Abstract:
Methods and devices are provided for transfer of particulate material, such as biomass feedstocks, into and out of pressurized reactors. Improved sluice devices have an L-shaped sluice chamber having an upper, vertical component in communication with a horizontal loading chamber and a lower component in communication with a vertical reactor inlet or outlet. Piston valves seal the sluice inlet and outlet by axial displacement across the vertical component of the sluice chamber and across the vertical reactor inlet or outlet. Relative to other methods for reactor unloading, these devices consume less steam and significantly reduce furfural content of unloaded, pretreated biomass. An optional hybrid plug/sluice method of biomass feeding using the devices permits biomass loading at sluice pressures intermediate between atmospheric and reactor pressure, thereby reducing “pump cycle” time and increasing biomass throughput capacity.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a process for preparing a redispersible powder of nanoparticles of a water-insoluble organic compound, the process including the steps of: (i) preparing an oil-in-water microemulsion comprising a water-insoluble organic compound, a volatile water-immiscible organic solvent, water, and at least one surfactant; and (ii) removing the volatile water-immiscible organic solvent and the water so as to form the redispersible powder comprising said nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticle are in a particulate form, and wherein the solubility of the water-insoluble organic compound is at least about 5 times greater than the solubility of the water-insoluble organic compound in unprocessed form. Step (i) can further include the addition of co-solvent or polymer. The water-insoluble organic compound can be a pharmaceutically active agent (in particular a statin), a cosmetic active agent, an anti oxidant, a preservative, a colorant, a food additive, an agriculturally active compound and a fragrance.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a reaction vessel comprising at least:a pressure-resistant main tank (1);a turbulence-reduction tank (2) connected to the main tank (1);wherein the turbulence-reduction tank (2) has a pressure-regulating valve (9) through which gaseous products can be discharged from the turbulence-reduction tank (2) to the outside. The invention further relates to a process for producing molecular sieves, in particular zeolites, which can be carried out in the reaction vessel of the invention.
Abstract:
An apparatus and process for the transport and isolation of particulate products to and from high pressure, for example supercritical, environments is described.
Abstract:
In a high pressure and high temperature reaction system suitable for oxidative waste treatment, particularly a reaction system for supercritical water oxidation (SCWO), a method is disclosed for injecting a first fluid of a first temperature at a first flow rate into a second fluid of a second temperature at a second flow rate, mixing the first and the second fluids within a mixing length (115, 215), and wherein the first and second temperatures and the first and second flow rates are selected such that a temperature of the mixed fluids downstream of said mixing length (115, 215) is obtained, at which said first fluid being substantially non-corrosive.
Abstract:
A high-pressure treatment apparatus comprises a first solid reservoir, a second solid reservoir connected to the first solid reservoir through a first connecting pipe, a high-pressure reactor connected to the second solid reservoir through a second connecting pipe, means for feeding reaction medium into the high-pressure reactor, a first sealing unit and a second sealing unit intervened respectively in the first connecting pipe and second connecting pipe, a first fluid feed unit for feeding a first fluid between the first sealing unit and the second sealing unit, a second fluid feed unit for feeding a second fluid between the second sealing unit and the high-pressure reactor, and means for opening the second sealing unit at the time of shut-off of the first sealing unit and controlling the first fluid and the second fluid to form a pressure-gradient so that pressure between the first sealing unit and the second sealing unit and pressure between the second sealing unit and the high-pressure reactor decrease gradually toward the high-pressure reactor.
Abstract:
A pressure vessel comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, a side wall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall, and a chamber formed by said walls, an inlet port extending through one of the walls for introducing fluid to the pressure vessel, an outlet port extending through one of the walls for removing fluid from the pressure vessel, a pressure gradient member located within the chamber of the pressure vessel through which fluid passing through the pressure vessel flows as the fluid passes through the pressure vessel, the pressure gradient member including an outlet port, and a flexible resilient tube attached to and extending between the outlet port of the pressure gradient member and the outlet port of the pressure vessel for mounting the pressure gradient member within the chamber formed by the walls of the pressure vessel and for connecting the outlet port of the pressure gradient member to the outlet port of the pressure vessel and for providing substantially uniform support of a load on the pressure gradient member created by side impact to the pressure vessel.
Abstract:
A method for feeding solids (8) into a reaction space (2), which solids are prevented from leaving in the form of a solid substance. The method includes feeding solids such that the pressure (F1) they exert on the walls of the reaction space (2) or the walls of the feed duct (9) leading to the reaction space is constant, while the reaction space is being supplied with a substance (6) which reacts with the solids and results in the conversion of the solids into non-solid reaction products. The counter-pressure (F) exerted by the walls of the reaction space or the walls of the feed duct leading to the reaction space then decreases and solids are impelled into the reaction space at the same rate as they are consumed during the reaction.
Abstract:
Fluoromonomer is polymerized to obtain a fluoropolymer with the polymerization being carried out in a pressurized polymerization reactor containing a polymerization medium comprising liquid or supercritical CO.sub.2. The polymerization medium is withdrawn from the reactor together with the fluoropolymer and flash decompressed to thereby recover the fluoropolymer from the medium.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an apparatus for gas phase polymerisation of olefins(s), essentially comprising a fluidized bed reactor and at least one conduit for drawing off polymer provided with an isolation valve and connecting the vertical side wall of the reactor to a lock hopper, the said conduit leaving the vertical side wall of the reactor while being directed downwards so that each part of the said conduit forms with a horizontal plane an angle A ranging from 35.degree. to 90.degree.. It also relates to a process for continuous gas-phase polymerisation of olefin(s) in a fluidized-bed reactor, comprising drawing off the polymer from the vertical side wall of the reactor into a lock hopper via a draw-off conduit so that all flow of the polymer in the draw-off conduit is produced according to a downward direction forming with a horizontal plane an inclination with an angle A at least equal to the angle of repose .beta. of the polymer and not exceeding 90.degree.. The present invention improves the degree of filling of the lock hopper and reduces the amount of gas drawn off with the polymer. (FIG. 1).