Including Heat Exchanger For Reaction Chamber Or Reactants Located Therein Patents (Class 422/198)
  • Publication number: 20130011327
    Abstract: A laminar stream reactor for the production of hydrochar of a solid-fluid mixture of water and a carbon-containing component, wherein the solid-fluid mixture is treated at a temperature of 100-300° C. and a pressure of 5-70 bar, consists of tubular reactor units of largely vertical holding sections (1,3) and direction-changing diverters (2,4). The holding sections are thereby flown through slower by the solid-fluid mixture than the remaining tube distances, as they have larger diameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Dominik Peus, Stephan Lübb
  • Patent number: 8350071
    Abstract: The present invention describes a method of producing fatty acid alkyl esters and glycerin implementing, in a reaction section, a set of transesterification reactions between a vegetable or animal oil and an aliphatic monoalcohol, and using a heterogeneous solid catalyst, comprising: a) a stage of recontacting the effluent coming from the reaction section, and separated from the excess alcohol, with a glycerin phase, b) a stage of mixing said effluent with said glycerin phase, and c) a glycerin phase decantation stage. The supernatent ester phase obtained after decantation is then optionally sent to a coalescer, also allowing separation of the glycerin, then to a purification stage by adsorption on solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
    Inventors: Abdelhakim Koudil, Romain Rousset, Laurent Bournay, Franck Gaviot-Blanc
  • Patent number: 8349264
    Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing catalyst, such as chromium catalysts, are provided. The valence of at least a portion of the catalyst sent to an activator is changed from Cr(III) to Cr(VI). The catalyst is prepared or activated continuously using a fluidization bed catalyst activator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Elizabeth A. Benham, Max P. McDaniel, Ted H. Cymbaluk, Charles K. Newsome, Charles R. Nease, H. Kenneth Staffin, Thomas R. Parr
  • Patent number: 8350104
    Abstract: To provide a method for catalytically cracking waste plastics wherein the efficiency in decomposition is high; even polyethylene composed of linear chain molecules difficult in decomposition is decomposable at a low temperature and decomposed residue is hardly produced; the process is simple since dechlorination can be achieved at the same time with catalytically cracking waste plastics in one reaction vessel; and oil fractions can be recovered at 50% or more on a net yield basis. The method for catalytically cracking waste plastics of the present invention has a constitution in which waste plastics are loaded as a raw material into a granular FCC catalyst heated to a temperature range from 350° C. to 500° C. inside a reaction vessel, thereby decomposing and gasifying the waste plastics in contact with the FCC catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Kitakyushu Foundation for the Advancement of Industry, Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kaoru Fujimoto, Xiaohong Li
  • Publication number: 20130004375
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a device and method used to produce a tubular structure made of a refractory metal compound. In particular, the disclosure provides a device and method used to produce a tubular structure made of a refractory metal compound by reacting a green tubular structure made of a refractory metal with at least one reactive gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: NITRIDE SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Jason Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20120328503
    Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and associated methods for conversion of silicon tetrachloride (STC) to trichlorosilane (TCS). The converter features a relatively thin annular heating zone surrounding a reaction chamber. Within the annular heating zone is a heating element that has an annular conformation about the reaction chamber. The design allows high convective heat transfer, which facilitates the use of lower heating element surface temperatures, prolonging the life of the equipment, reducing capital cost by allowing use of a smaller reactor, and greatly improving heating efficiency. A heat exchanger with a plurality of heat exchanger blocks provides further efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Scott Fahrenbruck, Bruce Hazeltine, Andrew Schweyen, Shawn Skinner
  • Publication number: 20120328491
    Abstract: Methods and systems for hydrogen generation from solid hydrogen storage compositions which generate hydrogen in an exothermic reaction wherein the heat released can be absorbed by solid endothermic compositions are disclosed. The solid hydrogen storage compositions comprise mixtures of chemical hydrides and water surrogate compounds. Fuel cartridges suitable for use with compositions which generate hydrogen upon the application of thermal initiation and methods for operating the fuel cartridges are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: PROTONEX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael T. Kelly, Jeffrey V. Ortega, Richard M. Mohring
  • Publication number: 20120328510
    Abstract: Process and apparatus is disclosed for providing a chemical reaction between calcium oxide containing grit particles to produce calcium hydroxide and heat, capturing the heat of hydration and using it to preheat water initially at ambient temperature, to rise to an elevated temperature to increase the amount of lime present in the water to a supersaturated lime suspension level, with the chemical reaction running to completion, followed by cooling. Heat from a water jacket may be used to raise the temperature in the lime slaker. A process and apparatus is also provided for dissolving scale on internal surfaces of a lime slaker, a lime aging tank, grit separation device and piping and dosing sub-systems, by adding acid into the system with rinse water. A pressurized delivery system that is substantially closed to atmosphere delivers treating dosing under sufficient pressure conditions to maintain a relatively constant back pressure, by means of valving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: RDP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Richard W. Christy, Michael Quici, Louis Litz
  • Patent number: 8338041
    Abstract: To provide a reformer that uses a relatively inexpensive granular catalyst and can provide a more uniform temperature distribution in a catalyst bed while suppressing increase in the size of the reformer and the required power and size of an auxiliary machine, and a more compact indirect internal reforming high temperature fuel cell while suppressing increase in cost. A reformer that produces a hydrogen-containing gas from a hydrocarbon-based fuel by a steam reforming reaction has a reactor vessel and a reforming catalyst bed packed with a granular catalyst having steam reforming activity in the reactor vessel, the reformer has a partition plate that divides the reforming catalyst bed into at least two sections, the partition plate has a thermal conductivity higher than effective thermal conductivity of the catalyst bed, and the partition plate extends in the reactor vessel from a part which is at a higher temperature in a rated operation to a part which is at a lower temperature in rated operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Nippon Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Susumu Hatada
  • Patent number: 8337756
    Abstract: For manufacture of solid fuels by solidifying processing-object materials containing plastics, waste paper and waste wood, the processing-object materials inputted through an input port 12 are subjected to water injection so that their water content becomes 15 wt % or more, preferably 20 wt % or more, and then kneaded, compacted and extruded in three turns or less, being extruded from molding nozzles 53 of an end face plate 5. The water injection is performed by a water injection nozzle 31 from the input port 12 into a casing 11. Opening and closing of a solenoid valve 33 interposed on a water injection pipe 32 adjoining the water injection nozzle 31 is controlled based on a signal S1 derived from a temperature sensor 55 provided at a molding nozzle 53 of the end face plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Miike Tekkou Kabushikigaisha
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20120321528
    Abstract: A pulse jet system and method is disclosed. In an example, the pulse jet system includes a combustion chamber, intake ports to deliver combustion agents to the combustion chamber, an expansion chamber to cool a combustion product following combustion of the combustion agents in the combustion chamber, and an exhaust to exit the cooled gas from the expansion chamber. In another example, the pulse jet system includes a combustion chamber with intake ports to deliver combustion agents to the combustion chamber, wherein the combustion chamber is part of a four cycle engine. The pulse jet system also includes an expansion chamber to cool a combustion product following combustion of the combustion agents in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventor: Bruce H. Peters
  • Publication number: 20120322898
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to petrochemistry, gas chemistry, coal chemistry, particularly to a synthesis of hydrocarbons C5 and higher from CO and H2 under the Fischer-Tropsch reaction; the invention relates to a process and a system for producing synthetic liquid hydrocarbons. A process for producing synthetic liquid hydrocarbons is provided by catalytic converting syngas under the Fischer-Tropsch reaction on a fixed catalyst bed in a vertical shell and tube reactor with coolant supply into shell wherein as soon as the syngas conversion degree achieves 60-80%, a pressure gradient along the tubes is reduced below 0.1 bar/m and this value is maintained during the whole process. A reactor for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is provided comprising tubes with catalyst in a shell, the ratio of the tube diameter at the tube outlet to the diameter at the inlet is from 1.5/1 to 2.5/1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: INFRA TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Vadim Sergeevich Ermolaev, Vladimir Zalmanovich Mordkovic, Igor Grigorievich Solomonik, Igor Vladimirovich Derevich, Lilia Vadimovna Sineva, Eduard Borisovich Mitberg
  • Publication number: 20120322140
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for heating and sensing the temperature of a chemical reaction chamber without direct physical contact between a heating device and the reaction chamber, or between a temperature sensor and the reaction chamber. A plurality of chemical reaction chambers can simultaneously or sequentially be heated independently and monitored separately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John S. Shigeura, Janice G. Shigeura
  • Publication number: 20120315199
    Abstract: A cartridge microreactor includes a tubular heater, a metal capillary reaction tubing and a brazing alloy. The tubular heater includes an inner tube surrounded by an outer heater sheath. The metal capillary reaction tubing has a high aspect ratio, an inlet port and an outlet port and is wrapped around the tubular heater so that it is in intimate thermal contact with the heater sheath. The brazing alloy permanently bonds the tubular heater with the metal capillary reaction tubing. The metal capillary reaction tubing is configured to be heated by the tubular heater and is configured to receive one or more reactants through the inlet port and to allow the reactants to react under a selected temperature and pressure and to produce one or more products exiting through the outlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: MICROREACTOR SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventors: BRIAN NELTNER, DAVID KING, RICK BRYAN WOODRUFF
  • Publication number: 20120305847
    Abstract: A method of operating a heat exchange device downstream of a gasification reactor for the partial combustion of a carbonaceous feed for the production of synthetic gas. The produced synthetic gas flows through the heat exchange device with a flow velocity which is adjusted as a function of the composition and/or particle size of fouling components carried by the synthetic gas, in particular fly ash. A heat exchange device comprising a channel surrounding one or more heat exchange surfaces and having an adjustable flow-through capacity. The heat exchange surfaces can, e.g., be cylindrical and be coaxially nested, the inner heat exchange surface defining an inner channel with one or more closing members, which are moveable between a closing position and an opening position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas Paul Von Kossak-Glowczewski
  • Publication number: 20120308442
    Abstract: Method and reactor for performing Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis with controlled steam partial pressure by introducing cool points in the FT reactor, typically in form of cooled solid surfaces. At the surface, the low temperature will force condensation of the water into a liquid film. Thereby, the partial pressure of steam in the gas and reactor will not exceed significantly the vapour partial pressure at the liquid film and water from the gas stream will be removed as it is produced, i.e. steam induced deactivation is avoided. In addition, the decrease of hydrogen and carbon monoxide partial pressures due to dilution by steam will be kept low ensuring a constant high reaction rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Christophe DUWIG, Poul Erik HØJLUND NIELSEN, Max THORHAUGE
  • Patent number: 8323589
    Abstract: A pyrolysis process is provided. The process includes the steps of: depositing a quantity of waste into a porous container, the porous container adapted to allow a convective stream of substantially anaerobic gas to flow therethrough; inserting the porous container into a pyrolysis thermal processor; sealing the thermal processor; circulating the convective stream of gas through the pyrolysis thermal processor; heating the waste according to a first time-temperature profile to pyrolyze the waste and form a carbonaceous char; and cooling the carbonaceous char by circulating the convective stream of gas through a cooler. An oil product and a gaseous hydrocarbon product are produced during the pyrolysis. The carbonaceous char is further processed to form a carbon black product and a recyclable metal product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Tellus Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Wesley Hamby, James Brian Kelly, Timothy Joseph Kuhn
  • Publication number: 20120297667
    Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method of producing consumable fuels generally including a thermal input device, a gasifier, a heat pump, and a product gas heat recovery device. Optionally, the system and method of the present invention includes a nuclear steam supply device as a thermal input. Optionally, the nuclear steam supply device includes a sodium fast reactor having a core outlet temperature of less than about 650° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: Cal R. ABEL
  • Publication number: 20120302779
    Abstract: A process for recovering Li-ions can include: providing a composition having Li-ions to be extracted therefrom; removing materials from the Li-ions; introducing one or more cyclic siloxane to the Li-ions so as to form one or more cyclic siloxane-Li-ion complexes; extracting the one or more cyclic siloxane-Li-ion complexes by one or more liquid-liquid extraction steps; separating an organic phase having the cyclic siloxane-Li-ion complexes from an aqueous phase; removing water from the organic phase; filtering the organic phase to obtain a filtrate; and obtaining one or more Li-ions (e.g., Li salts) from the filtrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Masahiro Ueda
  • Patent number: 8318100
    Abstract: Reactor vessels with pressure and heat transfer features for producing hydrogen-based fuels and structural elements, and associated systems and methods. A representative reactor system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a first reaction zone and a heat path positioned to direct heat into the first reaction zone, a reactant source coupled to the first reaction zone, and a first actuator coupled to cyclically pressurize the first reaction zone. The system can further include a second reaction zone in fluid communication with the first, a valve coupled between the first and second reaction zones to control a flow rate therebetween, and a second actuator coupled in fluid communication with the second reaction zone to cyclically pressurize the second reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Patent number: 8313726
    Abstract: A gas generator includes a processing vessel defining a processing space and holding a support body therein, an evacuation system evacuating the processing space; a metal oxide film of a perovskite structure containing oxygen defects formed on the support body, a source gas supplying port supplying a source gas containing molecules of a source compound of carbon dioxide or water into the processing space, a gas outlet port for extracting a product gas containing molecules of a product compound in which oxygen atoms are removed from said source compound, and a heating part heating the support body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: John David Baniecki, Masatoshi Ishii, Kazuaki Kurihara, Kazunori Yamanaka
  • Publication number: 20120288774
    Abstract: A system for storing ammonia in and releasing ammonia from a storage material capable of binding and releasing ammonia reversibly by adsorption or absorption for a process with a gradual ammonia demand that can vary over the time. The system has a container capable of housing the ammonia-containing storage material; a heating source arranged to supply heat for the desorption of ammonia from the solid storage medium; and a controller arranged to control the heating source to release ammonia. The heating source is arranged inside the container and surrounded by ammonia storage material. A controllable dosing valve is arranged to dose released ammonia according to the ammonia demand. The controller comprises a feed-forward control arranged to control the heat supplied by the heating source, based on the ammonia demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Amminex A/S
    Inventors: Tue Johannessen, Henning Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8309052
    Abstract: Methods for producing devolatilized and/or activated carbon in a reactor or reaction vessel of a heat treatment system from a suitable carbonaceous feedstock by introducing the feedstock into the reactor tangentially at a rotational velocity of at least 90 RPM. The methods include the steps of providing a combination of conveying means and a gas flow having various compositions and creating distinct carbonaceous feedstock material flow patterns and process conditions such that the feedstock is conveyed through the reactor or reaction vessel and heated via combustion, thereby producing activated carbon or other heat-treated carbons while concurrently avoiding adverse reaction conditions. Single and two-stage heat treatment systems may be used to heat a carbon feedstock, to which one or more industrial minerals may be added to co-produce compositions such as lime with the heat-treated carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Pneumatic Processing Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael A. Jones
  • Patent number: 8307696
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an isothermal reactor (1) comprising a pressure vessel (2) closed at the opposite ends by respective bottoms (3, 4), a reaction zone (9) in said pressure vessel (2) in which at least one catalytic basket (10) is positioned, and at least one heat exchange unit (13) embedded in said at least one catalytic basket (10), each heat exchange unit (13) comprising a plurality of heat exchangers (14) each having an inner chamber intended to be crossed by an operating heat exchange fluid, the reactor being characterized in that it comprises means (17, 18) for picking up samples of operating heat exchange fluid from groups (16) of pre-established exchangers in each heat exchange unit (13), so as to ascertain the possible existence of damaged exchangers (14) in said groups (16) of exchangers through analysis of respective samples of operating heat exchange fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Methanol Casale S.A.
    Inventors: Ermanno Filippi, Enrico Rizzi, Mirco Tarozzo
  • Patent number: 8309874
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating or cooling a fluid. An inlet conduit coupled to a plurality of distribution nozzles in fluid communication with a channel at the periphery of the apparatus. An insert and a sleeve cooperatively define a thin gap, in fluid communication with the channel, through which the fluid flows. Thermal inserts near the thin gap generate heat flux into or out of the fluid, which exits through an outlet conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Hou, Son T. Nguyen, Kenric Choi, Anh N. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8309031
    Abstract: A gas hydrate production apparatus capable of reacting a raw gas with a raw water to thereby form a slurry gas hydrate and capable of removing water from the slurry gas hydrate by means of a gravitational dewatering unit. The gravitational dewatering unit is one including a cylindrical first tower body; a cylindrical dewatering part disposed on top of the first tower body; a water receiving part disposed outside the dewatering part; and a cylindrical second tower body disposed on top of the dewatering part, wherein the cross-sectional area of the second tower body is continuously or intermittently increased upward from the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Katoh, Shigeru Nagamori, Toru Iwasaki, Takashi Arai, Kiyoshi Horiguchi, Tetsuro Murayama, Akira Tokinosu, Masahiro Takahashi, Toshio Yamaki
  • Publication number: 20120283495
    Abstract: A method to generate a ternary carburizing gas mixture, using a reaction of selective hydrogenation of acetylene in a stream of hydrocarbons to the form of ethylene, comprising the following steps: heating of the inside of the reactor with an inert gas to an operating temperature for a period of 20 minutes at a temperature of 300° K, passing a mixture of hydrogen and acetylene by the regiospecific catalyst, and moving out the reaction products on the outside after passing the mixture through the regiospecific catalyst, but generation is effected in a continuous mode in the operating temperature range of the regiospecific catalyst between 293° K and 398° K, preferably at a temperature of 350° K.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicants: Politechnika Lodzka, SECO/WARWICK S.A.
    Inventors: Piotr KULA, Robert PIETRASIK, Lukasz KACZMAREK, Agnieszka GLADKA, Maciej KORECKI
  • Publication number: 20120282688
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to equipment utilized to manufacture chemical agents, particularly biopharmaceuticals. In some embodiments, reactor systems comprising a mobile carriage assembly; a disposable reaction container removably attached to the carriage assembly; and, a carriage holder into which the mobile carriage assembly may be removably inserted are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: ABEC, Inc.
    Inventors: Cameron Knight, Todd Jones, Brady Cole, Paul Kubera, Cindy L. Donovan
  • Patent number: 8303902
    Abstract: Provided is a slide processing apparatus for processing a plurality of slides to which a bio probe is attached. The slide processing apparatus includes a reaction chamber of which side walls are sealed, and a plurality of reaction heating plates disposed in parallel in the reaction chamber at a first distance from each other. The slides are mounted adjacent to the reaction heating plates in the reaction chamber and in parallel to the reaction heating plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung-Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 8303674
    Abstract: A hydrogen generator (100) includes: a reformer (1) configured to generate a hydrogen-containing gas using a raw material and steam; a water evaporator (4) configured to supply the steam to the reformer (1); a sealing device (10) provided on a passage located downstream of the reformer (1) and configured to block a gas in the passage from flowing to the atmosphere; and a depressurizer (3) provided on a passage located upstream of the reformer (1) and configured to release to the atmosphere, pressure in the hydrogen generator (100) which pressure is increased by water evaporation in the water evaporator (4) after the sealing device (10) is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Tamura, Kiyoshi Taguchi, Masataka Ozeki, Hideo Ohara
  • Patent number: 8303903
    Abstract: A production amount and a yield in a carbon nanotube producing device are improved. Inside a reaction pipe (20) heated so as to become a circumference heating body, a plurality of nozzles (26) for injecting a material and carrier gas into the reactor pipe and at least one internal heating source (24) are arranged. By arranging a plurality of the nozzles, the production amount is increased. The nozzles are arranged so as to be sandwiched by two heating sources (circumference heating element, internal heating source) and a distance to the closest two heating source peripheral walls is “a”. Also, a distance between the adjacent nozzles is “b” (?2a). Flows of the material and the carrier gas injected by the nozzles do not interfere with each other or the heating source wall, and the yield is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Nikkiso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Shiraki, Takeji Murai, Yuzo Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20120272568
    Abstract: The invention provides a continuous charcoal manufacturing apparatus for turning particulate organic material into charcoal. The apparatus comprises a source of the particulate organic material, a retort and a heating device for heating gas in an external vessel interior space. The source of the particulate organic material comprises an outlet for discharging the particulate organic material from said source! The retort has an external vessel and an inner vessel within the external vessel, whereby the walls of the two vessels are spaced apart from each other so as to define the external vessel interior space between the walls. The external vessel ulterior space is coupled to the source of the particulate organic material so as to allow gases to pass from said space to the source and the inner vessel has an inlet coupled to the source through which the particulate organic material can pass and an outlet for allowing the charcoal to exit the inner vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen David Joseph, Tim Blake
  • Publication number: 20120272872
    Abstract: A method for treating cement kiln dust is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving cement kiln dust (CKD) from a kiln; heating the collected CKD; forming a gas stream of vaporized metal and CKD by sufficient heating to separate at least one heavy metal from the collected CKD stream to create a cleaned CKD stream and a metal stream; providing a water soluble alkaline-earth metal polysulfide; combining the heavy metal stream with the water soluble alkaline-earth metal sulfide to create a combined stream; and removing at least a portion of one heavy metal from the combined stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: MERCUTEK LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Lesniak, Christopher Poling, Peter D'Amico
  • Publication number: 20120275966
    Abstract: The efficiency of heat transfer to a furnace tube or coil in a furnace for cracking ethane, propane or naphtha feedstocks, or a mixture thereof may be improved by providing protuberances on the surface of the tube or coil having i) a maximum height from 3 to 15% of the coil outer diameter, ii) a contact surface with a coil, or a base, which area is 0.1%-10% of the coil external cross section area, and iii) a geometrical shape which has a relatively large external surface containing a relatively small volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: NOVA CHEMICALS (INTERNATIONAL) S.A
    Inventors: Grazyna Petela, Leslie Wilfred Benum
  • Publication number: 20120276463
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems reside in the decomposition of ammonia into a hydrogen-containing product mixture. An ammonia-rich gaseous mixture containing ammonia and oxygen enters a conduit, within which combustion and decomposition of the mixture is initiated, thereby liberating hydrogen. A mixture of products, resulting from the reactions, is expelled from the outlet of the conduit, the mixture including non-combusted hydrogen gas, which may then be used for other purposes. The incoming reactants, including ammonia and oxygen, are heat exchanged with the outgoing product mixture containing non-combusted hydrogen gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Shawn Grannell, Donald E. Gillespie
  • Patent number: 8298493
    Abstract: The heat exchange apparatus provides a flow passage for the heat exchange fluid comprising a succession of flow passage chamber portions separated from one another by intervening throttle forming passage portions of smaller cross section, and therefore of smaller flow capacity, transverse to the flow direction, so that the heat exchange fluid moves at a higher velocity in the throttle forming portions than in the chamber portions. The fluid is moved at a rate such that its velocity in the throttle forming portions is high enough to reduce the thickness of the fluid boundary layer on the passage wall and thereby facilitate the heat exchange. Alternatively, or in addition, the velocity is high enough to at least reduce the rate of fouling of the passage wall surface. Alternatively, or in addition, the fluid flows as eddy vortices, the spacing of the chamber portions along the passage being such that wake interference flow is established which enhances the rate of heat exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Richard A. Holl
  • Patent number: 8298491
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process, comprising: conducting unit operations in at least two process zones in a process microchannel to treat and/or form a non-Newtonian fluid, a different unit operation being conducted in each process zone; and applying an effective amount of shear stress to the non-Newtonian fluid to reduce the viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid in each process zone, the average shear rate in one process zone differing from the average shear rate in another process zone by a factor of at least about 1.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Ravi Arora, David Kilanowski, Eric Daymo
  • Patent number: 8298497
    Abstract: A delivery apparatus for selectively delivering one or more liquid reagents into a reaction or test chamber (2), especially of an assay apparatus, the apparatus comprising: one or more respective storage chambers (5,6) for containing the one or more liquid reagents and arranged generally above the reaction or test chamber (2); and a plunger element (4) arranged and operable for insertion into the mouth of a selected storage chamber so as to displace a selected reagent from therewithin into the reaction or test chamber (2) generally therebelow by gravitational liquid overflow from the mouth of the chamber. The apparatus may conveniently be provided as a discrete delivery unit, with the storage chambers (5,6) prefilled with the selected reagents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence
    Inventor: David James Squirrell
  • Publication number: 20120269697
    Abstract: Improved design of a catalytic method and reactor for the production of methanol at equilibrium conditions, whereby methanol, as it is formed, is separated from the gaseous phase into the liquid phase within the reactor without reducing the catalytic activity of the methanol catalyst. This is achieved by adjusting the boiling point or temperature of a liquid cooling agent being in indirect contact with the catalyst particles and by providing a specific ratio of catalyst bed volume to cooling surface area. Thereby, condensation of methanol as it is formed in the gaseous phase takes place for the most at the cooling surface arranged evenly distributed within the reactor and if at all within a very limited region of the catalyst bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: Max Thorhauge
  • Publication number: 20120269696
    Abstract: Method for the manufacture of carbon nanotubes by thermal decomposition of at least one gaseous hydrocarbon (14) in the presence of a solid catalyst in a reactor (4) into which the catalyst is introduced via an inlet lock chamber (17) flushed by an inert gas (21, 22, 25, 26) and from which the carbon nanotubes are withdrawn via an outlet lock chamber (37) which is flushed with a flow of inert gas (39, 40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Universite de Liege, Interface Entreprises-Universite
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Pirard, Christophe Bossuot, Patrick Kreit
  • Publication number: 20120264986
    Abstract: A non-catalytic recuperative reformer has a flue gas flow path for conducting hot flue gas from a thermal process and a reforming mixture flow path for conducting a reforming mixture. At least a portion of the reforming mixture flow path is embedded in the flue gas flow path to permit heat transfer from the hot flue gas to the reforming mixture. The reforming mixture flow path contains substantially no material commonly used as a catalyst for reforming hydrocarbon fuel (e.g., nickel oxide, platinum group elements or rhenium), but instead the reforming mixture is reformed into a higher calorific fuel via reactions due to the heat transfer and residence time. In a preferred embodiment, extended surfaces of metal material such as stainless steel or metal alloy that are high in nickel content are included within at least a portion of the reforming mixture flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: AMERICAN IRON AND STEEL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Mark J. Khinkis, Aleksandr P. Kozlov, H. Stanley Kurek
  • Patent number: 8287813
    Abstract: The present invention is related to producing fine nano or submicron-scale precision ceramic powder by applying an innovative chemical reactor with powder collection to the glycine-nitrate combustion process (GNC-P). The unique feature lies in the utilization of a simple-operating process to massively produce nano or submicron-scale ceramic oxide powder with multiple metal components. The present invention not only provides very high powder collection efficiency and production yield as well as safety but also satisfies requirements of industrial safety and environmental safety, and lowers production cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiu Wang, Maw-Chwain Lee, Yang-Chuang Chang, Wei-Xin Kao, Tai-Nan Lin
  • Patent number: 8287815
    Abstract: A method and system for preheating a vessel that includes an area of excess heat and a flow of purge fluid that is channeled to an area to be purged wherein the purge fluid is deficient of heat are provided. The system includes a cooling tube assembly positioned between the area of excess heat and the area to be purged and a first heat exchanger coupled in flow communication to the cooling tube assembly, the first heat exchanger configured to transfer heat between a flow of cooling fluid through the cooling tube assembly and the flow of purge fluid wherein the flow of cooling fluid through the cooling tube assembly is maintained sub-cooled and the flow of purge fluid is heated to facilitate reducing a thermal stress in the area purged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven Craig Russell, James Michael Storey, Robert Henri Gauthier
  • Patent number: 8287824
    Abstract: A micro-reactor system assembly comprises a stack of at least n process modules (1-6), wherein n is an integer equal to or greater than 1, made from a rigid first material and comprising at least one reactive fluid passage (1A, 1B, 2A, 3A, 6A) for accommodating and guiding a reactive fluid, and at least n+1 heat exchange modules (7, 8) made from a ductile second material other than said first material and comprising at least one heat exchange fluid passage (7A, 8A) for accommodating and guiding a heat exchange fluid, wherein each process module (1-6) is sandwiched between two adjacent heat exchange modules (7, 8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Lonza AG
    Inventors: Dominique Roberge, Nikolaus Bieler, Bertin Zimmermann, Rainald Forbert
  • Publication number: 20120258021
    Abstract: A moving bed gasification/thermal treatment reactor includes a geometry in which moving bed reactor particles serve as both a moving bed filter and a heat carrier to provide thermal energy for thermal treatment reactions, such that the moving bed filter and the heat carrier are one and the same to remove solid particulates or droplets generated by thermal treatment processes or injected into the moving bed filter from other sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Phillip C. Badger, Kenneth J. Dunn, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120258019
    Abstract: A redissociating apparatus to carry out a process for redissociating Michael adducts which are present in a liquid F with a proportion by weight of ?10% by weight and have been formed in the preparation of acrylic acid or esters thereof is provided. The apparatus comprises a pump P, a separating column K with separating internals and a circulation heat exchanger UW, wherein, for the purpose of supplying the cleavage energy, the pump P sucks in bottoms liquid from the bottom space of the separating column K and, via the circulation heat exchanger UW, continually recycles it into the bottom space above the level of the bottoms liquid, and wherein the pump P is a radial circulation pump with an open impeller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Volker SCHLIEPHAKE, Thorsten FRIESE, Klaus BOTT, Michael BLECHSCHMITT, Till BLUM, Klaus Joachim MÜLLER-ENGEL
  • Publication number: 20120256130
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for reducing content of tar in a tar containing syngas. The process includes contacting the tar containing syngas with a molecular oxygen containing gas in a first reaction zone to produce a gas mixture. The gas mixture is passed through a heat treatment zone maintained at a temperature between about 900° C. to about 2000° C. for a contact time of about 0.5 to about 5 seconds. In this aspect, at least a portion of the tar undergoes at least partial oxidation and/or cracking to produce a hot syngas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Peter S. Bell, Chin-Whan Ko, Joseph Golab, Bernard Descales, Julien Eyraud
  • Publication number: 20120259147
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is presented for reducing mono nitrogen oxide emissions in a hydrocarbon processing furnace. A preferred embodiment hydrocarbon cracking furnace includes a firebox with a set of wall burners and a set of floor burners, the floor burners comprising secondary burner tips burning a fuel-rich mixture and positioned below primary burner tips burning a fuel-lean mixture. A portion of flue gases are recirculated from the primary burner combustion area to the secondary burner combustion area and back to the primary burner combustion area. The floor burners further comprise a set of steam injection ports that inject steam into a conical flow to contact flames at the primary burner tips, reducing flame temperature and thereby reducing thermal NOx. The steam injection ports are positioned in the firebox above the primary burner tips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventor: David C. Payne
  • Publication number: 20120258018
    Abstract: There is provided a substrate procession apparatus, comprising: a processing chamber configured to house a plurality of substrates with a laminated film formed thereon which is composed of any one of copper-indium, copper-gallium, or copper-indium-gallium; a reaction tube formed so as to constitute the processing chamber; a gas supply tube configured to introduce elemental selenium-containing gas or elemental sulfur-containing gas to the processing chamber; an exhaust tube configured to exhaust an atmosphere in the processing chamber; heating section provided so as to surround the reaction tube; and a fan configured to forcibly circulate the atmosphere in the processing chamber in a short-side direction of the plurality of glass substrates, on surfaces of the plurality of glass substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: HITACHI KOKUSAI ELECTRIC INC.
    Inventors: Eisuke NISHITANI, Yasuo KUNII, Kazuyuki TOYODA, Hidenari YOSHIDA, Mitsunori ISHISAKA
  • Patent number: 8282887
    Abstract: A reactor design and process for the dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons is presented. The reactor design includes a multibed catalytic reactor, where each of the reactor beds are fluidized. The catalyst in the reactor cascades through the reactor beds, with fresh catalyst input into the first reactor bed, and the spent catalyst withdrawn from the last reactor bed. The hydrocarbon feedstream is input to the reactor beds in a parallel formation, thereby decreasing the thermal residence time of the hydrocarbons when compared with a single bed fluidized reactor, or a series reactor scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David N. Myers, Lev Davydov