Abstract: A fluid solid-contacting device eliminates the accumulation of deposits behind distribution collection conduits, reduces the differential expansion between the conduits and a containment vessel, and improves fluid distribution by extending the perforations into a back side of a distribution conduit that abuts the vessel. This apparatus has greatest application to scallop-shaped conduits that are commonly used in radial flow reactors. The perforations, extended into the back side of the scallop, ventilate the area between the scallop and the vessel holding the scallops.

Abstract: A catalytic distillation structure comprises a plurality of corrugated vertically disposed catalyst containing elements separated by inert spacing elements. The catalyst containing elements each comprise two layers of gas permeable material, such as wire mesh, joined together at regularly spaced intervals to form a single sheet having pockets disposed on the surface. A particulate catalyst is disposed within the pockets. The catalyst within the pockets provides a reaction zone where catalytic reactions may occur and the gas permeable sheets provide mass transfer surfaces to effect a fractional distillation. The spacing elements allow for a variation of the catalyst density and loading.

Abstract: Reaction rates in chemisorption reactions involving solid reactants and gaseous ligands are improved by maintaining optimized solid density throughout the reaction. Methods and apparatus which restrict volumetric solid expansion, compression of the solid reactant, and mixture with inert solid porous or particulate materials are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalytic converter including a nonwoven mat comprising shot-free, high strength, magnesium aluminosilicate glass fiber.

Abstract: A catalyst support for use in promoting oxidation reactions composed of metal particles is described. The metal particles are selected from the group of aluminum, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, niobium and mixtures thereof, where aluminum is preferred. The metal particles may have a rough diameter of from 0.02 to 10 mm. The particles may be in the form of spheres, shavings, irregular granules and the like. When the catalyst support is to be used in a tubular reactor, the ratio of the diameter of the reactor to the diameter of the catalyst may range from 1.1 to 200:1. The metal catalyst supports are inert in the reaction and give excellent uniformity in heat distribution throughout the catalyst bed. In oxidation reactions, the catalyst support may bear a metal oxide catalyst to give good results. The particulate catalyst support bearing the active catalyst may also be compressed to inhibit channelling and to help provide higher yield to the desired product.

Abstract: A catalytic converter has a metallic monolith that is mounted in a canister by a heat-insulating mat of melt-formed refractory ceramic fibers that have been annealed to provide a Resiliency Value of at least 10 kPa. A mat having such Resiliency Value does not take a compression set that would allow the monolith to become loose. The ceramic fibers preferably are melt-formed from a mixture of about equal parts by weight of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and SiO.sub.2. After being annealed, the ceramic fibers can have a fine-grained crystalline structure, but significant energy savings can be realized by reducing the annealing temperatures and times such that the fibers have an amorphous structure while still attaining excellent Resiliency Values.

Abstract: A membrane catalytic reactor which comprises a heteropolyacid selected from the group consisting of 12-tungstophosphoric acid, 12-molybdophosphoric acid, 12-molybdotungstophosphoric acid, and 12-tungstosilicic acid, and polysulfone membrane is provided. This membrane catalytic reactor is applicable to vapor-phase dehydration, dehydrogenation, oxidation, and simultaneous separation of organic or inorganic materials, particularly vapor-phase dehydration of ethanol.

Abstract: A fluid solid-contacting device eliminates the accumulation of deposits behind distribution collection conduits, reduces the differential expansion between the conduits and a containment vessel, and improves fluid distribution by extending the perforations into a back side of a distribution conduit that abuts the vessel. This apparatus has greatest application to scallop-shaped conduits that are commonly used in radial flow reactors. The perforations, extended into the back side of the scallop, ventilate the area between the scallop and the vessel holding the scallops.

Abstract: A high temperature resistant seal for a catalytic converter is made from a high temperature resistant material including between approximately 28 and 60 dry weight percent high temperature resistant ceramic fibers and between approximately 20 and 50 dry weight percent high aspect ratio vermiculite. The seal is formed by mixing the resistant ceramic fibers with an aqueous dispersion of high aspect ratio vermiculite, applying the resultant mixture to a monolithic catalyst structure of a catalytic converter and heating the mixture and the monolithic catalyst structure to evaporate the water from the mixture. The seal and the monolithic catalyst structure can then be assembled in a housing to form a catalytic converter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reactor for carrying out gas phase chemical reactions and having at least one compartment (8) incorporating a catalytic lining (31) in which radially circulates at least one gas. As the upper wall (32), it has at least one layer (19) of at least one flexible material such as a tight, inert, refractory material fabric. This fabric optionally cooperates with a first layer of balls (12) resting on the fabric. It is placed on the biller (31) in such a way that it completely covers the latter. The reactor is used in the reforming of fuels.

Abstract: An encased catalyst, especially for motor vehicles, includes at least one metal honeycomb catalyst carrier body through which exhaust gas can pass. At least one inner jacket tube carries the at least one catalyst carrier body. An outer jacket tube approximately concentrically surrounds the at least one inner jacket tube at a distance. The at least one inner jacket tube and the outer jacket tube have end regions and are firmly joined together in one of the end regions. The at least one inner jacket tube is freely longitudinally expandable in the outer jacket tube.

Abstract: A catalytic combustion apparatus for gas turbine or an exhaust gas purifier apparatus comprises a honeycomb structure disposed in a flow tube. A ring-shaped fringe region of the lower-course end face of the honeycomb structure abuts against a ring-shaped second supporting member. The second supporting member has a plurality of passages which allow a fluid to flow out downstream from the fringe region. In this arrangement, the fluid from the fringe region is caused to flow downstream through these passages. Accordingly, tensile thermal stress is reduced, so that the honeycomb structure is prevented from being damaged thereby. Since the honeycomb structure is supported by the second supporting member in planar contact therewith, moreover, stress is prevented from being concentrated on part of the structure. Thus, the honeycomb structure can be securely supported without being damaged by any stress.

Abstract: An encased catalyst, especially for motor vehicles, includes at least one metal honeycomb catalyst carrier body through which exhaust gas can pass. At least one inner jacket tube carries the at least one catalyst carrier body. An outer jacket tube approximately concentrically surrounds the at least one inner jacket tube at a distance. The at least one inner jacket tube and the outer jacket tube have end regions and are firmly joined together in one of the end regions. The at least one inner jacket tube is freely longitudinally expandable in the outer jacket tube.

Abstract: A reactor for the reforming of hydrocarbons by a steam reforming reaction and a partial oxidation reaction, which comprises an upper tube sheet disposed in an upper portion of the reactor, a plurality of reaction tubes packed with a catalyst and suspended perpendicularly from the upper tube sheet, a lower tube sheet disposed where lower portions of the reaction tubes are positioned, an internal cylinder suspended perpendicularly from the lower tube sheet, an oxygen distributor disposed in an upper portion of the internal cylinder and connected to a feed tube of an oxygen-containing gas which is fed from an exterior of the reactor, a catalyst-packed bed disposed in the lower portion of the internal cylinder, a flow path for feeding a mixture gas of hydrocarbon with steam disposed above the upper tube sheet, and a flow path for recovering reformed gas disposed below the upper tube sheet. Also provided is a process for the reforming of hydrocarbons by a steam reforming reaction and a partial oxidation reaction.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for use in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine having a rigid outer canister with a catalyst support disposed therein for movement between a first position adjacent in inlet end of the canister and a second position located in spaced relationship with said inlet end. In its first position, the substrate seals the inlet thereby forcing the entire exhaust flow through the fluid flow passages within the catalyst support which are in axial alignment with the converter inlet. The effect of forcing the totality of flow reduced volume of the substrate to the entire thermal energy of the exhaust stream thereby assisting in a reduction in the catalyst light-off time. Following catalyst light-off, the catalyst support is moved to its second, spaced position in which the entire frontal area of the converter is exposed to the exhaust flow thereby lowering backpressure of the converter and preventing converter overtemperature problems.

Abstract: A monolith can be mounted in a catalytic converter by a material containing intumescent vermiculite flakes that have a uniform content of chemically bound water from about 1.0 to 3.2% by weight and a uniform bulk density from about 0.2 to 0.9 g/cm.sup.3. Such a mounting affords good support to the monolith at warm-up temperatures, exerts adequate holding forces at operating temperatures without danger of cracking the monolith, and does not incur gradual reduction in holding forces at operating temperatures.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for an exhaust gas catalyst includes a metallic exhaust gas catalyst carrier body and a tubular jacket in which the catalyst carrier body is disposed. The catalyst carrier body is fastened to the tubular jacket while permitting lengthwise expansion of the catalyst carrier body, through the use of beads encircling at least part of the catalyst carrier body and corresponding formations formed in the tubular jacket into which the beads protrude in the form of slots and keys. The catalyst carrier body and the beads are disposed at axial and radial distances from the tubular jacket and the formations.

Abstract: In an exhaust gas cleaning apparatus, at least two honeycomb core bodies each carrying a cleaning catalyst are arranged, with at least one axial space therebetween, in a metal casing having an enlarged-diameter portion. The outer peripheral surfaces of the core bodies are fixed to the inner surface of the casing so that each core body is expandable and contractible axially. The result is that separation between each core body and the casing can be prevented, thus improving the durability. Further, an excellent cleaning performance can be achieved not only due to the heat insulating effect as well as the gas stirring effect by the enlarged-diameter casing portion, but also due to the gas turbulent effect by the inter-body space.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing phosphoric acid by the recovery of P.sub.2 O.sub.5 from a phosphate ore is disclosed. A slurry of a phosphate ore in an aqueous phosphoric acid solution is formed in each of a plurality of reaction zones connected in series. Phosphate ore is introduced into the first reaction zone and phosphoric acid into the last reaction zone whereby the reaction of the phosphoric acid with the ore forms a slurry of coarse solids, fine solids and monocalcium phosphate in the phosphoric acid solution. A first process stream comprising coarse solids is removed from the first reaction zone and each of the other reaction zones and is tranferred to the adjacent, successive reaction zone.

Abstract: A catalytic converter of the automotive type comprising a reduced central oval section that compresses a support mat around a catalyst substrate, the reduced central section comprising radially inwardly biased ribs that are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the converter.The converter can be made by inserting a catalyst substrate and surrounding support mat through the open end and into the central portion of an oval sheet metal tube, after which the reduced section and longitudinal ribs are formed in the central portion of the tube to compress the mat and securely engage the substrate, and the ends of the tube are pinched together to form sealed end closures with gas flow passages therein.

Abstract: A catalytic converter utilizing a resilient, flexible shot-free ceramic fiber containing mounting mat for mounting a monolith within a metallic casing is disclosed. The mounting mat may be comprised of shot-free ceramic fibers alone or preferably is comprised of a composite of shot-free ceramic fibers in combination with an intumescent sheet material.

Abstract: A handleable, flexible, crack resistant intumescent sheet material for use in mounting fragile structures comprising a preformed intumescent layer, and a reinforcing layer bonded to the intumescent layer and having a tensile strength greater that the intumescent layer.

Abstract: Hydrogen gas is generated on demand by reacting hydrochloric acid (haloacid) and a pure metal by flowing the acid upwardly through a bed of metal particles held on a distributor plate within a sliding tray. The tray reciprocates in a retaining vessel. A port in the retaining vessel can be aligned with a drain port in the sliding tray (below the distributor plate) so that the solution in the bed can be shunted directly to an annulus between the retaining vessel and the reactor jacket, thereby eliminating contact of acid and metal and stopping the generation of hydrogen. A coolant may be circulated in the base of the retaining vessel to control the temperature of the acid as it enters the bed, thereby helping to control the reaction rate.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for supporting a ceramic honeycomb element which is anisotropic in modulus of elasticity and in strength. The support apparatus comprises a shock absorber which is interposed between a casing and the honeycomb element so that a force of pressure acts on the honeycomb element in high-strength directions of the honeycomb structure thereof.

Abstract: A metal catalyst carrier body assembly and a method of producing the same includes a metal catalyst carrier body having a given length, two end surfaces and a honeycomb structure formed of textured metal sheets through which gas can flow. A jacket tube surrounds the honeycomb structure and is shorter than the given length. At least a portion of the end surfaces is brazed. The jacket tube has ends each being disposed at a distance from a respective one of the end surfaces being greater than the brazed portion.

Abstract: A catalytic converter utilizing a resilient, flexible shot-free ceramic fiber containing mounting mat for mounting a monolith with a metallic casing is disclosed. The mounting mat may be comprised of shot-free composite of shot-free ceramic fibers in combination with an intumescent sheet material.

Abstract: A device for the catalytic cleaning of motor vehicle exhaust gases, comprises a housing having a central region with at least one monolith of a material such as a ceramic, an inner shell is arranged within the housing at least in places. The inner shell extends into at least one part of the monolith containing region of the housing and leads up to the monolith and is secured there. The end of the inner sheel at the end of the housing is free for thermal expansion motions relative to the housing.

Abstract: A catalytic element is encased in a shell in such a way as to be held tightly between shell halves but not fixed to same. A pair of stoppers for preventing endwise movement of the catalytic element is provided to the shell. A predetermined clearance is provided between each of the stoppers and each end of the catalytic element so as to allow such movement of the catalytic element relative to the shell that results from a thermal expansion differential between the catalytic element and the shell.

Abstract: A system to make walls for catalyst baskets for heterogeneous synthesis reactors, particularly the distribution walls which are inserted in axial reactors in order to modify them into substantially radial (or axial-radial) reactors with low energy consumptions. The distribution walls are divided into n sections. By attaching each section end to a device consisting of two flange elements, the radially longer one protruding over the distribution wall, the invention achieves truing and stiffening of the entire device. The other end extends slightly into the inside of the catalyst bed. Between the internal walls of the basket and the perforated distribution sheet, an airspace is formed by using separating rods or, in their absence, using a perforated bridge plate as the distribution wall.

Abstract: A catalytic converter including within the housing a pellet enclosure which is of resilient screen, the enclosure compressing the body of pellets such that the pellets are held firmly in place under tension. The screen enclosure is compressed by the housing to increase tension on the body of pellets. In preferred embodiments the screen enclosure and body of pellets are tubular, with one edge compressed inwardly by a tubular housing. The screen enclosure and body of pellets are preferably tapered.

Abstract: Catalytic converters for automotive exhaust systems wherein thin, resilient, flexible, intumescent sheet materials are utilized as mounting mats for catalytic monoliths are disclosed. Multiple wraps of such sheet materials have been found particularly useful and cost effective for positioning and supporting ceramic catalytic monoliths which have a large cross-sectional dimensional tolerance within the metallic casing of the converter.

Abstract: In brief, a grid plate, especially a flat grid plate, horizontally disposed in a fluidized solids contacting vessel, is supported by a conical skirt that extends downwardly and inwardly from substantially the outer periphery of the grid plate for a predetermined portion of the length of the skirt and then downwardly to the bottom of the vessel. Preferably, the conical skirt extends inwardly at an angle, .alpha., measured from the vertical in the range of about 20 degrees to about 45 degrees, and preferably about 30 degrees, for a distance equal to about one third to one half of the length of the skirt, and generally for a distance of about half the length of the skirt.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifier of the type wherein a catalytic body is elastically supported within a metal casing. This is achieved by at least partly filling a space between the catalytic body and the metal casing with a dampening member comprising one or more wire blocks. The wire is preformed of a screw shape and that preformed wire is wound into the shape of the block. This block is stretched to elastically fit over the body, and the block is compressed between the body and the casing.

Abstract: A device for the containment of ceramic catalyst monoliths particularly of four cornered cross sectional area as well as for the combination of a plurality thereof into a package. The device includes elastic gaskets arranged on one of the ends of the monoliths and partitions for the form fitting containment of the elements into a cassette.

Abstract: A monolithic catalytic converter has a two-piece slip pin that extends through a monolithic substrate and is connected at its opposite ends to the housing so as to retain the substrate therein while freely allowing differential thermal expansion between the slip pin and the housing to accommodate thermal mismatch between these components.

Abstract: The trend toward improving air quality has caused manufacturers of gas turbines to implement direct catalytic reaction of carbon monoxide or hydrocarbons in the gas turbine combustion path. This requires mounting a catalytic reactor directly in the combustion path of the gas turbine which subjects the reactor to shock and thermal loadings, relative thermal displacements between different materials and leakage of combustion products around the catalytic reactor. A catalytic reactor is mounted within an outer structural lines, whereas a compliant and inflatable inner liner is included to support the reactor bed in the radial direction on a cushion of air derived from the compressor discharge air through an air inlet in the outer liner.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for an exhaust gas catalyst and a method for manufacturing the same includes a metallic exhaust gas catalyst carrier body formed of a multiplicity of layers, at least one first brazed joint interconnecting the layers, a metallic tubular jacket in which the catalyst carrier body is disposed, and one second brazed joint fastening the catalyst carrier body to the tubular jacket while permitting lengthwise expansion of the catalyst carrier body relative to the tubular jacket.

Abstract: A monolithic exhaust gas catalyst, or catalytic converter, is arranged in a metallic housing and is supported against the inner surfaces of the housing by a resilient fiber material positioned therebetween. The resilient fiber material is provided with a catalytically active coating so that the exhaust gases which flow outside the exhaust gas catalyst and through the fiber material, are also converted by the treated fiber material.

Abstract: Hydrogen gas is generated on demand by reacting hydrochloric acid (haloacid) and a pure metal by flowing the acid upwardly through a bed of metal particles held on a distributor plate within a sliding tray. The tray reciprocates in a retaining vessel. A port in the retaining vessel can be aligned with a drain port in the sliding tray (below the distributor plate) so that the solution in the bed can be shunted directly to an annulus between the retaining vessel and the reactor jacket, thereby eliminating contact of acid and metal and stopping the generation of hydrogen. A coolant may be circulated in the base of the retaining vessel to control the temperature of the acid as it enters the bed, thereby helping to control the reaction rate. A hydrogen generator reactor includes one or more such sliding trays housed within a jacket.

Abstract: A loose material catalyzer disposed in the exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine for purifying the exhaust gases thereof. The catalyzer includes a housing having a cylindrical wall. A first perforated plate is disposed in the housing essentially perpendicular to the cylindrical wall thereof, and receives exhaust gases for purification. A second perforated plate is disposed in the housing essentially perpendicular to the cylindrical wall thereof and allows purified exhaust gases to proceed downstream. A catalyst bed is disposed in the housing and is bounded by the cylindrical wall thereof and the two perforated plates. The catalyst bed is provided with granular catalyst material that tends to disappear during use, whereby the first, upstream perforated plate is axially movably disposed in the housing to compensate for the disappearance of the catalyst material.

Abstract: A heat-insulating resilient supporting and sealing member inserted in a monolithic type catalytic exhaust gas purifier of generally elliptical cross section between an inner wall of a casing and the outer periphery of a monolithic catalyst housed in the casing such that a thicker portion of the supporting and sealing member is disposed at a smallest cross dimension region of the casing, and a thinner portion of the supporting and sealing member is disposed at a largest cross dimension region of the casing, so that the bulk density of the member at the operating temperature of the catalytic purifier is approximately constant around the periphery of the member.

Abstract: An improved universal expansion joint having counterthrust means for controlling pressure-induced expansion. Movable bellows means in the form of one or more expansible bellows or one or more contractile fluid power cylinders are disclosed for applying counterthrust force to the expansion joint. Means responsive to the pressure within the expansion joint or the temperature of or the strain on the conduit connected to the expansion joint are disclosed for applying the desired fluid pressure to the bellows means to achieve the proper counterthrust force. Also disclosed are a method of employing the improved expansion joint and a system in which the improved expansion joint is advantageously utilized.

Abstract: A catalytic converter having a monolithic ceramic catalytic element mounted within a metallic casing by a resilient flexible intumescent sheet having generally sinusoidal edges such that mounting pressure is applied to the lateral surface of the ceramic monolith in the area circumscribed by the generally sinusoidal edges is disclosed. Other methods for applying mounting pressure on the ceramic monolith are also disclosed.

Abstract: A catalytic converter includes a cylindrical casing employing multiple catalytic elements. The elements are cushioned on each end and about their periphery. The elements are also held in place by end set plates and a set plate in the middle extending transversely in the cylindrical casing. The set plate in the middle is free to move and adjust within the converter to eliminate excessive stress on the catalytic elements.

Abstract: A heat resistant and thermal shock resistant ceramic honeycomb catalytic converter for purifying automotive exhaust gas and the like is constructed by arranging at least one ceramic honeycomb structural body, having a dimension of0.10.ltoreq.L/D.ltoreq.0.40wherein L and D are respectively a length and a diameter of the ceramic honeycomb structural body, upstream of and adjacent to another ceramic honeycomb structural body in a metal casing.

Abstract: An insulation system for protecting metal membranes that seal a fluidization grid floor in a process vessel to the vessel wall or to a standpipe in the vessel. The seal is comprised of erosion-resistant castable refractory, compressible insulation and metal in specifically arranged layers and in a manner such that expansion of the grid floor does not stress the castable refractory.

Abstract: A catalytic converter effective to prevent damage or breakage of a catalytic element for improved durability. A catalytic element is housed in a casing and a pair of first and second end members are fitted into the opposite end portions of the casing so as to support the opposite end portions of the catalytic element via first and second end cushions. The first and second end cushions have, when in a free state, a rectangular cross section and inner diameters gradually increasing toward the catalytic element. The first and second cushions are compressed, when the catalytic converter is assembled, by the first and second end members to be fitted and held at their respective inner end portions between the inner circumferential surface of the casing and the outer circumferential surfaces of opposite end portions of the catalytic element.

Abstract: An improved catalytic gas generator, of the type used, for example, in a monopropellant hydrazine rocket engine includes a dynamic catalyst bed retention device. The dynamic retention device comprises a compression band surrounding a generally cylindrical catalyst bed that is axially restrained at both ends. A torsional force is applied to the compression band, which converts the torsional force into a radially inwardly directed compression force. As voids develop in the catalyst bed upon repeated impulsing, the inwardly directed compressive force redistributes the catalyst bed so as to fill the voids. The retention device thus allows the catalyst bed to perform at peak efficiency yielding a gas generator that can be repeatedly pulsed with uniformly reproducible results.

Abstract: Apparatus for the production of ammonia synthesis gas by the catalytic cracking of coke oven gas in the presence of water vapor and air is disclosed. The apparatus includes concentric inner and outer pipes, a first annular reaction zone between the pipes and a second reaction zone inside the inner pipe, both zones containing a catalyst. The purified coke oven gas along with air and water vapor is introduced into the interior of the outer pipe, i.e., into the first reaction zone at one end. The gas flows along the length of the pipes and then into the inner pipe, i.e., the second reaction zone, through a number of openings in the end of the inner pipe opposite the end of the outer pipe where the coke oven gas was initially introduced. The gas then flows along the length of the inner pipe to the opposite end where the cracked gas is removed.

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.