Abstract: A modular catalyst bed support can be used to increase the number of catalyst beds available in a reactor. The modular catalyst bed support can include a lattice with a plurality of lattice openings and modules inserted into the lattice openings. The modular catalyst bed support can rest on top of an underlying catalyst bed, which can reduce or eliminate the need for attachment of the modular catalyst bed support to the walls of the reactor.

Abstract: The surface or surfaces of the walls of a closed photobioreactor are modified to generate light and dark regions. For example, the interior and/or exterior surfaces of the walls of the photobioreactor's chamber can be modified such that they form or incorporate convex and/or concave lenses. The concavity and/or convexity of the lenses redirect incident light rays so that the light is focused to specific points within the chamber, creating multiple light and dark regions within the photobioreactor. Alternatively, or in addition, a pattern of opaque material can be utilized on the walls of the chamber to generate light and dark regions. The number, location and shape of the light and dark regions are controlled by the design of the concavities and/or convexities and/or opaque patterns incorporated into the various surfaces of the photobioreactor.

Abstract: A circulating fluid bed reactor such as that used in fluid coking processes has a circular dense bed reaction section above the reactor base where the fluidizing gas is injected and a plurality of frusto-conical baffles in the dense bed reaction section, each of which depends downwardly and radially inwards from the reactor wall to a lower, inner edge defining a central aperture. The baffles are preferably provided with downcomers which permit downward flow of solids and upward flow of gas through the baffles.

Abstract: A modular catalyst bed support can be used to increase the number of catalyst beds available in a reactor. The modular catalyst bed support can include a lattice with a plurality of lattice openings and modules inserted into the lattice openings. The modular catalyst bed support can rest on top of an underlying catalyst bed, which can reduce or eliminate the need for attachment of the modular catalyst bed support to the walls of the reactor.

Abstract: A circulating fluid bed reactor such as that used in fluid coking processes has a circular dense bed reaction section above the reactor base where the fluidizing gas is injected and a plurality of frusto-conical baffles in the dense bed reaction section, each of which depends downwardly and radially inwards from the reactor wall to a lower, inner edge defining a central aperture. The baffles are preferably provided with downcomers which permit downward flow of solids and upward flow of gas through the baffles.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and methods for incorporating a medial/lateral counter foot stabilizer into shoes. In an embodiment, the medial/lateral counter foot stabilizer of the invention comprises a plantar aspect which extends the length of the sole of a foot, side walls, a metatarsal arch support, a lateral arch support, a medial arch support, and a heel cup counter. The stabilizer of the invention mimics a preferred foot shape, provides support for the metatarsal, medial, and lateral arches, and restricts pronation and supination of the foot. The stabilizer of the invention is designed to be integrated into commercial shoes during the manufacturing process as a method of providing foot support which is currently unavailable in commercial shoes.

Abstract: The uniform distribution of mixed phase fluid stream on to the top of a contact bed in a reactor chamber is provided by a horizontal tray with a plurality of spaced-apart, vertically disposed chimneys extending through the tray. These chimneys have a first end to receive liquid and gas above the tray and a second end for distributing the liquid and gas downwardly below the tray. Importantly, the second end is provided with a spray generating device located below the tray for producing a conical downward spray of the mixed fluid phase onto the top surface of a bed of contact material positioned below the tray. The spray generating devices for producing the conical spray are located at positions so that the spray of the mixed fluid stream from one spray generating device as it impinges on the top surface of the fixed bed, will overlap the spray from an adjacent spray generating device.

Abstract: The interzone mixing device of the present invention is positioned in a multi-zoned vessel for flow of fluid generally vertically therethrough. The interzone mixing device includes a horizontally disposed first plate that has a central opening in it and a cylindrical cap extending upwardly from the first plate and sized and positioned to cover the central opening therein. The cap has a plurality of angular slots in the side wall to direct the flow of fluid passing therethrough in a swirling direction toward the central opening in the first plate. The interzone mixing device also includes a horizontally disposed second plate which has a plurality of openings in an annular ring around the periphery of the second plate. Additionally, a horizontally disposed circular table is positioned on the second plate and is aligned with the central opening in the first plate.

Abstract: According to this invention, a quench assembly having improved mixing efficiency comprises a series of mixing zones: quench fluid inlet zone; quench mixing zone; a jet stirred mixing zone; and a distributor zone. In the quench fluid inlet zone, quench fluid is introduced to fluid from the catalytic bed above. The quench fluid is introduced through holes in a quench pipe, creating jets of quench fluid which entrain and mix the reactant fluid, typically partially reacted, from the bed above. This mixing zone is separated from the quench mixing zone by means of a horizontally disposed plate having a central opening therein. The reaction fluid and quench fluid enter the quench mixing zone through the central opening in the plate separating the two zones and impinge on a bottom quench mixing zone plate, where the gases are turned radially outward and passed over and around a series of mixing baffles.