Abstract: A process is proposed for continuously operating a plant for preparing acetylene from hydrocarbons by partial oxidation, cleavage in an arc or pyrolysis of hydrocarbons to obtain a reaction gas mixture which is conducted through one or more compressors, the pressure of the reaction gas mixture on the suction side of the compressor being controlled within a predefined range by means of a conventional controller, which comprises additionally using a higher-level model-supported predictive controller which reacts to abrupt changes in the mass flow rate of the reaction gas mixture.

Abstract: A process is proposed for continuously operating a plant for preparing acetylene from hydrocarbons by partial oxidation, cleavage in an arc or pyrolysis of hydrocarbons to obtain a reaction gas mixture which is conducted through one or more compressors, the pressure of the reaction gas mixture on the suction side of the compressor being controlled within a predefined range by means of a conventional controller, which comprises additionally using a higher-level model-supported predictive controller which reacts to abrupt changes in the mass flow rate of the reaction gas mixture.

Abstract: A cold arc discharge is used to decompose natural gas or methane into its gaseous constituents and carbon in the form of solid particles. The gaseous constituents obtained are mainly hydrogen and acetylene and they are produced in admixture with unreacted natural gas or methane. The cold arc discharge is generated by a pulsating high voltage discharge imparted through a capacitor to a high voltage electrode or a plurality of high voltage electrodes or through a high voltage electrode to a plurality of capacitor—connected electrodes placed in a reaction zone. The apparatus for performing this process may have a tubular reactor with a cylindrical ground electrode in the middle and a cylindrical outer wall through which the high voltage electrode or electrodes extend into the reaction zone. The apparatus may also have a cylindrical shaft in the middle made of dielectric material in which a plurality of electrodes are embedded, this shaft being surrounded by a high voltage tubular electrode.

Abstract: A device for purifying an exhaust gas contains at least one first and one second component with a respective shell and core through which the exhaust flows, as well as with two front faces each. At least one of the front faces of the first component and at least one front face of the second component has a predetermined profile with elevations and depressions. The elevations of the front face of the first component extend into the depressions of the front face of the second component and vice versa, thereby configuring a penetration section. The first component is disposed electrically insulated from the second component. The components have a potential difference between them and plasma is generated in the penetration section. The compact plasma reactor reduces the pollutant concentration in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine operated in the lean mode, especially when combined with an oxidation catalyst.

Abstract: C.sub.1 and C.sub.2 hydrocarbons may be produced under the action of pulsed microwave energy in a reactor containing activated charcoal as a catalyst/reactant. Methane and/or water is the other active ingredient and the product is primarily acetylene.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for glow discharge at pressures of atmospheric and above stabilized between two electrodes spaced apart greater than 3 mm by a swirling gas path. The passage of a reactant gas in the swirling gas stream may be utilized for highly efficient chemical reactions and heating of the gas stream. The simple and compact apparatus for atmospheric pressure glow discharge is suitable for chemical conversion of hydrocarbon gases into higher molecular weight products of greater value, for pretreating combustible hydrocarbon gases for enhanced combustion and for production of intense white light.

Abstract: Methane can be effectively converted to acetylene, ethylene, and hydrogen by subjecting the methane to pulsed microwave radiation in the presence of at least one plasma initiator that is capable of initiating an electric discharge in an electromagnetic field.

Abstract: Methane can be effectively converted to acetylene, ethylene, and hydrogen by subjecting the methane to continuous microwave radiation in the presence of at least one plasma initiator that is capable of initiating an electric discharge in an electromagnetic field.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating high temperature plasmas for enhanced chemical processing of gaseous fluids, toxic chemicals, and the like, at a wide range of pressures, especially at atmospheric and high pressures includes an electro-magnetic resonator cavity, preferably a reentrant cavity, and a wave guiding structure which connects an electro-magnetic source to the cavity. The cavity includes an intake port and an exhaust port, each having apertures in the conductive walls of the cavity sufficient for the intake of the gaseous fluids and for the discharge of the processed gaseous fluids. The apertures are sufficiently small to prevent the leakage of the electro-magnetic radiation from the cavity. Gaseous fluid flowing from the direction of the electro-magnetic source through the guiding wave structure and into the cavity acts on the plasma to push it away from the guiding wave structure and the electro-magnetic source.

Abstract: Inorganic powders are coated with a thin film of an organic polymer formed on the individual particles by plasma polymerization. The film thickness may be not more than 100 .ANG., and the inorganic powders include magnetic ones.

Abstract: Electric arc conversion process in which C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkane is brought into contact with an electric arc and higher molecular weight carbonaceous material is brought into contact with the hot gas derived from the C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 hydrocarbon in the vicinity of the arc.

Abstract: A method for the production of acetylene from coal and hydrogen is provided by electric arc heating. The coal has a content of volatile components (i.waf) from about 25 to 44 percent and a content of organic oxygen (i.waf) of less than 9 percent and is ground to a diameter of less than 0.5 mm. The coal is then separated into two to four grain size fractions and one of the grain size fractions is loaded on a hydrogen containing gas. The gas carrying the coal is heated by way of an electric arc with an energy of from about 5 to 20 kJ/l (in normal state). The ratio of electric power employed to coal stream is from about 4,000 to 40,000 kJ/kg coal. The coal is heated for a time duration about inversely proportional to the third root of the specific outer surface of the coal gain fraction. The resulting product gas is quenched with cold liquid hydrocarbons, with hydrogen or water. Acetylene yields of up to about 0.41 kg acetylene per kg coal can be obtained.

Abstract: This invention relates to the conversion by way of decomposing a solid carbonaceous matter to acetylene. Specifically, the invention teaches selecting the operating conditions which will produce high yield at low cost. Specific values of heat and enthalpy for the carbonaceous matter and the gas are proposed in combination with specific particle sizes and reaction time. All of the foregoing contribute to producing acetylene at a commercially competitive cost.

Abstract: Polymeric membranes suitable for use in reverse osmosis water purification because of their high urea and salt rejection properties are prepared by generating a plasma of an unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer and nitrogen gas from an electrical source and forming a polymeric membrane by depositing a polymer of said unsaturated monomer from said plasma onto a substrate, such that nitrogen from the nitrogen gas is incorporated within the polymer in a chemically combined form.

Abstract: Production of acetylene by pyrolytic cracking of hydrocarbons following lr volumertric heating by: doping the feed stock with an absorbing gas such as ethylene to absorb laser radiation in a controlled manner: applying laser radiation in the form of a sheet with a thickness from about 5 to about 20 mm perpendicular to the flow direction of the feed stock; maintaining a reaction temperature around 1800.degree. to 200.degree. K by adjusting the energy output of the laser; and maintaining the temperature of the reaction chamber walls below 1000.degree. K.

Abstract: A process for converting naturally occurring hydrocarbon fuels into gaseous products characterized by the steps of introducing a hydrocarbon gas into the arc chamber of an arc heater having an operating temperature therein sufficiently high to produce free hydrocarbon radical ions from the hydrocarbon gas, and feeding into the arc chamber naturally occurring coal or oil to produce a stream of gaseous hydrocarbon fuel.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for reacting coal with hydrogen to provide hydrocarbon products. In a container having an anode and a cathode spaced therefrom, an electric potential about 200 to 1000 volts more positive than the potential at the cathode is applied to the anode to provide an electric arc at a current density of about 0.01 to 100 amperes per square centimeter in a reaction zone between them comprising hydrogen at a pressure of about 10 to 500 millimeters of mercury, and thus to maintain a plasma therein. A magnetic field of about 100 to 1000 gauss is provided approximately perpendicular to the arc. Hydrogen is directed into contact with the anode (as through passages therein) and from there into the reaction zone to ionize a substantial portion of the hydrogen positively, while coal is directed either in a slurry or as a fine powder, into contact with the cathode (as through passages therein) and from there into the reaction zone to charge a substantial portion of the coal with a negative potential.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a gas mixture containing acetylene, ethylene, methane and hydrogen by cracking a liquid hydrocarbon by means of a plurality of arcs burning under the surface of the liquid hydrocarbon and limited, in their electrical effect, by current-limiting elements, wherein the total energy acting on the system is distributed by an arrangement of the electrical components, which is responsible for the stability of the arcs, over a plurality of localized burning points, the current-limiting components being matched to the voltage so that the output of each individual arc on average does not exceed 1.2 kW.