Abstract: Amplification of nucleic acids is performed by incubating in a polymerization vessel a reaction mixture which contains in a suitable buffer solution, one or several single-stranded target nucleic acids, suitable primers, deoxyribouncleoside triphosphates and a polymerase. After a sufficient time for polymerication to occur, the reaction mixture is transferred into another vessel for the denaturation of the nucleic acids into single stranded nucleic acids. After denaturation, the reaction mixture is transferred back into the original vessel. The amplification process is regulated to maintain a temperature advantageous for the action of the polymerization enzyme in the polymerization vessel and a temperature advantageous for denaaturation in the denaturation vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and to an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbons. According to the invention, at least one first gas containing at least 20% of oxygen by volume and a type of hydrocarbon are first all circulated in separate streams which are parallel to each other, without their being mixed, according to a spatial distribution such that the first gas is surrounded by the hydrocarbon; these substances are introduced into a mixing/reaction chamber at a first given circulation level, and while the substances are then allowed to mix, the oxygen and the hydrocarbon are ignited so as to give rise to the conversion reaction and then, at a second given circulation level situated downstream of the first, a quenching of the resultant mixture is performed in a chamber, the resultant quenched conversion products are recovered. The invention applies particularly to the manufacture of conversion products such as acetylene and ethylene.

Abstract: A reactor system and process for conducting exothermic or endothermic chemical reactions achieves greater kinetic efficiency through transfer of heat between adjacent feed temperature modification and reaction zones.

Abstract: Process for carrying out a sparged reaction, including providing one or a plurality of vertically-disposed reaction tubes, introducing a sparging gas under pressure into the bottom of the tube, separating and withdrawing the sparging gas from the top of the tube and passing the separated sparging gas in indirect heat exchange with at least part of the outside surface of the tube. The process is particularly suitable for carrying out an exothermic reaction, such as a fermentation reaction for the production of single cell protein, in which the bottom of a plurality of reaction tubes are disposed in a water bath, the withdrawn sparging gas is sprayed across the tops of the tubes, preferably after reducing the pressure to cool the same, and water is withdrawn from the bath and passed downwardly along the outside of the tubes.

Abstract: The energy consumption of conventional reactors for heterogeneous synthesis, e.g., ammonia synthesis and methanol synthesis, wherein the synthesis gas flows substantially axially through catalyst beds, is substantially reduced by inserting in at least one catalyst bed: two concentric cylindrical substantially perforated walls to laterally delimit the bed; a bottom closure between these walls; and optionally a diaphragm on top of the bed. Optionally also, a catalyst granulometry gradient may be employed in the upper part of the bed. An upper minor portion of at least one of the cylindrical walls may be unperforated. The synthesis gas now traverses the bed substantially radially.

Abstract: A plurality of double pipe heat exchangers are used for primary reforming in a combined primary and secondary reforming process and apparatus.

Abstract: A cooling fluid is utilized to withdraw heat from a KOH treater. The passing of the cooling fluid in heat exchange with the KOH treater is controlled so as to maintain desired operating pressures for the cooling fluid and also to substantially maximize heat transfer. Bypassing of the feed around the KOH treater to prevent temperature runaway is utilized only if sufficient cooling cannot be provided by the cooling fluid to prevent temperature runaway.

Abstract: A process for preparing a feed gas, for a thermolytic detoxification reactor or other processing units, utilizing an autoclave is described. A container of liquid waste is placed in an inerted and atmospherically sealed enclosure and hot gaseous effluent from the reactor is introduced to the interior of the enclosure outside the container to heat the liquid waste. The hot gaseous effluent is recirculated from the enclosure to the interior of the container to mix with the gaseous contents thereof. Gas is conducted from the interior of the container to the reactor as feed gas. The autoclave can also be fed by a pumped liquid waste stream.

Abstract: A fuel reforming apparatus includes a reaction tube for causing endothermic reaction for converting a fuel gas with hydrocarbon, steam, and the like mixed therein into a hydrogen-enriched gas using a catalyst, a combustor for generating a combustion gas for heating the reaction tube, a heat insulating layer for preventing the radiation of the combustion gas, and a combustion gas passage disposed around the reaction tube and allowing the combustion gas to flow therethrough, and a passage for air or fuel gas disposed around the fuel gas passage, a heat insulating layer being disposed around the outer peripheral surface of this passage.

Abstract: An appliance for the combustion of oxidizable substances in a carrier gas is described, in which the carrier gas is fed through heat exchanger tubes having inlet ends which are bent outwardly adjacent an outlet for gas from which oxidizable substances have been removed by combustion. Prior to entering the tubes the carrier gas passes an annular chamber in which it becomes pre-heated and condensates are evaporated.

Abstract: The large scale preparation of ethyl 2,2-difluoro-4- pentenoate and 2-fluorinated methyl aminoacetonitriles by reaction of 2-H-perfluoroethyl allyl ether and n-butyl lithium and fluoromethylacetonitrile and a Grignard reagent, respectively, is largly unsuccessful because of side reactions which convert intermediate products and reactants to undesired products. Applicants have overcome these problems by performing the reactions with cooling in a continuous manner in a flow reactor with short residence time.

Abstract: Heat is removed from, or supplied to, a vertical pipe of any cross-section, whose internal temperature is above or below the ambient temperature and whose wall temperature must neither exceed nor fall below a predetermined temperature range, by a method in which, in order to maintain the predetermined temperature range, the pipe is provided with a coaxial sheath and gas is passed through the gap between the pipe and the sheath. The invention is particularly directed to maintaining a predetermined temperature range at the outer pipe wall of the vertically oriented, double walled pipes which connect the reaction sections with the collectors in a steam reformer.

Abstract: A warm gas accumulator system 10 suitable for use in guidance vane-actuator systems of missiles comprising a tank 12 containing a supply of Tridyne gas, which tank 12 includes an internally mounted catalytic bed 26 and an internally mounted heat exchanger 18. A portion of the flow of Tridyne gas being discharged from the tank is first directed through the catalytic bed 26 and heat exchanger 18 for purposes of generating and transferring heat to the remainder of the contained Tridyne gas. Upon completing its circuit, the diverted portion of the flow is then mixed with the undiverted portion of the flow prior to discharge from the tank for pusposes of improving the volumetric flow rate of warm gas accumulator system 10.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to an improved process and apparatus for the production of gaseous products such as ammonia by catalytic, exothermic gaseous reactions and is specifically directed to an improved process which utilizes a gas-phase catalytic reaction of nitrogen and hydrogen for the synthesis of ammonia. This improved process for the production of ammonia utilizes an ammonia converter apparatus designed to comprise at least two catalyst stages and a reheat exchanger so arranged as to provide indirect heat exchange of the gaseous effluent from the last reactor catalyst stage with the effluent from at least one other reactor catalyst stage having a higher temperature level in order to reheat the effluent from the last reactor catalyst stage prior to exiting the reactor vessel, thereby facilitating higher level heat recovery from the reactor effluent.

Abstract: A reactor suitable for synthesis of ammonia or methanol comprises a catalyst bed 36 equipped with heat exchange tubes 32 supported by means 28-31 or 40, 42 providing catalyst fillable space between the tubes over substantially their whole length. Preferably catalyst particles between the tubes and in an uncooled bed 36 downstream thereof constitute a single body of catalyst. The reactor is especially suitable for synthesis at low pressures such that the heat transfer area provided by the tubes is relatively low.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing material uses an exothermic reactor which comprises a coolant shell, two concentric pipes provided within the shell, a catalyst bed packed between inner and outer ones of the concentric pipes, an introduction tube connected to the inner pipe through which a starting fluid is introduced, and a communication path enabling the fluid after the passage of the inner pipe to be passed through the catalyst bed in a direction opposite to the direction of the passage through the inner pipe, the coolant shell having an inlet and an outlet for a coolant arranged in such a way that the flow of the coolant is parallel to the flow of the fluid within the catalyst bed. The coolant on the outside and the starting fluid on the inside of the catalyst bed cools the bed in such a way as to produce a temperature distribution along the bed that follows a maximum reaction rate line (M in FIG. 1) relating the concentration of the methanol to the temperature of the starting fluid.

Abstract: A methanol fuel reformer for use in conjunction with fuel cell power plants comprising a plurality of annular chambers which are interconnected in a manner to promote fuel vaporization, reformation and shift conversion by using fuel cell anode exhaust as the source of heat and steam required for reforming.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing a product gas containing hydrogen and carbon oxide from a feedgas mixture comprised substantiallty of hydrocarbon, includes a vessel partitioned by a tubesheet into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. Reformer tubes are mounted on and extend through the tubesheet from the upper chamber into the lower chamber. Each reformer tube is laterally enclosed over at least a portion of its axial length downwardly from the tubesheet by a jacket spaced outwardly therefrom forming an annular space extending along each said tube for establishing communication between the upper the lower chambers, allowing the product gas to be withdrawn from the upper chamber. The tubesheet forms a distribution chamber for directing the feedgas mixture into the reformer tubes. The tubesheet is formed of an inner hollow body mounted within an outer hollow body, with the two hollow bodies being in flow communication.

Abstract: A system for reacting solid particles flowing under gravity through a thin walled enclosure has at least one fluid flowing through the enclosure in a counter-current to the flow of the solid particles. The feeding of the solid particles into the enclosure and the discharging therefrom of the converted ash particles may be adjusted. A particle bed is controlled by feeding the fluid into the enclosure so that it has to go through a substantial part of the bed thickness. The enclosure is vibrated to obtain a vibrated particle bed, with the vibrations being directed along a direction which lies at substantially a right angle to the vertical.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the elimination of the gaseous pollutants sulfur dioxide and nitric oxide from the emissions of furnaces and smelters, and for the production of two commercial products, liquid sulfur and nitric acid. Two precipitators are operated in series, each containing an annular reaction chamber and a cylindrical separation chamber surrounded by the reaction chamber. The first precipitator combines the furnace or smelter emissions with methane in its reaction chamber in order to reduce the sulfur dioxide in the emissions to sulfur. The emissions are then passed through a tangential duct to the first precipitator's separation chamber where the fine sulfur praticles are converted to liquid sulfur by sending the mixed gases through an involuted spiral baffle and allowing the sulfur particles to coalesce on a trip wire grid. The sulfur particles then melt and fall by gravity to the bottom of the separation chamber, from which point the liquid sulfur is withdrawn.

Abstract: A horizontal, cold wall, multi-bed ammonia converter having two, shell and tube interchangers for cooling reaction gas streams leaving respectively the first and second catalyst beds with incoming reactant gases wherein each of the interchangers is vertically oriented and physically located between catalyst beds. The catalyst beds are adiabatic, slab-shape beds defined in part by side portions of the inner wall of the converter and are arranged for downward, transverse flow of reacting gases. Longitudinal conduits and baffling in cooperation with the arrangement of catalyst beds and interchangers provide serial flow of gas through the cold side of each of the interchangers, a first catalyst bed, the hot side of one of the interchangers, a second catalyst bed, the hot side of the other interchanger, a third catalyst bed, and, optionally, a fourth catalyst bed.

Abstract: A practically isothermal temperature distribution of the reactor contents is obtained, especially for high temperature and pressurized hydrogenation reactors operating in the sump-phase by a hydrogenation gas passing over the outer region of the reaction chamber, so that the hydrogenation gas cools the reaction in the chamber. Additionally, the reaction heat which is extracted by the hydrogenation gas is used to heat the reaction components at a stage in the hydrogenation process. The major portion of the reaction heat is used to heat charges, preferably for the reactors, which charges contain no appreciable amounts of solid material. These charges, preferably comprising hydrogenation gas, preferably pass through a jacket space between the reaction chambers and the external portion of the reactors, which external portions preferably make contact with the atmosphere.

Abstract: A process for producing a product gas stream containing hydrogen and carbon oxides by incomplete catalytic reaction of a hydrocarbon feedstock with steam and/or carbon dioxide. The process involves passing a reactants stream containing the feedstock and steam and/or carbon dioxide over a catalyst disposed in an elongated, externally heated, zone and withdrawing the product gas stream through a tube within that zone and countercurrently to the flow of the reactants stream over the catalyst. Heat exchange between the product gas stream and the reactants stream across the wall of the tube is limited so that the temperature of the product gas stream leaving the tube is less than that of the stream leaving the elongated zone by at most 100.degree. C. Apparatus for carrying out the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: An oven for heating a distillable material in a preselected gas atmosphere. The oven comprises an inner heating chamber adapted to receive a spherical gravity lid, the heating chamber being connected to and in communication with a gas exhaust tube having a condensate trap at the termination thereof. The inner heating chamber is also in communication with and surrounded by an outer gas flow chamber, the outer gas flow chamber having a plurality of heater elements therein. The gas exhaust tube is surrounded by an ante chamber which is in communication with the outer chamber. The heater elements are continuously monitored by a programmable controller and a thermocouple in communication therewith. During oven operation, a purge gas is introduced to the ante chamber and flows therefrom into the outer gas flow chamber around the heater elements and into the top of the inner heating chamber.

Abstract: A high pressure reaction vessel has a container portion and a removable head portion which houses a flow channel or channels, valve members and valve operators and which seals and covers the container portion. Each channel terminates at a tapered valve seat angled at at least 36.degree. with respect to the horizontal and each of the valve members is provided with a mating tapered surface which is wedged more tightly within the valve seat as pressure within the vessel increases. A port and a chute are provided for introducing a particulate solid feed through at least one of the channels into the interior of the vessel. In one embodiment a dip tube depends from a second valve seat (in communication with a second channel) and extends to a point adjacent the bottom of the container portion.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously making products in dry-phase in an exothermic reaction includes a chamber having a mixer disposed at the bottom thereof with a reaction chamber above the mixer. First and second inlets are provided for introducing reactant materials into the reaction chamber at a position above the mixer. The mixer projects the solid particles into the reaction chamber in order to interact and produce the final product while an expansion chamber is provided above the reaction chamber for evacuating the resulting gas.

Abstract: A reaction tube system of a steam reformer, more generally referred to as tubular cracking furnace, for the indirect heating of cracking feedstock, such as the catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons, includes a plurality of reaction tubes and headers, the reaction tubes penetrating through the bottom of the steam reformer and being extended to the associated header by low-alloy tube sections attached to the tubes by circumferential welds. The reaction tubes are surrounded in the area of the weld(s) by a coaxial protective tube having one open end and defining a free annular space around the reaction tube. The protective tube prevents deterioration by corrosion of the weld(s) joining the tube sections of high-alloy steel with low-alloy extension sections with unalloyed steel extension section.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to an improved process and apparatus for the production of gaseous products such as ammonia by catalytic, exothermic gaseous reactions and is specifically directed to an improved process which utilizes a gas-phase catalytic reaction of nitrogen and hydrogen for the synthesis of ammonia. This improved process for the production of ammonia utilizes an ammonia converter apparatus designed to comprise at least two catalyst stages and a reheat exchanger so arranged as to provide indirect heat exchange of the gaseous effluent from the last reactor catalyst stage with the effluent from at least one other reactor catalyst stage having a higher temperature level in order to reheat the effluent from the last reactor catalyst stage prior to exiting the reactor vessel, thereby facilitating higher level heat recovery from the reactor effluent.

Abstract: A pressurized coal gasification system having double wall containment vessels (2,10) is disclosed. The gasification vessel (2) is provided with a gas tight water seal (36) for connecting the lower end of the inner water-cooled vessel (4) with the bottom supported slag tank (32). The seal (36) prevents gas leakage between the vessel interior and the pressurized annular volume (24) formed between the inner and outer gasification chambers (4,6). A flow of clean, particulate-free product gas (60) is routed into the contiguous annular volume (24,26,28) formed between the inner water-cooled gas directing members (4,20,12) and the outer, pressure containing members (6,22,16) to prevent either leakage of raw product gas into the annular volume or dilution of the product gas (46) by leakage of the sealing gas (60) into the hot product gas flowstream.

Abstract: A reactor is disclosed for carrying out exothermic or endothermic chemical reactions in which the reaction temperature is maintained as constant as possible. The reactor comprises a reaction space, an inlet for at least two reaction components, and an outlet for the reaction products. The reactor according to the invention is characterized in that the reaction space is provided with a plurality of interconnected reactor stages through which the reaction stream passes in succession, that each reactor stage comprises three reaction component guiding means, and that each reactor stage is provided with at least one injection opening for at least one reaction component.

Abstract: A fuel reformer wherein a catalyst is situated along the length of a chamber and wherein heat conductive means is also situated along such chamber length for promoting more uniform heating of the catalyst.

Abstract: A vertical, cold wall, three bed ammonia converter wherein the first catalyst bed is in series flow with the second and third beds which are in parallel flow, the converter having an internal indirect heat exchanger for cooling effluent from the first catalyst bed.

Abstract: Fuels, particularly caking fuels, are supplied in a fluidized bed reactor by conveying a fuel through an injection pipe with an end provided with an injection nozzle in a fluidized bed reactor, conveying a fluid through a jacket pipe surrounding the injection pipe and having an end provided with a jacket nozzle, wherein the jacket pipe is interrupted prior to the jacket nozzle, as considered in the flow direction, and at a predetermined location, and bypassing by a heat exchanger at this location at which the jacket pipe is interrupted.

Abstract: A horizontal, cold wall, catalytic converter useful in ammonia synthesis having an internal feed/effluent heat exchanger and plurality of catalyst beds arranged for preheating reactant gases by indirect heat exchange with effluent from the first catalyst bed and subsequent gas flow to a second catalyst bed the gas flows being directed by gas transfer means disposed between the first catalyst bed and the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for cracking heavy hydrocarbons--for example, petroleum oil or coal tar. The reactor comprises an outer spherical pressure vessel and an inner vessel within the outer vessel. The inner vessel has an open bottom end. The cracking reaction takes place in the inner vessel and the products leave through the open bottom end. The reaction is inhibited in the outer vessel since the contents are maintained at a temperature insufficient to sustain the cracking reaction. The product is withdrawn, either continuously or intermittently, via an outlet. The coke produced may be fluidized in the outer vessel or may be allowed to settle. The inner vessel may be rotated slowly about its vertical axis and high pressure fluid jets directed at its surface to dislodge coke deposited on the inside and outside wall.The reactor may be used in a system for the simultaneous distillation and thermal cracking of crude oil. Feedstock is fed to a flash-settler having three sections.

Abstract: A method of raising the temperature of a liquid containing heat coagulable proteins above the coagulation temperature of the proteins to coagulate them using a heat exchanger to transfer heat from the heat source to the liquid without contact between the liquid containing the uncoagulated heat coagulable protein and the heat exchanging surface is described.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for recovering and utilizing heat emanating from the shell of a thermal reactor in a sulfur recovery plant. Air is allowed to pass between the metal shell of a thermal reactor and an insulating jacket that partially encloses the shell. As the air exits through an opening at the top of the insulating jacket it is collected by a collection hood located above the thermal reactor. The collected air is then forced into the inlet of the thermal reactor where it is mixed with acid gas and thereby the heat emanating from the thermal reactor is recirculated to heat the reaction zone.

Abstract: A hydrogen generating system which produces hydrogen instantaneously from water ready for use upon demand. The system includes a reactor that has reaction zones wherein catalyst and elevated temperatures generate hydrogen from steam. The zones in the reactor can be in the form of tubes about a heat generating chamber, and the zones are adapted to be interconnected to each other, to atmosphere, and to the source of steam, all to maximize the generation of hydrogen by providing a reactor of optimum flexibility.The present invention also is directed to systems which include the hydrogen generating system and which utilize the generated hydrogen as a fuel or as a chemical.

Abstract: Coal hydrogenation vessel has hydrogen heating passages extending vertically through its wall and opening into its interior.

Abstract: Apparatus for carrying out catalytic exothermic and endothermic high-pressure gas reactions, comprising a single-walled pressure vessel or shell containing cross-flow (e.g., radial flow) heat transfer exchangers, a continuous catalytic bed having at least two stages, and means for effecting "cross-over" material flows from "outside" to "inside" (for exothermic reactions) and vice versa (for endothermic reactions), whereby conditions of: maximum gas temperature always being in the core of the apparatus, minimal pressure drop, and minimal compression of catalyst particles are achieved, along with significant economic savings in cost of the apparatus and catalyst (through extension of catalyst life).

Abstract: An impermeable cooled closing plug adapted for closing the end of a semiconductor manufacture processing tube is made of a material selected from the group consisting of quartz, silicon and silicon carbide, which materials have low heat conductivity and high chemical stability. The cooling effects of a cooling liquid supplied to the entrance flange of a processing tube are isolated from the tube closing plug by virtue of the low heat conductivity, thus preventing unwanted condensation effects at the entrance of the tube.

Abstract: The reactor for producing gas from powdery fuels comprises an outer metal sheet jacket, an inner pressure resistant jacket defining with the outer jacekt a first interspace for a cooling liquid, reinforcing brick lining adjoining the inner wall of the inner jacket, a cooling shield enclosing a reaction chamber and defining with the brick lining a second interspace for an inert cooling fluid. The cooling shield has at its upper end a gap communicating with the second interspace and the lower end of the reactor is provided with a pressure releasing conduit communicating with the bottom of the second interspace so that when the gas generating process is interrupted and the conduit is opened the pressurized gas escapes from the reactor chamber through the upper gap and flows through the major part of the second interspace to be cooled down before the discharge from the connecting conduit.

Abstract: This invention concerns an analysis reactor.This reactor is characterized by the fact that it comprises a generally cylindrical body open at the bottom and surrounded by two annular chambers, an upper one containing an inlet pipe and opening into the reactor through a number of radial apertures and a lower one inside which a cooling agent circulates, the cylindrical body ending at the bottom in a base containing a drainage hole with a device to plug this hole. The reactor body also contains an overflow pipe below the upper chamber.This invention also concerns the use of such a reactor to analyse a sample in powder form.

Abstract: An outer enclosed pressure container is formed of a simple steel material. An inner enclosed container is positioned within the pressure container such that there is an intermediate space therebetween. Catalyst layers are provided within the inner container. A gas containing a reducing component and water vapor are introduced into the inner container and are therein reacted by means of the catalyst to perform a desired reducing reaction. At least part of the water vapor is alone introduced into the intermediate space to thereby pressurize the intermediate space to substantially the same pressure as occurs within the inner container. The water vapor in the intermediate space operates to protect the wall of the pressure container from the temperatures occurring due to the catalytic reaction within the inner container. The water vapor is removed from the intermediate space and is at least partially added to the gas containing a reducing component before the introduction thereof into the inner container.

Abstract: A novel reactor configuration is described for the conversion of wet-process phosphoric acid and anhydrous ammonia into an ammonium polyphosphate product having a high proportion of the total P.sub.2 O.sub.5 in the polyphosphate form. This novel reaction system, includes a first reaction stage comprising a jacketed free floating reaction tube having an inlet end which terminates inside the jacket and a second reaction stage comprising a vertically oriented reaction chamber equipped with an internal heat exchange coil and a sparger for injection of ammonia. A portion of the reactant ammonia which has been preheated in the heat exchange coil of the second reaction stage is injected into the first reaction stage via an injection tube which extends through the jacket into the inlet end of the reaction tube, said injection tube being sized to leave an annular space for fluid communication between the reactor tube and the jacket.

Abstract: A high-temperature, fluid-wall chemical reactor can be equipped with a variable profile, counterflow heat exchanger and a reaction product control system. The heat exchanger includes two tubular walls, positioned concentric of one another, and a spiral baffle disposed between the two walls to define a spiral, annular coolant channel. The walls and baffle are made of a refractory material. The heat exchanger has an inlet and an outlet to permit a coolant to be circulated through the coolant channel. The reaction product control system includes a reaction product analyzer and means for withdrawing and transferring samples of reaction product exiting the reactor. The reaction product analyzer can receive samples of reaction product and generate a signal corresponding to deviations between the chemical composition of the product and a preselected composition.

Abstract: Apparatus and system for producing high pressure gas, such as high pressure coal gas from coal, air and water. Pulverized coal is introduced into a rising stream of steam in a central reaction column of a retort to constitute a fluidized or entrained bed. The coal reacts with the steam to form a gas consisting of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane and higher hydrocarbons. The retort is constructed so that product gas and air may be burned in an annular chamber surrounding the central reaction column to produce hot flue gas. The hot flue gas is used to drive a turbine which in turn, drives a compressor which introduces compressed air into the annular chamber. Steam tubes may be disposed in the annular space so that the steam introduced to the central reaction chamber may be super-heated by the hot flue gas.

Abstract: A process is described for the production of ammonium polyphosphate employing a novel reactor configuration and reaction technique to convert wet-process phosphoric acid having a low polyphosphate content and anhydrous ammonia into an ammonium polyphosphate product having a high proportion of the total P.sub.2 O.sub.5 in the polyphosphate form while minimizing operational problems such as scale build up on the reactor walls and subsequent conversion of the polyphosphate formed to orthophosphate.

Abstract: A catalytic reactor for catalyzed exothermic reactions is disclosed having at least one catalyst layer, characterized in that each individual layer is arranged between two coaxial cylindrical shells, at least two inlets for the reacting gases to the catalyst being provided in one of said shells and at least two outlets in the other shell. The inlets are provided in the external cylindrical shell, and the outlets are provided in the internal cylindrical shell. The inlets and outlets consist of a plurality of openings made in said cylindrical shells and aligned on circumferences that are intersections of the cylindrical shells with equidistant planes perpendicular to the axis of said cylindrical shells.

Abstract: A reactor for steam reforming of hydrocarbon fuel to produce hydrogen having an inner cylindrical wall and outer cylindrical wall which provide an annular reaction chamber within which solid particles such as catalysts are disposed. During operation of the reactor, the reactor goes through temperature cycles in which the temperature of the reactor is increased and decreased, such as, during start up and shut down and the volume within the annular reaction chamber increases during heating a greater amount than the volume of the solid particles due to different coefficients of expansion of the inner and outer walls and of the solid particles. This differential expansion allows the solid particles to slump when the temperature of the reactor is elevated and results in pressure being exerted by the walls of the reactor against the solid particles when the temperature of the reactor is reduced. This pressure may result in crushing of the solid particles.