Abstract: The invention relates to a method for storing and re-releasing dihydrogen (1) comprising at least: a step of generating hydrogen (G) by dehydrogenating hydroxyl groups of dipropylene glycol into respective carbonyl groups, in order to produce a dehydrogenated substrate (SD) and gaseous dihydrogen (H2), a step of regenerating (R) at least a portion of the dipropylene glycol (DG), by hydrogenating said carbonyl groups into respective hydroxyl groups by means of gaseous dihydrogen (H2). The invention is particularly suitable for storing dihydrogen as an energy carrier.

Abstract: A device has a reaction chamber with at least one feed inlet (5) and at least one evacuation outlet (10). An outside jacket (2a) that is resistant to internal pressure is positioned around the device and contains at least one module (44) through which a reagent and formed products circulate. The module (44) has walls (11) and (12) made of refractory material that are included in a sealed jacket (40). The sealed jacket (40) is connected by a flexible connection to the jacket (2a) and to a heat exchanger that is also linked to the module (44) and to the jacket (2a) by a flexible connection.

Abstract: Device for connecting a heat exchange pipe (4), whereby said pipe (4) is positioned between walls (11) that are located on both sides of pipe (4), intended for heating and/or cooling a reactor, whose internal pressure is considerably higher than the atmospheric pressure and than the pressure that prevails inside said pipe (4), and said reactor, whereby said device comprises a series of cooperating means that comprise: means for connecting this pipe (4) and jacket (2a) of said reactor, whereby said means comprise a packing box (21, 22, 23), a flange (28) that is attached to jacket (2a) of the reactor by means of a joint (18), a bellows (25) that is placed between packing box (21, 22, 23) and said flange (28) to ensure a relatively flexible connection between pipe (4) and jacket (2a) of the reactor. FIG. 3 to be published.

Abstract: Device that comprises a reaction chamber that comprises at least one feed means (5) and at least one evacuation means (10), comprising an outside jacket (2a) that is resistant to internal pressure and that contains at least one module (44) through which a reagent and formed products circulate. Module (44) that comprises walls (11) and (12) that are made of refractory material included in a sealed jacket (40) that is connected by flexible means to jacket (2a) and heat exchange means that are also linked to the module and the jacket by flexible means.

Abstract: Device for connecting a heat exchange pipe (4), whereby said pipe (4) is positioned between walls (11) that are located on both sides of pipe (4), intended for heating and/or cooling a reactor, whose internal pressure is considerably higher than the atmospheric pressure and than the pressure that prevails inside said pipe (4), and said reactor, whereby said device comprises a series of cooperating means that comprise: means for connecting this pipe (4) and jacket (2a) of said reactor, whereby said means comprise a packing box (21, 22, 23), a flange (28) that is attached to jacket (2a) of the reactor by means of a joint (18), a bellows (25) that is placed between packing box (21, 22, 23) and said flange (28) to ensure a relatively flexible connection between pipe (4) and jacket (2a) of the reactor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the alkylation of at least one isoaffin selected from the group formed by isobutane and isopentane by at least one olefin containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms per molecule in the presence of a liquid acid catalyst, the process comprising mixing a feed comprising the olefin to be converted with an effluent comprising a major portion of isoparaffin in a first mixing zone, and forming an emulsion of said catalyst in a hydrocarbon effluent comprising a major portion of isoparaffin in an emulsifying zone, said effluent constituting the continuous phase of the emulsion thus formed, then mixing a major portion of the emulsion of acid in hydrocarbon effluent with a major portion of the diluted feed comprising the olefin in a second mixing zone, followed by carrying out the majority of the reaction in a reaction zone which is supplied by the major portion of said mixture.

Abstract: A reaction-distillation method is provided in which a chemical reaction and fractionation are conducted in an apparatus having at least one reaction-distillation zone (A,B) including at least one bed of solid elements disposed on a fluid-permeable support (5) having perforations small enough to retain the elements. The bed of solid elements includes loose solid catalytic particles (2) and at least one receptacle (3), containing at least one distillation packing body (4). The external jacket of the at least one receptacle (3) is permeable to fluids and impermeable to the solid catalytic particles (2) and the packing body (4). The apparatus can be used for carrying out chemical reactions and concomitant fractionation of the reaction mixture, for example, to synthesize ethers from olefins and alcohols.

Abstract: A process for the thermal pyrolysis of hydrocarbons in a reactor (1) of elongate shape comprising at a first end supply means (5) for a gaseous mixture containing at least one hydrocarbon, at the opposite end discharge means (10) for the effluents produced and between these two ends supply means (9) for effluent cooling fluid, the reactor comprising in a first part (first end side) a plurality of electric heating means (3) enclosed by casings (4) disposed in substantially mutually parallel layers perpendicular to the axis of the reactor, in such a way as to define between the casings and/or the casings and the walls (22), spaces or passages for circulation of the gaseous mixtures and/or effluents. The heating means heat the passages in successive, individual, transverse sections which are substantially perpendicular to the axis of the reactor. The reactor comprises means for introducing into the casings (4) a gas G known as a casing gas which preferably contains water vapour and/or hydrogen.

Abstract: Apparatus suitable for the thermal conversion of methane to hydrocarbons of higher molecular weight, comprising an elongated reactor 1 provided with an inlet 5 for supplying a gas mixture containing methane (process gas) and an outlet at the opposite end, the reactor over a first part towards the inlet end having a plurality of electric heaters 3 surrounded by sheaths 4. The heaters, e.g., electric resistors, which are spaced apart and are substantially parallel with respect to one another, are arranged in substantially parallel rows perpendicular to the axis of the reactor so as to permit circulation of the process gas and/or effluent between the sheaths and/or between the sheaths and walls 22 separating two consecutive rows. The heaters heat the passages by successive independent cross sections substantially perpendicular to the axis of the reaction. Towards the outlet end, the reactor further comprises an injector for supplying cooling fluid, which cools the effluent.

Abstract: A reaction-distillation apparatus is provided comprising at least one reaction-distillation zone including at least one bed of solid elements disposed on a fluid-permeable perforated support having perforations small enough to retain the elements wherein the bed of solid elements includes loose solid catalytic particles and at least one receptacle, containing at least one distillation packing body, the external jacket of which is permeable to fluids and the impermeable to the solid catalytic particles and packing body. The apparatus can be used for carrying out chemical reaction and concomitant fractionation of the reaction mixture, for example, to synthesize ethers from olefins and alcohols.

Abstract: For preparing at least one boric oxide in an anhydrous or hydrated form and of general formula B.sub.2 O.sub.3, xH.sub.2 O, in which x is a number from 0 to 3, a methyl borate hydrolyzate comprising boric oxide and methanol is introduced into a distillation column is introduced the product from, at least one compound (preferably a hydrocarbon such as, e.g., 2,3-dimethyl butane or 2-methyl pentane) forming a heteroazeotrope with methanol, said heteroazaeotrope having a boiling point below that of the azeotrope formed by methyl borate with methanol and at least one compound having a boiling point higher than that of methyl borate, said compound not forming an azeotrope with a boiling point below that of said heteroazeotrope and then at the head of the column said heteroazeotrope is recovered and at the bottom of the column a suspension containing at least one boric oxide.

Abstract: An oxidation reactor having elongated shape includes in combination, a mixing member including a pipe for feeding oxidizing gas and a pipe for feeding oxidizable charge; a reaction member, arranged subjacent the mixing member, and a discharge member associated with a discharge pipe for the products of the reaction. The reaction member includes a central zone which has a first lining and the reactor includes at least one peripheral zone which has a second lining, passages in the second lining being smaller than passages in the first lining so that the pressure loss in the second lining is greater than that of the first lining. The second lining forms a sleeve surround the first lining and this sleeve is formed of at least one refractory heat insulating material. The oxidation reactor is provided with an external sleeve steel jacket, a concrete wall and a steel element surrounding the mixing member arranged above the reaction member.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for thermal conversion of methane to hydrocarbons of higher molecular weight, comprising a reactor 1 of elongated shape, connected at a first end to means 5 for supplying gas mixture containing methane (process gas), and connected at the opposite end to discharge means 10, the reactor having a plurality of electric heating means 3 surrounded by sheaths 4 over a first part (towards the first end). The heating means, which are substantially parallel, are arranged in sheets which are substantially parallel and perpendicular to the axis of the reactor, so that spaces or passages for circulation of the process gas and/or effluent are defined between the sheaths and/or between the sheaths and the walls 22 separating two consecutive sheets. The heating means are adapted to heat the passages by successive independent cross sections substantially perpendicular to the axis of the reactor.

Abstract: An oxidizable charge is oxidized in a gaseous phase reaction. The oxidizable charge and an oxidizing gas flow simultaneously and separately through a distribution zone made of a ceramic material. In at least a part of the distribution zone, the oxidizable charge and the oxidizing gas flow through a multiplicity of passages of a dimension so small that any flame resulting from oxidation of the oxidizable charge will be quenched. The oxidizable charge and oxidizing gas are then mixed in a mixing zone made from a ceramic material defining a multiplicity of spaces with passages having a dimension comparable to the dimension of the passages in the distribution zone. The mixture of gases then flows through a reaction zone made from a ceramic material defining another multiplicity of passages having dimensions comparable to those in the distribution zone.

Abstract: A process for thermally converting methane e.g., at 1,000.degree.-1,300.degree. C. into hydrocarbons with higher molecular weights, especially ethylene comprises circulating a gas containing methane in ceramic channels (11) grouped in rows which cover at least a part of the reactor (1) length, parallel to its axis. At the reaction temperature, the temperature variation is kept at less than 20.degree. C. The rows of channels form multiple plates (4) which are not adjacent to one another and which define tight spaces (17) in which are housed the electric heating (5, 22) means that heat the channel plates in a first zone (9) through successive, independent cross sections substantially perpendicular to the axis of the reactor and substantially parallel to the plane of the plates. Means for heating, servocontrol and modulation (7, 8) regulate the heating system. At the exit of the heating zone (9), the effluent is cooled in a second zone (10) equipped with cooling means and finally collected.

Abstract: A new technique for oxidizing a gaseous phase oxidizable feed involves a process wherein a gas mixture containing at least one oxidizing gas is placed in contact with an oxidizable feed inside a mixing contact zone situated between at least one first zone passed through by the feed and at least one second zone passed through by the oxidation reaction products. The first and second zones define a multiplicity of multidirectional spaces exhibiting passages having, along at least one direction, a dimension at most equal to the jamming distance of the flame possibly resulting from oxidations of feed. The contact zone comprises an oxidizing gas mixture supply means comprising a plurality of parallel pipes with porous walls situated at a distance from the first and second zones which is at most equal to the jamming distance.

Abstract: The invention concerns an improved method for the thermal conversion of methane to hydrocarbons of higher molecular weights.The method is based on the utilization of a multichannel system of ceramic material in which the charge and heating fluids or cooling fluids pass alternately through rows of channels, constituting a continuous assembly comprising a pyrolysis zone followed by a quenching zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved hydrocarbon steam-cracking method intended to produce more particularly ethylene and propylene.The method is based on the utilization of a multi-channel system made of ceramic material, in which the charge and heat exchange fluids or refrigerants alternatively pass through the channels or rows of channels constituting the continuous assembly comprising a pyrolysis zone followed by a quenching zone.The method according to the invention is applicable to charges ranging from ethane to vacuum gas oils.

Abstract: A process for converting liquid or semi-liquid hydrocarbon charges to lighter fractions comprises a first step (a) heating droplets jets of the charge introduced into a pyrolysis chamber by surrounding them with parallel jets of hot solid particles, of relatively large size, of a heat carrier material, not substantially in contact with the droplet jets, so as to maintain a temperature of 700.degree.-1600.degree. C., and introducing a gas so as to obtain a pressure from 1 to 150 bars. A second step involves (b) separating the gaseous fraction from the solid particles. Thereafter (c) at least a portion of the solid particles are heated and fed back to step (a). The gaseous fraction is (d) cooled by means of a cold gas so as to recover light hydrocarbons therefrom.

Abstract: Process for converting solid carbonaceous materials to methane, comprising (a) converting the carbonaceous material by means of a reducing gas at 300.degree.-500.degree. C. to a semi-oily phase adapted to be pumped and atomized, (b) heating falling droplets of said semi-oily phase to a temperature of 700.degree.-1600.degree. C. with hot solid particles in downward jets in the presence of reducing gas, under a presssure above 20 bars, (c) separating the solid particles of large size (d), heating them and feeding them back to step (b), (e) cooling the remaining fraction consisting of gas and solid particles of small size by means of a cold reducing gas and separating methane therefrom, and (f) treating the remaining solid phase of fine particles with oxygen and steam to produce a reducing gas fed back to steps (a) and (b).