With Liquid Present Patents (Class 422/140)
  • Publication number: 20100303693
    Abstract: A hybrid solvent combining a physical solvent with particles of solid adsorbent for separation of components of a gas mixture, wherein both the physical solvent and the solid adsorbent particles are suitable for preferential removal of the components of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: GAS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Dennis Leppin
  • Publication number: 20100305220
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing liquid hydro carbonaceous product (1) such as biofuel from solid biomass (2). The method comprises a gasifying step for gasifying solid biomass (2) in a gasifier (6) to produce raw synthesis gas (3), conditioning of the raw synthesis gas (3) to purify the raw synthesis gas (3) to obtain purified synthesis gas (4) having a molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide between 2.5 to 1 and 0.5 to 1, preferably to between 2.1 to 1 and 1.8 to 1, more preferably about 2 to 1, and subjecting purified synthesis gas (4) to a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor (5) to produce liquid hydro carbonaceous product (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Upmkymmene Oyj
    Inventors: Petri Kukkonen, Pekka Knuuttila, Pekka Jokela
  • Patent number: 7842262
    Abstract: A reactor in which a multi-phase mixture, including gas and a catalyst slurry or liquid, is to be conducted. The reactor includes a reaction chamber having a substantially unencumbered center portion through which the multi-phase mixture is conducted upwardly. A downcomer arrangement is disposed laterally outwardly of the center portion and adjacent to an inner surface of the reaction chamber. An external pump communicates with a lower portion of the reaction chamber for circulating components of the mixture downward from an upper end of the downcomer arrangement to a lower end thereof. A collection chamber is disposed below the reaction chamber into which the components exiting the downcomer arrangement are introduced and where the gas is separated from the remainder of the components. The separated gas can be reintroduced into the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Abdenour Kemoun
  • Publication number: 20100298124
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a fluid with a body are disclosed. Various aspects involve treating a fluid with a porous body. In select embodiments, a body comprises ash particles, and the ash particles used to form the body may be selected based on their providing one or more desired properties for a given treatment. Various bodies provide for the reaction and/or removal of a substance in a fluid, often using a porous body comprised of ash particles. Computer-operable methods for matching a source material to an application are disclosed. Certain aspects feature a porous body comprised of ash particles, the ash particles have a particle size distribution and interparticle connectivity that creates a plurality of pores having a pore size distribution and pore connectivity, and the pore size distribution and pore connectivity are such that a first fluid may substantially penetrate the pores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: ERRCIVE, INC.
    Inventors: Charles E. Ramberg, Stephen A. Dynan, Jack A. Shindle
  • Patent number: 7837949
    Abstract: A laboratory scale continuous flow hydrogenation apparatus (100) includes a reservoir (104), a feed pump (102), a mixing element (108) with two inlets and an outlet, a hydrogenation reactor (110) and a pressure-adjusting unit (112), all connected into a flow path. A hydrogen source (126) and a one-way valve (120) are arranged between the hydrogen source (126) and the second inlet of the mixing element (108). The feed pump (102) can provide a constant volume rate. The reservoir (104) contains at least a solvent base solution of the sample to be hydrogenated. The hydrogenation reactor (110) connects into the flow path by detachable connections and is formed as a replaceable cartridge containing a packing which increases the flow resistance and facilitates mixing. The pressure-adjusting unit (112) connects into the flow path after the hydrogenation reactor (110) and is provided with a regulation controlled electrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: ThalesNano Zrt.
    Inventors: Ferenc Darvas, Lajos Gödörházy, Tamás Karancsi, Dániel Szalay, Ferenc Boncz, László Ürge
  • Patent number: 7829030
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for fluidizing a population of catalyst particles that are depleted of catalyst fines. In one embodiment, the process includes providing a plurality of catalyst particles in the reactor, wherein the catalyst particles have a d2 value of greater than about 40 microns. The catalyst particles are contacted with a fluidizing medium under conditions effective to cause the catalyst particles to behave in a fluidized manner and form a fluidized bed. The particles are contacted with one or more primary obstructing members while in the fluidized bed. By fluidizing the catalyst particles in this manner, the catalyst particles can be maintained at an axial gas Peclet number of from about 10 to about 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Beech, Jr., Nicolas P. Coute, Jeffrey S. Smith, Michael Peter Nicoletti
  • Patent number: 7829750
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for fluidizing a population of catalyst particles that are depleted of catalyst fines. In one embodiment, the process includes providing a plurality of catalyst particles in the reactor, wherein the catalyst particles have a d2 value of greater than about 40 microns. The catalyst- particles are contacted with a fluidizing medium under conditions effective to cause the catalyst particles to behave in a fluidized manner and form a fluidized bed. The particles are contacted with one or more primary obstructing members while in the fluidized bed. By fluidizing the catalyst particles in this manner, the catalyst particles can be maintained at an axial gas Peclet number of from about 10 to about 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Beech, Jr., Nicolas Coute, Jeffrey S. Smith, Michael Peter Nicoletti
  • Publication number: 20100278699
    Abstract: An apparatus for regenerating an ionic liquid catalyst comprising a reactive extraction column, the reactive extraction column comprising: (a) an upper feed port, wherein a slurry of an ionic liquid catalyst and an aluminum metal enter the reactive extraction column; (b) a lower feed port, wherein a solvent and optionally a hydrogen gas enter the reactive extraction column; (c) a moveable bed comprised of the aluminum metal between the upper and lower feed ports, wherein the ionic liquid catalyst and the aluminum metal reacts to free conjunct polymers from the ionic liquid catalyst and some of the freed conjunct polymers are extracted from the ionic liquid catalyst by the solvent to provide regenerated ionic liquid catalyst; (d) a lower exit port, wherein the regenerated ionic liquid catalyst exits the reactive extraction column; and (e) an upper exit port, wherein the solvent and freed conjunct polymers exit the reactive extraction column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Huping Luo, Moinuddin Ahmed, Krishniah Parimi, Bong-Kyu Chang
  • Patent number: 7820120
    Abstract: An up-flow reactor includes a reaction chamber, and a distributor device disposed in the reaction chamber for distributing a multi-phase mixture therein. The distributor device includes a first pipe adapted for conducting a gas phase, and including first discharge ports, a second pipe adapted for conducting a slurry or a liquid phase, and including second discharge ports, and a plurality of nozzles. Each nozzle communicates a pair of the first and second discharge ports with a venturi outlet of the nozzle, such that pressurized gas phase from the first discharge port passing through the venturi outlet creates a negative pressure for drawing-in the slurry or the liquid phase to be mixed with the gas phase in the venturi outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron U. S. A. Inc.
    Inventor: Abdenour Kemoun
  • Patent number: 7807116
    Abstract: A shell-and-tube reactor is disclosed. Contact tubes are disposed within a cylindrical housing and are secured to tube plates. Gas and liquid phases are received via a feed opening in a lower end cap and discharged via an upper end cap in the housing. A distributor device is disposed in the housing, such that the tube plates serve as a horizontal plate for the distributor device to back up the gas phase and form a gas cushion, and vertical elements extend from the contact tubes. The vertical elements are adapted to conduct the liquid phase, are open in the upstream direction, and project outward in the direction of the feed opening through the gas cushion. The vertical elements further include at least one first opening on the circumference for the gas phase and at least one second opening for the liquid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Wolfgang Gerlinger, Torsten Mattke, Oliver Bey
  • Publication number: 20100247392
    Abstract: There is provided a bubble column type hydrocarbon synthesis reactor which synthesizes a hydrocarbon compound by a chemical reaction of a synthesis gas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide as main components, and a slurry having solid catalyst particles suspended in liquid. The hydrocarbon synthesis reactor includes a reactor main body which accommodates the slurry, a synthesis gas supplying section which supplies the synthesis gas to the slurry, and an introducing portion which introduces a cooling fluid having a lower temperature than the slurry into the reactor main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Onishi, Yuzuru Kato, Eiichi Yamada
  • Publication number: 20100202933
    Abstract: Esterification and transesterification of fats and oils is conducted using one or more heterogeneous solid catalysts in the presence of an alcohol and a cosolvent. In one example, esterification of free fatty acids in fats and oils feedstock is conducted by contacting the feedstock with a solid catalyst having acidic groups. Transesterification of triglycerides in the feedstock is conducted by contacting the feedstock with a solid catalyst having basic groups. Single train continuous plant designs are described for near complete conversion of fats and oils by sequentially contacting the feedstock with heterogeneous acidic solid catalyst and basic solid catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: BIOSPHERE ENVIRONMENTAL ENERGY LLC
    Inventor: Satish Ramnathan Iyer
  • Publication number: 20100197879
    Abstract: A device for discharging, through a central rotating chimney, fluids from a fluidized bed driven in a rotational movement in the same direction by the rotation of the outer circular wall of a reaction chamber and/or by injection of part of these fluids along the circular wall of a fixed or rotating chamber, and methods for catalytic polymerization, drying, or other treatments of solid particles in suspension in a rotating fluidized bed or for cracking or other catalytic conversions of fluids using this device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: TOTAL PETROCHEMICALS RESEARCH FELUY
    Inventors: Axel De Broqueville, Juray De Wilde
  • Patent number: 7758817
    Abstract: An FCC process and apparatus comprising an enlarged riser section and a distributor in an elevated position and with an opening in its tip away from riser walls may reduce coke build-up along the interior walls of a riser. Catalytic mixing may be improved, which could reduce riser coking by increasing hydrocarbon contact with catalyst before contacting the riser wall. Increasing the distance between the introduction of the hydrocarbon and the riser wall may increase this likelihood for hydrocarbon-catalyst contact. Highly contaminated hydrocarbons cause greater coking than do normal hydrocarbons and this FCC process and apparatus may be effective in decreasing riser coking on such heavy hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Brian W. Hedrick, Paolo Palmas
  • Publication number: 20100179232
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and continuous processes for preparing gaseous products, and in particular, methane via the catalytic gasification of carbonaceous feedstocks in the presence of steam. In one aspect of the invention, the processes comprise at least partially combusting a first carbonaceous feedstock with an oxygen-rich gas stream, a recycle steam stream, and an aqueous make-up stream in an oxygen-blown gasifier, under suitable temperature and pressure, to generate a first gas stream comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and superheated steam; and reacting a second carbonaceous feedstock and the first gas stream in a catalytic gasifier in the presence of a gasification catalyst under suitable temperature and pressure to form a second gas stream comprising a plurality of gaseous products comprising methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: GREATPOINT ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Earl T. Robinson, Vincent G. Reiling, Pattabhi K. Raman, Eli Gal
  • Patent number: 7754159
    Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor configured for reduced backflow of fluid is provided. The fluidized bed reactor comprises a vessel configured to contain a level of fluid, a feed conduit positioned to deliver feed into the vessel from an elevation above the level of fluid and a vacuum relief valve coupled to said feed conduit to introduce gas into the feed conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Envirogen Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel Frisch
  • Publication number: 20100172806
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system and an apparatus for regenerating an ionic liquid catalyst, which has been deactivated by conjunct polymers during any type of reaction producing conjunct polymers as a by-product, for example, isoparaffin-olefin alkylation. The system and apparatus are designed such that solvent extraction of conjunct polymers, freed from the ionic liquid catalyst through its reaction with aluminum metal, occurs as soon as the conjunct polymers de-bond from the ionic liquid catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Huping Luo, Moinuddin Ahmed, Krishniah Parimi, Bong-Hyu Chang
  • Publication number: 20100172817
    Abstract: A method includes producing deposition conditions in a collection area above a reactant liquid containing one or more catalyst metals. The reactant liquid is maintained under conditions in which atoms of the catalyst metal may escape from the reactant liquid into the collection area. A suitable carrier gas is directed to traverse a surface of the reactant liquid and flow along a collection path that passes over a collection surface in the collection area. This flow of carrier gas is maintained so that escaped atoms of catalyst metal are entrained in the gas traversing the surface of the reactant liquid and are deposited on the collection surface prior to or concurrently with nanocarbon structure formation at the collection surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventor: Anthony S. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20100160460
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and means for separating slurry liquid from catalyst in a three-phase slurry process. The embodiments of the invention are characterized by conducting the three-phase process under conditions to provide an upper region in the slurry that contains a catalyst concentration of about 20 wt % or less and a lower region with a catalyst concentration higher than about 20 wt %. A portion of the slurry in this upper region is degassed and passed to liquid-solid separation devices for recovery of liquid product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Jorge L. Soto, Costas A. Coulaloglou
  • Publication number: 20100147744
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a fluid catalytic cracking unit. The fluid catalytic cracking unit can include a first riser, a second riser, and a disengagement zone. The first riser can be adapted to receive a first feed terminating at a first reaction vessel having a first volume. The second riser may be adapted to receive a second feed terminating at a second reaction vessel having a second volume. Generally, the first volume is greater than the second volume. What is more, the disengagement zone can be for receiving a first mixture including at least one catalyst and one or more products from the first reaction vessel, and a second mixture including at least one catalyst and one or more products from the second reaction vessel. Typically, the first mixture is isolated from the second mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Robert Mehlberg
  • Patent number: 7713499
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for preparing sol-gel solutions are provided. Specifically, apparatuses include a vessel optionally containing a stirrer; a pump; a fluidized bed reaction column; and multiple fluid lines. The multiple fluid lines connect the vessel and the pump in a first circulation loop and connect the vessel, the pump and the fluidized bed reaction column in a second circulation loop. Processes for preparing sol-gel solutions using such apparatuses are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy P. Bender, David T. Borbely, Frank Ping-Hay Lee, Nan-Xing Hu
  • Patent number: 7708952
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reaction or separation device, wherein the materials circularly flow in a container and a pipe. Said device contains a container and an external circular pipe, wherein the container is a double-chamber structure. The inner chamber consists of an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder with the latter being jacketed by the former, and there is a space between the walls of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder. The lower end of the outer cylinder is open and higher than the bottom of the container, and the outer cylinder is fixed to the wall or bottom of the container. The upper end of the inner cylinder is open and its lower end connects with the external circular pipe through the feed outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignees: China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Corporation Limited, China Textile Academy
    Inventors: Zhenxin Chen, Mingkang Yu, Shaopeng Wang
  • Publication number: 20100077889
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing reactor for mixing a liquid and pulverous solid, clarification the solution that is formed and discharging the clarified solution from the mixing reactor, in the lower section of which a fluidized bed is formed. The invention also relates to a method for mixing a liquid and pulverous solid into each other in a fluidized bed, for clarification the solution that is formed and for discharging the clarified solution from the mixing reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Launo Lilja, Bror Nyman
  • Patent number: 7682817
    Abstract: A microfluidic assay device for determining the presence or absence of an analyte within a fluid test sample is provided. The present invention provides a technique for achieving continuous flow in a microfluidic device by using at least one input channel, an analysis zone, and a plurality of wicking channels disposed about the perimeter of the analysis zone. In one embodiment, for example, the wicking channels extend radially from the analysis zone. As a result of the particular configuration of the microfluidic device, an assay may performed in a “single step” without the need for active forces, such as a pressure source, electrokinetic force, etc., to induce flow of the fluid test sample through the device. Likewise, flow rate is controlled so that the dwell time of the fluid test sample within the analysis zone is long enough to allow for the desired reactions and/or detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventors: David Samuel Cohen, Shawn Ray Feaster
  • Publication number: 20100061912
    Abstract: A process for high temperature hydrolysis of halosilanes and halides with the steps of: providing a bed of fluidized particulate material heated to at least 300° C., injecting steam and an excess of reactants into the reactor, removing solid waste from a bottom outlet, removing the effluent gases through a solids removal device such as a cyclone, condensing and separating some of the unreacted waste from the effluent gas in a distillation column and sending the effluent gases containing hydrogen and hydrogen chloride to a compressor. In a preferred embodiment the reactants contain at least one water reactive halide, selected from the group halosilane, organohalosilane, aluminum halide, titanium halide, boron halide, manganese halide, copper halide, iron halide, chromium halide, nickel halide, indium halide, gallium halide and phosphorus halide and where the halide content is selected from chlorine, bromine and iodine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Stephen Michael Lord
  • Patent number: 7670478
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and process for injecting a petroleum feed. More particularly, a liquid petroleum feed is atomized with a nozzle assembly apparatus in which the apparatus has injection nozzles that produce a generally flat spray pattern of finely dispersed feed. The injection nozzles are each designed such that the overall effect of the different spray patterns from the individual nozzles provides a more uniform feed coverage across the catalyst stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: George A. Swan, III, Rustom M. Billimoria, Rathna P. Davuluri, Steven S. Lowenthal, Todd R. Steffens, Christopher G. Smalley
  • Publication number: 20100047134
    Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor for removing phosphorus and nitrogen from wastewater has a column comprising a number of sections. The diameter of the column changes stepwise between the sections. A flow velocity in excess of 100 cm/min is maintained in a lowermost one of the sections and lower flow velocities are maintained in subsequent sections. A struvite supersaturation ratio is controlled in part by recycling wastewater from an outlet of the column. Struvite pellets are removed periodically from the bottom of the column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
    Inventors: Fred A. KOCH, Donald S. MAVINIC, Noboru YONEMITSU, Ahren Thomas BRITTON
  • Publication number: 20100040510
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for converting biomass into syngas using a pressurized multi-stage progressively expanding fluidized bed gasifier to eliminate or reduce the formation of methane, volatiles such as BTX, and tars. The gasifier may include a reactive stage that may receive a biomass feed through a feed line and oxygen through an oxygen feed line. The gasifier may also include a fluidized bed section that may be configured to receive the reaction products from the first stage, mix them and perform fluidized bed activity. A gasifier may also have a disengagement section that may be configured to separate fluidized media and particulate matter from syngas product. A gasification system may also include oxyblown catalytic autothermal reactor and a cryogenic air separation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Sarabjit S. Randhava, Richard L. Kao, Todd Harvey, Ajaib S. Randhava, Surjit S. Randhava
  • Publication number: 20100034708
    Abstract: A process is provided to produce high cetane quality and low or preferably ultra low sulfur diesel and a fluid catalytic cracker (FCC) quality feedstock from a processing unit including at least a hydrotreating zone and a hydrocracking zone. In one aspect, the processing unit includes reactor severity requirements in both the hydrotreating zone and the hydrocracking zone effective to produce the FCC feed quality and the diesel sulfur quality to permit a high quality hydrocracked product to be formed at lower pressures and conversion rates without overtreating the FCC quality feedstock stream. In another aspect, a portion of the hydrotreated effluent is selected for conversion in the hydrocracking and the remaining portion of the hydrotreated effluent is directed to subsequent processing, such as fluid catalytic cracking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Vasant P. Thakkar, Douglas W. Kocher-Cowan
  • Publication number: 20100021362
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide sequestration process includes the following steps. In a first stage, a slurry of a metal silicate rock is mixed with ammonia so as to produce a ammonia/water/metal silicate slurry. In a second stage, the process includes scrubbing a gas stream containing carbon dioxide with the solution from the first stage to thereby absorb the carbon dioxide into a reactive slurry. In a third stage, the reactive slurry from the second stage is passed through a reactor that is controlled so as to promote the reaction between the carbon dioxide and the metal silicate to thereby produce a metal carbonate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Richard J. Hunwick
  • Patent number: 7645428
    Abstract: A reaction vessel which includes internally placed temperature controlling mixing baffles in which liquid is boiled, resulting in an isothermal heat sink. The energy of vaporization is supplied by the reaction vessel contents. The vapor produced by the boiling may be directed to channel coils which surround the outside of the reaction vessel wall. The channel coils contact the outside wall of the reaction vessel perpendicularly, and provide mechanical support for the reaction vessel. The mechanical support from the channel coils allows for a decrease in the thickness of the reaction vessel wall and corresponding increased heat transfer efficiency between the channel coil contents and the reaction vessel contents. The entire above described apparatus is enclosed within an evacuated shell to provide additional insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventor: José P. Arencibia, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100003169
    Abstract: A photocatalytic reactor for carrying out a photocatalytic reaction on a liquid which is to be treated, the reactor comprising a reaction chamber which comprises: (i) a foraminated member which supports a plurality of mobile photocatalyst particles, the size and density of which is such that they tend to rest on the foraminated member in use; and (ii) an aeration device which causes gas bubbles to rise from the foraminated member and agitate the mobile photocatalyst particles. The reactor may be a flow-through reactor. The photocatalytic reactor can be applied to the remediation of waste water using titanium oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Neil Robert Foster, Kourosh Bassiti
  • Patent number: 7638102
    Abstract: A fluid flow inversion chamber comprises a spray nozzle (3) which has a coaxial configuration of feed flow (12) and steam flow (11) streams capable of providing increased contact of the two streams within the reaction zone, and, as a consequence of the inversion of the coaxial configuration of feed flow (12) and steam flow (11) streams, avoids the formation of coke, which facilitates inspection and replacement of nozzles worn by erosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras
    Inventors: Claudio Fonseca Machado Dos Santos, Nelson Patricio Junior, Paulo Sergio Freire, Sergio Roberto Barreiros Neves
  • Publication number: 20090314686
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a system for reacting a first feed can include a petroleum fraction having at least about 90%, by volume, with a boiling point of at least about 300° C. The system can include a bubble column reactor. The bubble column reactor, in turn, can include a first inlet for the first feed and a second inlet for a second feed including a gas rich in hydrogen. In addition, the petroleum fraction may be in counter-current flow with respect to the gas rich in hydrogen inside the bubble column reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventor: Paul R. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 7611676
    Abstract: In a method for producing gas turbine fuel through the step of modifying heavy fuel oil with the use of an asphaltene-insoluble solvent, the utilization factor of the heavy fuel oil usable as gas turbine fuel is increased by making asphaltene selectively removable. A solvent having a specific inductive capacity in the range of 1.4 to 2.0 is used as the asphaltene-insoluble solvent. In particular, water controlled in temperature and pressure so as to have a specific inductive capacity in the above range is used as the asphaltene-insoluble solvent. By using such a solvent, an asphaltene component contained in the heavy fuel oil can be selectively removed and power generation can be performed while utilizing 95% or more of the heavy fuel oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Petroleum Energy Center
    Inventors: Shinichi Inage, Hirokazu Takahashi, Koji Nishida, Akinori Hayashi, Nobuyuki Hokari, Osami Yokota, Shinsuke Kokubo, Tetsuo Sasada, Tsunemasa Nishijima, Toshifumi Sasao
  • Patent number: 7601304
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for injecting a plurality of uniform jets into an extended dispersion of moving catalyst particles within a reactor vessel. The apparatus comprises a plurality of outer conduits each for carrying atomizing fluid. A plurality of tips in the outer conduits each include a plurality of orifices for spraying a mixture of feed and atomizing fluid. Inner conduits with outlets within the outer conduits delivers feed to the tips of the outer conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Daniel N. Myers, Todd P. Mitchell, James W. Althoff
  • Publication number: 20090252658
    Abstract: The invention providing methods of loading and unloading particulate from microchannels in apparatus that contains multiple microchannels, typically apparatus that is designed to operate with hundreds or thousands of particulate-containing microchannels. Aligning a sonicating head at one end of a set of microchannels provides a particularly effective mode for densifying particulate in microchannels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Velocys Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Ramler, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Rachid Taha, Kai Jarosch, Robert J. Luzenski, Jeffery D. Slane, Thomas Hickey, Sean Fitzgerald, Harley D. Freeman, Frederick A. Zenz
  • Patent number: 7594993
    Abstract: This invention relates to the feed injection zone of a FCC. The feed injection zone is non-circular in shape allows for optimal penetration between feed and catalyst in the feed injection zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Exxonmobile Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Dean C. Draemel, Todd R. Steffens
  • Patent number: 7588736
    Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus for generating a chemical precursor used in a vapor deposition processing system are provide which include a canister having a sidewall, a top, and a bottom forming an interior volume which is in fluid communication with an inlet port and an outlet port. The canister contains a plurality of baffles that extend from the bottom to an upper portion of the interior volume and form an extended mean flow path between the inlet port and the outlet port. In one embodiment, the baffles are contained on a prefabricated insert positioned on the bottom of the canister. In one example, an inlet tube may extend from the inlet port into the interior region and be positioned substantially parallel to the baffles. An outlet end of the inlet tube may be adapted to direct a gas flow away from the outlet port, such as towards the sidewall or top of the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ling Chen, Vincent W. Ku, Hua Chung, Christophe Marcadal, Seshadri Ganguli, Jenny Lin, Dien-Yeh Wu, Alan Ouye, Mei Chang
  • Patent number: 7569196
    Abstract: A reactor for carrying out catalyzed liquid reactions in which the catalyst is present as a dispersion in the reaction zone. The reactor includes at least one inlet and outlet, with all starting materials being fed in via the inlet and all products being discharged via the outlet. The inlet and outlet can be switched so that an exit previously serving as the outlet is utilized as an entrance serving as the inlet and at the same time an entrance previously serving as the inlet is utilized as an exit serving as the outlet. The inlet and outlet each include a filter element that keeps the catalyst in the reactor. The reactor also includes a device that ensures homogeneous distribution of the catalyst and the starting materials in the reactor. This reactor can carry out reactions at a high solids content without the catalyst having to be separated off from a product stream in an extra process step and without regular cleaning and thus shutdown of the process being necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: OXENO Olefinchemie GmbH
    Inventors: Horst-Werner Zanthoff, Dietrich Maschmeyer, Thorsten Schwärtzke, Udo Robers, Anita Völkel
  • Publication number: 20090166257
    Abstract: A process for a liquid/liquid reaction employs a nozzle dispersion whereby liquid reactants and liquid catalyst are injected through at least one nozzle into a reaction zone to effect a reaction. The reaction can be alkylation of at least one isoparaffin with at least one olefin in the presence of an ionic liquid catalyst. The at least one nozzle provides intimate contact between the phases for greater product control and reaction control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Huping Luo, Abdenour Kemoun, Hye-Kyung Timken
  • Publication number: 20090112028
    Abstract: Processing schemes and arrangements are provided for obtaining ethylene and ethane via the catalytic cracking of a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock and converting the ethylene into ethyl benzene without separating the ethane from the feed stream. The disclosed processing schemes and arrangements advantageously eliminate any separation of ethylene from ethane produced by a FCC process prior to using the combined ethylene/ethane stream as a feed for an ethyl benzene process. Further, heat from the alkylation reactor is used for one of the strippers of the FCC process and at least one bottoms stream from alkylation process is used as an absorption solvent in the FCC process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Michael A. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20090112029
    Abstract: Processing schemes and arrangements are provided for obtaining propylene and propane via the catalytic cracking of a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock and converting the propylene into cumene without separating the propane from the propane/propylene feed stream. The disclosed processing schemes and arrangements advantageously eliminate any separation of propylene from propane produced by a FCC process prior to using the combined propane/propane stream as a feed for a cumene alkylation process. A bottoms stream from the cumene column of the cumene alkylation process can be used and an absorption solvent in the FCC process thereby eliminating the need for a transalkylation reactor and a DIPB/TIPB column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Michael A. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20090107881
    Abstract: Methods and systems for hydrocracking a heavy oil feedstock using, a colloidally or molecularly dispersed catalyst (e.g., molybdenum sulfide) which provide for concentration of the colloidally dispersed catalyst within the lower quality materials requiring additional hydrocracking. In addition to increased catalyst concentration, the inventive systems and methods provide increased reactor throughput, increased reaction rate, and of course higher conversion of asphaltenes and lower quality materials. Increased conversion levels of asphaltenes and lower quality materials also reduces equipment fouling, enables the reactor to process a wider range of lower quality feedstocks, and can lead to more efficient use of a supported catalyst if used in combination with the colloidal or molecular catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: HEADWATERS TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION, LLC
    Inventors: Robert K. Lott, Yu-Hwa Chang
  • Publication number: 20090104099
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus comprising a co-current absorbing unit, a countercurrent absorbing unit, at least one absorbing liquid reservoir, and at least one liquid transferring means. The invention also relates to a method of absorbing a reactive gas and a method of preparing a solution by contacting a reactive gas to a solvent and allowing the reactive gas to react with the solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Patrick H. Au-Yeung, Dennis W. Jewell, John G. Pendergast, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090098263
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device and a method for rotary fluidized bed for catalytic polymerization, drying and other treatments of solid particles or for catalytic transformation of fluids, wherein a cylindrical reactor (1), in which the fluids are injected (7) tangentially to its cylindrical wall, is divided into a succession of cylindrical chambers (Z1, Z2, Z3) by hollow discs (3), which are fixed to its cylindrical wall, which have central openings through which the fluids circulating in rotation inside the cylindrical chambers are sucked (10), which have lateral openings through which said fluids are evacuated through the cylindrical wall of the reactor and which have passages (27) for transferring the suspended solid particles in the rotary fluidized bed from one chamber to the next through said discs (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventor: Axel de Broqueville
  • Patent number: 7517500
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed contacting hydrocarbon feed with catalyst in a reactor vessel under conditions more vigorous than bubbling bed conditions and preferably fast fluidized flow conditions. The vigorous conditions assure thorough mixing of catalyst and feed to suppress formation of dry gas and the promotion of hydrogen transfer reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: David A. Lomas
  • Publication number: 20090087351
    Abstract: An apparatus for introducing fluids into a solids flow of a spouted bed apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a spray nozzle which opens into a reaction space of the spouted bed apparatus. A lower region of the reaction space is provided with a rectangular cross section for the spouted bed apparatus and is limited in an axial direction by at least one inclined stream return flow wall and an oppositely inclined stream inlet wall with the formation of an axial gap through the reaction space for supplying inlet air. At least one nozzle is also provided for introducing fluid above the gap opens into the reaction space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: GLATT INGENIEURTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Jacob, Karlheinz Rumpler, Mike Waskow
  • Publication number: 20090074642
    Abstract: A spray dryer absorber (SDA) system used to reduce the concentration of at least one acid compound in a gas utilizes low or no alkali-containing particulate compounds to prevent cementing during operation. The low or no-alkali-containing compounds may be supplied from external sources and/or from a particulate collection device located downstream of the SDA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventor: Mikhail Maramchik
  • Publication number: 20090031855
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a fluid with a body are disclosed. Various aspects involve treating a fluid with a porous body. In select embodiments, a body comprises ash particles, and the ash particles used to form the body may be selected based on their providing one or more desired properties for a given treatment. Various bodies provide for the reaction and/or removal of a substance in a fluid, often using a porous body comprised of ash particles. Computer-operable methods for matching a source material to an application are disclosed. Certain aspects feature a porous body comprised of ash particles, the ash particles have a particle size distribution and interparticle connectivity that creates a plurality of pores having a pore size distribution and pore connectivity, and the pore size distribution and pore connectivity are such that a first fluid may substantially penetrate the pores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Charles E. Ramberg, Stephen A. Dynan, Jack A. Shindle