Abstract:
This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for the detoxification of fluid streams, for example, wastewater contaminated with neurotoxins, particularly organophosphorous compounds, and comprises contacting the fluid stream with a bioactive coating. More particularly, the invention relates to chemical reactors for detoxifying fluid streams and also, bioactive coated support components comprising rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible support materials coated with a bioactive coating compriseing dessicated whole cells, whole cell fragments, enzymes, and combinations thereof that are capable of hydrolizing neurotoxic organophosphorous chemical compounds. Organophosphorus hydrolases that are capable of detoxifying organophosphorus compounds that are: chemical weapons agents, in particular, tabun (“GA”), sarin (“GB”), soman (“GD”), cyclosarin, VX, and its isometric analog Russian VX (“VR” or “R-VX”); chemical weapons agent analogs, chemical weapons surrogates; and pesticides are most preferred. The process and apparatus embodiments of the present invention are designed to detoxify organophosphorus compounds continuously, semi-continuously and and in batch operation.
Abstract:
A method and system is disclosed for converting a feed, such as a carbonaceous waste, to dissolved atomic constituents for subsequent oxidation of the dissolved atomic constituents. The feed is injected into a molten bath which, at a sufficient temperature, causes conversion of essentially all of the feed to its atomic constituents, such as atomic carbon. Essentially all of the atomic constituents which are to be oxidized in the molten bath dissolve in the molten bath. An oxidant is injected into the molten bath at a rate sufficient to cause the oxidant to exothermically react with the dissolved atomic constituents to heat at least a portion of the molten bath. The heated portion is thereafter exposed to subsequently injected feed, whereby essentially all of the subsequently injected feed is converted to atomic constituents, and whereby essentially all of the atomic constituents which are to be oxidized in the molten bath dissolve in the molten bath, thereby converting the feed to the dissolved atomic constituents for subsequent oxidation of the dissolved atomic constituents.
Abstract:
In a reactor and process for the photopromoted catalytic decomposition of compounds in a fluid stream, the area of a catalyst support structure and/or the amount of catalyst on the support structure is varied as a function of distance from a light source to enhance quantum efficiency. In a preferred embodiment, the support structure has a surface area per unit of reaction chamber volume which increases with distance from the light source, or the amount of catalyst on the support structure per unit area increases with distance from the light source to maintain the light intensity on the catalyst within a desired range regardless of dispersion and/or absorption effects. In another embodiment, the support structure includes a plurality of curved plates which may, for example, be spherical, cylindrical or helical.
Abstract:
The reactor comprises a plurality of gas-permeable plates, which define reaction stages, which are connected by overflow lines. An annular duct for effecting a gas distribution is provided on at least one plate. The outer wall and the inner wall of the annular duct comprises numerous gas outlet openings. The annular duct is provided with at least one vertical gas-conduction pipe, which extends from the plate and is open at both ends. The top end of the gas-conduction pipe is surrounded by a bell-like cap, which is connected to the annular duct, so that a space through which gases can flow is left between the gas-conducting pipe and the cap.
Abstract:
A concurrent catalytic reaction with distillation structure involves a plurality of vapor permeable plates which are arranged in spaced apart relationship with a catalyst placed in the open space between two adjacent plates. The catalyst filled area presents a reaction zone where catalytic reaction can take place and the vapor permeable plates present a large surface area for vapor and liquid phase exchange. The invention also encompasses a process for concurrent catalytic reaction with distillation employing structure as aforedescribed and including the steps of feeding a liquid stream to a column employing such structure and directing the stream through the catalytic reaction zone while concurrently distilling a portion of the liquid to present a vapor stream which is directed in countercurrent relationship to the liquid stream flow.
Abstract:
A reaction vessel, test device, and method of detection or measurement are disclosed, featuring the use of at least two operatively connected zones formed by transport surfaces spaced apart throughout most of the zones a capillary distance. The zones are fluidly connected by meniscus control means effective to stop capillary flow of the liquid from one zone to the other, until an externally generated actuation pressure is applied.
Abstract:
Packing sheets are disclosed each of which consists of a flat base and parallel tube sectors formed thereon, alternately on opposite sides of the base. The walls of the tube sectors are corrugated preferably transversely to their length. Such sheets may be assembled together, e.g. using integral joint members, to form packing units of high efficiency for use in phase contacting applications such as cooling and distillation towers.
Abstract:
At least one of propene and butene is oligomerized, preferably dimerized, in an elongate cylindrical reaction zone. A recycle flow and the fresh feed charge are injected tangentially into said reaction zone. The catalyst preferably comprises a nickel compound and a hydrocarbyl aluminum halide.
Abstract:
In a multi-stage, multi-vessel phosphoric acid production system where a first reaction vessel contains a first slurry comprising calcium sulfate hemihydrate, monocalcium phosphate and phosphoric acid and a second reaction vessel contains a second slurry comprising calcium sulfate hemihydrate, sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid, in which the reaction slurry undergoes intra- and inter-vessel circulation, preferably through a draft tube, an improved start-up procedure involves filling the system with heated phosphoric acid having a P.sub.2 O.sub.5 analysis in the range of about 28 to about 38% (e.g. 31%), then feeding phosphate rock to the system, preferably in a separate reaction vessel, while phosphoric acid is recycled from a fourth, filter feed vessel, until the solids content in said slurry is in the range of 25-35% (e.g. about 30%) while the sulfate content in the first vessel is maintained at a negative level (e.g. excess calcium ion) and at a positive level in the second, crystallizer vessel. When the solids content, calcium, and sulfate content are at the proper level (e.g. about 30% solids, -5 to -2% sulfate in the first vessel and +2 to +3% sulfate in the second vessel) the slurry is then transported to a filter and the phosphoric acid is separated from the calcium sulfate hemihydrate.
Abstract:
The invention comprises a multi-vessel reaction apparatus useful for reacting phosphate rock and sulfuric acid in which the reaction slurry undergoes intra- and inter- vessel circulation (preferably through a draft tube). The solution portion of the slurry in a first vessel or set of vessels (the "dissolver") is preferably maintained at at lower sulfate ion concentration and the solution portion of the slurry in the second vessel or system of vessels (the "crystallizer") is preferably maintained at a positive sulfate ion concentration. Also preferred are means for maintaining the second vessel or set of vessels at a reduced pressure. Most preferred is that means be included in at least one said vessel for incorporating a crystal modifier (e.g. a sulfonic acid, a sulfonic acid salt, tall oil fatty acids or alkoxylated or esterified tall oil fatty acids) in the crystallizer. The system can be used in the anhydrite, hemihydrate or gypsum types of processes.