Catalyst Patents (Class 122/4D)
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Patent number: 4184455Abstract: A fluidized bed heat exchanger in which air is passed through a bed of particulate material containing fuel disposed in a housing. A steam/water natural circulation system is provided and includes a steam drum disposed adjacent the fluidized bed and a series of tubes connected at one end to the steam drum. A portion of the tubes are connected to a water drum and in the path of the air and the gaseous products of combustion exiting from the bed. Another portion of the tubes pass through the bed and extend at an angle to the upper surface of the bed.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1978Date of Patent: January 22, 1980Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energy CorporationInventors: Fred M. Talmud, Juan-Antonio Garcia-Mallol
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Patent number: 4183308Abstract: A fluidized bed unit in which a grate is disposed in a housing to divide the housing into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. A bed of particulate material including fuel is supported by the grate and extends in the upper chamber. The lower chamber has an inlet for receiving pressurized air for passing through the lower chamber, the grate, and the bed of particulate material to fluidize the particulate material. An electrical heating unit is provided for preheating the air as it passes through the lower chamber to ignite the fuel material during startup.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1978Date of Patent: January 15, 1980Assignee: Foster Wheeler Development CorporationInventor: Dennis A. Toth
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Patent number: 4183330Abstract: A steam generator in which a high-velocity, combustion-supporting gas is passed through a bed of particulate material to provide a fluidized bed having a dense-phase portion and an entrained-phase portion for the combustion of fuel material. A first set of heat transfer elements connected to a steam drum is vertically disposed above the dense-phase fluidized bed to form a first flow circuit for heat transfer fluid which is heated primarily by the entrained-phase fluidized bed. A second set of heat transfer elements connected to the steam drum and forming the wall structure of the furnace provides a second flow circuit for the heat transfer fluid, the lower portion of which is heated by the dense-phase fluidized bed and the upper portion by the entrained-phase fluidized bed.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1977Date of Patent: January 15, 1980Assignee: Foster Wheeler Development CorporationInventors: Richard W. Bryers, Thomas E. Taylor
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Patent number: 4177765Abstract: A fluidized bed boiler is equipped with a plurality of slidable sleeves circumscribing the vapor generator tubes disposed therein. By selectively extending or retracting the sleeves over the tubes, the heat transfer characteristics of the tubes exposed to the heat generated within the boiler may be altered. As a consequence, steam output quantity and quality may be easily modulated. In addition, by virtue of the design, tube cleaning may be accomplished with each adjustment pass.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1978Date of Patent: December 11, 1979Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Co.Inventor: Allen E. Wehrmeister
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Patent number: 4176710Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor containing a heat exchange apparatus for conveying a heat transfer medium comprising at least one pipe which extends in a vertical direction from the top of the reaction chamber into the fluidized bed with one end of the vertical pipe which points in the direction of the gas flow having a conical tapered end and/or a jacket on the outside of the reactor wall in the form of a serpentine conduit having a rectangular cross section and a domed cover.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1978Date of Patent: December 4, 1979Assignee: Wacker-Chemie GmbHInventors: Jost Gansauge, Johann Muschi, Hans Freudlsperger
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Patent number: 4173950Abstract: A fluidized bed for the burning of pulverized fuel having a specific waterwall arrangement that comprises a structurally reinforced framework of wall tubes. The wall tubes are reversely bent from opposite sides and then bonded together to form tie rods that extend across the bed to support the lateral walls thereof.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 1978Date of Patent: November 13, 1979Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Richard E. Waryasz
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Patent number: 4167918Abstract: The air-supply system for a fluidized-bed furnace includes two air conduits for the same combustion zone. The conduits feed separate sets of holes in a distributor plate through which fluidizing air flows to reach the bed. During normal operation, only one conduit and set of holes is used, but the second conduit and set of holes is employed during start-up.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1978Date of Patent: September 18, 1979Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Keramettin Atabay
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Patent number: 4167157Abstract: The air-supply system for a fluidized-bed furnace includes two air conduits for the same combustion zone. The conduits feed separate sets of holes in a distributor plate through which fluidizing air flows to reach the bed. During normal operation, only one conduit and set of holes is used, but the second conduit and set of holes is employed during start-up.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1978Date of Patent: September 11, 1979Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Edward A. Zielinski, Joseph R. Comparato
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Patent number: 4165717Abstract: Carbonaceous material, preferably coal or like finely divided solids with a mean particle diameter of 30 to 250 microns, is burned to produce steam in a fluid-bed furnace having a lower free space without internal fixtures and provided above this free space with internal cooling surfaces. A secondary-gas inlet introduces the secondary gas so that the volume ratio of fluidizing gas to secondary gas ranges from 1:20 to 2:1 at a location above the fluidizing-gas and fuel inlets but below the internal cooling surfaces, the gas velocity of the several gases being adjusted so that the mean suspension density of the solids above the secondary-gas inlet is 15 to 100 kg/m.sup.3. Approximately stoidiometric conditions are maintained with respect to the oxygen in the gases introduced and the carbonaceous material and solids are recycled to the bed after being separated from the gases emanating therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1977Date of Patent: August 28, 1979Assignee: Metallgesellschaft AktiengesellschaftInventors: Lothar Reh, Martin Hirsch, Per H. Collin, Sune N. Flink
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Patent number: 4160805Abstract: In a boiler having a plurality of heat exchanger stages such as a superheater, an evaporator and a preheater, disposed in a combustion gas channel between heat exchangers including an optimum catalytic reaction temperature region are a denitration catalyst layer crossing said channel and a reductant feeding device for adding a reductant such as ammonia gas at a point a little short of catalyst layer. The denitration catalyst layer comprises a number of plate-like catalyst bodies whose plate surfaces extend along the direction of flow of gas, and desirably it is honey-comb-shaped. If the boiler is a waste heat boiler, the denitration catalyst layer will be disposed between the superheater and the evaporator.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1977Date of Patent: July 10, 1979Assignee: Hitachi Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd.Inventors: Hideya Inaba, Toshio Tatsumi, Chihiro Iwai
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Patent number: 4160009Abstract: A boiler apparatus having a furnace and a plurality of heat exchanger stages disposed in a channel for the combustion gas discharged from the furnace. The boiler apparatus is equipped with a denitrator which utilizes a catalyst and which is disposed in the optimum reaction temperature region for the catalyst in the channel. In order to control the temperature of the combustion gas in the optimum reaction temperature region, this region is adapted to communicate with a high temperature gas source or a low temperature gas source through a control valve. Desirably, the portion of the combustion gas channel which includes the optimum reaction temperature region is divided into a plurality of systems and dampers whose opening and closing are controlled are provided upstream and downstream of the region.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1977Date of Patent: July 3, 1979Assignee: Hitachi Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ko'hei Hamabe
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Patent number: 4154197Abstract: A fluid heating unit is provided which includes upper and lower drums, a plurality of riser tubes connected between the drum and defining an enclosure, and means defining a cell within the enclosure for maintaining a fluidized bed of particulate material. The heating unit is of the natural circulation type thereby eliminating the need for forced recirculation pumps.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1977Date of Patent: May 15, 1979Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energy CorporationInventors: Raymond M. Costello, Wayne E. Kramer
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Patent number: 4154581Abstract: A method of operating a fluidized bed system in a single vessel, typically as a combustor system for power or steam generation burning high-sulfur coal or as a gasifier for high-sulfur coal, which comprises forming an entrained fluidized bed in a first space region containing a first solid bed particle component, such as sand or hematite ore containing over 90% Fe.sub.2 O.sub.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1978Date of Patent: May 15, 1979Assignee: Battelle Development CorporationInventors: Herman Nack, Ke-Tien Liu
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Patent number: 4150632Abstract: Particulates removed from the flue gases produced in a fluidized-bed furnace are separated into high-and low-density portions. The low-density portion is predominantly char, and it is returned to the furnace or burned in a separate carbon burnup cell. The high-density portion, which is predominantly limestone products and ash, is discarded or reprocessed.According to another version, the material drained from the bed is separated, the resulting high-and low-density portions being treated in a manner similar to that in which the flue-gas particulates are treated.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1977Date of Patent: April 24, 1979Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Francis T. Matthews
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Patent number: 4136642Abstract: The heating power of the fire box of a boiler burning powdered fuel maintained in suspension by fluidizing air is regulated in dependence on the temperature of the burning fluidized fuel layer by means of a heat transmitting system filled with a liquid medium, a first part of the heat transmitting system being embedded in the burning fluidized fuel layer, a second part of such system being disposed in the boiler drum, and a third part of the system being disposed within the fluidizing air supply. The heat transmitting liquid which is heated by its flow through the first part of the heat transmitting system selectively transmits heat to either the second or the third part of the system whereby to regulate the heat output of the boiler.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1977Date of Patent: January 30, 1979Assignee: CKD DUKLA, narodni podnikInventors: Pavel Novotny, Ludvik Fiala
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Patent number: 4132005Abstract: A process for the stabilization of a fluidized bed against bubble formation which process comprises a vessel, a plurality of permanently magnetized particles dispersed throughout the bed, and means for fluidizing said particles. The particles are designated as permanently magnetized by virtue of their possessing a coercivity of at least 50 oersteds. The permanently magnetized particles exert magnetic attractive forces upon one another, thereby imparting stability to the fluidized bed. In these beds, fluid throughput rates which are up to 10 or more times the flow rate of said fluid at incipient fluidization of the unmagnetized particles can be achieved with little or no bubbling and at bed pressure drops equal to bed weight.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 1977Date of Patent: January 2, 1979Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.Inventor: Costas A. Coulaloglou
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Patent number: 4130071Abstract: A coal-dolomite mixture is ground into particle-sized bits and fed into a downward sloping duct beneath the distributor plate in a fluidized-bed combustor. High velocity air is introduced through ports spaced at intervals along the bottom of the duct, thereby entraining the mixture in an air stream. The air and entrained solid is guided upward into a slot-like chamber which passes through the distributor plate and opens into the fluidized bed a distance above the plate. Vanes in the duct and chamber and baffles above the chamber exit control the flow of the air and entrained solids so that the coal-dolomite mixture is evenly distributed throughout the fluidized bed. The distributor plate is covered with a layer of high temperature alumina stones graded in size, with the coarse stones in closest contact with the plate and the fine stones on top, thereby shielding the plate from the high temperatures of the combustion zone and preventing the weeping of hot and ash burning coal particles onto the plate.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1977Date of Patent: December 19, 1978Assignee: Energy Resources Company, Inc.Inventor: James H. Porter
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Patent number: 4129098Abstract: This invention relates to fluidized bed furnaces. There is an increasing interest in furnaces in which the fuel is burned in a bed that is maintained in a fluent condition by combustion air supplied to the bed, and a fluid to be heated is passed through heat exchange tubes disposed within the bed. Interest has so far centered on the use of water as the fluid but this presents problems, especially at start-up and shut-down when it can be particularly difficult to ensure that the heat exchange tubes do not become dry and overheated.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1977Date of Patent: December 12, 1978Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox LimitedInventor: John W. E. Campbell
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Patent number: 4116005Abstract: A combined cycle steam and gas power plant is disclosed in which energy for generating steam to drive a steam turbine and for heating air to drive a gas turbine is provided by combustion of a single carbonaceous sulfur-bearing fuel such as coal at nearly atmospheric pressure in a sulfur-sorbing fluidized bed combustor. Fluidizing and combustion air for the combustor is furnished by exhaust from the gas turbine, and an air heat exchanger within the combustor allows indirect heating of air for driving the gas turbine so that corrosion of gas turbine hardware by the products of combustion is avoided.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1977Date of Patent: September 26, 1978Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: David M. Willyoung
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Patent number: 4111158Abstract: A method of and apparatus for carrying out an exothermic process in which a combustible-containing solid (e.g. coal shale, pyrite or limestone in combination with fuel oil) are burned in a fluidized-bed reactor with primary and secondary streams of oxygen-containing combustion-sustaining gas (in a volume ratio of 1:20 to 2:1) supplied at different levels so that the primary gas acts as the fluidizing gas. The gas velocities and rate of gas feeds are controlled to provide a mean suspension density above the secondary gas inlet of 10 to 40 kg/m.sup.3. The major portion of solid feed is introduced into the space below the secondary gas inlet which is maintained substantially free of internal fixtures and the effluent gases are separated from the entrained solids which are recycled to the bed. Solids withdrawn from the bed are cooled in a fluidized-bed cooler and the temperature of the bed is maintained constant by the controlled recirculation of cooled solids thereto from the cooler.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1977Date of Patent: September 5, 1978Assignee: Metallgesellschaft AktiengesellschaftInventors: Lothar Reh, Martin Hirsch, Ludolf Plass
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Patent number: 4103646Abstract: A fluid bed boiler and combustion method are provided having a first fast bed combustion zone followed by a second slow bed combustion zone. Coal, as a typical fuel, and limestone are fed to the first zone, where the coal undergoes combustion and sulfur is captured by the limestone. The solids which flow from the top of the first combustion zone are separated and introduced into a low velocity "slow" bubbling fluid bed in which arrays of heat exchange tubes are immersed. Additional heat transfer to water can be achieved by employing water walls for the first fast bed combustion zone.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1977Date of Patent: August 1, 1978Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Yerushalmi, Shelton Ehrlich, Mohammad Maaghoul, deceased, Terry E. Lund
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Patent number: 4101281Abstract: In an ammonia synthesis column, the combination of a tube bundle heat exchanger and a boiler with two superposedly arranged catalyst beds permits to recover considerable amounts of reaction heat, the flow of the gases being reacted running in a radial direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1976Date of Patent: July 18, 1978Assignee: Snamprogetti S.p.A.Inventor: Giorgio Pagani
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Patent number: 4096909Abstract: A fluidized bed process heater with a reaction chamber of toroidal configuration is provided with radially-oriented bed coils in the reaction chamber in which steam is generated or other process fluids are heated. The inner wall of the toroidal reaction chamber is water-cooled and the bed coils in the reaction chamber are removable. The return bends of the coils are protected against erosion from particulate bed solids.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1976Date of Patent: June 27, 1978Assignee: Dorr-Oliver IncorporatedInventor: Walfred Wilhelm Jukkola
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Patent number: 4089303Abstract: A boiler or vapor generator using catalytic combustion of hydrocarbons to evaporate a fluid passed through pipes operates in accordance with the principles of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,908,602 and 3,952,707 and comprises vertically disposed catalyst elements within a thermally insulated housing. The space between the catalyst elements, which face one another, is occupied by a pair of coiled tubes which are superposed so as to be imbricated in one another. The tube coils shield the catalyst elements from radiation interchange of heat. The two coiled tubes are connected with a lower supply tube and an upper collector and are traversed by the liquid to be vaporized and heated so as to form a wall without interstices between the catalyst panels.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1976Date of Patent: May 16, 1978Inventor: Andre Brulfert
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Patent number: 4086758Abstract: Steam and gas turbines share a common heat source according to the invention. A fluidized bed combustion chamber provides hot gas for the gas turbine and a heat source for a gaseous heat exchange medium which transfers heat to the steam turbine. Air flow from the gas turbine compressor is used to help control the temperature of the hot gases in the fluidized bed and may also be used as the heat exchange medium for the steam turbine. Controls for air flow and pressure are provided to accommodate variations in power demand. A method of operating such a plant is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1976Date of Patent: May 2, 1978Assignee: Stal-Laval Turbin ABInventor: Henrik Harboe
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Patent number: 4085707Abstract: In the partial or full combustion of fuels in a fluidized bed, the provision of heat transfer surfaces within the bed impedes particle circulation resulting in localized regions of relative intense chemical reaction which can damage the heat transfer surfaces and cause detrimental physical and/or chemical changes in the bed particles. This problem is exacerbated when the bed is relatively deep and narrow and when the part of full combustion is effected under pressure. In the invention, at least one conduit connects an upper region of the bed to a lower region of the bed, and expedients are provided to cause a downward particle flow through the conduit(s) thereby promoting an upward flow in the bed. Heat exchange surfaces may be in the bed and/or in the conduit(s).Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1976Date of Patent: April 25, 1978Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.Inventor: Gerald Moss
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Patent number: 4085593Abstract: A steam power plant is disclosed in which superheaters for the various turbine stages include heat exchange coils located in the bed portion of high temperature fluidized beds. Improved heat transfer and reduced corrosion of the superheater coils are achieved. A method of producing superheated steam without high temperature corrosion is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1976Date of Patent: April 25, 1978Assignee: Stal-Laval Turbin ABInventor: Gunnar Larsen
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Patent number: 4084545Abstract: A method of operating a fluidized bed system, typically as a combustor system for power or steam generation by burning high-sulfur coal, which comprises forming an entrained fluidized bed in a first space region containg a first solid bed particle component, such as a hematite ore containing over 90% Fe.sub.2 O.sub.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1977Date of Patent: April 18, 1978Assignee: Battelle Development CorporationInventors: Herman Nack, Ke-Tien Liu
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Patent number: 4072130Abstract: Steam is generated in a controlled manner as a function of the steam demand by way of a combustor adapted to burn a fuel such as high sulfur coal in a fluidized bed. The steam demand and the steam available to supply the demand are modulated to change the rate of production of steam as a function of controlling the fluidization of fuel beds and/or the height of fuel in the beds. Any fuel beds which are slumped are maintained at a temperature slightly above the flash point temperature of the fuel.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1976Date of Patent: February 7, 1978Assignee: The Ducon Company, Inc.Inventor: Frederick A. Zenz
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Patent number: 4039621Abstract: A sulfur bearing carbonaceous fuel, particularly a low BTU gaseous fuel, is burned in a deficiency of air in the combustion zone of a boiler to form a reducing gas containing H.sub.2 and CO in an amount in excess of that required to reduce the generated SO.sub.x to H.sub.2 S and COS. The oxides of sulfur and nitrogen are, in part, converted to H.sub.2 S, N.sub.2 and/or NH.sub.3 during heat transfer in the boiler. The balance is passed through a catalyst chamber where sulfur species are converted to H.sub.2 S and oxides of nitrogen to N.sub.2 and/or NH.sub.3. The formed H.sub.2 S is extracted from the flue gas prior to venting to the atmosphere and recovered as free sulfur. Catalytic conversion is carried out at a temperature from about 300.degree. to 800.degree. F.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1974Date of Patent: August 2, 1977Assignee: Ralph M. Parsons CompanyInventor: Ralph Costantini
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Patent number: 4009121Abstract: Steam coils having two different pressure levels are provided in a bed of carbon-contaminated catalyst undergoing regeneration by combustion with an oxygen-containing gas to control the temperature.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1975Date of Patent: February 22, 1977Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering CompanyInventor: Edward C. Luckenbach
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Patent number: 3996863Abstract: A fluidized bed boiler is started up by directing into the static bed of inert and carbonaceous granules a downwardly angled burner so that the hot gases cause spouting. Air is introduced into the bed at a rate insufficient to fluidize the entire bed. Three regions are now formed in the bed, a region of lowest gas resistance, a fluidized region and a static region with a mobile region at the interface of the fluidized and static regions. Particles are transferred by the spouting action to form a conical heap with the carbonaceous granules concentrated at the top. The hot burner gases ignite the carbonaceous matter on the top of the bed which becomes distributed in the bed by the spouting action and bed movement. Thereafter the rate of air introduction is increased to fluidize the entire bed, the spouter/burner is shut off, and the entire fluidized bed is ignited.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1976Date of Patent: December 14, 1976Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Energy Research and Development AdministrationInventor: Liman D. Osborn
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Patent number: 3996099Abstract: The low-temperature steam generator consists of a single enclosure containing a molten-salt reactor and a fluidized-bed exchanger located above the reactor core and inserted in the molten-salt circuit. The molten salt is circulated within the primary tube elements while water is circulated within the secondary tube elements and is discharged in the form of steam. The two banks of tube elements are immersed in a particle bed which is subjected to agitation by a stream of inert gas.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1975Date of Patent: December 7, 1976Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie AtomiqueInventors: Pierre Faugeras, Alfred Lecocq, Jean-Louis Romet
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Patent number: 3991816Abstract: A method and apparatus for exchanging heat between a moving fluid and a moving secondary fluid comprising passing a plurality of streams of secondary fluid upward through the moving primary fluid.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1974Date of Patent: November 16, 1976Assignee: Gustav Adolf PieperInventor: Dick Gerrit Klaren
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Patent number: 3983931Abstract: Method and apparatus for transferring heat to or from a substance, transfer being effected from or to a fluidized bed which floatingly supports a vessel containing the substance.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 1973Date of Patent: October 5, 1976Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganizationInventors: Alan Barmforth Whitehead, Dennis Charles Dent
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Patent number: 3983927Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor is provided with vertically oriented heat exchange coils for controlling the temperature of the fluidized bed. Tuyere elements discharge fluidizing gas at a level substantially above the constriction plate. The bed solids below the level of the tuyere ports constitute a static layer during fluidization and the lower return bends of the heat exchange coils are embedded in this layer and so are shielded from erosion by the fluidized solids of the bed proper.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1975Date of Patent: October 5, 1976Assignee: Dorr-Oliver IncorporatedInventors: Andrew Beaumont Steever, Walfred Wilhelm Jukkola
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Patent number: 3982901Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor is provided with heat exchange coils for controllng the temperature of the fluidized bed. The heat exchange coils are vertically oriented and elements thereof pass through the constriction plate of the reactor. Multiple function Tuyere elements are provided which admit air into the reaction chamber from the windbox, provide for passage of elements of the heat exchange coils through the constriction plate, structurally support the heat exchange coils in position and constitute thermal sleeves for accommodating differential thermal expansion of the heat exchange coils and the constriction plate.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1975Date of Patent: September 28, 1976Assignee: Dorr-Oliver IncorporatedInventors: Andrew Beaumont Steever, Walfred Wilhelm Jukkola
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Patent number: 3966431Abstract: The disclosed process provides for the production of a desulfurized fuel gas from a sulfur-containing fuel oil by absorption, in a first reaction zone, of the sulfur contaminants with a calcium oxide-containing material, which material is then further treated to render it environmentally stable without producing a sulfur-rich gas process stream. The spent limestone from the oil gasifier is reacted with an oxygen-containing gas in a second reaction zone for conversion of the calcium sulfide to calcium sulfate and the sulfated material is then transferred to a third reaction zone wherein it is reacted with carbon dioxide for conversion of the calcium oxide to calcium carbonate.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1975Date of Patent: June 29, 1976Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Environmental Protection AgencyInventors: John W. T. Craig, Eoin P. O'Neill, Dale L. Keairns
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Patent number: 3955556Abstract: A catalytic fluid heater formed of a number of nested fluid heating chambers spaced from one another to provide therebetween a heating zone having a chimney effect such that a mixture of fuel gas and air is caused to flow through the heating zone from the bottom to the top thereof. A catalyzed surface is disposed in contact with the walls of adjacent ones of the fluid heating chambers. A fuel gas, preferably hydrogen, is delivered to the heating zones, mixed with air and combusted on the catalyzed walls. The combustion product, in such cases, is primarily water vapor, so that external venting is not required.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1974Date of Patent: May 11, 1976Assignee: Institute of Gas TechnologyInventors: Jon B. Pangborn, John C. Sharer
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Patent number: 3952707Abstract: A hot-fluid generator, e.g. for heating water or producing steam, which comprises at least two vertical spaced-apart catalyst elements for the combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel to generate heat, a thin hollow vertical panel of heat-conductive material interposed between and substantially coextensive with the broad catalyst surfaces of the elements and a supply pipe below the panel and a distribution pipe above the panel for respectively supplying fluid to and removing it from the panel. When the catalyst elements are coaxial cylinders, the thin hollow panel or vessel is also a cylinder coaxial with the catalyst elements. Where the catalyst elements are generally planar, a dome-shaped vessel can communicate with the panel and be provided with passages for the exhaust gases. Transfer vessels can be provided along opposite vertical edges of the main vessel or panel and the vessels can be provided with horizontally extending fins projecting into the space between the catalyst elements.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1974Date of Patent: April 27, 1976Inventor: Andre Brulfert