Abstract: Synthesis gas is produced from a methane-containing reactant gas in a mixed conducting membrane reactor in which the reactor is operated to maintain the product gas outlet temperature above the reactant gas feed temperature wherein the total gas pressure on the oxidant side of the membrane is less than the total gas pressure on the reactant side of the membrane. Preferably, the reactant gas feed temperature is below a maximum threshold temperature of about 1400.degree. F. (760.degree. C.), and typically is between about 950.degree. F. (510.degree. C.) and about 1400.degree. F. (760.degree. C.). The maximum temperature on the reactant side of the membrane reactor is greater than about 1500.degree. F. (815.degree. C.).

Abstract: A system and method for treatment of a feed material includes a reactor chamber in a reactor vessel. The reactor vessel has a longitudinal axis which is vertically oriented so that gravitational forces act generally in a direction along the axis between a top and a bottom of the vessel. A feed material is introduced by a nozzle into the reactor chamber as a jet stream through the top end of the vessel. This jet stream causes back-mixing in the reactor chamber, contributing to rapid initiation of reaction and general down flow of material through the reactor chamber. The material in the reactor chamber can be quenched to dissolve sticky solids in the effluent before the effluent is discharged from the lower end of the vessel. Further, the reactor vessel can include a plug flow section to carry out additional reaction of the feed material.

Abstract: A control system and method for controlling a fuel processing system operational to produce a gas for a downstream process from a fuel, wherein the fuel processing system uses a plurality of fuel processing elements, a fuel input and a waste gas input, each of the fuel processing elements having an individual output and the plurality of fuel processing elements having a collective output, and wherein the downstream process has a waste gas output and a dynamic gas load demand. The control system includes a device for receiving communication from the downstream process indicative of the dynamic load demand and a device for controlling the collective output level of the gas in response to the dynamic load demand.

Abstract: A horizontal moving bed reactor for heat treating particulate material comprises a housing having an inlet for admitting therein the particulate material to be heat treated and an outlet for discharging the heat treated material, at least one tray disposed horizontally inside the housing between the inlet and outlet and having a support surface for supporting a bed of the particulate material, a heating system for heating the bed of particulate material on the support surface, and a conveyor system for moving the bed of particulate material while being heated along a predetermined direction on the support surface. The conveyor system includes a plurality of horizontally spaced-apart rake members extending across the support surface transversely of the predetermined direction and each having a plurality of spaced-apart fingers in sliding contact with the support surface.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for conducting solid phase oligomer synthesis. The apparatus includes a reaction vessel in which a solid phase support is contained. The reaction vessel has a top opening through which gases and solvents can be delivered by way of a series of conduits and valves. The reaction vessel is interconnected through a bottom opening therein and through a series of conduits and valves with a vessel or series of vessels containing a reagent or series of reagents, respectively, required for the synthetic reaction. The reagent vessel serves a both a source of reagent delivered to the reaction vessel and as a repository for unused reagent returned thereto from the reaction vessel. Reagent delivery and mixing is gas-driven using an associated source of an inert gas.

Abstract: The chemical reaction apparatus of the present invention can increase the producing rate of the main product gas by effectively removing carbon dioxide from the reaction site, the carbon dioxide generated together with the main product as the raw material gas is made to react at a high temperature of 400.degree. C. The reaction apparatus comprises a reactor for generating a main product gas and a byproduct gas which is carbon dioxide, by making a raw material gas to react, and lithium zirconate granular material placed in the reactor, to react with the byproduct carbon dioxide gas, thereby preparing a carbonate salt.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the production of reformed gases. Natural gas and oxygen are combusted in a first stage to produce carbon dioxide and water. The products of combustion are conveyed to a second stage. Reforming gas and oxygen are injected into the second stage and mixed with the products of combustion to react with the carbon dioxide and water to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The process and apparatus are particularly adapted for use in supplementing the reform gases produced in a Direct Reduced Iron plant wherein iron ore is reduced to iron inside a shaft furnace. The process and apparatus may also be used to provide heated enrichment natural gas for use as a source of carbon in the shaft furnace to provide for carburization of the iron. Additionally, the process and apparatus may be used as a process control device for controlling the temperature of the reformed gases flowing to the shaft furnace.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices for conducting, simultaneously, exothermic and endothermic chemical conversions with transfer of heat therebetween. More particularly, this invention relates to autothermic modules using oxygen ion-conducting dense ceramic membranes to separate, selectively, oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas and supply it directly to partial combustion of gaseous organic compounds. Processes using autothermic modules in accordance with this invention are, advantageously, used for production of synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and molecular hydrogen which synthesis gas is substantially free of deleterious and/or inert gaseous diluents such as nitrogen. In particular, for conversions, within the integral autothermic module, of natural gas or other forms of gaseous lower alkanes to synthesis gas by means of partial combustion followed by reforming.

Abstract: A hazardous gas mixing apparatus includes a mixing chamber wherein air is mixed with such a gas to render same inert. An air inlet assembly admits an air flow induced into the mixing chamber and includes an air flow sensor having a probe located in a housing of the assembly. Differential air pressures detected by the probe are provided to a signal generating transmitter and signal converter serving a logic controller providing a display correlated to linear feet per minute air flow in the apparatus mixing chamber. A honeycomb air straightener serves to provide a laminar flow of air past the sensor probe. An intake screen on the housing reduces the intake of foreign particles.

Abstract: An integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant having a unitary ceramic body formed from multiple ceramic layers in the "green" state which are sintered together including the unitary ceramic body defining a catalytic reaction chamber position and a first and second passages for providing communication with the catalytic reaction chamber position so that two or more fluids may be delivered to such reaction chamber position for reaction. The integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant further includes a unitary ceramic body defining a receiving chamber which includes the catalytic reaction chamber position, a movable member insertable into the receiving chamber and defining a plurality of catalytic reaction chambers. The movable member moves to the catalytic reaction chamber position where one of the catalytic reaction chambers is in communication with the first and second passages to cause the catalytic reaction of the fluids to produce reaction products.

Abstract: A synthesis gas generator with a combustion chamber and quench chamber for generating, cooling and cleaning gases, which are generated by partial oxidation in the combustion chamber of the synthesis gas generator. The combustion chamber (3) and the quench chamber (7) are separate chambers connected by a flow channel (6). Nozzle assemblies (10, 11) with nozzle heads (9, 34), which spray in a quenching medium (8), are arranged in the gas inlet area of the quench chamber (7). The quench zone within the quench chamber (7) is joined by a useful gas-quenching medium-mixing zone. A cone (20) is located at the outlet of the quench chamber. This cone is followed by a water bath (21). The useful gas leaves the synthesis gas generator after deflection by 180.degree. in the rear-side area of the cone (20) via gas outlet openings (23).

Abstract: A device for utilizing combustion, residual and waste materials containing carbon and ash by gasification with an oxygen-containing oxidizing agent at temperatures above the melting point of the inorganic parts in a reaction chamber and at a pressure between ambient pressure and 60 bar. The reaction chamber contour is formed in part by a refractory-grade lining and in part by a cooling system comprising cooling coils connected in a gas-tight manner. The coils are coated with a thin layer of a ceramic mass that conducts heat well on a side facing the reaction chamber. The cooling coils are operated, while being cooled by pressurized water, below or above the boiling point of the cooling water.

Abstract: A solution to be evaporated is passed through one or several evaporation stages. In each evaporation stage, the solution is circulated between a heat exchanger and an evaporating vessel, and steam is withdrawn from the evaporating vessel. For removing crusts, the evaporation in the respective evaporation stage is interrupted, and a cleaning suspension containing at least 3 wt % granular solids is circulated through the heat exchanger and the evaporating vessel. The solids, which have an abrasive effect, remove the crusts. Preferably, the solution to be evaporated is circulated through the evaporation stage for removing the crusts, where the heat exchanger is heated and the cleaning solution is evaporated to such an extent that solids crystallize out and a cleaning suspension is formed.

Abstract: An integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant having a unitary ceramic body formed from multiple ceramic layers in the "green" state which are sintered together includes the unitary ceramic body defining a reaction chamber and a first passage for providing communication with the catalytic reaction chamber so that two or more fluids may be delivered to such reaction chamber for reaction; the unitary ceramic body defining a receiving chamber connected to the reaction chamber. The integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant further includes a movable member insertable into the receiving chamber and having a plurality of micro- filters for separating the reaction products so as to retrieve desired reaction products; and the movable member is moved to a position where one of the micro filters is in communication with the reaction chamber for separating the reaction products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically controlling the crystallization of proteins including a crystallization chamber or chambers for holding a protein in a salt solution, one or more salt solution chambers, two communication passages respectively coupling the crystallization chamber with each of the salt solution chambers, and transfer mechanisms configured to respectively transfer salt solution between each of the salt solution chambers and the crystallization chamber. The transfer mechanisms are interlocked to maintain the volume of salt solution in the crystallization chamber substantially constant. Salt solution of different concentrations is transferred into and out of the crystallization chamber to adjust the salt concentration in the crystallization chamber to achieve precise control of the crystallization process.

Abstract: A system for generating a desired output gas from an input fuel for use in a downstream process is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of fuel processing units to generate the desired output gas, wherein each of the plurality of fuel processing units includes a reformer which uses waste gas output from the downstream process to facilitate the processing of the fuel. Each of the fuel processing units is operational over a range up to full capacity, wherein the plurality of fuel processing units are interconnected in an collective operating scheme to process the fuel. A control system is provided for controlling the plurality of fuel processing units in response to requirements of a dynamic load demand from the downstream operation. The control system is operative to adjust the operational level of each of the plurality of fuel processing units to produce individual responses from each of the fuel processing units.

Abstract: An integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant having a unitary ceramic body formed from multiple ceramic layers in the "green" state which are sintered together includes the unitary ceramic body defining a receiving chamber which includes a reaction chamber position and having first and second passages for providing communication with the reaction chamber position so that two or more fluids may be delivered to such reaction chamber position for reaction; the unitary ceramic body defining a receiving chamber which includes the reaction chamber position. The integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant further includes a movable member insertable into the receiving chamber and defining a plurality of separate catalytic reaction chambers and micro-filtering chambers, each such catalytic reaction chamber being provided by a micro-porous ceramic member which includes a catalyst impregnated into the micro-porous ceramic member.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and apparatus for gasifying carbon-containing products, in particular waste and residues conditioned or processed in a suitable way. Gasification takes place in a mixed flow composed of a counter flow, direct flow and transverse flow. A portion of the gasifying agent is introduced through an inclined grate in the form of a step grate and thrust grating and ash is removed at the bottom end of the grate. Fuel gas is drawn off above the upper level of the grate on the side opposite the lateral feed of the gasifying agent. The gasification apparatus is enclosed in a double-layer insulating/cooling system in which air is used as the insulator and coolant. The gasification process is regulated by the temperature profile of the gasification apparatus, the position of the principal gasification zone is adjusted by ash discharge, the gasification temperature is regulated by the flow of gasifying agent and the output is regulated by the width of the gasification zone.

Abstract: A reaction vessel for holding a sample for a heat-exchanging chemical process has two opposing major faces and a plurality of contiguous minor faces joining the major faces to each other. The major and minor faces form an enclosed chamber having a triangular-shaped bottom portion. The ratio of the thermal conductance of the major faces to that of the minor faces is at least 2:1, and the minor faces forming the triangular-shaped bottom portion of the chamber are optically transmissive. The vessel also has a port for introducing a sample into the chamber and a cap for sealing the chamber.

Abstract: A device for destroying by electro-oxidation a photographic solution having at least one photographic developer. The device comprises a) an electro-oxidation unit adapted to degrade the photographic developer into volatile organic compounds and to produce hydrogen and oxygen, b) an expansion reservoir designed to contain the gaseous mixture generated by said electro-oxidation unit; and c) a combustion unit supplied with the gaseous mixture from the expansion reservoir.