Abstract: This invention relates to a compact apparatus for generating hydrogen. More particularly, this invention relates to a compact hydrogen generating apparatus suitable for use in conjunction with a fuel cell. The compact hydrogen generating apparatus comprises a fuel processor reactor having an integrated pre-reforming zone embedded within a secondary reforming zone.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus arranged to maximize heat utilization for a hydrocarbon steam reforming process to produce synthesis gas. The apparatus comprises a refractory lined vessel with partition walls that divide the inside of the vessel into (1) a combustion chamber(s) containing one or more burners, and (2) convection chambers used as a means to remove combustion products from the combustion chamber through one or more openings at the opposite end of the burner end. The combustion chamber contains one or more reformer tubes in which a mixed-feed of hydrocarbon and steam flow co-current with combustion products and receive direct radiant heat from the combustion flame through the tube wall. The convection chambers contain a tube-in-tube device filled with catalyst in the annuli.

Abstract: A synthetic gas manufacturing plant includes a reformer having a reaction tube, a combustion radiation unit arranged around the reaction tube to heat the reaction tube, and a convection unit communicating with the combustion radiation unit, a source gas supply passageway to supply a natural gas to the reformer, a steam supply passageway to supply steam to the source gas supply passageway, a carbon dioxide recovery apparatus to which a total amount of combustion exhaust gas flowing through the convection unit of the reformer is supplied, and which recovers carbon dioxide from the combustion exhaust gas, a compressor to compress the recovered carbon dioxide, and a return passageway to supply part or the whole of the compressed carbon dioxide from the compressor to the source gas supply passageway.

Abstract: The invention relates to an installation for the preparation of urea from ammonia and carbon dioxide, the installation comprising two reactor sections in a vertically placed combined reactor and a high-pressure condenser section. The installation may comprise a vertically placed combined reactor, with the two reactor sections being separated by a high-pressure condenser section. In another embodiment the installation comprises a vertically placed combined reactor that comprises two reactor sections and a high-pressure condenser section placed outside the reactor. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of urea in this installation. This involves feeding the gas stream leaving the stripper wholly or partly to the high-pressure condenser section of the installation. Preferably, a portion of the gas stream leaving the scrubber is fed to the second reactor section in the vertically placed combined reactor via an ammonia-driven ejector.

Abstract: A method for producing hydrate includes supplying hydrate producing substance in a gas state into an aqueous phase in a hydrate producing vessel, thereby providing the hydrate producing vessel having a gaseous phase including the hydrate producing substance and the aqueous phase, and spraying water including methane dissolved therein into the gaseous phase containing the hydrate producing substance in the hydrate producing vessel, thereby reacting the water and the hydrate producing substance to produce hydrate.

Abstract: A fuel gas reformer assemblage for use in a fuel cell power plant is formed from a composite plate assembly which includes spaced-apart divider plates with interposed columns of individual gas passages. The reformer assemblage is constructed from a series of repeating sub-assemblies, each of which includes a core of separate regenerator/heat exchanger gas passages. The core in each sub-assembly is sandwiched between a pair of reformer gas passage skins, which complete the sub-assembly. Adjacent reformer gas/regenerator/reformer gas passage sub-assemblies in the composite plate assembly are separated from each other by burner gas passages. The burner gas stream and the process gas stream flow in opposite directions through the assemblage. A varying heat transfer fin density population is disposed in the burner gas passage so as to control the peak burner wall temperatures encountered during operation of the assemblage. The burner wall peak temperature is preferably no greater than about 1,700° F.

Abstract: Device that comprises a reaction chamber that comprises at least one feed means (5) and at least one evacuation means (10), comprising an outside jacket (2a) that is resistant to internal pressure and that contains at least one module (44) through which a reagent and formed products circulate. Module (44) that comprises walls (11) and (12) that are made of refractory material included in a sealed jacket (40) that is connected by flexible means to jacket (2a) and heat exchange means that are also linked to the module and the jacket by flexible means.

Abstract: A semiconductor waste-gas treating apparatus having the ability of preventing sedimentation and etching of filth, the apparatus comprises a header, a waste gas treating trough and an annular guide. The apparatus takes advantage of the function that a header generates flame of high temperature to catalytically decompose waste gas, and by cooperation between an annular guide and a waste gas treating trough, an annular water wall can be formed on the inner wall a waste gas reacting room to isolate and prevent powder and erosive material from contact with the wall of the reacting room; thereby, the phenomenon of sedimentation and etching of filth in the semiconductor waste-gas treating trough can be eliminated.

Abstract: The method for the reformation of fuels, in particular of heating oil (20′) and of another liquid fuel is carried out using an oxygen containing gas (5a, 5b, 21′, 22′).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing substances by coexisting an object matter with water held at temperature above 200° C. to carry out chemical reactions such as severing of molecular chains, recombination and decoupling occluded molecules, oxidation and reduction reactions. A mixture phase containing an object matter and a liquid medium is subjected to a super-critical state of a medium in a super-critical reaction apparatus, where feed inlets are provided on the upper end, and a product outlet is provided on the lower end. In the interior of the apparatus, the super-critical zone is provided above and the sub-critical zone is provided below, and the object matter and the reaction products are progressed towards a lower end of a reaction chamber in one direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing formaldehyde from methanol by non-oxidative dehydrogenation, in a reactor, in the presence of a catalyst at a temperature between 300 and 1000° C. Said method is characterized in that the generation of the catalyst takes place spatially separate from the reactor and at a temperature greater than the dehydrogenation.

Abstract: A reforming apparatus of the type including an indirect heat exchange zone for the reforming reaction of a gaseous flow comprising methane and steam into CO, CO2 and H2, is provided with a plurality of floating-head tubes containing a reforming catalyst, a chamber for collection of the reaction products positioned downstream of the reaction products from the apparatus.

Abstract: A steam-hydrocarbon reformer in which a portion of a reaction tube containing a center return tube extends within a furnace enclosure. The reaction tube receives fluid at a lower end portion disposed externally of the furnace enclosure and discharges fluid through a close coupled process fluid cooler also disposed externally of the enclosure.

Abstract: A fuel gas reformer assemblage for use in a fuel cell power plant is formed from a composite plate assembly which includes spaced-apart divider plates with interposed monolithic open cell sponge-like members which form gas passages. The monolithic members have a lattice of internal open cells which are both laterally and longitudinally interconnected so as to provide for a diffuse gas flow. The entire surface area of the monolithic components is wash coated with a porous alumina layer, and selected areas of the wash coat are also catalyzed. The reformer assemblage is constructed from a series of repeating sub-assemblies, each of which includes a core of separate regenerator/heat exchanger gas passages. The core in each sub-assembly is sandwiched between a pair of reformer gas passage skins, which complete the subassembly. Adjacent reformer gas/regenerator/reformer gas passage sub-assemblies in the composite plate assembly are separated from each other by burner gas passages.

Abstract: The amount of limonene produced during pyrolysis of scrap tire carcass or polyisoprene rubber can be increased by decreasing residence time of the isoprene gas produced during the thermal degradation of polyisoprene rubber in the high temperature reactor region of an oven. This is achieved by using a novel oven design which permits rapid expansion of the isoprene gas away from the high temperature reactor region of the oven to a cooler region where the gas forms limonene and condenses. This pyrolysis method also decreases the amount of soot produced while increasing the amount of limonene produced. Furthermore, this system readily enables separation of the solid, liquid and gas phases produced during pyrolysis.

Abstract: A method for modifying a standard two-bed horizontal ammonia converter to provide increased conversion and/or production capacity by placing the first secondary catalyst bed of the existing converter in parallel flow with the existing primary catalyst bed and replacing magnetite catalyst in the second secondary catalyst bed with high activity ruthenium-on-carbon catalyst.

Abstract: A safe and efficient hydrothermal reaction apparatus for converting waste plastic into oil is described herein. The apparatus comprises a receiver tank for containing therein a mixture of plastic and water; a high-pressure injection pump in communication with the receiver tank through a flow passage change-over valve, the flow passage change-over valve being in communication with a water injection passage; a reactor device including a curved piping in communication with the injection pump, the curved piping being provided with a heating means; and an effluent tank in communication with the reactor device through a pressure reducing valve. The flow rate of the mixture injected into the reaction device may be controlled by regulating the pressure reducing valve.

Abstract: A process for the pyrolysis of 1,2-dichloroethane (EDC) in a pyrolysis furnace (1) involves feeding liquid EDC into a convection heat transfer tube (2) for preheating, channeling an intermediate flow of preheated EDC into a radiation heat transfer tube (3) for further heating, thereby pyrolyzing a part of EDC into vinyl chloride monomer, and discharging a decomposition gas flow from the pyrolysis furnace. Potential heat is recovered from the decomposition gas by using a double tube type heat exchanger (10) consisting of outer and inner tubes, that is, by channeling the intermediate flow through the outer tube (11), channeling the decomposition gas through the inner tube (15) for heat exchange between the intermediate flow and the decomposition gas, and feeding the heat acquired intermediate flow into the radiation heat transfer tube (3).

Abstract: Reactor for containing high pressure, high temperature, corrosive reactions, especially supercritical water reactions. The reactor comprises an inner reactor vessel which houses the corrosive reaction, an outer containment vessel which contains a substantial level of the pressure, and insulating means to contain the high temperature of the inner reactor, which prevents the outer containment vessel from rising above a specified maximum temperature. Using this reactor, the lifetime and reliability of the materials of construction are increased because the outer pressure-containing vessel does not experience the high temperatures which tend to cause metals and alloys to lose ductility, and the inner reactor vessel does not experience a high pressure drop across its walls and, therefore, can be made of temperature and corrosive-resistant materials which are not required to sustain high stress without failure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for depolymerizing used and waste plastics, comprising a closed reactor and a circulation system the mildly heating of the reactor contents connected to the reactor, as well as to a process for depolymerizing used and waste plastics. To protect the circulation system from erosion by solid particles contained in the reactor contents, the reactor is designed so that the reactor contents drawn off into the circulation system traverse a riser section integrated into the reactor for removing fairly coarse solid particles having correspondingly high settling rate before entry into the take-off line.

Abstract: A reactor system that can safely use general purpose electrical devices and unregulated surface temperature heat sources even though a flammable and/or combustible substance is being processed in the reactor or is within the processing area. The reactor system includes a reaction vessel and at least one process control device proximate the reaction vessel which is a possible ignition source for flammable and combustible materials. A shroud encloses the ignition source within a chamber and the chamber is provided with an inactive environment which is effective for preventing the ignition source from igniting any flammable or combustible substance that may enter the chamber.

Abstract: Carbon black is produced by burning a mixture of air and oil to produce hot gases and then conducting the hot gases through tubes extending through a chamber of a heat exchanger. Heat exchange air is conducted through the chamber in a direction opposite the direction of gas flow, in heat-exchange relationship with the tubes, to pre-heat the air. The pre-heated air is then mixed with the oil to be burned. Prior to entering the chamber, the air is conducted within a hollow section of the wall structure of the heat exchanger to transfer heat from a hot end of the wall structure toward a cooler end thereof.

Abstract: A safe and efficient hydrothermal reaction apparatus is described herein. Decomposition or synthesis of object material is performed by the continuous passing of the material through a flow passage of multi-staged reactor units under turbulent flow conditions. The flow passage is formed by a curved or spiral piping. In each reactor unit, a hot plate block is included as a heating unit. The hot plate block and the curved piping are placed in an appropriate thermal contact relationship. A portion of the curved piping is freely supported, so as to accommodate stress caused in the piping under high-temperature/high-pressure conditions. A tank is provided for regulating or controlling the pressure fluctuation within the flow passage which may be caused by solids or powder present or occurring in the flow passage during high-pressure treatment.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for performing a nucleic acid amplification reaction and preferably a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a reaction mixture in at least one capillary tube. Several different embodiments are disclosed. One embodiment cycles a sample through a capillary tube loop passing through two thermostatted fluid baths. Another embodiment has the capillary tube routed alternatingly between two heat exchangers to that the sample makes only one pass through the tube. Other embodiments maintain the heat exchangers stationary and translate the samples between them. Still further embodiments maintain the samples stationary and either automatically translate or rotate the heat exchangers past the samples contained within the capillary tubes to perform the thermal cycles necessary for the amplification reaction.

Abstract: Method for the protection of the internal walls of the shell of Braun type converters, transformed into axial-radial reactors with insertion of a cartridge and a cylindrical perforated wall, characterized by the fact that cooling gas is circulated (FLU) at temperatures between 250.degree. and 300.degree. C. in the airspace (I) between cartridge (C) and (P).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reaction heat control mechanism of heat exchange area regulation type in a chemical reaction apparatus comprising: a reaction vessel for receiving a liquid agent to be reacted therein; a heater; a cooling jacket acting as an airtight vessel in and out of which a cooling medium flows; a temperature controller; and a cooling medium liquid- level controller acting as a supply and exhasut change mechanism for changing and regulating a volume of gas in the cooling jacket, said liquid level controller controlling the reaction heat of the liquid agent in the reaction vessel by increasing or decreasing a contact area of the cooling medium in the cooling jacket with the outer surface of the reaction vessel, and it can even control chemical reaction experiencing sudden temperature change in the reaction vessel in a quick and stable manner.

Abstract: A fuel gas reformer assemblage for use in a fuel cell power plant is formed from a composite plate assembly which includes spaced-apart divider plates with interposed columns of individual gas passages. The reformer assemblage is constructed from a series of repeating sub-assemblies, each of which includes a core of separate regenerator/heat exchanger gas passages. The core in each sub-assembly is sandwiched between a pair of reformer gas passage skins, which complete the sub-assembly. Adjacent reformer gas/regenerator/reformer gas passage sub-assemblies in the composite plate assembly are separated from each other by burner gas passages. The regenerator/heat exchanger gas passages and the reformer gas passages in each sub-assembly are connected by gas flow return manifolds which form a part of each sub-assembly.

Abstract: A reactor for a chemical heat pump including a sealed container provided with a heating and cooling system and having an inside wall, and a solid reagent having an outer surface and disposed in the container, which solid reagent reacts reversibly with a reagent gas inside the container, the solid reagent having dimensions such that a space is defined between the outer surface of the solid reagent and the inside wall of the container. A fluid contact material occupies at least part of the space, the fluid contact material being a good conductor of heat and chemically inert relative to the solid reagent.

Abstract: A steam reformer for converting a reactor fuel into a product gas includes a segmented catalyst bed. The steam reformer side walls have a thermal coefficient of expansion which is greater than the thermal coefficient of expansion of the catalyst. By forming low volume catalyst bed segments in the hotter portions of the catalyst bed, slumping and subsequent damage of the catalyst pellets is minimized. The catalyst bed is divided into segments whose volumes are inversely proportional to the temperatures of the various zones in the reformer. The segments are formed by utilizing sequential catalyst support assemblies which include perforated catalyst support members that are differentially spaced apart from each other by support assembly legs having varying lengths. Catalyst support assemblies with shorter length legs are used in the hotter zones of the reformer, and support assemblies with progressively longer length legs are used in the cooler zones of the reformer.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus, termed a DNA meltometer, for the efficient, accurate, and reliable automated performance of DNA sizing, quantitating, probing and sequencing techniques, and methods for using the apparatus in clinical and diagnostic applications for the rapid diagnosis of pathological and disease states.

Abstract: Raw gas burner that maximizes fuel efficiency of the burner, minimizes residence time, and reduces or eliminates flame contact with the process air or gas in order to minimize NOx formation. Process air flow such as from the cold side of a heat exchanger associated with thermal oxidizer apparatus is directed into and around the burner. The amount of process air flowing into the burner is regulated based upon the pressure drop created by the burner assembly. The pressure drop is, in turn, regulated by one or more of an external damper assembly, an internal damper assembly, and movement of the burner relative to the apparatus in which it is mounted. To ensure thorough mixing of the fuel and process air, process air entering the burner is caused to spin by the use of a swirl generator. The fuel/process air mixture proceeds into the combustion section of the burner, where the swirling flow is caused to recirculate to ensure complete combustion of the fuel in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A high strength, uncoated, uncalendered airbag fabric that is lighter in weight than heretofore and exhibits an air permeability of less than 4 cfm per square foot of area at air pressures of one-half inch of water. The fabric is woven on a fluid jet loom from synthetic, continuous, multi-filament yarns having a denier in the range of 200 to 900.

Abstract: Raw gas burner that maximizes fuel efficiency of the burner, minimizes residence time, and reduces or eliminates flame contact with the process air or gas in order to minimize NOx formation. Process air flow such as from the cold side of a heat exchanger associated with thermal oxidizer apparatus is directed into and around the burner. The amount of process air flowing into the burner is regulated based upon the pressure drop created by the burner assembly. The pressure drop is, in turn, regulated by one or more of an external damper assembly, an internal damper assembly, and movement of the burner relative to the apparatus in which it is mounted. To ensure thorough mixing of the fuel and process air, process air entering the burner is caused to spin by the use of a swirl generator. The fuel/process air mixture proceeds into the combustion section of the burner, where the swirling flow is caused to recirculate to ensure complete combustion of the fuel in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A catalytic oxidizer having an interactive dilution control system for continuous treatment of air hydrocarbon vapor mixture having a shell vessel for enclosing a central volume of generally circular cross-section, a combined catalyst chamber and spiral heat exchanger integrally connected and coaxially positioned within the shell vessel, also of cylindrical configuration, for providing a continuous transverse flow path from an inlet header to the exhaust header including a spiral heat exchanger for providing counter-flow heating of vapor, a catalyst chamber centrally positioned in said shell vessel an inlet plenum, a central core for containing a catalyst means, and an exhaust plenum; and interactive dilution control apparatus for automatically maintaining a concentration of inlet vapor at a selected optimum operating level including a microprocessor control sub-system for sensing the temperature in each zone of the catalyst chamber connected to the dilution control means; by-pass apparatus connecting the exh

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the separation and extraction of a waste material into a solid, a liquid, and a gas phase utilizing a rotating drum that is sealed from the atmosphere. The exterior of the drum is heated and the waste material flows through the interior of the drum where the liquid components are vaporized and the solids are dried. The drum includes a oxidizing section where the hot dried solids, after the majority of the liquids have been vaporized, are mixed with gas containing oxygen for oxidizing the remaining particles of oxidizable material in the solids. Hot exhaust gases flow through the interior of the drum in a counter current direction of the flow of the solids to maintain an inert atmosphere in the heating section where the vaporization takes place and to prevent the condensables from flowing back over the solids and condensing. The vapors flow through a chamber that contains a hot oil spray for removing solids from the vapors, and then flow to a condenser.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the emissions from a thermal oxidizer for volatile organic compounds (VOC) containing waste gases. The waste gas is treated in a thermal reactor and either before, in or after the thermal reactor the waste gas is contacted with a catalyzed surface device in the gas stream within the thermal oxidizer. The catalyzed surface device has a catalyzed surface which contacts the waste gas and further oxidizes the waste gas.

Abstract: The tubular heater comprises numerous tubes, which are disposed in a combustion chamber and contain catalyst. A synthesis gas, which mainly comprises hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide, is prepared in the tubes. There is a risk of a formation of carbides (metal dusting corrosion) on the outside surface of the outlet ends of the tubes. To prevent such corrosion, a gaseous or vaporous protecting fluid, which is substantially free of CO, is supplied to the region surrounding the outlet ends of the tubes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the accelerated production of red lead oxide, the lead oxide to be oxidized being kept in suspension like a fluidized bed, particularly being kept in suspension like a fluidized bed in a stirrer reactor by a stirrer, only part of the finished product being drawn off from the fully oxidized fluidized bed and being replaced by new lead oxide to be oxidized, as well as an apparatus therefor.

Abstract: A combined reformer and shift reactor comprises a cylindrical reforming chamber arranged within and on the axis of a cylindrical vessel. An annular steam generator is arranged within, and coaxially with, the vessel. The steam generator is arranged around the reforming chamber. A plurality of shift reactors extend axially, with respect to the vessel, through the steam generator. Methane and steam are supplied via helically coiled pipe to the reforming chamber and air is supplied via helically coiled pipe. The methane and steam mixture and air flowing through the pipes are preheated by the reforming chamber product gases flowing in annular passage. The shift reactors convert carbon monoxide and water in the product gases to carbon dioxide and hydrogen and the heat produced is transferred to the water in the steam generator to produce steam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the emissions from a thermal oxidizer for volatile organic compounds (VOC) containing waste gases. The waste gas is treated in a thermal reactor and either before, in or after the thermal reactor the waste gas is contacted with a catalyzed surface device in the gas stream within the thermal oxidizer. The catalyzed surface device has a catalyzed surface which contacts the waste gas and further oxidizes the waste gas.

Abstract: A high temperature heat exchanger having an improved support apparatus for suspending a tube bundle. The improved support comprises a skirt from which the tube sheet and the bundle are supported, and a lip on an upper end of the skirt engaged in a flange assembly receiving the lip. A first refractory lining on an inside face of the skirt extends downwardly from the lip, and overlaps a second refractory lining on an outside surface of the skirt extending upwardly from adjacent the tube sheet toward the lip. By securing the support apparatus in the cold flange assembly, the interior refractory is not used for supporting the tube bundle and can maintain its integrity, have a lower incidence of premature failure and yield an optimum refractory life.

Abstract: A catalytic oxidizer having a combined central catalyst chamber and a spiral heat exchanger for treatment of air hydrocarbon vapor mixture including an outer shell of circular cross section having a tangentially directed longitudinal inlet aperture, a parallel exhaust aperture, an end cover plate and having a catalytic chamber centrally and coaxially positioned in the outer shell including an inlet port and an outlet port, the catalytic chamber including an upstream plenum, a catalyst core member and a downstream plenum, having perforated partitions for separating the catalyst core member from the inlet plenum and the exhaust plenum, and a coaxial spiral plate heat exchanger surrounding the catalytic chamber including a spiral inlet passage formed by coiled plates connected at one end to the inlet aperture and at the other end to an outlet associated with the inlet plenum defining a first heat exchange region, the coiled plates being spaced apart to create an intermediate spiral exhaust passage, the heat exch

Abstract: A compact lime slaker has an inner vessel forming an initial slaking chamber disposed in an outer vessel forming a final slaking chamber, with agitators provided In both chambers. Slaked lime from the final slaking chamber is pumped to a collection trough where slaked lime and grit are removed therefrom, while a major portion of slaked lime, with grit removed is returned to the final slaking chamber. The slaked lime in the final slaking chamber, at an elevated temperature due to the slaking exotherm, insulates the lime being slaked in the initial slaking chamber and provides heat thereto to aid in the initial slaking. Removal of grit from the portion of slaked lime recycled to the final slaking chamber prevents clogging or attrition of components of the slaker.

Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of ABS polymers by free-radical-initiated polymerization of, in particular, styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of polybutadiene, in the presence or absence of a solvent, in a reactor cascade comprising at least 3 stirred reactors operating essentially without back-mixing, at least some of which contain internal cooling tubes for dissipating the heat of polymerization, at from 50 to 180.degree. C., phase inversion taking place in one of the reactors which contains means for generating a high shear force, and an apparatus for carrying out the process comprising an essentially cylindrical/tubular vessel jacket and a cylindrical internal element connected to a stirrer shaft by rotational force and having an external diameter which is slightly less than the internal diameter of the vessel jacket.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved process for the preparation of phosphorus trichloride wherein elemental phosphorus is caused to react with chlorine. The improvement comprises continuous, high speed analysis of the contents of the reactor whereby the reaction is controlled to produce less phosphorus pentachloride and other by-products. The analysis is performed by a laser Raman spectrometer associated with an optrode having a remotely located probe head and a circulating sampling system to continuously provide fresh sample to the probe head continuously. Also disclosed is apparatus for the automatic control of the reaction by control of the reactant feed to the reactor in response to the on-line, continuous analysis of the reactor contents.

Abstract: A fixed bed, dual-zone radial flow catalytic reactor is disclosed. In particular, the catalyst bed configuration includes a first freeboard outwardly radial flow catalyst zone in series with a second inwardly radial flow zone separated by an interconnecting substantially impermeable catalyst chute to accommodate catalyst settling while preventing hot spots and/or fluidization in the freeboard area. A gas distributor divides the freeboard zone into segments including a bypass segment and one or more catalyst segments. The radial flow of gas through each segment is essentially unaffected by the level of catalyst so that the flow pattern is not adversely affected by catalyst setting in the freeboard zone.

Abstract: A catalyst for oxidizing aqueous organic contaminants includes about 5 wt % to about 20 wt % noble metal crystallites selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, ruthenium, iridium, and combinations thereof deposited on a high surface area catalyst support. The crystallites are about 100 .ANG. or smaller. A system for catalytically oxidizing aqueous organic contaminants has a catalyst bed containing such a catalyst, means for heating a reactor feed stream to a desired reaction temperature, means oxygenating the feed stream, and a phase separator for separating gaseous reaction products from a reactor effluent stream.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an installation comprising a reforming reactor (12) supplied with a vaporized and superheated methanol-water mixture, a device for heating the liquid methanol-water mixture by heat exchange (5) with the reformed gaseous mixture (56), a device for vaporizing and superheating the heated mixture by heat exchange (23) with a heat-carrying fluid (51), a device for effecting the reaction of the vaporized methanol-water mixture by heat exchange (28-29) also with the heat-carrying fluid (31-32), a separator (75) for separating the water from the reformed mixture by cooling and partial condensation (61-63-64), and a device for producing pure hydrogen which also produces residual combustibles, and a device (15) for heating the heat-carrying fluid (31-32) by combustion (15), in particular of the residual combustibles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for recuperation and utilization of exhaust heat from a reformer, in which a plurality of arc passageways are formed respectively on the opposite outside walls of the reformer body with a plurality of arc-shaped steel sheet or zinc-plated steel sheet, said arch passageways together with the bottom chamber under the reformer body serve as preheating duct, and at least one air inlet above each passageway is disposed above the top of the reformer. Under the effect of a blower, the air above the reformer top passes through the said preheating duct, and absorbs the heat dispersed from the reformer body. The preheated air makes indirect heat exchange with the flue gas through a heat pipe excharger. The temperature of the air after heat exchange rises from the environmental to about 220.degree. C. and the air is then introduced to the reformer and auxiliary boiler for combustion. The temperature of the flue gas drops from about 300.degree. C. to about 160.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a solution of a non-ferrous metal sulphonate by reacting a non-ferrous metal with a sulphonic acid, the non-ferrous metal being brought into contact with a sulphonic acid at a temperature of from 20.degree. to 120.degree. C. in the presence of oxygen or oxygen-containing gases.