Abstract: A high-temperature chemical reaction process is performed in which a finely-divided volatile carbonaceous reductant is intimately mixed with finely-divided transition metal compounds and introduced, in entrained flow, into a strong radiative environment, inducing preferential heating of the solids and causing gasification of the volatile carbonaceous reductant principally to carbon monoxide gas and hydrogen gas. The gases in turn reduce the metal compounds to their parent metals. Nonvolatile metals in the form of small solid spheres are readily separated from their physical mixtures with spherical inorganic slags, making the process useful for the reclamation of metals from spent catalysts and low-grade ores. Because of the heterogeneous temperature distribution in the stream, reduced volatile metals are readily distilled out of nonvolatile melts, and condense in the cooler gas component of the stream as fine powders which are easily separated from the larger nonvolatile metal and slag fractions.

Abstract: This invention is a process for recovering sodium hydroxide directly from black liquor. The process involves pyrolyzing the black liquor in the absence of oxygen to produce a product containing sodium carbide, and hydrolyzing the sodium carbide to form sodium hydroxide. The pyrolysis is carried out at about 4000.degree. F. using radiant energy.

Abstract: A reactor tube for a high temperature chemical reactor having a precisely controllable porosity comprises a plurality of layers of a fabric of a fibrous refractory material such as carbon or graphite cloth. Difficulties connected with the handling of carbon cloth, which has an extremely high coefficient of friction, are substantially eliminated by winding the cloth on a mandrel to form the reactor tube. After winding, the mandrel is contracted, allowing its removal without damaging the inside surface of the tube. Heating elements for the high temperature chemical reactor are also formed by winding carbon cloth on a mandrel. A preferred embodiment of the reactor contemplates that a plurality of such heating elements be positioned radially outwardly of the reactor tube.

Abstract: A high-temperature, fluid-wall chemical reactor can be equipped with a variable profile, counterflow heat exchanger and a reaction product control system. The heat exchanger includes two tubular walls, positioned concentric of one another, and a spiral baffle disposed between the two walls to define a spiral, annular coolant channel. The walls and baffle are made of a refractory material. The heat exchanger has an inlet and an outlet to permit a coolant to be circulated through the coolant channel. The reaction product control system includes a reaction product analyzer and means for withdrawing and transferring samples of reaction product exiting the reactor. The reaction product analyzer can receive samples of reaction product and generate a signal corresponding to deviations between the chemical composition of the product and a preselected composition.

Abstract: A reactor-tube assembly for a high-temperature, fluid-wall reactor comprises a reactor tube made of a fabric of a fibrous, refractory material, two support rings positioned at the ends of the reactor tube, and means for securing the ends of the reactor tube to the support rings. Carbon or graphite cloth is a preferred fibrous refractory material out of which to make the reactor tube.

Abstract: A fluid-wall reactor for high temperature chemical reactions is described, the reactor comprising (A) a porous reactor tube, at least a portion of the interior of which defines a reaction zone, the tube being made of a fabric of a fibrous refractory material; (B) a pressure vessel enclosing the reactor tube to define an inert fluid plenum, the pressure vessel having at least one inlet for admitting the inert fluid which is directed under pressure through the porous tube wall to provide a protective blanket for the inside surface of the reactor tube; (C) means for introducing at least one reactant into the reaction zone, the reactants being directed in a predetermined path axially of the reactor tube and being confined by the protective blanket substantially centrally within the reaction zone; (D) means disposed within the plenum for heating the reactor tube to the temperature level at which it emits sufficient radiant energy to initiate and sustain the desired chemical reaction, the radiant energy being direc

Abstract: A high temperature chemical reaction process in which mineral ores or inorganic compounds are reduced to a lower valence state with hydrogen, carbon, synthesis gas, or other reducing agent can be conducted in fluid-wall reactors by a process which includes the steps of (a) generating an annular envelope of an inert fluid which is substantially transparent to radiation within a shell of a refractory material which reflects radiation; the volume enclosed by the shell constituting a black body cavity, the envelope having substantial axial length and the interior of the envelope defining a reaction chamber; (b) passing at least one reactant into the black body cavity and through the reaction chamber along a predetermined path substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of the envelope, the reactants being confined within the reaction chamber; and (c) directing high intensity radiant energy into the reaction chamber to coincide with at least a portion of the predetermined path of the reactants, sufficient

Abstract: High temperature chemical reaction processes utilizing fluid-wall reactors can be conducted in fluid-wall reactors by a process which includes the steps of (a) generating an annular envelope of an inert fluid which is substantially transparent to radiation within a shell of a refractory material which reflects radiation, the volume enclosed by the shell constituting a black body cavity, the envelope having substantial axial length and the interior of the envelope defining a reaction chamber; (b) introducing two groups of reactants into the black body cavity and into the reaction chamber, at least one reactant from each group being directed along a predetermined path substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of the envelope, the first and second groups of reactants respectively being capable of reacting endothermically and exothermically at a predetermined temperature; and (c) directing high intensity radiant energy into the reaction chamber to coincide with at least a portion of the predetermined pa

Abstract: A fluid-wall reactor for high temperature chemical reactions comprising (A) a porous reactor tube, at least a portion of the interior of which defines a reaction zone, the tube being made of an electrically resistive, porous refractory material; (B) a pressure vessel enclosing the reactor tube to define an inert fluid plenum, the pressure vessel having at least one inlet for admitting the inert fluid which is directed under pressure through the porous tube wall to provide a protective blanket for the inside surface of the reactor tube; (C) means for introducing at least one reactant into the reaction zone, the reactants being directed in a predetermined path axially of the reactor tube and being confined by the protective blanket substantially centrally within the reaction zone; (D) means for passing an electric current through the reactor tube for heating the reactor tube to the temperature level at which it emits sufficient radiant energy to initiate and sustain the desired chemical reaction, the radiant en

Abstract: High temperature chemical reaction processes utilizing fluid-wall reactors can be conducted in fluid-wall reactors by a process which includes the steps of (a) generating a shell of a refractory material which reflects radiation, the volume enclosed by the shell constituting a black body cavity; (b) generating within the black body cavity an annular envelope of an inert fluid which is substantially transparent to radiation, the envelope having substantial axial length and the interior of the envelope defining a reaction chamber; (c) passing at least one reactant into the black body cavity and through the reaction chamber along a predetermined path substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of the envelope, the reactants being confined within the reaction chamber; and (d) directing high intensity radiant energy into the reaction chamber to coincide with at least a portion of the predetermined path of the reactants, sufficient radiant energy being absorbed within the reaction chamber to raise the tempe

Abstract: High temperature chemical reaction processes utilizing fluid-wall reactors can be conducted in fluid-wall reactors by a process which includes the steps of (1) generating a shell of a refractory material which reflects radiation, the volume enclosed by the shell constituting a black body cavity; (2) generating within the black body cavity an annular envelope of an inert fluid which is substantially transparent to radiation, the envelope having substantial axial length and the interior of the envelope defining a reaction chamber; (3) passing at least one reactant into the black body cavity and through the reaction chamber along a predetermined path substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of the envelope, the reactants being confined within the reaction chamber; and (4) directing high intensity radiant energy into the reaction chamber to coincide with at least a portion of the predetermined path of the reactants, sufficient radiant energy being absorbed within the reaction chamber to raise the tempe

Abstract: A high temperature reactor comprises a tube which defines a reactor chamber; means for introducing the inert fluid into the reactor tube to provide a protective blanket for the inside surface of the tube; means for introducing reactants into the chamber, the reactants being confined centrally within the chamber by the protective blanket; and, means for generating high intensity radiant energy which is directed into the chamber to coincide with at least a portion of the path of the reactants.

Abstract: A fuel converter for a transportation vehicle includes a fuel container for a hydrocarbon fuel, an auxiliary container for water or for an inert fluid which is substantially transparent to radiant energy, an electrical power source, and a high temperature fluid-wall reactor.The high temperature fluid-wall reactor has at least one input for the hydrocarbon fuel and for water or the inert fluid, an electrical power input, and an output. Means are provided for metering the hydrocarbon fuel, water or the inert fluid, and electrical power into the appropriate inputs of the reactor. A manifold connects the output of the reactor to a combustion fuel input of the engine of the vehicle. By means of the fuel converter, a variety of low grade and inexpensive hydrocarbon fuels may be converted into combustible mixtures such as carbon black and hydrogen or carbon monoxide and hydrogen which are suitable as fuel for an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A high temperature reactor comprises a tube which defines a reactor chamber; means for introducing the inert fluid into the reactor tube to provide a protective blanket for the inside surface of the tube; means for introducing reactants into the chamber, the reactants being confined centrally within the chamber by the protective blanket; and, means, for generating high intensity radiant energy which is directed into the chamber to coincide with at least a portion of the path of the reactants.