A matrix, configured to form at least part of a material-transfer separation unit, the matrix having a stack of several plates arranged parallel to one another in a direction known as the direction of stacking, thereby defining passages, the matrix having a length, a width and a thickness, the length of a matrix being the greatest dimension of the parallel plates, the width of the matrix being measured perpendicular to the length, and the thickness of the matrix being measured in the direction of stacking of the plates.

A support structure for a structured catalytic packing is disclosed. The support structure is in a fixed position relative to the reactor tube containing it. It supports catalyzed casings that are free to move relative to the support structure. The support structure and casings are inserted in the reactor tube such that the support structure is located proximate the longitudinal axis of the tube and the casings are located between the support structure and the reactor tube wall. The support structure comprises a central support tube or rod proximate to, and impervious or perforated discs perpendicular to, the longitudinal axis of the reactor tube, and may comprise spacers separating the discs.

A support structure for a structured catalytic packing is disclosed. The support structure is in a fixed position relative to the reactor tube containing it. It supports catalyzed casings that are free to move relative to the support structure. The support structure and casings are inserted in the reactor tube such that the support structure is located proximate the longitudinal axis of the tube and the casings are located between the support structure and the reactor tube wall. The support structure comprises a central support tube or rod proximate to, and impervious or perforated discs perpendicular to, the longitudinal axis of the reactor tube, and may comprise spacers separating the discs.

The present invention relates to a method of oxidising at least one aqueous organic compound in a triphasic reaction mixture, wherein the reaction mixture comprises at least one solid, at least one liquid and at least one gaseous constituent, wherein (i) the solid component is (a) a catalytically active composite based on (b) at least one perforated and permeable support, wherein the composite is on at least one side of the support and inside the support and (a) the composite is obtained by applying a suspension comprising at least one inorganic component having a particle size from 1 to 10 000 nm and at least one compound of at least one of the elements La, Ce, Mg, Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, Nb, V, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, B, Al, In, Tl, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, Pd, Ru, Re, Hf, Gd, Ag, Cu, Li, K, Na, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba and Bi with at least one of the elements Zn, Al, Te, Se, S, O, Sb, As, P, N, Ge, Si, C and Ga, in suspension in a sol, and (b) the support comprises fibers of at least one material selected from the group consisting of carbon, metal, alloy, ceramic, glass, mineral, plastic, amorphous substance, composite, natural product, and a combination thereof and heating the support at least once to a temperature of between 100 to 800° C. for 10 minutes to 5 hours, during which the suspension comprising the inorganic component is solidified on and inside the support.

The present invention relates to a method of oxidising at least one aqueous organic compound in a triphasic reaction mixture, wherein the reaction mixture comprises at least one solid, at least one liquid and at least one gaseous constituent, wherein (i) the solid component is (a) a catalytically active composite based on (b) at least one perforated and permeable support, wherein the composite is on at least one side of the support and inside the support and (a) the composite is obtained by applying a suspension comprising at least one inorganic component having a particle size from 1 to 10 000 nm and at least one compound of at least one of the elements La, Ce, Mg, Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, Nb, V, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, B, Al, In, Tl, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, Pd, Ru, Re, Hf, Gd, Ag, Cu, Li, K, Na, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba and Bi with at least one of the elements Zn, Al, Te, Se, S, O, Sb, As, P, N, Ge, Si, C and Ga, in suspension in a sol, and (b) the support comprises fibers of at least one material selected from the group consisting of carbon, metal, alloy, ceramic, glass, mineral, plastic, amorphous substance, composite, natural product, and a combination thereof and heating the support at least once to a temperature of between 100 to 800° C. for 10 minutes to 5 hours, during which the suspension comprising the inorganic component is solidified on and inside the support.

Methods, systems, and techniques for desalinating a saltwater using a humidifier unit. The humidifier unit has a housing, which has a carrier gas inlet and a saltwater inlet. The humidifier unit also includes a packing, within the housing, having a surface with a critical surface tension of less than 25 mN/m according to the Zisman method. The packing is arranged to facilitate a saltwater that enters the housing through the saltwater inlet and a carrier gas that enters the housing through the carrier gas inlet to contact each other. The contact facilitates evaporation of the saltwater, which produces salt solids on at least a surface of the packing, a humidified gas and a concentrated brine.

Methods, systems, and techniques for desalinating a saltwater using a humidifier unit. The humidifier unit has a housing, which has a carrier gas inlet and a saltwater inlet. The humidifier unit also includes a packing, within the housing, having a surface with a critical surface tension of less than 25 mN/m according to the Zisman method. The packing is arranged to facilitate a saltwater that enters the housing through the saltwater inlet and a carrier gas that enters the housing through the carrier gas inlet to contact each other. The contact facilitates evaporation of the saltwater, which produces salt solids on at least a surface of the packing, a humidified gas and a concentrated brine.

The contacting device for countercurrent contacting of fluid streams and having a first pair of intersecting grids of spaced-apart and parallel deflector blades and a second pair of intersecting grids of spaced-apart and parallel deflector blades. The deflector blades in each one of the grids are interleaved with the deflector blades in the paired intersecting grid and may have uncut side portions that join them together along a transverse strip where the deflector blades cross each other or adjacent opposed ends of the deflector blades and cut side portions that extend from the uncut side portions to the ends of the deflector blades. At least some of the deflector blades have directional tabs and associated openings to allow portions of the fluid streams to pass through the deflector blades to facilitate mixing of the fluid streams.

The contacting device for countercurrent contacting of fluid streams and having a first pair of intersecting grids of spaced-apart and parallel deflector blades and a second pair of intersecting grids of spaced-apart and parallel deflector blades. The deflector blades in each one of the grids are interleaved with the deflector blades in the paired intersecting grid and may have uncut side portions that join them together along a transverse strip where the deflector blades cross each other or adjacent opposed ends of the deflector blades and cut side portions that extend from the uncut side portions to the ends of the deflector blades. At least some of the deflector blades have directional tabs and associated openings to allow portions of the fluid streams to pass through the deflector blades to facilitate mixing of the fluid streams.

The disclosure provides a structure that is used in the treatment of a fluid. The packing structure comprises a body having an axis. The packing structure also has at least one curved flow path that rotates around, and extends along at least a portion of, the axis of the body.