Abstract: The present invention provides a profiling process which allows for the material sheet to be profiled so that the surface is minimally affected and only slight plastic deformation of the material occurs, and yet uniform three-dimensional structuring takes place. Additionally, the present invention allows for an improved inherent stability in the plane of the profiled material sheet to be achieved while only minimally affecting the cross-section.

Abstract: According to the invention thin sheets of foil are stiffened in a particular way by means of vault-structuring. The vault-structuring occurs either by self-organizing or following a self-organized design with a spade-shaped or drop-shaped pattern.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process to produce staggered dent profiled material sheets in response to the application of either excess pressure or underpressure. A rectangular, staggered dent-profiled structure is achieved when a material sheet, in curved form, is supported by regularly spaced-apart support elements and then excess pressure or underpressure is applied. As a result of the pressure dents appear on the material sheet in the direction of the support elements as well as by self-organization. Hexagonal dent profiled structures are generated when flexible support elements are used. The dent profiling can result from a semi-continuous or continuous operation. Segment-wise dent profiling can be achieved when the material sheet is successively bent in peripheral direction over a segment of regularly spaced-apart support elements and then dent profiled under pressure.

Abstract: A practically isothermal temperature distribution of the reactor contents is obtained, especially for high temperature and pressurized hydrogenation reactors operating in the sump-phase by a hydrogenation gas passing over the outer region of the reaction chamber, so that the hydrogenation gas cools the reaction in the chamber. Additionally, the reaction heat which is extracted by the hydrogenation gas is used to heat the reaction components at a stage in the hydrogenation process. The major portion of the reaction heat is used to heat charges, preferably for the reactors, which charges contain no appreciable amounts of solid material. These charges, preferably comprising hydrogenation gas, preferably pass through a jacket space between the reaction chambers and the external portion of the reactors, which external portions preferably make contact with the atmosphere.

Abstract: Process for sump-phase hydrogenation with integrated gas-phase hydrogenation relevant parameters being adjusted so that an economical heat recovery for the entire system is achieved, despite increasing incrustation of the mash heat exchanger and the increasing deactivation of the gas-phase catalyst. The process-relevant temperatures of the intermediate precipitator and of the gas-phase reactor are precisely adjusted by the use of head coolers which follow the sump-phase hydrogenator, and by head coolers which precede the intermediate precipitator. The procedure is such that the waste heat from the sump-phase products is partially recovered by using it to heat the raw materials constituting the gas phase and by feeding it back again to the mash heater.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, during hydrogenation by means of sump phase hydrogenation followed by gas-phase hydrogenation, the high boiling fractions are separated from the lower boiling vapor fractions, after leaving the hot precipitation head, by partial condensation in an intermediate precipitator with the result that the gas-phase reactor has a better service life and optimum reaction conditions can be provided. The improved process results in an improved quality of solvent for the sump phase hydrogenation.

Abstract: The invention provides pressure protection for the interior casing of hydrogenation reactors by the use of a manifold interconnecting the annular chambers of the aforesaid reactors with the processed-gas vapor path whereby process-conditioned pressure changes generated during the reaction process are simultaneously balanced. As a result, the interior casings of the reactors which define the reaction vessel can be made of relatively thin material as compared to conventional reaction vessels.