Abstract: Disclosed is an analyzer for determining volatile composition changes of a distillable material which comprises: (a) a first device for causing at least a portion of said material to be at a temperature and at a pressure so that a difference in temperature of said portion of said material across an isenthalpic expansion at critical flow conditions would be at least about 5.degree. F.; (b) a second device for carrying out said isenthalpic expansion on said at least a portion of said material; (c) a third device for measuring at least two temperatures of said material where said at least two temperatures are a first and a second temperature, said first temperature being measured upstream of said expansion and said second temperature being measured downstream from said expansion; and (d) a fourth device for maintaining pressure downstream of said expansion to a value which does not vary by an amount in excess of about 20% of said pressure downstream of said expansion.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing a liquid-vapor mixture into two or more separate streams or paths involving a hollow vessel having a fluid inlet means; at least two pipe means each of which have one end extending into the vessel, each pipe means being in fluid communication with a different pass of a heat-exchanger system having at least two passes, each pipe means providing a different path for liquid-vapor flow from the hollow vessel; at least one aperture in that part of each of the pipe means extending into the vessel and restrictive means located in the vessel to restrict fluid flow directly into the top openings of the pipe means. In an additional embodiment, each of the pipe means is in fluid communication with a different chemical reaction zone.Improved methods of distributing a liquid-vapor mixture are also disclosed.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for distributing a fluid, e.g., a liquid-vapor mixture, through a conduit, e.g., a tube in a direct fired heater, involving at least one reduction means located inside the conduit to abruptly reduce the inside cross-sectional area of the conduit available for flow of the fluid, provided that the inside cross-sectional area of the conduit is substantially the same both before and after the reduction means.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing a liquid-vapor mixture into two or more separate streams or paths involving a hollow vessel having a fluid inlet means; at least two pipe means each of which have one end extending into the vessel, each pipe means being in fluid communication with a different pass of a heat-exchanger system having at least two passes, each pipe means providing a different path for liquid-vapor flow from the hollow vessel; at least one aperture in that part of each of the pipe means extending into the vessel and restrictive means located in the vessel to restrict fluid flow directly into the top openings of the pipe means. In an additional embodiment, each of the pipe means is in fluid communication with a different chemical reaction zone.Improved methods of distributing a liquid-vapor mixture are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for distributing a generally downwardly flowing liquid-vapor mixture through a bed of solid particles comprising:(1) a tray deck located above said bed of solid particles;(2) at least one hollow chimney member in fluid communication with said bed of solid particles attached to said tray deck and extending upwardly from said tray deck, said chimney member having at least one aperture through said chimney member along the length of said chimney member below the top opening of said chimney member to provide fluid communication between the space above said tray deck and the hollow space of said chimney member; and(3) plate means located at a distance D above the top opening of said chimney member whereby said mixture is restricted from flowing directly into the top opening of said chimney member.An improved process for distributing a generally downwardly flowing liquid-vapor mixture is disclosed as well as an improved process for hydrocarbon conversion.

Abstract: In a process in which a hydrocarbon stream is hydrogenatively dealkylated to prepare benzene, small amounts of naphthalene may occur in the crude product. Instead of isolating and recovering such naphthalene, it is recycled to extinction so that the process comprises the hydrogenative conversion of the minor amount of naphthalene to benzene and methane.