Abstract: The invention relates to carrying out thermal cracking of hydrocarbons, or other thermal conversions of organic substances in a reactor, for which a suitable reaction time is extremely short, e.g. of the order of milliseconds. Particulate solids are used as heat carrier and as feed an organic substance is used in the form of a gas which may contain some liquid; the hot particulate solids are introduced at low or no velocity into contact with the gas, which is at substantially higher velocity; the solids accelerate in passing through the reactor but the reaction is terminated substantially before the solids attain the velocity of the product gas. Contact times are short so that the solids do not accelerate to erosive speeds. The velocity differential enhances the heat transfer rate which makes short reaction times feasible.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved premix burner and a method of its operation for combustion with a minimum of NO.sub.x emissions. The improvement is achieved by combining staged combustion with a premix burner in a manner such that mixing of the secondary air with the flame is delayed.

Abstract: As an improvement in an anti-surge control method for a multi-stage centrifugal compressor having interstage coolers, this invention comprises, when there is an imbalance of stage flows relative to surge, replacing recycle with warm expanded gas to the maximum extent possible that still achieves an energy saving as compared with not effecting such replacement.

Abstract: A method, together with suitable apparatus therefor, is provided useful in recovering heat from a high temperature cracked hydrocarbon gas, in which a liquid wash is injected into the tubes of a vertically oriented multitube transfer line heat exchanger to minimize deposition of coke. The wash liquid is introduced into a plenum chamber located above the top tube sheet and it then flows through a perforated plate. This distributes the liquid uniformly over the plate where it flows into the tubes to dissolve and/or flux condensates and coke.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for substantially blocking the "line-of-sight" between a radiant section of a furnace and a convection section positioned above the radiant section, while at the same time permitting flue gases from the radiant section to travel substantially freely through the shield. The shield may be composed of a plurality of staggered bodies. In a preferred embodiment the bodies are staggered plates, composed of insulating material. The staggered plates are supported by hangers that are hung from convection tubes in the convection section. In another embodiment the staggered bodies are tubes or rods.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions comprising a core of silica with an overlying modified-silica zeolite, preferably containing aluminium, gallium or boron, show improved catalytic activity. The composites are prepared by introducing preformed silica particles, preferably with a crystallite size greater than 0.1 .mu., into a reaction mixture comprising a silicon source, a source of the modifying element, and preferably an organic template such as a tetraalkylammonium compound to form the modified-silica zeolite with a constraint index of from 1 to 12. The weight ratio of the silica core to SiO.sub.2 in the reaction mixture is preferably 1:1 to 10:1.

Abstract: A one-step process is described for preparing carbonyl compounds by the oxidation of an olefin with oxygen in the presence of steam. A novel catalyst is used which is prepared by incorporating palladium and/or a palladium compound and copper chloride in a carrier comprising silica, alumina, or a mixture or complex oxide thereof, and calcining at a temperature in the range of 200.degree.-400.degree. C. One or more compounds of the group of silver, cerium and vanadium may optionally be included in the catalyst composition. Exemplary of the application of the method is the gas phase oxidation of butene to methyl ethyl ketone whereby high selectivity to desired product is obtained.