Abstract: Apparatus for charging granular catalyst, e.g., cylindrically shaped catalyst, into a multiplicity of elongated reactor tubes is described. The apparatus comprises, in combination, a plurality of contiguously arranged storage hoppers arranged in a bundle and disposed above a substantially horizontal vibratory feeder tray having a plurality of V-shaped open troughs equal in number to the number of storage hoppers. Each trough has a discharge opening at its forward end for delivering the catalyst to a discharge spout affixed to the bottom of the feeder tray and communicating with the discharge opening in the trough. Flexible elongated tubular conduits are attached to each discharge spout and rigid nozzle means attached to the end of each flexible tubular conduit. The nozzle is adapted for insertion into the top of the reactor tube. Electrical vibrating means are mechanically connected to the feeder tray.In operation, a predetermined quantity of catalyst is charged to each of the storage hoppers.

Abstract: Oxidizable liquid organic chemical residues are removed from large vessels by a non-catalytic method comprising:a. heating the vessel by introducing a heat source and oxygen into the interior of the vessel, the emitted heat being sufficient to volatilize substantially all and decompose at least a portion of said oxidizable liquid organic chemical contaminating the interior of said vessel;b. exhausting from the vessel combustion gas resulting from the volatilization and decomposition of the liquid organic chemical during the heating step;c. filtering particulates from the combustion gas and decomposing with heat any volatilized organic chemical remaining in the combustion gas exhausted from the vessel; andd. venting to the atmosphere combustion gas essentially free of said particulates and oxidizable organic chemical.