Abstract: A new process for continuously preparing granules having narrow grain size distribution, comprising a) spraying the product to be granulated in liquid form into a fluidized bed, b) separating the proportions of fine material escaping from the fluidized bed from the off-gas and returning said fine material to the fluidized bed as nuclei for granule formation, c) setting the fluidizing gas flow such that granules are formed which are of a predetermined size, and d) removing the completed granules solely by way of at least one countercurrent gravity classifier inserted into the outflow bottom of the fluidized-bed vessel. A new apparatus for carrying out the process according to the invention and new granules.

Abstract: A fluid bed processing system with a spraying apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes an expansion chamber and at least one spraying apparatus which extends into the expansion chamber. The spraying apparatus has a plurality of single nozzles which are spaced along the spraying apparatus and has at least one fluid passage connected to each of the single nozzles.

Abstract: A fluid inlet nozzle distributor for a downflow fixed bed reactor which is a cylindrical housing having inlet and outlet openings and a swirl chamber disposed within said housing, whereby said swirl chamber imparts rotational motion to a fluid exiting said inlet nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of preparing commercial quantities of glucose and/or fructose from sucrose, a process of preparing commercial quantities of glucose and a polyfructan from sucrose, a reactor for practicing same, a process of preparing commercial quantities of fructose and a polyglucan from sucrose and a reactor for practicing same.

Abstract: A shelf is incorporated into a typical FCC riser that permits the tips of the nozzles to extend past the wall of the riser while preventing the tips from promoting coke build-up and protecting the tips from erosion. The shelf can be part of an angled section that often appears in a transition zone for increasing the internal diameter of the riser to accommodate the volumetric expansion of the feed. The shelf section reduces the non-uniformity in the mixing of the catalyst and feed and minimizes backmixing of the feed injection. The shelf of this invention accomplishes these objectives without recessing the feed injectors into the riser wall which can interfere with the spray pattern. The shelf provides a location for the tips of the upwardly directed feed injectors which virtually eliminates quiescent areas that were the sites for riser coking and that resulted from the protrusion of nozzles and/or nozzle protection devices into the riser.

Abstract: The invention concerns a stripping method for extracting solid fluidized particles whereby the particles to be stripped are subjected to a first stripping in a first chamber (9), then at least a second stripping in a second chamber (10) wherein are provided solid/gas separating means allowing the gaseous fluids derived from the second stripping to directly pass through from the bottom to the top but preventing them from going up again into the first chamber (9). The invention also concerns a device for implementing said method.

Abstract: A hybrid reactor arrangement provides a reactive design that achieves higher acrylonitrile yield and lower catalyst circulating rate. The hybrid reactor design first passes a mixture of reactants and catalyst through a circulating bubbling bed reaction section. Heat exchange coils or other cooling medium in the bubbling bed reactor section maintain temperature in a range that will maximize the selectivity of reactants to the acrylonitrile product. The bubbling bed reactor section provides the initial conversion of the reactant. A circulating fluidized bed reaction zone finishes the conversion of reactants to a high yield under conditions that reduce the occurrence of secondary reactions that could otherwise produce unwanted by-products. The circulating fluidized bed reactor section maintains nearly plug flow conditions that allow continued conversion of unreacted feed components through primary reactions while limiting the time for secondary reactions to continue and diminish the final yield of products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for injecting a hydrocarbon charge into a catalytic cracking reactor comprising in particular an envelope (1), a main (liquid) charge feed tube (3), and an inlet (2) for an auxiliary gaseous fluid. According to the invention, charge feed tube (3) is divided, inside envelope (1), into at least two secondary lines (4) designed to distribute said charge uniformly, each secondary line (4) terminates coaxially with the inlet of an element (7) of the venturi type, and the auxiliary gaseous fluid is mixed with the charge at the inlet of said venturi (7). The present invention applies in particular to catalytic cracking of heavy hydrocarbon charges.

Abstract: A multiple parallel processing assembly has been developed. The assembly has (1) a plurality of vessels for containing material, each vessel having an open end and a fluid permeable end (2) a plurality of bottoms, each bottom having an open end and a closed end with the plurality being supported by a single first support plurality of vessels positioned within the plurality of bottoms; (3) a plurality of tops supported by a single second support with the plurality of tops engaged with the plurality of bottoms to form a plurality of sealed independent chambers; and (4) a plurality of fluid conduits in fluid communication with the chambers.

Abstract: An FCC feed injection arrangement injects feed transversely from the sides of a restricted opening into a stream of FCC catalyst to provide good feed and catalyst contacting in an arrangement that simplifies external pipe configurations and maintenance of the feed injection system. The invention forms a venturi or restricted opening by forming a generally square opening between two parallel extended chords on opposite sides of the riser. A venturi area may be built out of refractory lining or other abrasion-resistant structures. The invention may use horizontally extended pipes that are tangentially positioned apart from each other across from the restricted opening to provide a simple construction for the feed injection arrangement. The pipes are easily inserted and withdrawn from the riser to permit easy maintenance of the nozzles in the highly erosive environment.

Abstract: A fluidized catalytic cracking system includes a riser for contacting catalyst and hydrocarbon feedstock. The riser has an inner surface that defines a central passage. The central passage acts as a flow path for the catalyst and the hydrocarbon feedstock. A plurality of ribs are disposed on the riser inner surface. The ribs increase the degree of mixing that occurs between the catalyst and the hydrocarbon feedstock within the central passage. In particular, each rib has a contoured inner wall. The contour of the inner wall forces a portion of the catalyst flow inward, toward the hydrocarbon-rich center of the central passage.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for examining chemical reactions in the presence of potentially catalytical substances, wherein reactions are triggered in miniaturized reactors with volumes of 0.001 cm3 to 1 cm3 arranged parallel to each other, and the nature and amount of the reaction mixture are analyzed during the reaction time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for alkylating an alkylation substrate with an alkylating agent in the presence of solid catalyst particles in a transport reactor is disclosed. Solid catalyst particles in the transport reactor effluent recirculate to the inlet of the transport reactor through one or more conduits. The rate through each conduit is regulated by fluid-controlled valves that use the alkylation substrate as the regulating fluid. This method and apparatus help ensure uniform or symmetric flow of catalyst from the effluent of the transport reactor to the bottom of the transport reactor. This method and apparatus also help ensure uniform or symmetric flow of alkylation substrate to the bottom of the transport reactor with minimal bypassing by the alkylating agent around of the transport reactor. This invention finds use in the production of motor fuels by the alkylation of liquid hydrocarbons in the presence of solid catalyst particles.

Abstract: Five combustion exhaust gas treatment systems capable of removing dust and selenium (Se) in combustion exhaust gas and making harmless are proposed: (1) combustion exhaust gas is cooled to 350° C. or less, dust is separated, Se is transformed into insoluble compound, and Se is separated; (2) combustion exhaust gas is cooled to 350° C. or less, dust is separated, Se elution preventive agent is added, and dust is formed into scale; (3) dust in combustion exhaust gas is collected by dust collector, dust is formed into slurry by making use of part of circulation liquid in desulfurization apparatus, and tetravalent Se in dust slurry is transformed into insoluble compound, which is separated into solid and liquid; (4) dust is separated from combustion exhaust gas by dust collector, and it is heated to gasify Se, and is led into desulfurization apparatus, etc.

Abstract: Five combustion exhaust gas treatment systems capable of removing dust and selenium (Se) in combustion exhaust gas and making harmless are proposed: (1) combustion exhaust gas is cooled to 350° C. or less, dust is separated, Se is transformed into insoluble compound, and Se is separated; (2) combustion exhaust gas is cooled to 350° C. or less, dust is separated, Se elution preventive agent is added, and dust is formed into scale; (3) dust in combustion exhaust gas is collected by dust collector, dust is formed into slurry by making use of part of circulation liquid in desulfurization apparatus, and tetravalent Se in dust slurry is transformed into insoluble compound, which is separated into solid and liquid; (4) dust is separated from combustion exhaust gas by dust collector, and it is heated to gasify Se, and is led into desulfurization apparatus, etc.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and an apparatus of introducing polymer slurry obtained from a slurry reactor into a gas phase reactor containing a fluidized bed (C, D). According to the present invention, the content of the slurry reactor (R1) is conducted directly to the fluidized bed reactor (R2) as a multiphase stream comprising polymer, active catalyst and reaction medium using at least one feed line (10; 11; 12), and the stream is fed below a first fluidized zone (C) of the gas phase reactor via inlet pipe protruding into the fluidized bed in order to increase the once-through conversion of the process. By means of the invention, the amount of unreacted monomers which needs to be recirculated is minimized and investment and operation costs of the recovery section are greatly reduced.

Abstract: A delivery system for generating a sparging gas containing catalyst particles and delivering them to a flame zone of a combustion reaction is disclosed. A catalyst mixture receptacle for the delivery system includes a floating ball check valve on an air inlet to an inlet tube of the receptacle which is spaced from a vertical wall of the receptacle. A secondary splash chamber having an opening smaller than the body of the chamber is also included between the main body of the receptacle and the sparging gas outlet for the receptacle to reduce the opportunity for catalyst mixture in liquid form to reach the sparging gas outlet. An enrichment circuit is disclosed including a controller, pump, and a one-way check valve for adding additional sparging gas to a flame zone of a combustion process in times of added load. The receptacle may be mounted with a vibrator, such as the pump, to increase the consistency of the bubbles in the sparging process.

Abstract: The invention is directed to reactor systems, apparatus, and processes which are useful for conducting chemical reactions that may be effected in a three phase slurry system. One particular application of the invention converts synthesis gas (syngas) into hydrocarbons. Syngas is comprised of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. In general, a low profile bed reactor is capable of conducting an exothermic catalytic conversion. The reactor may also include a catalyst contained in a moving fluid system which ascends in the reactor in one or more stages. A heat exchanger optionally may be used to remove heat, and water may be removed from the reaction as it proceeds from one stage to another. The reactor is designed in a relatively low profile horizontal design, and is usually more efficient and inexpensive to operate (or build) than taller vertically oriented reactors of the same type.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating wastes by two-stage gasification recovers metals or ash content in the wastes in such a state that they can be recycled, and gases containing carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen gas (H2) for use as synthesis gas for ammonia (NH3) or production of hydrogen gas. The wastes are gasified in a fluidized-bed reactor at a low temperature. Then, gaseous material and char produced in the fluidized-bed reactor are introduced into a high-temperature combustor, and gasified at a high temperature and ash content is converted into molten slag. After water scrubbing and a CO conversion reaction, the gas is separated into H2 and residual gas. The residual gas is then supplied to the fluidized-bed reactor as a fluidizing gas.

Abstract: The partially condensed fluid recycle stream of a fluidized bed polyolefin reactor operating in the condensing mode is split into two portions by a stream splitter. In a preferred mode, the smaller stream from the splitter contains a higher ratio of liquid to gas than the larger stream. One portion of the split stream is injected below the fluidized bed and the other, preferably with enhanced liquid content, is injected into the fluidized bed at a level above the distributor plate, preferably above the product withdrawal level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the continuous discharge of pre-classified polymer particles, particularly rubber particles, from a gas phase polymerization reactor, comprising the steps of classifying the polymer in a classifier, discharging the particles with a sufficient size and conveying the undersized particles back into the gas phase polymerization reactor.

Abstract: Fluidized bed reactors having centrally positioned heating means, as well as methods for their use, are provided. The subject reactors comprise a centrally positioned heating means (e.g. a susceptor rod) that, during operation, is at least partially immersed in a fluidized bed of particles. The subject reactors are further characterized in that, during use, a temperature gradient is produced within the reactor. The subject reactors find use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: This invention provides a PCB decomposition reactor which can decompose PCB efficiently. In this PCB decomposition reactor, an injector for injecting a mixture of water and sodium hydroxide into a reaction vessel is connected to the lower part of the reaction vessel. An outlet pipe for withdrawing the fluid treated within the reaction vessel is connected to the sidewall of the reaction vessel. The other end of the outlet pipe is connected to a cyclone for separating sodium carbonate from the treated fluid. A discharge pipe is connected to the top of the cyclone, so that the treated fluid from which the precipitated sodium carbonate has been removed is discharged therethrough. A downcomer for the separated fluid is connected to the bottom of the cyclone, so that the precipitated sodium carbonate and some fluid containing it are discharged therethrough. The lower end of the downcomer is connected to an injector, which has connected thereto a feed pipe for feeding a mixture of PCB and mineral oil.

Abstract: A fluid feed distributor improves particle and feed contacting by using a flow actuated plug to prevent back flow of fluidizable particles through a fluid feed outlet when fluid feed to a riser conduit ceases. The plug is located at or near the bottom of a riser contacting conduit where a back flow of particles can occur. The plug drops into the fluid feed outlet when fluid flow stops. The plug and a supporting stem will usually have an at least partially vertical orientation to provide the preferred gravity closure of the flow actuated plug. The plug arrangement can also provide improved feed distribution. Preferably the fluid actuated plug will act in conjunction with a fluid dispersion device. The dispersion device may be located upstream in a feed conduit that houses the plug and a fluid outlet at its downstream end. In addition, the fluid actuated plug can also serve to adjust the dispersion of feed fluid during operation of the unit.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for contacting (a) at least one gaseous reactant and (b) at least one liquid selected from the group consisting of reactants, coolants and mixtures thereof in the presence of a fluidized bed of catalyst, in which the liquid is introduced into the reactor through at least one inlet located within the fluidization zone and the gaseous reactant is introduced into the reactor through at least one inlet located within the fluidization zone adjacent the support means.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bioreactor apparatus having a bed of buoyant media pellets floating within a filtrate to be processed. The apparatus includes a tank having a peripheral wall for containing filtrate and a bed of media pellets. A central manifold is rotatably supported within the tank the central manifold being mounted for rotation about a vertical axis and having a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings intermediate its ends, the openings adapted to eject filtrate in a generally horizontal direction and along a substantially vertical plane toward the wall of the tank. A thrust manifold, generally parallel to the axis of the central manifold has a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings intermediate its ends directed horizontally and generally perpendicularly to the plane. The thrust manifold is supported in association with the central manifold inwardly adjacent the tank wall and offset rearwardly of the plane to rotate with the central manifold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for carrying out an exothermic reaction in the presence of a solid catalyst in a three-phase slurry reactor which includes a slurry zone and a freeboard zone. In the slurry zone, the catalyst is kept in suspension in a slurry liquid and in the freeboard zone, a liquid reflux is maintained to remove catalyst from the freeboard zone and, preferably, recycling the catalyst to the slurry zone. The present invention also relates to a three-phase slurry reactor adapted to the process.

Abstract: This invention provides a PCB decomposition reactor which can decompose PCB efficiently. In this PCB decomposition reactor, an injector for injecting a mixture of water and sodium hydroxide into a reaction vessel is connected to the lower part of the reaction vessel. An outlet pipe for withdrawing the fluid treated within the reaction vessel is connected to the sidewall of the reaction vessel. The other end of the outlet pipe is connected to a cyclone for separating sodium carbonate from the treated fluid. A discharge pipe is connected to the top of the cyclone, so that the treated fluid from which the precipitated sodium carbonate has been removed is discharged therethrough. A downcomer for the separated fluid is connected to the bottom of the cyclone, so that the precipitated sodium carbonate and some fluid containing it are discharged therethrough. The lower end of the downcomer is connected to an injector, which has connected thereto a feed pipe for feeding a mixture of PCB and mineral oil.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for atomizing a fluid is disclosed. The processes and apparatuses are useful for atomizing a feed oil for a fluid cat cracking (FCC) or other suitable process.

Abstract: A removable filter for separating and filtering slurry liquid from solid particles includes one or more filter sections connected by a filtrate conduit. Each section comprises a plurality of vertical, hollow, sintered metal filter elements horizontally arranged across a manifold connected to a hollow filtrate conduit. The sections are vertically stacked and connected by the conduit(s) to form the filter which is removably secured in the slurry by means which permit it to be removed vertically up and out of the top of the reactor. This filter has a high surface area to volume ratio and is useful for removing the liquid hydrocarbon products from a slurry hydrocarbon synthesis reactor and can easily be replaced without having to drain out the slurry.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of olefin polymers in a continuous gas phase polymerization reaction wherein monomer, after passage through the fluidized bed, is cooled to a temperature below its dew point to produce a mixture of cold gas and liquid. All or nearly all of the cold gas is introduced into the bottom of the reactor to serve as the fluidizing gas stream for the fluidized bed. Cold liquid, separated from the mixture, is either injected directly into the peripheral region around the fluidized bed or onto the walls of the expanded section of the reactor to form a liquid film flowing down the wall of the reactor or alternatively, the cold liquid is warmed to form a heated fluid by passing in indirect heat exchange relation with the fluidized bed and is then injected directly into the peripheral region of the fluidized bed or onto the wall of the expanded section of the reactor to form a downward flowing stream of cold liquid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of starting up a loop reactor system, which method includes heating a reaction mixture present in the loop reactor system with the heat of reaction of at least one exothermic reaction occurring in the loop reactor system. The method of the invention makes possible an inexpensive, reliable and simple start-up of loop reactor systems, since the heat liberated when carrying out an exothermic reaction is utilized for heating the reaction mixture present in the loop reactor. Use of the method of the invention makes it unnecessary to switch heat exchangers over from coolant to heat transfer media such as steam. Since the method of the invention is able to heat up the reaction mixture in the loop reactor system more rapidly than in conventional methods, the number and the amount of by-products formed by secondary reactions during the start-up phase is reduced.

Abstract: A process for detecting, and monitoring, changes in the properties of a fluidized bed of particulate solids, especially a fluidized bed of particulate catalytic solids at elevated temperature wherein a low molecular weight hydrocarbon is converted, in the presence of steam and oxygen, to synthesis gas. Measurement is made of the magnitude of differential pressure fluctuations taken at different levels of bed elevation and these are recorded as a standard deviation, or normalized standard deviation, and directly related to particle size changes caused by agglomeration (growth) and/or attrition (size reduction). Operation of the process requires the use of fast response pressure transducers that are located in the bed and connected to an A/D board of a PC which records and accumulates the data for processing, and analysis.

Abstract: A process for the dual riser contacting of a primary feed and a secondary recycle feed fraction uses independent recovery of the separate streams from the riser cracking zone to improve the product yields and properties. Separate recovery segregates the upgraded recracked components from the rest of the primary cracked products. The benefits of selective of recracking are lost if the upgraded products from the recycle stream become recombined with the primary cracked product. The selectively recovered recycle feed may undergo hydroprocessing to hydrogenate, hydrocrack and/or hydrotreatment before recracking. The process can also make highly efficient use of the high residual activity in the catalyst that has contacted the secondary feed.

Abstract: An injector for uniformly distributing solids or liquids over surfaces. The injector includes at least two individual injectors each having an internal guide element and an external guide element. The injector includes a double jacketed tube with an inner tube and an outer tube. The injector includes a base body connected to the tubes of the double jacketed tube, and connecting the inner tube to the internal guide element and a region between the inner and outer tubes to the external guide element. The base body and the injectors are arranged such that a mixture of carrier gas and solid particles or liquid droplets which is supplied through the inner tube and a propellent gas which is supplied through the region lead to a turbulent flow mixture of propellent gas, carrier gas and solid particles or liquid droplets and to the turbulent flow mixture formed being distributed radially and uniformly.

Abstract: A downcomer for producing at least two slurries having different solids and gas concentrations from a single three phase slurry of particulate solids and gas bubbles in a slurry liquid has two or more concentric gas and solids disengaging zones, each having an open fluid conduit depending from an orifice in the bottom. The downcomer is useful in a slurry hydrocarbon synthesis process for forming a catalyst and gas reduced slurry which is passed to a liquid filter to remove hydrocarbon liquid from the slurry reactor.

Abstract: A fluid bed processing system with a spraying apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes an expansion chamber and at least one spraying apparatus which extends into the expansion chamber. The spraying apparatus has a plurality of single nozzles which are spaced along the spraying apparatus and has at least one fluid passage connected to each of the single nozzles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymerization process for preparing syndiotactic polystyrenes, which comprises a step of microfluidizing in a microfluidization apparatus both a catalyst mixture consisting of a styrene monomer, a metallocene catalyst and an inert organic solvent and a cocatalyst mixture consisting of a styrene monomer, a cocatalyst and an inert organic solvent, and a step of reacting the microfluidized mixture with a catalyst and a cocatalyst in a reactor. The metallocene catalyst has a bridged structure of a complex of Group IV transition metals such as Ti, Zr, Hf etc. in the Periodic Table and a ligand having one or two cycloalkane dienyl groups such as cyclopentadienyl group, indenyl groups, fluorenyl group, and derivatives thereof. The reactor is a well stirred reactor equipped with agitating blades therein to mix the reactants well.

Abstract: A fluid bed processing system for particles with an agitation system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a product chamber with an interior and a plurality of elongated structures. The elongated structures extend at least partially across the interior of the product chamber and are positioned in the product chamber where the particles are located. The fluid bed processing system also includes a system for engaging the elongated structures to agitate the particles in the product chamber.

Abstract: A method of separating a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst from the output slurry of a Fischer-Tropsch bubble column reactor, where the slurry comprises Fischer-Tropsch catalyst particles and liquid hydrocarbon product is disclosed. The method comprises contacting a compressed hydrocarbon solvent (e.g., a supercritical hydrocarbon solvent, or liquid hydrocarbon solvent which may be at near supercritical conditions) with the output slurry at a temperature and pressure where the liquid hydrocarbon product is soluble in the solvent to form a concentrated slurry phase containing the catalyst particles, and an enriched solvent phase containing liquid hydrocarbon product. This contacting step is then followed by the step of separating the concentrated slurry from the enriched solvent. Apparatus for carrying out the method of the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A continuous process for the manufacture of olefin polymers in a continuous gas phase polymerization reaction wherein monomer, after passage through the fluidized bed, is cooled to a temperature below its dew point to produce a mixture of cold gas and liquid. All or part of the cold gas is introduced into the bottom of the reactor to serve as the fluidizing gas stream for the fluidized bed. Cold liquid separated from the mixture is warmed to form a heated fluid by passing in indirect heat exchange relation with the fluidized bed and the heated fluid is then injected directly into the bed; combined with the fluidizing gas stream; sprayed on top of the bed or combined with gaseous monomer removed from the fluidized bed for cooling.

Abstract: A fluidized bed apparatus for the production and treatment of granules and a method for its operation is provided. The fluidized bed apparatus includes an entry chamber through which a gas is designed to flow upwards; a fluidization chamber for fluidizing the material located above the entry chamber; pivotal slats located between the entry chamber and the fluidization chamber; and a nozzle arm located in the chamber below the slats with a nozzle line ending in a nozzle which is directed into the fluidization chamber through cutouts in the slats and extends partly into the fluidization chamber. The fluidized bed apparatus has rigid nozzle arms and lines which are easily jacketed for heating and cooling applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method for constructing a gas distribution system which creates two distinct reaction zones within the same fluidized bed. The invention provides for the distribution of one type of gas at the bottom of the fluidized bed and a second type of gas at a higher level in the fluidized bed. The system is constructed of a plurality of modular units constructed entirely of refractory materials. The modules are fitted and linked together to form a grid, the size of which can be varied to accommodate different reactor sizes.

Abstract: An arrangement for the controlled production of an essentially linear array of hydrocarbon feed injection jets maintains stable and reliable jets by passing individual piping for each jet through a support shroud that is located in a contacting vessel. Controlled atomization is provided by independently injecting a uniform quantity of gas medium into each of the plurality of uniformly created feed injection streams upstream of a discharge nozzle that separately discharges each mixed stream of hydrocarbons and gas medium into a stream of catalyst particles at or about the inner end of the support shroud. The feed injection jets are suitable for positioning in an inner location of a large contacting vessel. Uniformity of distribution is obtained by dividing the hydrocarbons streams from an oil header into an individual oil conduit for each spray injection nozzle.

Abstract: A rinsing apparatus used in a simulated moving bed feed adsorption unit includes a plurality of beds of an adsorbent, each being connected by a fluid distribution arrangement comprising a line for distributing fluids to at least one feed inlet. The apparatus includes at least one desorbent (or solvent) inlet, at least one outlet for an extract and at least one outlet for a raffinate. Each is characterized in that each distribution line for each bed comprises at least one rinsing valve, all of the rinsing valves being connected to a line for circulating displaced fluid. The distribution line comprises a fluid circulation pump and a regulator for the flow rate of the fluid delivered by the pump. Each of the rinsing valves is connected to a controller for controlling the opening or closing of said valves. The apparatus is used for the separation of aromatic hydrocarbons containing 8 carbon atoms, and in particular for the production of very high purity para-xylene.

Abstract: The invention teaches a novel design for a fluidized bed polymerization reactor which utilizes a primary fluidization grid to provide mixing and fluidization of the polymer and at least one secondary distribution plate located above the first distribution plate to promote segregation of polymer particles by size, the larger particles falling into the lower fluidization zone and the smaller particles being entrained up from the primary fluidization grid and through the secondary distribution grid into an upper reaction zone.

Abstract: The invention teaches a novel design for a fluidized bed polymerization reactor which utilizes a primary fluidization grid to provide mixing and fluidization of the polymer and at least one secondary distribution plate located above the first distribution plate to promote segregation of polymer particles by size, the larger particles falling into the lower fluidization zone and the smaller particles being entrained up from the primary fluidization grid and through the secondary distribution grid into an upper reaction zone.

Abstract: A method and bioreactor (10) apparatus is described for maintaining cells in a culture medium containing gas or liquid aphrons. A preferred microbubble generator (42, 42A) of a gas which is necessary for maintaining the cells to produce plant derived chemicals is described. Bioparticles (11) containing magnetically susceptible particles are provided in a column (12) surrounded by a solenoids (13, 14, 14A) which act to hold the bioparticles in position in the column. Preferably, one of the solenoids with a magnetically susceptible screen (24) acts as a valve to allow a portion of the bioparticles to be removed from the column.

Abstract: A continuous stirred tank reactor is paired with a bubble column reactor to enhance conversion in a continuous process, e.g. hydrogenation, wherein a gaseous reactant is mixed with a liquid. The continuous stirred reactor is fitted with a specialized impeller system to circulate the liquid and enhance contact of the liquid with reactant gas carried over from the bubble column.

Abstract: An FCC feed injection arrangement injects feed transversely from the sides of a restricted opening into a stream of FCC catalyst to provide good feed and catalyst contacting in an arrangement that simplifies external pipe configurations and maintenance of the feed injection system. The invention forms a venturi or restricted opening by forming a generally square opening between two parallel extended chords on opposite sides of the riser. A venturi area may be built out of refractory lining or other abrasion resistant structures. The invention may use horizontally extended pipes that are tangentially positioned apart from each other across from the restricted opening to provide a simple construction for the feed injection arrangement. The pipes are easily inserted and withdrawn from the riser to permit easy maintenance of the nozzles in the highly erosive environment.