Abstract: A gasification furnace main body, having both a water-cooled wall structure and a duct having a water-cooled wall structure and containing therein a group of gas cooling heat-exchangers disposed within a pressure vessel, is improved in order to prevent a reduction in temperature of gas within the pressure vessel which would otherwise occur due to convection and to avoid the risk of fire and explosion which would otherwise be created by char accumulating within the pressure vessel. The improvements reside in an outlet of the duct and the inside of the pressure vessel communicating with each other at a defined location in the apparatus, a partition wall connecting the wall of the duct with an inner wall surface of the pressure vessel at a level higher than that location, and equalizing valves for placing the spaces on respective sides of the partition wall in communication with each other when a pressure difference between the respective sides of the partition wall has become a predetermined value or larger.

Abstract: An improved process for the low-cost disposal of noxious municipal sewage sludge in a safe way without polluting the environment. In the process, a portion of a stream of dewatered sewage sludge having a solids content in the range of about 17 to 40 wt.% is dried to produce dried sewage sludge having a solids content in the range of about 75 to 99 wt.%. The dried sewage sludge is ground to a small particle size. A pumpable aqueous feed slurry having a solids content in the range of about 45 to 70 wt.% is produced comprising (a) solid carbonaceous fuel, (b) ground dried sewage sludge, and (c) sheared and/or unsheared dewatered sewage sludge. The parts by weight of (a):(b):(c) are respectively in the range of about 3 to 8:0.5 to 2:0.5 to 2, and preferably 6:1:1. The aqueous feed slurry is gasified in a free-flow partial oxidation gas generator. Synthesis gas, reducing gas or fuel gas is produced, Ash and slag are separated from the gas stream and safely disposed.

Abstract: A grate assembly for a coal gasifier of a moving-bed or fixed-bed type is provided for crushing agglomerates of solid material such as clinkers, tailoring the radial distribution of reactant gases entering the gasification reaction zone, and control of the radial distribution of downwardly moving solid velocities in the gasification and combustion zone. The clinker crushing is provided by pinching clinkers between vertically oriented stationary bars and angled bars supported on the upper surface of a rotating conical grate. The distribution of the reactant gases is provided by the selective positioning of horizontally oriented passageways extending through the grate. The radial distribution of the solids is provided by mounting a vertically and generally radially extending scoop mechanism on the upper surface of the grate near the apex thereof.

Abstract: A reforming apparatus for hydrocarbon includes a first annular passage forming an outside stock gas passage filled with a catalyst. A second annular passage is arranged just inside of the first annular passage and in concentric relationship therewith to form an outside reformed gas passage. A third annular passage is arranged just inside of the second annular passage, and is connected thereto via a third communicating portion, for forming an inside reformed gas passage. A fourth annular passage is arranged just inside of the third annular passage and is connected between the first and third annular passages by first and second communicating portions, respectively, for forming an inside stock passage filled with the catalyst for reforming the stock gas. A first combustion gas passage is formed just inside of the fourth annular passage and a second combustion gas passage is formed just outside of the first annular passage, for heating the fourth and first annular passages, respectively.

Abstract: A vertical, countercurrent, updraft reactor is provided which can be advantageously used to produce synthesis gas by the partial oxidation of a solid fuel, especially a wood particle fuel. The reactor has a substantially cylindrical, vertical shell. The reactor has a fuel inlet opening in the upper portion of the reactor and an ash outlet opening in the lower portion of the reactor. Also in the lower portion of the reactor is a synthesis gas outlet opening. A heating zone is created within the reactor by internal heating zone walls which terminate at a lower-most edge. A grate is located below the heating zone. The outer perimeter of the grate and the lower-most edge of the heating zone walls form an annular slit which allows ash to gravitate out of the heating zone and into the lower-most portion of the reactor. The grate is reciprocal so that the annular slit can be periodically narrowed and widened.

Abstract: A method of producing a hollow core optical fiber comprises the steps of depositing a thermal buffer layer on the interior wall of a silica tube, depositing a film of germanium silicate cladding on said buffer layer, heating the composite structure so formed to its drawing temperature, and drawing the heated composite structure to form a hollow core optical fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the refining of a raw gas produced from a carbonaceous material by means of a gasification process, refining taking place in a secondary stage separated from the gasifier. In order to reduce the gas contents of tar in the form of organic compounds condensible at lower temperatures, such as ambient temperatures, and of ammonia, the refining is carried out in a secondary stage being a fast circulating fluidized bed, the bed material of which at least mainly being an active material in the form of a material that is catalytic for tar and ammonia conversion, whereby a catalytic conversion of tar and ammonia contained in the raw gas is obtained. In order to decrease the content of hydrogen chloride in the gas, an active material that also can absorb chloride is used.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel pumpable sewage sludge fuel and process for burning it. An aqueous slurry of sewage sludge is dewatered and dried to a solids content in the range of about 50 to 99 wt. % in a drying zone in the absence of free-oxygen containing gas but while in contact with a gaseous material selected from the group consisting of N.sub.2, CO.sub.2, H.sub.2, CO, and mixtures thereof. The dried sewage sludge is mixed with a supplementary fuel from the group consisting of solid carbonaceous fuel, liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel, mixtures thereof, and optionally with water to produce a pumpable slurry fuel feedstream having a solids content in the range of about 50 to 65 wt. % and a higher heating value of at least about 6,000 Btu/lb. The slurry fuel feedstream may be burned in a partial oxidation gasifier, furnace, boiler, or incinerator.

Abstract: An improved process for the low-cost disposal of noxious sewage sludge in a safe way without polluting the environment. In the process, sewage sludge having a solids content of about 0.5 to 20 wt.% is concentrated by pressing in a belt filter press, optionally followed by pressing in a high intensity press. It was unexpectedly found that the morphology of the resulting dewatered sewage sludge is changed by such mechanical treatment so that slurries with higher concentrations of solids are achieved. The dewatered sewage sludge is heated, flash evaporated and/or centrifuged, and mixed with a supplemental fuel e.g., liquid hydrocarbonaceous and/or solid carbonaceous fuel to produce a pumpable fuel slurry having a total solids content in the range of about 50 to 70 wt.% and comprising about 10 to 40 wt.% dewatered sewage sludge and having a higher heating value in the range of about 5,000 to 14,000 BTU/Lb.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and process for feeding powder or dry solids catalyst into a flowing liquid stream. More particularly, the invention includes an apparatus which includes a novel purging device and means for isolating a metering means from a liquid stream, and process for injecting finely divided flowable powder or catalyst into a flowing liquid stream, which in turn is fed into a reactor utilized for the production of polypropylene or polyolefins.

Abstract: In a sulfur dioxide detector using SO.sub.2 -oxidant microbes, a bio-membrane is located at one end of an oxygen concentration sensor, the bio-membrane containing the SO.sub.2 -oxidant microbes between an immobilized membrane and a gas permeable membrane. The sensor has an electrode in contact with the immobilized membrane. A dish-shaped or frusto-conical cell has an open end which is in contact with the gas permeable membrane so that SO.sub.2 -laden solution supplied to the cell causes sulfurous acid to oxidize to sulfuric acid as the SO.sub.2 permeates through the bio-membrane so as to change an output from the sensor. An inlet and outlet hole are formed on a sidewall of the cell. The outlet hole is located to be always directly above the inlet hole so as to drain foam formed when the SO.sub.2 -laden solution is supplied to the cell through the inlet hole and drained from the outlet hole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a catalytic distillation process is provided which allows for maintaining a liquid level in selected portions of the catalyst bed. Three particular processes disclosed are the production of methyl tertiary butyl ether, tertiary butyl alcohol and cumene.

Abstract: An apparatus for catalytic reaction containing a heating chamber having a hearth, side wall(s) and a roof, and an inlet and outlet for a heat source gas; a substantially vertically mounted concentric double cylindrical tubular reactor mounted in said roof and protruding into the space within said heating chamber; a gas-permeable dividing means which divides the space within the heating chamber into an upper convection heat transfer space and a lower radiant heat transfer space is useful in steam reforming and similar processes.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and an apparatus for performing chemical reactions under pressure in the presence of a solid catalyst in a multi-stage reaction zone, after external intermediary thermal conditioning. This process may be used for the synthesis of ammonia or methanol or for gasoline reforming. It is characterized in that at least one reaction fluid is introduced into at least one compartment, a first reaction effluent is recovered, a heat exchange takes place, outside the reaction zone, between a first effluent and an external heat exchange medium, then the first effluent is introduced into at least one subsequent compartment and a second reaction effluent is recovered from the subsequent compartment.

Abstract: Quenched slag discharged from a gasification process such as a coal gasification process can be continually dewatered and removed without disrupting operations by alternately discharging the quenched slag from means such as lockhoppers and directing the slag to one of two disengagement zones symmetrically arranged on either side of a clear water pit. The slag settles along a sloping active disengagement zone, allowing water to separate and drain into an adjacent slag pit. The accumulated water is drained into the clear water pit through vertically-spaced drains in the walls separating the slag pits from the clear water pit and pumped away after solids have settled. After an active disengagement zone-slag pit is used for a period of time, perhaps 24 hours, the discharge of slag is redirected to the other such area while dewatered slag is removed from the first slag pit.

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: Apparatus and method for the manufacture of an annular uncured elastomeric component for a tire. The component (11) is formed on a disc-like mandrel (10) comprising a flexible support (12) having a frustoconical surface on which a strip of unvulcanized elastomeric material is wound to form the component, and a rigid carrier (13) on which the support (12) is mounted. The carrier (13) is adapted for mounting on a turning head (31) for rotation of the mandrel as the strip is laid onto said receiving surface. The flexible support (12) is used as a carrier to transfer the formed component to another tire building location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gasifying or combusting solid, carbonaceous material a circulating fluidized bed reactor. Particles are separated from the product gas at least in two stages so that in the first stage, mainly coarser, so-called circulating particles are separted and returned to the reactor. In the second stage, fine carbonaceous particulates are separated from the gas and are made to agglomerate at a raised temperature. Coarser particles thus received are returned to the reactor through a return duct together with circulating particles. Adhesion of agglomerating particles to the walls of the duct is prevented preferably by leading hot particulates to the center of the duct and circulating particles to the walls of the duct.

Abstract: Fine-grained fuels are gasified in a fluidized state with a mixture of gasifying agents which comprise oxygen, water vapor and/or carbon dioxide. NH.sub.3 is substantially entirely removed from the product gas from the gasifier. All or part of the NH.sub.3 is combusted and any remaining NH.sub.3 is added to the exhaust gas from the combustor. In a preferred embodiment the content of nitrogen oxides and/or NH.sub.3 in the exhaust gas from the combustor and NH.sub.3 is supplied to the combustor at such a controlled rate that the contents of nitrogen oxides and NH.sub.3 in the exhaust gas to which NH.sub.3 has been admixed are minimized.

Abstract: The combustion of gas produced from the combination of coal pyrolysis and gasification involves combining a combustible gas coal and an oxidant in a pyrolysis chamber and heating the components to a temperature of at least 1600.degree. F. The products of coal pyrolysis are dispersed from the pyrolyzer directly into the high temperature gasification region of a pressure vessel. Steam and air needed for gasification are introduced in the pressure vessel and the materials exiting the pyrolyzer flow down through the pressure vessel by gravity with sufficient residence time to allow any carbon to form carbon monoxide. Gas produced from these reactions are then released from the pressure vessel and ash is disposed of.