Abstract: A batch polymerization process controller using inferential sensing to determine the integral reaction heat which in turn is used to indicate the degree of polymerization of the reaction mixture batch. The system uses a reaction temperature compared with a desired temperature, and the result is used as a feedback to monitor and control the process. One version of the process controller also uses a feedforward signal which is an integral reaction heat indication from a process model. In another version of the process controller, the integral reaction heat is compared with a desired integral reaction heat, and result is used as another feedback to monitor and control the process. Heat production and reaction temperature profiles may be used, along with the thermokinetic equations to determine the polymerization process and reactor models which are utilized by the process controller to optimize the polymerization process in terms of efficient use of cooling water and desired polymerization of each mixture batch.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for altering the physical characteristics of liquids and gases. The fluid is pumped into an elongated cylindrical chamber whose elongated wall contains a multiplicity of spaced apart cylindrical holes under sufficient pressure to cause the fluid to exit from the cylindrical holes as jets having an exit velocity of at least 0.025 feet (0.0076 m) per second. The jets of fluid exit from the cylindrical holes into an annular chamber surrounding the elongated cylindrical chamber and having a common axis as the elongated cylindrical chamber. The entire inner surface of the annular chamber is coated with an alloy of copper and nickel. The jets of fluid bombard the surfaces of the annular chamber to induce the copper-nickel alloy to give up electrons. The freed electrons combine with a significant number of molecules of the fluid to thereby alter the physical characteristics of the entire body of fluid.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method for the alkylation reaction of isoparaffins with olefins over solid catalysts including contacting a mixture of an isoparaffin, an olefin and a phase-modifying material with a solid acid catalyst member under alkylation conversion conditions at either supercritical fluid, or near-supercritical fluid conditions, at a temperature and a pressure relative to the critical temperature(T.sub.c) and the critical pressure(P.sub.c) of the reaction mixture. The phase-modifying phase-modifying material is employed to promote the reaction's achievement of either a supercritical fluid state or a near-supercritical state while simultaneously allowing for decreased reaction temperature and longer catalyst life.

Abstract: Alpha-olefins are manufactured in high yield and with very high selectivity by contacting ethylene with an iron complex of a selected 2,6-pyridinedicarboxaldehyde bisimine or a selected 2,6-diacylpyridine bisimine, and in some cases a selected activator compound such as an alkyl aluminum compound. Novel bisimines and their iron complexes are also disclosed. The .alpha.-olefins are useful as monomers and chemical intermediates.

Abstract: A self-heating metal-hydride hydrogen storage system comprising: a primary metal-hydride storage container housing a metal-hydride hydrogen storage material, the primary storage container having a hydrogen outlet port; a hydrogen combustor housed within the primary metal-hydride storage container and surrounded by the high-temperature storage material, the combustor having a hydrogen inlet port gaseously connected to the hydrogen outlet port of the primary storage container; and means for supplying hydrogen gaseously connected to the hydrogen inlet port of the combustor.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for contacting reactants with a particulate catalyst while indirectly heating the reactants with a heat exchange medium improves temperature control by using an intermediate heat exchange fluid and system to prevent overheating of reactants and maintain parallel heating characteristics through multiple reaction-heat exchange zones. The internal flow path minimizes the circulation of the reaction zone heat exchange fluid by incorporating interstage reheating of the reaction zone heat exchange fluid as it passes in series flow. A particularly useful application of the process and apparatus is in the dehydrogenation of ethyl benzene to produce styrene. The process and apparatus can also be used with simultaneous exchange of catalyst particles by an operation that restricts reactant flow while moving catalyst through reaction stacks in which the reactant flow has been restricted.

Abstract: A quench zone mixing apparatus that occupies a low vertical height and has an improved mixing efficiency and fluid distribution across the catalyst surface includes a swirl chamber, a rough distribution network, and a distribution apparatus. In the swirl chamber, reactant fluid from a catalyst bed above is thoroughly mixed with a quench fluid by a swirling action. The mixed fluids exit the swirl chamber through an aperture to the rough distribution system where the fluids are radially distributed outward across the vessel to the distribution apparatus. The distribution apparatus includes a plate with a number of bubble caps and associated drip trays that multiply the liquid drip stream from the bubble caps to further symmetrically distribute the fluids across the catalyst surface. Alternatively, deflector baffles may be associated with the bubble caps to provide a wider and more uniform liquid distribution below the plate.

Abstract: A process for producing alkyl aromatics using a transalkylation reaction zone and an alkylation reaction zone is disclosed. The transalkylation reaction zone effluent passes to the alkylation reaction zone where aromatics in the transalkylation reaction zone effluent are alkylated to the desired alkyl aromatics. This process decreases the capital and operating costs of recycling the aromatics in the transalkylation reaction zone effluent. This process is well suited for solid transalkylation and alkylation catalysts. Ethylbenzene and cumene may be produced by this process.

Abstract: The system for controlling oxygen flow in a gasification process of the instant invention comprises a suction control valve located between the oxygen source and the oxygen compressor. The suction control valve is adapted in order to open to deliver oxygen from the source to the compressor through the first pipe and to move to a reduced flow position to prevent excess delivery of oxygen from the source to the compressor. The system also comprises a second pipe which operably connects the oxygen compressor to a port of a gasifier. The system comprises a normally closed vent valve located between the oxygen compressor and the port of a gasifier. The system comprises a means located in the gasifier or in the gasifier effluent for detecting when it is necessary to change the oxygen flow to the gasifier and to actuate the suction control valve sufficient to change the oxygen flow.

Abstract: Ethylbenzene is produced by alkylation over monoclinic silicalite catalysts having a weak acid site concentration of less than 50 micromoles per gram. A feedstock containing benzene and ethylene is applied to an alkylation reaction zone having at least one catalyst bed containing a monoclinic silicalite catalyst having a weak acid site concentration of less than 50 micromoles per gram. The alkylation reaction zone is operated at temperature and pressure conditions in which the benzene is in a gaseous phase to cause gas-phase alkylation of the aromatic substrate in the presence of the silicalite catalysts to produce an alkylation product. The alkylation product is then withdrawn from the reaction zone for separation and recovery.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating a solid catalyst which can enlarge a range of an applied fluid used for an evaluation of a performance of the solid catalyst and can accurately evaluate the performance of the solid catalyst on a laboratory scale and a method of evaluating a solid catalyst using the apparatus are provided.

Abstract: An array of reaction assemblies for heating and cooling a plurality of reaction vessels. Each reaction vessel assembly including a heat conductive reaction block having an exterior wall and a reaction vessel receiving cavity formed in the block inwardly of the exterior wall. A thermoelectric module is mounted in heat transfer engagement with the exterior wall of the heat conductive reaction block. A fluid heat exchange element is mounted in heat transfer engagement with the thermoelectric module. The thermoelectric module has its junctions to selectively remove heat from the exterior wall of the reaction block or to supply heat to this exterior wall. Each thermoelectric module has thermoelectric junctions cascaded for increased heating and cooling range and a plurality of these junctions to increase capacity.

Abstract: An ozone supplying apparatus comprising an ozone generator, an adsorption/desorption device for adsorbing and storing ozone from ozonized oxygen, and an ozone desorbing means, the apparatus being arranged to return oxygen to the ozone generator after desorbing ozone therefrom to desorb ozone from the adsorption/desorption device and to perform treatment of an object by mixing the ozone with fluid. The apparatus further includes a fluid storing means for storing fluid after being injected with ozone and a fluid treating means for treating the fluid after treatment of the object.

Abstract: This invention presents a sulphurous acid generator which employs a combination of novel blending contact and mixing mechanisms which maximize the efficiency and duration of contact between sulphur dioxide gas and water to form sulphurous acid in an open nonpressurized system, without employing a countercurrent absorption tower.

Abstract: A premium synthetic lubricating oil base stock having a high VI and low pour point is made by hydroisomerizing a Fischer-Tropsch synthesized waxy, paraffinic feed wax and then dewaxing the hydroisomerate to form a 650-750.degree. F.+ dewaxate. The waxy feed has an initial boiling point in the range of about 650-750.degree. F., from which it continuously boils up to at least 1050.degree. F. and has a T.sub.90 -T.sub.10 temperature difference of at least 350.degree. F. The feed is preferably hydroisomerized without any pretreatment, other than optional fractionation. The 650-750.degree. F.+ dewaxate is fractionated into two or more base stocks of different viscosity.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for use in a sulphuric acid manufacturing plant to effect heat transfer between desired gas streams selected from air, sulphur dioxide and sulphur trioxide. The exchanger provides for hot or cold split flow gas streams through the exchanger shell with either mixing or splitting into two or more streams to provide for reduced condensible material condensation, corrosion, metal thermal differential stress and capital equipment cost. A preferred exchanger is used in combination with a sulphur burning furnace to provide an improved preheater.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for removing hydrogen from a gas mixture containing free hydrogen and oxygen by means of catalytic oxidation of the hydrogen in a reaction chamber (6) having a support (1) secured in the reaction chamber and coated on its surface (2) with catalytically active materials, serving to dissipate reaction heat, and also with an inlet (7) into the reaction chamber for the gas mixture and with an outlet (10) for residual gas that remains after the oxidation of the hydrogen. A part (5) of the catalytically active surface (2) of the support (1) is immersed into a liquid bath (3), the temperature of which is below the condensation temperature of the water vapor formed in the reaction chamber (6).

Abstract: A device for the cooling and intermixing of gas from accidental leaks, such as from a nuclear reaction containment, i.e., accident atmospheres, which device prevents stratification and provides improved cooling capacity. The device includes a housing, having an inlet and an outlet and which predefines a flow path for the accident atmosphere. The device has a fan wheel, which is disposed in the housing downstream from the inlet and which is connected to a shaft. The device also has a cooling device which is disposed between the fan wheel and the outlet. A compressor wheel is connected to the shaft at the end thereof which is opposite to the fan wheel. The compressor wheel is disposed between the cooling device and the outlet.

Abstract: A hydrogen production plant includes an electrochemical autothermal reformer (EATR) that provides hydrogen to an electrochemical hydrogen compressor. The EATR includes an autothermal reformer region, a mixed ion conductor membrane or metal or metal alloy membrane, and an anode supply region. An anode gas loop between the anode supply region of the EATR and anode section of the electrochemical hydrogen compressor cell circulates a mixture of hydrogen and a carrier gas therebetween. The carrier gas ensures proper partial pressures of hydrogen in the two regions. A difference in operating temperature between the EATR and the electrochemical hydrogen compressor is exploited by heat exchangers which efficiently enable certain heating and cooling functions within the combined system.

Abstract: An integrated alkylaromatic process using a solid alkylation catalyst and an aromatic rectifier is disclosed for alkylating aromatics with olefins and for regenerating the solid alkylation catalyst. The aromatic rectifier produces a relatively low-purity aromatic-containing overhead stream that is used in producing alkylaromatics, and an aromatic column produces a relatively high-purity aromatic-containing overhead stream that is used in regenerating the solid alkylation catalyst. In another embodiment, this process is further integrated with a paraffin dehydrogenation zone and an aromatic by-products removal zone. This invention produces the benzene-containing streams that are necessary for alkylating and for regenerating in a more economical manner than prior art processes.