Abstract: Chemical reactor (10) and method for cracking are disclosed. A process fluid is accelerated with axial impulse impellers (40A, 40B) to a velocity greater than Mach 1 and, in turn, generating a shock wave (90) in the process fluid by decelerating it in a static diffuser (70) having diverging diffuser passages (72). Temperature increase of the process fluid downstream of the shockwave cracks or splits molecules, such as hydrocarbons entrained in the process fluid, in a single pass, through a unidirectional flow path (F), within a single stage, without recirculating the process fluid for another pass through the same stage. In some embodiments, a system involving at least two turbomachine chemical reactors (110) may provide multiple successive stages of one or more axial impulse impellers (40A, 40B), paired with a diverging passage, static diffuser (70).

Abstract: A turbomachine type chemical reactor for processing a process fluid is presented. The turbomachine type chemical reactor includes at least one impeller section and a stationary diffuser section arranged downstream. The impeller section accelerates the process fluid to a supersonic flow. A shock wave is generated in the stationary diffuser section that instantaneously increases static temperature of the process fluid downstream the shock wave for processing the process fluid. which allows thermally cracking a chemical compound, such as hydrocarbon, in the process fluid. Static pressure of the process fluid is simultaneously increased across the shock wave. The turbomachine type chemical reactor significantly reduces residence time of the process fluid in the chemical reactor and improves efficiency of the chemical reactor.

Abstract: A turbomachine type chemical reactor for processing a process fluid is presented. The turbomachine type chemical reactor includes at least one impeller section and a stationary diffuser section arranged downstream. The impeller section accelerates the process fluid to a supersonic flow. A shock wave is generated in the stationary diffuser section that instantaneously increases static temperature of the process fluid downstream the shock wave for processing the process fluid. which allows thermally cracking a chemical compound, such as hydrocarbon, in the process fluid. Static pressure of the process fluid is simultaneously increased across the shock wave. The turbomachine type chemical reactor significantly reduces residence time of the process fluid in the chemical reactor and improves efficiency of the chemical reactor.

Abstract: A turbomachine type chemical reactor for processing a process fluid is presented. The turbomachine type chemical reactor includes at least one impeller section and a stationary diffuser section arranged downstream. The impeller section accelerates the process fluid to a supersonic flow. A shock wave is generated in the stationary diffuser section that instantaneously increases static temperature of the process fluid downstream the shock wave for processing the process fluid. Static pressure of the process fluid is simultaneously increased across the shock wave. The turbomachine type chemical reactor significantly reduces residence time of the process fluid in the chemical reactor and improves efficiency of the chemical reactor.

Abstract: Chemical reactor (10) and method for cracking are disclosed. A process fluid is accelerated with axial impulse impellers (40A, 40B) to a velocity greater than Mach 1 and, in turn, generating a shock wave (90) in the process fluid by decelerating it in a static diffuser (70) having diverging diffuser passages (72). Temperature increase of the process fluid downstream of the shockwave cracks or splits molecules, such as hydrocarbons entrained in the process fluid, in a single pass, through a unidirectional flow path (F), within a single stage, without recirculating the process fluid for another pass through the same stage. In some embodiments, a system involving at least two turbomachine chemical reactors (110) may provide multiple successive stages of one or more axial impulse impellers (40A, 40B), paired with a diverging passage, static diffuser (70).

Abstract: A turbomachine type chemical reactor for processing a process fluid is presented. The turbomachine type chemical reactor includes at least one impeller section and a stationary diffuser section arranged downstream. The impeller section accelerates the process fluid to a supersonic flow. A shock wave is generated in the stationary diffuser section that instantaneously increases static temperature of the process fluid downstream the shock wave for processing the process fluid. Static pressure of the process fluid is simultaneously increased across the shock wave. The turbomachine type chemical reactor significantly reduces residence time of the process fluid in the chemical reactor and improves efficiency of the chemical reactor.

Abstract: Chemical reactors (10) and methods crack hydrocarbons in process fluids by accelerating the process fluid to a velocity greater than Mach 1 with an axial impulse impeller (40) and generating a shock wave (90) in the process fluid by decelerating it in a static diffuser (70) having diverging diffuser passages (72). Temperature increase of the process fluid downstream of the shockwave cracks the entrained hydrocarbons in a single pass, through a unidirectional flow path (F), within a single stage, without recirculating the process fluid for another pass through the same stage. In some embodiments, the turbomachine chemical reactor (110) has multiple successive stages of one or more axial impulse impellers (40A, 40B), paired with a diverging passage, static diffuser (70). Successive stages crack additional hydrocarbons by successively raising temperature of the flowing process fluid.

Abstract: Chemical reactors (10) and methods crack hydrocarbons in process fluids by accelerating the process fluid to a velocity greater than Mach 1 with an axial impulse impeller (40) and generating a shock wave (90) in the process fluid by decelerating it in a static diffuser (70) having diverging diffuser passages (72). Temperature increase of the process fluid downstream of the shockwave cracks the entrained hydrocarbons in a single pass, through a unidirectional flow path (F), within a single stage, without recirculating the process fluid for another pass through the same stage. In some embodiments, the turbomachine chemical reactor (110) has multiple successive stages of one or more axial impulse impellers (40A, 40B), paired with a diverging passage, static diffuser (70). Successive stages crack additional hydrocarbons by successively raising temperature of the flowing process fluid.

Abstract: A balance piston seal assembly for a balance piston of a compressor is provided. The balance piston seal assembly may include a balance piston seal configured to be disposed about the balance piston such that an inner radial surface of the balance piston seal and an outer radial surface of the balance piston define a radial clearance therebetween. The balance piston seal assembly may also include a plurality of heaters in thermal communication with the balance piston seal and configured to heat and thermally expand the balance piston seal and thereby increase a radial length of the radial clearance.

Abstract: A compressor may include a casing defining a discharge cavity and a seal cavity. A rotary shaft may be disposed in the casing, and a shaft seal assembly may be disposed in the seal cavity and about the rotary shaft. An impeller may be coupled with and configured to be driven by the rotary shaft. A balance piston may be integral with the impeller and may define the discharge cavity and the seal cavity. A balance piston seal may be disposed about the balance piston such that the balance piston seal and the balance piston define a radial clearance therebetween. The radial clearance may be configured to provide fluid communication from the impeller to the discharge cavity. A heat shield may be disposed in the discharge cavity, and may be configured to prevent the conduction of heat from the discharge cavity to the seal cavity via the casing.

Abstract: A shroud for a compressor is provided. The shroud may include a first annular portion constructed of a first material, a second annular portion coupled to the first annular portion and constructed of a second material, and a first coating disposed on the first annular portion and constructed of a third material. At least one of the first material, the second material, and the third material may be a different material from at least one other of the first material, the second material, and the third material.

Abstract: A balance piston seal assembly for a balance piston of a compressor is provided. The balance piston seal assembly may include a balance piston seal configured to be disposed about the balance piston such that an inner radial surface of the balance piston seal and an outer radial surface of the balance piston define a radial clearance therebetween. The balance piston seal assembly may also include a plurality of heaters in thermal communication with the balance piston seal and configured to heat and thermally expand the balance piston seal and thereby increase a radial length of the radial clearance.

Abstract: A compressor may include a casing defining a discharge cavity and a seal cavity. A rotary shaft may be disposed in the casing, and a shaft seal assembly may be disposed in the seal cavity and about the rotary shaft. An impeller may be coupled with and configured to be driven by the rotary shaft. A balance piston may be integral with the impeller and may define the discharge cavity and the seal cavity. A balance piston seal may be disposed about the balance piston such that the balance piston seal and the balance piston define a radial clearance therebetween. The radial clearance may be configured to provide fluid communication from the impeller to the discharge cavity. A heat shield may be disposed in the discharge cavity, and may be configured to prevent the conduction of heat from the discharge cavity to the seal cavity via the casing.