Including Plural Reaction Stages Patents (Class 422/600)
  • Patent number: 8163245
    Abstract: A microfluidics system for mixing at least two starting materials having a prescribed number of parallel and identical mixing or reaction branches, in which a number of supply ducts corresponding to the number of starting materials open into a mixing or reaction channel. Each of the supply ducts includes an intake line for each starting material, an injection pump for each supply duct and a valve circuit between each intake line for a starting material, where the supply ducts for a respective starting material and a respective injection pump are provided to each respective supply duct. The valve circuit is configured to connect the injection pumps to the suction line in a first valve position, shut off the injection pumps in a second valve position, and to connect the injection pumps to the associated inlet channels in a third valve position. Each of the injection pumps, which are connected to each valve circuit, have a common drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Astrid Lohf
  • Publication number: 20120093701
    Abstract: Apparatus for biomass torrefaction which includes a serpentine elongated housing, the housing having three generally U-shaped axial portions having first and second axial extremities and an intermediate section, the first and second axial extremities are disposed in normal use at a higher elevation than the first and second axial extremities, the intermediate section being configured for holding a liquid. Other forms of the invention include the method for biomass torrefaction which includes providing a quantity of biomass, providing a liquid heat transfer fluid, providing at least a first housing for holding the heat transfer liquid, elevating the temperature of the liquid heat transfer liquid, heat treating the biomass by passing it through the heat transfer liquid in the first housing at a temperature and duration sufficient to accomplish torrefaction of the wood. In some forms of the method, the process further includes the step of pelletizing the biomass prior to performing the treating step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: JOHN A. PAOLUCCIO
  • Publication number: 20120094366
    Abstract: Systems and methods for software-reconfigurable chemical process systems useful in a wide range of applications. Embodiments may include software control of internal processes, automated provisions for cleaning internal elements with solvents, provisions for clearing and drying gasses, and multitasking operation. In one family of embodiments, a flexible software-reconfigurable multipurpose reusable “Lab-on-a-Chip” or “embedded chemical processor” is realized that can facilitate a wide range of applications, instruments, and appliances. Through use of a general architecture, a single design can be economically manufactured in large scale and readily adapted to diverse specialized applications. Clearing and cleaning provisions may be used to facilitate reuse of the device, or may be used for decontamination prior to recycling or non-reclaimed disposal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Lester F. LUDWIG
  • Patent number: 8158073
    Abstract: A mass-exchange contact device is proposed, comprising an upper tray, contact element including a barbotage unit configured as an inner cap with strips tangently bent out, a lower tray, a casing including a ring-shaped descending limiter, windows circumferentially disposed on the casing's walls (lower row), orifices circumferentially disposed on the casing's walls (upper row) above the windows, a double-acting valve composed of an upper and lower plates fixedly attached to a distance rod, and a cover bushing disposed coaxially to and around the upper region of casing embracing the contact element. Embodiments comprise a number of rows of the proposed devices situated one above the other, and separated by multi-layer packing fittings. In catalytic distillation columns, the fittings can be filled with catalytic material. Alternatively, the fitting is substituted with a grating that supports a catalytic granular layer. The device allows improving operation, reliability, durability, reducing its weight and costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventors: Bogdan Maleta, Olesja Maleta
  • Patent number: 8158086
    Abstract: A gas treatment apparatus for treating a gas by bringing the gas into contact with a treatment liquid. The gas treatment apparatus includes a gas-liquid contact chamber for a gas-liquid contact of the gas with the treatment liquid, a storage chamber, located over the gas-liquid contact chamber, for storing the treatment liquid, and a treatment liquid supplying unit for supplying the treatment liquid stored in the storage chamber to an inside of the gas-liquid contact chamber with a gravity-drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Kouichirou Terada, Takashi Yamaguchi, Takuya Saeki
  • Patent number: 8153071
    Abstract: A fluid porting assembly for a microreactor comprising a process fluid passageway, a pliable seal, and a cooling fluid passageway is provided. The pliable seal is positioned in the vicinity of the process fluid outlet and is configured to define a sealing interface between the process fluid outlet and a fluid port of a microreactor. The cooling fluid passageway terminates at a cooling fluid interface and defines a dispensing gap between the cooling fluid interface and the sealing interface. The cooling fluid outlet is configured to distribute cooling fluid about a periphery of the pliable seal and to direct cooling fluid away from the periphery of the pliable seal through the dispensing gap when the pliable seal of the fluid porting assembly engages a fluid port of a microreactor. The cooling fluid removes heat from areas of the microreactor in the vicinity of the fluid port and pliable seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Olivier Lobet
  • Patent number: 8152867
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process, a plant, and a biofuel for integrated biofuel production, such as with butanol, biodiesel, and/or sugar product. The integrated process includes the step of removing hexose from a feedstock to form a lignocellulosic material. The process also includes the step of converting the hexose to butanol and/or a biodiesel material, and the step of depolymerizing lignocellulosic material to form pentose and a residue. The process also includes the step of converting the pentose to butanol and/or a biodiesel material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: BP Biofuels UK Ltd.
    Inventor: Jean-Charles Dumenil
  • Patent number: 8152872
    Abstract: The thermal reformer system (1) is provided that compromises a planar assembly including a reformer zone (5), a combustion zone (6), and various inlet and outlet manifolds with associated fluid flow passages (11, 20). The reformer system further compromises an inlet combustion fluid flow passage (31) connecting an inlet combustion fluid manifold (30) and the combustion zone (6), and an outlet combustion fluid flow passage (41) connecting the combustion zone (6) and the outlet combustion fluid manifold (40). In the thermal reformer system the heat transfer and recuperation from outlet fluid flows is efficiently transferred to inlet fluid flows, in order to minimize heat loss and insulation requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Root Woods, Brook F. Porter, Rahul Iyer, Leonard M. Weschta
  • Patent number: 8153070
    Abstract: A microreactor capable of reducing a pressure drop in an entire system includes a mixer 103 having a mixing channel for mixing two kinds of raw materials 101 and 102, and a reactor 109 having a reaction channel connected to the downstream side of the mixing channel to receive the mixture flowing out from the mixing channel and cause chemical reactions of the mixture inside the reaction channel. The reactor 109 a first reactor unit 107 having a large surface-to-volume (S-V) ratio of the reaction channel at an upstream side, and a second reactor unit 108 having a small S-V ratio of the reaction channel at a downstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukako Asano, Tetsuro Miyamoto, Hajime Katou, Shigenori Togashi
  • Publication number: 20120071572
    Abstract: The invention discloses an improved multistage fischer tropsch process scheme for the production of hydrocarbon fuels comprising feeding gaseous phase syngas and liquid stream hydrocarbons in a counter current manner such as herein described into the reaction vessel at a number of stages containing reaction catalysts; wherein fresh syngas enters into the stage where the product liquid stream leaves and the fresh liquid stream enters into the stage where the unreacted syngas leaves; wherein further the temperature of each stage can be controlled independently. More particularly the invention relates to improving the heat release in different reactors, product selectivity and reactor productivity of FT reactors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Ravi Kumar Voolapalli, Pranab Kumar Rakshit, Venkateswarlu Choudary Nettem, Mohammad Amir Siddiqui
  • Patent number: 8137536
    Abstract: Methods and systems for contacting a crude feed that has a total acid number (TAN) of at least 0.3 with one or more catalysts produces a total product that includes a crude product are described. The one or more catalysts may include a first catalyst and a second catalyst. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa and the crude product has a TAN of at most 90% of the TAN of the crude feed. One or more other properties of the crude product may be changed by at least 10% relative to the respective properties of the crude feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Opinder Kishan Bhan, Scott Lee Wellington
  • Patent number: 8137628
    Abstract: Multiple catalytic processing stations couple with a system which produces volatile gas streams from biomass decomposition at discrete increasing temperatures. These catalytic processing stations can be programmed to maximize conversion of biomass to useful renewable fuel components based on input feedstock and desired outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Cool Planet Biofuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Cheiky, Rajashekharam Malyala
  • Publication number: 20120065412
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing hydrocarbons from methane, which comprises, in a first stage (i), reacting methane to form ethylene and, in a later stage (ii), reacting the product mixture obtained in stage (i) which comprises ethylene and methane to give higher-value hydrocarbons. In addition, the present invention relates to a plant for producing hydrocarbons from methane in which, in a single plant strand, a plurality of plant units are arranged successively in series comprising: a first reactor A for carrying out a conversion from methane to ethylene a second reactor B for carrying out a conversion from ethylene to higher-value hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Radwan Abdallah, Torsten Mäurer, Gerhard Theis
  • Patent number: 8134040
    Abstract: Modular reactor panel (1) for catalytic processes, comprising a feed header (5), a product header (7) and adjacent channels (3), each channel (3) having a length, running from an entrance end to an exit end, and wherein the entrance ends are directly connected to and open into the feed header (5) and the exit ends are directly connected to and open into the product header (7) and wherein the feed header (5) has at least one connection (9) to a feed line (51) and the product header (7) has at least one connection to a product line (55) and wherein part (21) of at least one of the feed header (5) and the product header (7) is detachable giving access to the channel ends and reactor comprising a housing (47) containing one or more of said reactor panels (1, 29), the reactor further comprising a feed line (51) and a product line (55), the panels (29) being connected to the feed line (51) and to product line (55).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Hubertus Kösters
  • Patent number: 8133458
    Abstract: A reactor for converting methane, ammonia and oxygen and alkaline or alkaline earth hydroxides into alkaline or alkaline earth cyanides by two-stage reactions comprising a first stage with a gas inlet, wherein the first stage is formed by a cone with distribution plates providing an even gas distribution over the catalyst material wherein the distribution plates are located between the gas inlet of the reactor and catalyst material and the distribution plates being perforated with a number of holes, with the distribution plates spaced from each other in the flow direction of the gas, the first distribution plate(s) functioning mainly to distribute the gas, whereas the last distribution plate works as a heat radiation shield and as a distribution plate facing the catalyst material, and wherein the catalyst material is present in the form of catalyst gauze fixed by catalyst weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: EICPROC AS
    Inventor: Erik Fareid
  • Publication number: 20120058028
    Abstract: Methane reacts with steam generating carbon monoxide and hydrogen in a first catalytic reactor; the resulting gas mixture undergoes Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in a second catalytic reactor. In the steam/methane reforming, the gas mixture passes through a narrow channel having mean and exit temperatures both in the range of 750° C. to 900° C., residence time less than 0.5 second, and the channel containing a catalyst, so that only reactions having comparatively rapid kinetics will occur. Heat is provided by combustion of methane in adjacent channels. The ratio of steam to methane may be about 1.5. Almost all methane will undergo the reforming reaction, almost entirely forming carbon monoxide. After Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, the remaining hydrogen may be fed back to the combustion channels. The steam for the reforming step may be generated from water generated by the chemical reactions, by condensing products from Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and by condensing water vapor generated in combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Bowe, Clive Derek Lee-Tuffnell, Jason Andrew Maude, John William Stairmand, Ian Frederick Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 8128883
    Abstract: A thermoelectric reformer unit-for dissociating fossil-based hydrocarbons, renewable hydrocarbons or hydrogen-containing inorganic compounds to produce hydrogen in a reactor using thermoelectric technology with thermoelectric materials to achieve very high conversion efficiencies. Thermoelectric reforming occurs in a reactor core containing a number of energy sources. These energy sources generate extremely high temperature heat that reacts with the fuels in its local surrounding areas. Since the heat is locally generated, it will not penetrate far within the reactor core that is surrounded by walls that act as a casing for the reformer. Synthetic gas produced in the reformer can be fed into internal combustion engines certain, types of fuel cells, or other energy conversion equipment without or with only limited levels of purification. Ancillary components are needed to produce high-purity hydrogen fuel for other types of fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Chi S. Wang
  • Patent number: 8128885
    Abstract: The invention relates to a microreactor having a substrate (10, 20, 80) with at least one catalytically active material arranged in and/or on a cavity structure (14, 24, 84). The substrate (10, 20, 80) has a first layer (11, 21, 80) and optionally at least one additional layer (12, 22) of a ceramic material, with the first layer (11, 21, 80) being formed from a first component of a crystalline ceramic material and/or a glass material as the matrix and a second component of an additional crystalline ceramic material. The surface areas of the crystals and/or crystal agglomerates of the second component in the first layer (11, 21, 80) are etched out in at least some areas to form the cavity structure (14, 24, 84).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Micro Systems Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Schwanke, Mirco Harnack, Achim Bittner, Ulrich Schmid
  • Patent number: 8128895
    Abstract: Processing schemes and arrangements are provided for obtaining propylene and propane via the catalytic cracking of a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock and converting the propylene into cumene without separating the propane from the propane/propylene feed stream. The disclosed processing schemes and arrangements advantageously eliminate any separation of propylene from propane produced by a FCC process prior to using the combined propane/propane stream as a feed for a cumene alkylation process. A bottoms stream from the cumene column of the cumene alkylation process can be used and an absorption solvent in the FCC process thereby eliminating the need for a transalkylation reactor and a DIPB/TIPB column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Michael A. Schultz
  • Patent number: 8128894
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a gas reaction device. Reactions are happened on a fixed bed and/or a slurry bed in four reaction states. Thus, by using the four reaction states, reactions are thoroughly completed with the same catalyst. Or, different reactions are completed with different catalysts for different purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Atomic Energy Council
    Inventors: Chun-Ching Chien, Shean-Du Chiou, Su-Hsine Lin, Wan-Min Huang, Ning-Yih Hsu
  • Patent number: 8124035
    Abstract: Continuous processes for monoalkylating aromatic compound with an aliphatic feedstock comprising aliphatic olefin of 8 to 18 carbon atoms per molecule are effected using at least 3 reaction zones in series, each containing solid alkylation catalyst with effluent cooling between reaction zones, each of which reaction zones is supplied a portion of the fresh aliphatic feedstock, such that the Reaction Zone Delta T in each reaction zone is less than about 15° C. The overall aromatic compound to olefin molar ratio is less than about 20:1. The alkylation product has desirable linearity and low amounts of dimers, dealkylated compounds and diaryl compounds even though a low aromatic compound to olefin molar ratio is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Mark G. Riley
  • Publication number: 20120045376
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a target reactor having a flow-channel system in which a plurality of reactants continuously flowing into said target reactor are mixed and interconvert to form a target volumetric flow-rate (f2) of a product continuously flowing out of said target reactor, wherein the smallest hydraulic diameter (dh2) of said target reactor is calculated based on the relationship d h ? ? 2 = d h ? ? 1 ? ( f 2 f 1 ) 3 - n 7 - n in a turbulent or transitional turbulent flow, wherein n is a non-integer number with 1>n?0, between the corresponding smallest hydraulic diameter (dh1) of a standard reactor having the same fluidic type of flow-channel system, f1 is a standard volumetric flow-rate of said standard reactor carrying out the same interconversion, and f2 is said target volumetric flow-rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Dominique Roberge, Norbert Kockmann, Michael Gottsponer, Markus Eyholzer
  • Publication number: 20120039774
    Abstract: A sample solution introduction kit and a sample solution injector capable of introducing sample solution while reducing the rate of occurrence of an air bubble and having a simplified structure are proposed. A sample solution introduction kit includes a plate-like member and a sample solution injector. The plate-like member has a plurality of spaces formed therein and serving as reaction field and a communication space that communicates with the plurality of spaces therein and that has a portion defining an opening formed in a surface of the plate-like member, and the sample solution injector includes a container containing the sample solution, a tube that communicates with the bottom of the container and that is insertable into the opening, a stopper removably fitted into an opening formed at a top end of the tube, and liquid held in the container, and the liquid is insoluble in the sample solution and is lighter than the sample solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tasuku Yotoriyama, Naohisa Sakamoto, Yuji Segawa, Satomi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8114355
    Abstract: A metal tube in the present invention is a metal tube for pyrolysis reaction with superior characteristics of both the heat exchange and the pyrolysis reaction, which is suitable for use in a process in which hydrocarbons are pyrolytically decomposed. The tube is a metal tube for pyrolysis reaction consisting of 3 or 4 spiral ribs 1 provided on an inner surface which are inclined at 20 to 35 degrees to an axial direction of the metal tube, and characterized in that h/Di of 0.1 to 0.2 and h/w of 0.25 to 1.0 when a height of the rib 1 is defined as “h”, a width of the rib 1 at its bottom part is defined as “w” and an inner diameter of the tube at the bottom part is defined as “Di” in cross section of the spiral rib 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Higuchi, Kenji Hamaogi
  • Patent number: 8114353
    Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing catalyst, such as chromium catalysts, are provided. The valence of at least a portion of the catalyst sent to an activator is changed from Cr(III) to Cr(VI). The catalyst is prepared or activated continuously using a fluidization bed catalyst activator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Elizabeth A. Benham, Max P. McDaniel, Ted H. Cymbaluk, Charles K. Newsome, Charles R. Nease, H. Kenneth Staffin, Thomas R. Parr
  • Patent number: 8114363
    Abstract: A system for and method of conversion of electrical energy into gaseous and liquid fuels, comprising steps of and means for provide a hydrocarbon fuels, including a collector for collecting carbon dioxide gas from a carbon dioxide gas source, a means for reducing at least a portion of the collected carbon dioxide gas to carbon monoxide, a means for producing hydrogen from a hydrogen source and a vessel for thermo-chemically reacting the hydrogen gas with carbon dioxide in a Fischer-Tropsch type process in the presence of a catalyst and heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Ergenics Corporation
    Inventor: P. Mark Golben
  • Patent number: 8110149
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the continuous production of high-molecular polyesters by esterification of dicarboxylic acids and/or transesterification of dicarboxylic acid esters with diols and/or mixtures thereof in the presence of catalysts with formation of a prepolymer in a tower reactor and polycondensation thereof to form a high-molecular polyester in a polycondensation reactor, a prepolymer with >40 to 70 repeat units (DP) being produced in the tower reactor and this prepolymer being polycondensed in only one further reactor to form a polyester with >150 to 205 DP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Uhde Inventa-Fischer GmbH
    Inventor: Eike Schulz Van Endert
  • Patent number: 8110161
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of alkylated aromatic compounds comprising introducing olefin and aromatic compounds into at least first and second vertically spaced catalytic reaction zones in an alkylation unit under alkylation reaction conditions to provide an alkylated product, wherein the second catalytic reaction zone is positioned above the first catalytic reaction zone; wherein aromatic compound from each of the at least first and second catalytic reaction zones are contacted with a cooling means for re-condensing at least a portion of the aromatic compounds vaporized from the exothermic heat of reaction of the alkylation process; and wherein the olefin is introduced into the at least first and second catalytic reaction zones via respective first and second olefin feed streams at respective olefin feed rates such as to maintain olefin partial pressures at inlets to at least first and second catalytic reaction zones which vary by less than about ten percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin John Schwint
  • Patent number: 8110150
    Abstract: A polymerization reactor for creating drag-reducing polymer having a reservoir and at least one heat exchanger plate in fluid communication with a coolant source, wherein each heat exchanger plate may be disposed on a lid. The heat exchanger plates are treated and/or covered to provide that the exchanger plates can be readily disengaged from the drag-reducing polymer. The polymerization reactors of the present invention permit large amounts of polymer to be formed in each reactor batch. Preferably, polymers are formed in the polymerization reactor by bulk polymerization. Methods for forming drag-reducing polymers are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Beta Technologie AG
    Inventors: Gerald B. Eaton, Alan Ebert
  • Publication number: 20120022307
    Abstract: Preparing solid biomass particles for catalytic conversion includes agitating solid biomass particles and providing a biomass-catalyst mixture to a conventional petroleum refinery process unit. The biomass-catalyst mixture includes the solid biomass particles and a catalyst. Agitating solid biomass particles includes flowing a gas to provide a velocity to at least a portion of the solid biomass particles sufficient to reduce their sizes. Co-processing a biomass feedstock and a conventional petroleum feedstock includes liquefying at least a portion of a biomass-catalyst mixture and co-processing at least a portion of the liquefied biomass feedstock and a conventional petroleum feedstock in a conventional petroleum refinery process unit. The biomass feedstock includes a plurality of solid biomass particles and a catalyst, which is liquefied to produce a liquefied biomass feedstock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: KIOR, INC.
    Inventors: Steve Yanik, Paul O'Connor, Robert Bartek
  • Patent number: 8101128
    Abstract: A microreactor assembly is provided comprising a fluidic microstructure and an injector assembly. The injector assembly comprises a liquid inlet, a gas inlet, a liquid outlet, a gas outlet, a liquid flow portion extending from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet, and a gas flow portion extending from the gas inlet to the gas outlet. Further, the injector assembly defines an injection interface with a microchannel input port of the fluidic microstructure. The injector assembly is configured such that the gas outlet of the gas flow portion is positioned to inject gas into the liquid flow portion upstream of the liquid outlet, into the liquid flow portion at the liquid outlet, or into an extension of the liquid flow portion downstream of the liquid outlet and is configured such that gas is injected into the liquid flow portion or the extension thereof as a series of gas bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Olivier Lobet, Stephane Poissy, Pierre Woehl
  • Patent number: 8097464
    Abstract: Device comprising: a first substrate; a plurality of first raised elements on the first substrate, the first raised elements mutually spaced apart by first channel regions on the first substrate, each of the first raised elements having a first distal end, the first distal ends forming a first array; hydrophobic molecules on the first raised elements; and primary reactive molecules on the first raised elements for generating hydrophilic reaction products. Techniques for utilizing the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Joanna Aizenberg, Thomas Nikita Krupenkin, Oleksandr Sydorenko, Joseph Ashley Taylor
  • Patent number: 8097226
    Abstract: A catalytic reaction device for fluid-solid heterogeneous catalytic reactions including a distributor, flow controllers, parallel reactors, temperature controllers, coolers and product receivers with reactive fluids flowing into the flow controllers to control the total flow of a fluid is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Microvast Power Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiangping Yi, Li Huang, Wensheng Li, Xio Ping Zhou
  • Patent number: 8092755
    Abstract: Injection nozzles for use in a gas distribution device are disclosed. In one aspect, the injection nozzle may include: a tube having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; wherein the inlet comprises a plurality of flow restriction orifices. In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to an injection nozzle for use in a gas distribution device, the injection nozzle including: a tube having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; wherein the fluid inlet comprises an annular orifice surrounding a flow restriction device. Injection nozzles according to embodiments disclosed herein may be disposed in a gas distribution manifold used in a vessel, for example, for conducting polymerization reactions, spent catalyst regeneration, and coal gasification, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Leonce Francis Castagnos, Jr., Ting Yee Chan, Ronald Eugene Pieper, Norman Paul Kolb
  • Patent number: 8088344
    Abstract: A multi-tubular reactor system for catalytically reacting a fluid reactant mixture to form a fluid product comprising a shell and a plurality of reactor tubes housed therein. The reactor system is adapted to allow heat-exchange fluid to flow between the shell and the external surface of the reactor tubes. A reactor tube comprises a reaction zone, and also a heating zone and/or a cooling zone. The reaction zone is positioned downstream of the heating zone. The cooling zone is positioned downstream of the reaction zone. The reactor tube contains a bed of solid particulate catalyst in the reaction zone. The reactor tube additionally contains a heat-exchanging essentially rod-shaped insert having a length of from 1 to 20%, preferably 1 to 5%, of the total length of the reactor tube in the heating zone and/or the cooling zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Arend Jan Te Raa, Mathias Jozef Paul Slapak, Alouisius Nicolaas Rene Bos
  • Patent number: 8080222
    Abstract: In an apparatus for the recovery of ethylene glycol in a polyethylene terephthalate(PET) production process water accumulating in the esterification reaction is mixed with a process fluid containing 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane (MDO). The mixing is carried out in a tank upstream of a rectification column. Through the increase in the water content in the fluid, a shift in the reaction equilibrium takes place and consequently a cleavage of the 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane present into ethylene glycol and acetaldehyde takes place. Following the cleavage reaction, the mixture is fed from the tank into a rectification column, whereby the ethylene glycol produced from the cleavage reaction is returned to the PET production process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventors: Randolf Reimann, Rolf Ambrassat
  • Publication number: 20110305623
    Abstract: A Renewable Fischer Tropsch Synthesis (RFTS) process is disclosed for producing hydrocarbons and alcohol fuels from wind energy, waste CO2 and water. The process includes (A) electrolyzing water to generate hydrogen and oxygen, (B) generating syngas in a reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reactor, (C) driving the RWGS reaction to the right by condensing water from the RWGS products and separating CO using a CuAlCl4-aromatic complexing method, (D) using a compressor with variable stator nozzles, (E) carrying out the FTS reactions in a high-temperature multi-tubular reactor, (F) separating the FTS products using high-pressure fractional condensation, (G) separating CO2 from product streams for recycling through the RWGS reactor, and (H) using control methods to maintain the temperatures of the reactors, electrolyzer, and condensers at optima that are functions of the flow rate. The RFTS process may also include heat engines, a refrigeration cycle utilizing compressed oxygen, and a dual-source organic Rankine cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: DOTY SCIENTIFIC, INC.
    Inventor: F. David Doty
  • Patent number: 8071035
    Abstract: Methods and devices for a fully automated synthesis of radioactive compounds for imaging, such as by positron emission tomography (PET), in a fast, efficient and compact manner are disclosed. In particular, the various embodiments of the present invention provide an automated, stand-alone, hands-free operation of the entire radiosynthesis cycle on a microfluidic device with unrestricted gas flow through the reactor, starting with target water and yielding purified PET radiotracer within a period of time shorter than conventional chemistry systems. Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is related to a microfluidic chip for radiosynthesis of a radiolabeled compound, comprising a reaction chamber, one or more flow channels connected to the reaction chamber, one or more vents connected to said reaction chamber, and one or more integrated valves to effect flow control in and out of said reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Arkadij M Elizarov, Carroll Edward Ball, Jianzhong Zhang, Hartmuth C. Kolb, R. Michael Van Dam, Lawrence Talcott Diener, Sean Ford, Reza Miraghaie
  • Patent number: 8066955
    Abstract: A processing apparatus that is formed from a plurality of metal layers that are stacked and aligned together and then connected together to form one or more portions of the processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: James M. Pinchot
  • Patent number: 8066954
    Abstract: A plug flow reactor having an inner shell 27 surrounded by outer shell 21 and having at least one annular flow passage 35 therebetween can be used to prepare compositions, including polymers. The plug flow reactor also includes inlet port 36, an outlet port 37 and a plurality of exchanger tubes 26 wherein the exchanger tubes are in fluid communication to the at least one annular flow passage. Polystyrene and high impact polystyrene can be prepared using the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thanh T. Nguyen, Jay L. Reimers
  • Patent number: 8062597
    Abstract: This invention relates to a discoloration indicator for checking the life span of a desulfurization adsorbent, and a desulfurization reactor and a desulfurization system including the same, and specifically, to a discoloration indicator for checking the life span of a desulfurization adsorbent able to effectively adsorb and remove organic sulfur compounds from fossil fuels, including natural gas or LPG containing the organic sulfur compound, and to a desulfurization reactor and a desulfurization system including the same. This invention makes it possible to remove the organic sulfur compound using the desulfurization adsorbent and to check the replacement time of the adsorbent with the naked eye or using an electrical signal, and thus may be applied to the treatment of natural gas or LPG requiring desulfurization, and also to hydrogen generators for home fuel cell generation systems or distributed fuel cell generation systems requiring that devices be simple, or requiring unmanned operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: SK Energy Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myung Jun Kim, Young Seek Yoon, Jin Hong Kim
  • Patent number: 8062613
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for isomerizing a hydrocarbon stream rich in a C4 hydrocarbon and/or at least one of a C5 and C6 hydrocarbon which includes a first drier and a second drier; and a reaction zone communicating with at least the first drier. The first drier operates at a first condition to dry the reactant and the second drier operates at a second condition during regeneration. The used regenerant remaining in the second drier after regeneration can (1) pass through a vent-to-flare assembly in a batch-wise manner; (2) pass through a downflow-depressure-to-low-pressure-device assembly in a batch-wise manner; (3) pass through a cross-over piping purge assembly to minimize upsets in the reaction and fractionation zones when the second drier is placed back in operation; or any combination of (1) (2) and/or (3) to minimize upsets in the reaction and fractionation zones when the second drier is placed back in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Bryan S. Garney, Jocelyn C. Daguio, Kurt A. Detrick, David J. Shecterle, John M. Krupczak, Andrew D. Mezera, Douglas A. Becci
  • Publication number: 20110278201
    Abstract: Methods and systems for diesel formation are described herein. The diesel hydrotreating systems generally include a hydrodesulfurization unit having a catalyst system disposed therein and adapted to contact an input stream with the catalyst system therein to form diesel. The catalyst system generally includes a plurality of catalysts including a first catalyst including a hydrodesulfurization catalyst having a first pore diameter and a second catalyst having a second pore diameter, wherein the second pore diameter is larger than the first pore diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Kelly, James R. Butler
  • Patent number: 8057749
    Abstract: A device for carrying out exothermal chemical reactions wherein a gas phase is guided across a fixed bed and allowed to react, comprising a housing and an exchangeable unit wherein the reaction takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Fischer, Harald Heinzel, Christoph Weckbecker, Klaus Huthmacher
  • Patent number: 8057743
    Abstract: Means for overcoming the problems which the conventional glass microchannel chips have are disclosed. That is, a microchannel chip in which microchannels can be formed at a low cost, and which has a high chemical resistance is disclosed. The microchannel chip is constituted by a substrate made of carbon, which has a channel in its surface; and a cover composed of a glass plate bonded to the substrate. The cover is bonded to the substrate by heating at least a part of the contact surface at which the substrate is in contact with the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignees: Hipep Laboratories, Nippon Light Metal Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Nokihara, Yasuo Oka
  • Publication number: 20110274596
    Abstract: Disclosed is a micro-macro channel reactor comprising: a top end plate and a bottom end plate assembled on the outskirts of the micro-macro channel reactor; a heat exchanging plate by which a heat exchanging material passes through passages thereof so that heat is transferred between the heat exchanging material and such a fluid as a reactant, a product, or a mixture thereof that passes through a catalyst plate; a catalyst plate stacked and assembled together with the heat exchanging plate and including a catalyst section containing a reaction catalyst necessary to perform a catalytic reaction of the reactant while the reactant is passing through the catalyst section; and a support plate stacked and assembled together with the catalyst plate and configured to provide passages that allows the reactant to pass through the catalyst section of the catalyst plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Korea institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Dong Ju Moon, Sang Deuk Lee, Hyoung Shick Yim, Jung Shik Kang, MoonJu Park, Eun Hur, Su Hyun Cho, Byung Gwon Lee
  • Patent number: 8052939
    Abstract: The present invention discloses to a channel reactor system having a first channel plate assembly in which an exothermic reaction is performed and a second channel plate assembly provided for heat-exchanging and constituted integrally with the first channel plate assembly so as to remove effectively heat, the channel reactor system comprising at least two channel units into which reaction gas and cooling fluid are separately introduced, each channel unit comprising a reaction channel plate assembly into which reaction gas is introduced and a heat-exchanging channel plate assembly into which cooling fluid is introduced; and at least one intermediate plate disposed between the upper and lower channel units, the intermediate plate supplying reaction gas and cooling fluid inflowed from the upper channel unit with new reactant and cooling fluid and supplying reaction gas and cooling fluid to the reaction channel plate assembly and the heat-exchanging channel plate assembly of the lower channel unit, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Yeon Cho, Jung Uk Choi, Jae Hoon Choe, Kwang Cheon Park, Chang Houn Rhee, Sun Hyuk Bae, Kwang Ho Song
  • Patent number: 8048388
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a process of manufacturing para-xylene, comprising (a) contacting a pygas feedstock and methylating agent with a catalyst under reaction conditions to produce a product having para-xylene, wherein the product has higher para-xylene content than the para-xylene content of the pygas feedstock; and (b) separating the para-xylene from the product of the step (a), wherein the catalyst comprises a molecular sieve having a Diffusion Parameter for 2,2-dimethylbutane of about 0.1-15 sec?1 when measured at a temperature of 120° C. and a 2,2-dimethylbutane pressure of 8 kPa-a and the pygas comprises from about 1 to about 65 wt % benzene and from about 5 to 35 wt % toluene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Harold Brown, John Scott Buchanan
  • Publication number: 20110258912
    Abstract: A countercurrent process is disclosed for converting solid biomass material. The solid biomass material travels through a reactor system in countercurrent with hot heat carrier materials, such as particulate heat carrier material and hot gases. The solid biomass material is subjected to a first conversion at a first temperature T 1, and a second conversion at a second temperature, T 2, such that T 2>T 1. Bio-oil produced to at T 1 is not exposed to the higher temperature T 2. As a result, secondary reactions of the bio-oil components are minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: KIOR INC.
    Inventors: Paul O'connor, Sjoerd Daamen
  • Publication number: 20110263919
    Abstract: A method of operation of one or more chemical reactors, wherein each reactor defines first flow channels for a chemical reaction process in proximity to second flow channels for heat transfer, and each reactor is provided with fluid connections for bringing about flows of respective fluids through the first and second flow channels, involves the steps of shutting down the flows of fluids through at least one of the first and second flow channels, and then changing the fluid connections, and then reopening the fluid connections. There is no change in the chemical reaction process performed by the reactors. The change to the fluid connections is preferably such as to achieve a flow reversal. This may involve turning the reactor itself around, or changing the arrangement of ducts connected to the reactor. This changes the thermal stress distribution within the reactor, and can consequently increase the reactor's operational lifetime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: CompactGTL plc
    Inventor: David James West