Apparatus Operates At Positive Pressure Patents (Class 422/208)
  • Patent number: 7648635
    Abstract: In a method for extracting ingredients, particularly foreign substances, from liquids or solids dispersions by using compressed extraction agents such as, for instance, supercritical or liquid carbon dioxide, the liquid or dispersion is applied as a thin film in a pressure-tight reactor and the surface of the thin film is treated with the extraction agent, particularly carbon dioxide, wherein the surface of the thin film is constantly renewed over at least a portion of the layer thickness of the thin film by mechanically acting on said liquid or dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Natex Prozesstechnologie Gesmbh
    Inventors: Helmut Seidlitz, Eduard Lack
  • Patent number: 7645428
    Abstract: A reaction vessel which includes internally placed temperature controlling mixing baffles in which liquid is boiled, resulting in an isothermal heat sink. The energy of vaporization is supplied by the reaction vessel contents. The vapor produced by the boiling may be directed to channel coils which surround the outside of the reaction vessel wall. The channel coils contact the outside wall of the reaction vessel perpendicularly, and provide mechanical support for the reaction vessel. The mechanical support from the channel coils allows for a decrease in the thickness of the reaction vessel wall and corresponding increased heat transfer efficiency between the channel coil contents and the reaction vessel contents. The entire above described apparatus is enclosed within an evacuated shell to provide additional insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventor: José P. Arencibia, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090297424
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous method for functionalizing a carbon nanotube, and more specifically, to a continuous method for functionalizing a carbon nanotube by feeding functional compounds having one or more functional group into a functionalizing reactor into which a carbon nanotube mixture including oxidizer is fed under a pressure of 50 to 400 atm and a temperature of 100 to 600° C. to a subcritical water or supercritical water condition of a pressure of 50 to 40 atm by using a continuously functionalizing apparatus to obtain the functionalized products, such that the functional group of the functional compound can be easily introduced to the carbon nanotube, thereby increasing the functionalized effect of the carbon nanotube and increasing the dispersibility accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Jin Seo Lee, Joo Hee Han, Seung-Hoe Do, Seong Cheol Hong
  • Publication number: 20090275776
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for decomposing and recovering an isocyanate compound, which comprises: continuously mixing and dispersing into water at high pressure and high temperature an isocyanate compound having at least one isocyanate group or group derived from an isocyanate group in a molten state or solution state, supplying a liquid mixture containing the isocyanate compound and the water at high pressure and high temperature continuously to a reactor, followed by subjecting the isocyanate compound to a decomposition reaction in the reactor, and recovering a raw material for the isocyanate compound or a derivative thereof; and an apparatus for decomposing and recovering an isocyanate compound, which comprises: a reactor which brings water at high pressure and high temperature into contact with an isocyanate compound having at least one isocyanate group or group derived from an isocyanate group to cause a decomposition reaction, a water supply line which continuously supplies the water at
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho(Kobe Steel, Ltd), Mitsui chemicals Polyurethanes Inc.
    Inventors: Fumihiko Kasuya, Masahiro Yamagata, Shigetoshi Suzuki, Tadashi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20090220396
    Abstract: Plant for urea production from ammonia and carbon dioxide having a so-called high-pressure section which comprises a synthesis reactor and a condensation unit (7, 107) positioned inside the reactor, all substantially operating at the same pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: Urea Casale S.A.
    Inventors: Ermanno Filippi, Enrico Rizzi, Mirco Tarozzo, Federico Zardi
  • Publication number: 20090191114
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing ammonium bicarbonate with flue gas and device thereof. The method includes quantitatively collecting flue gas with a carbon dioxide concentration of about 8% to about 15% (volume), decreasing the temperature of the flue gas to about 50° C. or less with an air-cooling apparatus, then increasing the pressure of the flue gas to about 0.4 to about 1.2 MPa, and finally allowing the flue gas to react with liquid ammonia to produce ammonium bicarbonate. The device for preparing ammonium bicarbonate with flue gas includes a flue gas collecting apparatus, an air-cooling apparatus, a gas storing and pressurizing apparatus and an ammonium bicarbonate synthesizing apparatus. The issue of energy consumption brought by conventional cooling approach using cooling water is addressed by using an air-cooling apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Jian Liu, Zhiming Zhang
  • Patent number: 7560022
    Abstract: A method for the continuous process of fluids is based on mixing the fluid with a supercritical fluid. The mixing of the two fluids may be accomplished using either a co-flow or counter-flow process. The process focuses on the difference in the solubilities of the desired and the undesired components into supercritical fluid and de-emphasizes the influence of the contaminating components of the fluid to be processed. The process of the present invention is particularly advantageous to the recycling of industrial waste fluids, such as used oil, wherein the process is carried out by jet spray micro-orifices atomization of waste material with a supercritical fluid to dissolve oil from the waste material. Additional mixing devices such as an ultrasonic gun may be employed. Thereafter, un-dissolved components are separated first and the dissolved fluid is then separated from the supercritical fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Fluidphase Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Abdulhaq E. Alkhalidi
  • Publication number: 20090173664
    Abstract: A process for upgrading heavy oil by mixing the heavy oil with water fluid using an ultrasonic wave generator prior to increasing the temperature and pressure of the mixture to values near to or exceeding the critical point of water, to produce low pour point, high value oil having low sulfur, low nitrogen, and low metallic impurities for use as hydrocarbon feedstock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk Choi, Ali Al-Shareef
  • Publication number: 20090123349
    Abstract: A self-propagating combustion cyclone reactor includes a reaction chamber delimited by a circumferential wall in which at least one reductant inlet and a plurality of oxidizer inlets are formed in a tangential manner. Reductant and oxidizer are fed, together with inert gas, through the inlets into the chamber in a cyclonic manner to induce self-propagating combustion reaction to generate a product of high purity metal, such as titanium, zirconium, hafnium, or silicon, semiconductor substance. The reactor serves as a continuous reactor for generation of metal or semiconductor substances of high purity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: Yi-Shuen Wu
  • Publication number: 20090064566
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for intensifying the energy content of an organic material by converting the material into hydrocarbons and the resulting product thereof. A method for converting an organic material into hydrocarbon fuels is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of pressurising said organic material being in a fluid to a pressure above 225 bar, heating said organic material in said fluid to a temperature above 200 C in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst comprising a compound of at least one element of group IA of the periodic table of elements. The disclosed method further comprises the steps of contacting said organic material in said fluid with a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a compound of at least one element of group IVB of the periodic table and/or alpha-alumina assuring that said fluid has initially a pH value of above 7.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Steen Brummerstedt Iversen, Karsten Felsvang, Tommy Larsen, Viggo Luthje
  • Publication number: 20080318763
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the regeneration of adsorbent medium and the production of additional fatty acid esters, i.e., biofuel, in particular, by means of discharging adsorbed contaminants from an adsorbent medium such as an inorganic catalytic medium by methods that convert the contaminants into additional biofuel or biofuel intermediates, thereby increasing production efficiency, conserving labor, and reducing material waste and environmental contamination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Greg Anderson
  • Publication number: 20080299020
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a Group III nitride semiconductor is composed of a pressure vessel, a reaction vessel disposed within the pressure vessel, a heating device disposed within the pressure vessel so as to heat the reaction vessel, and a glove box filled with argon gas. The pressure vessel and the glove box are connected to each other via a gate valve. By virtue of this configuration, a large-sized reusable reaction vessel can be disposed within the pressure vessel without causing oxidation of Na.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shiro Yamazaki, Koji Hirata
  • Publication number: 20080241056
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controllably converting aluminum into alane. In the system of the invention, a reaction between aluminum and hydrogen to form alane is performed at temperatures below 100° C. using a supercritical fluid such as CO2 as a reaction medium, with the optional inclusion of a co-solvent, such as an ether, in the reaction vessel. Inert gas is used to exclude unwanted gases such as oxygen. The reaction of aluminum and hydrogen has been observed to proceed at approximately 60° C. using Me2O as an added solvent in CO2 at supercritical pressures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: HSM Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerard Sean McGrady
  • Publication number: 20080138260
    Abstract: A parallel reactor system including a reactor and vessels in the reactor for holding reaction mixtures, and a cannula for introducing fluid reaction material into the vessels. A robot system is operable to insert the cannula into cannula passages in the reactor for delivery of reaction materials, including condensed gases, to respective vessels, and to withdraw the cannula from the cannula passages after delivery. Related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: SYMYX TECHNOLOGIES, INC
    Inventors: Matthew F. Smith, John F. Varni, G. Cameron Dales, Trevor G. Frank, Rakesh Jain, Lynn Van Erden
  • Patent number: 7182861
    Abstract: A method for use in two-components electrostatic image developers is disclosed, in which secure separation of a carrier coating resinous materials from a core magnetic material is achieved without affecting the properties of the core materials through process steps benign to the environment in super- or sub-critical water compositions under the conditions of a temperature of 300° C. or more and a pressure of 20 MPa. The core magnetic material is subsequently recycled for forming carrier. This method may also be useful for processing waste including magnetic materials with silicone resin coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunitoshi Sugiyama, Yoshihiko Itoh, Hideyuki Santoh, Kunio Arai, Tadafumi Ajiri
  • Patent number: 7112311
    Abstract: A cooling method of a hydrotreating plant having a desulfurization section (1) including a furnace (12) for heating liquid to be processed, reactors (14, 15) for hydrotreating sulfur to generate hydrogen sulfide, a hydrogen sulfide absorber (19) for absorbing the hydrogen sulfide generated in the reactors (14, 15), and a compressor (21) for compressing and transferring fluid from the hydrogen sulfide absorber (19) toward the reactors (14, 15), the cooling method comprising the steps of gradually depressurizing the hydrotreating plant at the desulfurization section (1) to a pressure level at which reactor material does not embrittle and gas does not leak due to difference of mechanical thermal expansion in the plant after stopping supply of the liquid to be processed, operating the compressor (21) approximately at the maximum rotation number, and completely extinguishing burners (12A, 12B) in the furnace (12) during plant shutdown operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignees: Nippon Petroleum Refining Co., Ltd., Softard Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Yoshizumi, Hidekatsu Honda, Masayuki Shoji, Toshihiko Nasu, Katsuhiko Kawakami, Junichi Takano
  • Patent number: 6955793
    Abstract: A reaction vessel which includes internally placed temperature controlling mixing baffles in which liquid is boiled, resulting in an isothermal heat sink. The energy of vaporization is supplied by the reaction vessel contents. The vapor produced by the boiling is directed to channel coils which surround the outside of the reaction vessel wall. The channel coils contact the outside wall of the reaction vessel perpendicularly, and provide mechanical support for the reaction vessel. The mechanical support from the channel coils allows for a decrease in the thickness of the reaction vessel wall and corresponding increased heat transfer efficiency between the channel coil contents and the reaction vessel contents. The entire above described apparatus is enclosed within an evacuated shell to provide additional insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Inventor: José P. Arencibia, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6939521
    Abstract: A reactor for fluorinating an organic compound comprising (a) an outer vessel; (b) a reactor vessel being disposed within said outer vessel to define an annular space, said reactor vessel at least partially comprising a fluoropolymer, said annular space being adapted to receive a fluid; (c) at least one pathway for introducing said heating fluid into said annular space; (d) at least one pathway for inputing reaction materials into said reactor vessel; and (e) at least one pathway for ouputing a product stream from said reactor vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Yuon Chiu, William James Hague
  • Patent number: 6899855
    Abstract: A hydrogen-occlusion alloy regenerating apparatus includes a deterioration detecting means for detecting that a hydrogen-occlusion alloy capable of occluding hydrogen in a reformed gas produced by a reformer and of releasing the hydrogen has been deteriorated due to the deposition of impurities in the reformed gas, and a regenerating section for regenerating the deteriorated hydrogen-occlusion alloy based on a detection signal from the deterioration detecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiaki Shimada
  • Patent number: 6863871
    Abstract: A dynamic sealing structure for pressure vessels used in microwave assisted chemistry is disclosed. The structure includes a cylindrical vessel liner and a removable liner cap, each formed of a microwave transparent material. The liner has a circular mouth with a lip formed of respective first and second beveled edges, with the first beveled edge forming an interior edge of the circular mouth and the second beveled edge forming an exterior edge of the circular mouth. The cap includes respective interior and exterior faces, with a sleeve depending from the interior face and having a circumference that engages the interior surface of the vessel liner for being urged under pressure against the interior surface of the vessel liner. The interior face of the cap comprising a circular channel outward of the sleeve and having a circumference that engages the lip of the vessel liner, and with the channel comprising two beveled edges that respectively engage both beveled edges of the lip of the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: CEM Corporation
    Inventor: Wyatt Price Hargett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6716343
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a point-of-use water treatment system unit. The unit includes a filter housing assembly having a filter tank assembly and a closure which utilizes a handle and cammed reciprocating lock blades to secure the closure to the filter tank assembly. A UV tank assembly includes a planar baffle plate and a vaned baffle plate to induce plug flow about a UV lamp assembly. A UV lamp assembly is used which simultaneously electrically and sealingly mounts to a UV tank assembly and electrical cap assembly using a bayonet mount. A bi-planar manifold assembly is used to interconnect components of the WTS unit and to provide an envelope for accommodating a water pipe assembly. The bi-planar manifold assembly enhances the compactness of the design of the WTS unit. Also, a support plate is disclosed which provides support to subcomponents of the WTS unit while also dissipating heat from a UV tank assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: Dennis J. Kool, Roy M. Taylor, Jr., James A. Woodard, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040052702
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the micro-organism surface sterilization of foods using, a “germicidal” such as light waves (e.g., ultraviolet), and in some cases in combination with (or replaced by) one or more of sound waves and ozone. The surface sterilizer apparatus may include a plurality of germicidal (e.g., ultraviolet) emitters for surface sterilization of foods that are, e.g., rotated in a drum or rotated via a screw auger. Assemblies of emitters for the germicidal may be constructed to be watertight (i.e., withstand a high pressure, heated water spray), and movable relative to the drum or screw conveyor for easy cleaning and maintenance. The apparatus may also include a controller (e.g., programmable logic controller) for controlling the sterilization process so that the apparatus does not endanger personnel nearby, and so that the food is properly sterilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Randal L. Shuman, Nate Calvin, Dennis J. Dupray
  • Patent number: 6691047
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a pump that is subject to variations in flow rate based on inlet pressure variations, such as a peristaltic pump found in medical instruments. The pressure at the inlet of the pump is measured and recorded during prior uses of the pump. A mean or average inlet pressure is derived from the measurements, either directly or indirectly from the measurements of using regression techniques, as a way of forecasting the inlet pressure during the next use of the pump. The pump is then calibrated at an inlet pressure that is set or adjusted to match the mean or average inlet pressure. The calibration is thus accurately performed for the pump, and is independent of the absolute accuracy of the inlet pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Aksys, Ltd.
    Inventor: Chris N. Fredericks
  • Patent number: 6599485
    Abstract: The present invention provides a PCB decomposing apparatus capable of decomposing PCB efficiently. The PCB decomposing apparatus comprises a PCB extracting container for extracting PCB from a PCB-containing material with an organic solvent. A distilling tower provided on the downstream side of the PCB extracting container distills the organic solvent to separate the PCB. A primary reactor provided on the downstream side of the distilling tower includes a nozzle for supplying aqueous Na2CO3 solution and a nozzle for supplying an oxidizing agent into the container. A liquid cyclone provided on the downstream side of the primary reactor can remove Na2CO3 having a large particle size. A secondary reactor formed by a long pipe is connected to the liquid cyclone. A gas-liquid separator provided on the further downstream side of the secondary reactor can separate a gas from a solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yamauchi, Kan Ogata, Naoki Shindo, Nobuhiro Hokao, Yoshihiko Tsuchiyama, Masakazu Tateishi, Tadatsugu Fukuzumi
  • Patent number: 6579501
    Abstract: The present invention refers to an apparatus for carrying out wet chemical reactions under pressure comprising a pressure sure vessel in which a reaction liquid can be provided and which is adapted to be sealed in a pressure-tight manner by closure means. When the reaction liquid is heated, the pressure in the interior of the pressure vessel will increase; the stressability limit of the pressure vessel must, however, not be exceeded. The total pressure in the interior is composed of the partial pressures of the reaction liquid and of the reaction products. The reaction liquid must be maintained at so low a temperature that the sum of the partial pressures of the reaction liquid and of the gaseous reaction products does not exceed the maximum load value of the pressure vessel. For achieving a wet chemical reaction which is as fast and as efficient as possible, the highest possible temperature of the reaction liquid is, however, required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Berthold GmbH and Co. KG
    Inventors: Günter Knapp, Howard M. Kingston
  • Publication number: 20030086857
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing molybdenum carbide. An embodiment of the invention may comprise heating a precursor material to a first temperature in the presence of a reducing gas and a carbonizing gas, and ramping the first temperature at least once by at least 100° C. to form the molybdenum carbide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Mohamed H. Khan, Joel A. Taube
  • Patent number: 6464861
    Abstract: An arrangement for treating flora and fauna waste such as garbage under subcritical pressure and temperature. A slurry preparation unit (10) mixes the flora and fauna waste (11) with water (12) and sodium hydroxide (13) to prepare a slurry. A diaphragm pump (16) then pressurizes the slurry to subcritical pressure of water (20 Mpa). Subsequently, a hydrothermal reaction tube (25) heats the pressurized slurry to cause hydrothermal reaction in a subcritical condition thereby obtaining dissolved waste. The dissolved waste is depressurized and fed to an oxidization unit (22) for oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Kobayashi, Fumihiko Tamamushi, Sugihiro Konishi, Kouji Takewaki
  • Publication number: 20020106315
    Abstract: A cooling method of a hydrotreating plant having a desulfurization section (1) including a furnace (12) for heating liquid to be processed, reactors (14, 15) for hydrotreating sulfur to generate hydrogen sulfide, a hydrogen sulfide absorber (19) for absorbing the hydrogen sulfide generated in the reactors (14, 15), and a compressor (21) for compressing and transferring fluid from the hydrogen sulfide absorber (19) toward the reactors (14, 15), the cooling method comprising the steps of gradually depressurizing the hydrotreating plant at the desulfurization section (1) to a pressure level at which reactor material does not embrittle and gas does not leak due to difference of mechanical thermal expansion in the plant after stopping supply of the liquid to be processed, operating the compressor (21) approximately at the maximum rotation number, and completely extinguishing burners (12A, 12B) in the furnace (12) during plant shutdown operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: TOHOKU OIL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Yoshizumi, Hidekatsu Honda, Masayuki Shoji, Toshihiko Nasu, Katsuhiko Kawakami, Junichi Takano
  • Patent number: 6375906
    Abstract: A fuel processing assembly adapted to produce hydrogen gas from a carbon-containing feedstock. The fuel processing assembly includes a fuel processor, such as a steam reformer. The fuel processing assembly further includes a feed assembly adapted to deliver a carbon-containing feedstock, such as a hydrocarbon, to the fuel processor. In some embodiments, the fuel processing system includes a fuel cell stack that includes at least one fuel cell adapted to produce electrical power from hydrogen gas produced by the fuel processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: IdaTech, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, Thomas G. Herron
  • Patent number: 6362367
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing one or more organic acids in high purity which process comprises (i) oxidizing in a liquid oxidation reactor one or more organic liquids with essentially pure oxygen or oxygen-enriched air containing at least about 50% oxygen, at a temperature sufficiently stable to prevent cycling of reaction rate, to produce a crude reaction product fluid, and (ii) refining said crude reaction product fluid to give said one or more organic acids in high purity. The oxidation temperature is preferably controlled to within about ±3° C. of a target temperature. The organic acids described herein is useful in a variety of applications, such as intermediates in the manufacture of chemical compounds, pharmaceutical manufacture and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corp.
    Inventors: John Braithwaite, David Robert Bryant, David James Miller, John Earl Logsdon
  • Patent number: 6352674
    Abstract: A method of converting a plastic waste into oil by decomposing the plastic waste by a reaction using water in a supercritical or near supercritical region as a reaction medium. In this method, the reaction is conducted by using a tubular continuous reactor. The present invention further provides an apparatus therefor. Moreover, the present invention provides a method of converting a plastic waste into oil by conducting the reaction after hydrogen chloride is removed by performing the pyrolysis of the plastic waste in the case that the plastic waste contain chlorine. The present invention further provides an apparatus for performing this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Matsubara, Hiroshi Makihara, Kazuto Kobayashi, Masaki Iijima
  • Publication number: 20020006367
    Abstract: A method of converting a plastic waste into oil by decomposing the plastic waste by a reaction using water in a supercritical or near supercritical region as a reaction medium. In this method, the reaction is conducted by using a tubular continuous reactor. The present invention further provides an apparatus therefor. Moreover, the present invention provides a method of converting a plastic waste into oil by conducting the reaction after hydrogen chloride is removed by performing the pyrolysis of the plastic waste in the case that the plastic waste contain chlorine. The present invention further provides an apparatus for performing this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventors: WATARU MATSUBARA, HIROSHI MAKIHARA, KAZUTO KOBAYASHI, MASAKI IIJIMA
  • Patent number: 6287526
    Abstract: A dynamic sealing structure for pressure vessels used in microwave assisted chemistry is disclosed. The structure includes a cylindrical vessel liner and a removable liner cap, each formed of a microwave transparent material. The liner has a circular mouth with a lip formed of respective first and second beveled edges, with the first beveled edge forming an interior edge of the circular mouth and the second beveled edge forming an exterior edge of the circular mouth. The cap includes respective interior and exterior faces, with a sleeve depending from the interior face and having a circumference that engages the interior surface of the vessel liner for being urged under pressure against the interior surface of the vessel liner. The interior face of the cap comprising a circular channel outward of the sleeve and having a circumference that engages the lip of the vessel liner, and with the channel comprising two beveled edges that respectively engage both beveled edges of the lip of the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: CEM Corporation
    Inventor: Wyatt Price Hargett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6255529
    Abstract: A method of decomposing wastes containing target compounds having one or more of hydrolyzable bonds of ether bond, ester bond, amide bond and isocyanate bond wherein the method comprises continuously supplying the wastes in a molten state or liquid state to a reactor, continuously supplying super-critical water or high pressure/high temperature water to the reactor, bringing the water into contact with the wastes, thereby decomposing the target compounds and then recovering them as raw material compounds or derivatives thereof for the target compounds. Target compounds contained in wastes in chemical plants which could not be utilized but merely incinerated or discarded so far are continuously decomposed into raw material compounds or derivatives thereof for the aimed compound and can be reutilized effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho, Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Nagase, Ryuichi Fukuzato
  • Patent number: 6241953
    Abstract: A reaction product is formed and transferred from an autoclave to a receiving vessel at a laminar flow rate, using a self-adjusting transfer mechanism. A specific amount of water in the receiving vessel is heated and vaporized prior to the reaction product transfer to raise the pressure in the receiving vessel to saturation pressure. A flow passage between the autoclave and the receiving vessel is now opened, and a resulting pressure differential between the autoclave and the receiving vessel initiates the transfer process. A heat exchanger cools the reaction product flowing from the autoclave to the receiving vessel, where the amount of cooling is dependent upon the transfer rate of the reaction product. An increased transfer rate will cause the hotter reaction product entering the receiving vessel to increase the pressure inside the receiving vessel, thereby reducing, or self-adjusting, the transfer rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Ceramic Oxides International B.V.
    Inventor: Pieter Krijgsman
  • Patent number: 6235953
    Abstract: The preparation of 1,2-dichloroethane (EDC) is carried out by feeding ethylene and chlorine into circulating EDC (direct chlorination) such that the reaction mixture boils and the heat of the reaction is led away from the gas space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Vinnolit Monomer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Schwarzmaier, Ingolf Mielke
  • Patent number: 6214296
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of catalytic reaction operated near the optimal temperature and an apparatus for its embodiment. The catalyst bed in the apparatus consists of two parts of catalyst located respectively in the cold tube layer and the adiabatic layer. The feed gas in the cold tubes, after having exchanged heat with the reactant gases in the catalyst layer outside of the tubes, are mixed with the feed gas from the heat exchanger. While the mixed gases flow axially, radially or convectively in the catalyst layer, the gases contact successively with the catalyst in the cold tube layer and that in the adiabatic layer, and react with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventors: Shoulin Lou, Ren Lou
  • Patent number: 6054103
    Abstract: A mixing vessel for a process using supercritical process media, the vessel including an agitator for mixing a batch of materials and a process media in a supercritical state in the vessel to produce a reaction mixture based on a selectable reaction process; and heat transfer system for controlling temperature of the reaction mixture, the heat transfer system comprising a liner that generally conforms to an interior surface geometry of the vessel, with the liner comprising a high thermal conductivity material; the liner comprising an interior heat transfer surface in thermal exchange with the reaction mixture, and a plurality of fluid channels; heat transfer fluid that circulates through the channels and in thermal exchange with the heat transfer surface; and a heat transfer fluid supply exterior the pressure vessel for circulating the heat transfer fluid through the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Ferro Corporation
    Inventor: Frederick S. Mandel
  • Patent number: 6030587
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for initiating and sustaining an oxidation reaction. A hazardous waste, is introduced into a reaction zone within a pressurized containment vessel. An oxidizer, preferably hydrogen peroxide, is mixed with a carrier fluid, preferably water, and the mixture is heated until the fluid achieves supercritical conditions of temperature and pressure. The heating means comprise cartridge heaters placed in closed-end tubes extending into the center region of the pressure vessel along the reactor longitudinal axis. A cooling jacket surrounds the pressure vessel to remove excess heat at the walls.Heating and cooling the fluid mixture in this manner creates a limited reaction zone near the center of the pressure vessel by establishing a steady state density gradient in the fluid mixture which gradually forces the fluid to circulate internally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventors: Brent Lowell Haroldsen, Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu
  • Patent number: 5993747
    Abstract: Apparatus for a process using supercritical fluid includes a pressure vessel including an agitator for mixing a batch of materials therein; a source of process media supplied to the pressure vessel in a supercritical state; first delivery devices for introducing into the pressure vessel batch materials that are mixed in the presence of the process media in a supercritical state to produce a reaction mixture based on a selectable reaction process; a receiver vessel; and second delivery devices for controlling transfer of the reaction mixture to the receiver vessel; the source comprising a tank for holding a selectable mass of the process media in a supercritical state and for supplying the process media on demand during the reaction process and during delivery of the reaction mixture to the receiver vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Ferro Corporation
    Inventor: Frederick S. Mandel
  • Patent number: 5902554
    Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process for producing synthetic crude oil from oil bearing material, e.g., oil shale or tar sand, through continuous loading, calcining and unloading operations in three triangularly placed reactor tubes that are loaded with oil bearing material from a common feed source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Chattanooga Corporation
    Inventor: Chalmer G. Kirkbride
  • Patent number: 5824121
    Abstract: A gasification reactor has a mixing tube above it in a common pressure vessel and the mixing tube is provided with a gas cooling heat exchanger. A driving gas feeder draws a portion of the mixture of quenching gas and raw gas from the mixing tube, passes it through the gas cooling heat exchanger and feeds it as a quenching gas to the raw gas at the inlet side of the mixing tube. At least one further heat exchanger in the same pressure vessel or in another pressure vessel, receives the mixture of raw and quenching gas beyond the mixing tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Krupp Koppers GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Kowoll
  • Patent number: 5672316
    Abstract: A microwave-heatable pressure reactor is provided for continuous or discontinuous treatment of liquid. The liquid is conveyed by means of a high-pressure pump in a pipeline which extends into a microwave-heatable zone of the pressure container into which it finally lets out through the free opening with a volume of pipe sufficient for the treatment of a desired quantity of liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Inventor: Gunter Knapp
  • Patent number: 5670040
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the supercritical water oxidation of organic waste materials which avoids or at least substantially reduces the corrosion and solids deposition problems associated with prior art techniques and which provides for efficient heating of the waste material to reaction conditions. Externally heated supercritical water is fed to a compound platelet tube reactor. The compound reactor includes a reaction zone and inner (smaller) and outer (larger) concentric platelet tubes supported concentrically within a shell. The water fed to the reactor both protectively coats surfaces of the inner and outer platelet tubes facing the reaction zone and heats the waste stream to oxidation reaction conditions. Higher reaction temperatures can be used as compared to prior art processes, which significantly improves the reaction rate and permits smaller reactors to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler Development Corporation
    Inventor: Kawaljit Singh Ahluwalia
  • Patent number: 5667758
    Abstract: A processing vessel in which a temperature control element defining a helical flow passage, disposed on an outer surface of an inner barrel within the processing vessel. The barrel contains a processing liquid and a heating or cooling temperature control medium is caused to flow through the flow passage. The inner barrel and temperature control element are disposed in a vessel body to define a chamber between the temperature control element and an inner surface of the vessel body. The chamber defined between the vessel body and the temperature control element is a closed chamber. Preferably, a system for generally equalizing the pressures in the inner barrel and the closed chamber is provided. The temperature control element can be assembled in the vessel body after being manufactured outside the vessel body. Therefore, the processing vessel can be manufactured with improved efficiency and can be serviced by ordinary in-vessel maintenance operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Matsugi, Haruyuki Nishimi
  • Patent number: 5639552
    Abstract: A pre-impregnation has a ribbon-shaped tow of reinforcing fibers and a ribbon of thermoplastic resin laminated on the ribbon-shaped tow and fixed thereto at intervals, and the thermoplastic resin is allowed to uniformly impregnate into the ribbon-shaped tow under heat application so that a void does not take place in the ribbon-shaped tow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiharu Fukushima, Kunimasa Muroi, Kunio Hiyama
  • Patent number: 5620606
    Abstract: Method/system of adding solid particles to inhibit or prevent plugging in a reactor at conditions such that the temperature and pressure are at least in the vicinity of supercritical conditions for water. Particles may be added in conjunction with a pH-adjusting material, thereby inhibiting plugging in the reactor caused by addition of the pH-adjusting material. Reactor pressure may be reduced by flowing the stream through a static restriction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: RPC Waste Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy N. McBrayer, Jr., Jimmy G. Swan, John S. Barber
  • Patent number: 5558783
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for initiating and sustaining an oxidation reaction. A fuel, such as natural gas or hazardous waste, is introduced into a reaction zone within a pressurized containment vessel. A permeable liner is placed within the containment vessel and around the reaction zone. An oxidizer, preferably oxygen, is mixed with a carrier fluid, such as water, and the mixture is heated and pressurized to supercritical conditions of temperature and pressure. The supercritical oxidizer-carrier mix is introduced to the reaction zone gradually and uniformly, over a comparatively large area, by forcing it radially inward through the permeable liner and toward the reaction zone. A means and method for cooling the exhausted by-products and using them as a cleansing rinse are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas G. McGuinness
  • Patent number: 5552039
    Abstract: A high pressure and high temperature reactor, especially operating under supercritical water conditions combined with corrosive atmosphere. The reactor comprises a reaction chamber and a pressure vessel, which surrounds the reaction chamber. It has high integrity since it has only one penetration in the pressure vessel, and its size is minimized due to induced turbulent flow of the ignited reaction mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: RPC Waste Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy N. McBrayer, Jr., James E. Deaton, James M. Eller
  • Patent number: 5384051
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for initiating and sustaining an oxidation reaction. A fuel, such as natural gas or hazardous waste, is introduced into a reaction zone within a pressurized containment vessel. A permeable liner is placed within the containment vessel and around the reaction zone. An oxidizer, preferably oxygen, is mixed with a carrier fluid, such as water, and the mixture is heated and pressurized to supercritical conditions of temperature and pressure. The supercritical oxidizer-carrier mix is introduced to the reaction zone gradually and uniformly, over a comparatively large area, by forcing it radially inward through the permeable liner and toward the reaction zone. A means and method for cooling the exhausted by-products and using them as a cleansing rinse are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Inventor: Thomas G. McGinness