A method and assembly for utilizing open-cell cellular solid material in a component separation unit to separate one or more process streams into component process streams having desired compositions. A method and assembly for using said open-cell cellular solid material to separate process streams into desired component process streams in a component separation unit, wherein the open-cell cellular solid material can include oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, ceramics, metals, polymers, and chemical vapor deposition materials.

A method and assembly for utilizing open-cell cellular solid material in a component separation unit to separate one or more process streams into component process streams having desired compositions. A method and assembly for using said open-cell cellular solid material to separate process streams into desired component process streams in a component separation unit, wherein the open-cell cellular solid material can include oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, ceramics, metals, polymers, and chemical vapor deposition materials.

A method for facilitating the distribution of the flow of one or more streams within a bed vessel is provided. Disposed within the bed vessel are internal materials and structures including multiple operating zones. One type of operating zone can be a processing zone composed of one or more beds of solid processing material. Another type of operating zone can be a treating zone. Treating zones can facilitate the distribution of the one or more streams fed to processing zones. The distribution can facilitate contact between the feed streams and the processing materials contained in the processing zones.

Disclosed herein is a catalyst dumping spool assembly for unloading used catalyst from an inside of a reactor, comprising: a reactor, and a catalyst dumping spool comprising a first end operatively connected to the reactor, the first end having a catalyst inlet through which the used catalyst is introduced into, a second end having a catalyst discharge outlet whereby the used catalyst exits the catalyst dumping spool, wherein a first device for controlling used catalyst transfer into the catalyst inlet is positioned proximate the first end, and a second device for controlling the used catalyst transfer from inside the catalyst inlet through the catalyst discharge outlet is positioned proximate the second end, and further wherein the catalyst dumping spool further comprise a gas fluidization inlet and a water fluidization inlet located between the first and second devices.

Device for mixing and distributing fluids for a downflow catalytic reactor, comprising: a collecting zone (A) comprising a collecting means (5); a substantially vertical collecting pipe and at least one injection means (8) opening into said collecting pipe; a mixing zone (B) comprising a fluid mixing chamber (15) of length L1, said mixing zone (15) comprising a first end in communication with said collecting pipe and a second end in communication with a fluid exchange chamber (16) of length L2, situated beneath said mixing chamber (15), the length L2 of said exchange chamber (16) being strictly greater than the length L1 of said mixing chamber (15); a distribution zone (C), situated beneath the mixing zone (B), comprising a distribution plate (12) that carries a plurality of chimneys (13), and a plurality of horizontal panels (33), situated above or on the chimneys (13).

A generally spherical high strength ceramic body for use in an ATR and/or SR unit covering a catalyst media bed. The ceramic body is a fully stabilized YSZ composite composition having at least about 13% yttria YSZ, and more typically from about 12% to about 20% yttria YSZ, with a porosity of less than 20 percent and a diameter of at least 25 mm and, more typically, selected from the group comprising 25 mm, 50 mm, 76 mm and 100 mm.

Disclosed herein is a catalyst dumping spool assembly for unloading used catalyst from an inside of a reactor, comprising: a reactor, and a catalyst dumping spool comprising a first end operatively connected to the reactor, the first end having a catalyst inlet through which the used catalyst is introduced into, a second end having a catalyst discharge outlet whereby the used catalyst exits the catalyst dumping spool, wherein a first device for controlling used catalyst transfer into the catalyst inlet is positioned proximate the first end, and a second device for controlling the used catalyst transfer from inside the catalyst inlet through the catalyst discharge outlet is positioned proximate the second end, and further wherein the catalyst dumping spool further comprise a gas fluidization inlet and a water fluidization inlet located between the first and second devices.

The present invention relates to the extraction of lithium from liquid resources such as natural and synthetic brines, leachate solutions from clays and minerals, and recycled products.

A contacting device and method are presented for the collection, contacting, and distribution of fluids between particulate beds of a downflow vessel, which may operate in co-current flow. By one approach, the contacting device includes a liquid collection tray, a mixing channel in fluid communication with the liquid collection tray, and a liquid distribution zone.

A method for facilitating the distribution of the flow of one or more streams within a bed vessel is provided. Disposed within the bed vessel are internal materials and structures including multiple operating zones. One type of operating zone can be a processing zone composed of one or more beds of solid processing material. Another type of operating zone can be a treating zone. Treating zones can facilitate the distribution of the one or more streams fed to processing zones. The distribution can facilitate contact between the feed streams and the processing materials contained in the processing zones.