Abstract: The invention provides a substantially fail-safe HF alkylation process and reactor apparatus. The elongated reactor vessel is enclosed in a subterranean well casing and an alkylate-containing hydrocarbon layer is maintained above the hydrofluoric acid to prevent release of gaseous HF in the event of sudden depressurization. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrocarbon layer contains light hydrocarbons which vaporize upon depressurization to effect Joule-Thompson cooling of the reactor vessel.

Abstract: The invention provides a catalytic method for the dimerization or codimerization or oligomerization, in particular selective, of olefins, carried out under pressure, in a reaction zone 1 containing a solid catalyst bed in which is disposed a plurality of hollow internal spaces 6.3a defined by walls, each being divided into an upper semi-space 6.3, 1a and a lower semi-space 6.3, 2a which communicate together through a connecting zone 6.6a. An autogenous thermoregulation fluid flows, in the form of a sheet, in said hollow internal spaces 6.3a after passing through a central distributing zone 6.1a and distributing zones 6.2a and before passing into collecting zone 6.4a and into a central collecting zone 6.5a.

Abstract: The invention provides a catalytic method for the dimerization or codimerization or oligomerization, particularly selectively, of olefins, carried out under pressure, in a reaction zone 1 containing a solid catalyst bed into which is disposed a plurality of hollow internal spaces 6.3 defined by walls and through which an autogenous thermoregulation fluid flows, in the form of a sheet, after passing through a central distributing zone 6.1 and distributing zones 6.2 and before passing through collecting zones 6.4 and into a central collecting zone 6.5.

Abstract: A multitubular catalytic reactor for exothermal catalytic reactions comprises a bundle of parallel tubes all of the same length and a catalyst within the tubes. The tube bundle has an inlet side and an outlet side. Devices are provided for introducing separately reactants to within the tubes of the reactor and coolant to the channels defined between adjacent tubes of the bundle. The coolant is introduced into the channels co-currently with the direction of flow of the reactants. The products are withdrawn from the tubes independently of the coolant. The reactor is particularly adapted to a single stage conversion of methanol into gasoline boiling point range constituents using crystalline aluminosilicate catalysts.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for pyrolysis of a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock in which the feedstock is counter-currently contacted with a hot hydrogenating gas stream flowing spirally from the periphery of a substantially circular reactor (1). The hydrocarbon feedstock is injected through an inlet (4) located toward the center of reactor (1). The hot hydrogenating gas is preferably formed by combustion, using a steam-oxygen mixture injected through inlet (2), of carbonaceous by-products from the pyrolysis. Product is removed centrally through outlet (3).

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for distributing a fluid, e.g., a liquid-vapor mixture, through a conduit, e.g., a tube in a direct fired heater, involving at least one reduction means located inside the conduit to abruptly reduce the inside cross-sectional area of the conduit available for flow of the fluid, provided that the inside cross-sectional area of the conduit is substantially the same both before and after the reduction means.

Abstract: The reactor is traversed by a central tube with an essentially radial circulation of the gases or other fluids. Said cylindrical part of the solids bed is surmounted by a substantially hemispherical reaction zone permeable to said gases or other fluids. The hemispherical part of the reactive zone is comprised between two substantially hemispherical caps one of which surmounts the central tube and the other bounds the upper periphery of this zone with the pressure drop undergone by the gases or other fluids passing through the hemispherical zone being greater than that undergone by the gases or other fluids passing through the cylindrical zone and therefore the perforations of the hemispherical part of the central tube are calculated to compensate for this difference and equalize the flow of gases or other fluids in the whole of the solids mass.