Including Solid, Extended Surface, Fluid Contact Reaction Means; E.g., Inert Raschig Rings, Particulate Absorbent, Particulate Or Monolithic Catalyst, Etc. Patents (Class 422/211)
  • Patent number: 8147763
    Abstract: Honeycomb bodies, especially those used in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, contain a housing and a metal matrix with an average starting diameter. The matrix is connected to the housing, whereby at least one contraction limiter that causes an outward directed tensile stress in at least one part of the matrix is provided. The average starting diameter of the matrix is reduced by 5%, preferably by a maximum of 2%, during and/or after being subjected to thermal stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: EMITEC Gesellschaft fuer Emissionstechnologie mbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Maus
  • Patent number: 8147767
    Abstract: Chemical process accelerator systems comprising viscid fluid Taylor Vortex Flows (98, 50a) with high-shear-rate laminar Circular Couette Flows (58) in contact with catalysts (92, 92?, 30, 32, 32f, 32g, 36, 40, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48), catalytic compositions and structures in chemical reactors and electrochemical cells (e.g. fuel cells, fuel reformers) are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Global Energy Science, LLC
    Inventor: Halbert Fischel
  • Publication number: 20120078012
    Abstract: A process for producing acetic acid comprising the steps of reacting carbon monoxide and at least one of methanol and a methanol derivative in a first reactor under conditions effective to produce a crude acetic acid product; separating the crude acetic acid product into at least one derivative stream, at least one of the at least one derivative stream comprising residual carbon monoxide; and reacting at least a portion of the residual carbon monoxide with at least one of methanol and a methanol derivative over a metal catalyst in a second reactor to produce additional acetic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: G. Paull Torrence, Brian W. Hokkanen, Michael O. Nutt, Tianshu Pan, Ronald David Shaver
  • Publication number: 20120076704
    Abstract: A system for producing hydrogen features a reactor including a reaction channel adapted to receive a reaction stream including a mixture of supercritical water and a hydrocarbon fuel. A catalyst is positioned in the reaction channel so that a product stream containing hydrogen is produced by a reaction in the reaction channel when the mixture is exposed to the catalyst; wherein the catalyst contains a catalytically active metal and a promoter in a metal format, selected from the group consisting of potassium, sodium, rubidium, lithium, cesium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: CHART, INC.
    Inventors: ZHIJUN JIA, Mark Wood, Clay Thiele
  • Patent number: 8137536
    Abstract: Methods and systems for contacting a crude feed that has a total acid number (TAN) of at least 0.3 with one or more catalysts produces a total product that includes a crude product are described. The one or more catalysts may include a first catalyst and a second catalyst. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa and the crude product has a TAN of at most 90% of the TAN of the crude feed. One or more other properties of the crude product may be changed by at least 10% relative to the respective properties of the crude feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Opinder Kishan Bhan, Scott Lee Wellington
  • Patent number: 8137628
    Abstract: Multiple catalytic processing stations couple with a system which produces volatile gas streams from biomass decomposition at discrete increasing temperatures. These catalytic processing stations can be programmed to maximize conversion of biomass to useful renewable fuel components based on input feedstock and desired outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Cool Planet Biofuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Cheiky, Rajashekharam Malyala
  • Publication number: 20120063968
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a large-area carbon nanotube film includes a reactor chamber, a helical-shaped substrate, and a supporter. The reactor chamber includes an inlet and an outlet. The inlet and the outlet are aligned on an axis of the reactor chamber. The helical-shaped substrate and the supporter are located wholly inside the reactor chamber. The supporter is moveable along the axis of the reactor chamber, and the helical-shaped substrate is supported by the supporter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: CHANG-HONG LIU, SHOU-SHAN FAN
  • Publication number: 20120063981
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for removing contaminant in a fluid (e.g., chemical and petrochemical gas streams) using nanostructures of a sorbent material coated on plates such as a silicon wafer. A plurality of such coated plates can be assembled to form a sorption structure having channels between the plates. When a fluid containing the contaminant is directed through the channels, the contaminant is adsorbed by the nanostructures of the sorbent material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Mohsen S. YEGANEH, Bhupender S. MINHAS, Harry W. DECKMAN
  • Patent number: 8133445
    Abstract: This invention relates to a chamber in which a chemical reaction is carried out in the presence of catalyst and reagents, comprising at least one catalytic tube (10) into which is placed an internal tube (12) for evacuating the gas that is produced, means for introducing reagents (15) and means for introducing the catalyst (16) that are located in the upper portion of the chamber (1), means for heating the catalytic tube (10) that are arranged in the lower portion of the chamber (1), and in which the catalytic tube (10) comprises, in its upper portion above the catalyst (13), means that promote heat exchange between the reagents and the gas that is produced. The invention also relates to the process that uses this chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Christophe Boyer, Fabrice Giroudiere
  • Patent number: 8133458
    Abstract: A reactor for converting methane, ammonia and oxygen and alkaline or alkaline earth hydroxides into alkaline or alkaline earth cyanides by two-stage reactions comprising a first stage with a gas inlet, wherein the first stage is formed by a cone with distribution plates providing an even gas distribution over the catalyst material wherein the distribution plates are located between the gas inlet of the reactor and catalyst material and the distribution plates being perforated with a number of holes, with the distribution plates spaced from each other in the flow direction of the gas, the first distribution plate(s) functioning mainly to distribute the gas, whereas the last distribution plate works as a heat radiation shield and as a distribution plate facing the catalyst material, and wherein the catalyst material is present in the form of catalyst gauze fixed by catalyst weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: EICPROC AS
    Inventor: Erik Fareid
  • Patent number: 8133446
    Abstract: Slurry hydrocracking a heavy hydrocarbon feed produces a HVGO stream and a pitch stream. At least a portion of the pitch stream is subjected to SDA to prepare a DAO stream low in metals. The DAO is blended with at least a portion of the HVGO stream to provide turbine or marine fuel with acceptable properties for combustion in gas turbines or for marine fuel grades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: James F. McGehee, Lorenz J. Bauer
  • Patent number: 8134037
    Abstract: Xylene isomerization processes, especially those processes in which ethylbenzene is also converted, are beneficially affected by adding benzene to the feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paula L. Bogdan, Robert B. Larson, James E. Rekoske, Patrick J. Silady, Patrick C. Whitchurch, Freddie Sandifer
  • Publication number: 20120058035
    Abstract: A method and system for enhancing the efficiency of an electrostatic precipitator in a flue gas stream that withdraws a selected amount of combustion gas from a main flue gas stream at a location downstream of the electrostatic precipitator; typically heats the selected amount of combustion gas to a predetermined temperature; passes the selected amount of combustion gas through a catalyst to convert sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide producing a mixture of flue gas enriched with sulfur trioxide; and returns the mixture of the flue gas enriched with the sulfur trioxide back into the main flue gas stream at a point upstream of the electrostatic precipitator. Optionally a filter removes most of the remaining particulate matter from the selected amount of combustion gas entering the catalyst bed. A portion of this selected amount can be made to bypass the catalyst for precise control of the amount of sulfur trioxide being produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventor: Henry V. Krigmont
  • Patent number: 8128886
    Abstract: A reactor which comprises a vessel (1) with a vessel bottom (2), a stirrer (3) arranged in the vessel, an emergency discharge valve (4) arranged in the vessel bottom for emptying the reactor in less than 600 seconds and at least one filtration device (5) arranged in the vessel bottom is suitable for the safe preparation of organic peroxides. The process for preparing an organic peroxide comprises the steps of preparing a solid hydroperoxide in the form of a suspension in the reactor, filtering the suspension through the filtration device (5) arranged in the vessel bottom (2) while retaining the solid hydroperoxide in the reactor and reacting the hydroperoxide with an alkylating agent, an acylating agent or a carbonyl compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: United Initiators GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans Appel, Joseph Weinmaier
  • Patent number: 8129576
    Abstract: The invention provides a method to avoid catalyst damage and achieve longer catalyst life by selecting appropriate materials for reactor spacers, liners, catalyst binders, and supports, in particular, by not using crystalline silica-containing and high phosphorus-containing materials, if the presence of even small amount of steam is anticipated. In addition, alkali metals and alkaline earth metals are avoided due to potential damage to the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Timur V. Voskoboynikov, Paul T. Barger, John Q. Chen
  • Patent number: 8128885
    Abstract: The invention relates to a microreactor having a substrate (10, 20, 80) with at least one catalytically active material arranged in and/or on a cavity structure (14, 24, 84). The substrate (10, 20, 80) has a first layer (11, 21, 80) and optionally at least one additional layer (12, 22) of a ceramic material, with the first layer (11, 21, 80) being formed from a first component of a crystalline ceramic material and/or a glass material as the matrix and a second component of an additional crystalline ceramic material. The surface areas of the crystals and/or crystal agglomerates of the second component in the first layer (11, 21, 80) are etched out in at least some areas to form the cavity structure (14, 24, 84).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Micro Systems Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Schwanke, Mirco Harnack, Achim Bittner, Ulrich Schmid
  • Patent number: 8128887
    Abstract: A coating applied to at least a portion of the surfaces of reactors, reactor internals, other reactor components, and/or heater tubes is provided in order to minimize the formation of metal catalyzed coke in hydrocarbon conversion processes operating at temperatures at about 350° C. (662° F.) or greater and in reducing environments. These coatings may comprise Nickel coatings or complexes thereof, such as Ni—Al, Ni—Cr/Cr carbide, as well as aluminum painted coatings that are applied in a reduction cure process (e.g., application temperatures of about 600° C. (1112° F.)). Additionally, where H2S is necessary for the process, such as to minimize thermal cracking, the coatings also reduce corrosion of base metal due to sulfidation attack and eliminate the requirement of continuous replacement of reactor internals and other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Bradley, Robert B. James, Jr., David W. Alley
  • Patent number: 8128895
    Abstract: Processing schemes and arrangements are provided for obtaining propylene and propane via the catalytic cracking of a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock and converting the propylene into cumene without separating the propane from the propane/propylene feed stream. The disclosed processing schemes and arrangements advantageously eliminate any separation of propylene from propane produced by a FCC process prior to using the combined propane/propane stream as a feed for a cumene alkylation process. A bottoms stream from the cumene column of the cumene alkylation process can be used and an absorption solvent in the FCC process thereby eliminating the need for a transalkylation reactor and a DIPB/TIPB column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Michael A. Schultz
  • Patent number: 8128894
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a gas reaction device. Reactions are happened on a fixed bed and/or a slurry bed in four reaction states. Thus, by using the four reaction states, reactions are thoroughly completed with the same catalyst. Or, different reactions are completed with different catalysts for different purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Atomic Energy Council
    Inventors: Chun-Ching Chien, Shean-Du Chiou, Su-Hsine Lin, Wan-Min Huang, Ning-Yih Hsu
  • Publication number: 20120047793
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating hydrogen recycle gas in a process for converting biorenewable feedstock into green diesel fuel are provided. Sponge oil is provided. Hydrogen recycle gas produced during the process is contacted with the sponge oil. The sponge oil and hydrogen recycle gas are contacted in a contact drum and propane and other light hydrocarbons from the hydrogen recycle gas are absorbed into the sponge oil producing purified recycle gas and propane-rich sponge oil. The purified recycle gas is recycled into the process and the propane-rich sponge oil is fractionated to recover propane. The sponge oil may be sour sponge oil to also sulfide a deoxygenation catalyst used in the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Vedula Kasipati Murty, Donald Eizenga, Charles P. Luebke, Samarjit Singh
  • Patent number: 8124041
    Abstract: A process for producing silicon comprises the steps of a reduction step [1] of depositing silicon by reacting chlorosilanes and hydrogen in a reactor under heat and discharging an exhaust gas that contains hydrogen, oligomers of silanes, and a silicon powder; a carring step [2] of carrying the exhaust gas that has been exhausted in the step [1] while keeping a temperature of the exhaust gas at not less than 105° C.; a removal step [3] of supplying the exhaust gas that has been carried in the step [2] to a filter at a temperature of not less than 105° C. and discharging the exhaust gas from the filter at a temperature of not less than 105° C. to remove the silicon powder from the exhaust gas and give a mixed gas that contains the hydrogen and the oligomers of silanes; and a separation step [4] of cooling the mixed gas that has been obtained in the step [3] to separate the hydrogen as a gas phase from the mixed gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Tokuyama Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Sakida, Satoru Wakamatsu
  • Patent number: 8118893
    Abstract: A gas-generating apparatus includes a reaction chamber having a first reactant, a reservoir having an optional second reactant, and a self-regulated flow control device. The self-regulated flow control device stops the flow of reactant from the reservoir to the reaction chamber when the pressure of the reaction chamber reaches a predetermined level. Methods of operating the gas-generated apparatus and the self-regulated flow control device, including the cycling of a shut-off valve of the gas-generated apparatus and the cycling of the self-regulated flow control device are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Societe Bic
    Inventors: Alain Rosenzweig, Paul Adams, Andrew J. Curello, Floyd Fairbanks, Anthony Sgroi, Jr., Constance R. Stepan
  • Patent number: 8118889
    Abstract: A catalytic reactor (40) comprises a plurality of sheets (42) defining flow channels (44) between them. Within each flow channel (44) is a foil (46) of corrugated material whose surfaces are coated with catalytic material apart from where they contact the sheets (44). At each end of the reactor (40) are headers to supply gas mixtures to the flow channels (44), the headers communicating with adjacent channels being separate. The reactor (40) enables different gas mixtures to be supplied to adjacent channels (44), which may be at different pressures, and the corresponding chemical reactions are also different. Where one of the reactions is endothermic while the other reaction is exothermic, heat is transferred through the sheets (42) separating the adjacent channels (44), from the exothermic reaction to the endothermic reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: CompactGTL plc
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Bowe, David Leslie Segal, Clive Derek Lee-Tuffnell, David Charles William Blaikley, Jason Andrew Maude, John William Stairmand, Ian Frederick Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 8114174
    Abstract: A reaction device 10 is used for producing water gas from polyhydric alcohol and water. The reaction device 10 includes a reactor 13 which has a reaction field 14 where a catalyst is provided inside and a reaction fluid flows. The catalyst 17 has a surface extending in a direction of flow of the reaction fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Shirasawa, Yasukazu Kumita
  • Publication number: 20120034148
    Abstract: Improved reactors for catalytic, exothermic gas phase reactions with, as seen in the flow direction of a feed gas, which contains at least one oxidant and at least one component to be oxidized, an entry zone (1), a reaction zone (2) comprising at least one catalyst (4) and an exit zone (3) for the product gas are described. The reactors, at least in the area of the entry zone (1), have means, for example insulating jackets (6) and/or devices for the transport of cooling agents, which decrease the transport of heat produced in the reaction zone (2) into the entry zone (1) and thus decrease the risks of pre-ignition of the feed gas mixture employed or of the course of undesired side reactions in the entry zone (1) and/or wherein the inner walls of the reactor, at least in the area of the entry zone (1), are elaborated from inert material. The feed gas enters into the entry zone (1) as a homogeneous gas mixture with respect to its substance composition via one or more feed lines (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Meinhard Schwefer, Michael Groves, Jürgen Fuchs, Rainer Maurer, Rolf Siefert, Bernhard Hündgen
  • Publication number: 20120034139
    Abstract: A suspended mass transfer and reaction tower system used for the scrubbing, stripping or chemical reaction between gases and liquids. The system comprises a top head having a suspension means, a bottom head, and a shell capable of retaining and supporting a suspended packing bundle. The shell is capable of securely and removably attaching to the top head and bottom head, thereby creating a single tower capable of being suspended by the suspension means in the top head. Various embodiments of the system can be adapted for the purposes of chemical vent scrubbing, absorption, odor abatement, gas-liquid chemical reactions, or similar processes. The tower can be operated in the classical counter current or concurrent flow modes, under pressure, or in a partial vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Carlos Alvarado
  • Patent number: 8110161
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of alkylated aromatic compounds comprising introducing olefin and aromatic compounds into at least first and second vertically spaced catalytic reaction zones in an alkylation unit under alkylation reaction conditions to provide an alkylated product, wherein the second catalytic reaction zone is positioned above the first catalytic reaction zone; wherein aromatic compound from each of the at least first and second catalytic reaction zones are contacted with a cooling means for re-condensing at least a portion of the aromatic compounds vaporized from the exothermic heat of reaction of the alkylation process; and wherein the olefin is introduced into the at least first and second catalytic reaction zones via respective first and second olefin feed streams at respective olefin feed rates such as to maintain olefin partial pressures at inlets to at least first and second catalytic reaction zones which vary by less than about ten percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin John Schwint
  • Patent number: 8110149
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the continuous production of high-molecular polyesters by esterification of dicarboxylic acids and/or transesterification of dicarboxylic acid esters with diols and/or mixtures thereof in the presence of catalysts with formation of a prepolymer in a tower reactor and polycondensation thereof to form a high-molecular polyester in a polycondensation reactor, a prepolymer with >40 to 70 repeat units (DP) being produced in the tower reactor and this prepolymer being polycondensed in only one further reactor to form a polyester with >150 to 205 DP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Uhde Inventa-Fischer GmbH
    Inventor: Eike Schulz Van Endert
  • Publication number: 20120027645
    Abstract: A processing apparatus that is formed from a plurality of metal layers that are stacked and aligned together and then connected together to form one or more portions of the processing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: JAMES M. PINCHOT
  • Patent number: 8105564
    Abstract: Provided is a plant for the continuous production of monosilane and tetrachlorosilane by catalytic dismutation of trichlorosilane, wherein the plant contains: a countercurrent reactor having a double wall, a catalyst bed containing a catalyst which is located in the countercurrent reactor, a condenser at the top of the countercurrent reactor, a vaporizer unit at the bottom of the countercurrent reactor, a trichlorosilane feed line for the introduction of trichlorosilane into the countercurrent reactor, a heat exchanger, with the trichlorosilane conveyed by line via the heat exchanger and preheated there by a bottom product from the vaporizer unit and, for this purpose, the bottom product is fed by line via the heat exchanger into the double wall at a level in the lower part of the countercurrent reactor and discharged from the double wall at a level in the upper part of the countercurrent reactor, a condensation unit downstream of the condenser, and a distillation column having an outlet for monosilane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Raymund Sonnenschein, Peter Adler, Yuriy Kasatkin, Adolf Petrik, Leonid Schwarzmann
  • Patent number: 8105541
    Abstract: A reactor system includes a fluidized bed reactor with a fluidized zone having sorbent particles and catalyst particles. The sorbent particles are sized to become entrained in a product stream from the fluidized zone and the catalyst particles are sized to gravimetrically stay within the fluidized zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert E. Stewart, Jeffrey A. Mays
  • Patent number: 8101133
    Abstract: A radial flow reactor is disclosed for use in gas purification, separation or reaction processes and most suitably used in prepurification processes. The reactor has two concentric internal baskets which are rigidly supported at both the top and bottom ends of the reactor. The reactor has a removable section in the inner basket to accommodate rotating arms to dense load one or more layers of active materials between the concentric baskets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Ackley, Cem E. Celik, Jeffert John Nowobilski, James Stanley Schneider
  • Patent number: 8101131
    Abstract: Aluminum chloride from a gas containing chlorosilanes produced in a chlorination reactor is effectively removed. A container 1 is filled with sodium chloride and heated by a heating device 17, a gas containing chlorosilanes produced by a reaction between metallurgical grade silicon and hydrogen chloride passes through the sodium chloride layer 16 to generate a double salt of aluminum chloride contained in the gas and the sodium chloride, and the gas from which the double salt is separated is recovered from a gas recovery tube 26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Teruhisa Kitagawa, Mitsutoshi Narukawa, Chikara Inaba
  • Publication number: 20120014847
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus for mixing, cooling, and distributing multiphase fluid mixtures within a reactor, wherein reactor internal apparatus of the present invention provides not only improved fluid mixing and distribution to each underlying catalyst bed surface, but also offers other advantages including: decreased mixing tray height; easier maintenance, assembly and disassembly; and decreased amounts of fabrication material. In an embodiment, fluid may be evenly distributed to a catalyst bed from a fluid distribution unit comprising a nozzle tray including a plurality of nozzles, wherein the nozzles include at least one liquid inlet disposed tangentially to an inner surface of the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Ralph E. Killen, Craig Boyak, Steven X. Song, Abdenour Kemoun, Steve Souers, Krishniah Parimi, Zackory Akin
  • Publication number: 20120014850
    Abstract: A combustor provides heat to a reformer. The combustor includes an inner wall, a thermocouple, a fuel supply tube, a fuel distribution portion and a first oxidation catalytic layer. The inner wall is formed in a shape of a hollow cylinder having a first oxidation portion in a space therein. The thermocouple extends to the first oxidation portion to measure the temperature of the first oxidation portion. The fuel supply tube has a shape of a hollow cylinder surrounding the thermocouple, and has fuel discharge holes formed at a lower portion thereof. The fuel distribution portion is located below the fuel supply tube, and has distribution nozzles through which fuel is distributed. The first oxidation catalytic layer is located beneath the fuel distribution portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventor: In-Hyuk Son
  • Patent number: 8097219
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing reaction of fluids and separation of products with increased residence time. The apparatus includes a stationary shell, a rotating hollow cylindrical component disposed in the stationary shell, a residence-time increasing device external to the stationary shell, a standpipe for introducing fluid into an interior cavity of the hollow cylindrical component from the residence-time increasing device, a first outlet in fluid flow communication with the interior cavity of the hollow cylindrical component for a less dense phase fluid, and a second outlet in fluid flow communication with the interior cavity of the hollow cylindrical component for a more dense phase fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: UT-Battelle LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F Birdwell, Jr., Harold L. Jennings, Joanna McFarlane, Constantino Tsouris
  • Patent number: 8097220
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a fluid with a body are disclosed. Various aspects involve treating a fluid with a porous body. In select embodiments, a body comprises ash particles, and the ash particles used to form the body may be selected based on their providing one or more desired properties for a given treatment. Various bodies provide for the reaction and/or removal of a substance in a fluid, often using a porous body comprised of ash particles. Computer-operable methods for matching a source material to an application are disclosed. Certain aspects feature a porous body comprised of ash particles, the ash particles have a particle size distribution and interparticle connectivity that creates a plurality of pores having a pore size distribution and pore connectivity, and the pore size distribution and pore connectivity are such that a first fluid may substantially penetrate the pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Errcive, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Ramberg, Stephen A. Dynan, Jack A. Shindle
  • Publication number: 20120009106
    Abstract: Sulfur dioxide (SO2) may be removed from carbon dioxide feed gas by contacting the carbon dioxide at an elevated temperature and an elevated pressure with a catalyst for oxidizing SO2, in the presence of oxygen (O2) to convert SO2 to sulfur trioxide (SO3); contacting SO3 in the resultant SO3-enriched carbon dioxide gas with water to produce sulfuric acid and SO2-depleted carbon dioxide gas; and separating the sulfuric acid from the SO2-depleted carbon dioxide gas. If present, NOx is also removed from the carbon dioxide feed gas as nitric acid to produce SO2-depleted, NOx-lean carbon dioxide gas. The method has particular application in the removal of SO2 and NOx from flue gas produced by oxyfuel combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel or carbonaceous fuel, within or downstream of the CO2 compression train of a CO2 recovery and purification system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Francis Peter Petrocelli, Kevin Boyle Fogash, Vincent White
  • Patent number: 8092756
    Abstract: Catalyst withdrawal apparatuses and methods for regulating catalyst inventory in one or more units are provided. In one embodiment, a catalyst withdrawal apparatus for removing catalyst from a FCC unit includes a vessel coupled to a flow control circuit. Another embodiment of a catalyst withdrawal apparatus includes a vessel, a delivery line, and control valve. The control valve is configured to control the amount of gas to the delivery line and entrained with the catalyst. Another embodiment of catalyst withdrawal apparatus includes a vessel coupled to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a first conduit; a housing confining a coolant volume around a portion of the first conduit; and a sliding seal sealing the housing to the first conduit in manner that allows longitudinal expansion. A fluid catalyst cracking system coupled to a catalyst withdrawal apparatus and method for withdrawing catalyst from a unit are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Intercat Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Evans, Charles Radcliffe
  • Patent number: 8092753
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a fluid with a body are disclosed. Various aspects involve treating a fluid with a porous body. In select embodiments, a body comprises ash particles, and the ash particles used to form the body may be selected based on their providing one or more desired properties for a given treatment. Various bodies provide for the reaction and/or removal of a substance in a fluid, often using a porous body comprised of ash particles. Computer-operable methods for matching a source material to an application are disclosed. Certain aspects feature a porous body comprised of ash particles, the ash particles have a particle size distribution and interparticle connectivity that creates a plurality of pores having a pore size distribution and pore connectivity, and the pore size distribution and pore connectivity are such that a first fluid may substantially penetrate the pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Errcive, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Ramberg, Stephen A. Dynan, Jack A. Shindle
  • Patent number: 8093437
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and process for producing a diol by taking a cyclic carbonate and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol as starting materials, continuously feeding the starting materials into column A, carrying out reactive distillation in column A, continuously withdrawing a low boiling point reaction mixture containing a produced dialkyl carbonate and the aliphatic monohydric alcohol from an upper portion of column A, continuously withdrawing a high boiling point reaction mixture containing a produced diol from a lower portion of column A, continuously feeding the high boiling point reaction mixture into distillation column C, distilling off material having a lower boiling point than that of the diol contained in the high boiling point reaction mixture as a column top component and a side cut component so as to obtain a column bottom component, continuously feeding the column bottom component into column C, and obtaining the diol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: Shinsuke Fukuoka, Hironori Miyaji, Hiroshi Hachiya, Kazuhiko Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 8092755
    Abstract: Injection nozzles for use in a gas distribution device are disclosed. In one aspect, the injection nozzle may include: a tube having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; wherein the inlet comprises a plurality of flow restriction orifices. In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to an injection nozzle for use in a gas distribution device, the injection nozzle including: a tube having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; wherein the fluid inlet comprises an annular orifice surrounding a flow restriction device. Injection nozzles according to embodiments disclosed herein may be disposed in a gas distribution manifold used in a vessel, for example, for conducting polymerization reactions, spent catalyst regeneration, and coal gasification, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Leonce Francis Castagnos, Jr., Ting Yee Chan, Ronald Eugene Pieper, Norman Paul Kolb
  • Publication number: 20120003146
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and compositions for facilitating hydrogen storage, typically using naturally-occurring nanostructured biomaterials such as diatoms or diatomaceous material in their natural or modified forms to facilitate the hydrogen storage. For example, when the nanostructured biomaterials are in contact with a metal hydride such as a complex or a simple metal hydride, the resulting composition functions a catalytic composition that can reversibly desorb and resorb hydrogen gas in an efficient manner. Examples of modification include, but are not limited to, modification of the nanostructured silica with any number of metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: MICROBES UNLIMITED, LLC
    Inventor: Carl B. Fliermans
  • Patent number: 8088344
    Abstract: A multi-tubular reactor system for catalytically reacting a fluid reactant mixture to form a fluid product comprising a shell and a plurality of reactor tubes housed therein. The reactor system is adapted to allow heat-exchange fluid to flow between the shell and the external surface of the reactor tubes. A reactor tube comprises a reaction zone, and also a heating zone and/or a cooling zone. The reaction zone is positioned downstream of the heating zone. The cooling zone is positioned downstream of the reaction zone. The reactor tube contains a bed of solid particulate catalyst in the reaction zone. The reactor tube additionally contains a heat-exchanging essentially rod-shaped insert having a length of from 1 to 20%, preferably 1 to 5%, of the total length of the reactor tube in the heating zone and/or the cooling zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Arend Jan Te Raa, Mathias Jozef Paul Slapak, Alouisius Nicolaas Rene Bos
  • Patent number: 8088338
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system and an apparatus for regenerating an ionic liquid catalyst, which has been deactivated by conjunct polymers during any type of reaction producing conjunct polymers as a by-product, for example, isoparaffin-olefin alkylation. The system and apparatus are designed such that solvent extraction of conjunct polymers, freed from the ionic liquid catalyst through its reaction with aluminum metal, occurs as soon as the conjunct polymers de-bond from the ionic liquid catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Huping Luo, Moinuddin Ahmed, Krishniah Parimi, Bong-Kyu Chang
  • Patent number: 8088711
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and catalyst for the oxidative desulfurization of hydrocarbonaceous oil. In one aspect, solid carbon materials are provided having stable sulfur trioxide and nitrogen dioxide oxidative species on the surface thereof. Such materials are useful in the production of low sulfur hydrocarbon feedstocks and in the removal of refractory sulfur compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Ki-Hyouk Choi
  • Patent number: 8080208
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purification device that includes a catalytic particulate filter having at least an exhaust gas channel, the exhaust gas channel may include a first channel and a second channel being laterally coupled each other and fluidly communicating therebetween, wherein the exhaust gas is inlet through inlet opening of the first channel and outlet through lower portion of the first channel and/or outlet opening of the second channel, and wherein a first coating layer is formed on an interior surface of the first channel in a longitudinal direction thereof substantially from the inlet opening in a first predetermined length, the first coating layer being coated with a catalyst, and a second coating layer is formed on an interior surface of the second channel in a longitudinal direction thereof substantially from the outlet opening in a second predetermined length, the second coating layer being coated with the catalyst and a third coating is formed on an outside surface of a plug closing the outlet end of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Chang Dae Kim
  • Patent number: 8080215
    Abstract: Flow reactor having a plurality of walled conduits each having an outer surface disposed for contact with a heat-transfer medium, an inlet distribution manifold in flow communication with a downstream manifold through channels formed by heterogeneous catalytic material disposed within each conduit during operation, and a sequence of zones comprising at least two zones, the zones including the walled conduits. The walled conduits within each zone have the same or different length measured along a longitudinal coordinate of the zone, the walled conduits within each zone have essentially uniform cross-section measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal coordinate thereby defining volume of the zone, and in the sequence of zones, the total cross-sectional area of the conduits in each downstream zone varies from the prior upstream zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Hassan Taheri, Curtis D. Dickinson, Paul A. Jacobson
  • Publication number: 20110305603
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention combine a suitable photocatalyst with a non-conducting matrix such as plastic or rubber for the purpose of the production of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of light of a suitable frequency or frequencies and oxygenated, acidic water. A suitable photocatalyst such as Anatase titanium dioxide is combined at low temperature (>˜700 F) with a plastic such as polypropylene as one would a pigment. The impregnated plastic can be immersed in water to about an inch whereupon the excess hydrogen ion in the water combines with dissolved oxygen to produce hydrogen peroxide upon irradiation. Hydrogen peroxide is a excellent oxidizer and disinfectant and purifier and goes on to kill bacteria, algae, etc. in the water, as well as to precipitate hardness. Unused hydrogen peroxide breaks down into hydrogen ion and free oxygen in a short time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: SIGMA PRIME SOLAR LLC
    Inventor: Timothy J. Flick
  • Patent number: 8075978
    Abstract: A method for producing a honeycomb body includes providing an annular radial partial region with channels through which a fluid can flow. The honeycomb body is formed from at least one metallic layer fastened at least at one fastening point to an outer casing tube. Each metallic layer has alternating substantially smooth and structured sections folded onto one another. A honeycomb body is also provided. The method and the honeycomb body advantageously permit an annular honeycomb body with low material expenditure and good durability to be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventors: Naroa Zaldua-Moreno, Ferdi Kurth, Rolf Brück