Abstract: Internal tube sheet sealing apparatus assembly for tubular heat exchangers which operate with pressures of, e.g., greater than 1000 psi on both sides of the tube sheet and wherein the tube sheet itself is usually subject to a lower differential pressure, comprising tube sheet loading means including a plurality of shear means assemblies and bolts the can load the tube sheet joint independently of each other, said tube sheet loading means enabling (1) the tightness of the tube sheet joint and tube joints to be inspected during differential pressure hydrotesting of the shell side without the channel cover assembly mounted in place and (2) "in-service" re-loading of the tube sheet joint without removing the channel cover assembly.

Abstract: A system for adding and withdrawing solids to a high pressure reactor wherein there is provided improved control of flow and concentrations of a slurry of solids in a transport oil for introducing and withdrawing solids from the reactor. In addition, there is provided for improved heating and cooling of the solids.

Abstract: A pump seal oil system for a reactor pump wherein seal oil is provided at a pre-determined rate of flow without changing the rate of flow in response to pressure differences between the seal oil in the pump and the reactor pressure. Seal oil is provided at a first rate when the reactor pump is in operation and at a second higher rate when the reactor pump is not in operation.

Abstract: Temperature is controlled in a hydrogenation reactor without changing the flow rate of feed into the reactor to maintain a pre-determined temperature in the reactor. In one embodiment, the firing rate of a fuel fired furnace for heating feed to the reactor is controlled in response to the temperature sensed in the reactor to maintain a pre-determined temperature. In another embodiment, the flow rate of a quenching stream for cooling feed to the reactor is controlled in response to temperature sensed in the reactor to maintain a pre-determined temperature in the reactor.

Abstract: Spent flux containing calcium oxide and calcium sulfide, recovered from the reduction of iron ore, is carbonated, as an aqueous slurry, in two stages, with the first stage being operated at a pH to prevent reaction of calcium sulfide, and the second stage being operated at a pH at which calcium sulfide is reacted to produce an effluent gas containing hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: In an expanded bed reactor, the expansion of the bed is automatically controlled by automatically changing the rate of speed of a recycle pump for the reactor. The bed is preferably provided with both high and low level bed detectors, and a further detector for determining abnormally high levels.

Abstract: A mixed oxide catalyst precursor comprising vanadium and phosphorus treated in finely divided form with phosphoric acid and water soluble compound of aluminum and/or boron to improve resistance to attrition.

Abstract: Phenol feed to a steam distilling column, containing alpha-methylstyrene and mesityl oxide, is treated with a base, without acidification, and the heavy phenol product is acidified and distilled in a high purity column to recover high purity phenol as a sidestream and lighter components as overhead. Acidification after steam distilling, rather than prior to steam distilling, increases phenol recovery by reducing the overhead pasteurizing cut from the high purity column.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of styrene through dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene in the presence of steam at elevated temperatures, comprising (1) recovering heat of condensation normally lost during separation of the various components of the dehydrogenation reaction effluent, especially of ethylbenzene from styrene, without need or use of a compressor and (2) using such heat to vaporize an aqueous feed mixture of ethylbenzene and dilution water that is introduced into the dehydrogenation reactor, preferably at about atmospheric pressure, thereby obviating the need to use steam to vaporize the liquid ethylbenzene feed and also enabling much of the diluent steam needed as sensible heat for the dehydrogenation reaction to be generated from water.

Abstract: Sub-bituminous coal is directly liquefied in two stages by use of a liquefaction solvent containing insoluble material as well as 850.degree. F.+ material and 850.degree. F.- material derived from the second stage, and controlled temperature and conversion in the second stage. The process is in hydrogen balance.

Abstract: A process for oxidizing a hydrocarbon to maleic anhydride using a mixed oxide catalyst of vanadium and phosphorous prepared by a procedure including pretreating the dried catalyst precursor of the said mixed oxides in finely divided form with an acid solution.

Abstract: Solvent refining of a residual oil is accomplished with a refining solvent containing methanol and propanol, preferably isopropanol. The solvent produces high yields of a high quality refined oil, as well as a pumpable pitch fraction.

Abstract: A hot aqueous waste, containing solids, such as tailings from the hot water extraction of bitumen from tar sands, is contacted with air to increase the heat and moisture content of the air, followed by contacting the heated and moisturized air with water to condense moisture from the air and increase the heat content of the water, with the heated water containing condensed moisture being employed as make-up hot water in the extraction. Water recovery can be further increased by subjecting at least a portion of the tailings, prior to contact with air, to an evaporation procedure wherein heat requirements are provided by indirect heat transfer with steam. Evaporate and condensed steam are employed in the extraction.

Abstract: The coal liquefaction process disclosed uses three stages. The first stage is a liquefaction. The second and third stages are hydrogenation stages at different temperatures and in parallel or in series. One stage is within 650.degree.-795.degree. F. and optimizes solvent production. The other stage is within 800.degree.-840.degree. F. and optimizes the C.sub.5 -850.degree. F. product.

Abstract: In the delayed coking of a coking feedstock wherein the feedstock is continuously heated in a coking heater and introduced into a coke drum, the heater is operated to provide a coke drum temperature of from 415.degree. to 455.degree. C., and, after filling of the drum to the desired level, feedstock introduction is discontinued and the coke drum contents are heated at a temperature of 450.degree. C. to 500.degree. C., and which heating temperature is at least 10.degree. C. greater than the coking temperature, by passing a non-coking vapor through the contents of the drum to reduce the volatile combustible matter content to a value of 4% to 10% by weight and thereby reduce the CTE of the formed coke. The process is applicable to the production of needle coke from various kinds of feedstocks, in particular from a petroleum feedstock wherein the feedstock is initially treated by thermal soaking in the presence of sulfur, followed by thermal cracking to increase the aromaticity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coal liquefaction process using two stages. The first stage liquefies the coal and maximizes the product while the second stage hydrocracks the remainder of the coal liquid to produce solvent.

Abstract: An improved convection section assembly for process heaters comprising a plurality of horizontally-disposed heat transfer segments disposed in vertical array and supported by means attached externally to said assembly, said segments further comprising a plurality of tube sheets also supported by fixed external means. The use of such external support means enables the convection section assembly to be of unlimited width--which thereby permits the substitution of a large number of parallel heating coils for the conventional serpentine heating coil customarily used--and also enables the plurality of tube sheets to expand laterally. Thus, with only external refractory lined supports, there is no practical limit on the flue gas temperature that can be used.

Abstract: A chlorohydrin, such as glycerol dichlorohydrin is saponified in two stages, with the first stage being carried out in a high back-mix saponification reactor, and the second stage being carried out in a plug-flow saponification reactor. The use of two different stages improves both selectivity and yield.

Abstract: Low energy process for the production of gasoline-ethanol blends, comprising dehydrating the aqueous ethanolic product from a conventional fermentation process, preferably containing about 6 wt. % ethanol, so as to generate an aqueous ethanolic effluent containing about 90 wt. % ethanol; mixing the effluent with gasoline feedstock; chilling the resultant gasoline-aqueous ethanol mixture to a temperature of about -10.degree. F., without forming ice, thereby to form (1) a gasohol blend containing about 10 wt. % ethanol and (2) an aqueous stream comprising some ethanol and traces of gasoline; extracting the gasoline-containing aqueous stream with a minor stream of the fermentation ethanol product in order to recover the gasoline it contains; and recovering said blend to produce a gasohol product under-saturated with water at all operating temperatures above -10.degree. F.

Abstract: .[.In a hydrogenation operation employing an ebullated catalytic bed, recycle is recovered from the hydrogenated product with at least 25%, by volume, of the recycle boiling above 950.degree. F. The recycle is cooled to a temperature of from 350.degree. to 600.degree. F. to separate coke precursors, prior to recycle to the hydrogenation. Higher conversion levels can be achieved by effecting recycle in such manner..]..Iadd.Disclosed is a hydrogenation process using at least one fluidized catalytic stage and a recycle material of heavy hydrogenated effluent. The heavy effluent material is cooled to a temperature within 350.degree.-600.degree. F. to separate toluene and heptane insoluble coke precursors prior to recycle. This separation may be enhanced by the use of centrifugation, filtration or a bed of particulate material (e.g. calcined coke). .Iaddend.