Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for preventing damage of components of a heat exchanger. In some aspects, a system includes an impingement device for the distribution of fluid flow through an inlet of a heat exchanger that includes a first set of members configured to be disposed between an inlet and one or more process tubes of a heat exchanger and arranged in a first orientation, and a second set of members disposed between the first set of members and the inlet. Each member of the second set of members is arranged in a second orientation that is angularly disposed relative to the first orientation.

Abstract: A piezoelectric composite material is formed from a cellulosic material and an inorganic piezoelectric material dispersed in a piezoelectric polymer. The piezoelectric polymer of the composite material has a dielectric constant of from 10 or more. A method of making a piezoelectric is also disclosed wherein a matrix of a cellulosic material, an inorganic piezoelectric material, and a piezoelectric polymer material is formed. The matrix is formed into a piezoelectric composite body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photovoltaic module comprising (a) a front layer (1) arranged on the sunlight facing side of the photovoltaic module, wherein the front layer (1) comprises a first polypropylene composition, comprising a polypropylene, wherein the transmission of the front layer for light in the wavelength range of 350 nm to 1200 nm is on average at least 65% as compared to a situation without the front layer as determined according to ASTM D1003-13, (b) a sealing layer (2,4) which at least partly encapsulates a plurality of photovoltaic cells (3), wherein the sealing layer (2, 4) comprises a polyolefin elastomer composition comprising an ethylene-?-olefin copolymer and (c) a back layer (5), wherein the back layer (5) comprises a first reinforced polypropylene layer comprising a second polypropylene composition comprising a polypropylene and optionally a reinforcing filler, wherein the sealing layer is arranged between the front layer and the back layer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a chemical reactor (100) having (a) two or more gas reactor elements (12) with each gas reactor element (12) having (i) a first reaction chamber (38), and (ii) a feed assembly unit (36), (b) a second reaction chamber (20) coupled with each of the two or more gas reactor elements (12) and configured to independently receive two or more product streams from the two or more gas reactor elements (12); and optionally, (c) a gas converging section (40) located downstream to the second reaction chamber (20). The invention is further directed to a method of producing chemical products using the chemical reactor (100) of the present invention.

Abstract: Methods of producing lead-free piezoelectric composites are described. The method can include adding a lead-free piezoelectric additive to a solution that includes a solvent and polymer solubilized therein. The solvent can have i) a boiling point ?80° C. at 0.1 MPa and ii) a solubility in water of ?0.1 g/g and/or a dielectric constant ?20. The solvent can be removed to form a polymeric matrix having the lead-free piezoelectric particles dispersed therein. Electrical treatment of the polymeric matrix can form the piezoelectric component. Lead-free piezoelectric composites and devices that include the lead-free piezoelectric composites are also described.

Abstract: A process for producing isooctane by introducing a butane feed stream (containing n-butane, i-butane) and hydrogen into a catalytic hydrogenolysis reactor to produce a hydrogenolysis product stream; separating the hydrogenolysis product stream into a butane stream (i-butane, optionally n-butane); feeding the butane stream to a catalytic dehydrogenation reactor to produce a dehydrogenation product stream comprising saturated and unsaturated four-carbon hydrocarbons; and feeding the dehydrogenation product stream to an oligomerization unit to produce isooctene and dehydrogenating the isooctene to produce isooctane.

Abstract: Piezoelectric composites are described. A piezoelectric composite can include a polymeric matrix, piezoelectric additive(s), and polyol. Methods of making and using the piezoelectric composite are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing a C3 and C4 hydrocarbon mixture have been disclosed. The C3 and C4 hydrocarbon mixture is separated to remove propane from C4 hydrocarbons. The resulting C4 hydrocarbons are then processed in an isomerization unit to produce additional isobutane. The isobutane of the isomerization unit effluent is dehydrogenated in a dehydrogenation unit to produce isobutene. The resulting isobutene is reacted with an alkanol to produce an alkyl tert-butyl ether.

Abstract: A system and a method for catalytically cracking hydrocarbons. The system includes a fluidized bed riser reactor, and a separation zone configured to separate the effluent from the riser reactor to produce a product stream and a spent catalyst. A stripping zone is fluidly coupled to the outlet of the separation zone such that the spent catalyst is stripped to remove the hydrocarbons adsorbed thereon. The stripping zone encompasses at least a portion of the riser reactor such that stripping internals in the stripping zone are used to provide reaction heat to the riser reactor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing light olefins and BTX (benzene, toluene, and xylene). Crude oil is first separated to produce light naphtha and heavy naphtha. Light naphtha is fed to a steam cracking unit and heavy naphtha is fed to a catalytic cracking unit. The effluent from the steam cracking unit and the effluent from the catalytic cracking unit are flowed into an oil quench tower and are further separated in a separation unit to produce an ethylene stream, a propylene stream, and a BTX stream. The C4 hydrocarbons, ethane, and propane from the effluent of the steam cracking unit and the effluent from the catalytic cracking unit are recycled to the steam cracking unit. The non-BTX C6+ hydrocarbons from the effluent of the steam cracking unit and the effluent from the catalytic cracking unit are recycled to the catalytic cracking unit.

Abstract: A chemical synthesis plant comprising: one or more reactors configured for producing, from one or more reactants, a process stream comprising at least one chemical product; a feed preparation system configured to prepare one or more feed streams comprising one or more of the one or more reactants for introduction into the one or more reactors; and/or a product purification system configured to separate the at least one chemical product from reaction byproducts, unreacted reactants, or a combination thereof within the process stream, wherein the chemical synthesis plant is configured such that a majority of the net energy needed for heating, cooling, compressing, or a combination thereof utilized via the one or more reactors, the feed preparation system, the product purification system, or a combination thereof is provided from a non-carbon based energy source, from a renewable energy source, and/or from electricity.

Abstract: An olefin synthesis plant comprising: a feed pretreatment section configured to pretreat a feed stream; a pyrolysis section comprising one or more pyrolysis reactors configured to crack hydrocarbons in the feed stream in the presence of a diluent to produce a cracked gas stream; a primary fractionation and compression section configured to provide heat recovery from and quenching of the cracked gas stream; remove a component from the cracked gas stream; and compress the cracked gas stream, thus providing a compressed cracked gas stream; and/or a product separation section configured to separate a product olefin stream from the compressed cracked gas stream, wherein the olefin synthesis plant is configured such that, relative to a conventional olefin synthesis plant, more of the energy and/or the net energy required by the olefin synthesis plant and/or one or more sections thereof, is provided by a non-carbon based and/or renewable energy source and/or electricity.

Abstract: A chemical synthesis plant comprising: one or more reactors configured for producing, from one or more reactants, a process stream comprising at least one chemical product; a feed preparation system configured to prepare one or more feed streams comprising one or more of the one or more reactants for introduction into the one or more reactors; and/or a product purification system configured to separate the at least one chemical product from reaction byproducts, unreacted reactants, or a combination thereof within the process stream, wherein the chemical synthesis plant is configured such that a majority of the net energy needed for heating, cooling, compressing, or a combination thereof utilized via the one or more reactors, the feed preparation system, the product purification system, or a combination thereof is provided from a noncarbon based energy source, from a renewable energy source, and/or from electricity.

Abstract: Rare earth element containing catalysts for dehydrogenating paraffins and the methods of making the catalysts are disclosed. A rare earth modified alumina support in eta-alumina form, theta-alumina form, or combinations thereof is impregnated with chromium-containing solution. The chromium-impregnated support is then subjected to calcination processes. The produced catalyst contains the rare earth element, chromium, and alumina. The crush strength of the produced catalyst is greater than 0.4 daN/mm.

Abstract: Rare earth element containing catalysts for dehydrogenating paraffins and the methods of making the catalysts are disclosed. A rare earth modified alumina support in eta-alumina form, theta-alumina form, or combinations thereof is impregnated with chromium-containing solution. The chromium-impregnated support is then subjected to calcination processes. The produced catalyst contains the rare earth element, chromium, and alumina. The crush strength of the produced catalyst is greater than 0.4 daN/mm.

Abstract: A methanol synthesis plant comprising: a feed pretreating section operable to pretreat a feed stream; a synthesis gas (syngas) generation section comprising one or more reactors operable to produce a syngas synthesis product stream comprising synthesis gas from the feed stream; a methanol synthesis section comprising one or more methanol synthesis reactors operable to produce a synthesis product comprising methanol; and/or a methanol purification section operable to remove at least one component from the synthesis product to provide a purified methanol product; wherein the methanol synthesis plant is configured such that, relative to a conventional methanol synthesis plant, more of the net energy required by the methanol synthesis plant, the feed pretreating section, the syngas generation section, the methanol synthesis section, the methanol purification section, or a combination thereof, is provided by a non-carbon based energy source, a renewable energy source, and/or electricity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing full range naphtha feeds to produce a light olefins stream and an aromatics stream concerns integration of catalytic cracking with steam cracking to maximize production of aromatics and olefins.

Abstract: A method for the dehydrogenation of lower alkanes is disclosed. The method employs a chromium-alumina dehydrogenation catalyst with high chromium content supported on eta-alumina. The catalyst contains greater than 25 percent by weight chromium in the form of chromium (III) oxide, and exhibits extended stability over traditional alkane dehydrogenation catalysts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite comprising: a polymer matrix formed from one or more of a monomer or a precursor polymer; and an in-situ dispersion of a piezoelectric ceramic filler and an ionic additive within the polymer matrix, wherein the composite exhibits a d33 of at least 1 pC/N when measured using a piezoelectric meter. Disclosed also herein are methods of forming the composite.

Abstract: A catalyst composition, suitable for producing ethylene and other C2+ hydrocarbons, from methane. The composition comprises a blended product of two distinct catalyst components, blended at such synergistic proportions that results in a catalyst having high ethylene selectivity while maintaining low ethyne selectivity and sufficient catalytic activity rate. The invention further provides a method for preparing such a catalyst composition and a process for producing ethylene and other C2+ hydrocarbons, using such a catalyst composition.