Abstract: A filter structure including a circular housing and annularly disposed individual filter chambers each containing a layer of bulk filter material with a centrally located waste channel having openings leading from each of the chambers above the surface of the filter material, an outer jet for each chamber for directing a cleaning agent along the top of the filter material, a separate supply for fresh filter material at the top of each chamber, clean gas discharge conduits located below the individual filter chambers and a cleaning gas jet connected to each of the clean gas discharge conduits leading downwardly from each of the chambers.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon conversion-catalyst regeneration operation is described which relies upon an upflowing fluid catalyst mass generally decreasing in density of catalyst particles superimposed by an upflowing more dispersed catalyst phase undergoing catalyst regeneration and combustion of combustible materials to effect elevated temperature regeneration of catalyst deactivated by hydrocarbonaceous material under conditions providing low CO levels in the flue gas and generally less than 0.15 mol percent in the flue gas separated from regenerated catalyst particles. Regenerated catalyst at an elevated temperature of regeneration is mixed with spent catalyst recovered from hydrocarbon conversion in a first contact zone in the presence of a fluidizing gas to obtain an initial mix temperature of at least 1175.degree. F. before contact with a secondary oxygen containing regeneration gas stream in a more dense catalyst phase as a part of the upflowing fluid catalyst mass.

Abstract: A hydrogen gas purification apparatus which includes at least one set of two hydrogen purification containers coupled to each other for heat exchanging therebetween, each of the hydrogen purification containers containing a hydrogen absorbing alloy. The hydrogen gas purification apparatus is so arranged as to cause hydrogen gas to be selectively desorbed from and absorbed into the hydrogen absorbing alloy by the amount of heat produced when the hydrogen gas is selectively absorbed into and desorbed from the hydrogen absorbing alloy.

Abstract: A device for collecting and burning particulates in exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine comprises: a casing having an inlet port and a discharge port for exhaust gases; at least one trapper of porous and heat resistant material disposed within the casing; and a plurality of electric heaters separately disposed a predetermined distance apart from each other on or adjacent to a surface of the trapper which confronts the inlet port and connected to a power source, each of said electric heaters having a predetermined heating area. This device effectively collects and burns particulates in exhaust gases with reduced amount of electric power.

Abstract: A catalytic oxidation apparatus comprising a cylindrical honeycomb structure including a multiplicity of small passageways extending therethrough in parallel and having an oxidizing catalyst deposited thereon, a number of the passageways being separated as a catalyst regenerating zone from the other passageways, the regenerating zone being continuously shiftable throughout the entire honeycomb structure circumferentially thereof to render the honeycomb structure serviceable, from portion to portion, as the regenerating zone provided by the number of passageways.

Abstract: A method for discharging a periodic flow of a measured volume of hot regenerated catalyst particles from a moving bed regeneration system into a catalyst hopper at a substantially steady particle flow rate thus eliminating pressure surges in the hopper.

Abstract: A hydrogen generating system which produces hydrogen instantaneously from water ready for use upon demand. The system includes a reactor that has reaction zones wherein catalyst and elevated temperatures generate hydrogen from steam. The zones in the reactor can be in the form of tubes about a heat generating chamber, and the zones are adapted to be interconnected to each other, to atmosphere, and to the source of steam, all to maximize the generation of hydrogen by providing a reactor of optimum flexibility.The present invention also is directed to systems which include the hydrogen generating system and which utilize the generated hydrogen as a fuel or as a chemical.

Abstract: An apparatus for the fluid catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons having a riser reactor with structure at its lower end for introduction of hydrocarbon feedstock and particulate catalyst and having its upper end opening into a separator vessel. A flow reversal structure attached to a downwardly directed flow reversal conduit is provided at the upper end of the riser and within the separator vessel. The flow reversal structure and conduit serve to direct cracked hydrocarbon products and particulate catalyst downwardly toward a stripper located at the bottom of the separator vessel. Cyclones having gas inlet ducts in communication through the wall of the flow reversal conduit are provided. The cyclones are connected to vent cracked hydrocarbon products outside of the separator vessel.

Abstract: Oxygen and water impurities are cleaned from hydrogen, which is to be stored in tanks containing a hydride-forming metallic alloy, using a novel, self-cleaning filter system. The impurity-containing hydrogen gas is first passed through a catalyst bed comprising a catalyst which is adapted to convert oxygen in the presence of hydrogen to water. The gas then passes through an adsorbent capable of adsorbing water from the gas stream, thereby substantially removing water impurities from the hydrogen gas. The purified hydrogen gas is charged into a storage tank containing a hydride-forming metallic alloy which absorbs the hydrogen by reacting therewith to form hydrogen-loaded metallic hydride. When the storage tank is to be discharged, the hydrogen-loaded metallic hydride in the tank is treated to release hydrogen gas therefrom. The released gas is passed back through the adsorbent, thereby cleaning the adsorbent of water impurities deposited therein when the tank was being charged with hydrogen.

Abstract: An apparatus for the recovery of hot regenerated catalyst particles from a moving bed regenerator column is disclosed. The apparatus is designed to obviate pressure surges in the regenerator column, a condition which has been determined to result from a periodic discharge of hot regenerator catalyst particles into a catalyst hopper vented to the regenerator column.

Abstract: Method for rejuvenating a smoke filter which is adapted to remove solid particles from an internal combustion engine exhaust gas stream. The filter includes a bed which forms a multi-passage path along which an exhaust stream flows, and in which carbon particles are retained. A heating element incorporated into the filter bed periodically heats the flowing exhaust gas stream as well as the bed. Rejuvenation of the bed by burning off carbon is regulated in response to variations in the gas pressure, and in the bed temperature.

Abstract: The present invention is for a continuous system wherein spent catalyst is removed from a regeneration vessel, while fresh catalyst is added in order to maintain proper catalyst activity in a hydrocarbon processive system. The withdrawal of the spent catalyst must be achieved at a steady flow rate which is compatible with the introduction of fresh catalyst of the hydrocarbon processing system. This flow rate is controlled by a downstream pressure and venting control in the spent catalyst hopper stage acting in conjunction with a novel flow restriction zone in a discharge conduit.

Abstract: A thermal energy exchanging device is described as having a stationary, hollow cylindrical gas distributing member around which a closed, hollow torus-shaped member rotates. The stationary member is longitudinally and transversely divided into four compartments. The hollow enclosure of the rotatable member is longitudinally divided into a plurality of pie-shaped sections which contain thermal energy responsive material. Sealing means are provided between the two members to divide the annular space therebetween into four segments which are radially aligned and communicate with the four compartments of the stationary member. The sealing means, in effect, divides the device into two sides or two separated chambers through which gases of different temperatures are simultaneously circulated into thermal energy exchanging relation with the heat responsive material that happens to be in that particular chamber at the moment.

Abstract: Gasoline and a heavier fraction from selective vaporization of crude or residual petroleum stocks are separately supplied to a riser reactor of the FCC type. The crude or resid is contacted at low cracking severity with hot inert solids in a riser. The vaporized product is fractionated to provide a gasoline injected to the bottom of an FCC riser and a bottoms fraction introduced at a higher point in the FCC riser.

Abstract: A flow dampener apparatus is disclosed for converting a periodic discharge of a measured volume of catalyst particles to a substantially steady state flow.

Abstract: A catalytic reaction vessel makes hydrogen from a hydrocarbon feedstock and steam using heat stored in the vessel, and the vessel is then regenerated to restore the heat. Regeneration is done by preheating, separately and within the vessel, an oxygen containing gas and a hydrogen purge gas, and mixing these preheated gases so that they combust within the vessel and heat material disposed in the vessel. This is the heat which is used in converting the hydrocarbon feedstock to hydrogen.

Abstract: A hydroconversion process for heavy hydrocarbon oil and reactor system having a series of closed reactor vessels containing substantially fixed catalyst beds in flow communication with each of one catalyst-supply conduit system and one catalyst-removal conduit system, both of said conduit systems communicating with each reactor in said series of reactor vessels, via separate valve means, whereby each reactor can be separately connected or disconnected to flow communication with each of said conduit systems and whereby process-deactivated catalyst present in each reactor is continuously or periodically replaced by fresh catalyst as a slurry in oil via said conduit systems.

Abstract: Apparatus and continuous process for converting hydrocarbons in the presence of a granular catalyst including a metal from group VI a, VII a or VIII, deposited on a carrier, comprising passing a charge of hydrocarbons with hydrogen through a series of at least two vertical catalytic zones in which the catalyst bed moves progressively downwardly, withdrawing progressively the catalyst from the bottom of the last catalytic zone, and reintroducing the same, after regeneration, at the top of the first catalytic zone.

Abstract: A regeneration equipment for spent activated carbon comprises a regeneration reactor provided vertically through a vertical heating furnace and an integrated body of a longitudinal series of numerous spiral elements fixedly provided almost throughout the length of said regeneration reactor. Steam ducts are provided so that they are inserted in said regeneration reactor at about the middle portion thereof. On the outside surface of the wall of said regeneration reactor, fixedly provided are exhaust chambers, each of which communicates at its bottom portion with the inside of said regeneration reactor through exhaust holes provided in the wall of said reactor, and is filled with heat-resisting balls piled up in three layers so that the balls in the top and bottom layers are larger in diameter than said exhaust holes and those in the middle layer are similar in diameter to activated carbon particles.

Abstract: Oxygen and water impurities are cleaned from hydrogen, which is to be stored in tanks containing a hydride-forming metallic alloy, using a novel, self-cleaning filter system. The impurity-containing hydrogen gas is first passed through a catalyst bed comprising a catalyst which is adapted to convert oxygen in the presence of hydrogen to water. The gas then passes through an adsorbent capable of adsorbing water from the gas stream, thereby substantially removing water impurities from the hydrogen gas. The purified hydrogen gas is charged into a storage tank containing a hydride-forming metallic alloy which absorbs the hydrogen by reacting therewith to form hydrogen-loaded metallic hydride. When the storage tank is to be discharged, the hydrogen-loaded metallic hydride in the tank is treated to release hydrogen gas therefrom. The released gas is passed back through the adsorbent, thereby cleaning the adsorbent of water impurities deposited therein when the tank was being charged with hydrogen.

Abstract: A minor portion of the regeneration gas used to regenerate spent fluid catalytic cracking catalyst is passed into a distribution means located at the interface between the dense phase catalyst bed and the dilute catalyst phase in the regeneration zone of a fluid catalytic cracking process to combust, at said interface, the carbon monoxide formed in said bed to carbon dioxide. In a preferred embodiment, the level of the dense phase bed can be adjusted to vary the amount of catalyst entrained in the dilute catalyst phase such that the distribution means will be partially submerged. This serves to provide a simple and convenient method to absorb the heat released by the oxidation of carbon monoxide, thereby minimizing or eliminating excessive or undesirable afterburning in the dilute catalyst phase and in equipment downstream thereof.

Abstract: A charged adsorbent is accommodated in a desorbing vessel and in an intermediate container which communicates with the desorbing vessel. The charged adsorbent is desorbed in the desorbing vessel by contacting the same with a heat carrier, such as with hot sand, and a desorption gas which develops during the desorption of the charged adsorbent in the desorbing vessel is passed through the charged adsorbent accommodated in the intermediate container to capture at least one component of the desorption gas in the charged adsorbent present in the intermediate container. The purified desorption gas is withdrawn from the intermediate container, and the regenerated adsorbent is gradually discharged from the desorbing vessel and the supply of the adsorbent in the desorbing vessel is replenished by charged adsorbent from the intermediate container. The desorption gas is cooled during the passage thereof through the charged adsorbent present in the intermediate container.

Abstract: A catalyst regeneration process and apparatus for the oxidation of coke from a spent catalyst and for the conversion of CO resulting from the oxidation of coke to CO.sub.2.Novel feature of the process is the combination of a vertical heat exchange zone and horizontal mixing zone in which a portion of regenerated catalyst produced in a coke oxidation zone and heated to a higher temperature in a CO-conversion zone and spent catalyst are heat exchanged and fresh regeneration gas is then added, to increase the temperature within the coke oxidation zone and to disperse the portion of hot regenerated catalyst, spent catalyst and fresh regeneration gas more evenly into and within that zone thereby increasing the rate, extent and evenness of coke and CO oxidation. The regeneration apparatus includes components by which this can be accomplished.

Abstract: A mobile catalyst treatment unit and process of operating same involves a closed gas processing loop supported on a normally mobile carrier such as a flat truck bed or trailer which is connectable with the inlet and outlet of a catalytic reactor. The normal process gas is cut off from the catalytic reactor so as to isolate the catalyst and to place the gas processing loop into communication with the reactor. Thereafter, the catalytic reactor can be purged of reducing gases and then treated with an oxidizing gas to burn off carbonaceous materials from the catalyst surface, in the process known as regeneration, or the catalyst can be treated with a reducing gas in the process known as reduction, or the catalyst can be heated for startup purposes, or cooled down for purposes of unloading or other mechanical work on the reactor or treated with other treatment gases such as hydrogen sulfide for sulfiding and the like.