Fixed Annularly Shaped Bed Of Contact Material And Means Directing Reactant Therethrough Substantially Perpendicular To Longitudinal Axis Of Bed Patents (Class 422/218)
  • Patent number: 7214352
    Abstract: A cylindrical reactor containing a radial particle bed suitable for hydrocarbon reforming comprises: a reactor inlet (1) having a means of feeding a charge, numerous perforated, internal conduits (5) arranged around the periphery of the reactor and parallel to the axis of the reactor, which feed particle bed (2) with the charge, a circular collar (8) supporting the conduits in the lower bottom of the reactor, a perforated (7) central collector (3) receiving a reactor effluent connected to an outlet (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Bernard Poussin
  • Patent number: 7192562
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the generation of hydrogen peroxide. The apparatus provides for the production of a large scale volume of hydrogen peroxide by the generation of a liquid bearing bubble cloud. The bubbles are generated with a tiny volume before flowing over the reactor bed to generate the hydrogen peroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gavin P. Towler, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche
  • Patent number: 7125529
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reacting feed in and an apparatus comprising a radial flow reactor including a first catalyst bed disposed between an outer wall and a centerpipe of the vessel and a second catalyst bed disposed within a centerpipe. Also disclosed is a method of loading catalyst into the radial flow reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: David W. Ablin
  • Patent number: 7115148
    Abstract: Hydrogen is produced in a compact methanol-steam reformer, which integrates an inner cylindrical heating chamber; and a reactant vaporizer and heating zone, and an outer Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst bed in concentric annuli around the heating chamber. Tubular, palladium-silver alloy membranes in the catalyst bed separate hydrogen from retentate gas, which is separately discharged from the apparatus through a manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as respresented by the Minister of Defence of Her Majesty's Canadian Government
    Inventors: Ian R. Wheeldon, Brant A. Peppley, Helmut Wieland
  • Patent number: 7033552
    Abstract: A process for upgrading at least one of a Fischer-Tropsch naphtha and a Fischer-Tropsch distillate to produce at least one of a gasoline component, a distillate fuel or a lube base feedstock component. The process includes reforming a Fischer-Tropsch naphtha to produce hydrogen by-product and a gasoline component with a research octane rating of at least about 80. The process further includes upgrading a Fischer-Tropsch distillate using the hydrogen by-product to produce a distillate fuel and/or a lube base feedstock component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. O'Rear, Lawrence W. Jossens
  • Patent number: 6991770
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage tank has an outer cylinder and a cylindrical hydrogen storage module within the outer cylinder spaced apart from an inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder to provide a hydrogen passage therebetween. The cylindrical hydrogen storage module includes a lamination having a plurality of hydrogen storage units filled with powdery hydrogen absorption material and a hydrogen absorption and desorption surface on an entire outer peripheral surface, while interposing a heating/cooling element between ones of adjacent units. First and second main passages penetrate the lamination in a lamination direction of the units, and permit heating fluid and cooling fluid to flow therethrough. Sub passages branch from the main passages and extend over within each of the heating/cooling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takanori Suzuki, Izuru Kanoya, Mitsuya Hosoe
  • Patent number: 6982067
    Abstract: An axial/radial—or radial/flow catalytic reactor has inlet and outlet ports and a bed of particulate catalyst disposed as e.g. a cylinder or cone round a central region communicating with one of the ports. For at least part of the height of the catalyst bed, the exterior surface of the catalyst bed has a diameter less than that of the reactor thus leaving space between the exterior surface of the catalyst bed and the interior walls of the reactor. This space is filled with a particulate material presenting less resistance to flow than the catalyst particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey PLC
    Inventor: Andrew M Ward
  • Patent number: 6972119
    Abstract: A hydrogen producing apparatus comprising: a reforming section having a reforming catalyst which causes a reaction between a carbon-containing organic compound as a feedstock and water; a feedstock supply section for supplying the feedstock to the reforming section; a water supply section for supplying water to the reforming section; a heating section for heating the reforming catalyst; a shifting section having a shift catalyst which causes a shift reaction between carbon monoxide and water contained in a reformed gas supplied from the reforming section; and a purifying section having a purifying catalyst which causes oxidation or methanation of carbon monoxide contained in a gas supplied from the shifting section, wherein the shift catalyst comprises a platinum group metal and a metal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Taguchi, Takeshi Tomizawa, Kunihiro Ukai, Toshiyuki Shono, Koichiro Kitagawa, Tetsuya Ueda, Seiji Fujihara, Yutaka Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6814944
    Abstract: Shift conversion of hydrogen-rich reformed gas produced by reaction including partial oxidation of feed gas in a reforming reaction section (6) is made by its water gas shift reaction with shift conversion catalyst in a shift reaction section (10) in order to reduce CO contained in the reformed gas and enhance the yield of hydrogen. In this case, for the purpose of enabling high-temperature reformed gas from the reforming reaction section (6) to undergo the shift conversion as it is and thereby simplifying the construction of a shift conversion unit, the reformed gas from the reforming reaction section (6) is introduced directly into a reformed gas passage (11) of the shift reaction section (10) and thereby undergoes the shift reaction while heat-exchanging with the feed gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuki Matsui, Shuji Ikegami, Yasunori Okamoto, Kazuo Yonemoto
  • Publication number: 20040191136
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of loading a granulated solid into a vessel (1) having a containment zone for the granulated solid. This comprises providing in a bottom portion of the containment zone a first substantially vertical rigid columnar portion (6) having a horizontal cross section large enough to accommodate an operative's body. Support means (7,8) is associated with the substantially vertical rigid columnar portion upon which an operative can stand. Granulated solid is charged into the containment zone so as to distribute granulated solid around the substantially vertical rigid columnar portion (6), charging being discontinued before the upper surface of the granulated solid in the containment zone reaches the top of the substantially vertical rigid columnar portion (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Simon Robert Early
  • Patent number: 6790415
    Abstract: In this process, during at least one phase of the treatment cycle, the gas outflow is increased or decreased locally in at least one marginal region of the packing. Application to drying/CO2 removal of atmospheric air intended to be distilled, or to the separation of gaseous mixtures by pressure modulated adsorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide - Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Pierre Petit, Maurice Bosquain, Jean-Yves Lehman, Jean-Pierre Tranier
  • Patent number: 6790417
    Abstract: An improved recirculating tank reactor incorporating the advantages of a fixed catalyst includes a monolithic honeycomb catalyst positioned within the tank in such a manner so as to provide an adjacent bypass passageway. Internal flow activation means are provided for recirculating the reactant liquid within the tank in such a manner that it sequentially flows through channels in the catalyzed honeycomb substrate and around the substrate through the bypass passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Thorsten R. Boger
  • Patent number: 6783742
    Abstract: A reformer for producing a hydrogen-rich gas includes a first zone, a second zone, a third zone, a fourth zone and a product gas collection space. The zones are sequentially adjacent. A flow path is provided for directing flow of a reaction stream in diverging directions from the first zone into the second zone, and continuing in the same general diverging directions through the second zone, third zone, and fourth zone. Directing the flow in diverging directions permits flow into and through a zone over more that just a single cross-sectional geometry of the zone or a single cross-section of the flow path transverse to the direction of flows. This configuration can be used to require a lower pressure for flowing the reaction stream so as to reduce the parasitic requirements of the reactor, and can also be used to increase throughput of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Bentley, William L. Mitchell, Lawrence G. Clawson, James C. Cross, III
  • Patent number: 6762335
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a process and apparatus for improving the catalyst life and efficiency in a gas flow catalyst bed reactor assembly. The reactor comprises an outer reaction vessel, an inner displacement cylinder, and an annular catalyst bed surrounding the displacement cylinder having a top half and a bottom half. Fluid flow improvement is achieved by adding at least one baffle to the top half of the displacement cylinder to improve uniformity of fluid flow in the reaction vessel and across the catalyst bed. Also disclosed is a process for improving fluid flow uniformity in a gas phase reactor comprising an outer reaction vessel, an inner displacement vessel having a top half and a bottom half and a reaction outer surface and an inert inner space, and an annular catalyst bed. The process comprises conducting fluid flow simulations using actual reactor conditions. During simulation, baffles are added on the outer reaction surface of the displacement reactor to improve simulated fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelli E. Prince, Marcus E. Ledoux, Honn Tudor, L. Mark Gremillion
  • Publication number: 20040115106
    Abstract: A reactor for processes involving reactions of gasses at high temperatures comprising a gas impermeable basket suitable for operation at elevated temperatures surrounded by a layer of insulation material, the insulation material being surrounded by a reactor shell suitable for operation at elevated pressures. The basket comprises an inlet channel and a wall surrounding a fixed catalyst bed, and the inlet channel is connected to the reactor shell forming a gas leak tight transfer for a feed gas. An electric heater can be installed on the outer surface of the wall around the inlet layer of the catalyst bed and the installed catalyst is in form of particles or a monolith. The reactor is particularly useful in catalytic partial oxidation of hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Tommy Hansen, Martin Ostberg
  • Patent number: 6746650
    Abstract: A fuel gas-steam reformer assembly, preferably an autothermal reformer assembly, for use in a fuel cell power plant, includes a catalyst bed which is formed from a cylindrical monolithic open cell foam body. The foam body is preferably formed from a high temperature material such as stainless steel, nickel alloys and Iron-aluminum alloys, or from a ceramic material. The foam body includes open cells or pores which are contained within the metal or ceramic lattice. The lattice is coated with a porous wash coat which serves as a high surface area substrate onto which catalysts used in the reformer are applied. The foam body has an inlet end into which a mixture of fuel, steam and air is fed to begin the reforming process. An inlet portion of the foam body may be provided with an iron oxide and/or noble metal catalyst and the remainder of the foam body may be provided with a copper, copper/zinc and/or noble metal catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: UTC Fuel Cells, LLC
    Inventor: Roger R. Lesieur
  • Publication number: 20040096370
    Abstract: A vertical, fixed-bed ammonia converter wherein a fixed-bed catalyst zone is configured into two mechanically separated catalyst volumes and two gas streams that operate in parallel. The design maintains the ratio of gas flow to catalyst volume so that there is no catalyst effectiveness penalty. The catalyst beds and gas flow paths are configured so that gas flow is downward through each catalyst volume. Each fixed-bed catalyst zone in the present invention can hold the catalyst in an annular space formed between two concentric shrouds arranged around a shell and tube heat exchanger. The two catalyst beds associated with each zone are situated above one another along the length of an interstage heat exchanger. Pipes or conduits are disposed through the beds to effect the parallel gas flow configuration, or alternatively, annular flows are created via passages through the internal shrouds that contain the catalyst beds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Kellogg Brown & Root, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Lewis Blanchard
  • Publication number: 20040091404
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reacting feed in and an apparatus comprising a radial flow reactor including a first catalyst bed disposed between an outer wall and a centerpipe of the vessel and a second catalyst bed disposed within a centerpipe. Also disclosed is a method of loading catalyst into the radial flow reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: David W. Ablin
  • Patent number: 6685892
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for contacting reactants with a particulate catalyst while indirectly contacting the reactants with a heat exchange medium performs heat exchange in a first reaction zone and moves catalyst, at least intermittently, through the second reaction zone while the process is operating. The first reaction zone is preferably a fixed bed reaction zone. The use of first reaction zone as a fixed bed reaction zone simplifies the process arrangement by not requiring means for catalyst movement in a reaction zone that performs simultaneous heat exchange. Long periods of operation are possible since the first reaction zone will typically experience a slow rate of catalyst deactivation and need infrequent regeneration. The first reaction zone may also be designed for catalyst movement, but independently controlled from the first reaction zone to facilitate the movement of catalyst therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Bipin V. Vora, Raymond A. Pogliano
  • Publication number: 20040018124
    Abstract: An heterogeneous chemical reactor of the type with a partial opening, incorporating a catalytic cartridge comprising a substantially cylindrical basket (11) suitable for containing a predetermined amount of a predefined catalyst is distinguished by the fact that the basket (11) is modular and is made of a plurality of containers (14) which are structurally independent from each other, which can be manipulated individually and which are associated with each other to form the basket (11) in a reciprocally removable way, each container (14) being of a suitable size to pass through the partial opening (9) of the corresponding reactor (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Ermanno Filippi, Enrico Rizzi, Mirco Tarozzo
  • Publication number: 20030219365
    Abstract: A cylindrical reactor containing a radial particle bed is described comprising: a reactor inlet (1) having a means of feeding a load, numerous perforated, internal conduits (5) arranged around the periphery of the reactor and parallel to the axis of the reactor, which feed particle bed (2) with the load, a circular collar (8) supporting the conduits in the lower bottom of the reactor, a perforated (7) central collector (3) receiving a reactive effluent connected to an outlet (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Bernard Poussin
  • Patent number: 6623707
    Abstract: Axial flow dehydrogenation reactors comprising multiple catalyst beds formed of honeycomb monoliths, the beds being separated from each other by heating stages to maintain reactant stream temperature, provide low pressure drop and improved conversion efficiency when used alone or in combination with other reactors, e.g., as reactor upgrades for series reactor systems incorporating radial flow reactor stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: William P. Addiego, Stephen A. Campbell, Wei Liu, Mitchell E. Odinak
  • Patent number: 6620386
    Abstract: Apparatus for radial flow reactor and methods of using the reactor for catalytic hydrocarbon processing. The reactor, of annular shaped housing, contains a core region with a heat exchange means. The core region is surrounded by a catalyst bed held by inner and outer walls. The core region and radial catalyst bed are further surrounded by an annular zone containing heat exchange means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Stone & Webster, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent A. Welch
  • Patent number: 6617155
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bioreactor apparatus having a bed of buoyant media pellets floating within a filtrate to be processed. The apparatus includes a tank (22) having a peripheral wall for containing filtrate (34) and a bed (36) of media pellets (38). A central manifold (100) is rotatably supported within the tank, the central manifold being mounted for rotation about a vertical axis (22) and having a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings (140) intermediate its ends, the openings adapted to eject filtrate in a generally horizontal direction and along a substantially vertical plane toward the wall of the tank, cyclically fluidize pellets in a directly narrow zone. In a preferred aspect, there is also a thrust manifold (140), generally parallel to the axis of the central manifold and having a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings intermediate its ends directed horizontally and generally perpendicularly to the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: J. Wayne Van Toever
  • Patent number: 6569389
    Abstract: A process and arrangement for contacting a moving bed of compact particulate material, usually catalyst, with a radial flow of fluid maintains an unconfined surface of catalyst particles in place by passing fluid axially into the upper surface of the bed and maintaining radial gas flow across an inlet screen at an elevation that is above the upper most elevation of perforations for withdrawing gas flow from the particulate bed. Two vertical screens confine the bed of catalyst. Perforations cover substantially the entire length of the inlet screen. The outlet portion of the screen has perforations that end below the top of the free surface of the catalyst bed and define an upper bed portion therebetween. The inlet screen directs gas flow radially across the inlet screen into an upper portion of the bed and causes at least partial axial flow of gas through the upper portion of the particle bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: William J. Koves, Gary A. Schulz, Robert J. Sanger
  • Publication number: 20030044331
    Abstract: An annular heat-exchange reactor vessel allows for selectively controlled heat transfer between a first fluid and second fluid flowing through the vessel. Optionally, catalyst means may be added to further convert either fluid into a desired end product. In this regard, it is envisioned that the present invention will have particular utility in fuel processing systems. Additional, in-line upstream or downstream annular modules may also be incorporated to create a more complete, efficient and/or compact system. Various methods for constructing this reactor system are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: McDERMOTT TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Crispin L. DeBellis, William R. Gwynne, Milind V. Kantak, Timothy A. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20030017094
    Abstract: In a process for preparing an aqueous and/or alcoholic solution of hydrogen peroxide by reaction of hydrogen and oxygen in a trickle-bed reactor over a supported catalyst comprising a noble metal, the apparent flow direction of the gas stream and the apparent flow direction of the liquid stream are not parallel to one another. The apparent flow direction of the gas stream preferably runs radially from the longitudinal axis to the circumference of the reactor. The process allows high gas throughputs with a small pressure drop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Fischer, Thomas Butz, Klemens Massonne
  • Publication number: 20020183571
    Abstract: A radial reactor for utilization for catalytic reactions of gaseous or liquid feed streams including an annular catalyst bed, wherein the material contained within the catalyst bed includes an active catalyst material, contained within an outer ring-shaped layer of the catalyst bed, and a generally inert material, contained within an inner ring-shaped layer of the catalyst bed, wherein the generally inert material includes a potassium-containing compound, such as potassium oxide, hydroxide, carbonate or bicarbonate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: Sud-Chemie Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Williams, Andrzej Rokicki, Dennis J. Smith, Kyle Mankin
  • Publication number: 20020146360
    Abstract: A honeycomb body, in particular a catalyst carrier body, includes a carrier matrix shell for a carrier matrix formed of partially structured, layered and/or wound or folded metal sheets. The carrier matrix has a plurality of passages which are fluid-permeable and extend substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis. The carrier matrix shell has at least two individual, smooth layers, preferably with substantially the same thickness, disposed concentrically relative to one another and at least two of the layers are adjacent one another. In addition to an improved ability to compensate for expansion of a thermal origin, the honeycomb body has vibration damping and sound-proofing qualities, resulting from the multi-layer structure of the carrier matrix shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventor: Rolf Bruck
  • Publication number: 20020102192
    Abstract: An axial/radial—or radial/flow catalytic reactor has inlet and outlet ports and a bed of particulate catalyst disposed as e.g. a cylinder or cone round a central region communicating with one of the ports. For at least part of the height of the catalyst bed, the exterior surface of the catalyst bed has a diameter less than that of the reactor thus leaving space between the exterior surface of the catalyst bed and the interior walls of the reactor. This space is filled with a particulate material presenting less resistance to flow than the catalyst particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventor: Andrew M. Ward
  • Publication number: 20020068026
    Abstract: A catalytic reactor and process wherein the reactor contains a fixed catalyst bed comprised of at least one layer of a mesh having catalyst particles and/or catalyst fibers retained in the interstices of the mesh, wherein the catalyst particles have an average particle size of no greater than 200 microns and the fibers have a diameter of no greater than 500 microns and wherein the wire mesh layer has a void volume of at least 45%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: LAWRENCE L. MURRELL, FRITS M. DAUTZENBERG, RUDOLF A. OVERBEEK, BRUCE J. TATARCHUK
  • Publication number: 20020065442
    Abstract: A radial reactor for utilization for catalytic reactions of gaseous or liquid feed streams including a vertical, annular catalyst bed, wherein the material contained within the catalyst bed includes an active catalyst material, contained within an outer ring-shaped, vertical layer of the catalyst bed, and an inert material, contained within an inner ring-shaped, vertical layer of the catalyst bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Applicant: Sud-Chemie Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Williams, Andrzej Rokicki, Dennis J. Smith, Kyle Mankin
  • Publication number: 20020061268
    Abstract: A combustion engine assembly includes a combustion engine with a displacement and a downstream catalytic converter for cleaning exhaust gas. The catalytic converter has a geometric surface and an effectiveness for converting at least one harmful component in the exhaust gas into harmless components. The catalytic converter has at least one honeycomb body, all of which together have a total volume. The volume is selected in such a way that it is smaller than the displacement by a factor of 0.6. However, the geometric surface is dimensioned in such a way that the catalytic converter has an effectiveness of more than 98%. The honeycomb body is preferably a metallic honeycomb body formed of layered and/or wound and at least partly structured sheet metal layers. Channels of the honeycomb body are separated from one another by channel walls. An average thickness of the channel walls is at most 40 micrometers, preferably at most 35 micrometers and in particular between 18 and 32 micrometers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventors: Rolf Bruck, Wolfgang Maus, Ludwig Wieres
  • Patent number: 6326191
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bioreactor apparatus having a bed of buoyant media pellets floating within a filtrate to be processed. The apparatus includes a tank having a peripheral wall for containing filtrate and a bed of media pellets. A central manifold is rotatably supported within the tank the central manifold being mounted for rotation about a vertical axis and having a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings intermediate its ends, the openings adapted to eject filtrate in a generally horizontal direction and along a substantially vertical plane toward the wall of the tank. A thrust manifold, generally parallel to the axis of the central manifold has a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings intermediate its ends directed horizontally and generally perpendicularly to the plane. The thrust manifold is supported in association with the central manifold inwardly adjacent the tank wall and offset rearwardly of the plane to rotate with the central manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventor: James Wayne VanToever
  • Publication number: 20010043892
    Abstract: According to the invention, there are provided catalyst carrier 14 for an exhaust gas purification system, and the method therefor. The catalyst carrier 14 has a honeycomb structure formed of a roll of bands of stainless steel-made one corrugated sheet 1 and one plain sheet 2, which hold stainless steel-made bonding assistants 15 therebetween. Said bonding assistants 15 have width narrower than those of said sheets 1,2, wherein they are positioned at locations radially inside the projections 6 formed at side ends of the corrugated sheet 1 and have thickness T greater than height H of projections 6. Thus, corrugated sheet 1 and plain sheet 2 are diffusion bonded to each other with locally centered high contact pressure, without the influence of projections 6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Applicant: Showa Aircraft Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsunori Matsuoka
  • Publication number: 20010022955
    Abstract: In this process, during at least one phase of the treatment cycle, the gas outflow is increased or decreased locally in at least one marginal region of the packing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Applicant: L' AIR LIQUIDE, SOCIETE ANONYME
    Inventors: Pierre Petit, Maurice Bosquain, Jean-Yves Lehman, Jean-Pierre Tranier
  • Patent number: 6284398
    Abstract: A reformer for a fuel cell is structured so that the entirety of a catalytic layer is effectively used, a sufficient shift reaction is made possible, the volume velocity is raised, and the pressure loss is reduced. The reformer includes a container having an inlet for introduction of a vapor of a methanol solution as a raw fuel, an outlet for discharge of a reformed gas and a catalytic layer in the container. It is structured such that the inside of the container is divided into an inlet space communicating with the inlet and an outlet space communicating with the outlet. A passage cross section of the catalytic layer at a side of the outlet space is larger than a passage cross section at a side of the inlet space, preferably by 20% to 250%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Koji Kiryu
  • Patent number: 6245303
    Abstract: A reformer reactor 10 for producing a hydrogen-rich gas includes a first zone 18, a second zone 20, a third zone 22, a fourth zone 24 and a product gas collection space 40. The zones are sequentially adjacent. A flow path P1 is provided for directing flow of a reaction stream in diverging directions from the first zone 18 into the second zone 20, the flow of the reaction stream continuing in the same general diverging directions through the second zone 20 and into and through the third and fourth zones 22,24. Directing the flow in diverging directions permits flow into and through a zone over more than just a single cross-sectional geometry of the zone or a single cross-section of the flow path transverse to the direction of flows. This configuration can be used to require a lower pressure for flowing the reaction stream so as to reduce the parasitic requirements of the reactor. This configuration can also be used to increase throughput of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Arthur D. Little, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Bentley, William L. Mitchell, Lawrence G. Clawson, James C. Cross, III
  • Patent number: 6224838
    Abstract: Conduits for a radial flow reactor to provide fluid/solid contacting are improved structurally in terms of possessing good flexibility and a high resistance to vertical buckling when subjected to radially and axially directed stresses. The desired conduit characteristics are obtained using connection flaps to flexibly join a curved profile wire front side to a flatter back side that is proximate to the reactor vessel wall. The rigid profile wire section is maintained at some distance from the vessel wall so that the conduit can flex without permanent damage in an environment where stresses are imparted due to either temperature or thermal expansion differences within the reactor environment. The radial flow reactor of this invention is especially suited for processes such as catalytic reforming where thermally-induced stresses result from both transient and discontinuous operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gary A. Schulz, Jeffrey E. Burgard
  • Patent number: 6221318
    Abstract: Process for radial distribution of fluid into a fluid mass wherein fluid is radially conveyed within and isolated from the fluid mass and discharged via a plurality of distribution points located radially in the fluid mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Frank Hsian Hok Khouw, Geert van der Honing, Willem Machiel van Poelje
  • Patent number: 6221320
    Abstract: A device for holding catalyst in a radial flow reactor includes a plurality of catalyst containers each of which is a segment of a cylinder divided in the axial plane thereof. Each catalyst container has a cross section of a size which enables the container to be carried in and out of the radial fow reactor through an opening formed in an upper or lower portion of the radial flow reactor, and includes a screen provided on a liquid inlet side and a screen provided on a liquid outlet side. The catalyst containers are assembled together to form a cylindrical catalyst bed in the radial flow reactor. The catalyst containers attains a uniform thickness of a catalyst bed in a radial direction between its inlet side and outlet side over the entire height of the cylindrical catalyst bed. One or more catalyst containers requiring checking or repair only can be taken out of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Nagaoka International Corporation
    Inventor: Tadayoshi Nagaoka
  • 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: 6193935
    Abstract: A catalytic converter for treating pollutants contained in exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, includes a chamber having an inlet disposed at a first end of the chamber for introduction of the exhaust gas and an outlet disposed at a second end of the chamber opposite the first end for discharge of the exhaust gas from the chamber after treatment; a front plate provided at the inlet of the chamber and having defined therein a plurality of openings; first, inner, and second, outer, fixed cones positioned within the chamber, disposed in a spaced apart and parallel relationship to one another, and having a plurality of spaced apart holes defined therein, wherein the plurality of holes defined in the first fixed cone are disposed in a staggered relationship to the plurality of holes of the second fixed cone, and wherein the first fixed cone defines with the front plate a first zone within the chamber; a catalyst bed which is disposed in the space defined between the first and second fixed cones, throug
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventors: Muthan Subramanian, Pradeep Patanwal, Ravinder Kumar Malhotra, Niranjan Raghunath Raje
  • Patent number: 6059961
    Abstract: A process and arrangement for contacting a moving bed of compact particulate material, usually catalyst, with a radial flow of fluid maintains an unconfined surface of catalyst particles in place by passing fluid axially into the upper surface of the bed and maintaining radial gas flow across an inlet screen at an elevation that is above the upper most elevation of perforations for withdrawing gas flow from the particulate bed. Two vertical screens confine the bed of catalyst. Perforations cover substantially the entire length of the inlet screen. The outlet portion of the screen has perforations that end below the top of the free surface of the catalyst bed and define an upper bed portion therebetween. The inlet screen directs gas flow radially across the inlet screen into an upper portion of the bed and cause at least partial axial flow of gas through the upper portion of the particle bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: William John Koves, Gary Alan Schulz, Robert John Sanger
  • Patent number: 5997594
    Abstract: A steam reformer with internal hydrogen purification includes internal bulk hydrogen purification, internal hydrogen polishing to remove trace levels of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, an integrated combustion method utilizing waste gas to heat the reformer, efficient integration of heat transfer, and a compact design. One steam reformer shown includes a concentric cylindrical architecture nesting an annular combustion region, an annular reforming region, an annular hydrogen transport region, and a cylindrical polishing region. Other reformers shown include modified combustion systems distributed within a reformation region, isolated vaporization chambers, combustion systems providing uniform temperature gradient, and plate membrane construction methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Northwest Power Systems, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, William A. Pledger
  • Patent number: 5968454
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating chlorine dioxide. Reagents are introduced into the lower end of a reaction column through "V" inlets. The reagent column surrounds a center column through which motive fluid moves upwardly into a nozzle and venturi throat to produce a zone of reduced pressure at the upper end of the reaction column. The reagents move upwardly through the column interacting throughout 360.degree.. Reaction product exits the generator through the venturi throat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Vulcan Chemical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Deacon, Jess McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 5916531
    Abstract: A spiral fixed-bed module used to provide contact and interaction between a fluid stream and solid particles, comprises a fluid distribution element formed by a pair of laterally coextensive envelope-like fluid communication channels being spirally wound into a cylindrical structure with adjacent layers spaced apart forming spiral loops of spaces of uniform width. The element is then disposed in a cylindrical casing, and immobilized therein by packing solid particles into the spaces between the layers of the spiral channels, and the spaces between external surfaces of the element and inner surfaces of the casing. A fluid stream introduced into a first of the channels will be directed to flow through the solid particle layers via the porous side walls of the distribution channels, and exit from the second channel. The module packed with adsorbent particles provides a thin-bed adsorber, and can use very small adsorbent particles for efficient adsorption without giving rise to high pressure drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Inventor: Chuen Yong Pan
  • Patent number: 5885442
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing petrol of high octane number by catalytic reforming of hydrocarbons by passing these hydrocarbons through a platinum/rhenium catalyst arranged in the form of a hollow cylinder at 450.degree.-500.degree. C. and a pressure of 1.5-3 MPa in a direction perpendicular to the cylinder axis, in which the feed mixture is passed through in the direction from the cylinder axis to the circumference thereof. The invention further relates to a reactor for carrying out the process mentioned, in particular as shown in FIG. 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignees: Michael Grigorjewitsch Lapunow, Walerie Iwanowitsch Abramow, Volker Sommerfeld
    Inventors: Michael Grigorjewitsch Lapunow, Walerie Iwanowitsch Abramow, Volker Sommerfeld, Peter Wasiliewitsch Bolsewitsch, Aleksander Petrowitsch Puschkarew
  • Patent number: 5861137
    Abstract: A steam reformer with internal hydrogen purification includes internal bulk hydrogen purification, internal hydrogen polishing to remove trace levels of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, an integrated combustion method utilizing waste gas to heat the reformer, efficient integration of heat transfer, and a compact design. The steam reformer shown includes a concentric cylindric architecture nesting an annular combustion region, an annular reforming region, an annular hydrogen transport region, and a cylindrical polishing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Inventor: David J. Edlund
  • Patent number: 5843381
    Abstract: An apparatus and process is provided for the removal of hydrogen sulfide from gases and for restoration of hydrogen sulfide removal capacity in nitrogen-treated carbonaceous chars which have become exhausted for hydrogen sulfide capacity when used for the removal of hydrogen sulfide from gas streams. The apparatus has a matrix of removable canisters which contain the nitrogen-treated carbonaceous chars. This process entails directing the gas containing hydrogen sulfide through the canister, washing the spent carbonaceous char with water by flushing/dynamic washing through the canister to remove the majority of the hydrogen sulfide reaction products. By the use of this process a significant proportion of the original hydrogen sulfide capacity of the nitrogen-treated carbonaceous char is recovered and the canisters can be recycled a large number of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Calgon Carbon Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Bland, James P. Markowitz