Abstract: The endothermic reaction of a hydrocarbon feedstock with steam and/or carbon dioxide is carried out using a double-tube reactor. In one preferred form of the reactor the catalyst is present as a coating on the outside of the inner tube. In another form inner tubes are mounted in one tube-plate and the other tubes in a second tube plate and the tube plates are disposed across a cylindrical shell so as to define a heat exchange zone (provided with a heat source) a reactants feed zone and a products offtake zone. The heat source is preferably a burner, to be fed with the product of the endothermic reaction, followed by a secondary reforming catalyst. The apparatus makes possible processes for making raw hydrogen-containing gases with advantageous internal heat recovery.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting corrosion of a metal surface in an aqueous system comprising introducing corrosion inhibiting cations into the aqueous system. The corrosion inhibiting cations are selected from the group comprising cations of yttrium and cations of the metals of the lanthanum series which metals have atomic numbers from 57 to 71 inclusive. The cations may be introduced in the form of water soluble salts. Alternatively the cations may be releasably bound by ion exchange to a substrate and the ion-exchanged substrate introduced into the aqueous system.

Abstract: A reformer apparatus 8 has a heat shield 17 for a reformer duct 16. Various construction details which increase the durability of the heat shield are developed. In one embodiment, the heat shield includes a plurality of rings 82 which are axially and circumferentially segmented, the rings being supported by a platform on which the stack of rings rests. At least one of the rings has a pair of segments each of which has a V-shaped identation in the end which receives a V-shaped projection of the adjacent segment leaving a circumferential gap between the segments which does not extend radially between the segments of the ring.

Abstract: A polymerization process and reactor utilizes a high power shock producing device for introducing high energy pulses shock waves to a body of constituent monomer molecules for breaking and making bonds. The high energy pulsed shock waves are generated and introduced into a body of the constituent monomerics to break the molecular bonds and create new bonding by a hollow piezoelectric shock tube mounted in an autoclave. A stirrer is operated simultaneously to stir away the new bonding sites and make them available for linkage to another monomer contained in the reactor vessel.

Abstract: Bulk mesophase can be economically produced without coking trouble from a heavy oil in an apparatus comprising: a heat-treatment vessel for heat treating the oil thereby to form pitch containing mesophase microspheres; a cyclone-type separator installed directly below the vessel and operating to cause the mesophase microspheres within the pitch introduced into the separator to coalesce thereby to separate the mesophase microspheres from the matrix pitch; and ascent and descent pipes communicatively connecting the interiors of the vessel and the separator, the ascent pipe returning matrix pitch after removal of the mesophase microspheres into the vessel together with newly supplied oil, which drives the matrix pitch by jet-pump action, the descent pipe introducing the pitch with mesophase microsphere into the top part of the separator in a horizontal tangential direction to produce a cyclone separation action therein.

Abstract: A liquid borate is added to sulfur trioxide-containing combustion gases at a temperature of from about 250.degree. to about 1000.degree. F. in a boiler or other furnace system. The borate neutralizes sulfuric acid in the gases and inhibits sulfuric acid corrosion and deposition on metal surfaces of the system that contact the gases. An organic deposit modifying agent such as sorbitol and an additional acid neutralizing agent such as an alkali metal hydroxide, aluminate, or silicate may also be added to the combustion gases.

Abstract: A system and method of operating for mixing and dispensing two liquid components, characterized in that each component is chemically stable when maintained in isolation and chemically reactive when combined with the other component. The system includes separate liquid storage containers and pumps for delivering each of the liquids through a common mixing manifold, and from there to a dispensing apparatus, the system including a further pump in one of the containers for delivering liquid through a valved, closed loop subsystem back to the container, the closed loop having therein an entry point for connection to the dispensing apparatus, and the system including a further valve for controlling the flow of the other liquid component to the dispensing apparatus, whereby the conduits leading to the dispensing apparatus may be purged of mixed liquid components, diluted, and returned to the one storage container.

Abstract: A reactor system for production of hydrogen by use of a hydride bed acting upon dissociated ammonia is formed of coaxial annular shells. A central one of the shells includes a hydride bed composed of pelletized material supported on a screen. Inner and outer shells contiguous to the central shell conduct fluid for heat exchange with the hydride bed. Inner and outer diameter of the central shell differ in length by an amount inversely proportional to the square root of the heat adsorption characteristic of the hydride.