Gas Sparger Type Mixing Means Submerged In Liquid Reactant Patents (Class 422/231)
  • Patent number: 5306472
    Abstract: A melt is stored in a vessel placed in a decompression vessel. On the bottom of the vessel is arranged a bubble generator made of porous bricks, and bubbles of argon gas are introduced into the melt through this bubble generator. Also a lower half section of a degassing member is immersed in the melt. This degassing member has a cylindrical form with the lower end closed and the section immersed in the melt is made of a porous material permeable to gases and impermeable to melts.With these features, a surface of molten metal can be put under reduced pressure and high content components of the melt can be removed by means of bubbling, and also solute components in the melt can be removed into bubbles of argon gas. Also, gases in the melt and gases produced by reactions between the melt and the porous material can be sucked through a wall of the degassing member into inside thereof and removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignees: Tokyo Yogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Masamichi Sano
    Inventors: Masamichi Sano, Nobuo Miyagawa, Kunji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5304356
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by fixing and dumping carbon dioxide which is disposed in seawater or fresh water satisfying certain temperature and pressure conditions for the formation of carbon dioxide hydrate or its clathrate comprising:a) a transport pipeline equipped with a compressor;b) a carbon dioxide source connected to said transport pipeline upstream of said compressor;c) a plurality of ejector nozzles disposed at one end of the pipeline;d) a reaction housing which allows seawater or fresh water and carbon dioxide to react with each other and form the carbon dioxide hydrate or its clathrate;e) a dispersing propeller;wherein the reaction device is provided with the ejector nozzles and the dispersing propeller at the inlet portion of the device; the concentration of the carbon dioxide is supplied into the pipeline and is discharged by the compressor into the reaction housing from the ejector nozzles under pressure to form the carbon dioxide hydrate
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Iijima, Masakazu Yamada, Fumio Tomikawa, Masaaki Negoro, Masaki Minemoto, Hisao Haneda
  • Patent number: 5277878
    Abstract: A reactor for carrying out heterogeneous-phase reactions, in particular gas/liquid reactions with a continuous liquid phase and a dispersed (discontinuous) gas phase, is described, in which, in a horizontal plane, a substantially vertically upward-directed flow of the reaction medium takes place in a first region of the reactor cross-section and a substantially vertically downward-directed flow takes place in another region of the reactor having a device for dispersing the discontinuous phase such as a dispersing screen, substantially only in the regions with upward-directed flow. The reactor is here designed in such a way that free flow of the reaction medium from regions with downward-directed flow to regions with upward-directed flow is possible in the region of the dispersing device. The preferred use of the proposed reactor is the exothermic oxidation of p-xylene and monomethyl p-toluate with air in the so-called Witten DMT process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Huels Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Piotrowski, Hermann-Josef Korte
  • Patent number: 5256380
    Abstract: Reduction of the hysteresis effects in a gaslift loop reactor is effected with a draft tube for solids suspension. The gas or liquid flow rates for generating complete solid suspension are significantly higher than the flow rates necessary for maintaining that state. These hysteresis effects may be significantly reduced and a substantial reduction is obtained for the energy necessary to obtain the state of suspension. Preferably a draft tube which comprises openings through which an extra circulation takes place especially during the startup phase is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Paques B.V.
    Inventors: Arnold Mulder, Rene Weltevrede
  • Patent number: 5246671
    Abstract: The invention provides a continuous moving bed reactor, useful for the prration of 3,7-diacetyl-1,3,5,7-tetraazabicyclo-3.3.1-nonane (DAPT). The reactor makes novel use of water, a known catalyst for said reaction. However, in this invention, the water is present as ice. The ice is made to automatically promote and moderate the reaction as well as regulate the flow of hexamine into the reactor. These automatic functions are achieved by mixing ice with hexamine, the latter is one of two principle reactants used, to generate a standing bed of slurry. When melted at its base, the slurry advanced under the influence of gravity. The melting of the ice being caused by local application of the second principle reactant, acetic anhydride, which is a liquid.The apparatus is constructed in the following way. A tube shaped reservoir for containing the cited slurry is open at the top end and terminates at its bottom end by a porous compartment. The latter compartment openly retains the slurry. A fluid delivery device, i.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: William S. Lukasavage, Seymour Portnoy, Jack Alster, Steven M. Nicolich
  • Patent number: 5244640
    Abstract: An gas generator is disclosed that generates gas from a pressure-producing reaction of reactant pieces and reactant fluid. The generator includes a pressure/reaction regulator for use with a reaction chamber. The regulator includes a reactant-fluid accumulator in communication with the reaction chamber via a reactant-fluid port for adjusting pressure in the chamber relative to a preselected threshold pressure. The regulator also includes at least one body extending substantially into the reaction chamber from the reactant-fluid port. The body is formed with holes for letting fluid under pressure into and out of the chamber. Also disclosed is such a regulator that is usable with a reaction chamber having plural reactant-fluid ports and includes plural bodies, one for each port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Inventor: J. Harvey Crawford
  • Patent number: 5242643
    Abstract: A bubble column reactor with at least one radial dispersing device to radially sparge a gas phase into a liquid phase in the bubble column. The reactor comprises four parts: bubble column body 4, radial dispersing device, a mounting plate, and a head plate. The radial dispersing device is employed to radially disperse the gas phase into the liquid phase. It has a porous wall and an outer threaded port 2 and is vertically installed in the bubble column 4. A mounting plate is employed to allow the dispersing devices 1 to be vertically installed. A head plate 8 is employed to cover the bubble column 4 and have ports 9 for sampling, exhaust gas and sensors. The bubble column reactor according to this invention provides advantages in that it can generate small bubble sizes, thus increase the residence time of the gas phase even under relatively high gas velocities and also relatively high viscosities of the liquid reactant, thereby improving the mass transfer performance of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Inst. of Science & Technology
    Inventors: Sang D. Kim, Yong K. Chang, Hee W. Ryu
  • Patent number: 5190733
    Abstract: In its simplest sense, the present invention provides a method for improving the contacting of plural, distinct phases in a vertically disposed vessel containing distinct fluid phases by injecting a stream of dispersed distinct phases together into the phases contained in the vessel at a sufficient velocity to force the fluid in the vessel to circulate downwardly through a central region in the vessel and upwardly in the annular region surrounding the central region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Milind B. Ajinkya, Robert M. Koros, Barry L. Tarmy
  • Patent number: 5174966
    Abstract: A laboratory device and method are adapted to subject a same rock sample to successive liquid treatments without any intermediary handling of the sample. The device combines a chamber comprising a first part fitted with an inlet for introducing a rock sample and liquid reagents into the chamber; a heater for regulating the temperature in the chamber and a plug fitted within an open port for protecting the chamber from an overpressure. The first part also comprises means for stirring the contents of the chamber including a liquid by introducing gas as bubbles into the liquid. A second part of the chamber is located under the first part and a selective filtering unit is interposed between the first and second parts of the chamber, the filter has a porosity selected for retaining organic material contained in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Institut Francis du Petrole
    Inventors: Bernard Durand, Thierry Lesage, Jean-Claude Monin, Jean-Max Charpentier
  • Patent number: 5154898
    Abstract: In its simplest sense, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for improving the contacting of plural, distinct phases in a circulatory reactor containing a liquid-immersed circulation tube by injecting a stream of dispersed distinct phases together into the circulation tube of the circulatory reactor. Sufficient fluid movement will force the fluid in the reactor to circulate downwardly through the circulation tube and upwardly in the annular space between the tube and the reactor wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Milind B. Ajinkya, Robert M. Koros, Barry L. Tarmy
  • Patent number: 5154891
    Abstract: The laboratory apparatus is used for separating gaseous, liquid and solid substances from gas samples (for example air) to be trace analyzed. It comprises a vessel and a mixer insert with nozzles. The gas fed into the mixer insert emerges from the nozzles at high speed into an absorption liquid held in the vessel so that intensive mixing and hence high absorption of the substances takes place. After passing through the liquid the gas leaves the vessel via an outlet. The substances absorbed in the liquid are available for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Inventor: Karl S. Brenner
  • Patent number: 5141713
    Abstract: A combustion apparatus for continuously obtaining a sample of a preselected trace element contained in a combustible liquid comprising a combustion chamber having inlets for combustible liquid and oxygen, an outlet for gaseous combustion products and a combustion dish, means for continuously supplying oxygen and combustible liquid to the combustion chamber, and a recovery vessel containing a chemical treating solution formulated to recover the preselected element from the combination products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Nolte, Edwin L. Colling, Jr., Kadry K. Bissada
  • Patent number: 5135648
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing an influent liquid including at least a solvent and non-volatile impurities by combining the liquid with a vapor to produce a precipitated sludge is disclosed. The influent liquid is introduced into a wet well. A saturated, water containing reflux and a precipitated sludge are transferred to the well from a reactor. The saturated, water containing reflux precipitated sludge and influent liquid are mixed to form a mixture of saturated, water containing reflux and precipitated sludge. The saturated, water containing reflux is then transferred to the reactor and contacted with a vapor to form the precipitated sludge. The vapor is then discharged from the reactor, and the precipitated sludge is discharged from the wet well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Inventor: Andrew A. Rathsack
  • Patent number: 5133941
    Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for hydrogenating a stream of hydrocarbons is provided. The pressure and temperature of the stream are elevated and the stream is passed through two or more serially connected hydrogenation reaction zones. While passing through the reaction zones hydrogen is dispersed in the stream and the stream is caused to flow along successive downward and upward paths. The reacted stream is cooled prior to reducing the pressure exerted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: George E. Hays, Theodore M. Classen
  • Patent number: 5116574
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for continuously treating infectious waste, which comprises: (a) introducing bulk unseparated infectious waste material into a receiving container, the receiving container adapted to receive a flow of disinfectant such that the receiving container remains substantially free of infectious contaminants; (b) shredding the waste material by a primary shredder; (c) separating the shredded waste material from waste residue in a separation tank having a predetermined fluid level thereby producing a waste slurry; (d) pumping the waste slurry into a reactor vessel; (e) contacting the waste slurry with a disinfecting fluid in the reactor vessel for a sufficient amount of time to disinfect the waste slurry; and (f) dewatering the disinfected waste slurry to recover solid disinfected waste material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Inventor: Erich H. Pearson
  • Patent number: 5102630
    Abstract: A continuous stirred-tank reactor suitable for the liquid-phase oxidation of an aromatic alkyl to an aromatic carboxylic acid is provided with vertically disposed, relatively narrow baffles on the reactor wall and with oxidizing gas inlet means below the agitator in the reactor. The baffle width is about 0.02 to about 0.04 times the diameter of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventor: Myon K. Lee
  • Patent number: 5078965
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the batch treatment of infectious waste material in a fluidized bed reactor utilizing gas oxidation, preferably ozone gas diluted in air. The process and apparatus provide for the disinfecting of infectious waste in a rapid, cost efficient manner allowing for disposal of such infectious waste material in an environmentally acceptable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Inventor: Erich H. Pearson
  • Patent number: 5077007
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the batch treatment of infectious waste material in a fluidized bed reactor utilizing gas oxidation, preferably ozone gas diluted in air. The process and apparatus provide for the disinfecting of infectious waste in a rapid, cost efficient manner allowing for disposal of such infectious waste material in an environmentally acceptable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Inventor: Erich H. Pearson
  • Patent number: 5061453
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuously charging a liquid reactant with a gas is provided. The gas is dispersed in the reactant through a hollow stirrer in a gassing tank. The quantity of gas introduced per unit time is kept constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kurt Krippl, Klaus Schulte
  • Patent number: 5032515
    Abstract: Fat or oil is hydrolyzed with water and lipase effectively by supplying the fat or oil and water continuously each at a constant rate or semicontinuously in portions and simultaneously withdrawing a solution containing fatty acid(s) and an aqueous solution containing glycerol formed by the enzymatic reaction from the reaction system continuously at the same rates as those of the supplied fat or oil and water respectively or semicontinuously in portions to thereby maintain the glycerol concentration in the aqueous phase of the reaction system constant within a range of 10 to 40% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Masanobu Tanigaki, Hidetoshi Wada, Masaru Sakata
  • Patent number: 5030422
    Abstract: In a smog control system comprising a plurality of fans or blowers which are located to introduce air into a smog particle destruction chamber operated with lazer energy. The smog particles are broken down and the air is passed into a filtering chamber which may preferrably adopt the form of a liquid charcoal chamber. The air may be preferably bubbled through the liquid charcoal and the effluent may then be passed into a freshening agent chamber where a freshening agent may be added to the air. The air may then pass as an effluent from the freshening agent chamber. A liquid charcoal supply may be connected to the liquid charcoal chamber and the recovered liquid charcoal which has been spent may be reused for other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Inventor: Cathy D. S. Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 5009796
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for exposing particles to a fluid including the steps of adding fluid and particles to a container having impeller means therein, generating a current with the impeller so as to subject the particles to centrifugal and convective forces resulting in the formation of a well-defined and localized fluidized bed of particles, and maintaining the existence of the current through the fluidized bed so that the particles are thereby exposed to the fluid. The fluidized bed is located in a region removed from the impeller when the particles are more dense than the fluid, and the fluidized bed is located in a region near the impeller when the particles are less dense than the fluid. A method of exposing a first fluid to a second fluid, the second fluid being either a gas or a liquid immiscible in the first fluid is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Robert Adler
    Inventors: Michael A. Petrik, Robert J. Adler, Jonathan D. Wineland
  • Patent number: 5002704
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for the production of a flowable mixture which reacts to form foam from flowable components stored in storage containers, wherein prior to metered introduction into a mixing zone, at least one of the components is charged with a defined quantity of gas, by (i) introducing said one component and gas separately into a gasification chamber equipped with a hollow stirrer, (ii) sucking gas into said component through the hollow shaft of the hollow stirrer, and (iii) stirring the gas into the component, until the desired value is attained, the improvement wherein (a) the component is circulated from the storage container through the gasification chamber and back into the storage container, (b) the gas sucked through the hollow shaft of the hollow stirrer being maintained at pressure at least equal to the pressure prevailing in the storage container, and (c) the component fraction remaining in the storage container is homogenized during those periods in which ga
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kurt Krippl, Hans-Michael Sulzbach, Klaus Schulte
  • Patent number: 5001066
    Abstract: Process for carrying out a sparged reaction, including providing one or a plurality of vertically-disposed reaction tubes, introducing a sparging gas under pressure into the bottom of the tube, separating and withdrawing the sparging gas from the top of the tube and passing the separated sparging gas in indirect heat exchange with at least part of the outside surface of the tube. The process is particularly suitable for carrying out an exothermic reaction, such as a fermentation reaction for the production of single cell protein, in which the bottom of a plurality of reaction tubes are disposed in a water bath, the withdrawn sparging gas is sprayed across the tops of the tubes, preferably after reducing the pressure to cool the same, and water is withdrawn from the bath and passed downwardly along the outside of the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: D. O. Hitzman
  • Patent number: 4940047
    Abstract: Textile sheet-like structure impregnated or coated with water-hardening synthetic resin, said textile comprising organic fibers with an elasticity modulus of 200 to 2500 daN/mm.sup.2 and having an extensibility in the longitudinal direction of at least 10% before hardening of said resin is useful in preparing orthopaedic support dressings, containers, filters, pipes, reinforcing material, stiffening material, filler or sealer material for hollow spaces or joints, insulating material, in preparing decorative and artistic articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignees: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft, Karl Otto Braun KG
    Inventors: Roland Richter, Wolfram Mayer, Gunter Langen, Willy Leyser
  • Patent number: 4933115
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the production of a flowable mixture which reacts to form foam from flowable components stored in storage containers, wherein prior to metered introduction into a mixing zone, at least one of the components is charged with a defined quantity of gas, by (i) introducing said one component and gas separately into a gasification chamber equipped with a hollow stirrer, (ii) sucking gas into said component through the hollow shaft of the hollow stirrer, and (iii) stirring the gas into the component, until the desired value is attained, the improvement wherein (a) the component is circulated from the storage container through the gasification chamber and back into the storage container, (b) the gas sucked through the hollow shaft of the hollow stirrer being maintained at a pressure at least equal to the pressure prevailing in the storage container, and (c) the component fraction remaining in the storage container is homogenized during those periods in which ga
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kurt Krippl, Hans-Michael Sulzbach, Klaus Schulte
  • Patent number: 4888213
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for accelerating drying of coatings on contoured articles and particularly articles having internal recesses or passages. The coated article is suspended by a hanger from a conveyor or other support and a rotatable drive mechanism is operably associated with the hanger and acts to spin the coated article about a vertical axis, while the article is exposed to an elevated temperature, to accelerate drying of the coating. The spinning substantially increases the drying rate, particularly in internal passages of the article, and provides a more uniform dried coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: William G. Hesterberg
  • Patent number: 4871516
    Abstract: An apparatus for conducting sequential chemical reactions between two gaseous reactants and a liquid reaction medium wherein contact between the two gaseous reactants are to be avoided is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first reaction zone provided with means for contacting a first gaseous reactant with a liquid reaction medium to provide an intermediate liquid mixture, a second reaction zone provided with means for contact between a second gaseous reactant and said intermediate liquid mixture to form a product, communication means providing communication for said liquid reaction medium and said intermediate liquid mixture between said first and second reaction zones and circulation means for continuously circulating said liquid reaction medium and said intermediate liquid mixture between said first and second reaction zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: National Distillers and Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Jawad H. Murib
  • Patent number: 4842831
    Abstract: In a chlorine hydrate tank wherein a chlorine gas supply pipe is inserted into a tank holding chilled water therein and chlorine gas in blown into the water through the pipe to form a chlorine hydrate, a hollow cylinder having an opening in an upper-side portion thereof is arranged around the chlorine gas supply pipe so as to form a predetermined gap therebetween so that the upper opening of the cylinder is partially or entirely submerged in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Yabumoto, Kunihiko Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 4817652
    Abstract: A cleaning system of the apparatus utilizing the effect of surface tension forces (4) and phase changes between a liquid and gas. In one embodiment the surface (21) to be cleaned is submerged within a vessel (30), the pressure within the vessel being increased. A rapid depressurization of the vessel causes a plurality of bubbles (12) to form around undesired particulate matter (13) on the surface (14) of the article to be cleaned, the bubbles rising to the surface of the liquid (27) within the chamber, thereby cleaning the article. A second embodiment utilizes a cleaning fluid (52) which is applied to the surface of the article (49) to be cleaned. The fluid being subsequently frozen on the surface, thereby reducing the adhesion force between the surface of the article and undesired particulate matter. The surface of the article (49) is subsequently heated, and the undesired particulate matter is removed through the medium of the cleaning fluid (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Benjamin Y. H. Liu, Kang H. Ahn
  • Patent number: 4789499
    Abstract: Reaction equipment for chemical processes, e.g., saponification processes having reaction times of about 2-8 minutes. The reactants are measured, and fed sequentially into a reactor. The reactants are sequentially mixed and reacted by recycling, and at the end of the reaction the recycling is terminated and the finished product is pumped to storage. A microprocessor controller may be provided to sequence the feed and amount of reactants and the reaction times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Henkel Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce A. Bereiter
  • Patent number: 4769221
    Abstract: A chemical reaction apparatus having a reaction tank; at least one manifold providing a plurality of tanks adapted to contain reactants; at least two spargers disposed internally of the reaction tank; and a flow line assembly communicating between the manifold and the reaction tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Inventor: John R. Marihart
  • Patent number: 4744959
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus used to produce a suspension of cyanuric chloride in water, or to react cyanuric chloride with ammonia or with amines. It is possible to produce cyanuric chloride suspensions in water which have a mean particle size of below 20 .mu.m, and a concentration of higher than 20% by weight of cyanuric chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: Ciba-Geigy AG
    Inventors: Marianne Punzar, Franz Marti, Robert Mercier, Paul Tobler, Rudolf Buttiker
  • Patent number: 4734269
    Abstract: A liquid-gas bubble separator comrising a container having an inlet for a fluid which includes liquid and gas bubbles, an outlet and upstream and downstream vents. A filter element is provided in the container between the inlet and the outlet. The filter element permits the passage of the liquid and inhibits the passage of the gas bubbles. The filter element is between the upstream and downstream vents so that gas bubbles which do not pass through the filter element can be vented through the upstream vent, and any gas bubbles downstream of the filter element can be vented through the downstream vent. A bypass passage is provided around the filter element. A portion of the filtered fluid is recirculated through the bypass passage to prevent forward flow through the bypass passage when the filter element is clean, and such recirculating flow is terminated when the filter is clogged to a predetermined degree to thereby open the bypass passage for forward flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: American Hospital Supply Corporation
    Inventors: Rolf W. Clarke, David P. Balding, Lucas S. Gordon
  • Patent number: 4717515
    Abstract: A fluid diffuser for dispersing gas bubbles or liquid droplets into a body of receiving liquid in a tank. The diffuser includes a fluid-emitting member for communication with the body of receiving liquid, which member defines a fluid plenum. A portion of at least one of the walls of the fluid-emitting member is porous and has a foraminous outer surface, to permit the passage of fluid from the plenum into the body of liquid. A slot-forming chamber has a wall that defines a narrow, elongated slot extending parallel to the foraminous outer surface of the plenum-defining wall of the fluid-emitting member, with the foraminous outer surface lying primarily outside the slot. Fluid supplied under pressure to the plenum flows out through the porous wall portion to produce small nascent fluid spheroids on the foraminous surface of that portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Wilfley Weber, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Forsyth, Troy W. Fieselman
  • Patent number: 4683122
    Abstract: A gas-liquid reactor includes a cylindrical vessel containing a liquid with a head space defined above the liquid surface, a submerged jet nozzle positioned on the vessel axis for injecting liquid and gas upwardly into the vessel, and at least two free jet nozzles positioned at the top of the vessel in the head space for injecting a liquid jet downwardly into the liquid in the vessel such that gas in the head space is entrained into the liquid jet and mixed into the liquid in the vessel. The reactor is provided with a cylindrical guide tube coaxial with the vessel sidewall and terminating below the liquid surface for directing circulation. A baffle system directs reactive gas rising from the liquid surface to the head space for entrainment in the liquid jet and directs reacted gas rising from the liquid surface to a vent. Diffuser tubes extend downwardly from each of the free jet nozzles into the liquid for delivering the gas-liquid mixture into the lower portion of the vessel outside the guide tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: Herzog-Hart Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph J. Concordia, Donald R. Hall
  • Patent number: 4664246
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for overbasing a petroleum sulfonate in a multi-vessel reaction system in which a first reactor is a plug flow reactor in which a feedstock is fed in the top of the first reactor with carbon dioxide fed near the bottom of the first reactor and with the product of the first reactor passed to a second reactor that is a continuous stirred tank reactor for additional reaction with carbon dioxide. Optionally, the continuous stirred tank reactor is the first in a series of continuous stirred tank reactors with passing a product effluent seriatim through the series of reactors and recovery of product from the last reactor in the series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: J. Ronald Spence, Douglas S. Jack
  • Patent number: 4648999
    Abstract: An apparatus for contacting fluids combined with solids comprises a cylindrical vessel with a slurry or liquid feed inlet port, a liquid outlet port, a gas inlet port and a gas outlet port. The vessel includes a lower cylindrical baffle which defines a stilling chamber therearound, the main contacting section of the vessel being above the stilling chamber. The lower end of the baffle extends below the liquid outlet port which discharges liquid from the stilling chamber. A cylindrical member is disposed in the cylindrical vessel inwardly of the stilling chamber. It has a lower end which is aligned with the gas inlet port for receiving gas therefrom and an upper end which is higher than a lower edge of the cylindrical baffle. The main contacting section above the cylindrical member has a height which makes a ratio with a length of the cylindrical member having a value within the range between 2 and 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: M. W. Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Robert B. Armstrong, Huibert S. Jongenburger, Pasupati Sadhukhan
  • Patent number: 4643972
    Abstract: Multiphase contacting between gas, solid and liquid phases is effected using a novel apparatus comprising a cylindrical vessel, a draft tube, a conical bottom and a gas-sparger system. Mild and uniform mixing is achieved within the novel apparatus while stagnant zones and zones of high shear within the vessel are eliminated. Gas-liquid mass transfer is achieved at rates comparable to conventional high-shear mechanically-stirred devices while the efficiency of liquid mixing in the vessel is better than conventional low-shear pneumatically-stirred devices. The apparatus is preferably used in fermentation processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: University of Waterloo
    Inventor: Murray M. Young
  • Patent number: 4643852
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for generating gas bubbles in a liquid. The bubbles, which are uniform in size and on the order of approximately 100 micrometers in diameter or less, enhance the efficiency of gas transfer to the liquid. The apparatus includes at least one rotatable member, in the shape of a disc or ring, which is wettable by the liquid and rotatable therein at an edge velocity of at least 70 feet per second. The upper surface of the rotatable member is parallel to, and spaced from, a stationary plate to form a shear zone. Gas, or some other fluid, is supplied proximate the upper surface of the rotatable circular member to form the bubbles. Optimized relationships between the radius of the disc or ring and its speed of rotation are disclosed to enhance the efficiency of operation of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Inventor: Evan E. Koslow
  • Patent number: 4631175
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the chlorination of polyolefins in aqueous suspension. The method includes subjecting the suspension of the polyolefin to a submerged jet of chlorine gas at a velocity sufficient to atomize the chlorine; i.e., at least about sixty feet per second. By this method a very intimate mixture of chlorine and aqueous suspension is formed, whereby the chlorination proceeds more efficiently and at a lower chlorine pressure. Further advantages include a more uniformly-substituted product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: James B. Akers, Jr., Douglas E. Leng, Randall J. Normand
  • Patent number: 4610847
    Abstract: Conversion flask for use is an apparatus for the sequential performance of chemical processes on a sample of chemical material. The flask includes at least three capillary tubes and a large bore tube extending into the interior thereof for the introduction and withdrawal of various fluids. The capillary tubes are constructed to introduce a plurality of fine bubbles into a liquid within the flask to agitate the liquid and accelerate drying, to impinge chemicals on the walls of the flask, and to produce a spray onto the interior walls of the flask in proximity to its upper end to wash down the interior walls of the flask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Leroy E. Hood, Michael W. Hunkapiller, William J. Dreyer, Rodney M. Hewick, Anton W. Stark
  • Patent number: 4567020
    Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a liquid-liquid extraction process by co-current contact between an extraction liquid and a liquid from which impurities are to be extracted includes a mixing compartment in the form of a vertical column having an open lower end and equipped in its interior and substantially throughout its length with a rotary element having surfaces extending perpendicularly or obliquely to the axis of the element. The open lower end of the column extends into a settling compartment in the form of a leak-proof container provided with means for determining the level of the extraction liquid in the container. The extraction liquid is recycled from the container by being converted to a gas and then reintroduced into the column. Compressed air is controlled electronically to supply make-up extraction liquid and any necessary reagents into the settling container to ensure that the level of the extraction liquid is maintained constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: Societe Lyonnaise des Eaux et de l'Enclairage
    Inventors: Louis Cognet, Christian Argoud, Francois Matray, Joel Mallevialle
  • Patent number: 4565660
    Abstract: A certain amount of gas is directed under the liquid surface in a solution reactor, advantageously into the bottom of the reactor, for dispersing the gas into small bubbles and distributing it as evenly as possible over the entire cross-sectional area of the reactor. When the gas discharges and disperses from a flexible-structured member, the reaction force produced by the discharging gas imparts to the dispersing member a whip-like movement having a continuously decreasing radius of curvature. This movement produces strong mechanical mixing in the liquid. This is further enhanced by the strong gas jet discharging from the end of the dispersing member and changing its place randomly. Due to the resultant strong mixing, the solid in the reactor remains in motion and continuously maintains the good degree of suspension and does not accumulate in piles on the bottom of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Assignee: Outokumpu Oy
    Inventors: Stig-Erik Hultholm, Launo L. Lilja, Valto J. Makitalo, Bror G. Nyman
  • Patent number: 4554078
    Abstract: An open end (61) of a tube (62) is disposed below a free surface of a treating solution (60) which is capable of reacting with a liquid effluent to provide a disposable reaction product. A pressurized gas which is non-reactive with the effluent and with the treating solution causes the effluent to be moved through the tube and discharged into contact with the treating solution. Also, the gas is flowed through a shroud (63) disposed concentrically about the tube. The gas envelops the effluent and the shroud prevents contact of the treating material with the effluent and the gas along a predetermined distance beyond the open end of the tube. This arrangement causes the treating material to react with the effluent at a location spaced from the end of the tube thereby preventing clogging of the tube. The discharge of the gas along with the liquid effluent into the treating solution causes a substantial mixing of the two liquids to provide a substantially complete reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: AT&T Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Huggins, William D. O'Brien, Jr., Fred P. Partus
  • Patent number: 4548765
    Abstract: A method for directing a desired amount of gas below the liquid surface in a solution reactor, to mix the bubbles as effectively as possible with a suspension of a pulverous solid and a liquid, and to produce in the mixed gas-liquid-solid suspension a strong, suspension-maintaining flow field which is downward in the center of the reactor and upward along its sides, is disclosed. A so-called gls-mixer according to the invention consists of a circular plate fitted at the lower end of a rotating shaft suspended by its upper end, vertical dispersion blades situated radially at the edges of the circular plate, and baffles attached to the dispersion blades by means of arms. An upwardly directed gas-feeding conduit is fitted at the bottom of the reactor, and from this conduit the gas jet discharges to the center point of the circular plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: Outokumpu Oy
    Inventors: Stig-Erik Hultholm, Launo L. Lilja, Valto J. Makitalo, Bror G. Nyman
  • Patent number: 4545945
    Abstract: In a process for improving the gas distribution in air-lift loop reactors, the back-flowing, partially degassed liquid is divided into part streams prior to, during or after entry into the rising part of the loop. In this process, the cross-section of the sum of the part streams is intended to be smaller than the free cross-section of the rising part. The gas is passed into the part streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1985
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Paul Prave, Wolfgang Sittig
  • Patent number: 4539184
    Abstract: A scrubber for removing sulfur compounds from a gas, particularly a flue gas of a power plant boiler combustion chamber, comprises spray devices for washing the gas with a liquid containing a sulfur compound binding agent. The sump is provided with a partition formed by an array of oxygen ducts which divides the sump into an upper oxidation zone and a lower reaction zone. An additive is introduced into the reaction zone to induce the precipitation of calcium sulfite in the sump product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Gottfried Bischoff Bau Kompl. Gasreinigunga- und Wasserruckkuhlanlagen GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Stehning
  • Patent number: 4519959
    Abstract: A gas-liquid contacting apparatus is constituted by an upright vessel, at least one perforated gas distributor for supplying a gaseous medium into a liquid medium within the vessel, a plate-like rotary disintegrator positioned within the vessel and above the gas distributor for disintegrating bubbles of the gaseous medium into fine bubbles, and a drive shaft concentrically extending through the vessel for the support of the rotary disintegrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Inventors: Tatsuro Takeuchi, Shohei Yoshida, Kazuhiro Kawai
  • Patent number: 4515754
    Abstract: A scrubber is provided with a grate in its sump through which oxygen is introduced to separate the oxidation zone above this grate from a reaction zone below the grate, a calcium containing additive being introduced into this reaction zone. Flue gas to be desulfurized is passed through a washing zone above the sump and there contacted with normally circulating scrubbing liquid containing the additive to absorb sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide. The sulfur dioxide is oxidized to sulfur trioxide and the additive induces precipitation of calcium sulfate in the sump. After a prolonged standstill, settled solids in the sump are induced into movement by drawing a portion of the sump liquid from an upper part thereof and injecting it into a lower part of the sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Assignee: Gottfried Bischoff Bau kompl. Gasreinigungs- und Wasserruckkuhlanlagen GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft
    Inventor: Werner Stehning