Abstract: The invention describes powders for use in the production of spatial structures, i.e. molded bodies, using layer build-up methods, as well as methods for their efficient production. The powders have the special feature that they have good flow behavior, for one thing, and at the same time, have such a composition that the molded body that can be produced with the powder, using rapid prototyping, has significantly improved mechanical and/or thermal properties. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the powder has a first component that is present in the form of essentially spherical powder particles, which is formed by a matrix material, and at least one further component in the form of stiffening and/or reinforcing fibers, which are preferably embedded in the matrix material.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of carbon monoxide from a purge gas from acetic acid synthetic containing at least carbon monoxide, nitrogen and hydrogen, wherein the purge gas (6) containing at least carbon monoxide, nitrogen and hydrogen is separated into a gas fraction (11) rich in carbon monoxide and a residual gas fraction (12, 13) rich in nitrogen and hydrogen by an adsorption process (G), preferably by a pressure change absorption process, and the gas fraction (11) rich in carbon monoxide is returned upstream of the acetic acid.

Abstract: A method of decoking (decarbonizing) surfaces of a cracking plant in which the cracking furnace is connected to a heat exchanger for cooling the cracked gas mixture, in which steam and air are admitted as a gas mixture to the cracking furnace and then the gas mixture is conducted through the cooler. The cooling medium is thus passed through the cracking gas cooler during the decoking operation while in a first stage the mixture is fed through the device at such a mass flow rate that the temperature of the deposits on the heat exchange surface is approximately at the temperature corresponding to cracking operations while, in a second stage, the gas flow rate is increased to raise the temperature of the deposits on the heat exchange surfaces of the cooler.

Abstract: A methanol-synthesis reactor has a housing receiving a catalyst packing and coils of cooling tubes surrounding a core tube and disposed in helical radially spaced layers coaxial with the core tube. According to the invention, the internal diameters of the cooling tubes are from 4 to 50 mm, the distance between neighboring tubes in a direction transverse to the axis and the direction of fluid flow through the catalyst packing is between 2 and 20 times the smallest longitudinal dimension of the catalyst particles and the distance between neighboring tubes measured in the direction of the synthesis gas flow is less than 10 times the transverse distance.

Abstract: To establish predetermined humidity levels within a sterile treatment chamber, and maintain sterility, water, preferably deionized, is conducted to an evaporator outside of a container defining the treatment chamber, to be there heated to superheated steam, for example in the order of 300.degree. C., and conducted to a bypass duct (1) in atmospheric communication with the treatment chamber (10), for mixing with the atmosphere within the treatment chamber. Preferably, the treatment chamber is surrounded by heat exchanger elements, such as electrical heating wires and/or cooling coils, the heaters being controlled to rapidly heat the treatment chamber to a temperature in the order of 180.degree. C. during pauses of treatment for sterilizing the interior of the container, and/or maintaining temperature levels at a desired treatment level in operation.