Patents by Inventor Umberto Zardi

Umberto Zardi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7279138
    Abstract: A horizontal chemical reactor comprises at least one catalytic bed (5a-5d) arranged horizontally in the reactor and comprising a lower gas-permeable wall (6) for gas outlet, and a holding element (2) of the at least one catalytic bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Methanol Casale S.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio Pagani, Enrico Rizzi, Umberto Zardi
  • Publication number: 20040184976
    Abstract: A horizontal chemical reactor comprises at least one catalytic bed (5a-5d) arranged horizontally in the reactor and comprising a lower gas-permeable wall (6) for gas outlet, and a holding element (2) of the at least one catalytic bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: Methanol Casale S.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio Pagani, Enrico Rizzi, Umberto Zardi
  • Patent number: 6730278
    Abstract: In a process for the production of urea, substantially pure ammonia and carbon dioxide are reacted in a reaction space (1) from which comes out a reaction mixture subjected to stripping (2) to obtain a partially purified mixture sent to a urea recovery section (3, 4, 7, 8). From the recovery section (3, 4, 7, 8) it is obtained a dilute carbamate solution, which is subjected to stripping (9) with recycling of vapors to the reaction space (1) after condensation (6). This process achieves high conversion yield with reduced energy consumption and low implementation costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Urea Casale
    Inventors: Giorgio Pagani, Umberto Zardi
  • Patent number: 6696026
    Abstract: A process for the combined production of ammonia and urea of the type comprising an ammonia synthesis reactor (2), a urea synthesis reactor (5) and a urea recovery section (21) stands out for the fact of submitting at least a part of a flow comprising carbamate in aqueous solution coming from the urea recovery section (21) to a partial decomposition treatment, to obtain a flow comprising ammonia and carbon dioxide in vapor phase and a flow comprising diluted carbamate in aqueous solution, which is fed together with a gas flow comprising hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, preferably obtained by hydrocarbons steam reforming, and a flow comprising ammonia coming from the ammonia synthesis reactor (2) to a carbamate synthesis section (3), where ammonia and carbon dioxide are caused to react, to obtain a flow comprising carbamate in aqueous solution and a gas flow comprising hydrogen and nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Urea Casale
    Inventors: Giorgio Pagani, Umberto Zardi
  • Patent number: 6342632
    Abstract: In a process for the production of urea, substantially pure ammonia and carbon dioxide are reacted in a reaction space (1) from which comes out a reaction mixture subjected to stripping (2) to obtain a partially purified mixture sent to a urea recovery section (3, 4, 7, 8). From the recovery section (3, 4, 7, 8) it is obtained a dilute carbamate solution, which is subjected to stripping (9) with recycling of vapors to the reaction space (1) after condensation (6). This process achieves high conversion yield with reduced energy consumption and low implementation costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Urea Casale
    Inventors: Giorgio Pagani, Umberto Zardi
  • Patent number: 6290920
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally an apparatus for uniformly mixing gaseous flows at different temperatures. In particular, a preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a heterogeneous exothermic synthesis reactor including a plurality of superimposed catalytic beds wherein at least one of the beds is provided with a gas permeable wall for outlet of a hot gas flow. In this embodiment, a baffle extends below and parallel to the gas permeable wall, thereby defining an air space to collect the hot gas flow. An annular opening is provided for outlet of the hot gas flow from the air space defined between the baffle and a side wall supporting the beds associated with the reactor and a perforated distributor for cooling a gas flow supported below said baffle at a predetermined distance from the annular opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Methanol Casale S.A.
    Inventors: Umberto Zardi, Giorgio Pagani
  • Patent number: 6274767
    Abstract: Process for the revamping of urea production plants for the synthesis of ammonia (NH3) and carbon dioxide, with a stripping section with NH3, in which the process carries out with differentiated yields, a majority reaction a) between highly pure reagents and a reaction b) between less pure substantially recycled reagents, according to European Patent No. 91116297.2/0479103. According the invention, the urea solution is now fed upstream the stripping section and a reactor with heat removal is utilized. Advantageous, the production capacity of the existing reactor is reduced, with respect to the projected one, in a quantity of 35% to 5%, preferably from 20% to 10%, in favor of the capacity of the “once-through” reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Urea Casale, S.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio Pagani, Umberto Zardi
  • Publication number: 20010002245
    Abstract: A process for the combined production of ammonia and urea of the type comprising an ammonia synthesis reactor (2), a urea synthesis reactor (5) and a urea recovery section (21) stands out for the fact of submitting at least a part of a flow comprising carbamate in aqueous solution coming from the urea recovery section (21) to a partial decomposition treatment, to obtain a flow comprising ammonia and carbon dioxide in vapor phase and a flow comprising diluted carbamate in aqueous solution, which is fed together with a gas flow comprising hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, preferably obtained by hydrocarbons steam reforming, and a flow comprising ammonia coming from the ammonia synthesis reactor (2) to a carbamate synthesis section (3), where ammonia and carbon dioxide are caused to react, to obtain a flow comprising carbamate in aqueous solution and a gas flow comprising hydrogen and nitrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: May 31, 2001
    Inventors: Giorgio Pagani, Umberto Zardi
  • Patent number: 6231827
    Abstract: A process for the combined production of ammonia and urea of the type comprising an ammonia synthesis reactor (2), a urea synthesis reactor (5) and a urea recovery section (21) stands out for the fact of submitting at least a part of a flow comprising carbamate in aqueous solution coming from the urea recovery section (21) to a partial decomposition treatment, to obtain a flow comprising ammonia and carbon dioxide in vapor phase and a flow comprising diluted carbamate in aqueous solution, which is fed together with a gas flow comprising hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, preferably obtained by hydrocarbons steam reforming, and a flow comprising ammonia coming from the ammonia synthesis reactor (2) to a carbamate synthesis section (3), where ammonia and carbon dioxide are caused to react, to obtain a flow comprising carbamate in aqueous solution and a gas flow comprising hydrogen and nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Urea Casale S.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio Pagani, Umberto Zardi
  • Patent number: 6150555
    Abstract: An improved process for urea production as well as a method of retrofitting a pre-existing urea plant based on the Stamicarbon process are disclosed. According to the invention, a high yield reaction space fed by highly pure reagents (NH3 and CO2) and a separating section of the solution leaving the high yield reaction space are added to the pre-existing urea plant, means being provided for recirculating ammonia and carbammate solutions obtained in the separating section to the added high yield reaction space and to the pre-existing reactor respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Urea Casale, S.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio Pagani, Umberto Zardi
  • Patent number: 5951953
    Abstract: The present invention relates to method for mixing gaseous flows at different temperatures. In particular, the present invention relates to heterogeneous exothermic synthesis reactors of the type including a plurality of superimposed catalytic beds wherein at least one of the beds is provided with a gas permeable wall for outlet of a hot gas flow. This method includes the steps of supplying gaseous reagents to at least one bed; reacting the gaseous reagents in that bed; and collecting a hot reaction gas flow leaving the gas permeable wall in an air space defined between the bed and a baffle extending below and parallel thereto. Further steps require directing the hot gas flow in the air space radially outward to an annular opening of constant thickness defined between the baffle and a side wall supporting the bed, wherein the ratio of the width of the annular opening and the thickness of the air space being between 0.2 and 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Methanol Casale S.A.
    Inventors: Umberto Zardi, Giorgio Pagani
  • Patent number: 5882606
    Abstract: In a method of modernizing a heterogeneous exothermic synthesis reactor (1) of the type comprising an external shell (2), in which at least one catalytic bed (15, 16, 17) is supported, the catalytic bed (15, 16, 17) is connected to an external boiler (21), for generating high pressure steam, by means of a reacted gas outlet nozzle (4) and a conduit (29) extending in said nozzle (4) thereby forming an annular airspace (30). Advantageously, the airspace (30) defines an outlet flowpath of the gases cooled in the boiler (21) which avoids overheating of the nozzle (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignees: Ammonia Casale S.A., Umberto Zardi
    Inventors: Umberto Zardi, Giorgio Pagani, Ermanno Filippi
  • Patent number: 5779988
    Abstract: Method for the protection of the internal walls of the shell of Braun type converters, transformed into axial-radial reactors with insertion of a cartridge and a cylindrical perforated wall, characterized by the fact that cooling gas is circulated (FLU) at temperatures between 250.degree. and 300.degree. C. in the airspace (I) between cartridge (C) and (P).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignees: Ammonia Casale, S.A., Umberto Zardi
    Inventors: Umberto Zardi, Giorgio Pagani
  • Patent number: 5756048
    Abstract: A method for in-situ modernization of a reactor for carrying out heterogeneous exothermic synthesis reactions, in particular of the so-called lozenge type including an external shell (2), calls for prearrangement within the shell (2) of a plurality of superimposed catalyst beds (12, 13, 14) supported at a pre-set distance by means of support elements (22, 23, 24) rested on or fixed to, e.g. by welding, a plurality of annular shoulders (8a, 8b, 8c) pre-existing in the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Methanol Casale, S.A.
    Inventors: Umberto Zardi, Giorgio Pagani
  • Patent number: 5660801
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for the revamping of urea production plants for the synthesis of ammonia (NH3) and carbon dioxide, with a stripping section with NH3, in which the process carries out with differentiated yields, a majority reaction a) between highly pure reagents and a reaction b) between less pure substantially recycled reagents. According to the invention, the urea solution is now fed upstream the stripping section and a reactor with heat removal is utilized. Advantageously, the production capacity of the existing reactor is reduced, with respect to the projected one, in a quantity of 35% to 5%, preferably from 20% to 10%, in favor of the capacity of the "once-through" reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Urea Casale S.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio Pagani, Umberto Zardi
  • Patent number: 5585074
    Abstract: A method for "in-situ" modernization of a reactor for effecting heterogeneous exothermic synthesis reactions, especially of the so-called Kellogg type, including the preliminary step of providing at least three radial or axial-radial catalyst beds (11, 12, 13), includes the steps of providing a first gas/gas heat exchanger (18) between the first (11) and second (12) catalyst beds and a second gas-gas heat exchanger (29) in the third catalyst bed (13). Thanks to the provision of two exchangers (18, 29) for cooling of the gases flowing between the catalyst beds by means of indirect heat exchange, the present modernization method allows to achieve a reactor with a high conversion yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Ammonia Casale S.A.
    Inventors: Umberto Zardi, Giorgio Pagani, Ermanno Filippi
  • Patent number: 5380943
    Abstract: Process for the industrial synthesis of urea, by reacting ammonia (NH.sub.3) and carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) in at least one reaction space, at high pressures and temperatures and by recirculating at least part of the non-reacted products obtained in a recovery section, characterized by the fact that the following takes place : a synthesis reaction A) between highly pure reagents, and a synthesis reaction B) between less pure reagents, substantially recycled from the said recovery section, the reaction A) being either of adiabatic type A1) or with partial reaction heat removal A2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Urea Casale S.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio Pagani, Umberto Zardi
  • Patent number: 5276183
    Abstract: Process for the industrial synthesis of urea, in which ammonia (NH3) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are reacted in at least one reaction space SR at high temperature and pressure and the unreacted materials are treated in a recovery section, said synthesis comprising: a) a reaction between highly pure reagents; and b) a reaction between less pure reagents substantially recycled from said recovery section, characterized by the fact that reaction stage A for high Yield majority synthesis (HEPC), between very pure reagents, operating at a higher pressure (Pmax) for example above 300 kg/cm2 abs and preferably at about 400 kg/cm2 abs, is followed by a flash stage F1 operating at pressures lower by at least 40% than said pressure (Pmax) preferably lower than 200 kg/cm2 abs, the gas effluent GF1 from the above-mentioned flash stage F1 being fed to reaction stage B for minority synthesis of less pure reagents operating at a pressure below 200 kg/cm2 abs, while the liquid effluent EL1 from the abovementioned flash stage, to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Urea Casale S.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio Pagani, Umberto Zardi
  • Patent number: 5254316
    Abstract: Improved process to convert in situ conventional reactors with four catalytic beds with axial flow and with intermediate quenching (Kellogg reactor), Third and fourth original beds are combined thus obtaining a reactor with three beds through which the synthesis gas now flows with a substantially radial flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignees: Ammonia Casale S.A., Umberto Zardi
    Inventors: Umberto Zardi, Giorgio Pagani
  • Patent number: 5184386
    Abstract: Reactors for the catalytic conversion of carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide are advantageously modified in situ from axial flow reactors into substantially radial flow reactors, and more particularly into axial-radial flow reactors. To this end at least an external cylindrical wall perforated for its whole length and an internal wall preferably perforated for most of its length are inserted inside the conventional reactor shell and cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignees: Ammonia Casale S.A., Umberto Zardi
    Inventors: Umberto Zardi, Giorgio Pagani