Abstract: A method for operating a column having a region for reaction with distillation of fluid streams is provided with structures including catalyst-filled containers having liquid permeable upper surfaces which allow for the accumulation and flow of liquid from a liquid stream. The containers include catalyst beds positioned beneath the upper surface of the containers. A portion of the liquid on the containers is driven through the catalyst bed by the liquid head created by the accumulated liquid and is catalytically reacted. Another portion of the liquid may be directed through a downcomer which allows the accumulated liquid to leave the container without passing through the catalyst bed so that higher volumetric flow rates can be achieved.

Abstract: A column having a region for reaction with distillation of fluid streams is provided with structures including catalyst-filled containers having liquid permeable upper surfaces which allow for the accumulation and flow of liquid from a liquid stream. The containers include catalyst beds positioned beneath the upper surface of the containers. A portion of the liquid on the containers is driven through the catalyst bed by the liquid head created by the accumulated liquid and is catalytically reacted. Another portion of the liquid may be directed through a downcomer which allows the accumulated liquid to leave the container without passing through the catalyst bed so that higher volumetric flow rates can be achieved.

Abstract: Improved flare apparatus having long service lives for burning flammable and air and methods are provided. The flare apparatus is basically comprised of an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member positioned within the outer tubular member whereby an annular flammable gas discharge space is provided immediately adjacent to an annular air discharge space. The flammable gas is discharged into the atmosphere in an annular straight out pattern. At least a portion of the air is discharged into the atmosphere for mixing with the flammable gas in a swirling pattern immediately adjacent to the flammable gas which prevents internal burning and premature failure of the flare apparatus.

Abstract: A vapor-liquid contact tray is provided which includes a plurality of openings and associated fixed roof structures which redirect vapor flowing vertically upward through the openings to horizontal flow paths. Each fixed roof structure includes a generally planar deflector which overlies and is spaced above the associated opening in the tray. The deflector is joined to the tray by end plates connected at one end to the tray and at the other end to the deflector. In one embodiment the deflector is generally parallel to the tray and divides the vertically flowing vapor stream into roughly equal oppositely flowing vapor streams. In other embodiments, the deflector is inclined in relation to the tray to preferentially direct the vapor stream in one direction or to split the vapor stream into equal portions which are directed in the same general direction.

Abstract: A regenerative thermal oxidizer is provided with a combustion chamber and a plurality of heat transfer columns. Heat transfer media within the columns include solid surfaces which define vapor flow passages. To permit higher volumetric vapor flow rates nearer the combustion chamber, the passages are larger in cross-sectional area and the solid surfaces have less total surface area in those portions of the heat transfer media nearer the combustion chamber than in those portions away from the combustion chamber. The larger cross-sectional area of the passages and reduced area of the solid surfaces decreases the resistance to vapor flow and allows the passages to accommodate the higher volumetric flow rate of the vapor stream passing through the hotter portions of the heat transfer media.

Abstract: An integral collector-distributor device including chimney hats and adapted for use in a gas-liquid exchange column to promote radial mixing of a liquid on a distributor tray surface. The collector-distributor device includes a tray having a tray surface adapted to extend generally horizontally across the cross-sectional area of the column to collect downwardly flowing liquid. A plurality of gas risers on the tray permit the upward movement of an upwardly flowing gas through the tray, and a plurality of liquid distributors permit the generally uniform distribution of the collected downwardly flowing liquid to a lower section of the column.

Abstract: A vapor-liquid contact tray and downcomer assembly is provided with ramps which serve to impart a horizontal directional flow to the liquid exiting the downcomer and/or the vapor passing through the tray. The downcomer includes a bottom plate which closes the outlet region of the downcomer and includes a plurality of ramps which redirect the downwardly flowing liquid to include a horizontal component in the direction of liquid flow across the underlying tray. The downcomer receiving area in the underlying tray can include valves having floating caps which shield the associated openings in the tray against liquid weeping and redirect the vertical movement of the vapor streams to a generally horizontal momentum.

Abstract: A mass transfer or heat exchange column is provided with a vapor distributor having, in one embodiment, a deflecting surface which directs a vapor stream about the inner periphery of the column. Following discharge from the distributor, the vapor stream contacts circumferentially spaced guide vanes which redirect the vapor stream toward the center of the column to cause a more uniform distribution of the vapor stream across the horizontal cross section of the column.

Abstract: A mass transfer or heat exchange column is provided with a vapor distributor which circulates a vapor stream about the inner periphery of the column. The vapor stream is discharged from the distributor through an at least partially open bottom and, optionally, a plurality of spaced apart outlet ports in an inner annular wall of the distributor. A deflector extends upwardly along the inner annular wall to deflect the vapor stream away from a circumferential flow path along the inward face of the wall. The deflector may also extend outwardly under the flow channel to deflect, in a radially inward direction, vapor exiting the flow channel through the open bottom of the distributor.

Abstract: A column having a region for reaction with distillation of fluid streams is provided with structures which include distillation trays that allow for the accumulation of liquid from a liquid stream and the passage of a vapor stream through the liquid for interaction therewith. The structures include catalyst beds which extend downwardly from the trays and are housed within at least partially perforate containers. A portion of the liquid on the tray is catalytically reacted as it is driven through the catalyst bed by the liquid head created by the accumulated liquid. Another portion of the liquid may be directed through a bypass which also extends downwardly from the tray and allows the liquid to bypass the catalyst bed so that higher volumetric flow rates can be achieved. A still further portion of the liquid can be directed to a zone between adjacent catalyst beds or within a catalyst bed for developing a liquid head to force the liquid laterally through the catalyst bed.

Abstract: A bioreactor, motionless mixing element with attached cells, and method for the enhanced cultivation and propagation of cells in a bioreactor method, and which bioreactor comprises a housing and contains within the housing a motionless mixing element, the attachment of cells to the mixing element and a nutrient composition permitting the cell growth and division of the attached cells, and which motionless mixing element and the method and bioreactor comprise a porous, fibrous sheet material; for example, of a corrugated or knitted, woven wire material, such as stainless steel or titanium, and of selected dimensions as to the fiber diameter and height, to provide a maximum surface area for the attachment of the cells to be cultivated, with the ratio of the fibrous, geometric surface area of the porous, fibrous sheet material to that of a sheet material of the same shape being greater than about 1.0; for example, 1.5, and typically, for example, having a surface area for cell growth of about 2000 to 3000 M.sup.

Abstract: An improved laminar flow elbow system and method wherein the elbow system comprises a straight pre-pipe section to define the flow path of a fluid; the pipe section included directly prior to the inlet of a curved pipe section and having and comprising a plurality of vanes to impart a rotation to the fluid before passing through a curved pipe section to provide a generally flat velocity profile at the exit of the curved pipe section and to minimize turbulence of the fluid as it passes through the curved pipe section, and a substantially straight post-pipe section to define a flow path exit pipe section included directly at the exit of the curved pipe section, and containing a plurality of vanes to impart a backward rotation movement to the fluid flow from the exit of the curved pipe section, to substantially terminate rotation of the fluid upon exiting from the straight pipe section without substantial deterioration of the flatness of the fluid velocity profile and without generating substantial amounts of tu

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a static-mixing element, which method comprises forming selected subassemblies of the static-mixing element, having at least two layers of mixing blade elements, in a lattice-type structure, assembling the subassemblies in position in a fixture, joining the subassemblies together, to form the static-mixing element or one or more subassembly modules, and then joining the subassembly modules together, to form the entire static-mixing element. The subassemblies may be prepared of metal, by investment-casting or sintering, or a plastic or ceramic, by molding, and the subassemblies and subassembly modules formed by welding, sintering, bonding or fusing.

Abstract: A mass transfer or heat exchange column is provided with a vapor distributor having, in one embodiment, a plenum which circulates a vapor stream about the inner periphery of the column. The plenum has a plurality of spaced apart outlet ports which allow portions of the vapor stream to be introduced into the open column interior at a plurality of locations. The vapor streams exiting the plenum have sufficient velocity to cause turbulent mixing of the streams, thereby providing a more uniform distribution of the vapor across the horizontal cross section of the column. The ascending, uniformly distributed vapor is then able to interact more efficiently with liquid in an overlying zone which may include trays or random or structured packing. In another embodiment, the vapor distributor defines a flow channel of decreasing cross-sectional area that is in communication with a generally open bottom of the distributor.

Abstract: A reaction with distillation structure utilizes a plurality of distillation trays and catalyst containers which provide a catalytic reaction zone and a primary flow path for descending liquid streams. Catalytic reaction of the liquid streams within the catalyst reaction zone formed in the containers occurs concurrently with fractionation of the reaction products on the distillation trays. The containers may extend continuously through the reaction zone of the distillation reactor to allow for dump loading and removal of the solid particulate catalyst. Alternatively, the catalyst containers may extend from one tray toward a lower tray without passing through the latter. Structure may also be provided within the containers to influence system hydraulics through the accumulation of liquid within the catalyst bed. This is done by providing an open area interiorly of the catalyst bed into which liquid on the distillation tray is driven.

Abstract: A bioreactor, motionless mixing element with attached cells, and method for the enhanced cultivation and propagation of cells in a bioreactor method, and which bioreactor comprises a housing and contains within the housing a motionless mixing element, the attachment of cells to the mixing element and a nutrient composition permitting the cell growth and division of the attached cells, and which motionless mixing element and the method and bioreactor comprise a porous, fibrous sheet material; for example, of a corrugated or knitted, woven wire material, such as stainless steel or titanium, and of selected dimensions as to the fiber diameter and height, to provide a maximum surface area for the attachment of the cells to be cultivated, with the ratio of the fibrous, geometric surface area of the porous, fibrous sheet material to that of a sheet material of the same shape being greater than about 1.0; for example, 1.5, and typically, for example, having a surface area for cell growth of about 2000 to 3000 M.sup.

Abstract: A mist eliminator for removing liquid droplets from a gas stream, which includes a plurality of impingement baffles, the baffles having a profile including a short inlet section, a lower angled section, a short interconnecting section, an upper angled section, and a short outlet section, the length of the lower angled section longer than the upper angled section, the upper angled section having a greater angular inclination than the lower angled section, thereby providing for a mist eliminator for use in a gas.-liquid contact column of higher gas throughput, low pressure drop, moderate removal efficiency, and low manufacturing cost, which is easily cleaned, and particularly adapted for wet scrubbing processes.

Abstract: A compact heat or mass transfer exchange column containing a plurality of vertically spaced-apart sections to define a column space therebetween and at least one integral collector-distributor device in the open space for the collection and distribution in the column of a downwardly flowing liquid. The device comprises a plurality of lateral collection and distribution troughs extending from the central channel or sump to distribute downwardly flowing liquid to a lower section. The lateral trough contains a plurality of removably secured, angled vane elements connected to the upper edges of the lateral troughs, the vanes extending over the open space between the lateral troughs to receive downwardly flowing liquid on the upper surfaces thereof and to direct the downwardly flowing liquid into the lateral troughs, and optionally a wall wiper ring to direct liquid from the internal walls of the column into the collector-distributor device.

Abstract: A reaction with distillation structure utilizes a plurality of distillation trays and catalyst containers which provide a catalytic reaction zone and a primary flow path for descending liquid streams. Catalytic reaction of the liquid streams within the catalyst reaction zone formed in the containers occurs concurrently with fractionation of the reaction products on the distillation trays. The containers may extend continuously through the reaction zone of the distillation reactor to allow for dump loading and removal of the solid particulate catalyst. Alternatively, the catalyst containers may extend from one tray toward a lower tray without passing through the latter. Structure may also be provided within the containers to influence system hydraulics through the accumulation of liquid within the catalyst bed. This is done by providing an open area interiorly of the catalyst bed into which liquid on the distillation tray is driven.

Abstract: A reaction with distillation column is provided with a plurality of discrete catalytic reaction containers. The containers contain a plurality of solid catalyst particles which form a catalytic reaction zone. The containers also comprise a liquid collection tray cover which defines a liquid accumulation zone immediately overlying the catalytic reaction zone. Overflow weirs are provided on the tray cover to allow for overflow of liquid on the tray cover. A member may be provided within the containers to create an open area within the catalytic reaction zone to facilitate entry of the liquid into the catalytic reaction zone. The containers can be individually positioned within the reactor to suit particular process requirements.