Abstract: Disclosed are a radiating wall catalytic reactor for providing heat from the inside wall surface 8 of a reaction chamber 1 by radiation 16 to support an overall endothermic gas phase chemical reaction taking place in the reaction chamber 1, and a process for carrying out a chemical reaction in the reactor. The reaction chamber 1 is provided with an entrance port 2 for introducing a gaseous reactant(s) in a continuous manner into the chamber 1 and an exit port 3 to enable the gaseous product(s) to leave the chamber 1 in a continuous manner. The reaction chamber 1 includes a plurality of catalyst segments (A)5, which has one void segment (B)6 on either side of it; and the reaction chamber 1 is made of a material(s) that is (are) suitable to resist a temperature of 700° C. or more.

Abstract: Disclosed are a radiating wall catalytic reactor for providing heat from the inside wall surface 8 of a reaction chamber 1 by radiation 16 to support an overall endothermic gas phase chemical reaction taking place in the reaction chamber 1, and a process for carrying out a chemical reaction in the reactor. The reaction chamber 1 is provided with an entrance port 2 for introducing a gaseous reactant(s) in a continuous manner into the chamber 1 and an exit port 3 to enable the gaseous product(s) to leave the chamber 1 in a continuous manner. The reaction chamber 1 includes a plurality of catalyst segments (A)5, which has one void segment (B)6 on either side of it; and the reaction chamber 1 is made of a material(s) that is (are) suitable to resist a temperature of 700° C. or more.

Abstract: A reactor for carrying out a heterogeneously catalyzed reaction includes at least first and second reaction zones that are arranged in series and that each include catalytic material, heat transfer zones that are located between said serially arranged reaction zones, and a pulse-generating device, which is arranged to deliver pulses to liquid in the reactor. The reactor allows three-phase reactions to be carried out efficiently and can reduce the impact of deposited reaction by-products on reaction efficiency.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for determining the topography and/or volume of a layer of sludge on the bottom of an oil tank, for example, in which a sonar head having a velocimeter is immersed in the oil, and a fan-shaped beam of acoustic energy is swept across the layer of sludge. Also the velocity of sound in the oil is measured, preferably at a plurality of heights over a relatively short vertical range to determine the velocity gradient, which is then extrapolated for the entire depth of the oil. Processing means determine, from the extrapolated velocity gradient, the topography and/or volume of the sludge. The method provides an accurate indication of the distribution and volume of sludge across the whole of the bottom of an oil tank, taking into account changes in the speed and attenuation of acoustic energy due to, for example, the temperature gradient in the oil.