Abstract: A liquid distributor, for a substantially vertical reactor with a fixed bed catalyst, in the form of a channel distributor with drainage outlets and further comprising an internal cleaning mechanism with cleaning elements to be lowered into the openings of the drainage outlets, is disclosed.

Abstract: A reformation reactor that can be used especially for steam reformation of methanol for generating hydrogen in motor vehicles operated by fuel cells. A gas stream to be reformed is conducted through a reaction chamber into which a charge of a catalyst material is added. A catalyst supply container connected with the reaction chamber is so arranged that the catalyst material is automatically added from the supply container to the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A method for producing a silicon oxide-based ceramic membrane on a surface of a porous substrate from a silica source and an aqueous alkaline solution (or an aqueous alkaline solution of an alumina source) by a gas phase reaction comprises the step of heating the silica source and the aqueous alkaline solution (or the aqueous alkaline solution of an alumina source) in an airtight vessel without mixing them.

Abstract: An apparatus for regeneration a reforming or aromatic compound production catalyst comprises a first combustion zone wherein the first combustion zone receives catalyst and an oxygen-containing gas; a successive second combustion zone; and a conduit communicating the first and second combustion zones for transferring catalysts from the first combustion zone to the second combustion zone. The first combustion zone is isolated from the second combustion zone to prevent passage of oxygen-containing gas from the first combustion zone to the second combustion zone and the severity of the operating conditions increases from the first combustion zone to the second combustion zone.

Abstract: Feeding device for feeding burned lime to a reaction vessel for causticizing a soda liquor to caustic soda. The feeding device, in its upper part, comprises an inlet for a slurry of the burned lime and the soda liquor for formation of said slurry inside said feeding device. The system further comprises a tall and slender feed vessel having a lower part having an outlet defined therein for the slurry.

Abstract: A device and a method for operating it for application in a vertical tube reactor with downward flow (downer), has the aim of ensuring the intimate mixing of the solid particulate catalyst with a reagent fluid.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a fixed-bed shell-and-tube reactor, which can stably produce an aimed product for a long period when a solid particulate material such as a catalyst is packed and used for each substance; and its usage. The fixed-bed shell-and-tube reactor comprises a plurality of reaction tubes that are packed with a solid particulate material and arranged in parallel, wherein the solid particulate material is weighed so as to be uniform volume, and is packed in each reaction tube in a packing time of not shorter than 30 seconds per liter.

Abstract: A loading device for distributing solid particles into a multi-tube reactor in which the reactor tubes are substantially vertical and held together by an upper and a lower tube sheet, the loading device comprising a plurality of discrete polygonal, i.e. triangular, quadrangular or hexagonal, plates, each polygonal plate having from 1 to 30 holes, each hole corresponding to one reactor tube, each hole having an diameter not greater than 95% of the inner diameter of the reactor tube and not smaller than 1.1 times the greatest dimension of a single particle to be loaded, the polygonal plates also comprising fixing means for holding the holes in correspondence with the respective reactor tubes.

Abstract: The synthesis of arrays of DNA probes sequences, polypeptides, and the like is carried out using a patterning process on an active surface of a substrate. An image is projected onto the active surface of the substrate utilizing an image former that includes a light source that provides light to a micromirror device comprising an array of electronically addressable micromirrors, each of which can be selectively tilted between one of at least two positions. Projection optics receives the light reflected from the micromirrors along an optical axis and precisely images the micromirrors onto the active surface of the substrate, which may be used to activate the surface of the substrate. The first level of bases may then be applied to the substrate, followed by development steps, and subsequent exposure of the substrate utilizing a different pattern of micromirrors, with further repeats until the elements of a two dimensional array on the substrate surface have an appropriate base bound thereto.

Abstract: A device and method allow a dry catalyst to be delivered to a liquid-filled polymerization reactor, thus avoiding problems associated with catalyst-liquid contact or with undesired addition of gases to the reactor. A quantity of dry catalyst is transferred from a catalyst reservoir maintained under dry conditions to a catalyst chamber. An inert fluid then enters the chamber to flush the catalyst charge toward the reactor. Optional embodiments include means for precontacting the dry catalyst with a modifier and for removing gas from the fluid line.

Abstract: A loading device for distributing solid particles into a multi-tube reactor in which the reactor tubes are substantially vertical and held together by an upper and a lower tube sheet, the loading device comprising a plurality of discrete polygonal, i.e. triangular, quadrangular or hexagonal, plates, each polygonal plate having from 1 to 30 holes, each hole corresponding to one reactor tube, each hole having an diameter not greater than 95% of the inner diameter of the reactor tube and not smaller than 1.1 times the greatest dimension of a single particle to be loaded, the polygonal plates also comprising fixing means for holding the holes in correspondence with the respective reactor tubes.

Abstract: A catalyst dumping device (10) for unloading a catalyst (50) inside a reactor (1), in which smashed used catalyst is thrown into a dumping pipe (11) formed of a plurality of pipe member (12) provided to the reactor (1) to unload to outside of the reactor (1) by fall by dead weight. Accordingly, the catalyst can be unloaded only by throwing the catalyst into the dumping pipe (11), thereby improving work efficiency. Furthermore, no special apparatus such as a vacuum apparatus is unnecessary, thereby reducing cost for the special apparatus.

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.

Abstract: A catalyst dumping device (10) for unloading a catalyst (50) inside a reactor (1), in which smashed used catalyst is thrown into a dumping pipe (11) formed of a plurality of pipe member (12) provided to the reactor (1) to unload to outside of the reactor (1) by fall by dead weight. Accordingly, the catalyst can be unloaded only by throwing the catalyst into the dumping pipe (11), thereby improving work efficiency. Furthermore, no special apparatus such as a vacuum apparatus is unnecessary, thereby reducing cost for the special apparatus.

Abstract: The apparatus for indirectly exchanging heat with narrow channels in a heat exchange type channel reaction zone uses plates containing partially perforated sections to simplify or eliminate the use of manifolds to distribute to and collect different fluids from the various channels. The invention simplifies the operation by directly communicating adjacent channels across sections of perforations located at one end or the other of the channels. The arrangement of this invention provides the advantage of more compact heat exchanging reactor arrangements. In this manner, multiple pass channels can be contained in a single plate channel arrangement using only single or double distribution manifolds at the ends of the channels. The arrangement of the invention can also simplify the use of a single manifold arrangement at one end of the channels to facilitate catalyst unloading and catalyst replacement in the reaction channels.

Abstract: A chamber comprising a moving bed of solid particles, delimited by at least one screen with thickness e, circulating in a downward direction substantially parallel to the screen, the bed being traversed by at least one fluid flowing in the bed in a principal direction which is different to that of the ensemble of particles and leaving the bed by an outlet screen. In accordance with the invention, the chamber comprises at least one opening for introducing solid particles located above the bed and comprising at least one orifice for the flow of the particles, located at a distance of at least 0.6 e from the outlet screen. The chamber advantageously comprises at least two extraction openings, one extraction opening being located at a distance not more than 0.5 e from the outlet screen, and the other at a distance of at least 0.5 e from the outlet screen. The invention is applicable to catalytic reactors, in particular to catalytic reforming reactors.

Abstract: The catalyst inside a catalytic reaction column is replaced while running the catalytic reaction by diverting a basically monophase fluid to keep it from passing through the catalyst, evacuating from the column the catalyst that has lost at least a portion of its properties, introducing into the column a quantity of catalyst that is approximately equal to the quantity of catalyst that was evacuated from the column, and restoring the circulation of the basically monophase fluid through the catalyst.

Abstract: A reversibly deactivated, particulate catalyst in a slurry hydrocarbon synthesis slurry is rejuvenated by circulating the slurry from a slurry body through (i) a gas disengaging zone to remove gas bubbles from the slurry, (ii) a catalyst rejuvenation zone in which a catalyst rejuvenating gas contacts the catalyst in the slurry to rejuvenate it and form a rejuvenated catalyst slurry and, (iii) back into the slurry body. Removing at least a portion of the gas bubbles improves the rejuvenation process.

Abstract: In a reforming reactor suitable particularly for the water vapor reforming of methanol in mobile applications such as vehicles, a reaction space is filled with a catalyst pellet fill and has a movable reaction space wall which exerts a position-fixing pressure onto the catalyst pellet fill. According to the invention, a filling device is provided through which catalyst material can be filled from the outside into the reaction space through a passage opening formed in one of the reaction space walls.

Abstract: A method, and a reactor, for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon feed stream through multistage moving catalyst beds contained within a single onstream reactor vessel, with separate catalyst addition and withdrawal systems for each of the multistages of moving catalyst beds. The reactor contains two or more different and distinct moving catalyst beds for any hydroprocessing application. The method includes serially passing, without leaving the reactor vessel, at least a partially treated hydrocarbon stream from one hydroconversion reaction zone containing a moving catalyst bed with a first set of catalytic characteristics to another hydroconversion reaction zone containing a moving catalyst bed with a second set of catalytic characteristics that differ in catalytic abilities from the first set of catalytic characteristics.

Abstract: A catalyst loading system for utilizing catalyst from a bulk supply located adjacent but not on the upper tube sheet of a catalytic reactor and for mechanized measuring of multiple identical quantities of catalyst and for mechanized loading of catalyst pellets into the reaction tubes of the reactor to achieve even drop rate, compaction and outage of the reaction tubes. From the bulk supply, multi-compartment catalyst charging hoppers are individually filled in rapid and accurately measured fashion by mechanized filling equipment having a predetermined sequence of operation that ensures accuracy of volumetric catalyst measurement. The charging hoppers are used for delivery of measured volumes of catalyst of a reactor tube loading mechanism which may take the form of a mobile cart framework being selectively positionable relative to the upper tube sheet and reaction tubes of a catalytic reactor to be charged with catalyst pellets.

Abstract: A catalyst loading system for utilizing catalyst from a bulk supply located adjacent but not on the upper tube sheet of a catalytic reactor and for mechanized measuring of multiple identical quantities of catalyst and for mechanized loading of catalyst pellets into the reaction tubes of the reactor to achieve even drop rate, compaction and outage of the reaction tubes. A pair of electronic vibrators are mounted to the cart framework and provide for support and vibratory movement of a vibratory tray having a catalyst feed hopper adapted to feed catalyst pellets to a plurality of generally parallel catalyst transfer troughs along which catalyst pellets are moved by vibration of the vibratory tray to a plurality of drop tubes. A compartmented hopper is fixed to the vibratory tray and controllably feeds catalyst pellets into respective catalyst transfer troughs.

Abstract: A column having a region for reaction with distillation of fluid streams is provided with structures including catalyst-filled containers having liquid permeable upper surfaces which allow for the accumulation and flow of liquid from a liquid stream. The containers include catalyst beds positioned beneath the upper surface of the containers. A portion of the liquid on the containers is driven through the catalyst bed by the liquid head created by the accumulated liquid and is catalytically reacted. Another portion of the liquid may be directed through a downcomer which allows the accumulated liquid to leave the container without passing through the catalyst bed so that higher volumetric flow rates can be achieved.

Abstract: Dangers of catalyst removal are decreased while the efficiency of the process is increased by provision of a new nozzle. The nozzle is two concentric pipes connected at one end, with the inner pipe extending slightly beyond the outer pipe at the other end. The outer pipe has orifices provided at the connected end which communicate with the exterior of the outer pipe and the space between the inner and outer pipes. A vacuum is pulled on the inner pipe which, in turn, causes gas to enter the space between the inner and outer pipes via the orifices. As the gas sweeps around the end of the inner pipe, it entrains catalyst particles and carries the particles into the inner pipe. The inner pipe extends beyond the reaches of the outer pipe to a distance such that the angle formed between the ends of the inner and outer pipes is approximately equal to the angle of repose of the catalyst.

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: An adsorber for purifying flue gases of a furnace includes a housing having a flue gas inlet and a flue gas outlet. The housing has an adsorption medium chamber. A fill socket extends from the top of the housing. A removal device extends from the bottom of the housing. The chamber includes substantially vertical, gas-permeable walls for delimiting the chamber at the inlet side and at the outlet side. The chamber also includes a vertical gas-permeable partition and a slanted non-gas-permeable wall. The wall at the inlet side is a louver wall extending upwardly to the level of the fill socket. The wall at the outlet side is a slotted screen connected with the slanted, non-gas-permeable wall to the fill socket. The flue gas outlet is located opposite the non-gas-permeable wall.

Abstract: A reversibly deactivated, particulate catalyst in a hydrocarbon synthesis slurry is rejuvenated by circulating the slurry from a slurry body through (i) a gas disengaging zone to remove gas bubbles from the slurry and increase its density, (iii) a downcomer which feeds the gas reduced, dense slurry into the bottom of a rejuvenating tube and applies a positive hydrostatic pressure to the tube, (iii) a catalyst rejuvenation zone in which a catalyst rejuvenating gas, which also acts as a lift gas, contacts the catalyst in slurry to form a catalyst rejuvenated slurry and, (iv) back into the slurry body. Removing gas bubbles prior to rejuvenation improves the rejuvenation efficiency and the downcomer reduces the amount of rejuvenation gas required to maintain slurry circulation through the tube.

Abstract: A catalyst packing apparatus with which a desired packed density can be easily and surely obtained by use of a suspended type catalyst ejector, wherein correlated data giving a scattering height from which a desired packed density can be obtained has been determined and stored beforehand in a memory part 74, and by setting a desired packed density, prior to the scattering of catalyst, a selecting part 75 selects a scattering height corresponding to the desired packed density from the correlated data in the memory part 74 and delivers the same to an adjusting part 76 which controls the catalyst ejector 30 so as to obtain this scattering height, thereby the catalyst 11 in a reaction tower 10 can be packed at the desired packed density.

Abstract: Problems with pressure in a catalyst bed contained within a vessel arise where there is some sort of blockage in the bed such as a crust formed by a layer of catalyst particles sticking together. To overcome this problem control means is provided to coordinate the flow of nitrogen gas into the vessel and the resulting gas pressure build up and maintenance in the catalyst bed and in the bottom of the vessel as well as in the vapor space of the vessel above the catalyst bed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a slurry thickening tank comprising a tank body disposed below the surface of a slurry within a slurry tank, a slurry inlet provided in the upper part of the tank body, a thickened slurry outlet provided in the lower part of the tank body, and supernatant liquid withdrawal means provided in the upper part of the tank body, whereby the slurry introduced into the tank body through the slurry inlet is thickened by sedimentation in the tank body and the resulting thickened slurry is discharged from the tank body through the slurry outlet, wherein the surface of the structural member of the tank body extending from the slurry inlet to the thickened slurry outlet has an angle of inclination greater than the angle of repose for the thickened slurry, and to an absorption tower for use in flue gas desulfurization systems which is equipped with such a slurry thickening tank.

Abstract: Provided are a catalyst packing method and a catalyst packing apparatus with which a desired packed density can be easily and surely obtained by use of a suspended type catalyst ejector, wherein correlated data giving a scattering height from which a desired packed density can be obtained has been determined and stored beforehand in a memory part 74, and by setting a desired packed density, prior to the scattering of catalyst, a selecting part 75 selects a scattering height corresponding to the desired packed density from the correlated data in the memory part 74 and delivers the same to an adjusting part 76 which controls the catalyst ejector 30 so as to obtain this scattering height, thereby the catalyst bed 11 in a reaction tower 10 can be packed at the desired packed density.

Abstract: A particle packing apparatus which includes a particle distributor capable of forming a concave-conical packed surface upon scattering of particles in a steady state and having a parameter with which to control the size of the cone and a packing monitor capable of continuously detecting the entire packed surface condition is provided. A concave-conical packed surface of the particles scattered in a steady state is formed by the distributor while the packing monitor is continuously detecting the formation of the packed surface and intermittently or continuously the parameter of the particle distributor is controlled to reduce the cone size gradually and form and deposit, on the inner side of the concave-conical packed surface, successively smaller packed surfaces at predetermined intervals or uninterruptedly, whereby a flat, smooth packed surface is formed. When scanning the deposit surface with laser light, detecting the reflected light, and measuring the deposit height by trigonometry, it is image-processed.

Abstract: A rotation driving system drives unitedly and rotatably sprinkle rotors, which the disk sprinkle rotors having plural partitive members extending in predetermined distances in a radial direction to the rotating axis are arranged in multistage state with a predetermined distance in a longitudinal direction. In the aforementioned state, by supplying the catalyst to the center of the sprinkle rotor, the catalyst is fed into a reaction tank while releasing in a radial direction of the sprinkle rotor. When the catalyst is fed, a rotation frequency of the sprinkle rotor is defined to be a speed constituent in a radial direction of over zero when the catalyst settles down and to be periodically changed between a maximum rotation frequency and a minimum rotation frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing particles in a process that transfers particles is disclosed. The apparatus employs a seal zone which is in communication with two zones of the process and in which particles that are being added to the process are purged. The apparatus allows particles to be replaced without reducing the normal rate of particle transfer through the process, which results in a savings in downtime costs. This invention is adaptable to a multitude of processes for the catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons in which deactivated catalyst particles are regenerated.

Abstract: An apparatus for quenching in hydroprocessing of a hydrocarbon feed stream, which provides a substantially continuous flow of uniformly distributed hydrogen and hydrocarbon liquid across a densely packed catalyst bed which substantially fills the entire volume of a reactor vessel. Catalyst are selected to be essentially the same density, shape and size at a design feed rate of liquids and gas to prevent ebullation of the packed catalyst bed at the design feed rates. The liquid and gas components of the hydrocarbon feed stream flow into the bed of catalyst and a quenching medium, which is preferably a liquid, is injected into the bed of catalyst. Injection of a liquid quench reduces the gas component of the hydrocarbon feed stream while simultaneously increasing the residence time and reducing the liquid velocity of the liquid component of the hydrocarbon feed stream within the substantially packed bed of catalyst.

Abstract: A method for the uniform loading of catalyst tubes with catalyst particles, which tubes are mounted at tube inlet side in a tube sheet, the method comprises introducing a feedstream of catalyst particles on the tubesheet in a number of substreams with a substantial equal particle flow and velocity by dividing the feedstream and each resulting substream into at least two streams in two or more dividing steps.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating gas introduced into a vessel containing a particulate material at a temperature less than that of the gas in a manner so that said material reduces the temperature of the gas and the gas entrains at least a portion of the material. The entrained material is then separated from the gas and passed to a heat exchanger to cool the material while the separated gas is passed to a turbine to drive same. At least a portion of the exhaust gas from the turbine is passed to the heat exchanger in a manner to fluidize the material in the heat exchanger and the cooled separated material is returned back to the vessel.

Abstract: An FCC arrangement uses two stages upflow conduit combustion and a regenerator cyclone separator to supply catalyst particles from a dip leg directly into a downflow reaction conduit. The downflow reaction conduit provides an immediate stage of initial catalyst and gas separation at its outlet end. The arrangement and method offers an improved method of operating an FCC reactor and regeneration zone without the use of large reactor or regeneration vessels. One form of the invention also uses enlarged dip pipe conduits to provide discrete zones of catalyst stripping thereby eliminating all relatively large pressure vessels from FCC method and arrangement of this invention.

Abstract: The first step, wherein a catalyst is built up in predetermined positions by a catalyst loading means disposed inside a reactor to form said plurality of built-up sections only by said predetermined height, and the second step, wherein the position or direction for releasing the catalyst of said loading means is changed in accordance with the height of the charged catalyst, are alternately repeated to fill said reactor with a predetermined quantity of said catalyst.

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: A method is provided for removing catalyst from a distillation column reactor and replacing the catalyst with fresh or regenerated catalyst. More specifically a small particulate catalyst is supported by wire mesh or screen or filter medium on trays in a conventional distillation column and substantially submerged by the liquid on the trays. The vapor rising through the liquid tends to keep the catalyst in suspension in the liquid. A draw-off is provided for each tray having catalyst supported thereon whereby liquid containing the suspended or slurried catalyst can be removed to a separator during operation. The catalyst is separated, as in a settling tank separator, from the liquid recycled to the tray until all the catalyst has been removed. The separated catalyst is removed for either regeneration or discarding. Fresh catalyst can then be added to the separator where it is slurried into the liquid again being recirculated from the tray.

Abstract: A distributor system for uniformly directing vapor and liquid across the surface of a fixed bed of solids in a downflow reactor comprising a distributor tray, and a plurality of open-ended downpipes extending through the tray. A first array of the downpipes has a plurality of vertically spaced elevations of holes above the level of the tray. A second array of the downpipes has at least one elevation of holes at substantially the same height above the level of the tray as one of the upper elevations of holes in the first array of the downpipes. But, the second array has no elevation of holes corresponding to the lowermost elevation of holes, and possibly other lower elevations of holes, in the first array of downpipes. The absence of the lowermost holes in the second array of downpipes causes the liquid flow rate through the distributor tray at a given liquid height to be reduced when that liquid height falls below the elevation of the holes second from the bottom in the first array.

Abstract: A muffling and denitrating apparatus capable of lowering a level of noise generated by a combustion engine and reducing a concentration of NOx in exhaust gas of the engine. Sound-damping and denitration are accomplished by a carbon fiber or particle layer arranged in the apparatus. Exhaust sound is adsorbed by carbon fibers or carbon particles, resulting in a sound pressure thereof being reduced. NOx is converted into N.sub.2 and CO.sub.2, to thereby be decreased in concentration. Carbon fibers and/or carbon particles for the carbon fiber or particle layer are preferably treated or modified with nitrogen monoxide gas or a nitric acid solution, resulting in having an increased surface area as large as 80 to 2000 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: Combustion systems have a combustion apparatus, heating surfaces downstream of the combustion apparatus in a flue gas stream, and a deNO.sub.x catalyst. A method for reducing nitrogen oxides in the flue gas of the combustion systems includes selectively assigning the deNO.sub.x catalyst to a position inside and a position outside the flue gas stream as a function of a nitrogen oxide concentration or of a selected energy carrier. An apparatus for reducing nitrogen oxides in the flue gas of the combustion system includes a device for selectively assigning the deNO.sub.x catalyst to a position inside and a position outside a line through which the flue gas flows.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating liquid or slurry having a heat treating zone through which is provided counter current flow of heated gas and independently moveable bodies through the heat treating zone in contact with a feed stream. A steam reforming detoxification reactor is also provided and gas is circulated from the heat treating zone gas outlet, through the reactor and to the heat treating zone gas inlet.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are converted in a novel catalytic distillation zone comprising two or more cylindrical beds of dense loaded catalyst. Each catalyst bed is penetrated by a plurality of vertical vapor passageways which provide a means for vapor communication between fractionation sections located above and below the catalyst beds. The dense loading of the catalyst provides a low cost method of placing a large quantity of catalyst into the apparatus.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor arrangement (1) for the treatment of fluids by means of solid matter that is present in the form of bulk material (2), preferably in a countercurrent process, in which at least one bulk material moves from the top to the bottom and at least one fluid flows from the bottom to the top. The reactor is particularly intended to provide a better flexibility in the bulk material distribution into or in the bulk material discharge from at least two reaction chambers (5A, 5B) arranged on top of each other. Each reaction chamber is provided with a flow-past base (6A, 6B) for the distribution of the fluid over the cross section of the reaction chamber. Each reaction chamber is also provided with a bulk material distribution base (4A, 4B) for the distribution of bulk material over the cross section of the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A catalyst feed system is described for intermittent delivery of supported and/or prepolymerized supported catalyst to a polymerization reactor. The system incorporates valves with cylindrical sealing surfaces as well as a venting stage incorporating a filter arranged such that it is self-cleaning.

Abstract: The operation of a hydrocarbon synthesis reactor and catalyst distributed in the reaction slurry therein are improved by the presence in said reactor of one or more vertical downcomers open at both ends with gas disengaging areas located at their top end. The downcomer which circulates catalyst from the top of the reaction slurry to the bottom of said slurry is fully immersed in the reaction slurry and preferably extends from just above the bottom of the reaction zone of the reaction vessel to just below the top surface of the reaction slurry. The bottom end of said downcomer is shielded from intrusion of rising synthesis gas by the placement of a baffle which blocks rising gas entry but facilitates the exit of catalyst and liquid from the bottom of said downcomer and distributes them radially throughout the adjacent reactor slurry.