Abstract: Each of a pair of heat exchangers in a combustion plant includes a storage space holding basic granules, and will alternatingly be flown through by combustion gas and air, respectively. Residual heat from the combustion gas will be absorbed by the granules, and the moisture contend of the gases will condense upon the granules. Sulphur dioxide in the combustion gas will react with the basic material to calcium sulphite, and the moist granules will catch ash particles and other cntaminants in the gas. When valves have been re-set, air is made to pass through the granules, whereby it will be preheated. The heated air may be conducted to a burner, to a regeneration apparatus for the granules, or through a conduit to the gas exhaust duct. After some time of operation the granules are transferred to the regeneration apparatus, which includes a rotatable drum, where the granules will be subjected to mechanical working and separation of calcium sulphate and dust particles, preferably while being heated.

Abstract: An improved reactor is disclosed wherein a high temperature product gas discharged from a catalyst bed within the reactor is cooled in a central heat exchanger installed within the reactor by heat exchange with a low temperature feed gas comprising gaseous raw materials for the reaction, and the product gas is thereafter flowed along the inner surface of an outer pressure vessel in order to maintain the outer pressure vessel at a low temperature. Inlet and outlet pipes for a coolant which coolant is circulated through a coolant passage structure which penetrates the catalyst bed in order to absorb the heat of reaction, both penetrate the top cover of the outer pressure vessel so that the coolant passage structure can be readily removed for maintenance and inspection, and the overall design of the reactor is simplified.

Abstract: The method of circulation according to the invention consists in causing a part of the liquid part to rotate whereby centrifugal forces causes the rotating part of the liquid phase to form a rotating vortical liquid spindle that exerts a suction effect. The liquid to be circulated is then pumped into the spindle by suction, passes through a cavity destined for deposition of solid phase, said cavity being positioned in the space of the spindle, whereafter the liquid passes to the upper part of the spindle and is drawn back into a liquid phase container.

Abstract: A novel catalyst system for use in a distillation column reactor is disclosed including annularly-defined spaces within the reactor comprised of vapor-permeable material with packed catalyst and alternately positioned vapor barrier means.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus is disclosed which comprises a vessel; first impeller means positioned within said vessel immediately subjacent to the top of said vessel but sufficiently spaced from said top to rotate; second impeller means positioned within said vessel immediately superjacent to the bottom of said vessel but sufficiently spaced from said bottom to rotate; third impeller means positioned within said vessel between said first and said second impeller means; paddle means positioned within said vessel between said second and said third impeller means; and means for rotating said first, second and third impeller means and said paddle means.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a catalytic chemical reaction in the presence of a granular catalyst under conditions such that both the reactants and the reaction product are gaseous at the temperature and pressure of the reaction. According to the present invention, a vertically extending, annular, intercylinder space, defined between a cylindrical outer catalyst retainer and a cylinder inner catalyst retainer, is divided by radially extending vertical partition walls into a plurality of chambers. Heat-exchanging tubes are disposed vertically in at least one of the chambers. A granular catalyst is packed in at least two of said chambers to form at least two reaction chambers. A feed gas is caused to flow successively and in radial directions through these reaction chambers. Since the invention reactor achieves an improved linear gas flow velocity and a greater overall heat-transfer coefficient, the reactor of the invention requires fewer heat-exchanging tubes and can thus be made smaller.

Abstract: A reactor for catalytically dewaxing a waxy distillate consisting of a lubricating oil or liquid petroleum feedstocks utilizing a shape-selective crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite catalyst in order to obtain a lubricating oil having a low pour point and a high viscosity index, and particularly, a hydroprocessing trickle reactor construction for catalytically dewaxing liquid petroleum feedstocks. The reactor is essentially constituted of a trickle bed reactor of the vertical tower type wherein an annular bed of catalyst material, such as the crystalline zeolite, substantially fills the space of the reactor, and through which the liquid petroleum feedstock trickles downwardly from the upper end of the reactor, while hydrogen is concurrently injected into a central hollow tube of a perforate material extending vertically through the reactor within the annular catalyst bed.

Abstract: An improved multiple stage reactor system for effecting radial flow contact of a reactant stream with catalyst particles movable as an annular-form bed through said system by gravity flow. The improved multiple stage reactor system may be advantageously employed in the catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons and in particular in the catalytic reforming of a naphtha boiling range charge stock.

Abstract: A reactor system for production of hydrogen by use of a hydride bed acting upon dissociated ammonia is formed of coaxial annular shells. A central one of the shells includes a hydride bed composed of pelletized material supported on a screen. Inner and outer shells contiguous to the central shell conduct fluid for heat exchange with the hydride bed. Inner and outer diameter of the central shell differ in length by an amount inversely proportional to the square root of the heat adsorption characteristic of the hydride.

Abstract: A radial flow reactor design which allows the maintenance of a temperature profile along the height of a catalyst bed which descends through the reactor by gravity flow. Two feed inlet conduits are provided on the inlet side of the annular catalyst bed, with the inlets being divided by a porous flow control and distribution means. The inlet streams have different temperatures and the distribution means produces a changing admixture rate between the two streams along the bed. A preferred form of the distribution means is an open-topped cone located within the centerpipe of the reactor.

Abstract: A fluid injection lozenge comprises two tubes supporting a perforate member forming a cage enclosing the space between the tubes. Each tube has a series of perforations along its length so that a fluid can be injected, through the tube, into the enclosed space. The lozenges are of use in catalytic converters of either the axial or radial flow design. In the case of a radial flow converter, a plurality of tubes are provided, preferably connected in pairs by the perforate members, to form a squirrel cage structure, disposed in the catalyst bed.

Abstract: In a radial flow catalytic reactor, a centerpipe is gravity supported in a central socket member and restrained as to vertical upward movement within a predetermined maximum distance to prevent unseating of the centerpipe due to thermal cycling of the catalyst and/or the reactor internal members.Such vertical movement of the centerpipe is restrained by means, such as one or more rods, interposed between the top of the centerpipe and an upper portion of the vessel. Similarly, restraining rods may be used to confine vertical movement of the screen segments enclosing the catalyst bed.Additionally, the centerpipe may include a perforated pipe enclosed within a cylindrical screen member forming a major portion of the centerpipe. The pipe is independently seated in the central socket member so it may expand and contract independently of catalyst action on the centerpipe screen section.

Abstract: In a radial flow catalytic reactor, a centerpipe is gravity supported in a central socket member and accommodated as to vertical upward movement within a predetermined maximum distance to prevent unseating of the centerpipe due to thermal cycling of the catalyst and/or the reactor internal members.Such vertical movement of the centerpipe is accommodated by extending the length of the socket member so that it exceeds the expected lift distance of the centerpipe due to such cycling.Desirably, but not necessarily, the centerpipe may include a perforated pipe member axially coextensive with and enclosed within the screen member. The pipe and screen members are independently supported in the socket member by gravity.

Abstract: A fiber aggregate is composed of a multiplicity of substantially spherically intermingled fibres at a needle-processing density. The fiber aggregate has a diameter of at least 3 mm, and the fibers have a length of at least 15 mm, and are free from being felted and intertwined with any other fiber.

Abstract: The reactor system of this invention comprises two or more vertically spaced or stacked reaction chambers each of which contains two or more vertically positioned annular-form catalyst-retaining sections existing side-by-side, each of said catalyst-retaining sections being defined by an inner tubular-form catalyst-retaining screen coaxially disposed within a vertically positioned outer tubular-form catalyst-retaining screen. Catalyst particles are movable through the resulting annular-form catalyst sections in a dense phase via gravity flow. A reactant stream is processed serially through said reaction chambers, and contacted with catalyst within said annular-form catalyst-retaining sections in a manner to promote uniform flow of reactants across said sections. The disclosed reactor system is of particular advantage with respect to a relatively low pressure hydrocarbon conversion process.

Abstract: A reactor system is disclosed which comprises a reaction chamber containing a plurality of reaction zones, each of which comprises an annular-form catalyst-retaining section, whereby a reactant stream is distributed amongst said reaction zones in a manner to promote uniform flow of reactants across said sections. The disclosed reactor system is of particular advantage with respect to a relatively low pressure hydrocarbon conversion process.

Abstract: In a reactor comprising an outer shell and an internal cartridge preferably obtained by assembling a number of stackable modular cartridges, each comprising from the outside to the inside at least one solid wall forming an air space with the shell inside wall, a continuous bottom to the solid wall, a first wall perforated for the whole of its length, a second internal wall only partially perforated, and a catalytic bed inserted between the said bottom and said walls totally respectively partially perforated, at least one heat exchanger is arranged centrally and axially in a catalytic bed; the feed gas which has cooled the external wall of the shell collects in a duct in the middle of the exchanger along which it runs in one way (for example, from top to bottom) running successively along the exchanger in the other way inside the exchanger tubes emerging preheated in the free zone over the top layer of the catalytic bed where it is mixed with fresh gas fed directly from the outside of said zone.

Abstract: In a radial flow catalytic reactor, a gravity supported centerpipe is restrained from vertical upward movement due to thermal cycling of the catalyst and the reactor internals and/or the reactor and/or changes in process fluid flow conditions by forming the centerpipe with a taper, either continuous or stepped to have a generally frustoconical configuration. Gravity effect of the catalyst particles forming the bed act along the tapered sides of the centerpipe. Additionally improved radial flow through the uniformly packed catalyst bed, is achieved by the tapered conical shape of the centerpipe by gradually increasing the volume of the centerpipe along the length of the catalyst bed to accommodate ever increasing fluid flow from top to bottom through the radial bed.

Abstract: In a radial flow catalytic reactor, a gravity supported centerpipe is restrained from vertical upward movement due to thermal cycling of the catalyst and the reactor internals by forming the centerpipe to have uniform vertical and radial permeability in a frustoconical configuration. Gravity effect of the catalyst particles forming the bed act along the tapered side of the centerpipe. Additionally improved permeability to radial flow through the uniformly packed catalyst bed, independently of radial resistance to flow through the reactor due to pressure gradient between top and bottom of the vessel is achieved by compensation for differences in radial distance to the centerpipe from the upper portion to the lower portion of the catalyst bed by changes in the permeability of the tapered conical surface of the centerpipe.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reactor for heterogeneous catalytic reactions of gaseous reactants under pressure, comprising: a container having an inlet for introduction of gaseous reactants and an outlet for the efflux of products of the reactions; a cartridge having a cylindrically shaped wall placed within the container and communicating with the inlet and the outlet; at least two stationary-bed, catalyst-containing baskets supported within the cartridge, each of the baskets including an imperforate bottom section, a cylindrical outer perforated wall, a cylindrical inner concentric perforated wall and an annular opening defined by the inner and outer perforated walls in the upper end of each stationary-bed, catalyst-containing basket, the opening formed in a plane approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inner and outer perforated walls, the bottom section and the inner and outer perforated walls cooperating with the cylindrically shaped cartridge wall to form a partially restrictive axial flow means,

Abstract: A furnace or generator for reacting a hydrocarbon gas which undergoes a reaction having an exothermic phase followed by an endothermic phase, is disclosed. The generator consists of concentric inner and outer tubes having a reacting gas inlet at the top of the inner tube and a reacted gas outlet near the top of the outer tube. The inner tube has holes adjacent its bottom for communicating the bottom of the inner tube with the annular space between the inner tube and the outer tube. The bottom portion of the generator forms a reactor portion while the top portion forms a recuperator portion. A gas air mixture entering near the top of the inner tube is heated in the recuperator portion by the reacted gas in the annular passage. Additional heating means may be provided.

Abstract: A radial ammonia converter system including first and second heat interchangers and first, second and third catalyst beds. The synthesis gas is heated in said first and second interchangers by catalyst bed effluent prior to full flow through each of the catalyst beds. In one embodiment, two of the catalyst beds are mounted with the first and second interchangers in one vessel; and in another embodiment, the first interchanger and second catalyst bed are mounted in one vessel and the second interchanger and first catalyst bed are mounted in a separate vessel. In both embodiments, the radial ammonia converter system is completed by a third catalyst bed in a separate vessel.

Abstract: De-dusting of gases is carried out in an apparatus containing a granular-bed filter, the pourable granular filter medium flowing downward through the bed. The apparatus comprises a vessel of rectangular cross-section with a vertical side wall (4) extending from the top to the bottom. A partition (5), arranged parallel to the side wall (4), extends from the upper end of the vessel into the interior of the vessel. The remaining three side walls of the vessel extend - at least starting from a level corresponding to the lower end of the partition (5), taperingly downward to the outlet (9). The partition (5) is supported by the two walls adjacent to the vertical wall and forms, together with these and with the talus (7) of the filter medium, which arises at the lower end of the partition, a chamber (3) into which the inlet (2) for the gas to be purified opens.

Abstract: A vertical, cylindrical reaction vessel for catalytic, exothermic gas-phase reaction in which gaseous raw materials are passed substantially in the radial direction through a catalyst layer including therein cooling tubes extended vertically. A cooling medium is passed through the cooling tubes to remove the heat of reaction generated thereby attaining the optimum temperature distribution along the direction of flow of the gaseous raw materials.

Abstract: An improved radial reactor for hydrocarbon conversion is provided, having a new catalyst collector whose center is located nearer to the internal wall than to the external wall of the annular enclosure for receiving the moving catalyst bed.

Abstract: A cartridge for respirators for purifying expiratory air contains a chemical arranged in layers separated by partitions which are connected to a perforated central tube. The partition cooperates with a member spaced from a wall of the cartridge and a guide element disposed on the partition to provide alternate passage of the air into the layers.

Abstract: Screen for use in collecting and/or distributing process flow streams has profiled surface wires welded to channel-shaped support members and is preferably made by helically wrapping and welding a profiled surface wire around the elongated channel members which are rotated about the screen axis to produce a cylindrical slotted screen which is then cut along a line parallel to its axis, flattened, and either used flat or rerolled and welded at right angles to its original direction so that the channels form hoop-like supports. The channels are preferably apertured to such an extent that the total open area for an inlet stream flow on the channel side of the screen is less than the open area of the slots on the wire side of the screen. Also, it should be noted that the outer edge of each leg portion of each of the channel members is positioned so close to the outer edge of a leg portion of an adjacent channel member that substantially all of the process stream will flow through the aperatures.

Abstract: In an apparatus for contacting fluid with subdivided contact material, such as a radial-flow catalytic reactor, means having a substantially horizontal surface is attached to a lower portion of a vertically movable member within the reactor, the member being selected from center pipes and particle-retaining screens. The weight of contact material on the means restrains upward movement of the member during temperature cycling, and thus prevents problems caused by the upward movement.

Abstract: For effecting enzymic reaction, a reactor is disclosed, in which the flow of the solution to be treated through the catalytic bed material takes place radially. It is preferred to have the catalytic bed in the form of coils of enzyme-occluding fibers. The coils are variously piled up within the reactor. High outputs, low pressure drops and more than satisfactory conversion rates are obtained.

Abstract: Apparatus and continuous process for converting hydrocarbons in the presence of a granular catalyst including a metal from group VI a, VII a or VIII, deposited on a carrier, comprising passing a charge of hydrocarbons with hydrogen through a series of at least two vertical catalytic zones in which the catalyst bed moves progressively downwardly, withdrawing progressively the catalyst from the bottom of the last catalytic zone, and reintroducing the same, after regeneration, at the top of the first catalytic zone.

Abstract: A radial ammonia converter system including first and second heat interchangers and first, second and third catalyst beds. The synthesis gas is heated in said first and second interchangers by catalyst bed effluent prior to full flow through each of the catalyst beds. In one embodiment, two of the catalyst beds are mounted with the first and second interchangers in one vessel; and in another embodiment, the first interchanger and second catalyst bed are mounted in one vessel and the second interchanger and first catalyst bed are mounted in a separate vessel. In both embodiments, the radial ammonia converter system is completed by a third catalyst bed in a separate vessel.

Abstract: A radial-flow reactor, especially for carrying out endothermic, catalytic reactions, which has a closed reactor housing defining a reactor chamber therein, a centrally arranged, first inlet duct for entry of a gaseous reactant stream and a catalyst bed disposed around the duct located within said chamber, and at least one additional outlet duct arranged on the outer rim of the housing for discharge of a gaseous product stream from said reactor chamber. A plurality of heating elements are embedded in the catalyst bed. Each heating element is constructed as a straight heating tube and each tube has one free end projecting into the reactor chamber, with a part adjacent to the other end attached to a base plate. The base plate forms a part of a wall structure defining the reactor chamber within said housing and can be detached from the wall structure. A group of the heating elements is secured to one base plate so that the group of elements and the one base plate can be removed from the reactor together.

Abstract: A catalytic reactor for catalyzed exothermic reactions is disclosed having at least one catalyst layer, characterized in that each individual layer is arranged between two coaxial cylindrical shells, at least two inlets for the reacting gases to the catalyst being provided in one of said shells and at least two outlets in the other shell. The inlets are provided in the external cylindrical shell, and the outlets are provided in the internal cylindrical shell. The inlets and outlets consist of a plurality of openings made in said cylindrical shells and aligned on circumferences that are intersections of the cylindrical shells with equidistant planes perpendicular to the axis of said cylindrical shells.

Abstract: Production of a device or filter for removal of ozone from air, e.g. in aircraft cabins, by depositing an oxide film containing manganese dioxide on a substrate, particularly a light weight thermally stable substrate, e.g. polybenzimidazole, by treatment with a permanganate solution containing a soluble ceric salt such as ceric ammonium nitrate, and preferably also a dichromate such as sodium dichromate, to form a dense strongly adherent film or coating of MnO.sub.2, ceric oxide and preferably also chromic oxide, on the substrate. A solution containing an oxidizable organic component such as abietic acid can be first applied to the substrate, followed by treatment with the above permanganate solution.

Abstract: The reactor is traversed by a central tube with an essentially radial circulation of the gases or other fluids. Said cylindrical part of the solids bed is surmounted by a substantially hemispherical reaction zone permeable to said gases or other fluids. The hemispherical part of the reactive zone is comprised between two substantially hemispherical caps one of which surmounts the central tube and the other bounds the upper periphery of this zone with the pressure drop undergone by the gases or other fluids passing through the hemispherical zone being greater than that undergone by the gases or other fluids passing through the cylindrical zone and therefore the perforations of the hemispherical part of the central tube are calculated to compensate for this difference and equalize the flow of gases or other fluids in the whole of the solids mass.

Abstract: A catalytic reaction chamber for contacting a reactant stream with catalyst particles which are disposed as an annular-form bed and are downwardly movable therethrough via gravity-flow. The annular catalyst bed is spaced between a catalyst-retaining screen and a scalloped, perforated centerpipe. A plurality of vertically-positioned catalyst-transfer, or withdrawal, conduits are circumferentially-disposed substantially adjacent the outer surface of the scalloped centerpipe and extend the entire length of the catalyst bed. These contain a first plurality of apertures which face into the bed of catalyst particles and which are sized to permit catalyst particles to flow therethrough. A second plurality of apertures is disposed opposite the first plurality of apertures, and sized to inhibit the flow of catalyst particles therethrough.

Abstract: A catalytic reaction chamber for contacting a reactant stream with catalyst particles which are disposed as an annular-form bed and are downwardly movable therethrough via gravity-flow. The annular bed is spaced between a catalyst-retaining screen and a perforated centerpipe. A plurality of vertically-positioned catalyst-transfer, or withdrawal, conduits are circumferentially-disposed substantially adjacent the outer surface of the centerpipe and extend the entire length of the catalyst bed. These contain a first plurality of apertures which face into the bed of catalyst particles and which are sized to permit catalyst particles to flow therethrough. A second plurality of apertures is disposed substantially 180.degree. opposite the first plurality of apertures, and sized to inhibit the flow of catalyst particles therethrough.

Abstract: A catalytic reaction chamber for contacting a reactant stream with catalyst particles which are disposed as an annular-form bed and are downwardly movable therethrough via gravity-flow. The annular bed is formed between a catalyst-retaining screen and a perforated center-pipe. A plurality of vertically-positioned catalyst-transfer, or withdrawal, conduits are circumferentially-disposed substantially adjacent the outer surface of the centerpipe and extend the entire length of the catalyst bed. These contain a plurality of apertures which face into the bed of catalyst particles and which are sized to permit catalyst particles to flow therethrough. The use of these perforated catalyst-transfer conduits serves to alleviate the problems associated with the occurrence of stagnant catalyst areas which result from catalyst particles being "pinned" against the perforated centerpipe within the reaction zone, and unable to assume a downward flow pattern.