Abstract: A method of manufacturing a static-mixing element, which method includes 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 plurality of corrugated plates are arranged in parallel relationship with corrugations in adjacent plates extending in a criss-crossing pattern to form a packing element for a heat exchange or mass transfer column. The plates are spaced closer together by providing reliefs in adjacent plates at the points of intersection between the criss-crossing corrugations. The reliefs allow the corrugations on the adjacent plates to extend into each other to reduce the spacing between the plates. The reliefs may be in the form of apertures or recesses.

Abstract: An improved process for recovering one or more condensable compounds from inert gas-condensable compound vapor mixture is provided. The inert gas-condensable compound vapor mixture is flowed through a first bed of solid adsorbent whereby the condensable compounds are removed from the mixture and a residue gas stream comprised of substantially condensable compound-free inert gas is produced and disposed of, e.g., vented to the atmosphere. A second bed of solid adsorbent is evacuated by vacuum pumping using a cooled liquid seal vacuum pump. As the resulting inert gas-condensable compound vapor mixture is contacted with the cooled seal liquid of the liquid seal vacuum pump, a major portion of the condensable compounds are condensed. The condensed compounds are recovered and a portion thereof are cooled and recycled as cooled seal liquid for the vacuum pump.

Abstract: Improved methods and burner apparatus are provided for discharging mixtures of fuel and air into furnace spaces wherein said mixtures are burned and flue gases having low NO.sub.x content are formed therefrom. The methods basically comprise discharging a first fuel mixture containing a portion of the fuel and flue gases from the furnace space into the furnace space whereby the mixture is burned in a primary reaction zone therein and flue gases having low NO.sub.x content are formed therefrom, and then discharging the remaining portion of the fuel into a secondary reaction zone wherein the remaining portion of fuel mixes with air and flue gases to form a second fuel mixture which is burned in the secondary reaction zone and additional flue gases having low NO.sub.x content are formed therefrom.

Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for reducing NO.sub.x content of flue gas effluent from a furnace, the improvement comprising a burner assembly having a burner and flue gas recirculating system for collecting and passing internally recirculating flue gas into a combustion zone for reaction with a combustion flame. The burner preferably has a plurality of fuel dispensing nozzles peripherally disposed about the combustion zone to aspirate collected internally recirculating flue gas into the combustion zone, and has a plurality of fluid driven eductors to drive further amounts of collected internally recirculating flue gas into the combustion zone.

Abstract: A reaction with distillation structure utilizes a plurality of distillation trays and interconnecting 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 preferably extend continuously through the reaction zone of the distillation reactor to allow for dump loading and removal of the solid particulate catalyst. 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 and fractionation tray is radially driven.

Abstract: A multiple purpose burner process and apparatus in which a burner assembly having a burner member defining a burner throat bore extending therethrough and forming an ignition zone and at least one mixing zone in the burner throat bore, the total combustion air passing through the burner throat bore. A minor portion of fuel gas as ignition fuel produces a continuous ignition flame in the ignition zone, and plural meter channels extending through the burner member communicate with the mixing zone to pass an admixture of a diluent gas with the remainder portion of the fuel, as a primary fuel stream, to the mixing zone for forming with the remaining combustion air a primary fuel/diluent/combustion air mixture, and the primary fuel/diluent/combustion air mixture is ignited by the ignition flame in the mixing zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for concurrently catalytically reacting fluid streams and distilling the reaction product. A catalytic structure is provided within a distillation column reactor and includes mass transfer devices presenting hollow spaces and a fixed catalyst bed formed from solid catalyst particles. The mass transfer devices are interconnected gas and liquid permeable elements. The liquid phase preferentially flows along channels formed in the catalyst bed before contacting the devices for mass transfer with the vapor phase which primarily flows through the devices.

Abstract: A process for disposing of a waste chemical stream containing materials which can produce objectionable combustion products, such as NO.sub.x, free bromine, carbon, particulates or ash, the process comprising the steps of passing the waste chemical stream to an oxidizing first zone where burning occurs in stoichiometric oxygen excess above about 2000.degree. F.; then to a reducing second zone where reaction occurs in stoichiometric reduction at a temperature of above about 2000.degree. F.; and then to an oxidizing third zone to oxidize the combustibles at temperatures of between about 1400.degree. F. and 2000.degree. F. The process provides high efficiency destruction of waste compounds, whether solid, liquid or gaseous, in a substantially NO.sub.x free manner. In the case of brominated compounds, the process generates HBr which is readily scrubbed.

Abstract: Improved methods and burner apparatus are provided for discharging mixtures of fuel and air into furnace spaces wherein said mixtures are burned and flue gases having low NO.sub.x content are formed therefrom. The methods basically comprise discharging a first fuel mixture containing a portion of the fuel and flue gases from the furnace space into the furnace space whereby the mixture is burned in a primary reaction zone therein and flue gases having low NO.sub.x content are formed therefrom, and then discharging the remaining portion of the fuel into a secondary reaction zone wherein the remaining portion of fuel mixes with air and flue gases to form a second fuel mixture which is burned in the secondary reaction zone and additional flue gases having low NO.sub.x content are formed therefrom.

Abstract: A liquid distributor apparatus and method for the distribution of a high viscosity liquid into a process vessel generally free of entrapped gas bubbles. The distributor apparatus includes a distributor for the high viscosity liquid with openings on the top of the distributor to vent gas entrapped in the high viscosity liquid. The distributor apparatus includes a feed pipe to deliver smoothly and without gas entrapment a high viscosity liquid from the distributor directly onto a cup-like or conical surface of a distributor tube to form a downwardly flowing film on the exterior surface of the distributor tube and to deliver the high viscosity liquid to the top section of the process vessel without gas entrapment. The method comprises venting gas from a high viscosity liquid and slowing the downward velocity of the vented, high viscosity liquid into the process vessel to avoid further gas entrapment.

Abstract: Improved low NO.sub.x formation gas burner apparatus and methods of burning uel are provided. The burner apparatus includes a refractory burner tile having a base portion and a wall portion, the wall portion extending into the furnace, surrounding a central area of the base portion and having exterior sides which are slanted. Means are attached to the burner tile for mixing a portion of the fuel gas with the air and discharging the resulting mixture into a primary burning zone in the furnace from within the space defined by the wall portion of the burner tile. At least one secondary fuel gas nozzle means positioned for discharging the remaining portion of the fuel gas adjacent to an external slanted side of the wall portion whereby the fuel gas mixes with flue gases and air in the furnace and burns in a secondary burning zone therein.

Abstract: An improved radiant gas burner which includes a refractory burner tile hag an elongated passageway extending therethrough and a fuel-air mixture burner tube disposed within the passageway. The burner tube is of a one-piece elongated construction, includes a nozzle portion at the interior end of the passageway and is connected to means for introducing fuel gas and air therein by a threaded connection positioned adjacent the exterior end of the passageway. Secondary fuel is discharged from the passageway at a location adjacent the nozzle portion of the burner tube. An improved method of burning fuel gas and air using a radiant gas burner is also provided.

Abstract: Improved methods and burner apparatus are provided for discharging mixtures f fuel and air into furnace spaces wherein said mixtures are burned and flue gases having low NO.sub.x content are formed therefrom. The methods basically comprise discharging a first fuel mixture containing a portion of the fuel and flue gases from the furnace space into the furnace space whereby the mixture is burned in a primary reaction zone therein and flue gases having low NO.sub.x content are formed therefrom, and then discharging the remaining portion of the fuel into a secondary reaction zone wherein the remaining portion of fuel mixes with air and flue gases to form a second fuel mixture which is burned in the secondary reaction zone and additional flue gases having low NO.sub.x contents are formed therefrom.

Abstract: A gas-liquid column and method having improved mist elimination particularly for the treatment of corrosive fluids which comprises directly introducing a liquid from a liquid distributor resting on a top structured packing layer into the upright flow passage of the structured packing to provide the initial gas-liquid contact within the top structured packing layer, thereby reducing mist and spray and particularly useful where corrosive fluids are used.

Abstract: A saddle-type random packing element for use in a vapor-liquid tower which packing comprises an arcuate body having generally parallel, upright flanges on either side, the arcuate body having a plurality of alternating, generally parallel, inner and outer arched rib elements extending transversely between the flanges. The method of manufacture of the packing element comprises slitting a flat metal sheet to form rib elements, bending the sheet to form the upright flanges, the arched rib elements and then into the arcuate shape of the packing.

Abstract: A method of preparing a column for a reaction with distillation process utilizing a solid particulate catalyst includes the steps of providing a plurality of vertically spaced apart distillation devices, coupling these devices with a plurality of vertically extending horizontally spaced catalyst enclosing containers, extending at least some of the containers through at least two successive distillation devices, then loading a particulate catalyst into the containers to form a catalyst bed whereby distillation and catalytic reaction may occur simultaneously in the column. The method also encompasses a process for concurrent catalytic reaction with distillation which includes the foregoing steps as well as the steps of feeding a liquid stream to the column reactor and onto the distillation devices while a vapor stream moves vertically up through the distillation devices while products of reaction and distillation are withdrawn from the reactor.

Abstract: A multiple level distributor and method for the distribution of a downwardly flowing liquid in a gas-liquid contact column and the upward flow of a gas within the gas-liquid column and which distributor comprises a trough type distributor having a plurality of holes therein, the holes arranged in at least two different levels of height from the bottom of the trough type distributor, the number and size of the holes and the height of the holes so arranged to provide for control of the liquid turndown and the liquid flow of the downwardly flowing liquid in the gas-liquid column.

Abstract: A liquid distributor for a gas-liquid contact column, which liquid distributor comprises a plurality of elongated distributors extending across the general cross section of a gas-liquid contact column, and secondary distributing troughs located on each side of the distributor, the secondary distributor troughs containing a deflection plate having an upper section and a lower section and a support plate which connects the deflection plate and spaces the deflection plate apart from the liquid distributor, the support plate having large openings for the upward passage of a gas and smaller openings located near the intersection of the support plate with the deflection plate to permit the liquid splashing from the orifices of the liquid distributor against the deflection plate to flow downwardly against the wall surface of the lower portion of the deflection plate and to be distributed through multiple drip points on the lower edge of the deflection plate in the lower portion of the gas-liquid column.

Abstract: A motionless mixer for use in mixing flow streams in a conduit and a low-cost method of manufacturing the motionless mixer, which method comprises: cutting, such as by stamping, an elongated strip from a flat sheet, which strip comprises a plurality of connected, semielliptical blade elements; bending the strip at the connecting point between the blade elements, to form a plurality of blades at an angle of about 30.degree.-45.degree. to each other in the strip; providing first and second strips and aligning the first and second strips in a generally parallel arrangement; twisting the said first and second strips into a cooperative relationship, wherein each pair of blade elements is disposed at an angle of about 90.degree. with respect to each other pair of blade elements; securing the blade elements together such as by welding at the crossover point of the pair of blade elements, to provide a motionless mixer; and inserting the motionless mixer in a conduit.