Abstract: An absorber tower maintenance isolation system for isolating an absorber tower while maintaining a steam generation plant in operation. An inlet blank-off plate and outlet blank-off plate cooperate with louver dampers in the inlet and outlet ducts to permit shut down or start up of an absorber tower. Closure devices and locking devices act to keep the blank-off plates in position. Equalization devices and duct vent holes allow release to the atmosphere. Further, access is provided to the absorber tower inlet and outlet ducts.

Abstract: Water vapor released by evaporation in a cooling tower, is conducted through an enclosure to the upper inlet end of a vertical conduit extending into the body of water stored in the cooling tower. The water vapor downflowing through the vertical conduit under vacuum conditions is condensed by cooling sprays of water drawn by pumps from the bottom of the cooling tower.

Abstract: An absorber tower maintenance isolation system for isolating an absorber tower while maintaining a steam generation plant in operation. An inlet blank-off plate and outlet blank-off plate cooperate with louver dampers in the inlet and outlet ducts to permit shut down or start up of an absorber tower. Closure devices and locking devices act to keep the blank-off plates in position. Equalization devices and duct vent holes allow release to the atmosphere. Further, access is provided to the absorber tower inlet and outlet ducts.

Abstract: A liquid cooling apparatus having a multi-level terraced structure capped by a central cooling tower. The central cooling tower has one or more non-clogging liquid spray nozzles mounted therein for spraying the liquid in the tower while compressed air is fed into the bottom of the tower into the sprayed liquid. The liquid collects on the terraced structure which has a plurality of channels formed therein having baffles mounted to break up the flow of water as it passes over each level of the terraced structure. Flow paths on the terraced structure may also have rocks placed along the channels between the baffling members.

Abstract: A cooling tower comprising at its lower portion, beneath an exchange surface, a catch basin receiving the cooled water and having an aperture formed therein, a vertical-axis fan mounted in the aperture being adapted to draw air from beneath the basin and force it upwards through the tower, a conventional water streaming mechanism being provided at the upper portion of the tower.

Abstract: A venturi-type rod scrubber for effecting the cleaning of the flue gas produced as a by-product of the combustion process that occurs during the course of the operation of fossil fuel firing steam generators, before the flue gas flows up the exhaust stack and is released to the atmosphere. The subject scrubber includes inlet means through which the flue gas enters the scrubber. A first spray system is suitably mounted in juxtaposed relation to the inlet means so as to be operative to introduce liquid into the stream of flue gas entering the scrubber through the inlet means. In alignment with but in spaced relation to the inlet means, the scrubber is provided with a throat region, i.e., a region of restricted cross-section. A plurality of spaced rows of parallel rods are suitably mounted within the throat region so as to extend substantially perpendicular to the path of flow of the flue gas flowing therethrough.

Abstract: A particle-containing air stream is passed downwardly through an orifice into a housing and toward an upwardly facing target area in the housing while directing a flow of liquid upwardly through said target area and thence outwardly in generally horizontal paths extending in opposite directions along said area and along extensions of said area, whereby particles from the air stream are entrained in the liquid flows in said opposite directions. Particle-laden liquid is discharged through bottom outlets of the chamber at the outer ends of said horizontal liquid paths, while passing divided streams with remaining particles upwardly from the respective horizontal liquid paths and into respective chambers where particles are separated by a cyclonic action from the air streams before they discharge from the chambers.

Abstract: An improved polymerization reactor apparatus having a vertically disposed outer shell, a liquid polymer inlet at the top of the shell and a liquid polymer outlet at the bottom of the shell, and a series of downwardly sloping trays for conducting a flow of the liquid polymer in a descending path from the inlet to the outlet; the series of trays being encompassed within a series of essentially rectangular pan assemblies supportedly spaced inwardly from the outer shell and by which pan assemblies the liquid polymer flow is divided into two separated flows of uniform flow cross-section, with vapor from the liquid polymer escaping along paths separated from interference with the liquid polymer flow paths from the open top of each pan assembly and through "windows" or openings in two of the opposite end walls of the pan assembly to the outer shell of the reactor apparatus.

Abstract: A liquid cooling tower has a series of vertically spaced rows of unitary louver panels for controlling air flow into the tower and for preventing escape of liquid falling through the tower. The panels are non-planar, and they are shaped so as to increase their stiffness for withstanding wind and ice loads.

Abstract: Cooling tower having an outer peripheral wall provided with blowers spaced about the periphery thereof at a lower region thereof, the blowers being formed with annular inlet openings for cooling air, the cooling tower further including means defining closable openings disposed between the annular inlet openings.

Abstract: An air-cooled tower for cooling of fluid wherein a vortex is established within a vertically standing cylinder.Air entering through the upper portion of the cylinder is directed tangentially and downwardly, establishing a downwardly flowing vortex which is reversed at the bottom forming a smaller diameter intense upwardly flowing vortex. Additional air is induced through the center of the cylinder at the bottom. Heat exchange between the fluid to be cooled and the air is through indirect heat exchange surface or direct injection of the fluid. Evaporative cooling is accelerated due to the turbulent conditions, and the centrifugal action reduces the water carryover in the airstream exiting from the top of the cylinder. A turbine-fan combination centrally located at the bottom of the cylinder permits supplementing the airflow under low-wind conditions and extracting energy from the induced airflow under high wind conditions.

Abstract: Air moving mechanism is provided for equipment such as direct or indirect heat exchange cooling towers. Conventional cross-sectionally elliptical eased inlet structure leading to a fan opening or cylinder surrounding a rotary fan air mover is replaced by a much simpler, less costly, apertured airflow modifying baffle member which functions to define an invisible eased inlet for the fan. The specially shaped aperture in the baffle member is configured and arranged relative to the fan cylinder inlet to cause air removed from the tower casing and directed toward the fan to follow a transition path between the baffle member and fan opening or cylinder which generally conforms to and substantially fills the opening or cylinder inlet around the entire circumference thereof.

Abstract: Supporting structure for a large natural draft cooling tower consisting of a central tower support in the form of a hollow column of reinforced concrete and hyperboloid-shaped cooling tower mantle supported by the central tower support with the aid of cables and tie rings at the top and bottom of the cooling tower mantle. The upper tie ring is suspended from the top of the central tower support by means of a series of inclined supporting cables and the lower tie ring is connected to the upper tie ring by means of two sets of oppositely diagonally inclined mantle supporting cables, under a downwardly directed preload, forming a hyperboloid-shaped cable grid. To this grid are attached the section panels of the cooling tower mantle. The cable preload is provided by means of holding cables extending between the lower tie ring and a series of ground anchors, or by means of the diagonally inclined cables themselves which may be attached to the ground anchors.

Abstract: A hinged tray, preferably for use in fractionation towers, capable of relieving small but sudden pressure surges caused by the flashing of relatively small amounts of water remaining in the tower feed or in the stripping steam. By hinging the trays distortion and upset normally caused by the flashing which could cause damage to the trays is substantially eliminated, as well as costly shutdown of the towers for tray repair. The hinged portion of the tray is stiffened by means of a frame and a counterweight can be provided to eliminate tray vibration during normal operation.

Abstract: Gas-liquid contacting system featuring, in an SO.sub.2 scrubbing embodiment, reduced liquid entrainment which, in various aspects, eliminates the need for liquid recirculation, and permits spray regime operation increasing the ratio of SO.sub.2 absorption to sulfite oxidation. In various embodiments the entrainment is reduced by closely spaced vertical baffles above the tray, or a perforated plate or porous mesh beneath the tray.

Abstract: When a crossflow water cooling tower is operated, noise made by an air circulating device and water falling down inside the tower is propagated outside. In the conventional cooling towers, however, the main source of the noise, namely the noise of the falling water was very incompletely insulated. The air entering space provided according to this invention and defined by at least a pair of inclined walls and a pair of parallel side walls is in an upward-widening structure whereby the noise produced inside the tower by the flowing and falling water is dissipated upward so as to significantly reduce the noise propagated to the surrounding area.

Abstract: A tornado protected cooling tower. The tower includes a plurality of enclosed cooling cells arranged about the periphery of an open cooling basin. Each of the cells includes a cool air inlet along the side thereof opposite the open cooling basin and a warm air outlet along the side thereof adjacent the open cooling basin. A plurality of fans are mounted within each of the cells along the side thereof adjacent the open cooling basin in direct communication with the warm air outlet. Each of the cells further includes an inner wall having an apron portion extending downwardly below the lowest component of the fans. Water distribution means is provided for carrying water upwardly from the open cooling basin into each of the cells for discharge in uniformly dispersed fashion within the cell. Each of the cells includes a perforate fill material supported by fill support means below the water distribution means and above the cool air inlet.

Abstract: Vapor-liquid contacting in apparatus of the cross-flow type featuring, in various aspects, baffles extending generally in the direction of liquid flow across the tray to reduce the amplitude of small wavelength vertical liquid oscillations, increased column throughput, reduced column stage height, reduced liquid flow rate, a flow resistance at the underside of the tray to reduce pressure coupling between the underside of the tray and the main volume of vapor beneath the tray, liquid de-entrainment with an impingement type separator mounted above the tray, vapor de-entrainment with a special porous separator, an improved froth initiator, and special baffle constructions.

Abstract: A cylindrical counterflow, multi-fan cooling tower is disclosed having a cylindrical cold water basin and a cylindrical shell spaced above the basin. A deck is supported above the shell and a plenum chamber is defined within the shell between the deck and fill system. Water from a distribution system in the plenum chamber above the fill distributes water which flows down over the fill in counterflow relation to the air drawn up through the fill. Fans on the deck draw air through the space between the cold water basin and the shell through the fill system and plenum chamber and discharge it in the form of a high rising column of hot, moist air.

Abstract: A cooling tower for condensing water has a hyperbolical main wall with an per portion which defines a passage for ascending vapor-laden air. The upper portion contains an annular insert serving to intercept currents of cool air which develop and tend to flow into the interior of the intermediate portion of the main wall at low wind velocities and/or to intercept turbulent air which develops and tends to flow into the intermediate portion when the wind velocity at the top of the tower is high. The insert may constitute a sheltered passageway for workmen and may be made integral with the upper portion of the main wall. The width of the annular space which is defined by the insert and upper portion of the main wall may be a whole multiple of the depth of such space, and the cross-sectional area of this space can approach one-half the cross-sectional area of the passage through which cooling air escapes from the tower by flowing upwardly within and above the insert.

Abstract: A rod type wet scrubber having two trays or decks of rods that are normally in space relation relative to the gas flow and wherein alignment of the rods is initially achieved by mounting them in a manner that will permit lateral movement and then bringing the two trays together such that the rods are interspersed in contact and accurately aligned with each other. The rods of each tray are then secured in place in their respective positions to thereafter prevent lateral movement therebetween.

Abstract: A sieve-type fractionation tray which has been adjusted for operation at a reduced vapor flow rate. Adjustment is achieved by placing an imperforate plate across the vapor passageways in a manner which selectively seals the passageways located nearest the outlet downcomer. Also a sieve-type fractionation tray having vapor passageways only on the liquid receiving lateral half of the tray.

Abstract: A wind driven electric power generator having a shroud arranged in a path of fluid flow. Within the shroud is disposed a stationary shaft supporting a wind generator assembly. The shroud can be the veil of a conventional cooling tower, with the wind generator assembly including a rotor connected to an electric generator arranged for converting rotary motion of the rotor to electrical energy, thus saving some of the energy created by the natural draft passing up the veil of the cooling tower. Space frame box trusses provided with airfoils provide lightweight arms for the rotor, with the rotor being arranged anywhere in the shroud. When a hyperbolic cooling tower veil is used as the shroud, the rotor will usually be positioned in the throat of the veil.

Abstract: The efficiency of a fractionation column is increased by the provision of vertical baffles which descend from the lower surface of an upper fractionation tray to a point above the liquid maintained on the next lower fractionation tray and which are oriented perpendicular to the liquid flow across the fractionation tray to thereby segregate the vapors passing through the different portions of the fractionation tray segmented by the baffles.

Abstract: In an air cleaning device including a wash section wherein the wash section comprises a housing having front, rear and lateral side walls to define a passageway. Within the passageway and secured to opposite facing walls thereof is a pair of removably, adjustably arranged baffle members arranged in spaced apart relationship to form a venturi passage therebetween. Above the pair of baffle members but within the passageway and secured to a wall thereof is located a wash liquid discharge chamber arranged to discharge wash liquid downwardly onto a baffle plate member whereby the wash liquid issues across the entire width of the wash section in substantially a planar sheet of liquid to meet the contaminated air stream.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing protective reducer gas, for use in plant having main and auxiliary burners for burning liquid or gaseous fuels, and designed either for heating purposes or for ore reduction processes. The apparatus includes a common cooling chamber into which the hot waste gases from the main and/or auxiliary burners can be fed selectively, the auxiliary burner being located immediately above the chamber with a combustion pipe extending downwards into the cooling chamber. Cooling water is injected directly into the upper part of the cooling chamber and withdrawn from the lower end. The waste gases from the main burner are admitted through a pipe terminating between the levels of two outlets in a side wall of the cooling chamber, the lower one having a valve closure, to control the level of the cooling water and so form a water seal for the waste gas inlet. The protective gas outlet is in the upper part of the cooling chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for achieving separation of particulate matter from a gas flow by interacting the gas flow with a water curtain within a contacting chamber. The gas flow enters the contacting chamber tangentially near the bottom thereof whereby it tends to spiral upwardly toward an exhaust opening at the top of the chamber. Means are provided to form a water curtain across the passage through which the gas flow enters the chamber whereby particulate matter such as dust carried in the gas flow is entrained by water droplets thereof. Above the area of the gas flow inlet passage, spaced-apart ring-like members are provided for disrupting the upwardly spiraling gas flow and forcing the flow away from the chamber's side wall. A chamber rinsing means is provided adjacent the upper end of the chamber for directing a rinsing water flow downwardly against the chamber side wall in a spiral flow countercurrent to the gas flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a dirty gas stream including a scrubber throat therein, the scrubber including a plurality of elongated baffles arranged in parallel and pivotally disposed for rotational movement therein, adjacent baffles being disposed to rotate in opposite directions thereby increasing or decreasing the cross-sectional flow through area with alternating converging and diverging flow through openings.

Abstract: A cooling tower has circumferentially distributed inlet openings at the lower end for the entrance of cooling air and a central upper outlet opening. Cooling air flows through the tower, on the one hand, counter-currently to a medium to be cooled which flows in downward direction over a trickling unit (wet cooling section), and on the other hand, parallel thereto about heat-exchanger elements, flown through by a medium to be cooled (dry cooling section). The trickling unit and the heat-exchanger elements are separated from each other.

Abstract: Movable shutting up elements are provided for eliminating the diminishing effect of the wind on cooling equipment erected in open air. The movable openings shutting up elements are adjusted by a control or regulating device according to actual wind conditions, to effect a damming of pressure in the path of the streaming air in front of the heat exchanging surface, enabling the wind energy to be used to aid in increasing the cooling effect. The opening and closing of elements rotatable around a vertical axis may be used to utilize to a greater extent the wind energy in addition to their wind reflecting effects.