Abstract: A method is described for controlling a furnace containing a plurality of catalyst-containing tubes heated by a combustion gas generated by a plurality of burners, said method comprising the steps of: (i) measuring path-averaged combustion gas temperatures on multiple paths through the furnace using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy, (ii) periodically measuring temperatures of surfaces within the furnace to obtain periodic surface temperature information, (iii) entering the path-averaged combustion gas temperatures and periodic surface temperature information into a computer model of the furnace, said model comprising parameters for controlling the furnace; and (iv) using the computer model and the temperature information to obtain optimised parameters for controlling the furnace. A system for performing the method is also described.

Abstract: A method of recording images within a furnace using a thermal imaging camera comprising a bore scope connected to a digital camera unit is described, comprising the steps of: (a) inserting the borescope into the interior of the furnace, (b) collecting one of more images of the interior of the furnace using the thermal imaging camera with the borescope at a first position, and (c) moving the borescope from the first position to a second position and collecting one or more images of the interior of the furnace as the borescope is moved from the first position to the second position, wherein the borescope movement is guided by means of a guide device comprising a movable borescope mounting, mounted externally on the furnace.

Abstract: A method of recording images within a furnace using a thermal imaging camera comprising a bore scope connected to a digital camera unit is described, comprising the steps of: (a) inserting the borescope into the interior of the furnace, (b) collecting one of more images of the interior of the furnace using the thermal imaging camera with the borescope at a first position, and (c) moving the borescope from the first position to a second position and collecting one or more images of the interior of the furnace as the borescope is moved from the first position to the second position, wherein the borescope movement is guided by means of a guide device comprising a movable borescope mounting, mounted externally on the furnace.

Abstract: A method is described for controlling a furnace containing a plurality of catalyst-containing tubes heated by a combustion gas generated by a plurality of burners, said method comprising the steps of: (i) measuring path-averaged combustion gas temperatures on multiple paths through the furnace using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy, (ii) periodically measuring temperatures of surfaces within the furnace to obtain periodic surface temperature information, (iii) entering the path-averaged combustion gas temperatures and periodic surface temperature information into a computer model of the furnace, said model comprising parameters for controlling the furnace; and (iv) using the computer model and the temperature information to obtain optimised parameters for controlling the furnace. A system for performing the method is also described.

Abstract: A process is described for increasing the hydrogen content of a synthesis gas mixture comprising hydrogen, carbon oxides and steam, comprising the steps of: passing the synthesis gas mixture at an inlet temperature in the range 170-500° C. over a water-gas shift catalyst to form a hydrogen-enriched shifted gas mixture, wherein the water-gas shift catalyst is in the form of a cylindrical pellet having a length C and diameter D, wherein the surface of the cylindrical pellet has two or more flutes running along its length, said cylinder having no through-holes and domed ends of lengths A and B such that (A+B+C)/D is in the range 0.25 to 0.25, and (A+B)/C is in the range 0.03 to 0.30.

Abstract: A sintered pelletized catalyst precursor comprising iron oxides, including haematite, and Cr2O3 and optionally one or more of Al2O3, ZnO, MnO2, MgO, and/or CuO, the pelletized catalyst precursor having an iron oxide content of 60 wt % to 95 wt %, when expressed as Fe2O3, and a Cr(VI) content of less than 0.1 wt %, is physically stable on ignition or when subjected to a reducing gas sufficient to reduce the haematite to magnetite.

Abstract: A catalyst precursor, suitable for use after reduction as a water-gas shift catalyst, is described, which is in the form of a pellet comprising one or more oxides of iron, wherein the catalyst precursor has a pore volume 0.30 cm3/g and an average pore size in the range 60 to 140 nm The precursor may be prepared by calcination of precipitated iron compounds at temperatures in the range 400-700° C.

Abstract: A process is described for removing halogen compounds, particularly chlorine compounds, from a process fluid, comprising the steps of (i) passing a process fluid containing hydrogen halide over a first sorbent to remove hydrogen halide and generate a hydrogen halide depleted process fluid and then, (ii) passing the hydrogen halide depleted process fluid over a second different sorbent to remove organic halide compounds therefrom. A purification system suitable for removing hydrogen halide and organic halide compounds from process fluids is also described.

Abstract: A process for removing halogen compounds, particularly chlorine compounds, from a process fluid, includes the steps of (i) passing a process fluid containing hydrogen halide over a first sorbent to remove hydrogen halide and generate a hydrogen halide depleted process fluid and then, (ii) passing the hydrogen halide depleted process fluid over a second different sorbent to remove organic halide compounds therefrom. A purification system suitable for removing hydrogen halide and organic halide compounds from process fluids is also described.

Abstract: A process is described for removing halogen compounds, particularly chlorine compounds, from a process fluid, comprising the steps of (i) passing a process fluid containing hydrogen halide over a first sorbent to remove hydrogen halide and generate a hydrogen halide depleted process fluid and then, (ii) passing the hydrogen halide depleted process fluid over a second different sorbent to remove organic halide compounds therefrom. A purification system suitable for removing hydrogen halide and organic halide compounds from process fluids is also described.

Abstract: A process is described for increasing the hydrogen content of a synthesis gas mixture comprising hydrogen, carbon oxides and steam, comprising the steps of: passing the synthesis gas mixture at an inlet temperature in the range 170-500° C. over a water-gas shift catalyst to form a hydrogen-enriched shifted gas mixture, wherein the water-gas shift catalyst is in the form of a cylindrical pellet having a length C and diameter D, wherein the surface of the cylindrical pellet has two or more flutes running along its length, said cylinder having no through-holes and domed ends of lengths A and B such that (A+B+C)/D is in the range 0.25 to 0.25, and (A+B)/C is in the range 0.03 to 0.30.

Abstract: A catalyst precursor, suitable for use after reduction as a water-gas shift catalyst, is described, which is in the form of a pellet comprising one or more oxides of iron, wherein the catalyst precursor has a pore volume 0.30 cm3/g and an average pore size in the range 60 to 140 nm The precursor may be prepared by calcination of precipitated iron compounds at temperatures in the range 400-700° C.

Abstract: A method for preparing a sorbent composition includes the steps of: applying, from a solution or a slurry, a layer of a copper compound on the surface of a support material, and drying the coated support material, wherein the thickness of the copper compound layer on the dried support is in the range 1-200 ?m. The precursor may be converted to a sorbent suitable for removing heavy metals from liquids or gases by applying one or more sulphur compounds to sulphide the copper compound and form CuS.

Abstract: A method for producing a sulphided copper sorbent includes the steps of: (i) contacting a sorbent precursor material containing one or more sulphidable copper compounds, with a sulphiding gas stream including hydrogen sulphide to form a sulphided sulphur-containing sorbent material, and (ii) subjecting the sulphided sulphur-containing sorbent material to a heating step in which it is heated to a temperature above that used in the sulphiding step and ?110° C., under an inert gas selected from nitrogen, argon, helium, carbon dioxide, methane, and mixtures thereof, the inert gas optionally including hydrogen sulphide. The method provides sulphided copper sorbents that have reduced levels of elemental sulphur.

Abstract: A method for preparing a sorbent composition includes the steps of: applying, from a solution or a slurry, a layer of a copper compound on the surface of a support material, and drying the coated support material, wherein the thickness of the copper compound layer on the dried support is in the range 1-200 ?m. The precursor may be converted to a sorbent suitable for removing heavy metals from liquids or gases by applying one or more sulphur compounds to sulphide the copper compound and form CuS.

Abstract: A method for preparing a sorbent composition includes the steps of: (i) applying, from a solution or a slurry, a layer of a copper compound on the surface of a support material, and (ii) drying the coated support material, wherein the thickness of the copper compound layer on the dried support is in the range 1-200 ?m. The precursor may be converted to a sorbent suitable for removing heavy metals from liquids or gases by applying one or more sulphur compounds to sulphide the copper compound and form CuS.

Abstract: A method for producing a sulphided copper sorbent includes the steps of: (i) contacting a sorbent precursor material containing one or more sulphidable copper compounds, with a sulphiding gas stream including hydrogen sulphide to form a sulphided sulphur-containing sorbent material, and (ii) subjecting the sulphided sulphur-containing sorbent material to a heating step in which it is heated to a temperature above that used in the sulphiding step and ?110° C., under an inert gas selected from nitrogen, argon, helium, carbon dioxide, methane, and mixtures thereof, the inert gas optionally including hydrogen sulphide. The method provides sulphided copper sorbents that have reduced levels of elemental sulphur.

Abstract: A sorbent, suitable for removing heavy metals, particularly mercury, from fluid streams containing a reductant such as hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide, is in the form of a shaped unit containing ?0.1% by weight in total of heavy metal selected from mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium and antimony, and 4-75% by weight of copper in the form of one or more reduced copper sulphides which have a sulphur to copper atomic ratio of ?0.6:1.

Abstract: A process for removing halogen compounds, particularly chlorine compounds, from a process fluid, includes the steps of (i) passing a process fluid containing hydrogen halide over a first sorbent to remove hydrogen halide and generate a hydrogen halide depleted process fluid and then, (ii) passing the hydrogen halide depleted process fluid over a second different sorbent to remove organic halide compounds therefrom. A purification system suitable for removing hydrogen halide and organic halide compounds from process fluids is also described.

Abstract: An adsorbent suitable for heavy metal adsorption is described, comprising a thiol functionalized support wherein the adsorbent has a BET surface area in the range 200-500 m2/g, a pore diameter in the range 70-150 Angstroms and a pore volume ?0.25 cm3/g. The adsorbent may be used to remove heavy metals e.g. mercury and/or arsenic, from wastewater streams such as produced water or flue gas scrubber waters.