Abstract: A method is disclosed for reforming organics into shorter-chain unsaturated organic compounds. A molten metal bath is provided which can cause homolytic cleavage of an organic component of an organic-containing feed. The feed is directed into the molten metal bath at a rate which causes partial homolytic cleavage of an organic component of the feed. Conditions are established and maintained in the reactor to cause partial homolytic cleavage of the organic component to produce unsaturated organic compounds, as products of the homolytic cleavage, which are discharged from the molten metal bath.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for monitoring the physical integrity of a vessel, such as a molten metal reactor. The apparatus includes a vessel for containing an electrically-conductive liquid having at least one electrically-grounded detection unit located within the containment wall of the vessel. Monitoring changes in electrical current flow of the detection unit relates to the physical integrity of the vessel containment wall and prevents unanticipated breaching of the vessel by the electrically-conductive liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method relate to tapping a molten metal bath from a reactor. The apparatus includes a tapping pipe having a tapping pipe inlet and tapping pipe outlet for withdrawing a portion of the molten bath from the reactor. The molten bath can flow from the reactor through the tapping pipe inlet through tapping pipe to a tapping pipe exit. The tapping pipe is attached to the reactor at the tapping pipe inlet and the tapping pipe includes a susceptor, formed of a suitable material, such as graphite, which heats upon application of induction current. An induction coil assembly is annularly disposed about the tapping pipe, wherein the induction coil assembly can apply an induction current to heat the tapping pipe to a temperature that is higher than that of a solidified bath metal component within the tapping pipe. The induction current melts the solidified bath metal, whereby the molten metal bath can be tapped from the reactor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reforming organics into shorter-chain unsaturated organic compounds. A molten metal bath is provided which can cause homolytic cleavage of an organic component of an organic-containing feed. The feed is directed into the molten metal bath at a rate which causes partial homolytic cleavage of an organic component of the feed. Conditions are established and maintained in the reactor to cause partial homolytic cleavage of the organic component to produce unsaturated organic compounds, as products of the homolytic cleavage, which are discharged from the molten metal bath.