Abstract: A bench scale hydrocarbon reactor simulator accurately simulating full scale reactor coking conditions wherein the rate of coking may be measured by maintaining constant temperature of the reactor simulator exit gas by a temperature responsive circuit varying power supplied to a heater, the increase in power to the heater being proportional to deposition of coke on the heater sheath.

Abstract: A reactor-tube assembly for a high-temperature, fluid-wall reactor comprises a reactor tube made of a fabric of a fibrous, refractory material, two support rings positioned at the ends of the reactor tube, and means for securing the ends of the reactor tube to the support rings. Carbon or graphite cloth is a preferred fibrous refractory material out of which to make the reactor tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air purifier comprising a mercury lamp emitting electrons and generating ozone during the purification. The air purifier is surrounded by a non-conductive casing absorbing molecules negatively charged due to the emitted electrons. As a result the ozone molecules become positively charged and may therefore recombine with negatively charged ozone molecules to produce neutral oxygen molecules.

Abstract: A digester vessel for containing material to be subjected to a high temperature pulsating high pressure process with an inner tubular enclosing metal wall of a helically corrugated sheet material forming a chamber thereon, an outer containing tubular wall, and an intermediate layer of stacked ceramic material with a vent opening through the outer wall, mold bodies fitting the corrugation spaces between the inner wall and the intermediate layer, corrugated flanges at the ends of the inner wall welded to the outer wall, and an end closure for the chamber having a flange meeting a flange of the outer wall with a packing therebetween.

Abstract: A fluid-wall reactor for high temperature chemical reactions is described, the reactor comprising (A) a porous reactor tube, at least a portion of the interior of which defines a reaction zone, the tube being made of a fabric of a fibrous refractory material; (B) a pressure vessel enclosing the reactor tube to define an inert fluid plenum, the pressure vessel having at least one inlet for admitting the inert fluid which is directed under pressure through the porous tube wall to provide a protective blanket for the inside surface of the reactor tube; (C) means for introducing at least one reactant into the reaction zone, the reactants being directed in a predetermined path axially of the reactor tube and being confined by the protective blanket substantially centrally within the reaction zone; (D) means disposed within the plenum for heating the reactor tube to the temperature level at which it emits sufficient radiant energy to initiate and sustain the desired chemical reaction, the radiant energy being direc

Abstract: A collar for controlling thermal and mechanical stresses and for reducing failures caused by such stresses in gas-transfer tubings, or pigtails, used in a steam reformer. The control collar, in the form of a section of tubing and having the same alloy composition as the pigtail, is placed over each end portion of the pigtail connected to an extension member attached respectively to a catalyst tube in the steam reformer and to a gas-removal manifold. The control collar fits closely over the pigtail and is welded to the extension member. Use of the same alloy composition in the pigtail and in the control collar eliminates stresses associated with differences in thermal expansion and contraction, and the use of the collar reduces mechanical stress fatigue by displacing the point of maximum bending movement from the area of mechanical stress concentration of the weld, and the metallurgical notch in the heat-affected zone of the weld.

Abstract: The useful life of catalyst-filled tubes exposed to a heat source in a steam-light hydrocarbon reforming furnace is increased by painting at least a portion of the exposed surface of at least one tube with a liquid which forms a ceramic-like reflective surface on the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an aromatic dicarboxylic acid by oxidizing a benzene derivative with molecular oxygen in the liquid phase in a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid as a solvent in the presence of an oxidation catalyst, wherein a starting material liquid e.g., a benzene derivative or a solution thereof in the lower aliphatic carboxylic acid, is fed into the liquid-phase reaction system in a uniformly dispersed state by being passed through a porous material causing the pressure of the starting material liquid just after passing through said porous material to drop more than about 1 kg/m.sup.2 in relation to the pressure of the starting material liquid just before passing through said porous material. The resultant aromatic dicarboxylic acid has high purity and has good color.

Abstract: Electrothermal fluidized bed furnace useful particularly for chlorination of oxide of zirconium and the like utilizes graphite reactor tube longitudinally divided into a plurality of separate sectors by a corresponding number of longitudinal slits which are filled with insulating and refractory material. The reactor tube sectors are physically and electrically united at one end of the tube so that one or more pairs of opposite sectors are electroresistively heated while the intervening opposite sectors are left electrothermally unactivated for preventing short circuits which would otherwise result due to carbon fed together with the oxide. Owing to such electrothermal system, the furnace wall can be fluid-tightly sealed with use of metallic material for preventing harmful chlorine gas from leaking. Owing to such construction, the life of the graphite tube can be prolonged.