Abstract: A fiber bed mist eliminator has a fiber bed which is formed of a composite fiber bed collecting media strip including a collection layer which is not subjected to needle punching. The fiber bed can be made very thin while retaining high efficiency in removing small particles of aerosol from a gas stream passing through the fiber bed. The fiber bed collecting media strip lends itself to be applied to the mist eliminator by spirally wrapping the element onto the mist eliminator. The fiber bed collecting media strip can overlap itself to seal at the locations where the fiber element overlaps itself. The fiber bed collecting media strip can be provided to the field in different formats for use in making a mist eliminator fiber bed.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing elemental sulfur from hydrogen sulfide contained in an acid gas feed stream wherein hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide are reacted in a catalytic only sulfur recovery unit comprising a single catalytic converter containing a Claus catalytic reaction zone. A sulfur dioxide-enriched gas recovered from tail gas treatment is recycled and introduced into the catalytic reaction zone as part of a feed gas mixture that also includes the acid gas feed stream. Temperatures within the catalytic reaction zone are effectively moderated by recycle of tail gas effluent to the converter so that high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide in the acid gas feed stream can be tolerated and improved process flexibility and capacity are realized. A pretreatment process including contacting the acid gas with an aqueous acid wash to reduce the concentration of unsaturated hydrocarbons in the acid gas and inhibit deactivation of the oxidation catalyst is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plate-type heat exchanger configuration which facilitates fluid flow along a generally "L" or "S" shaped path and which includes a plurality of heat exchanger plates with at least one of the edges comprised of a pair of edge sections which terminate in different edge configurations. The invention also relates to a plate configuration for such a heat exchanger.

Abstract: There is provided a fiber bed for removing liquid aerosols and soluble solids from a gas stream in a fiber bed mist eliminator. The fiber bed is in the form of a flexible mat having a void fraction of greater than about 0.89 and greater than about 700 net collection targets. The mat includes a layer of collecting fibers having an average fiber diameter between about 1 and about 5 .mu.m. The collecting fibers are stabilized by a plurality of stabilizing fibers which penetrate into and are disposed interstitially within the collecting fiber layer. The improved fiber bed of the present invention is field-replaceable and, by utilizing fibers having a small average diameter, the thickness of the fiber bed may be reduced.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for treating waste water in oxidations ponds, oxidation ditches, or other bodies of water in a waste water treatment facility to abate the malodors caused by the presence of volatile contaminants. In the process, a water stream is withdrawn from the body of waste water and contacted with an air stream in an air-water contact apparatus. The water stream is thereby aerated and stripped of potentially odor causing volatile contaminants and an off-gas stream is produced containing the stripped volatile contaminants. At least a portion of the aerated and stripped water stream is returned to the body of waste water to inhibit anaerobic decomposition of organic impurities.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for treating waste water in oxidations ponds, oxidation ditches, or other bodies of water in a waste water treatment facility to abate the malodors caused by the presence of volatile contaminants. In the process, a water stream is withdrawn from the body of waste water and contacted with an air stream in an air-water contact apparatus. The water stream is thereby aerated and stripped of potentially odor causing volatile contaminants and an off-gas stream is produced containing the stripped volatile contaminants. At least a portion of the aerated and stripped water stream is returned to the body of waste water to inhibit anaerobic decomposition of organic impurities.

Abstract: A power spraying device is disclosed for applying a liquid to a surface. The electronic control of the device is contained within the nozzle of the sprayer and emits radio wave signals to initiate operation of the device. The radio signals are detected by a receiver which converts the radio signals into control signals for a main pumping unit. The radio waves may also control the introduction of various chemicals into the liquid solution by the main pumping unit. The nozzle also contains a deadman's switch for turning off the flow of liquid in case the unit is accidentally dropped.

Abstract: A universal remote control mechanism for controlling a power spraying device comprises an electronic control contained within the nozzle housing of the sprayer. Membrane switches in the controller are actuated to cause radio wave signals to be generated and transmitted by an internal antenna. The radio signals are detected by a receiver which converts the radio signals into control signals for a main pumping unit. The radio waves may also control the introduction of various chemicals into the liquid solution by the main pumping unit. The nozzle also contains a deadman's switch for turning off the flow of liquid in case the unit is accidentally dropped. A delay feature lets the operator change hands without deactuating the system. The nozzle gun can be used for wired cable systems as well as for radio controlled systems.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for the catalytic gaseous phase reaction of a feed gas mixture. The apparatus includes a reactor having two ends which alternately serve as an inlet for the feed gas mixture and as an outlet for reacted gas and two stationary heat exchange/reaction zones connected by a center zone. Each of the heat exchange/reaction zones contains a layer of catalyst and the center zone contains a feed gas mixture inlet. A first distribution/collection zone is between one of the heat exchange/reaction zones and one of the ends of the reactor and a second distribution/collection zone is between the other heat exchange/reaction zone and the other end of the reactor. In the process, the heat exchange/reaction zones are alternately heated and cooled by periodically reversing the direction of flow of gas through the reactor.

Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for the gas phase reaction of a feed gas mixture in a regenerative incinerator comprising a combustion zone in fluid communication with at least three separately-housed chambers. Each chamber contains a layer of solid heat exchange material, and is in selective fluid communication with an inlet manifold and an exhaust manifold such that each chamber is selectively operable in an intake mode and an exhaust mode. A layer of catalyst is disposed in each chamber such that catalytic reaction of the feed gas mixture occurs and the operating temperature of the combustion zone may be reduced.

Abstract: Methanol is made in a liquid-phase methanol reactor by entraining a methanol-forming catalyst in an inert liquid and contacting said entrained catalyst with a synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A process for selectively forming aldehydes which comprises hydrogenating a carboxylic acid or a carboxylic acid ester in the presence of an yttrium catalyst activated with copper.

Abstract: A process for selectively forming aldehydes which comprises hydrogenating a carboxylic acid or a carboxylic acid ester in the presence of a manganese catalyst supported on an activated alumina.

Abstract: Methanol is made in a liquid-phase methanol reactor by entraining a methanol-forming catalyst in an inert liquid and contacting said entrained catalyst with a synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of mixtures which include saturated aliphatic alcohols is disclosed. In the first step of the process, the first catalyst activation stage, a catalyst, which comprises the oxides of copper, zinc, aluminum, potassium and one or two additional metals selected from the group consisting of chromium, magnesium, cerium, cobalt, thorium and lanthanum, is partially activated. In this step, a reducing gas stream, which includes hydrogen and at least one inert gas, flows past the catalyst at a space velocity of up to 5,000 liters (STP) per hour, per kilogram of catalyst. The partially activated catalyst is then subjected to the second step of the process, second-stage catalyst activation. In this step, the catalyst is contacted by an activation gas stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide present in a volume ratio of 0.5:1 and 4:1, respectively, at a temperature of 200.degree. to 450.degree. C. and a pressure of between 35 and 200 atmospheres.

Abstract: A process for the cracking of carbonaceous liquid feedstock employing a hydrogen donor solvent, derived from the feedstock, in a two-stage cracking operation is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for preparing oxirane compounds by the deacyloxylation of a vicinal hydroxyester in the presence of a basic material which comprises carrying out the reaction in a dilute phase transport reactor into which is fed a stream of heated catalyst co-current with a feed gas stream. The catalyst is heated in a fluidized bed heater. The catalyst and product gases are separated in a cyclone separator, the catalyst being returned to the heater and the effluent product gas being further processed to recover product.

Abstract: A method for the separation and recovery of organic material from rock, including the steps of forming a slurry containing the rock bearing the organic material and hydrogenating said material via a hydrogen transfer agent which is a liquid at standard conditions.

Abstract: The invention includes a process wherein an olefin is carbonylated with carbon monoxide to form carboxylic acid esters in the presence of a catalyst complex of one mole of BF.sub.3 and one mole of alcohol, and the catalyst is recovered from the desired reaction product and the reaction by-products and is recycled. The carbonylation is carried out until approximately one-half of the alcohol is consumed to form a reaction mass containing the BF.sub.3, the alcohol, and carboxylic acid esters in a 2:1:1 molar ratio. In the first step, the one mole of free BF.sub.3 is vaporized from the reaction mass. The remaining admixture is a 1:1:1 mixture of the aforesaid compounds. To this mixture additional alcohol is added and the mixture is subjected to distillation. An azeotrope of the product carboxylic acid ester and the alcohol and residual alcohol are removed by the distillation, leaving a residue containing a 1:2 BF.sub.

Abstract: In a process wherein ethylene or propylene is carbonylated with carbon monoxide to form carboxylic acid esters in the presence of a catalyst complex of one mole of BF.sub.3 and one mole of alcohol, the invention concerns a technique wherein the catalyst is recovered from the reaction product and recycled. The carbonylation is carried out until approximately one-half of the alcohol is consumed, to form a reaction mass containing the BF.sub.3, the alcohol, and the carboxylic acid ester in a 2:1:1 molar ratio. In the first step, the one mole of the free BF.sub.3 is vaporized from the reaction mass. The remaining admixture is a 1:1:1 mixture of the three aforesaid compounds. To this mixture additional alcohol is added and the mixture is subjected to distillation. A carboxylic acid ester/alcohol azeotrope and residual alcohol are removed by the distillation, to leave a residue containing a 1:2 BF.sub.3 /alcohol complex. This complex is combined with an additional mole of BF.sub.