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 closed passive nuclear reactor pressure suppression containment system segrated from the nuclear island having suppression tanks connected to the reactor compartment by one or more vent lines terminating in downcomer lines submerged into a water pool in each of said suppression tanks and a return line from each suppression tank whereby water is directed from the suppression tanks to the reactor, by gravity and without active components, to flood the reactor during a loss of coolant accident.

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: The invention is a pyrolysis furnace for cracking heavy oils to olefins. The furnace includes a convection zone and a radiation zone. In parallel streams, the heavy stream and a stream diluent are heated in the convection zone to the point of partial thermal cracking while in the other stream a lighter oil and steam are cracked to produce olefins. The hot, olefinic light stream is then mixed with the heated heavy stream and further cracked in the radiation zone.

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: An improved fluidized catalytic cracking-catalyst regeneration process for catalytically cracking heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks is provided which comprises first and second, relatively lower and higher temperature, catalyst regeneration zones, wherein CO-rich effluent flue gas from the first regeneration zone is combusted in a CO-incinerator/combustor means to substantially convert all CO present therein to CO.sub.2. The effluent gas from the CO-incinerator/combustor is then combined with the effluent flue gas from the second regeneration zone, with the combined streams thereafter being sent to an expansion turbine-compressor means to recover the work energy therefrom and to provide at least all the compressed air requirements of the first and second regeneration zones, and preferably in addition the compressed air requirements of the CO-incinerator/combustor means.

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 furnance 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 process 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 liquid metal circulation system is disclosed which is suitable for use in connection with a nuclear reactor. The circulation system of the invention includes an electromagnetic pump having a central core body featuring a helically configured, six pole magnet, optionally directing flow to one or a series of flow couplers, which generates sufficient liquid metal flow to be used as the primary circulation means for the nuclear reactor. The increased safety, design simplicity, and efficiency of such circulation system overcomes many of the drawbacks of conventional circulation systems.

Abstract: A process for producing improved yields of aromatics (benzene, toluene, xylene) by initially partially thermally cracking heavy hydrocarbon and thermally cracking ethane to high conversion and then completely cracking the partially cracked heavy hydrocarbon with the completely cracked ethane.

Abstract: A gas-solids separator to remove particulate solids from a mixed phase stream of solids and gas which has a frusto-conical chamber having substantially conical walls tapering downwardly and outwardly and means defining at least one opening in said conical walls for conveying through the conical walls substantially solids free gas separated from the mixed stream of solids and gas.

Abstract: A double tube modular 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 coils, providing a large surface area while conserving space. Immersion of the double tube 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. The modular design allows ease of operation, fabrication and repair.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor is provided characterized by a circulating liquid metal cooling system comprising a heat exchanger having a closed intermediate heat transfer fluid circuit in the form of a helical coil juxtaposed with the liquid metal coolant system, which effectively transfers heat through the intermediate circuit to a secondary fluid circuit. The intermediate heat transfer fluid circuit, which completely separates the liquid metal cooling system from the secondary fluid circuit, prevents potentially dangerous reactions between the primary liquid metal coolant and the secondary fluid (e.g., water).The efficiency, reliability and safety of the heat exchanger features eliminates the need for many secondary heat removal and emergency components in the design of the nuclear reactor.

Abstract: An apparatus for the cracking of a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock comprising a pre-pyrolysis cracker for treating the feedstock at elevated temperatures and pressures; a primary separator for separating the effluent from the pre-pyrolysis cracker into a heavy fuel oil fraction and a treated heavy hydrocarbon fraction; a pyrolysis furnace having a convection section for preheating and two radiant sections for partially cracking the treated heavy hydrocarbon and cracking a light hydrocarbon feedstock, a DUOCRACKER for completely cracking the heavy fraction while quenching the light fraction and a quencher for quenching the composite stream from the DUOCRACKER.

Abstract: A process and system for the production of olefins from heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks. A heavy hydrocarbon feed is first pretreated at high pressure and moderate temperatures to preferentially remove coke precursors in a liquid product. The pretreated hydrocarbon is then separated into lighter and heavier fractions; the lighter fraction being further thermally cracked to produce olefins.

Abstract: A process for pretreating residual oil by thermal regenerative vaporizing and pretreatment at short residence times and catalytically cracking the pretreated effluent from the thermal regenerative pretreatment process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method embodied in a TRC system for rapidly separating particulate solids from a mixed phase solids-gas stream which may be at velocities up to 150 ft./sec. and at high temperature. Specifically, the device is designed for incorporation at the discharge of solid-gas reacting TRC systems having low residence time requirements and carried out in tubular type reactors. Separation is effected by projecting solids by centrifugal force against a bed of solids as the gas phase makes a 180.degree. directional change, said solids changing direction only 90.degree. relative to the incoming stream.

Abstract: A process for cracking heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks by separation into light and heavy fractions and concommitantly thermally cracking the light fraction and coking the heavy fraction.

Abstract: The invention is a method for cracking heavy oils to olefins. In parallel streams, the heavy stream and a steam diluent are heated to the point of partial thermal cracking while in the other stream a lighter oil and steam are cracked to produce olefins. The hot, olefinic light stream is then mixed with the heated heavy stream and further cracked. The hot, olefinic stream acts as both a diluent and a heat source for cracking the heavy oil to an olefin containing product.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method embodied in a TRC system for rapidly separating particulate solids from a mixed phase solids-gas stream which may be at velocities up to 150 ft./sec. and at high temperature. Specifically, the device is designed for incorporation at the discharge of solid-gas reacting TRC systems having low residence time requirements and carried out in tubular type reactors. Separation is effected by projecting solids by centrifugal force against a bed of solids as the gas phase makes a 180.degree. directional change, said solids changing direction only 90.degree. relative to the incoming stream.