Abstract: The present invention relates to a regenerator including a packed bed of energy storage elements made of a material having the following chemical analysis: 25%<Fe2O3<90%, 5%<Al2O3<30%, CaO<20%, TiO2<25%, 3%<SiO2<50%, Na2O<10%, Fe2O3+Al2O3+CaO+TiO2+SiO2+Na2O>80%, and other compounds: complement to 100%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a regenerator including a packed bed of energy storage elements made of a material having the following chemical analysis: 25%<Fe2O3<90%, 5%<Al2O3<30%, CaO<20%, TiO2<25%, 3%<SiO2<50%, Na2O<10%, Fe2O3+Al2O3+CaO+TiO2+SiO2+Na2O>80%, and other compounds: complement to 100%.

Abstract: Thermal energy storage articles, systems, and methods for making and using such thermal energy storage articles and systems. A thermal energy storage zone comprising: a first plurality of flow paths; a second plurality of flow paths; and a bed of heat storage media comprising a plurality of structured heat storage elements and a plurality of random heat storage media, wherein the first and second plurality of flow paths pass through a common container, wherein the first plurality of flow paths are configured to extend through the plurality of structured heat storage elements and the second plurality of flow paths are configured to extend through the random heat storage media, and wherein the first plurality of flow paths and the second plurality of flow paths do not intersect within the bed of heat storage media.

Abstract: Low void fraction thermal energy storage articles, systems, and methods for making and using such thermal energy storage articles and systems. Thermal energy storage units include a thermal energy storage body having a particular void volume and a mixing cavity-creating element. Thermal energy storage modules include two or more thermal energy storage bodies arranged adjacently with an intervening cavity defined by a cavity-creating element. The total void volume of a thermal energy storage module (i.e., the sum of the void volume of the passages of the thermal energy storage bodies and the cavity) is between about 10% and about 40%.

Abstract: A vessel comprising a bed of randomly oriented ceramic media having fluid distribution channels incorporated in the outer surface of the media is disclosed. The channels capture and redirect the fluid thereby improving distribution of the fluid in the vessel.

Abstract: A chemical processing apparatus that utilizes randomly oriented ceramic packing elements having at least three openings therethrough that accommodate feedstock with combustible and/or noncombustible matter that accumulates in the openings is described. The openings occupy at least 10% of the surface area on one side of the packing element.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage apparatus capable of storing large quantities of heat uses a plurality of energy storage zones having essentially the same thermal energy storage capacity per zone. The flow of a fluid into each zone is separately and independently controlled thereby creating a modular system that is capable of responding to rapid changes in the supply of and/or demand for thermal energy.

Abstract: A vessel comprising a bed of randomly oriented ceramic media having fluid distribution channels incorporated in the outer surface of the media is disclosed. The channels capture and redirect the fluid thereby improving distribution of the fluid in the vessel.

Abstract: The invention provides novel ceramic mass transfer packing elements with physical characteristics that maximize efficiency of mass transfer and minimize pressure drop when randomly dumped in a chemical reactor. In some embodiments, the elements may have: a ratio of surface area of the interaction zone to surface area of the flow through zone between 1:0.5 and 1:3; and the interaction zone surface area occupies between 45% and 70% of the open face surface area.

Abstract: A system for treatment of one or more flowing materials includes a support bed (32) comprising a plurality of support elements (34). The support bed may have a void fraction of at least 45%. An active bed (36), such as a bed of catalytic elements, may be supported by the support bed. The void fraction of the support bed may be larger than that of an equivalent bed of conventional, spherical elements, enabling significant improvements in the flow rate of reactants through the bed and/or a reduced pressure drop across the support bed.

Abstract: A system for treatment of one or more flowing materials includes a support bed (32) comprising a plurality of support elements (34). The support bed may have a void fraction of at least 45%. An active bed (36), such as a bed of catalytic elements, may be supported by the support bed. The void fraction of the support bed may be larger than that of an equivalent bed of conventional, spherical elements, enabling significant improvements in the flow rate of reactants through the bed and/or a reduced pressure drop across the support bed.

Abstract: The invention provides novel ceramic mass transfer packing elements with physical characteristics that maximize efficiency of mass transfer and minimize pressure drop when randomly dumped in a chemical reactor. In some embodiments, the elements may have: a ratio of surface area of the interaction zone to surface area of the flow through zone between 1:0.5 and 1:3; and the interaction zone surface area occupies between 45% and 70% of the open face surface area.

Abstract: This invention provides a packing element for use in a chemical processing apparatus housing a mass transfer reaction. The packing element has lobes and channels radially disposed around a common axis and alternately spaced from one another. The lobes abut at least 60% of the circumference of the smallest circle that circumscribes the element and the channels form openings that abut no more than 40% of the circumference.

Abstract: A chemical processing apparatus that utilizes randomly oriented ceramic packing elements having at least three openings therethrough that accommodate feedstock with combustible and/or noncombustible matter that accumulates in the openings is described. The openings occupy at least 10% of the surface area on one side of the packing element.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved ceramic packing element (1, 6, 8) suited to use as a bed limiter having a generally uniform cross-section in the length (l) direction with the basic shape of a bow-tie and having a plurality of through passages (5) parallel to the length dimension (L).

Abstract: The invention provides an improved ceramic packing element having the basic shape of a cylinder with an aspect ratio, defined by the diameter to length dimensions that is from 2.7 to 4.5.

Abstract: A ceramic packing element (1) has a polygonal structure (2) with a plane of symmetry in a direction defining a length (L) of the element and a greatest dimension (D) perpendicular to the length defining a diameter of the element. The element has a plurality of internal septa (3) defining a plurality of identical first passages (4) through the element each of which has a first cross-sectional area and at plurality of second passages (5) of a larger cross sectional area than that of one of the first passages. At least one of the second passages has a cross sectional area which is at least four times that of one of the first passages.

Abstract: A ceramic packing element (10) has an essentially cylindrical structure (12) with a plane of symmetry in a direction defining a length (L) of the element and a greatest dimension (D) perpendicular to the length defining a diameter of the element. The element has a plurality of internal septa (16) defining a plurality of passages (18) through the element. The element has an open face area which is from 40-80%.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved ceramic packing element having the basic shape of a cylinder with an aspect ratio, defined by the diameter to length dimensions that is from 2.7 to 4.5.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved ceramic bed limiter packing element having a uniform cross-section in the length direction with the basic shape of a bow-tie and having a plurality of through passages parallel to the length dimension.