Abstract: An apparatus for the cracking of a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock comprising a pre-pyrolysis cracker for treating the feedstock at elevated temperatures and pressures; a primary separator for separating the effluent from the pre-pyrolysis cracker into a heavy fuel oil fraction and a treated heavy hydrocarbon fraction; a pyrolysis furnace having a convection section for preheating and two radiant sections for partially cracking the treated heavy hydrocarbon and cracking a light hydrocarbon feedstock, a DUOCRACKER for completely cracking the heavy fraction while quenching the light fraction and a quencher for quenching the composite stream from the DUOCRACKER.

Abstract: An apparatus for an endothermic reaction, such as steam reforming of hydrocarbon gas, comprises a reaction vessel sandwiched or surrounded by heat generating apparatus. In the heat generating apparatus, a primary fuel gas and air are supplied and mixed therein, then pass through a fuel gas heating section therefor, a combustion catalyst bed, a combustion section and a discharge section in that order. A secondary fuel gas is supplied into the combustion section, typically in a plurality of stages. The primary fuel gas mixture is heated up or ignited in the preheating section, burns and passes through the catalyst bed. At least a part of the combustion section is packed with heat transfer bodies. The gas from the catalyst bed burns in the combustion section with the secondary fuel. The heat transfer bodies receive heat from the combustion gas passing therethrough by convection and radiates the heat to the reaction vessel.

Abstract: A device for and method of working up etching and pickling liquids consisting of a vertical furnace having one or more vertical reaction spaces through which balls move at a maximum packing density.The furnace has a temperature gradient from the bottom (high) to the top (low). The reaction space and the balls consist of a material which is inert with respect to the liquid to be worked up. The liquid is introduced into the upper side of the furnace so that a film is formed in the heated surface of the balls. The salt dissolved in the liquid decomposes pyrolytically. The metal oxide is deposited on the surface of the balls and is removed therefrom after leaving the reaction space. The acid residue vapours are drained at the top and recovered in a separate absorber to the original pickling or etching acid.

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: Method and apparatus for generating synthesis gas, such as hydrogen through the catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons under heat. In order to reduce the fuel energy losses associated with such chemical processes, the reactors filled with a catalyzer are at least partially heated by the direct or indirect effects of solar energy. The residual products obtained from the chemical process, after separation of the synthesis gas are combusted to heat a reformer furnace containing a second catalyzer. Flue gas heat is utilized for generating steam. The system can be directly connected to an ammonia synthesis system.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for dehydrogenating alkanes such as iso-butane comprises contacting the alkane in admixture with steam under dehydrogenation conditions with a dehydrogenation catalyst. The catalyst is substantially free of Group VIII metals of Atomic Number 27 and higher. The catalyst is provided in a heated tubular reactor which preferably contains groups of tubes mounted in a furnace each group of tubes having a common header, to enable continuous dehydrogenation, while permitting catalyst reactivation.

Abstract: Slab-shaped high efficiency catalytic reformer configurations particularly useful for generation of fuels to be used in fuel cell based generation systems. A plurality of structures forming a generally rectangular peripheral envelope are spaced about one another to form annular regions, an interior annular region containing a catalytic bed and being regeneratively heated on one side by a hot combustion gas and on the other side by the gaseous products of the reformation. An integrally mounted combustor is cooled by impingement of incoming oxidant.

Abstract: An improved single-pass, radiant tube for steam cracking hydrocarbons is capable of self-absorbing differential thermal expansion during furnace operation by virtue of tube sections being offset.

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: The invention relates to a methanol-to-hydrogen cracking reactor for use with a fuel cell vehicular power plant. The system is particularly designed for rapid start-up of the catalytic methanol cracking reactor after an extended shut-down period, i.e., after the vehicular fuel cell power plant has been inoperative overnight. Rapid system start-up is accomplished by a combination of direct and indirect heating of the cracking catalyst. Initially, liquid methanol is burned with a stoichiometric or slightly lean air mixture in the combustion chamber of the reactor assembly. The hot combustion gas travels down a flue gas chamber in heat exchange relationship with the catalytic cracking chamber transferring heat across the catalyst chamber wall to heat the catalyst indirectly. The combustion gas is then diverted back through the catalyst bed to heat the catalyst pellets directly.

Abstract: Particulate carbon is reactivated by heating it for an effective reactivation time at a reactivation temperature in a stationary vertical annular heating zone of an unlined metal kiln.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the continuous non-oxidative thermal decomposition of heat-dissociable organic matter to a solid carbon residue, particularly activated carbon, and a mixture of gaseous products, without substantial coking or tar formation. The apparatus involve a cylindrical rotating drum in a substantially horizontal position, into which feed material is introduced at one end and products recovered at the other end. An axial temperature gradient, increasing in the direction of flow, is maintained within the drum, enabling the exercise of a high degree of control over the reaction to fully convert the feed into the desired products.

Abstract: Slab-shaped high efficiency catalytic reformer configurations particularly useful for generation of fuels to be used in fuel cell based generation systems. A plurality of structures forming a generally rectangular peripheral envelope are spaced about one another to form annular regions, an interior annular region containing a catalytic bed and being regeneratively heated on one side by a hot comubstion gas and on the other side by the gaseous products of the reformation. An integrally mounted combustor is cooled by impingement of incoming oxidant.

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: Disclosed is a process for reforming hydrocarbon which comprises heating up to 800.degree. C. or higher a gaseous mixture of sulfur containing hydrocarbon with an oxidizing agent for reforming such as steam or a mixture of steam and carbon dioxide, while passing the gaseous mixture through an alkaline solid packing bed containing alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal followed by bringing into contact thereof with a nickel containing catalyst at a temperature of 800.degree. C. or higher to produce a mixed gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide. An apparatus for the practice of the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for the production of ammonia synthesis gas by the catalytic cracking of coke oven gas in the presence of water vapor and air is disclosed. The apparatus includes concentric inner and outer pipes, a first annular reaction zone between the pipes and a second reaction zone inside the inner pipe, both zones containing a catalyst. The purified coke oven gas along with air and water vapor is introduced into the interior of the outer pipe, i.e., into the first reaction zone at one end. The gas flows along the length of the pipes and then into the inner pipe, i.e., the second reaction zone, through a number of openings in the end of the inner pipe opposite the end of the outer pipe where the coke oven gas was initially introduced. The gas then flows along the length of the inner pipe to the opposite end where the cracked gas is removed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for making red phosphorus by subjecting molten yellow phosphorus to a thermal conversion reaction in a closed reaction zone. To this end, a hollow shaft-provided and closed ball mill is preheated to a reaction temperature within the range 280.degree. to 590.degree. C. Yellow phosphorus is continuously introduced into the ball mill through the hollow shaft in quantities per unit time which permit the reaction temperature prevailing inside the ball mill to be maintained without supply of heat from the outside. More particularly, decreasing quantities of yellow phosphorous are introduced per unit time at increasing temperature and increasing quantities of yellow phosphorus are introduced per unit time at decreasing temperature within the limits specified. Red phosphorus is allowed to cool inside the ball mill, water is poured over it and the whole is subjected to wet-grinding. An aqueous suspension of red phosphorus is finally removed from the ball mill.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon reformer furnace is provided having a plurality of vertical tubes running through a furnace firebox wherein the upper and lower ends of said tubes are connected to inlet and outlet headers respectively. The apertures through which the lower ends of the vertical tubes exit the firebox are sealed with cast-in-place refractory seals to provide an air seal and mechanical dampening of said tubes.

Abstract: A regeneration equipment for spent activated carbon comprises a regeneration reactor provided vertically through a vertical heating furnace and an integrated body of a longitudinal series of numerous spiral elements fixedly provided almost throughout the length of said regeneration reactor. Steam ducts are provided so that they are inserted in said regeneration reactor at about the middle portion thereof. On the outside surface of the wall of said regeneration reactor, fixedly provided are exhaust chambers, each of which communicates at its bottom portion with the inside of said regeneration reactor through exhaust holes provided in the wall of said reactor, and is filled with heat-resisting balls piled up in three layers so that the balls in the top and bottom layers are larger in diameter than said exhaust holes and those in the middle layer are similar in diameter to activated carbon particles.

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: Improved method and apparatus for distributing a fluid, e.g., a liquid-vapor mixture, through a conduit, e.g., a tube in a direct fired heater, involving at least one reduction means located inside the conduit to abruptly reduce the inside cross-sectional area of the conduit available for flow of the fluid, provided that the inside cross-sectional area of the conduit is substantially the same both before and after the reduction means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calcining calcium sulphate dihydrate in a calcination vessel in which the dihydrate is heated in the vessel to calcination temperature not only by heat applied to the exterior of the vessel but also by hot gas, especially hot gaseous combustion products, supplied into the interior of the mass of calcining material within the vessel. The supply of hot gas according to the invention can improve the production rate in both batch and continuous calcination operations without adversely affecting the product quality, by permitting increase in the heat input to the vessel without entailing the risk of vessel bottom burn-out.

Abstract: A low energy process for the production of hydrogen-rich gas which involves the process sequence of primary reforming and secondary reforming includes parallel steam reformers for the primary reforming of the hydrocarbon feed, one portion of the hydrocarbon feed being heated using radiant heat, i.e., a steam reforming furnace, and another portion of the hydrocarbon feed being heated using indirect heat exchange with the effluent from the secondary reforming, i.e., an exchanger-reactor.

Abstract: The useful life of catalyst-filled tubes exposed to a heat source in a steam-light hydrocarbon reforming furnace is increased by painting at least a portion of the exposed surface of at least one tube with a liquid which forms a ceramic-like reflective surface on the tube.

Abstract: Apparatus and system for producing coal gas from coal, air and water. Pulverized coal is introduced into a rising stream of air and steam in a retort to constitute a fluidized or entrained bed. The coal reacts with the steam and air to form a gas consisting of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane and higher hydrocarbons. In some cases the air may be eliminated to produce nitrogen-free gas. In other instances, the production of methane and higher hydrocarbons may be suppressed to produce a gas consisting primarily of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The retort is constructed so that product gas and air may be burned in an annular space surrounding the central reaction column to produce hot flue gas. Steam tubes may be disposed in the annular space so that the steam and air introduced to the central reaction chamber may be super-heated by the hot flue gas.