Abstract: A method for producing carbon black employing a carbon black reactor which comprisesa cylindrical precombustion zone;a combustion gas introduction means adapted to tangentially introduce combustion gas into the cylindrical precombustion zone; anda cylindrical reaction zone in open communication with the cylindrical precombustion zone, wherein the axis of rotation of the cylindrical reaction zone and the axis of rotation of the cylindrical precombustion zone are substantially collinear, where the method comprises tangentially introducing a combustion gas into the cylindrical precombustion zone of the carbon black to create a spiralling flow and subjecting a portion of the spiralling flow to a counter-rotational force within the cylindrical precombustion zone; wherein the counter-rotational force is created by a helix-shaped fin positioned at least partially within the cylindrical precombustion zone; and wherein the helix-shaped fin is rotated about its axis by a motorized means thereby facilitating the creatio

Abstract: Containers for the transportation and/or storage of radioactive wastes are filled by evacuating the containers and utilizing the vacuum thus generated to draw radioactive waste into the container. The radioactive waste is then dried in the container directly by continuing the vacuum and, if desired, heating the container with an electrical heater, the vapors thus produced being condensed before the withdrawn gas is filtered.

Abstract: Sterilized cellulosic material which resists discoloration when exposed to undue post-sterilization heating (e.g., 100.degree. F. to 150.degree. F.) is provided by stabilizing the water content by weight of the pre-sterilized cellulosic material to not less than 6.5% by weight--preferably, at least about 8% by weight--with the water content being maintained at less than about 12% by weight, preferably less than about 10%, so that the cellulosic material remains dry to the touch.

Abstract: A plug valve which effects the immediate and intimate mixing of fluidizable cracking catalyst with a fluid hydrocarbon in a riser reactor. Specifically there is an elongated feed tube extending generally upwardly through the acess opening into the riser, anda plug valve having a generally upright tubular valve stem positioned concentrically and externally around a portion of the feed tube and a hollow plug secured to the valve stem which is engageable with said access opening, where the plug valve is movable in a reciprocating fashion from a closed position for blocking the access opening to an open position for permitting the flow of cracking catalyst through the access opening into the riser reactor.

Abstract: The danger of explosion due to decomposition of high-pressure industrial process gases, such as ethylene, is reduced by beginning to cool the decomposition gases with a delay of no more than 25 milliseconds from the onset of flow of the gases out of a high-pressure vessel.The process may be implemented by using apparatus comprising:(1) means containing an inert gas at a pressure P between about 5 and 50 bars and an inert liquid of high heat of vaporization; and(2) a valve located upstream of an inert-liquid dispersing-means, of which the opening is operated by a means detecting the opening of a safety means of the high-pressure vessel and operating the working of the dispersing means.The apparatus is useful for the recovery of decomposition gases in order to avoid atmospheric pollution, as well as for reducing the risk of explosion.

Abstract: Control of an isomerization process is based on a known relationship between the octane number and temperature of a reaction at equilibrium; and a predetermined relationship between octane number and temperature of the reaction product of a reactor using a specific catalyst. In use, measurements of actual octane number and temperature are compared with the octane number and temperature of a reaction at equilibrium to determine if the reaction is at equilibrium. If the reaction is not at equilibrium, a control signal is developed to restore equilibrium. Thus control of an isomerization process is accomplished so as to substantially maximize the efficiency of the isomerization process both from a production standpoint and from an energy usage standpoint by maintaining the isomerization reaction at desired equilibrium conditions. Also, for a dual reactor system, the differential temperature between the two reactors is manipulated so as to maintain more favorable isomerization conditions in the tail reactor.

Abstract: A spray reactor for flue gas desulfurization, particularly suitable for steam generators, uses a plurality of flue gas inlets and complementary nozzles to spray an alkaline reagent into the flue gas, including means to maintain the gas velocity in said gas inlets in response to generator turndown by varying the cross-sectional area of flow of the waste gas into the reaction zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a catalytic chemical reaction in the presence of a granular catalyst under conditions such that both the reactants and the reaction product are gaseous at the temperature and pressure of the reaction. According to the present invention, a vertically extending, annular, intercylinder space, defined between a cylindrical outer catalyst retainer and a cylinder inner catalyst retainer, is divided by radially extending vertical partition walls into a plurality of chambers. Heat-exchanging tubes are disposed vertically in at least one of the chambers. A granular catalyst is packed in at least two of said chambers to form at least two reaction chambers. A feed gas is caused to flow successively and in radial directions through these reaction chambers. Since the invention reactor achieves an improved linear gas flow velocity and a greater overall heat-transfer coefficient, the reactor of the invention requires fewer heat-exchanging tubes and can thus be made smaller.

Abstract: A fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) apparatus comprising a reactor riser zone, primary and secondary cyclones, connected in series to the riser zone, and a stripping zone. The riser zone, the primary and the secondary cyclones, and the stripping zone, are placed within a single reactor vessel. The primary cyclone is connected to the reactor riser zone by an enclosed conduit which prevents random post-thermal cracking of the hydrocarbons after they exit the reactor riser zone. The secondary cyclone is also connected to the primary cyclone by an enclosed conduit. Any one or both of the enclosed conduits contain a trickle valve to accommodate sudden increased surges of pressure and of flow of the hydrocarbons and catalyst mixture. The reactor riser zone is equipped with an opening which allows stripping gases, from the stripping zone, to enter the riser. The gases are subsequently conducted through the primary and secondary cyclones to the downstream fractionation means.

Abstract: A fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process and apparatus containing a reactor riser zone and radially extending sidearms as the first catalyst-hydrocarbon product separation means. Hydrocarbon products separated in the sidearms are conducted through an enclosed passageway to a secondary separation means, such as a cyclone. The catalyst is also conducted through the enclosed passageway to a stripping apparatus, wherein entrained hydrocarbons are removed therefrom. The enclosed passageway contains a means for accommodating sudden surges of catalyst flow and increased pressure, e.g., a trickle valve.

Abstract: A fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) apparatus and process comprising a reactor riser zone, a primary and a secondary cyclones, connected in series to the riser zone, and a stripping zone. The riser zone, the primary and the secondary cyclones, and the stripping zone, are placed within a single reactor vessel. The primary cyclone is connected to the reactor riser zone by an enclosed conduit which prevents random post-riser thermal cracking of the hydrocarbons after they exit the reactor riser zone. The conduit contains a trickle valve, or other means, to accommodate sudden increased surges of flow of the hydrocarbons and catalyst mixture.

Abstract: A filtering and post-combustion device for waste gases, particularly of internal combustion engines, is designed with a plurality of filtering elements which are mounted at equally spaced radial locations within a circular or oval housing and are radially transversable by the gas stream which enters and leaves axially through funnels. At the inner filtering elements, the outlet chambers are separated from the adjacent inlet chambers of the respective following filtering element by axially extending walls. Each individual filtering element comprises a perforated retaining shell, a filter body, such as a wire mesh, permeable to gas, and a perforated supporting wall.

Abstract: A contact lens disinfecting unit in which the lenses are immersed in a saline solution and heated to a predetermined minimum disinfecting temperature which is maintained for a predetermined period of time. The unit has a heating system which includes a PTC thermistor as a heating element sandwiched between metal heat distribution plates, and this heating system interacts with a manually resettable thermostat to control operation of the unit.

Abstract: The hydrotreatment of hydrocarbons in the liquid phase is effected in a column containing a catalyst fixed or moving bed supported by a grid, wherethrough passes an ascending stream of the charge admixed with hydrogen. The perforations of the grid are small enough to prevent passage of the catalyst particles but large enough for giving passage to the hydrogen-charge mixture. The reaction effluent is withdrawn from the top of the column.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mixing a fluidized solid and a fluid wherein the fluidized solid flows in a space defined between an outer member and an inner member positioned within the outer member. A body means is provided in the space between the members to occupy a predetermined volume in the space. A stream of solid particles flows around the body, and is directed across the upper end of the inner member. Fluid is released at the upper end of the inner member which mixes with the fluidized solid.

Abstract: The walls surrounding the atomization chamber in a fluidized catalytic cracking unit where the cracking catalyst surrounds the atomization chamber are cooled by a flow of cooling fluid and baffles to cause the cooling fluid to flow in generally annular streams with crossflow between the annular streams being in a generally radially inwardly direction.

Abstract: A mixing chamber for solids and feed such as in a fluidized catalytic cracking unit in which atomized oil is introduced preferably axially in a preferably vertically oriented transfer line or riser reactor from an atomization chamber segregated from flow of cracking catalyst. The cracking catalyst flows with a radially inward component to the mouth of the riser from the circumference thereof and mixes with the oil feed.

Abstract: For processing matter in a turbulent mass of particulate material, a substantially annular processing region (14; 104; 206) is provided and is preferably in the form of a substantially annular processing chamber having a radially inner wall which includes a waist (38; 122). A flow of fluid and matter to be processed are admitted to the processing region through one or more inlets (28, 46; 108, 124; 214, 220) with the flow of fluid being directed generally circumferentially into the processing region. In the processing region, matter to be processed is embedded in a compact turbulent band of particulate material for processing. Once processing is complete, the processed matter is withdrawn from the processing region, preferably by entrainment in an exhaust flow of the fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating regenerated catalyst from gaseous combustion products within a regenerator. The apparatus comprises a downcomer within the regenerator vessel through which the catalyst and gaseous combustion products flow. Means are provided at the lower end of the downcomer for utilizing the momentum of the catalyst particles to separate them from the gaseous combustion products.

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.