Abstract: A reactor (12) and method for the conversion of hydrocarbons utilizes a reactor (12) having a unique feed assembly (56) that creates an inwardly spiraling fluid flow pattern of the feed gases to form a swirling gas mixture that passes through a conduit (46) with a constricted neck portion or nozzle (52). At least a portion of the swirling gas mixture forms a thin, annular mixed gas flow layer immediately adjacent to the conduit (46). A portion of the swirling gas mixture is combusted as the swirling gas mixture passes through the conduit (46) for conversion of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A pyrolysis reactor (12) and method for the pyrolysis of hydrocarbon gases (e.g., methane) utilizes a pyrolysis reactor (12) having a unique burner assembly (44) and pyrolysis feed assembly (56) that creates an inwardly spiraling fluid flow pattern of the feed gases to form a swirling gas mixture that passes through a burner conduit (46) with a constricted neck portion or nozzle (52). At least a portion of the swirling gas mixture forms a thin, annular mixed gas flow layer immediately adjacent to the burner conduit (46). A portion of the swirling gas mixture is combusted as the swirling gas mixture passes through the burner conduit (46) and a portion of combustion products circulates in the burner assembly (44). This provides conditions suitable for pyrolysis of hydrocarbons or light alkane gas, such as methane or natural gas.

Abstract: A device for bringing a target medium into contact with a carrier fluid comprises a chamber comprising a circumferential wall, a bottom wall and a top wall forming an enclosure for containing the target medium while contacting the carrier fluid, the chamber being substantially rotationally symmetric with respect to an axis of symmetry and adapted for remaining mechanically static in operation of the device. The device comprises a fluid inlet for injecting the carrier fluid into the chamber in a substantially tangential direction with respect to an inner surface of the circumferential wall, and an outlet. The device comprises a fluid distributor in the chamber for enabling the injected carrier fluid to pass through the distributor in a substantially inward radial direction, the distributor being substantially rotationally symmetric and adapted for rotating around the axis when driven by a transfer of momentum between the injected carrier fluid and the distributor.

Abstract: A reactor (12, 128, 198) and method for the conversion of hydrocarbon gases utilizes a reactor (12, 128, 198) having a unique feed assembly (58, 136, 200) with an original vortex disk-like inlet flow spaces (72, 74, 76, 80, 146, 148, 150, 152, 208, 216, 218), a converging-diverging vortex mixing chamber (116), and a cylindrical reactor chamber (40). This design creates a small combustion zone and an inwardly swirling fluid flow pattern of the feed gases that passes through a converging conduit (48) with a constricted neck portion (54). This provides conditions suitable for efficient cracking of hydrocarbons, such as ethane, to form olefins.

Abstract: A reactor (12, 128, 198) and method for the conversion of hydrocarbon gases utilizes a reactor (12, 128, 198) having a unique feed assembly (58, 136, 200) with an original vortex disk-like inlet flow spaces (72, 74, 76, 80, 146, 148, 150, 152, 208, 216, 218), a converging-diverging vortex mixing chamber (116), and a cylindrical reactor chamber (40). This design creates a small combustion zone and an inwardly swirling fluid flow pattern of the feed gases that passes through a converging conduit (48) with a constricted neck portion (54). This provides conditions suitable for efficient cracking of hydrocarbons, such as ethane, to form olefins.

Abstract: A pyrolysis reactor (12) and method for the pyrolysis of hydrocarbon gases (e.g., methane) utilizes a pyrolysis reactor (12) having a unique burner assembly (44) and pyrolysis feed assembly (56) that creates an inwardly spiraling fluid flow pattern of the feed gases to form a swirling gas mixture that passes through a burner conduit (46) with a constricted neck portion or nozzle (52). At least a portion of the swirling gas mixture forms a thin, annular mixed gas flow layer immediately adjacent to the burner conduit (46). A portion of the swirling gas mixture is combusted as the swirling gas mixture passes through the burner conduit (46) and a portion of combustion products circulates in the burner assembly (44). This provides conditions suitable for pyrolysis of hydrocarbons or light alkane gas, such as methane or natural gas.

Abstract: A pyrolysis reactor (12) and method for the pyrolysis of hydrocarbon gases (e.g., methane) utilizes a pyrolysis reactor (12) having a unique burner assembly (44) and pyrolysis feed assembly (56) that creates an inwardly spiraling fluid flow pattern of the feed gases to form a swirling gas mixture that passes through a burner conduit (46) with a constricted neck portion or nozzle (52). At least a portion of the swirling gas mixture forms a thin, annular mixed gas flow layer immediately adjacent to the burner conduit (46). A portion of the swirling gas mixture is combusted as the swirling gas mixture passes through the burner conduit (46) and a portion of combustion products circulates in the burner assembly (44). This provides conditions suitable for pyrolysis of hydrocarbons or light alkane gas, such as methane or natural gas.

Abstract: A pyrolysis reactor (12) and method for the pyrolysis of hydrocarbon gases (e.g., methane) utilizes a pyrolysis reactor (12) having a unique burner assembly (44) and pyrolysis feed assembly (56) that creates an inwardly spiraling fluid flow pattern of the feed gases to form a swirling gas mixture that passes through a burner conduit (46) with a constricted neck portion or nozzle (52). At least a portion of the swirling gas mixture forms a thin, annular mixed gas flow layer immediately adjacent to the burner conduit (46). A portion of the swirling gas mixture is combusted as the swirling gas mixture passes through the burner conduit (46) and a portion of combustion products circulates in the burner assembly (44). This provides conditions suitable for pyrolysis of hydrocarbons or light alkane gas, such as methane or natural gas.

Abstract: A device for bringing a target medium into contact with a carrier fluid comprises a chamber comprising a circumferential wall, a bottom wall and a top wall forming an enclosure for containing the target medium while contacting the carrier fluid, the chamber being substantially rotationally symmetric with respect to an axis of symmetry and adapted for remaining mechanically static in operation of the device. The device comprises a fluid inlet for injecting the carrier fluid into the chamber in a substantially tangential direction with respect to an inner surface of the circumferential wall, and an outlet. The device comprises a fluid distributor in the chamber for enabling the injected carrier fluid to pass through the distributor in a substantially inward radial direction, the distributor being substantially rotationally symmetric and adapted for rotating around the axis when driven by a transfer of momentum between the injected carrier fluid and the distributor.

Abstract: Sustor2 provides deep cooling of a gas flow, practically total condensation of a vapor, and fast and effective removal of the condensed liquid with a significantly reduced pressure losses compared with the prior art. Sustor2 performs the said operations by developing a strong swirling flow starting from its entrance, followed by spiral flow convergence in the inlet disc-like part, and then in a converging-diverging nozzle, by centrifugal removal of droplets, and removal of the liquid film through slits, then by spiral flow divergence and leaving the vortex chamber through tangential outlet. A gas enters from a pipeline (see the arrow in the A-A cross-section shown in FIG. 7) connected to Sustor2 by a flange and the inlet transition pipe ITP in FIG. 7, spirally converged in the disc-like part, marked by A-A in FIG. 6, enters the converging-diverging nozzle (FIG. 6). The flow is high-speed and swirling even at the near-entrance region of the vortex chamber.

Abstract: Sustor2 provides deep cooling of a gas flow, practically total condensation of a vapor, and fast and effective removal of the condensed liquid with a significantly reduced pressure losses compared with the prior art. Sustor2 performs the said operations by developing a strong swirling flow starting from its entrance, followed by spiral flow convergence in the inlet disc-like part, and then in a converging-diverging nozzle, by centrifugal removal of droplets, and removal of the liquid film through slits, then by spiral flow divergence and leaving the vortex chamber through tangential outlet. A gas enters from a pipeline (see the arrow in the A-A cross-section shown in FIG. 7) connected to Sustor2 by a flange and the inlet transition pipe ITP in FIG. 7, spirally converged in the disc-like part, marked by A-A in FIG. 6, enters the converging-diverging nozzle (FIG. 6). The flow is high-speed and swirling even at the near-entrance region of the vortex chamber.

Abstract: A recuperator for use in transferring heat from gas turbine exhaust gases to compressed air inlet gases before combustion. The recuperator utilizes a plurality of planar or curved layers filled with metal wire mesh and bounded by thin metal sheets to form a heat exchanger having high effectiveness, low weight, and low pressure drop. The use of wire is a unique feature of the recuperator that makes it significantly low-cost compared with the prior art. Accordingly, the recuperator presented herein may be incorporated into a micro- or mini-turbine system for electric power generation or for developing thrust in airborne vehicles, aircraft, and helicopters.

Abstract: A combustion apparatus is described having a generally elongated combustion container with a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, an exhaust end spaced axially forward from the proximal end, a proximal end wall, an exhaust end wall, and an all-around sidewall extending between the end walls and about the longitudinal axis. The end walls and sidewall substantially define a combustion chamber. The apparatus also includes a combustion chamber exhaust positioned on the exhaust end, a fuel-air delivery system positioned to direct fuel into the combustion chamber, and an air inlet located generally tangentially on the sidewall to direct air flow generally tangentially into the chamber and induce swirl about the longitudinal axis.