Abstract: A vessel, in which a chemical reaction is carried out in the presence of a catalyst, comprises a bed (4) of solid catalytic particles, delimited by at least one wall (1, 10, 11) and a base (2). The base comprises at least one gravity extraction device (3) for the particles and a succession of ridges and hollows forming pleats. The ridges and hollows are oriented towards the extraction device. This succession is advantageously formed by an assembly of facets, which are preferably trapezoidal. The invention has particular application to mobile bed reactors, in particular those used for catalytic reforming of petroleum cuts.

Abstract: A reactor, for example, for adsorption processes, is described which is designed essentially cylindrically and is symmetrical with respect to an essentially vertical axis. The reactor is bounded by a shell. A circular bed filled with free-flowing material (e.g., an adsorbent or catalyst) is positioned inside the shell. The free-flowing material is contained within an inner basket and an outer basket and supported by a bottom support member from below. Both baskets are rigidly connected in the radial direction and rigidly connected at their lower end to the shell. At least one of the two baskets is both expandable in the axial direction and rigidly connected at its upper end to the shell.

Abstract: A radial flow fuel processor comprises a heat transfer assembly and a reactor housing encasing the heat transfer assembly. The heat transfer assembly includes a plate having a plurality of heat transfer structures extending therefrom and at least one fluid passageway extending within the heat transfer plate for containing a heat transfer fluid stream. The reactor housing comprises a an inlet and an outlet. A reactant stream introduced at the inlet flows radially outwardly through the processing chamber to the volume between the housing and the heat transfer assembly, and is then exhausted through the outlet. In reverse mode, a reactant stream introduced at the outlet flows radially inwardly through volume between the housing and the heat transfer assembly to the processing chamber, and is then exhausted through the inlet.

Abstract: A hydrogen producing apparatus for producing hydrogen on an industrial scale by steam reforming reactions and separating hydrogen using a hydrogen-permeable membrane, including nested outer (14), intermediate (18) and inner (20) cylinders, a combustion burner (44) disposed toward the inner hollow chamber of the inner cylinder (20), a catalyst layer (A) in the annulus (30) between the intermediate (18) and inner (20) cylinders, hydrogen-permeable tubes (32) disposed in the catalyst layer (A-30), and sweep gas supply tubes (34) in the hydrogen-permeable tubes (32). The raw material gas is fed to the catalyst layer (A) and is converted into hydrogen at a high temperature produced by the burner (44), the produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tubes (32) which selectively separate and collect the hydrogen, and the permeated hydrogen flows with the sweep gas out of the apparatus through the outlet (52) for the sweep tubes (34).

Abstract: A catalytic converter selectively controllable between a radial flow mode, wherein exhaust gas is caused to radially flow across the catalyst thereof, and a by-pass mode, wherein exhaust gas passes axially therethrough. The catalytic converter includes a selectively perforated tube, a catalytic monolith composed of a series of alternating herringbone corrugation patterned foil sheets having a noble (precious) metal catalytic material applied to the surface thereof wherein each of the foil sheets has a central hole whereat is situated the tube, a valve for selectively occluding the tube, and a clam-shell enclosure. The herringbone corrugation pattern provides a plurality of radial passageways. When the valve is in its closed position the tube is in a closed state, wherein the exhaust gas entering the tube upstream of the catalytic monolith is caused to pass through the passageways until emerging at the outer periphery of the catalytic monolith.

Abstract: A device for the purification of an exhaust gas containing at least one contaminant removable through heterogeneous catalysis and flowing through a chamber having an inlet and an outlet, comprises at least one disk structure positionable within the chamber and defining a central cavity alignable with the inlet of the chamber. The disk structure includes a non-metallic, gas-permeable and flexible carrier element comprising a band woven of glass fiber yarn. The yarn is formed of individual fibers coated with a layer of pulverized zeolitic material defining a molecular sieve and having a catalytic material, selected to act adsorptively upon the at least one contaminant, dispersed therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing fumigation gasses from fumigated structures is provided. Air is directed from a structure through an adsorption unit and then recirculated back into the structure. A fan directs air through the adsorption unit. The adsorption unit contains an annularly shaped adsorption bed and an inner passage way and outer passage way through which fumigation gasses are directed. A lower adsorption efficiency per pass through the adsorption bed is used in conjunction with multiple passes with the method of the present invention.

Abstract: Diffuser elements are provided to facilitate mass transfer in endothermic or exothermic solid/gas reactions between a reactive gas and a reactive composite material and are implanted in the reactive composite material to facilitate the diffusion of the reactive gas. These diffuser elements are profiles formed of porous carbonaceous material. The elements have a small loss of charge in a circulation direction of the reactive gas, and in a diffusion direction perpendicular to the circulation direction, these elements have a measured resistance to crushing of at least 1 MPa and permeability of at least 10.sup.-5 m.sup.3 /M.sup.2.s.Pa.

Abstract: A reactor arrangement and process for indirectly contacting a reactant stream with a heat exchange stream uses multiple passes of the heat exchange stream in a transverse flow arrangement to control temperature conditions over the width and length of channels through which the reactant passes. The heat transfer coefficient may be varied by changing the number and/or the arrangement of the corrugations along the plates or adding a heat adjustment plate to a channel containing the heat exchange fluid. The reactor arrangement and process of this invention may be used to operate a reactor under isothermal or other controlled temperature conditions. The variation in corrugation arrangements within a single heat exchange section is highly useful in maintaining a desired temperature profile in an arrangement having a cross-flow of heat exchange medium relative to reactants. The corrugations arrangement eliminates or minimizes the typical step-wise approach to isothermal conditions.

Abstract: A reactor has a reactor shell having an internal cavity. Within the reactor shell is an inlet means, which is connected to the internal cavity to afford passage of material into the cavity. Within the bottom of the reactor shell is an outlet means, which is connected to the internal cavity to afford passage of material out of the cavity. A porous scallop means lines a lower portion of the internal surface of the internal cavity, and a cover means rests upon the top of the porous scallop means. A porous, vertical, hollow centerpipe fits within the internal cavity, and below the cover means, to form an annulus between the porous scallop means and the centerpipe. The bottom of that centerpipe rests on a ledge within the outlet means, to block access of flow of solids from the annulus. A blocking sleeve is within the reactor shell for preventing the flow of solids from the annulus to the outlet means even if the centerpipe ratchets upward from the outlet means.

Abstract: The integrated apparatus includes within a single vessel a plurality of components for processing fuel in a fuel cell plant. Along with the gas reformer is an air preheater for the burner and a plenum for supplying the shift converter. The shift converter is also in the vessel with upstream steam and fuel heat exchangers. The shift converter heat exchanger is also included.

Abstract: A honeycomb structure having a periphery and two ends, including a plurality of passages which are defined by partition walls and extend in an axial direction between the ends, wherein the partition walls are formed of a plurality of through holes for forming turbulent flow so that the fluid pass through the through holes from one of the passages to the adjacent passage, each of the through holes having an open area of at least 0.25 mm.sup.2, thereby a stream of the fluid passing through the honeycomb structure is efficiently mixed to increase its contact with a catalyst composition coated on a surface of the partition walls. The honeycomb structure may have a corrugated thin metal foil. Alternatively, the honeycomb structure may have a unitary structure formed by sintering an extruded body comprising a powder material.

Abstract: A regeneration process and apparatus eliminates the need for an external chlorination recycle loop. The method and apparatus uses two-pass internal mixing of a chlorine compound input stream and drying gas to both mix and heat the chlorination gas before entering the chlorination zone. The only heat required for the process is a small amount for vaporizing the chlorine containing input stream to prevent the formation of chloride droplets. All other heat for the chlorination zone is supplied internally in the regeneration vessel.

Abstract: In a process for carrying out non-adiabatic catalytic reactions in a tubular heat exchange reactor by indirect heat exchange between a process stream and a heat conducting medium, the wall temperature at the critical outlet end of the reactor tube is decreased, by progressively supplying the heat conducting medium to the external surface of the reactor tube in increasing amounts from a region close to the outlet end to a region between the outlet end and the inlet end of the tube.

Abstract: A method for removing fumigation gasses from fumigated structures is provided. Air is directed from a structure through an adsorption unit and then recirculated back into the structure. A fan directs air through the adsorption unit. The adsorption unit contains an annularly shaped adsorption bed and an inner passage way and outer passage way through which fumigation gasses are directed. A lower adsorption efficiency per pass through the adsorption bed is used in conjunction with multiple passes with the method of the present invention.

Abstract: An isothermal reactor design uses interleaved layers of plate heat exchange elements to improve heat transfer in a radial flow arrangement that offers a simple and compact design for fluid flow and catalyst transfer.

Abstract: Reaction rates in chemisorption reactions involving solid reactants and gaseous ligands are improved by maintaining optimized solid density throughout the reaction. Methods and apparatus which restrict volumetric solid expansion, compression of the solid reactant, and mixture with inert solid porous or particulate materials are disclosed.

Abstract: A semi-continuous process for combusting coke from catalyst particles in a fixed bed is improved by rejecting from the combustion process a high moisture content flue gas stream which is produced by the combustion of a relatively large proportion of the hydrogen in the coke that enters the combustion section during an early stage of combustion. By operating the early stage of combustion at conditions to increase the rate of combustion of the hydrogen in the coke relative to that of the carbon in the coke, the overall equilibrium level of water in a flue gas/recycle gas that circulates through the process is lowered. The high moisture content flue gas stream from the early stage of combustion is rejected separately from the process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cylindrical reactor vessel having a top end with an inlet and a bottom end with an outlet end. A refractory insulating lining is applied on the interior of the wall of the vessel. A cylindrical vertically disposed first inner basket having a generally closed top first end and an open second end in communication with the outlet conduit and having fluid pervious sidewalls surrounded by a vertically disposed outer cylindrical second basket defining a space therebetween for containment of subdivided contact material. The cylindrical second basket also has a top end, which is closed, and fluid pervious sidewalls. The cylindrical second basket is spaced away from the refractory lining of the vessel at a sufficient distance, to provide an annular space for fluid, admitted through the inlet, to progress downwardly through the annular space and then radially inwardly through the contact material contained in the space between the first and second basket.

Abstract: A fluid solid-contacting device eliminates the accumulation of deposits behind distribution collection conduits, reduces the differential expansion between the conduits and a containment vessel, and improves fluid distribution by extending the perforations into a back side of a distribution conduit that abuts the vessel. This apparatus has greatest application to scallop-shaped conduits that are commonly used in radial flow reactors. The perforations, extended into the back side of the scallop, ventilate the area between the scallop and the vessel holding the scallops.

Abstract: A device for carrying out a succession of heterogeneous catalysis reactions and thermal reactions has an external cylindrical envelope with a longitudinal axis, a coaxial gas permeable casing containing a catalyst located within the envelope, a central manifold, a unit for the injection of a principal reagent into the gas permeable casing, a unit for the injection of reactive components for the catalytic reaction into said casing and an outlet for discharging reaction products from the envelope; an internal diameter of the casing being greater than an external diameter of the central manifold in order to create an annular space therebetween for providing sufficient time for products of a catalytic reaction to remain in order to permit a thermal reaction to develop.

Abstract: A catalyst-bed radial gas-flow reactor system is disclosed utilizing a generally cylindrical catalyst bed located in an annualar area between an outer reactor shell and a generally coaxially located displacement member; wherein the gas flow through the reactor is optimized to extend catalyst life by including a non-cylindrical section in at least a portion of the displacement cylinder, and the gas-supply duct entering the reactor shell has baffling arranged to equalize flow velocities across the reactor diameter.

Abstract: A novel continuous process and system are provided for the production of chlorine dioxide at favorable economics and high efficiency. The process involves effecting electrolysis of an aqueous solution of alkali metal chloride, in an electrolysis zone, to form an aqueous solution of alkali metal chlorate having a chlorate ion concentration of about 400 to about 1,200 g/L, and a chloride ion concentration of about 90 to about 120 g/L, gaseous hydrogen and water vapor. Hydrogen is conducted to a hydrogen chloride synthesis system where it reacts with chlorine gas, (recycled, as well as make-up,) to yield hydrogen chloride gas which is quenched with water to provide hydrochloric acid. A solution of alkali metal chlorate is conducted from the electrolysis zone to the chlorine dioxide generating zone.

Abstract: An integrated reactor is capable of mixing, reacting, and/or sparging two or more fluids. The reactor is preferably formed of a porous element and a housing formed of at least two inlets and an outlet. A catalyst may be incorporated into the porous element.

Abstract: Apparatus for regenerating spent hydrocarbon conversion catalyst. Catalyst particles in a vertically-elongated movable tapered bed are contacted with a hot oxygen-containing gas stream in order to remove, by means of combustion, coke which accumulated on the catalyst particles while they were used in a hydrocarbon conversion zone. Catalyst moves downward under the influence of gravity. The catalyst bed is tapered such that the thickness of the bed, in a dimension which is transverse to the direction of catalyst movement, varies from a minimum at the top of the tapered bed to a maximum at the bottom of the tapered bed. Gas passes through the tapered bed in a direction which is substantially transverse to the direction of catalyst movement. Substantially, all of the catalyst in the bed is in contact with the flowing gas.

Abstract: A fixed bed, dual-zone radial flow catalytic reactor is disclosed. In particular, the catalyst bed configuration includes a first freeboard outwardly radial flow catalyst zone in series with a second inwardly radial flow zone separated by an interconnecting substantially impermeable catalyst chute to accommodate catalyst settling while preventing hot spots and/or fluidization in the freeboard area. A gas distributor divides the freeboard zone into segments including a bypass segment and one or more catalyst segments. The radial flow of gas through each segment is essentially unaffected by the level of catalyst so that the flow pattern is not adversely affected by catalyst setting in the freeboard zone.

Abstract: A diffusion process from steam reforming of a hydrocarbon to produce H.sub.2, Co and CO.sub.2, that includes: providing a generally tubular, porous, ceramic membrane, and providing a heated reaction zone in a container into which the membrane is received; the membrane carrying a catalytically active metallic substance; passing a hydrocarbon and steam containing first fluid stream into the zone and into contact with one side of the membrane, to produce CO, CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 ; and passing a second fluid stream adjacent the opposite side of the membrane in such manner as to promote hydrogen diffusion through the membrane from said one side to said opposite side thereof; and removing hydrogen from the opposite side of the membrane. Such a process may be combined with operation of a heat engine or gas turbine, producing heat transferred to the referenced reaction zone.

Abstract: A downcomer for use in ebullating bed reactors that is perforated along its length within the reactor. These perforations are sized slightly smaller that the solid catalyst particles used in the reactor in order to screen out these solid particles and prevent their flow or movement into the downcomer from the reactor. As a result of the perforated downcomer, any liquid separated from the fluidized medium and collected in the downcomer will flow back through these perforations and into the reactor when the ebullating bed is operating at its normal level; however, when the ebullating bed is operating at an upset level condition, the liquid in this fluidized medium will flow in the opposite direction and will pass through these perforations into the downcomer in order to maintain a minimum flow to the ebullating pumps.

Abstract: A fluid solid-contacting device eliminates the accumulation of deposits behind distribution collection conduits, reduces the differential expansion between the conduits and a containment vessel, and improves fluid distribution by extending the perforations into a back side of a distribution conduit that abuts the vessel. This apparatus has greatest application to scallop-shaped conduits that are commonly used in radial flow reactors. The perforations, extended into the back side of the scallop, ventilate the area between the scallop and the vessel holding the scallops.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reactor for carrying out gas phase chemical reactions and having at least one compartment (8) incorporating a catalytic lining (31) in which radially circulates at least one gas. As the upper wall (32), it has at least one layer (19) of at least one flexible material such as a tight, inert, refractory material fabric. This fabric optionally cooperates with a first layer of balls (12) resting on the fabric. It is placed on the biller (31) in such a way that it completely covers the latter. The reactor is used in the reforming of fuels.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and an apparatus for performing chemical reactions under pressure in the presence of a solid catalyst in a multi-stage reaction zone, after external intermediary thermal conditioning. This process may be used for the synthesis of ammonia or methanol or for gasoline reforming. It is characterized in that at least one reaction fluid is introduced into at least one compartment, a first reaction effluent is recovered, a heat exchange takes place, outside the reaction zone, between a first effluent and an external heat exchange medium, then the first effluent is introduced into at least one subsequent compartment and a second reaction effluent is recovered from the subsequent compartment.

Abstract: A reaction chamber (E) comprises a calender reactor (5) comprising a device (4) for introducing a feedstock; a device (6) for carrying off the treated feedstock; at least two elementary reaction cells (52), not contiguous to one another, each one consisting of an individual feedstock distributor, an individual collector of the treated feedstock, and a catalytic bed, the cells being separated from one another by a channel (51); at least one device (V) for circulating a heat-carrying fluid in each channel (51); at least n partitions (S) for separating the flow of the heat-carrying fluid, n being an integer greater than or equal to 1; and at least n+1 means (T) for heating the heat-carrying fluid. The chamber can be used for performing the catalytic reforming of naphtha under low pressure.

Abstract: Synthesis gas is reacted in several catalytic beds having axial-radial or radial flow. Reacted gas is collected at an outlet of a final catalytic bed and is transferred to a reaction heat recovery system situated at a top of a reactor. The reactor includes three catalytic beds, two or more beds having inverted, curved bottoms. A first quenching system is located in the reactor and includes a distributor situated inside a first, upper bed at a location immediately under an unperforated portion of an internal wall of that bed. A gas/gas heat exchanger is located centrally within one or more of two upper beds located within the reactor. A water pre-heater or boiler is located inside an upper bottleneck portion of a shell of the reactor and is fed with reacted gas collected from a lowermost catalytic bed.

Abstract: A moving bed reactor for the treatment of fluid in a countercurrent process includes a reactor vessel having, in an upper region thereof, an inlet for receiving particulate material and an outlet for discharging treated fluid, the reactor vessel also having, in a lower region thereof, a downward tapering first funnel leading to an outlet, the first funnel guiding the particulate material to the outlet for discharge from the reactor vessel, the first funnel being formed by wall sections which mutually overlap in louvre fashion to create slot-shaped passages for the fluid to be treated to enter the vessel.

Abstract: An exhaust gas cleaning device is disposed within an exhaust pipe connected to the exhaust port of an internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas cleaning device comprises an inner pipe disposed coaxially within the exhaust pipe with an annular space defined therebetween, the inner pipe being provided with a plurality of perforations, and laminated structures disposed upon the inner and outer surfaces of the inner pipe and including a catalyst for cleaning unburned components of the exhaust gas flowing within the exhaust pipe, each of the laminated structures being formed of a material which is not deleterious to the catalyst. The laminated structure includes a catalyst carrier layer formed by, in accordance with one method, fusibly injecting a catalyst including a solution onto an intermediate layer formed upon the inner and outer surfaces of the inner pipe and drying the same so as to remove the liquid component therefrom.

Abstract: An exhaust gas cleaner comprising (a) at least one filter made of a heat-resistant and electrically insulating material for trapping floating fine particles in an exhaust gas; and (b) at least a pair of electrodes stacked with the filter alternately, voltage being applied between the adjacent electrodes to burn electrically conductive and burnable fine particles trapped in the filter by heat generated by a current flowing between the adjacent electrodes, and the direction of the flow of the exhaust gas in the filter being essentially parallel to that of the laminate surface of the electrodes. The filter may carry a catalyst which functions to reduce harmful gas components in the exhaust gas.

Abstract: Void blowing by gas flow through a bed of particulate material is avoided by the use of a cover plate that eliminates void spaces at the top of the bed and a vertical duct that allows a head of particulate material to be maintained above the cover plate. The particle bed is arranged in the usual fashion using inner and outer screens to hold particulate material in a vertically extended bed into which particulate material is intermittently added and withdrawn. The top of the particulate bed is contacted by an imperforate cover plate that is sloped up to an inlet opening that has a smaller cross-sectional area than the area of the bed. The cover plate has a slope which is greater than the angle of the repose of the particles so that particles filling the top section of the bed will be free of void spaces.

Abstract: A reactor for low pressure catalytic reforming of gasolines with heating by smoke gases comprises: at least one device for introducing and removing the charge; at least one device for introducing and removing the catalyst; at least two elementary reaction cells spaced apart from each other are made of substantially vertical and parallelepipedic enclosures (an individual charge distributor, an individual processed charge collector, a catalytic bed); at least one general charge distributor; and at least one general processed charge collector.

Abstract: A method for continuously or semi-continuously regenerating reforming catalyst by the recirculation of a gas stream advantageously controls the water content by using an oxygen-deficient makeup gas stream to supply the oxygen for combustion of coke. The volume of makeup gas entering the process is increased by reducing its oxygen concentration so that additional waste gases from the combustion of coke on the catalyst can be vented. The venting of additional gas from the circulating gas stream lowers the overall water concentration during the combustion of coke. The oxygen-deficient makeup gas stream can be supplied by oxygen and nitrogen separation from air. Where the production of the oxygen-deficient makeup gas stream also produces an oxygen-enriched stream, the oxygen-enriched stream is advantageously added to a catalyst reconditioning step for an increased dispersion of metals in the catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for performing exothermic catalytic gas reactions for synthesis of ammonia or methanol, comprising essentially a high-pressure shell, an insert, and an upper cover, the insert being equipped at least with two superimposed annular cylindrical catalyst containments having a gas-permeable inner and outer wall for radial gas flow from the outside towards the inside and with two tubular gas/gas heat exchangers arranged centrally in the first and second catalyst containers.

Abstract: A modular manifold arrangement for distributing a flow of a gas in a reactor. The manifold arrangement includes a tank or a container, within the walls of which a bed for a granulated catalyst or substance, with which the gas is to react, is arranged. The bed is at least partially surrounded by gas-permeable gratings. In order to provide elements that may pass through a narrow manhole and from which it is possible to construct passages for providing a uniform flow through the reactor bed, the manifold arrangement includes an elongate tube. The tube is closed at one end and open for inlet of gas at the other end. The tube further has a gas-impermeable rear sidewall with a shape corresponding to the walls of the tank and a front side which is a gas-permeable grating having a sheet or plate provided therein with a large number of nozzles.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for effecting contact of a gas with light particles of solid matter, where the particles are retained within particle retention screens to form a bed of particles and the particles move downward in plug flow by means of gravity. When the particles are light, that is, of relatively small size and low density, the velocity of the gas may be sufficiently high that downward movement of particles is hindered by the horizontal forces exerted on the particles by the flowing gas. This invention provides that gas flows through the bed of particles in a downwardly sloping direction instead of in a horizontal direction, so that the force exerted on a particle has a horizontal component and a downward vertical component. The vertical component of the force resulting from gas flow, along with the gravity force on a particle, is sufficient to overcome the frictional resistance to downward movement of a particle which results from the horizontal component of the flowing gas force.

Abstract: The system to reduce the energy consumption of heterogeneous synthesis reactors, particularly of ammonia reactors, f.i. the "Chemico"-type reactor, foresees the insertion of two cylindrical walls at least partially perforated in order to annularly delimit the catalytic beds; the first outer wall (Fe) having a diameter (Di) slightly smaller than diameter (Dc) of the cartridge (C), has a height (Hi) higher than (H'i) of the internal cylindrical wall (Fi) which has a diameter inferior to the above mentioned (Di), but superior to the external diameter (Dt) of the central feed pipe (T) of the quench gas (QG). The top (SO) of the internal cylindrical wall (Fi) is closed by a cover (CO) that has a distance from the bottom (FO) of the basket equal to the mentioned height (H'i) of the internal cylindrical wall. The catalytic bed is therefore annular in diameter (Di-D'i) on all of the said height (H'i), but is substantially cylindrical (of diameter Di) on the height (Hi-H'i).

Abstract: A monolithic catalyst bed for use in a catalytic gas generator includes catalytically-active metal screens having central openings and being composed of fine particles of catalyst supported by wires arranged in grid-like fashion. The bed also includes an injector tube having an end portion disposed through the central openings of the metal screens for mounting the metal screens in closely spaced side-by-side, stack-like relation extending outwardly from and radially about the tube end portion. The injector tube end portion is closed at its outer end and defines a passage for receiving an axial inflow of liquid propellant. The bed also includes an injector body supporting the injector tube and disposed at one end of the stack of metal screens, and a base plate mounted about the injector tube end portion adjacent to the closed outer end thereof and disposed at an opposite end of the stack of metal screens so as to define an annular space therebetween and about the injector tube end portion.

Abstract: The heat required for the steam reforming reaction is generated by flameless catalytic combustion. The heat thus-generated is passed to a steam reforming reactor zone by means of heat pipes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new biocatalytic reactor to utilize succfully insoluble biocatalysts to carry out enzymatic reactions. It is especially adequate for the processing of enzymatic reactions using gel-like structure insoluble biocatalysts by eliminating the problems of high pressure drops, microbial contamination and mechanical disintegration which arise when conventional packed columns or agitated tanks are used.It is also adequate to utilize rigid insoluble biocatalysts to process enzymatic reactions with viscous or particulate substrates.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for effecting treatment needed to regenerate spent hydrocarbon conversion catalyst. The invention may be termed a variable gas flow catalyst bed. Catalyst particles in a vertically-elongated movable bed are contacted with a hot oxygen-containing gas stream in order to remove, by means of combustion, coke which accumulated on the catalyst particles while they were used in a hydrocarbon conversion zone. The catalyst particles are confined in the bed by means of catalyst retention screens. The catalyst retention screens are configured such that gas flow through the bed varies from a maximum at the top of the bed to a minimum at the bottom of the bed. The variation in gas flow is accomplished by varying the size of gas flow apertures in the retention screens from a maximum at the top of the bed to a minimum at the bottom of the bed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reactor for industrial plants, e.g. for an ammonia synthesis plant, comprising several catalyst beds in series charged by a radial gas flow. The object is to provide for a uniform gas flow through the catalyst bed along its entire height, otherwise different space velocities are experienced within the catalyst bed involving irregularities in the reaction. The problem is solved when the cross-section of the annular space for the effluent reaction gas flowing in axial direction is equal to or larger than the cross-section of the annular space for the influent fresh gas flowing in axial direction.

Abstract: A propulsive power-producing system has a vessel defining a pressure chamber and an injector and a thrust-producing nozzle communicating with the chamber at respective upstream and downstream ends of the vessel. A dual catalytic/thermal gas generator housed in the vessel chamber includes a catalyst bed enclosed by a sleeve, a bedplate and the upstream vessel end. The sleeve is spaced inwardly from the side of the vessel to define an annulus therebetween. When a propellant liquid is injected under pressure through the injector into the catalyst bed, a first fraction of the liquid flows along a first path which leads through the bed and concurrently is catalytically decomposed into a first fraction of propellant gas which exits through openings in the bedplate into a mixing passage which leads to the nozzle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reactor for the conversion of methane to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons comprising an annular reaction zone with ceramic baffles positioned therein perpendicular to the flow of the mixture of gas and fluidized solid catalyst, the baffles having openings adapted to permit passage of the gas-solid mixture therethrough essentially only in the overall direction of flow from inlet to outlet.