Reaction Chamber Includes At Least One Perforated, Porous, Or Semipermeable Wall And Is Adapted For Holding Solid Reactant Patents (Class 422/239)
  • Patent number: 5976472
    Abstract: An integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant having a unitary ceramic body formed from multiple ceramic layers in the "green" state which are sintered together including the unitary ceramic body defining a catalytic reaction chamber position and a first and second passages for providing communication with the catalytic reaction chamber position so that two or more fluids may be delivered to such reaction chamber position for reaction. The integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant further includes a unitary ceramic body defining a receiving chamber which includes the catalytic reaction chamber position, a movable member insertable into the receiving chamber and defining a plurality of catalytic reaction chambers. The movable member moves to the catalytic reaction chamber position where one of the catalytic reaction chambers is in communication with the first and second passages to cause the catalytic reaction of the fluids to produce reaction products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dilip K. Chatterjee, Syamal K. Ghosh, Edward P. Furlani
  • Patent number: 5965092
    Abstract: An integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant having a unitary ceramic body formed from multiple ceramic layers in the "green" state which are sintered together includes the unitary ceramic body defining a reaction chamber and a first passage for providing communication with the catalytic reaction chamber so that two or more fluids may be delivered to such reaction chamber for reaction; the unitary ceramic body defining a receiving chamber connected to the reaction chamber. The integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant further includes a movable member insertable into the receiving chamber and having a plurality of micro- filters for separating the reaction products so as to retrieve desired reaction products; and the movable member is moved to a position where one of the micro filters is in communication with the reaction chamber for separating the reaction products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dilip K. Chatterjee, Syamal K. Ghosh, Edward P. Furlani
  • Patent number: 5961930
    Abstract: An integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant having a unitary ceramic body formed from multiple ceramic layers in the "green" state which are sintered together includes the unitary ceramic body defining a receiving chamber which includes a reaction chamber position and having first and second passages for providing communication with the reaction chamber position so that two or more fluids may be delivered to such reaction chamber position for reaction; the unitary ceramic body defining a receiving chamber which includes the reaction chamber position. The integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant further includes a movable member insertable into the receiving chamber and defining a plurality of separate catalytic reaction chambers and micro-filtering chambers, each such catalytic reaction chamber being provided by a micro-porous ceramic member which includes a catalyst impregnated into the micro-porous ceramic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dilip K. Chatterjee, Syamal K. Ghosh, Edward P. Furlani
  • Patent number: 5961932
    Abstract: An integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant having a unitary ceramic body formed from multiple ceramic layers in the green state which are sintered together includes a unitary ceramic body defining a reaction chamber and first passages are provided for communication with the reaction chamber so that two or more fluids may be delivered to such reaction chamber, a permeable partition wall being provided within the reaction chamber to permit the mixing of fluids during a reaction process. The integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant further includes a filtering chamber including filters disposed in such chamber for separating the solid reaction products from the fluid and for retrieving desired solid reaction products; and other passages for directing the desired solid reaction products to exit from the unitary ceramic body and other passages for directing the desired liquid reaction products to exit from the unitary ceramic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Syamal K. Ghosh, Dilip K. Chatterjee, Edward P. Furlani
  • Patent number: 5939032
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for on-line decomposition of a hydrogen peroxide solution, for use in fabricating a semiconductor device, includes a membrane tube having a porous plug inserted in each end, with the porous plugs defining a space where a platinum catalyst is disposed. A first coupling tube is inserted into one end of the membrane tube to supply a hydrogen peroxide sample to the membrane tube. The hydrogen peroxide contained in hydrogen peroxide sample is decomposed into water and oxygen gas according to an action of the platinum catalyst. A second coupling tube is inserted into a second end of the membrane tube to discharge a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution to an analytical instrument, where the decomposed hydrogen peroxide solution is analyzed on-line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-chul Kang, Dong-soo Lee
  • Patent number: 5935533
    Abstract: The present invention relates to composite materials for membrane reactors which include a gas-tight ceramic, a porous support, and an interfacial zone therebetween. More particularly, this invention relates to composite materials using oxygen ion-conducting dense ceramic membranes formed on a porous support comprising a metallic alloy to provide an interfacial zone identifiable by a gradient of composition in at least one metallic element across the interfacial zone between the dense ceramic membrane and the porous support. Processes using composite materials in accordance with the invention are, for example, used for production of synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and molecular hydrogen which synthesis gas is, advantageously, free of deleterious and/or inert gaseous diluents such as nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: BP Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Mark S. Kleefisch, Carl A. Udovich, Joseph G. Masin, Thaddeus P. Kobylinski
  • Patent number: 5932179
    Abstract: There is disclosed a waste gas treatment apparatus in which dust concentration at a treated gas outlet is sufficiently reduced and the desulfurizing efficiency and denitrating efficiency of grains are increased. The waste gas treatment apparatus includes an inlet member, an outlet member, a moving layer of the grains therebetween, a first perforated plate disposed between the inlet member and the outlet member for defining a front chamber in combination with the inlet member, a second perforated plate disposed between the inlet member and the outlet member for defining an intermediate chamber in combination with the first perforated plate and for defining a rear chamber in combination with the outlet member, and flow controllers for setting the moving speed of grain in the front, intermediate and rear chambers. The moving speed of grains in the front chamber is higher than that in the intermediate chamber and the moving speed of grains in the intermediate chamber is higher than that in the rear chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruo Watanabe, Hiromi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5932141
    Abstract: The process of this invention prepares a hydrogen and carbon monoxide rich gas stream by passing a hydrocarbon feedstock mixed with steam to a tubular reaction with a thin layer of film of a steam reforming catalyst supported on the inner walls thereof; passing the effluent from the tubular reaction to a fixed bed steam reforming catalyst; and withdrawing from the fixed bed a hydrogen and carbon dioxide rich product gas, said tubular reactors being heated burning of fuel. Optionally, the feed to the tubular reactor herein designated the second tubular reactor, may be the effluent from a similar tubular reactor, herein designated the first tubular reactor in heat conducting relationship with hot flue gas from the second reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventors: Jens Rostrop-Nielsen, Peter Seier Christensen, Viggo Lucassen Hansen
  • Patent number: 5909613
    Abstract: A method of removing harmful gas is performed by a manner that a mixture of photocatalyzer and active carbon with air containing harmful gas and the mixture of photocatalyzer and active carbon are mixed in a chamber so as to drift the mixture in the air, the drifting mixture reacting with the harmful gas in illumination by lighting means, and the mixture catching said harmful gas so as to remove said harmful gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriomi Miyoshi, Kazuteru Shinkai, Toshiharu Sasamoto, Hitomi Kawakami, Satoshi Nishikata
  • Patent number: 5885537
    Abstract: Method for decomposing thermally decomposable components such as organic compounds which are present in gases, whereby these gases are led through a heat exchange medium consisting of particles of a substance such as clay or aluminates which resist decomposing at the decomposition temperature of the decomposable of the decomposable components, and whereby these gases are heated in the heat exchange medium up to the decomposition temperature of the decomposable components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignees: Groep Danis, naamloze vennootschap, Norbert Druwel
    Inventor: Jose Omer Arnold De Muynck
  • Patent number: 5879642
    Abstract: A method, and a reactor, for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon feed stream through multistage fixed catalyst beds contained within a single onstream reactor vessel, with a separate catalyst addition and a separate catalyst withdrawal system for the upper or top essentially fixed catalyst bed. The upper or top essentially fixed catalyst bed functions as a guard catalyst bed for removing a major proportion of contaminants (e.g. organometallic constituents) from a hydrocarbon feed stream in order to extend the life of one or more fixed catalyst beds serially disposed underneath the upper or top essentially fixed catalyst bed. Catalyst particles are withdrawn from the essentially fixed catalyst bed by slurrying or liquifying the catalyst particles in a container disposed within the reactor. A method for retrofitting a reactor assembly having two or more fixed catalyst beds in order to place a guard catalyst bed in the upper or top portion of the reactor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Harold J. Trimble, Dennis R. Cash
  • Patent number: 5833934
    Abstract: The reaction of alkali, alkali-earth metal hydride with water is utilized for the generation of hydrogen in a novel generator configuration. This overcomes the problems encountered in earlier hydride based generator configurations inasmuch as it overcomes the problem associated with the expansion of the hydride upon its conversion to hydroxide or oxide when reacting with water. This is accomplished by using a hydride cartridge of unique configuration. The combination of the corrugated cartridge structure and the wicking material dispersed throughout the cartridge facilitate the complete utilization of the hydride and water in a demand responsive mode. This is important in applications where intermediate hydrogen storage is impractical, as is the case in the use of these generators--e.g., for electric power generation in fuel cells in general and for Underwater Vehicles specifically because space restraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: AF Sammer Corporation
    Inventor: Otto J. Adlhart
  • Patent number: 5824139
    Abstract: An adsorber for purifying flue gases of a furnace includes a housing having a flue gas inlet and a flue gas outlet. The housing has an adsorption medium chamber. A fill socket extends from the top of the housing. A removal device extends from the bottom of the housing. The chamber includes substantially vertical, gas-permeable walls for delimiting the chamber at the inlet side and at the outlet side. The chamber also includes a vertical gas-permeable partition and a slanted non-gas-permeable wall. The wall at the inlet side is a louver wall extending upwardly to the level of the fill socket. The wall at the outlet side is a slotted screen connected with the slanted, non-gas-permeable wall to the fill socket. The flue gas outlet is located opposite the non-gas-permeable wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: STEAG Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hermann Bruggendick
  • Patent number: 5820655
    Abstract: An ion transport reactor and process for using same having at least one ion transport membrane with a retentate side and a permeate side, for extracting oxygen from a feed gas stream as it flows along the retentate side. A reactant gas stream is flowed along the permeate side of the ion transport tubes to react with the oxygen transported therethrough. Heat is transferred to a fluid stream flowing through the ion transport reactor while the temperature of the membrane is maintained within its operating range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Friedrich Gottzmann, Ravi Prasad, Victor Emmanuel Bergsten, Nitin Ramesh Keskar, Bart Antonie van Hassel
  • Patent number: 5817157
    Abstract: A demand type portable hydrogen generation system operated to replenish hydrogen gas to a storage tank or vessel as hydrogen is drawn therefrom. The system employs electrical and mechanical arrangements for opening an outer coating of a pellet that has been formed over a reactive material, such as sodium, to expose that pellet reactive material to water, and generate hydrogen gas from a chemical reaction between which reactive material and water. An electrical system variation of the system employs a bank of cells where each cell is electrically connected through a controller to a power source with the vessel to contain a measured volume of a light salt and water solution with an aluminum coated sodium pellet or pellet coated with another appropriate metal positioned therein, and provides for passing an electrical current to a select cell to break down the aluminum coating of a pellet contained therein and expose the pellet reactive material to the water, generating hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: Jed H. Checketts
  • Patent number: 5811631
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method of decomposing a chemical compound, which may be an environmentally undesirable material, is accomplished by impinging a flow of the chemical compound on a heated member. Various embodiments are possible, including having the member have a plurality of openings, having the member be configured to direct the flow of the chemical compound in a particular direction, and having the member be self supported on the wall of the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry D. Cripe, Gerard T. Reed, James C. Koontz
  • Patent number: 5811259
    Abstract: A biochemical reactor utilizing an immobilized carrier which is useful in applications such as denitrification of waste water and includes a circulation conduit within the interior of the biochemical reactor. A feed conduit feeds recirculating fluid through a circulation inlet of the circulation conduit. The feed outlet of the feed conduit is located relative to the circulation inlet opening to direct fluid flowing out of the feed outlet into the circulation conduit to induce a circulation motion of immobilized carriers and fluid into the circulation inlet opening, through the circulation conduit, out of a circulation outlet opening, through the interior of the biochemical reactor, and again into the inlet of the circulation conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: EcoMat, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Jans Hall
  • Patent number: 5665594
    Abstract: A rotating cell vessel (4), designed to be simply constructed, and method of use have been developed. The vessel (4) is constructed of materials which are permeable to oxygen and carbon dioxide, and when rotated horizontally around central axis (10) suspends the contents, cells and particle substrates, in a liquid medium with a low turbulence, low shear fluid environment. The vessel walls (24) are made at least partially of gas permeable material. The vessel (4) is rotated to suspend the cells and substrate particles in a low turbulence liquid nutrient medium. Oxygen continuously diffuses through the permeable vessel material and through the cell culture liquid medium to provide the needed oxygen to the cells. Carbon dioxide diffuses through the cell culture medium and through the vessel wall (24), removing this waste product from the cell culture. A means for entrapping gas bubbles away from cell growth is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Synthecon, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray P. Schwarz, Frederick A. Archibald, III, William J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5643534
    Abstract: A method for inhibiting corrosion of metals in contact with an aqueous alkanolamine solution in an amine unit for removing of acid gases from a hydrocarbon, comprising adding to the solution a sufficient amount of a corrosion-inhibiting composition comprising a blend of salicylic acid with a reaction product of maleated tall oil fatty acid polyhydroxy polyalkane and ammonium or potassium hydroxide; tallow diamine quaternary dichloride or alkanediol or mixtures thereof, and alkanol or alkanolamine. The blend may be diluted in water and may optionally include an antifoam material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: BetzDearborn Inc.
    Inventor: Ljiliana V. Minevski
  • Patent number: 5628968
    Abstract: An apparatus for purifying pollutant-containing waste or exhaust air from industrial plants by means of regenerative afterburning includes a heat exchanger in the form of a heat exchanger fill. The material for the heat exchanger fill is a sponge-like foamed ceramic material having open pores. In accordance with another embodiment, the material of the heat exchanger fill may be constituted by ceramic grate plates or grate bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Eisenmann Maschinenbau KG
    Inventors: Joachim Hug, Apostolus Katefidis
  • Patent number: 5620668
    Abstract: A regenerative thermal oxidizer in which contaminated air is first passed through a hot heat-exchange bed and into a communicating high temperature oxidation (combustion) chamber, and then through a relatively cool second heat exchange bed. The apparatus includes a number of internally insulated, ceramic filled heat recovery columns topped by an internally insulated combustion chamber. Process air is directed into heat exchange media in one of said columns via an annular distribution system, which allows for the uniform flow of gas in the apparatus, and greatly reduces the flushing volume. Oxidation is completed as the flow passes through the combustion chamber, where one or more burners are located. From the combustion chamber, the air flows vertically downward through another column containing heat exchange media, thereby storing heat in the media for use in a subsequent inlet cycle when the flow control valves reverse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Driscoll, James T. Gallo, Michael P. Loos, David L. Petersen
  • Patent number: 5607648
    Abstract: A rotary kiln, particularly for producing uranium dioxide from uranium hexafluoride, has an inlet arrangement and a heated rotatable barrel. Uranium hexafluoride and steam react together in the inlet arrangement to form uranyl fluoride which is fed into the barrel by the aid of a rotating scroll feed device. In the barrel, the uranyl fluoride reacts with a counterflow stream of steam and hydrogen to produce the uranium dioxide. A porous metal or ceramic filter closely surrounds the scroll feed device to remove particles from kiln-produced gases. The filter is maintained in a clean condition by the scraping action of a number of helical blades forming part of the scroll feed device. The uranium dioxide powder produced by the kiln may be processed to form nuclear fuel pellets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: British Nuclear Fuels plc
    Inventors: Robert Carter, John T. Semeraz
  • Patent number: 5589144
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal barrier coating applied to the inside surface of a catalytic converter and intake pipe between the manifold of an internal combustion engine and the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter and intake pipes are generally formed in two halves to facilitate an effective means by which the thermal barrier coating can be sprayed onto the inside surface by an arc plasma source prior to combining the individual halves of the catalytic converter or intake pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventors: John E. Filippi, John A. Golen
  • Patent number: 5573740
    Abstract: Phosphine is generated by the reaction of water with a metal phosphide formulation. In one embodiment, the formulation is within a housing closed by a membrane which is permeable to water and phosphine. A water-containing gas flows across the membrane and water from the gas permeates into the housing to react with the phosphide, producing phosphine which also permeates through the membrane to enter the gas flow. Two membranes may be used to close the housing, one permeable to water, the other permeable to phosphine. A blanking plate and phosphine absorber may be included to control the phosphine production. In a second embodiment, pellets of a phosphide formulation are transferred, periodically, from a hopper to a chamber containing water. The transfer is effected by a disc member mounted below the hopper and above the chamber. The disc member has at least one aperture in it, within which pellets are transported from the hopper outlet to an inlet port of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
    Inventors: Henry J. Banks, Colin J. Waterford
  • Patent number: 5573737
    Abstract: A functionally gradient material for a membrane reactor for converting methane gas into value-added-products includes an outer tube of perovskite, which contacts air; an inner tube which contacts methane gas, of zirconium oxide, and a bonding layer between the perovskite and zirconium oxide layers. The bonding layer has one or more layers of a mixture of perovskite and zirconium oxide, with the layers transitioning from an excess of perovskite to an excess of zirconium oxide. The transition layers match thermal expansion coefficients and other physical properties between the two different materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Uthamalingam Balachandran, Joseph T. Dusek, Mark S. Kleefisch, Thadeus P. Kobylinski
  • Patent number: 5558783
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for initiating and sustaining an oxidation reaction. A fuel, such as natural gas or hazardous waste, is introduced into a reaction zone within a pressurized containment vessel. A permeable liner is placed within the containment vessel and around the reaction zone. An oxidizer, preferably oxygen, is mixed with a carrier fluid, such as water, and the mixture is heated and pressurized to supercritical conditions of temperature and pressure. The supercritical oxidizer-carrier mix is introduced to the reaction zone gradually and uniformly, over a comparatively large area, by forcing it radially inward through the permeable liner and toward the reaction zone. A means and method for cooling the exhausted by-products and using them as a cleansing rinse are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas G. McGuinness
  • Patent number: 5527514
    Abstract: A desulfurizing and denitrating apparatus wherein an inner space of a tower body, which has an introduction port for a gas to be processed and a processed gas discharge port formed respectively in opposite side walls, is partitioned in a direction from the side wall having the processed gas introduction port toward the side wall having the processed gas discharge port by an inlet louver, a perforated plate and an outlet louver all extending vertically parallel to each other, a constant-rate discharging device for setting a moving speed of a carbon-base adsorbent in a small chamber defined between the inlet louver and the perforated plate and a constant-rate discharging device for setting a moving speed of a carbon-base adsorbent in a large chamber defined between the perforated plate and the outlet louver are provided, the moving speed of the carbon-base adsorbent in the small chamber is set to be 2 to 4 times greater than an average moving speed, and the distance from the inlet louver to the perforated plate
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruo Watanabe, Hiromi Tanaka, Kouji Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5525313
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a phosphor for use in an electroluminescent panel includes a storage body that is permeable to a fluid, and an open boat for containing a phosphor material. The open boat is stored in, and has a shape corresponding to, the storage body. The open boat and the storage body are housed in a reactor. A gas supply section introduces a nitrogen gas and a halogen gas into the reactor, and a heating device heats the reactor. A pressure control device selectively evacuates the reactor and introduces a gas pressure into the reactor to control the pressure in the reactor to be in a range from 10.sup.-3 to 1140 Torr.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kawano, Mitsunori Harada, Takahiro Saida, Shuichi Taya, Shinichiro Seki, Kenichi Kondo
  • Patent number: 5520890
    Abstract: A multi phase catalytic reactor in which a liquid product is separated from a slurry phase containing a finely divided solid catalyst in a liquid medium. The apparatus includes a vessel which contains a number of vertical reaction tubes, arranged to accommodate the slurry phase. Each tube has a filter member in contact with the slurry phase within the tube. The filter members thus define a filtrate zone which is separated from the slurry phase. Gaseous reactants are introduced into the slurry phase within the tubes and a heat exchange medium is circulated around the outside of the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Den norske stats oljeselskap A.S
    Inventors: Geir B. Lorentzen, Arild Westvik, Trond Myrstad
  • Patent number: 5516491
    Abstract: A disposable transportable reactor vessel can be prepared by modifying an eye-dropper pipette. A HDPE plug is inserted in one end of the pipette to permit selective passage of fluid while preventing resin flow. The pipette is looped into the shape of a u-tube and inserted into a holder such that the pipette is axially aligned with the holder to facilitate use in a robotic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Gary S. Kath, Gregory W. King, Kevin Chapman
  • Patent number: 5514353
    Abstract: The reaction of alkali, alkali-earth metal hydride with water is utilized for the generation of hydrogen in a novel generator configuration. This overcomes the problem associated with the expansion of the hydride upon its conversion to hydroxide or oxide when reacting with water encountered in prior art generators. The hydride cartridge is comprised of a structure of corrugated perforated sheet metal and several layers of water wicking material, which hydride granules has dispersed within it. The hydride cartridge is housed in a reactor to which liquid water is admitted in a controlled mode. As the water enters the reactor and reaches the cartridge, hydrogen is instantaneously generated by the hydride water reaction. The hydrogen generation continues as long as unreacted hydride remains and water is being admitted. The wicking material allows the reaction to proceed inasmuch as it overcomes the rate limiting effect of diffusion barriers which may develop as portions of the hydride granules are reacted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: AF Sammer Corporation
    Inventor: Otto Adlhart
  • Patent number: 5480620
    Abstract: A catalytic converter for converting sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide comprising an exterior shell of a heat resistant weldable metal; foundations from which the shell vertically extends; an interior tube of same metal vertically disposed within the shell and defining a passage; the interior tube having i. a first inlet aperture through which the passage receives a first portion of a sulfur dioxide-containing gas from a source of such gas; ii. a second inlet aperture through which the passage receives a second portion of the sulfur dioxide-containing gas; and iii.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Inventor: Gordon M. Cameron
  • Patent number: 5459074
    Abstract: Provided are materials and methods for increasing the working life of a lubricant oil in an engine, including alkaline compositions which are added to said oil, and an apparatus containing the alkaline compositions to be placed in said engine through which oil passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Helsinki University Licensing, Ltd.
    Inventor: Rein Muoni
  • Patent number: 5441716
    Abstract: A chemisorption reaction process is carried out under conditions in which the volumetric expansion of the complex compound reaction product is restricted, and at half-cycle reaction periods of less than 30 minutes each, and/or in a reaction chamber having a maximum mean mass diffusion path length of less than about 15 mm, and/or a maximum heat diffusion path length of less than 1.5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventor: Uwe Rockenfeller
  • Patent number: 5437998
    Abstract: A new rotating cell vessel and method of use have been developed. The vessel is constructed of materials which are permeable to oxygen and carbon dioxide, and when rotated horizontally suspend the contents, cells and particle substrates, in a liquid medium with a low turbulence, low shear fluid environment. The vessel walls are made at least partially of gas permeable material. The vessel is rotated in a horizontal plane to suspend the cells and substrate particles in a low turbulence liquid nutrient medium. Oxygen continuously diffuses through the permeable vessel material and through the cell culture liquid medium to provide the needed oxygen to the cells. Carbon dioxide diffuses through the cell culture medium and through the vessel wall, removing this waste product from the cell culture. The vessel is uniquely designed to be simply constructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Synthecon, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray P. Schwarz, Frederick A. Archibald, III
  • Patent number: 5425924
    Abstract: A compact fixed-bed catalytic reactor containing a plurality of staggered partitioning plates inside a reactor vessel to form a folded reaction path. The reactor is substantially rectangular in shape and each of the partitioning plates is held inside the reactor by a frictional force between the partitioning plate and the inner wall of the reactor vessel while one side thereof, being shorter than the width of a corrsponding inner side the reactor, forms an opening allowing the passage of reactant therethrough. The partitioning plates contain a plurality of fingers to further secure the same in place and prevent horizontal movement thereof. The present invention allows a box-like catalytic reactor to provide the advantages of a fixed-bed tubular reactor, while maintaining a desirable spacial compactness and lowering the construction cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Inventor: Charles M. Finley
  • Patent number: 5418040
    Abstract: A thermosetting damper material which is in a liquid phase at normal temperature is coated on a surface of an automobile fuel tank. Thereafter, the coated thermosetting damper material is heated to thermoset the thermosetting damper material into a damper layer on the surface of the automobile fuel tank. A paint layer may be coated on the surface of the automobile fuel tank over or under the damper layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuo Kaneko, Kouzou Hannuki, Hiroyoshi Nozaki, Shigeo Kaibuki
  • Patent number: 5407455
    Abstract: A reactor for gasification of cellulose-waste liquors, especially black liquor. The reactor includes a reactor cladding a supply for liquor and combustion air in the upper part of the reactor, an outlet opening for gases and other material in the lower part, and a heat-insulating lining at the cladding and bottom part. The lining is arranged at a distance from the surrounding wall, thereby forming a gap for gas or air having a pressure exceeding that in the hearth of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Chemrec AB
    Inventor: Bengt Nilsson
  • Patent number: 5405586
    Abstract: An isothermal reactor design uses interleaved layers of plate heat exchange elements to improve heat transfer in a radial flow arrangement that offers a simple and compact design for fluid flow and catalyst transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Uop
    Inventor: William J. Koves
  • Patent number: 5391358
    Abstract: Processes and systems for purifying high purity helium group gas which may have been contaminated with water, oxygen and/or hydrogen during its transmission to customers' sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl J. Heim
  • Patent number: 5384051
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for initiating and sustaining an oxidation reaction. A fuel, such as natural gas or hazardous waste, is introduced into a reaction zone within a pressurized containment vessel. A permeable liner is placed within the containment vessel and around the reaction zone. An oxidizer, preferably oxygen, is mixed with a carrier fluid, such as water, and the mixture is heated and pressurized to supercritical conditions of temperature and pressure. The supercritical oxidizer-carrier mix is introduced to the reaction zone gradually and uniformly, over a comparatively large area, by forcing it radially inward through the permeable liner and toward the reaction zone. A means and method for cooling the exhausted by-products and using them as a cleansing rinse are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Inventor: Thomas G. McGinness
  • Patent number: 5372792
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cylindrical reactor vessel having a top end with an inlet and a bottom end with an outlet end. A refractory insulating lining is applied on the interior of the wall of the vessel. A cylindrical vertically disposed first inner basket having a generally closed top first end and an open second end in communication with the outlet conduit and having fluid pervious sidewalls surrounded by a vertically disposed outer cylindrical second basket defining a space therebetween for containment of subdivided contact material. The cylindrical second basket also has a top end, which is closed, and fluid pervious sidewalls. The cylindrical second basket is spaced away from the refractory lining of the vessel at a sufficient distance, to provide an annular space for fluid, admitted through the inlet, to progress downwardly through the annular space and then radially inwardly through the contact material contained in the space between the first and second basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Rodney T. Mueller, Catherine M. Murray, Donald F. Shaw, Robert F. Tammera
  • Patent number: 5356462
    Abstract: A fluid-permeable wall component of a sandwich-type construction has a slotted hole screen with substantially parallel extending vertical slot-limiting elements. A stabilizing grate is connected to the slot-limiting elements and includes connecting rods extending transverse to the slot-limiting elements and a louver-type construction with slats that extend transverse to the slot-limiting elements. The wall component is employed in an adsorption medium reactor of the fluidized bed type as a dividing wall for dividing the treatment chamber into compartments or an outer limiting wall. It retains particles of the adsorption medium within the divided compartments of the treatment chamber without obstructing the transverse fluid flow and allows separate removal of adsorption medium from either compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: STEAG Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hermann Bruggendick
  • Patent number: 5334536
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for measuring the concentration of gases in a medium are provided in which the radiation absorption of the gas in the medium is determined with the aid of a sample measurement and reference measurement. The medium with the gas is continuously passed through a measuring cell, and a reference medium not containing the measured gas is continuously passed through a reference cell. Both cells are alternately brought into the optical path between a lamp and a photoreceiver. The results of the absorption measurement in the measuring cell and the reference cell are divided. The concentration of a gas in a liquid, or ozone in water, can be measured by passing the liquid through an exchange material in a packed tower, through which a reference gas stream is passed in counterflow manner. An exchange of the measured gas occurs from the liquid stream to the reference gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Inventor: Klaus Nonnenmacher
  • Patent number: 5332552
    Abstract: Slurry bubble columns equipped with downcomers which have high efficiency gas disengagement means fitted on top of the slurry liquid reaction mixture comprising an inverted channel having a gas vent extending out of the apex of the inverted channel and a liquid by-pass pipe extending from the side of the inverted channel at a point below the apex to under the liquid level and emptying into the downcomer. The inverted channel is fitted to the top of said downcomer and the bottom edge of which inverted channel is in contact with the surface of the slurry mixture in the slurry bubble column reaction zone. Improved catalyst distribution and circulation, mass and heat transfer results from catalyst in gas-lean slurry flowing through the liquid by-pass tubes in the inverted channel and flowing into and down the downcomer to the bottom of the bubble column reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventor: Min Chang
  • Patent number: 5319120
    Abstract: A continuous static polymerization reactor for the production of liquid polymers comprises an elongated hollow reaction chamber (30) which has a porous wall (31) and a jacket means (40) spaced around the reaction chamber (30), which is provided with means (44) for introducing a fluid through the porous wall (31). The reactor is particularly useful for a process for making liquid polymers by condensing monomers and/or oligomers. It comprising the use of a pressurized gas to cause the reaction mixture to reach a foam-like consistency. This is beneficial in the condensation polymerization. Feeding a fluid through the porous wall into the reaction chamber avoids build up of the polymer on the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Dow Corning S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Gilson, Denis Sbardella
  • Patent number: 5298231
    Abstract: Reaction rates in chemisorption reactions involving solid reactants and gaseous ligands are improved by maintaining optimized solid density throughout the reaction. Methods and apparatus which restrict volumetric solid expansion, compression of the solid reactant, and mixture with inert solid porous or particulate materials are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventor: Uwe Rockenfeller
  • Patent number: 5277880
    Abstract: Apparatus for regenerating spent hydrocarbon conversion catalyst. Catalyst particles in a vertically-elongated movable tapered bed are contacted with a hot oxygen-containing gas stream in order to remove, by means of combustion, coke which accumulated on the catalyst particles while they were used in a hydrocarbon conversion zone. Catalyst moves downward under the influence of gravity. The catalyst bed is tapered such that the thickness of the bed, in a dimension which is transverse to the direction of catalyst movement, varies from a minimum at the top of the tapered bed to a maximum at the bottom of the tapered bed. Gas passes through the tapered bed in a direction which is substantially transverse to the direction of catalyst movement. Substantially, all of the catalyst in the bed is in contact with the flowing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Paul A. Sechrist, William J. Koves
  • Patent number: 5232673
    Abstract: A shielded fluid-stream injector assembly is provided for particle bed reactors. The assembly includes a perforated pipe injector disposed across the particle bed region of the reactor and an inverted V-shaped shield placed over the pipe, overlapping it to prevent descending particles from coming into direct contact with the pipe. The pipe and shield are fixedly secured at one end to the reactor wall and slidably secured at the other end to compensate for thermal expansion. An axially extending housing aligned with the pipe and outside the reactor and an in-line reamer are provided for removing deposits from the inside of the pipe. The assembly enables fluid streams to be injected and distributed uniformly into the particle bed with minimized clogging of injector ports. The same design may also be used for extraction of fluid streams from particle bed reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: John E. Notestein
  • Patent number: 5232670
    Abstract: An improved catalytic converter having a shell, a plurality of horizontal catalyst bed supports upon which catalyst is retained and arranged one bed support above another within the shell, and a plurality of horizontal divider plates, one located between each pair of bed supports; the improvement comprising wherein at least one of the bed supports comprises a first full bed support extending essentially across the diameter of the shell, the full bed support comprising (i) an inner dished plate, centrally and symmetrically disposed within the shell, and (ii) an annular dished plate between the shell and the inner dished plate; a substantially circular gas entry port and a substantially circular gas exit port within the shell in gaseous communication with the first full bed support; and a substantially dished divider plate extending essentially across the diameter of the shell above the first bed support and comprising (i) an inner divider plate, centrally and symmetrically disposed within the shell and (ii) an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Inventor: Gordon M. Cameron