Abstract: Components of a chemical processing system are disclosed. In particular, a chemical processing system is disclosed which includes a chemical mixing or reacting zone, an inlet to the zone, an outlet to the zone, and a vacuum or fluid flow source located downstream of the outlet. The chemical processing system further includes a device to control the amount of vacuum or fluid flow through the zone. Also disclosed is a continuous feeder system having a first loss-in-weight and a second loss-in-weight feeder and a device for measuring a lower limit of feed in each feeder. There is also a device to activate the second feeder when the lower limit is obtained in the first feeder and a device to deactivate the first feeder when the lower limit is detected in the first feeder. A sample port assembly is also disclosed for obtaining a sample of material flowing through a processing system.

Abstract: A method for increasing the aggregate size and structure of carbon blacks produced by a furnace carbon black reactor by lowering the temperature of, but not stopping pyrolysis in, the effluent (the mixture of combustion gases and feedstock in which pyrolysis is occurring), preferably up to about 800 degrees F., at a residence time between about 0.0 second and about 0.002 second downstream from the furthest downstream point of injection of feedstock.