Method for maximizing the reaction volume in a slurry phase reactor by determining the ratio (f) between the height of the foams (H.sub.f) and the height of the reactor (H.sub.R) through an algorithm defining the gas hold-up in three zones, a first lower zone in which a bubble regime is established, a second intermediate zone where there can be the presence of foams, a third zone situated in the upper hemispherical part in which the multiphase mixture is accelerated until it reaches outlet conditions, the average gas hold-up being given by the weighted average of each of the three gas hold-ups of the three zones, characterized in that it uses nuclear densimeters positioned inside the reactor at different heights and comprises: measuring, for each nuclear densimeter used, gas density values, relating to different gas and/or slurry velocities, which correspond through said algorithm to calculated gas hold-up values, revealing, with a calculated gas hold-up of less than 40%, the absence of foams at least up to the height at which the densimeter is positioned, whose density measured corresponds to said gas hold-up, with a calculated gas hold-up higher than 70%, the presence of foams starting at least from the height of the reactor in which the densimeter is positioned, whose density measured corresponds to said gas hold-up, finally, determining through said algorithm, the ratio f and the extension in height of the possible presence of foams, calculating the consequent height H.sub.f.

The number of small gels that form in polyolefin thin films may be reduced by altering certain production parameters of the polyolefin. In some instances, the number of small gels may be influenced by the melt index of the polyolefin. However, in many instances, melt index is a critical part of the polyolefin product specification and, therefore, is not manipulated. Two parameters that may be manipulated to mitigate small gel count while maintaining the melt index are polyolefin residence time in the reactor and ICA concentration in the reactor.

Polyolefin polymerization performed by contacting in a reactor an olefin monomer and optionally a comonomer with a catalyst system in the presence of induced condensing agents (ICA) and optionally hydrogen. The ICA may include two or more ICA components where the composition of the ICA (i.e., the concentration of each ICA component) may affect the polyolefin production rate. Changes to the relative concentration of the two or more ICA components may be according to ICA equivalency factors that allow for increasing the polyolefin production rate while maintain a sticking temperature, increasing polyolefin production rate while increasing the dew point approach temperature of the ICA, or a combination thereof.

A continuous process for the manufacture of a polyamide, the process comprising the steps of: (i) flowing a stream A comprising a moltendicarboxylic acid, or a molten dicarboxylic acid-rich mixture comprising a dicarboxylic acid and a diamine, through a first stage and at least one more reaction stage of a vertical multistage reactor, wherein the first stage is at the top of the reactor; (ii) counter-currently flowing a stream B comprising a diamine as either a vapor or a diamine-rich liquid through at least one of the stages below the first reaction stage of said vertical multistage reactor; (iii) accumulating a liquid phase material P comprising polyamide at and/or below the final stage of said reactor; wherein said reactor is equipped with internal features suitable for effecting contact between counter-currently flowing streams A and B; and wherein the process further comprises controlling the viscosity of said liquid phase material P by directly controlling the chemical equilibrium of the polyamidation reaction or by controlling stream B so that the amounts of diamine and dicarboxylic acid introduced into the reactor during the process are stoichiometrically imbalanced. The invention further provides a vertical multistage reactor configured to implement said process.

A method is disclosed for controlling retention time in a reactor, such as an autoclave, having a plurality of compartments separated by dividers with underflow openings. A retention time of the reaction mixture is calculated and compared with an optimal retention time, and the volumes of the reaction mixture in the compartments are adjusted while maintaining the flow rate of the reaction mixture, so as to change the retention time to a value which is closer to the optimal retention time. The reactor may include a level sensor in the last compartment for generating volume data; a control valve for controlling the liquid level in the last compartment; and a controller which receives volume data from the level sensor and controls operation of the control valve.

Integrated liquid fuel catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) reformer and fuel cell systems can include a plurality or an array of spaced-apart CPOX reactor units, each reactor unit including an elongated tube having a gas-permeable wall with internal and external surfaces. The wall encloses an unobstructed gaseous flow passageway. At least a portion of the wall has CPOX catalyst disposed therein and/or comprising its structure. The catalyst-containing wall structure and open gaseous flow passageway enclosed thereby define a gaseous phase CPOX reaction zone, the catalyst-containing wall section being gas-permeable to allow gaseous CPOX reaction mixture to diffuse therein and hydrogen rich product reformate to diffuse therefrom. The liquid fuel CPOX reformer also can include a vaporizer, one or more igniters, and a source of liquid reformable fuel. The hydrogen-rich reformate can be converted to electricity within a fuel cell unit integrated with the CPOX reactor unit.

A polyolefin manufacturing system and method including polymerizing olefin in a first reactor to form a polyolefin, transferring the polyolefin to a second reactor, polymerizing olefin in the second reactor, and discharging a product polyolefin from the second reactor. The system and method including operating the first reactor with a first reactor pressure relief system and the second reactor with a second reactor pressure relief system, both pressure relief systems to discharge to a flare system, and wherein a relief instrumented system (RIS) is configured to direct at least one process interlock that mitigates an excess reaction scenario as an overpressure relief scenario.

An apparatus for controlling flow of a material includes an inlet for receiving the material from a source, and a seal mechanism connected to the inlet, the seal mechanism having a fluidizing bed configured to receive the material from the inlet, a first discharge passageway and a second discharge passageway. The fluidizing bed includes a first transport zone associated with the first discharge passageway and a second transport zone associated with the second discharge passageway, wherein the first and second transport zones are configured to receive transport gas from a transport gas source. The transport gas is controllable to selectively divert a flow of the material into the first discharge passageway and the second discharge passageway.

A method for determining temperature information for a plurality of tubes in a furnace where one or more digital images provide temperature information for imaged tubes, and temperature information for non-imaged tubes is determined from the temperature information for the imaged tubes and measured temperatures of combined effluent from the imaged and non-imaged tubes.

A solid powder reactor includes: a reaction kettle, including a hollow kettle body and covers; an agitating device, including an agitating shaft and blades, wherein the agitating shaft is arranged in the kettle body and the blades are fixed on the agitating shaft; and a heating system, including a kettle body heater and an agitating heater, wherein the kettle body heater is fixed on the kettle body and the agitating heater is arranged on the agitating device. While the agitating device and the kettle body are driven to agitate, by a driving device fixedly arranged outside the reaction kettle, the heating system heats materials in the reactor. The present invention is applicable to solid reaction of solid powders. The materials containing attached water or not are both feasible, and the materials can directly enter the reactor and react. Compared with conventional solid reactors, the present invention increases the production efficiency.