Abstract: The present invention relates to devices for conducting, simultaneously, exothermic and endothermic chemical conversions with transfer of heat therebetween. More particularly, this invention relates to autothermic modules using oxygen ion-conducting dense ceramic membranes to separate, selectively, oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas and supply it directly to partial combustion of gaseous organic compounds. Processes using autothermic modules in accordance with this invention are, advantageously, used for production of synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and molecular hydrogen which synthesis gas is substantially free of deleterious and/or inert gaseous diluents such as nitrogen. In particular, for conversions, within the integral autothermic module, of natural gas or other forms of gaseous lower alkanes to synthesis gas by means of partial combustion followed by reforming.

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: The invention relates to an arrangement for indirectly transferring heat to a flowing process medium, in particular for carrying out hydrocarbon steam reformation. The arrangement comprises a heating chamber (1), which can be heated from above by burners (2) arranged in a plurality of rows and through which run, on vertical longitudinal planes, a plurality of rows of heat exchanger tubes (3) through which the process medium flows. The combustion waste gases of the burners (2) ?are extracted through! waste gas ducts (4), which are made of refractory-grade material and arranged on the bottom of the heating chamber (1) parallel to one another and to the rows of the heat exchanger tubes (3) and have a substantially rectangular cross-section that is constant in the axial direction.

Abstract: A catalytic reactor for endothermic reactions, having a catalyst located in a housing which is formed of refractory material, and at least one tubular catalytic vessel arranged in the interior of the housing. A plurality of catalytic vessels are arranged at a distance from one another in the housing, and a plurality of burners are arranged in the housing in such a way that the catalytic vessels lie between the burners. The flame region of the burners lies in the region of the heat distributors in each instance so as to ensure non-adiabatic combustion.

Abstract: In a combustion gas reformer, exhaust ducts are provided at a lower portion of the reformer. Openings are provided in opposite side walls along the length of each exhaust duct. The openings are uniformly distributed at a constant height along the longitudinal direction of the exhaust duct. The openings are disposed in the side walls at a constant height, and may be arrayed in two steps or rows. A partition wall is provided on the upper wall and extends along the length of the exhaust duct. The amount of combustion gas flowing into the duct through the openings at the lower portion of the side walls increases gradually toward the exhaust outlet. However, since the cross section of the duct toward the outlet becomes gradually enlarged, pressure and gas distribution become uniform. Also, no transverse flow of the combustion gas occurs, due to the partition wall being disposed on the upper wall of the duct.

Abstract: A natural gas-using hydrogen generator is provided which is able to produce high purity hydrogen from natural gas and water. The generator comprises a desulfurization reactor, a reformer and a PSA. The natural gas-using hydrogen generator also comprises a first pipe line for connecting the reformer with the desulfurization reactor to provide hot combustion gas from the reformer to the desulfurization reactor. A first valve controls air flow being fed to the reformer, which is provided on a second pipe line for feeding air into the reformer. A heat exchanger is provided for exchanging heat between a third pipe line, whose both ends are connected to the second pipe line with the first valve therebetween. A fourth pipe line leads a hot product gas from the reformer to the CO conversion reactor to cool the product gas. A second valve, provided on the third pipe line, controls air flow being fed to the third pipe line.

Abstract: A three-dimensional structure of porous silicon considerably improves the anchorage of sensor-active material such as, for example, enzymes, antibodies, etc., on or in the substrate surface of chemical sensors, in particular silicon-based biosensors. This structure is produced by means of suitable etching which forms pore apertures adapted to the penetrability of the sensor-active material. The pore walls advantageously receive a non-conductive boundary layer which consists of oxides of Si and/or Al or Ta or silicon nitride and are preferably 1-100 nm thick. The porous layer is advantageously between 10 nm and 100 .mu.m thick and the pores are preferably in the form of branched ducts whose average diameter is 1 nm-10 .mu.m and in particular 10-1000 nm. The sensor-active material can optionally be distributed in a glass, solid, plastics or polymer membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing one or more chemical products in which a chemical reaction is performed by causing one or more reagents to flow along the inside of a tube disposed in a radiation zone of a furnace. In the method, at least a portion of the tube is caused to vibrate so as to limit the deposition of reaction by-products on the inside wall of the tube. More particularly, the tube can be vibrated at a frequency lying in the range 50 Hz to 2000 Hz. The invention also provides apparatus for performing the method of the invention, which apparatus comprises a furnace including a radiation thermal enclosure through which at least one tube passes, which tube is provided with at least one excitation means suitable for generating tube vibration.

Abstract: There is provided a process and a device with a convection zone (A) and a radiation zone (B) in a furnace (10), whereby the process includes: a first stage of precracking a feedstock of light hydrocarbons (1) and a second stage of final co-cracking of the mixture that is composed of this precracked light feedstock (7) and a feedstock of heavy hydrocarbons (2). The process further includes: separate heating of the two feedstock streams (1 and 2) in the convection zone (A), in which the preheating temperature of each feedstock stream remains below the initial cracking temperature in each case; precracking (5) of the preheated light hydrocarbons; mixing of precracked light hydrocarbon stream (8) while a mixed stream (9) is formed; intense heating of mixed stream (9) to a temperature that is higher than the initial cracking temperature by virtue of the fact that the mixture is introduced into the radiation zone (B) of the furnace (10); and cooling (15) of cracked gases outside the furnace (10).

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: 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: 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 compact endothermic reaction apparatus employing metallic reaction tubes in a close-pack arrangement using offset nozzle tubes and an air distribution plate for introducing fuel and air into a combustion chamber to produce long and thin flames thereby to avoid excessive localized heating of the reaction tubes and provide high reaction tube life expectancy. Also, excessive localized heating of the reaction tubes at the inlet ends of exhaust tubes is eliminated and provision is made for preventing buckling of individual reaction tubes that may be subjected to higher than average reaction tube temperatures.

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: The invention relates to an apparatus comprising a reactor, elongated along one axis, preferably of square or rectangular cross section. The reactor has, at one extremity, at least one supply line for at least one reactant and at least one evacuation outlet at the other extremity for removal of produced effluents. In a first zone (near the first extremity of the reactor), a plurality of heat exchangers, substantially parallel to each other, are disposed in substantially parallel layers perpendicular to the reactor axis, thereby defining spaces or passages for circulation of reactant(s) and/or effluents between the heat exchangers and/or layers formed by the heat exchanger. The heat exchangers are adapted to exchange heat in the passages through successive transverse sections, which are independent and substantially perpendicular to the reactor axis.

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: The fuel gas reformer of a fuel cell power plant is provided with burner gas flow baffles which are annular in configuration, and which are concentric with the axis of the burner tube. The annular burner gas flow baffles form annular burner gas flow passages. The reformer has a plurality of annular arrays of catalyst filled tubes disposed in concentric rings about the burner tube. Each of the adjacent catalyst tube rings is separated from the next filled tube ring by one of the annular baffles. Burner gases are deflected downwardly and outwardly by the reformer housing top piece onto the catalyst filled tube rings. The baffles prevent inward flow of the burner gases and direct the burner gases uniformly downwardly along the catalyst filled tubes. Each ring of catalyst filled tubes is thus properly heated so as to enhance reforming of the fuel gas reactant.

Abstract: An enhanced hydrocarbon pyrolysis reactor for the production of olefins. The reactor provides enhanced heat transfer, reduced pressure drop, and reduced energy requirements while increasing selectivity and olefin yield. The radiant section tubes of the reactor, according to the invention, are shaped to provide a continuously increasing volume per unit length from inlet to outlet of the reactor. This increase in volume may be achieved by either expanding the effective inside radius of the reactor tube and/or increasing the outside radius of the tube while increasing the inside effective radius. Alternatively, since embodiments of reactors according to the invention have internal fins, the fin size and shape may be modified to provide the required increasing volume per unit length.

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: The incinerator has a closed housing (10) with high temperature insulation (17). A linear gas burner (50) is wholly within the bottom portion of the incineration chamber (22), producing a line of small flames (59). Polluted air, passing downwardly through vertically suspended heat exchanger tubes (47) wholly within the combustion chamber, is preheated and then discharged downwardly against the flames 59 of the linear burner (50), producing products of combustion and air heated to about 1400.degree. F. The products of combustion and air pass upwardly and on opposite outer sides of the tubes (47) and exit the incinerator. The heated air and products of combustion heat the insulation sufficiently that it emits radiant energy inwardly for heating the tubes 47 by radiation, as the products of combustion and air heat the tubes 47 by convective heat transfer.

Abstract: A gas fired reformer includes a plurality of bayonet type reformers, each having a vertical outlet tube posted on a common outlet header. Three outlet header continuation members pass downwardly through the reformer shell to a ground support, at least one of these being a reformer gas outlet line.

Abstract: In a pyrolytic furnace for the thermal cracking of hydrocarbons, cracking tubes are combined into uniformly arranged groups in the radiation zone of the pyrolytic furnace. The cracking tubes in the radiation zone consist of straight, vertically extending tube sections, manifold tube sections, and tube elbows. The cracking tubes of one group are joined, in the throughflow direction, via manifold tube sections and terminate in an outlet tube. The cracking tubes are arranged in the radiation zone in one plane, except for the juts of the tube elbows. The straight tube sections, subjected to a throughflow from the bottom toward the top and combined in the outlet tube, are located between the straight tube sections subjected to a throughflow from the top toward the bottom and leading into the tube elbows. The curvatures of respectively one-half of the tube elbows of one group extend in the same direction, the direction of curvature of the halves of the tube elbows being in opposition.

Abstract: A seal plate within a gas fixed reformer divides an upper plenum and a lower plenum to force combustion products along the heat exchange surface of the reactors. The seal plate has a sealed horizontal central portion and a vertical perpendicular portion extending to the bottom of the shell. The entire seal plate is exposed to gas in the discharge plenum, whereby differential expansion of various seal plate portions is avoided.

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: A reforming apparatus for hydrocarbon includes a first annular passage forming an outside stock gas passage filled with a catalyst. A second annular passage is arranged just inside of the first annular passage and in concentric relationship therewith to form an outside reformed gas passage. A third annular passage is arranged just inside of the second annular passage, and is connected thereto via a third communicating portion, for forming an inside reformed gas passage. A fourth annular passage is arranged just inside of the third annular passage and is connected between the first and third annular passages by first and second communicating portions, respectively, for forming an inside stock passage filled with the catalyst for reforming the stock gas. A first combustion gas passage is formed just inside of the fourth annular passage and a second combustion gas passage is formed just outside of the first annular passage, for heating the fourth and first annular passages, respectively.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing heat to a reaction chamber in which an endothermic reaction is performed under utilization of hot smoke gas includes a barrier, preferably a tubular barrier at least partially enclosing the reaction chamber but being spaced therefrom; hot smoke gas is fed to a ring chamber outside of the barrier and caused to flow there along while losing some of its heat content until at a lower end of the barrier the flow of the cooled smoke gas is reversed and the gas is introduced into a gap between the barrier and the reaction chamber so that heat is transferred through the barrier from the hot smoke gas as it flows along the outside of the barrier to the gas as it flows in the gap for heating the reaction chamber in an essentially uniform manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for catalytic reaction containing a heating chamber having a hearth, side wall(s) and a roof, and an inlet and outlet for a heat source gas; a substantially vertically mounted concentric double cylindrical tubular reactor mounted in said roof and protruding into the space within said heating chamber; a gas-permeable dividing means which divides the space within the heating chamber into an upper convection heat transfer space and a lower radiant heat transfer space is useful in steam reforming and similar processes.

Abstract: A pyrolysis furnace for cracking hydrocarbons comprising a furnace; a pair of inlet tubes extending generally vertically within the furnace and connected to an outlet tube having a larger diameter than either of the inlet tubes and extending generally vertically within the furnace to an outlet; and burners for imparting radiant heat adjacent to the inlet tubes and adjacent to the outlet tube. The inlet tubes and the outlet tube define a single pass configuration through the furnace.

Abstract: A thermal cracking furnace comprising horizontally disposed and vertically disposed radiant tube sections.

Abstract: An improved hydrocarbon pyrolysis process and apparatus for the production of ethylene comprising a novel furnace comprised of an unfired superheater radiant section and a fired radiant section, adiabatic tube reactor and quench boiler is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for the cracking of hydrocarbons in the presence of steam for the production of olefins and diolefins which includes a thermal radiation enclosure enclosing at least one cracking tube having an inlet to which the hydrocarbons and steam are supplied and having an outlet for the cracking products. The internal diameter of the tube diminishes continuously or discontinuously from the inlet to the outlet and the ratio between the internal diameters of the tube at the inlet and the outlet is between 1.2 and 3. The ratio of the length of the tube within the enclosure to the mean internal diameter of the tube is between 200 and 600. Heat is supplied to the tube by burners within the enclosure so that the thermal power applied along the length of the tube increases in the direction from the inlet to the outlet and so that the ratio between the thermal power applied to the half of the tube extending from the inlet to the thermal power applied to the remaining half of the tube is between 40/60 and 15/85.

Abstract: A hydrogen generating apparatus has, at least, a material gas supply system, steam generator, an air supply system, a reforming system including a reformer and a shift converter each incorporating a catalyst, a product hydrogen transporting system, and a reformer combustion gas exhaust system. The apparatus is characterized by further having a shift converter jacket surrounding the catalyst of said shift converter, a branch pipe branching from said reformer combustion gas exhaust system and leading to said shift converter jacket, and a change-over valve provided at a portion of said reformer combustion gas exhaust system where said branch pipes branches off said reformer combustion gas exhaust system. During the start-up of the apparatus, the combustion gas exhausted from the reformer is introduced into the shift converter jacket to heat the shift converter thereby realizing a quick start-up, i.e., temperature rise, of the reformer system.

Abstract: An endothermic reaction apparatus for converting a raw gas, or a feed gas, into a reaction gas or a produced gas, under the influence of an endothermic reaction catalyst includes a reaction tube having a pair of inner and outer vertical tubular spaces which are separated by a vertical partition wall and communicate with each other at their lower ends. The endothermic reaction catalyst is disposed in the inner and outer tubular spaces to form a continuous catalyst structure. The catalyst structure has an inlet portion for introducing the raw gas into the catalyst structure and an outlet portion for discharging the reaction gas from the catalyst structure. The inlet and outlet portions of the catalyst structure are disposed generally at the same level. A burner is disposed inwardly of the inner tubular space for heating the catalyst structure.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and apparatus for producing constitutent amino acids from proteins and peptides and, in particular, for rapid microwave hydrolysis of proteins and peptides for amino acid analysis.

Abstract: A cracking furnace for thermal cracking of hydrocarbon feedstocks has a central burner provided vertically at the center of the ceiling of a combustion chamber, side burners provided vertically at both sides of the central burner, and reaction tubes vertically arranged between the central burner and resepctive side burners. The reaction tubes are arranged in rows along the longitudinal direction of the chamber and form arch bands at the lower part of the combustion chamber. A combustion gas-inducting duct is provided at the bottom of the chamber, a quenching heat exchanger is provided at the upper part of the chamber, and a reaction tube exit header is provided for connecting a plurality of exits of the reaction tubes to the quenching heat exchanger.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the thermal incineration of oxidizable substances in a process gas are proposed, whereby the process gas is conveyed through an afterburning apparatus (10) comprising, inter alia, a combustion chamber (18) chamber and a process gas outlet (24) in order to remove purified exhaust gas from the process gas outlet (24), and to mix said purified gas in which the process gas in order to maintain a constant concentration of the process gas.

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: A stepped support and seal plate (44) is sealed to firing tube (18) with an axially compressed seal (62). It carries sleeves (24) and is sealed thereto by gasket seals (55). A diagonal movement seal (69) seals plate (44) to the wall of pressure vessel (10). Bellows (76) has a straight portion (77) at the hot end. Insulation (14) is tapered to provide variations in heat transfer from the bellows to provide a uniform strain pattern in the bellows.

Abstract: A method of generating a sterilizing vapor for use in a vapor sterilizing ocess, the method including the steps of burning a fuel selected from the group consisting of combustible gases and combustible aerosols, whereby hot combustion gases are generated, and introducing a liquid into said hot combustion gases, whereby the liquid is evaporated to form the sterilizing vapor.

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: The vessel is a fuel/steam reformer which has an annular chamber containing a catalyst bed. The annular chamber is surrounded by a heating zone and heat pipes from the heating zone extend through the interior of the catalyst bed whereby the catalyst is concurrently heated from inside and outside of the bed. A burner is positioned coaxially of the annular chamber to supply the required heat. Raw fuel is fed into a vaporizing chamber below the catalyst bed and after vaporization, rises through the catalyst bed for conversion to a hydrogen rich fuel gas. The fuel gas is collected in a chamber above the catalyst bed. The device is particularly useful for compact methanol fuel cell power plants.

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: There is obtained an increase in the throughput in the known BMA furnace or a BMA furnace chamber without changing the construction and dimensions already present by changing the lower part of the cooling head into a short tubular heat exchanger while maintaining the necessary temperature profile for the process by arranging the ceramic tubes in the furnace chamber in closer or less close fashion and/or by using ceramic tubes having different inner and outer geometries and/or structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the continuous reduction of sulphur-dioxide containing gases essentially free of molecular oxygen using coal or carbon. The apparatus comprises: a reactor filled with a reducing agent of coal or carbon having an upper portion, at least one middle portion and a lower portion, an outer reactor mantle and inner heat exchange regions; a pipe in the upper reactor portion for introducing pre-heated sulphur dioxide containing gases; spaced apart pipes for introducing hot gases into the outer reactor mantle and into the inner heat exchange regions; device(s) for controlling the hot gas flow in the reactor mantle and in the heat exchange regions so that the temperature in the reactor increases in each portion from the upper portion to the lower portion; and an outlet pipe arranged within the reactor for the reduced sulphur-containing gases.

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: An apparatus for an endothermic reaction of a gas such as steam reforming having a cylindrical vessel which is provided therein a fuel gas supply room, a combustion catalyst holding wall, a flue gas passage room, and a reaction room, all of which are cylindrical or annular and coaxially piled in this order, the catalyst holding wall having a combustion catalyst holding layer on a flue gas passage room side thereof and the reaction room having a product gas passage; whereby a mixture of a fuel gas and an oxygen containing gas passes through the catalyst holding wall from the supply room into the flue gas passage room, being burnt by the catalyst to become a flue gas and to generate combustion heat, and the flue gas is discharged while the heat is given to the reaction room mainly by radiation from the catalyst layer; a raw material gas passes through the reaction room reacting endothermically to become a product gas, which is discharged through the product gas passage in countercurrent heat exchange arrangemen

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reformer for producing a hydrogen rich gas by reaction of natural gas with steam by a catalytic action with heating, and particularly to the heater in the reformer, where the heating section of the heater is composed of a heating section by burner combustion and a heating section by catalytic combustion, and a stable combustion less susceptible to fluctuations in the feed rate or pressure of fuel or air can be obtained by the catalytic combustion.

Abstract: Improved heat utilization is achieved in a process for the catalytic steam reforming of hydrocarbons to form a product stream rich in hydrogen by (a) first passing the process gas through a first portion of catalyst comprising 25-75% of the total steam reforming catalyst (whereby the heat needed for the endothermic reactions during reforming and for heating the process gas is supplied partly from a moderately hot flue gas generated by combustion of a fluid fuel and partly from the product stream) and then (b) passing the partly reformed process gas through the remaining portion of the reforming catalyst. In this second step, the heat needed for the further endothermic reactions and for heating the process gas is supplied by a hot flue gas, the hot flue gas thereby being cooled to form the moderately hot flue gas mentioned unde (a). A reactor for use in this process is also described.

Abstract: The reformer is designed for use with a large fuel cell power plant capable of producing megawatts of power, as, for example, would be used by a public utility. The catalyst tubes in the reformer have their upper ends at staggered elevations so as to be capable of having their temperatures individually monitored by infrared temperature sensors. The catalyst tubes are mounted on a floating support within the reformer housing so as to be free to undergo expansion and contraction during periods of internal temperature variation as the reformer is operated. The floating support is preferably formed from fuel manifolds suspended in the reformer housing. Baffles are included in the reformer housing for evenly distributing heat to the catalyst tube arrays. The reformer has a long burner tube which is approximately the same length as the catalyst tubes.

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.