A reactor tube for a tubular reactor and a retaining device associated with the reactor tube; the reactor tube comprising an elongate tube defining a bore for receiving in use a catalyst and having an outlet at one end of the bore for discharging the catalyst out of the bore; the retaining device being configured to be rotatable between a first position and a second position; wherein in the first position the retaining device at least partially obstructs the outlet for retaining the catalyst within the bore; and in the second position the outlet is unobstructed sufficiently for permitting discharge of the catalyst out of the outlet.

A universal chemical processor (UCP) including a reactor vessel having a central longitudinal axis and main chamber comprises a first inlet port for a main feedstock, a second inlet port for a fluidizing medium and a third inlet port for one or more reactants. The UCP also includes a reactive radioactive chemical processor (R.sup.2CP) that contains a radioactive element positioned extending along the longitudinal axis in the main chamber. In operation, a fluidized bed can be supported in the main chamber when a fluidizing medium and feedstock are supplied to the main chamber through the first and second inlet ports and the radioactive element of the R.sup.2CP emits ionizing radiation that is capable of ionizing feedstock and reactants, inducing chemical reactions, and sterilizing and decomposing any organic materials within a radiation zone.

Systems and methods for preparing and dispersing dry powders are disclosed herein. The system includes a powder feeder, a rotating holder or disc configured to receive an input powder from the powder feeder, and one or more ultrasonic transducers. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to create standing waves, which suspend the input powder within a space above the rotating holder disc for collection and subsequent processing and/or use. Also disclosed herein is an adapter configured to fit existing off-the-shelf powder dispensers that includes an ultrasonic transducer configured to suspend an input powder in midair for collection.

A system for post-processing carbon powders includes a fluidized-bed reactor having an interior containing a fluidized-bed region. The system may include a gas feed source, a gas inlet value, a gas-solid separator, and an energy source coupled to the fluidized-bed reactor. Carbon nano-particulates may be loaded, in powder form, into the fluidized-bed region prior to operation. The gas feed source may output a gas-phase mixture into the interior of the fluidized-bed reactor, and the energy source may electromagnetically excite the gas-phase mixture and generate a plasma-phase mixture formed in a plasma region positioned adjacent to or within the interior of the fluidized-bed reactor. The energy source may be positioned at one or more positions relative to the gas inlet valve.

Polymerization processes and reactor systems for producing multimodal ethylene polymers are disclosed in which at least one loop reactor and at least one fluidized bed reactor are utilized. Configurations include a loop reactor in series with a fluidized bed reactor and two loop reactors in series with a fluidized bed reactor.

A method of installing a temperature measuring device inside a reactor tube while filling the tube with catalyst is provided. The method includes inserting a positioning system, including a single inflatable bladder connected at a central location to a centering ring, into a reactor tube, the reactor tube comprising a distal end and a proximal end. Then inserting the centering ring around the temperature measurement device. Then locating the positioning system at a first predetermined distance from the distal end, and inflating the single inflatable bladder, thereby centering the centering ring and the temperature measurement device within the SMR tube. Then introducing catalyst into the SMR tube, thereby enclosing the temperature measurement device in catalyst.

A device for centering a temperature measurement device inside a reactor tube that will be filled with catalyst, including multiple inflatable bladders mechanically and fluidically attached to a centering ring.

A method of installing a temperature measuring device inside a reactor tube while filling the tube with catalyst is provided. The method includes inserting a positioning system, including multiple inflatable bladders connected at a central location to a centering ring, into reactor tube, the reactor tube comprising a distal end and a proximal end. Then inserting a temperature measurement device into the centering ring. Locating the positioning system at a first predetermined distance from the distal end. Then inflating the multiple inflatable bladders, thereby centering the centering ring and the temperature measurement device within the SMR tube, and introducing catalyst into the SMR tube, thereby enclosing the temperature measurement device in catalyst.

A method for processing a chemical stream includes contacting a feed stream with a catalyst in a reactor portion of a reactor system that includes a reactor portion and a catalyst processing portion. The catalyst includes platinum, gallium, or both and contacting the feed stream with the catalyst causes a reaction which forms an effluent stream. The method includes separating the effluent stream from the catalyst, passing the catalyst to the catalyst processing portion, and processing the catalyst in the catalyst processing portion. Processing the catalyst includes passing the catalyst to a combustor, combusting a supplemental fuel in the combustor to heat the catalyst, treating the heated catalyst with an oxygen-containing gas to produce a reactivated catalyst, and passing the reactivated catalyst from the catalyst processing portion to the reactor portion. The supplemental fuel may include a molar ratio of hydrogen to other combustible fuels of at least 1:1.

A cyclic metals deactivation system unit for the production of equilibrium catalyst materials including a cracker vessel configured for cracking and stripping a catalyst material; and a regenerator vessel in fluid communication with the cracker vessel, the regenerator vessel configured for regeneration and steam deactivation of the catalyst material.