Device for distributing a light fluid phase (2) in a heavy phase (4) in the fluidized state in a reaction chamber (5), comprising: a pipe (1) for transporting the light fluid phase; first and second windows (7, 8) created in the pipe, the second windows opening into the reaction chamber; and branches (6) extending each first window and splitting into: a central passage opening into the reaction chamber via an intermediate window (9) created in the upper wall of the branch (6); and at least two distinct lateral branches forming two lateral passages (10) opening into the reaction chamber via end-of-branch windows (11).

Various embodiments may include a reactor for carrying out equilibrium-limited reactions comprising: a reaction chamber for receiving a catalyst; a sorption chamber for receiving a sorption agent; a feedstock feeding device; a sorption agent feeding device; and a gas-permeable element separating the reaction chamber from the sorption chamber, wherein the gas-permeable element repels particles of the sorption agent.

The invention relates to a plant and to a method for chemical looping oxidation-reduction combustion of a gaseous hydrocarbon feed, for example natural gas essentially containing methane. According to the invention, catalytic pre-reforming of the feed is performed in a pre-reforming zone comprising a fixed reforming catalyst, while benefiting from a heat transfer between the reduction or oxidation zone of the chemical loop and the pre-reforming zone adjoining the reduction or oxidation zone. Pre-reforming zone (130) and oxidation zone (110) or pre-reforming zone (130) and reduction zone (120) are thus thermally integrated within the same reactor (100) while being separated by at least one thermally conductive separation wall (140).

A method for upgrading a petroleum feedstock using a supercritical water petroleum upgrading system includes introducing the petroleum feedstock, water and an auxiliary feedstock. The method includes operating the system to combine the petroleum feedstock and the water to form a mixed petroleum feedstock and introducing separately and simultaneously into a lower portion of an upflowing supercritical water reactor. The auxiliary feedstock is introduced such that a portion of a fluid contained within the upflowing reactor located proximate to the bottom does not lack fluid momentum. An embodiment of the method includes operating the supercritical water petroleum upgrading system such that the upflowing reactor product fluid is introduced into an upper portion of a downflowing supercritical water reactor. The supercritical water petroleum upgrading system includes the upflowing supercritical water reactor and optionally a downflowing supercritical water reactor.

A solids distributor (100) comprising: a solids standpipe (110); a gas line (120); a solids transfer line (130) in fluid communication with the solids standpipe (110) and the gas line (120); and a distributor (140) in fluid communication with the solids transfer line (130). A solids distributor system comprising the a vessel and the solids distributor (100) and a method of distributing fluidized solids.

The machinery and methods disclosed herein are based on the use of a specialized extruder configured to continuously convey and plasticize/moltenize selected lignocellulosic biomass and/or waste plastic materials into a novel variable volume tubular reactor, wherein the plasticized/moltenized material undergoes reaction with circumferentially injected supercritical waterthereby yielding valuable simple sugar solutions and/or liquid hydrocarbon mixtures (e.g., neodiesel), both of which are key chemical commodity products. The reaction time may be adjusted by changing the reactor volume. The machinery includes four zones: (1) a feedstock conveyance and plasticization/moltenization zone; (2) a steam generation and manifold distribution zone; (3) a central supercritical water reaction zone; and (4) a pressure let-down and reaction product separation zone. The machinery and methods minimize water usagethereby enabling the economic utilization of abundant biomass and waste plastics as viable renewable feedstocks for subsequent conversion into alternative liquid transportation fuels and valuable green-chemical products.

The machinery and methods disclosed herein are based on the use of a specialized extruder configured to continuously convey and plasticize/moltenize selected lignocellulosic biomass and/or waste plastic materials into a novel variable volume tubular reactor, wherein the plasticized/moltenized material undergoes reaction with circumferentially injected supercritical waterthereby yielding valuable simple sugar solutions and/or liquid hydrocarbon mixtures (e.g., neodiesel), both of which are key chemical commodity products. The reaction time may be adjusted by changing the reactor volume. The machinery includes four zones: (1) a feedstock conveyance and plasticization/moltenization zone; (2) a steam generation and manifold distribution zone; (3) a central supercritical water reaction zone; and (4) a pressure let-down and reaction product separation zone. The machinery and methods minimize water usagethereby enabling the economic utilization of abundant biomass and waste plastics as viable renewable feedstocks for subsequent conversion into alternative liquid transportation fuels and valuable green-chemical products.

A multi-tubular chemical reactor (400) includes an igniter (435) for the initiation of gas phase exothermic reaction within the gas phase reaction zones (409) of the tubular reactor units (408). A method of carrying out a gas phase exothermic reaction within the multi-tubular chemical reactor comprising: introducing gaseous reactants into a tubular reactor unit (408); initiating with radiant heat an exothermic reaction of the gaseous reactants within the reactor unit; and transferring heat produced by the exothermic reaction occurring within the gas phase reaction zone of the reactor unit to the gas phase reaction zone of one or more adjacent reactor units (408), thereby initiating an exothermic reaction within at least one adjacent reactor unit (408) until in such manner an exothermic reaction has been initiated in each of the plurality of spaced-apart reactor units (408).

A process for combusting coke from catalyst in partial burn mode is disclosed. The partial burn regenerator runs deprived of oxygen such that the flue gas will contain a fair amount of carbon monoxide. The oxygen present in the flue gas can burn in the bed before reaching the dilute phase. The catalyst distributor is positioned in the upper chamber of the regeneration vessel for discharging the catalyst.

A hybrid vertical plug flow reactor is comprised of a bottom inlet and a top outlet having vertical tubular member disposed there between, wherein the bottom inlet has separate gas reactant inlet and separate liquid reactant inlet whereby the gas reactant is mixed with the liquid reactant and the outlet has an extraction port, the extraction port extending sufficiently to withdraw the liquid product from the reactor and maintain a gaseous head space within the tubular member of the reactor. The hybrid vertical bubble plug flow reactor is useful to react a gas reactant and liquid reactant that are reacted at a molar ratio of gas reactant/liquid reactant that is in excess of a stoichiometric requirement of gas reactant so that the gas reactant forms bubbles and the reactants react in the presence of a catalyst to form a reaction product.