly suited to at least partially separating solid particles from a mixture of vapors and solid particles which arise either when restoring the catalytic activity of solid particles that had previously been used to promote a chemical conversion or when carrying out a chemical conversion, such as for example hydrocarbon cracking or reforming.Improved methods employing such apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved method for hydrocarbon conversion wherein a hydrocarbon feedstock is contacted with solid particles capable of promoting said hydrocarbon conversion at hydrocarbon conversion conditions to form at least one hydrocarbon conversion product in a mixture of solid particles and vapor, the improvement which comprises at least partially separating said solid particles from said vapor by means of an apparatus having one or more improvements, all of which lessen particle attrition.

Abstract: An improved method for restoring catalytic activity of solid particles used to promote hydrocarbon conversion when the particles are contacted with oxygen-containing vapors to form a mixture therewith and then partially separated therefrom by means of an apparatus having one or more improvements, all of which lessen the amount particle attrition that otherwise occurs from the use of prior art devices for separating particles from a mixture of such particles and vapors.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for determining the time rate of attrition of a mass of solid particles comprising a chamber; inlet and outlet providing for entrance and exit, respectively, to the chamber; a conduit providing communication between the inlet and outlet; an impeller located in the chamber to urge solid particles from the inlet in the general direction of the sidewall of the chamber; and a motor to provide rotation of the impeller.Improved simulation of solid particle attrition in commercial cyclone separators is obtained.