And Reactant Flow Distributor Upstream Of Contact Means And Within Reaction Chamber Modifying Velocity Profile Of Reactant Flow Patents (Class 422/220)
  • Patent number: 8303904
    Abstract: With the help of a fixing device for catalyzer particles, wherein the catalyzer particles are packed in a bed which can be passed through by a gas flow in the direction of gravity, it is intended to achieve a minimum specific pressure loss which will remain low even if dirt should arise from the operating process; a fixing device which has a minimum influence on the period of presence of the gas flowing through; which ensures the reliable hold-down of the catalyzer particles even at high approach velocities; and which is flexible to a certain degree in order to adapt to bed changes. This is achieved by placing at least one layer of a metal braiding on the packed bed of the catalyzer particles, and the metal braiding consisting of individual metal braiding elements which are firmly braided together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: UHDE GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Hamel, Thore Lohmann, Lothar Semrau
  • Patent number: 8293195
    Abstract: Systems and methods for contacting a liquid, gas, and/or a multi-phase mixture with particulate solids. The system can include a body having a first head and a second head disposed thereon. Two or more discrete fixed beds can be disposed across a cross-section of the body. One or more unobstructed fluid flow paths can bypass each fixed bed, and one or more baffles can be disposed between the fixed beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Blanchard, David P. Mann
  • Patent number: 8282890
    Abstract: A vessel comprising a bed of randomly oriented ceramic media having fluid distribution channels incorporated in the outer surface of the media is disclosed. The channels capture and redirect the fluid thereby improving distribution of the fluid in the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Hassan S. Niknafs, Daniel C. Sherman
  • Patent number: 8226895
    Abstract: A reaction apparatus for producing trichlorosilane in which metal silicon powder M is reacted with hydrogen chloride gas, thus generating trichlorosilane, includes: an apparatus body into which the metal silicon powder is supplied; and an ejection port for ejecting the hydrogen chloride gas into the apparatus body from the bottom part of the apparatus body, wherein a plurality of holed pieces having a through hole penetrating in the thickness direction and a plurality of pellets interposed between these holed pieces are stacked in a mixed state on the upper side of the ejection port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventor: Chikara Inaba
  • Patent number: 8216522
    Abstract: Catalyst regeneration vessels including a chlorination zone that includes an outer mixing chamber, an inner mixing chamber, and a catalyst bed. The outer mixing chamber can include a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion of the outer mixing chamber including at least one air nozzle that injects a drying air stream into the outer mixing chamber, at least one chlorine input nozzle that injects a chlorine input stream into the outer mixing chamber, and at least a first baffle. The chlorination zone can also contain a second baffle that directs the mixed drying air stream and chlorine input stream from the outer mixing chamber to the inner mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Bing Sun, Paul A. Sechrist
  • Patent number: 8211375
    Abstract: The invention is a fluid distribution device for coupling with a fluid distribution conduit or chimney for improving the distribution of downwardly flowing poly-phase mixture including at least one gas phase and at least one liquid phase, above at least one catalyst bed of granular solid catalytic material. The fluid distribution device for receiving the liquid and gas phases has one or more openings in the top and/or upper portion of its height through which a gas phase can enter and has a gas conduit that opens to a mixing cavity within the device. The fluid distribution device further comprises one or more lateral openings for liquid ingress. The lateral opening or openings allow the liquid to enter a liquid conduit that opens to the internal mixing cavity. The mixing cavity allows intimate contact between the liquid and gas phases. Therefore the flow distribution device of the invention provides improved tolerance for tray out of levelness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Krishniah Parimi, Steven X. Song, Ralph E. Killen, Ronald K. Meeker, Steven A. Souers
  • Patent number: 8206657
    Abstract: An enclosure includes at least one packed bed and a mixture supply line for delivering at the bottom of the enclosure a mixture of a liquid with a gas. The enclosure includes a system for separating the liquid phase and the gas phase of the mixture, the system being arranged between the bed and the mixture supply line, and this system including a housing having a flow passage for the degassed liquid and discharge passages for the disengaged gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: IFP
    Inventors: Frédéric Augier, Robert Beaumont, Christophe Boyer, Denis Darmancier
  • Patent number: 8202498
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus for mixing, cooling, and distributing multiphase fluid mixtures within a reactor, wherein reactor internal apparatus of the present invention provides not only improved fluid mixing and distribution to each underlying catalyst bed surface, but also offers other advantages including: decreased mixing tray height; easier maintenance, assembly and disassembly; and decreased amounts of fabrication material. In an embodiment, fluid may be evenly distributed to a catalyst bed from a fluid distribution unit comprising a nozzle tray including a plurality of nozzles, wherein the nozzles include at least one liquid inlet disposed tangentially to an inner surface of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph E. Killen, Craig Boyak, Steven X. Song, Abdenour Kemoun, Steve Souers, Krishniah Parimi, Zackory Akin
  • Patent number: 8200410
    Abstract: A method of actively controlling pattern factor in a gas turbine engine includes the steps of issuing fuel into a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine through one or more circumferentially disposed fuel injectors, determining an initial circumferential pattern factor in the combustion chamber, and adjusting fuel flow through one or more selected fuel injectors based on the initial circumferential pattern factor, to yield a modified circumferential pattern factor in the combustion chamber. The step of determining the circumferential pattern factor can include the steps of detecting a chemiluminescent signature within the combustor, correlating the chemiluminescent signature to an equivalence ratio, and computing the initial circumferential pattern factor based on the equivalence ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Delavan Inc
    Inventors: Brandon P. Williams, Jerry L. Goeke
  • Patent number: 8197785
    Abstract: Systems and methods for contacting a liquid, gas, and/or a multi-phase mixture with particulate solids. The system can include a body having a first head and a second head disposed thereon. Two or more discrete fixed beds can be disposed across a cross-section of the body. One or more unobstructed fluid flow paths can bypass each fixed bed, and one or more baffles can be disposed between the fixed beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Blanchard, David P. Mann
  • Patent number: 8187559
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plate (10a) intended to be integrated in a stack of plates in a heat exchanger system, the plate comprising a plurality of channels (38) distributed in rows (40), each row comprising side walls (42) arranged opposite one another and spaced apart from one another in a first direction (44), so that two directly consecutive side walls delimit one of the channels (38), the rows being arranged opposite one another and spaced apart from one another in a second direction (46) which is perpendicular to the first. Furthermore, in the fluid circulation zone (20) of the plate incorporating the channels (38), only the latter are coated with a catalyst allowing a chemical reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignees: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Antoine Gruss, Emmanuelle Duval-Brunel, Andre Van Veen, Claude Mirodatos
  • Patent number: 8173567
    Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst distributor and process for spreading catalyst over a regenerator vessel. Nozzles disposed angular to a header of the distributor spread catalyst throughout a full cross section of the catalyst bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Lawrence A. Lacijan, Sujay R. Krishnamurthy, Mohammad-Reza Mostofi-Ashtiani, Paul S. Nishimura, Lisa M. Wolschlag
  • Patent number: 8157990
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a sprayer for distributing at least one fluid in a vessel. The sprayer can include a first member having a first surface and a second surface forming at least one aperture there-through. Generally, the at least one aperture is skewed with respect to a substantially vertical axis passing through a center of the first member for distributing the at least one fluid in the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Sailesh B. Kumar, Richard S. Hatami, Robert Crismyre
  • Patent number: 8157899
    Abstract: A particulate material processing apparatus has a vessel and a processing tank. The vessel has a charging port for charging a particulate material into the vessel. The processing tank receives the particulate material charged from the charging port. The processing tank is shaped so as to narrow towards the bottom. At least the lower part of the processing tank is made of a gas-permeable material that allows the process gas for processing the particulate material to pass through. The upper part of the processing tank has lower gas permeability than the lower part of the processing tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Isogai, Katsuya Nakai, Tatsuo Suzuki, Taku Hirakawa, Hiroyuki Shimada
  • Publication number: 20120082595
    Abstract: An apparatus for contacting a bed of particulate material with a cross flowing fluid, which maintains the bed of particulate material within a retention volume. The apparatus includes partitions for retaining particles, with apertures disposed within the partitions. The apertures are covered by louvers that extend above the edges of the apertures to prevent solid particles from spilling through inlet apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Bing Sun, Paul A. Sechrist, Bryan K. Glover, Michael J. Vetter
  • Patent number: 8101140
    Abstract: The present invention is a structured monolith reactor and method that provides for controlled Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis. The invention controls mass transport limitations leading to higher CO conversion and lower methane selectivity. Over 95 wt % of the total product liquid hydrocarbons obtained from the monolithic catalyst are in the carbon range of C5-C18. The reactor controls readsorption of olefins leading to desired products with a preselected chain length distribution and enhanced overall reaction rate. And, liquid product analysis shows readsorption of olefins is reduced, achieving a narrower FT product distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Yong Wang, Wei Liu
  • Patent number: 8092755
    Abstract: Injection nozzles for use in a gas distribution device are disclosed. In one aspect, the injection nozzle may include: a tube having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; wherein the inlet comprises a plurality of flow restriction orifices. In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to an injection nozzle for use in a gas distribution device, the injection nozzle including: a tube having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; wherein the fluid inlet comprises an annular orifice surrounding a flow restriction device. Injection nozzles according to embodiments disclosed herein may be disposed in a gas distribution manifold used in a vessel, for example, for conducting polymerization reactions, spent catalyst regeneration, and coal gasification, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Leonce Francis Castagnos, Jr., Ting Yee Chan, Ronald Eugene Pieper, Norman Paul Kolb
  • Patent number: 8080207
    Abstract: A reactor vessel system includes a reactor vessel including a first port in fluid communication with an interior of the reactor vessel and an outlet port connected in fluid communication with the interior of the reactor vessel. A base supports the reactor vessel. A first coil of tubing is connected in fluid communication with the first port and disposed around a perimeter of the reactor vessel. A method of operating a reactor vessel system includes providing a reactor vessel including a first port in fluid communication with an interior of the reactor vessel and an outlet port connected in fluid communication with the interior of the reactor vessel, providing a first coil of tubing connected in fluid communication with the first port and disposed around a perimeter of the reactor vessel, and flowing steam through the first coil and into the reactor vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Franklin D. Lomax, Christopher H. Van Dyke, Edward T. McCullough
  • Patent number: 8071047
    Abstract: A device is presented for use as a centerpipe in a radial flow reactor, or for a radial flow adsorption bed. The device includes a plurality of stacked slotted cylindrical sections and frustums. The design retains the particles in a solid particulate bed that can be flowing through the reactor. The frustums provide covers to the cylindrical sections to prevent the flow of solid particles back through the slots in the cylindrical sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Sujay R. Krishnamurthy
  • Patent number: 8062609
    Abstract: A flow cytometer is provided which includes an interrogation flow cell and a plurality of assay fluidic lines extending into the interrogation flow cell. A method of operating such a flow cytometer includes priming the interrogation flow cell with a sheath fluid and injecting different assay fluids into a flow of the sheath fluid through the plurality of fluidic lines. A fluidic line assembly is provided which includes a plurality of capillary tubes coupled to a base section configured for coupling to an interrogation flow cell assembly of a flow cytometer. The capillary tubes are dimensionally configured such that when the fluidic line assembly is arranged within the flow cytometer and fluid is dispensed from one or more of the capillary tubes at a given pressure differential with respect to an encompassing sheath fluid within the interrogation flow cell the fluid is substantially centrally aligned within the interrogation flow cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Luminex Corporation
    Inventors: Jarden E. Krager, William R. Deicher, Adam Richard Schilffarth, Paul Pempsell, Wayne D. Roth
  • Patent number: 8043578
    Abstract: A flexible pressure containment coverplate has been invented for radial flow reactors. The coverplate is for a fixed bed reactor wherein the reactor undergoes significant thermal cycles. The coverplate provides flexibility for axial and radial thermal growth, while providing a sealing capability to prevent leakage of the fluid. The coverplate has a half toroidal structure, with a semi-circular cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Vetter
  • Patent number: 8043577
    Abstract: With the help of a method and device for nozzle-jetting oxygen into a synthesis reactor, e.g. for oxy-dehydration, with largely axial flow of the gas mixture through a catalyst bed, it is intended to vastly improve the mixing-in and mixing-through of oxygen above the catalyst especially for oxy-dehydration process. This is achieved by feeding the oxygen to a ring distributor system arranged above the catalyst bed in pure form, as air or mixed with inert gas or water vapor and jetting the oxygen onto the catalyst surface through several exit openings in the ring distributor at an inclined angle deviating from the vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Uhde GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Kowoll, Max Heinritz-Adrian, Lothar Semrau
  • Patent number: 8017095
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel means to provide more effective mixing of gas and fluids in a height constrained interbed space of a catalytic reactor without increasing pressure drop. In particular, the device improves the effectiveness of an existing mixing volume in mixing the gas phase and liquid phase of two-phase systems. According to the present invention, the mixing device helps create a highly arcuate flow to incoming effluents and a high degree of mixing within a constrained interbed space of a catalytic reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Abdenour Kemoun, Steven X. Song
  • Patent number: 7998429
    Abstract: An apparatus is presented for contacting a bed of particulate material with a cross flowing fluid, which maintains the bed of particulate material within a retention volume. The apparatus includes partitions for retaining particles, with openings disposed within the partitions. The openings are covered by louvers that extend above the edges of the openings to prevent solid particles from spilling through inlet openings, and the design prevents the loss of particles through the openings during cooldown of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Vetter, Paul A. Sechrist, Bing Sun
  • Patent number: 7988928
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a treatment or hydrotreatment reactor comprising at least one granular bed (12), an essentially liquid phase (L) and an essentially gaseous phase (G) present in the bottom of the reactor and separated by an interface (38), and a distribution plate (20) with at least one main chimney (32) allowing circulation of liquid phase (L) towards the bed and at least one passage (30) for feeding gas phase (G) into said bed. According to the invention, plate (20) also comprises at least one mixed chimney (34) for circulation of the liquid phase towards the bed or for feeding the gas phase into said bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: IFP
    Inventors: Frédéric Augier, Christophe Boyer
  • Patent number: 7988924
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and respective process for distribution of mixed charges comprising a flat tray in the form of a disc drained by a series of drainage tubes located above the surface of fixed beds of catalysts, capable of promoting the homogenisation and distribution of charges by means of said device. Such drainage tubes mounted in said manner have the objective of restricting and reorienting the flow of mixed charges, multiplying the points whereon they fall, principally of the liquid phase, onto said beds of catalysts. For the purpose of doing so said drainage ducts, being segments of tubes, distributed on the entire surface of said tray possess caps affixed at the upper extremity thereof impeding the direct flow of charge onto the bed of catalyst, creating a reservoir of liquid on the tray, subsequently being drained down such device in a more controlled manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras
    Inventors: Wilson Kenzo Huziwara, Donizeti Aurelio Silva Belato, Jose Antonio Vidal Vieira, Angelo Jose Gugelmin, Shelton Rolim Cercal, Jorilvaldo Medeiros, William Victor Carlos Candido, Ademaro Marchiori, Jorge Roberto Duncan Lima, Roberto Ruva, Marcelle Vensão Camargo Foschiani, Alinson Francisco Geros
  • Patent number: 7985381
    Abstract: Catalyst regeneration vessels including a chlorination zone that includes an outer mixing chamber, an inner mixing chamber, and a catalyst bed. The outer mixing chamber can include a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion of the outer mixing chamber including at least one air nozzle that injects a drying air stream into the outer mixing chamber, at least one chlorine input nozzle that injects a chlorine input stream into the outer mixing chamber, and at least a first baffle. The chlorination zone can also contain a second baffle that directs the mixed drying air stream and chlorine input stream from the outer mixing chamber to the inner mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Bing Sun, Paul Alvin Sechrist
  • Patent number: 7972571
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for synthesizing carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The apparatus includes: a vertical reaction chamber; a mixer which is disposed within the vertical reaction chamber and mixes a catalyst supplied from above; and a plurality of dispersion plates which vertically partition a space inside the vertical reaction chamber into a plurality of sections and uniformly disperse a source gas, which is supplied from above, into the sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Semes Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Suk-Won Jang, Jong-Kwan Jeon, Chung-Heon Jeong
  • Patent number: 7972570
    Abstract: A distributor nozzle for a two-phase charge, to be used in fixed-bed reactors in order to increase the area over which the mixture is dispersed and to make its flow rate the same over the whole area of the bed in the reactor. The device includes a number of fixing bars and a deflector cone frustum. The deflector cones or cone frusta may have more than one angle in order to improve the distribution, and they have a number of apertures or slits and a number of vertical directing elements or a directing cage or frame to direct the stream of the two-phase charge in order to increase the area over which the mixture is dispersed and to make its flow rate the same over the entire area of the bed in the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.—Petrobas
    Inventors: Jose Antonio Vidal Vieira, Wilson Kenzo Huziwara, Donizeti Aurelio Silva Belato, Ademaro Marchiori, Jorge Roberto Duncan Lima, Fabricio Torres, Carlos Otavio Brito
  • Patent number: 7968742
    Abstract: A method and a device for the sulfonation or the sulfation of organic liquid raw materials with an SO3/air mixture and other reaction gases in order to perform rapid, highly exothermic gas-liquid reactions in conventional thin-layer falling-film reactors are disclosed. The introduction of the SO3/air mixture occurs through several feed locations, which are located within (along) the reaction tube or reaction tubes or in the annular gap of annular-gap falling-film reactors. High peak temperatures, undesirable byproducts, worsening of the color and local oversulfation or oversulfonation, which leads to side reactions, are largely avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: The Chemithon Corporation
    Inventors: Rudolf Aigner, Horst Reuner
  • Patent number: 7939033
    Abstract: A microfluidic device [10] includes at least one reactant passage [26] and one or more thermal control passages defined therein, the one or more thermal control passages being positioned and arranged within two volumes [12,14] each bordered by a wall [18,20], the walls being generally planar and parallel to one another, the reactant passage positioned between said generally planar walls and defined by said generally planar walls and walls [28] extending between said generally planar walls, wherein the reactant passage comprises multiple successive chambers [34], each such chamber including a split of the reactant passage into at least two sub-passages [36], and a joining [38] of the split passages, and a change of passage direction, of at least one of the sub-passages, of at least 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Elena Daniela Lavric, Pierre Woehl
  • Patent number: 7927565
    Abstract: A nozzle reactor system for increasing the conversion rate of material feed injected into the nozzle reactor system. The system includes two or more nozzle reactors aligned in series, such that material exiting a first nozzle reactor may be injected into a second nozzle reactor. Each nozzle reactor includes an interior reactor chamber and an injection passage and a material feed passage that are each in material injecting communication with the interior reactor chamber. Furthermore, the injection passage is aligned transversely to the injection passage. The injection passage is configured to accelerate cracking material passed therethrough to a supersonic speed. A method of increasing the conversion rate of material feed utilizing multiple cracking steps is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Canada Corporation
    Inventors: Willem P. C. Duyvesteyn, Jose Armando Salazar
  • Patent number: 7906081
    Abstract: A milled plate is presented that is provided for use in a radial flow reactor. The milled plate has narrow slots milled in the plate on the solid particle side and slots of slightly greater width milled on the fluid side of the plate. The plates provide strength to support the pressure from solid particles that currently is not present in wire screen meshes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Naunheimer, Paul A. Sechrist
  • Patent number: 7901641
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a sprayer for distributing at least one fluid in a vessel. The sprayer can include a first member having a first surface and a second surface forming at least one aperture there-through. Generally, the at least one aperture is skewed with respect to a substantially vertical axis passing through a center of the first member for distributing the at least one fluid in the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Sailesh B. Kumar, Richard S. Hatami, Robert Crismyre
  • Patent number: 7897121
    Abstract: A fluid reactor for facilitating mixing and/or chemical reaction and including an elongated cylindrical flow chamber having a first for receiving a flow of a first fluid, a second flow inlet through which a relatively low mass flow of a second fluid may be admitted to the chamber; and a cone-pi element disposed downstream of the second flow inlet and having an upstream conical portion with a leading apex generally facing the first flow inlet, an intervening cylindrical portion, and a downstream conical portion with a trailing apex generally facing the flow outlet, the cone-pi element being operable to produce cavitation and/or vortical flow within the flow stream to effectuate mixing and/or chemical interaction of the first fluid and the second fluid, and to deliver a mixed and/or reacted fluid from the flow outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Fluid Energy Conversion, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Hughes, Leon Shaw
  • Patent number: 7887763
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in conducting chemical or biological reactions requiring the input of at least one fluid reagent and/or the output of at least one fluid product, the apparatus comprising a reaction chamber having an inlet for the supply of at least one reactant and an outlet for the recovery of at least one product, the reaction chamber being provided with a regulator comprising a propeller mounted in the reaction chamber in the region of the inlet for dispersing the at least one reactant in the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventor: Roger Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7879294
    Abstract: A fine solids recycle apparatus for a fluidized bed reactor comprises an eductor connected to a dipleg extending from a cyclone connected to the reactor, wherein the fine solids particles are removed from the dipleg, mixed with an eductor gas to form an eductor gas-fine solids particles mixture, which allows the return of the fine solids particles to the fluidized bed region, whereby the fine solids is further reacted in the fluidized region to improve reaction efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gouhai Liu
  • Patent number: 7858050
    Abstract: A catalytic converter unit includes walls defining a treatment zone, first and second transfer zones and at least one through-flow zone, which zones are adjacent each other. The walls include a partition wall that divides the treatment zone into first and second segments. The first transfer zone is plugged upstream of the partition wall and the second transfer zone is plugged downstream of the partition wall. A catalytic converter element is disposed in the first segment of the treatment zone, spaced from the partition wall. The first segment of the treatment zone is in flow communication with the first transfer zone and the second segment of the treatment zone is in flow communication with the second transfer zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
    Inventors: Ulf Grandlund, Ulf Nordmyr
  • Patent number: 7850929
    Abstract: An internal static mixing system such as a disperser of mesh wire or expanded metal co-knit with a multi filament material selected from inert polymers, catalytic polymers, catalytic metals or mixtures in combination with a vertical reactor having a reaction zone and the disperser disposed in said reaction zone, particularly for carrying out paraffin alkylation using acid catalyst is disclosed. The wire mesh provides the structural integrity of the system as well as the open space required in reactors for the movement of vapors and liquids though the system. The disperser may be in sheets, bundles or bales or positioned within a frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Catalytic Distillation Technologies
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Smith, Jr., Abraham P. Gelbein, John R. Adams
  • Patent number: 7846401
    Abstract: The overall efficiency of a regenerative bed reverse flow reactor system is increased where the location of the exothermic reaction used for regeneration is suitably controlled. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the combustion to improve the thermal efficiency of bed regeneration in a cyclic reaction/regeneration processes. The process for thermal regeneration of a regenerative reactor bed entails (a) supplying the first reactant through a first channel means in a first regenerative bed and supplying at least a second reactant through a second channel means in the first regenerative bed, (b) combining said first and second reactants by a gas mixing means situated at an exit of the first regenerative bed and reacting the combined gas to produce a heated reaction product, (c) passing the heated reaction product through a second regenerative bed thereby transferring heat from the reaction product to the second regenerative bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Frank Hershkowitz, Jeffrey W. Frederick
  • Patent number: 7846398
    Abstract: A micro reactor having micro flow-guiding blocks includes a first gas flow channel, a second gas flow channel and a catalytic converter. There are several flow-guiding portions disposed on the first gas flow channel. Each flow-guiding portion has micro flow-guiding blocks, flow-impact recesses, and catalytic portions. The function of the micro flow-guiding block is to guide a flowing direction of the flow toward the catalytic portion on the flow-impact recess in order to increase a possibility of contacting and chemical reaction with the catalytic portion. So, guiding the flow direction toward the catalytic portion can increase the overall reaction efficiency. More turbulence is generated to obtain a better mixing. Plus, its structure is simple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Yuan Ze University
    Inventors: Chi-Yuan Lee, Shuo-Jen Lee, Chin-Hua Wu, Guan-Wei Wu
  • Patent number: 7846403
    Abstract: An apparatus is for directing a fluid into a radial reactor is and which maintains a bed of solid particulate material within a reactor. The apparatus comprises a duct for directing fluid into a reactor and has a screenless face for the egress of the fluid, while providing for the retention of solid particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Vetter, Paul A. Sechrist, Bryan K. Glover
  • Patent number: 7846402
    Abstract: A screenless reactor design is presented. The reactor includes a series of overlapping vanes where solid catalyst can cascade down the vanes. Gas flows across the catalyst by flowing through the vanes contacting the catalyst and then disengaging from contact with the solid catalyst particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Paul A. Sechrist
  • Patent number: 7842259
    Abstract: An apparatus for contacting a bed of particulate material with a cross flowing fluid, which maintains the bed of particulate material within a retention volume. The apparatus includes partitions for retaining particles, with apertures disposed within the partitions. The apertures are covered by shrouds that extend above the edges of the apertures to prevent solid particles from spilling through inlet apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Bryan K. Glover
  • Patent number: 7842258
    Abstract: A secondary containment system is used with a screenless reactor. The secondary containment system includes a screen sized to prevent the passage of catalyst particles, and is affixed to the screenless reactor with supports to hold the screen a desired distance from the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Joseph H. Gregor, Michael J. Vetter
  • Patent number: 7837956
    Abstract: In order to provide a gas generation apparatus such as a hydrogen gas generation apparatus for a fuel cell or an oxygen gas generation apparatus used in medical sites and at the time of disasters in which a solid gas generating agent such as metal is brought into contact with a reaction liquid to generate hydrogen gas or oxygen gas, a gas generation apparatus A having a solid gas generating agent and a reaction liquid in which the solid gas generating agent and the reaction liquid are stored respectively in separate storing vessels 21, 31 and in which the reaction liquid is supplied into the gas generating agent-storing vessel to generate gas by capillary-active connection of the respective storing vessels assumes a constitution in which capillary-active connection is shut off when a pressure of the gas is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Company, Limited
    Inventor: Toshimi Kamitani
  • Patent number: 7833496
    Abstract: The present invention provides a plate-shaped preferential oxidation (PROX) reactor. The plate-shaped PROX reactor of the present invention includes a plate-shaped chamber having an inlet to supply gas and an outlet to discharge fluid, a distributor for distributing gas supplied into the inlet, a main reactor having a catalyst for converting carbon monoxide contained in the gas into another material, and a radiator disposed on an outer surface of the chamber to dissipate heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: In-hyuk Son
  • Patent number: 7829038
    Abstract: A radial flow reactor design is presented. The reactor has individual and interchangeable screens that are arrayed circumferentially around the inside of the reactor. The reactor includes a plurality of screens held out from the reactor wall to form a circumferential screen, with channels defined between the reactor wall and the circumferential screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Vetter, Jeffrey E. Burgard
  • Publication number: 20100267993
    Abstract: Methods for controlling series or series-parallel reactions are described. Novel microchannel apparatus having mesoporous structures adjacent to bulk flow paths are described. Methods of synthesizing formaldehyde from methanol are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: VELOCYS INC.
    Inventors: Soumitra Deshmukh, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Terry Mazanec, Bin Yang, Kai Jarosch, Richard Long
  • Patent number: 7815872
    Abstract: A reactor for generating moisture, with which hydrogen and oxygen fed into the reactor contact with a platinum coating catalyst layer to activate reactivity so that hydrogen and oxygen react under conditions of non-combustion, wherein the reactor includes a cooler comprising a heat dissipation body substrate in which a heater insertion hole is made in the center to fix to the outer surface of the reactor structural component on the outlet side and a cooler on the outlet side made up of a plural number of heat dissipation bodies installed vertically in parallel on the part excluding the area where the afore-mentioned heater insertion hole of the heat dissipation body substrate exists, and a part of the heater to heat the reactor is inserted in the heater insertion hole so as to fix to the outer surface of the reactor structural component on the outlet side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Toshirou Nariai, Kouji Kawada, Keiji Hirao, Yukio Minami, Akihiro Morimoto, Nobukazu Ikeda