Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for treating and regenerating a spent caustic solution at ambient temperatures which includes oxidizing the spent caustic stream with an air/ozone gas mixture, followed by irradiating the oxidized spent caustic stream with a broad range of ultraviolet radiation and finally filtering the spent caustic solution.

Abstract: The invention is a process and apparatus for rapidly and efficiently separating a fluidized catalytic cracking mixture into cracking catalysts and hydrocarbon vapor. The invention decreases the production of unwanted hydrocarbon byproducts by decreasing the contact time between the separated hydrocarbon vapor and the cracking catalyst.

Abstract: A convective reformer device is provided which is useful for partially reforming a feed mixture of hydrocarbons and steam. The device includes an outer shell enclosure and a tubular inner core assembly and is specifically adapted to support heat exchange between a heating fluid, which may be an effluent from downstream, and the hydrocarbon-steam feed mixture. The convective reformer is used in a system and process for the steam reformation of hydrocarbons, in which the partially reformed effluent from the convective reformer is further reformed in a steam reforming furnace, or an auto-thermal reformer, or a steam reforming furnace followed by an auto-thermal reformer. The fully reformed effluent from the steam reformer, or auto-thermal reformer, is directed back to the convective reformer to supply the heat of reaction for the partial reformation of the feed mixture.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling and providing guidance in sootblowing based on continuous plant monitoring and model calculations. The continuous monitoring of plant conditions is through a plant distributed control system (DCS) which communicates with a computer. The conventional measurements of a DCS such as flow, pressure and temperature and sootblower status data are input into the computer. These valves are validated for accuracy. To predict the effects of fouling a plant model is utilized. The model predicts the rate and effect of fouling on energy distribution in the boiler. The model then predicts the effect that sootblowing of each section will have on the boiler performance. A comparison of the predicted and observed effects are used to update the fouling model and maintain consistency with the actual performance of the boiler. This information is presented to the boiler operator to assist in enhancing the boiler efficiency and maintain steam temperatures within established control ranges.

Abstract: A process for the production of olefins and aromatics from hydrocarbon feedstocks by catalytically cracking alone or cracking and dehydrogenating the hydrocarbons in the presence of an entrained stream of catalytic heat carrying solids at short residence times to preferentially produce olefins having three or more carbon atoms and/or to produce aromatics, especially benzene.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for effecting liquid-liquid contact in a plurality of stages between heavy and light liquid streams is provided wherein said streams are capable of undergoing mass transfer with one another or constituents in either stream are capable of reaction therebetween and where either of said streams can be intercirculated or intracirculated through each stage.

Abstract: An improved hydrocarbon pyrolysis process and apparatus for the production of ethylene comprising a novel furnace comprised of an unfired superheater radiant section and a fired radiant section, adiabatic tube reactor and quench boiler is provided.

Abstract: A process for transferring and regulating the recycle of particulate solids separated from a gas-particulate solids suspension in which an auxiliary vesssel and slanted pipe are provided to transfer and regulate particulate solids flow.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved solids regeneration apparatus for hydrocarbon cracking. The apparatus comprises an entrained bed heater adapter for spouted bed circulation of solids.

Abstract: A gas-particulate solids separation assembly having a mixed phase solids-gas elongated inlet terminating in a divergent section and horizontally disposed cylcone separators downstream of the separator gas outlets adapted to receive quench oil.

Abstract: An apparatus for cracking hydrocarbon with hot particulate solids wherein a curtain of hot particulate solids is delivered to a thermal reactor through peripheral openings and hydrocarbon feed is delivered to the reactor through the curtain of hot particulate solids at an angle.

Abstract: A shock absorbing device having an axial friction brake for the minimization of dynamic motion while allowing motion, seen as especially useful as an alternative to, or in the replacement of, snubber devices. The shock absorbing device has a movable shaft which is attached to the object to be supported during dynamic motion at one end and a frictional surface which contacts a brake assembly at the other. The brake assembly is located within a housing, which is directly or indirectly attached to a nonmovable support, and is provided with one or more friction pads which contact the frictional surface. The brake assembly may be adjustable for varying load amplitude.

Abstract: A process for recapturing waste heat from a gas turbine at a single pressure to drive both a high pressure-high temperature steam turbine and a low pressure steam turbine. By placing the reheat coil of the low pressure steam turbine in a common vessel with a portion of the economizer coil (used to preheat the steam for the high pressure-high temperature steam turbine), maximum heat recovery from the exhaust gases of the gas turbine is obtained at a single pressure.

Abstract: A novel concrete core support structure for nuclear reactors is described.

Abstract: A novel liquid nuclear reactor is described which comprises a reactor vessel that is connected through upper and lower liquid conduit means to one or more satellite tanks that contain a heat exchanger means and pump means.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nuclear reactor employing a liquid metal and containing a reactor vessel, and at least one satellite vessel, and a hot and a cold leg connecting means which combine to form a continuous pathway for the flow of the liquid metal between the reactor vessel and the at least one satellite vessel. Each of the hot leg and cold leg connecting means contain a bellows assembly which are readily accessible for repair or replacement without draining the reactor vessel of the liquid metal.

Abstract: A process for producing olefins and gasoline from residual oil by thermally cracking a side cut fraction from a fractionation tower, quenching the cracked product with residual oil, producing coke from a portion of the quenched product and using a portion of the coke to provide reaction heat for the thermal cracking.

Abstract: A double tube helical coil steam generator is provided in which a multiplicity of inner tubes conducting water are individually surrounded by outer tubes containing liquid metal as a heat transfer agent. The double tubes form into helical coils, providing a large surface area while conserving space. Immersion of the double tube helical coil in hot liquid metal, e.g., from the core of a nuclear reactor, causes efficient transfer of heat across the liquid metal in the outer tube to the water in the inner tube, creating superheated steam, which can be cycled to a turbine and converted to electrical power. The efficiency, reliability and safety of the multiple double tube design of the steam generator obviates the necessity of many secondary heat removal and emergency components in addition to conserving space and material.

Abstract: A system is provided for recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing solids such as oil shale, tar sands or coal. The process includes preheating finely divided solids prior to introduction to a low residence time tubular reactor where a portion of the hydrocarbon is removed from the solids. The solids are then separated from the hydrocarbon product, stripped of residual hydrocarbons then transferred to a gasifier to burn the remaining entrapped hydrocarbon to serve as the heat source for the process.

Abstract: A process for quenching and cooling reactor effluent is provided. The apparatus utilized to practice the process includes a section for introducing relatively cool particulate solids into a hot effluent stream to effect initial quenching and a section to further cool the composite quenched effluent and solids. The process employs relatively cool particulate solids to quench hot effluent and indirect heat exchange between water and the quenched effluent-solids mix to generate high pressure steam and further cool the mix.