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: 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.