Abstract: A vapor-liquid distribution method and apparatus utilize a cap assembly for attachment over an opening in a deck tray of a gas-liquid contact apparatus (e.g., catalytic reactor). The cap assembly comprises a riser located over the opening in the deck tray, and providing fluid communication from an upper surface to a lower surface of the deck tray. A cap encompasses an upwardly extending end of the riser. A key feature of the assembly is the provision of a dispersion plate in a lower end of the riser which provides a flow restriction for two phase fluids flowing through the riser to produce a mist flow of the two phases. Preferably, the dispersion plate has a plurality of openings therethrough, at least the outer openings being provided with tabs to disperse the mist flow radially outward.

Abstract: Apparatus for the mixing and cooling of hot, particulate matter, such as hot, retorted oil shale, comprises a plurality of enclosed, vertically spaced apart, converging vessels through which the material to be mixed and cooled is flowed. At least the lowermost vessel is configured for a packed bed flow of the material and has mounted therein, on a vertical drive shaft, a mixer blade assembly having a plurality of similar mixing blades which are upwardly inclined at an angle, A.sub.1, of between about 30.degree. and about 75.degree. and preferably within about .+-.15.degree. of the sidewall angle of the vessels. The blades are mounted so as to have an angle of attack, A.sub.2, relative to the rotational direction of travel, of between about 20.degree. and about 60.degree.. A constant angle of attack along each mixing blade is assured by making the angle, A.sub.3, between the blade leading edge and the blade base to be related to the blade inclination and attack angles in accordance with the relationship:A.sub.

Abstract: A process for removing hydrogen sulfide from geothermal steam and from vent streams, or concentrated portions produced by a hydrogen sulfide separation process, includes the steps of introducing an oxygen-containing gas, such as air into the steam, or vent stream, and thereafter contacting the steam and oxygen-containing gas in a contacting stage with iron oxide supported by a carrier resistant to deterioration. The steam having a temperature of at least 250.degree. F. is mixed with oxygen to provide a molar ratio of oxygen-to-hydrogen sulfide ratio of less than about 10. During the contacting stage the pressure of the steam and oxygen-containing gas is maintained at a pressure sufficient to enable removal of a majority of the hydrogen sulfide from the steam and oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: A process for enzymatically converting whole plant biomass containing hydrocarbon-containing laticifers to soluble sugars and recovering hydrocarbons in increased yields which comprises hydrolyzing whole plant cellulosic material in the presence of enzymes, particularly cellulase, hemicellulase, and pectinase, to produce a hydrocarbon product and recovering from the hydrolysis products a major proportion of the cellulase, hemicellulase and pectinase enzymes for reuse.

Abstract: A process for production and recovery of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing whole plants in a form suitable for use as chemical feedstocks or as hydrocarbon energy sources which process comprises: (a) pulverizing by grinding or chopping hydrocarbon-containing whole plants selected from the group consisting of Euphorbiaceae, Apocynaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Compositae, Cactaceae and Pinaceae families to a suitable particle size, (b) drying and preheating said particles in a reducing atmosphere under positive pressure (c) passing said particles through a thermal conversion zone containing a reducing atmosphere and with a residence time of 1 second to about 30 minutes at a temperature within the range of from about 200.degree. C. to about 1000.degree. C., (d) separately recovering the condensable vapors as liquids and the noncondensable gases in a condition suitable for use as chemical feedstocks or as hydrocarbon fuels.