Abstract: A method for attenuating deflagration pressure produced by combustion of combustible gas in a defined region of a process vessel. The method generally comprises selecting and placing attenuating material in the defined region of the process vessel, wherein the selected attenuating material maintains its physical shape under the operating conditions. The attenuating material should occupy at least 20% of the volume of the defined region of the process vessel. Use of the inventive method may be beneficially applied for the safe operation of oxidation reactors with flammable, high hydrocarbon concentration feeds in order to attain increased productivity.

Abstract: A method for attenuating deflagration pressure produced by combustion of combustible gas in a defined region of a process vessel. The method generally comprises selecting and placing attenuating material in the defined region of the process vessel, wherein the selected attenuating material maintains its physical shape under the operating conditions. The attenuating material should occupy at least 20% of the volume of the defined region of the process vessel. Use of the inventive method may be beneficially applied for the safe operation of oxidation reactors with flammable, high hydrocarbon concentration feeds in order to attain increased productivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for efficiently dislodging and extracting at least a portion of solid materials from one or more reactor tubes of shell-and-tube reactors without damage to at least a portion of the solid materials which would otherwise render the solid materials unsuitable for re-use. The apparatus has at least one rod, a rotator assembly for rotating the rod, and a transmission assembly for applying an axially-directed force to insert the rod into a corresponding reactor tube and dislodging solid materials therein. The rod is also in fluid communication with an aspirator for extraction of dislodged solid materials. When the apparatus has more than one rod, they are arranged in a configuration matching the pattern of the reactor tubes and each rod is in axial alignment with a corresponding reactor tube.

Abstract: The non-routine (e.g., emergency) shutdown of a chemical reaction process is achieved by a method of safely operating a chemical reaction process which comprises the steps of detecting an undesirable condition capable of affecting the process, minimizing the reaction of the reactants, and maintaining a flow of materials through the reaction zones of the process such that the reaction mixture is displaced from the reaction zones. The flow of materials may be maintained for a period of time such that the substantially all of the reaction mixture is displaced from the reaction zones, thereby flushing the reaction zones. The reaction mixture may then be purged to an ancillary vessel, such as an absorber.