A withdrawal system for withdrawing particulate matter from a high-temperature unit of a high-temperature industrial process is disclosed. The withdrawal system comprises a material storage silo that comprises a vent line containing a first vent valve, one or more temperature sensors to measure temperature of the particulate matter in the material transfer line, and a controller that receives output measurements from the one or more temperature sensors to monitor and control flow of the particulate matter. The system does not contain a receiving vessel located in the material transfer line between the high-temperature unit and the material storage silo.

Devices and methods for controlling the properties of chemical species during time-dependent processes. A device includes a reactor for containing one or more chemical species of a time-dependent process, an extraction pump for automatically and continuously extracting an amount of the one or more chemical species from the reactor, one or more detectors for measuring property changes of the one or more extracted chemical species and generating a continuous stream of data related to the one or more property changes to the one or more chemical species during a time interval, and a process controller configured to fit the continuous stream of data to a mathematical function to predict one or more properties of the one or more chemical species at a future time point and make one or more process decisions based on the prediction of one or more properties at the future time point.

Systems for producing performic acid and methods for producing performic acid. The systems may include two or more reactor units, two or more servient programmable logic controllers, a control panel, and a master programmable logic controller. The system may modify the production of performic acid in at least one of the two or more reactor units upon and/or after the occurrence of a disruptive event in order to maintain a desired level of performic acid production and/or a desired level of disinfection.

A reactor system for partial oxidation gasification includes a reactor vessel that has a defined reaction zone with a reaction zone inlet and a reaction zone outlet. An injector section is operable to inject reactants to the reaction zone inlet. A coolant injector is operable to inject a coolant adjacent a reaction zone outlet. A reactor vessel outlet is located downstream of the coolant injector. A controller is configured to operate the coolant injector with respect to cooling a synthesis gas discharged from the reaction zone outlet and upwardly shifting a ratio H.sub.2:CO to a target ratio.

Devices and methods for controlling the properties of chemical species during time-dependent processes. A device includes a reactor for containing one or more chemical species of a time-dependent process, an extraction pump for automatically and continuously extracting an amount of the one or more chemical species from the reactor, one or more detectors for measuring property changes of the one or more extracted chemical species and generating a continuous stream of data related to the one or more property changes to the one or more chemical species during a time interval, and a process controller configured to fit the continuous stream of data to a mathematical function to predict one or more properties of the one or more chemical species at a future time point and make one or more process decisions based on the prediction of one or more properties at the future time point.

Apparatus for biochemical synthesis having a reaction vessel, a temperature control device for the reaction vessel, a plurality of reservoirs for reaction components, and supply/withdrawal systems, e.g. reciprocating syringe pumps and switchable valves. Agitation of a reaction mixture is effected by withdrawing a part of the mixture from the reaction vessel and returning it thereto.

Devices and methods for controlling the properties of chemical species during time-dependent processes. A device includes a reactor for containing one or more chemical species of a time-dependent process, an extraction pump for automatically and continuously extracting an amount of the one or more chemical species from the reactor, one or more detectors for measuring property changes of the one or more extracted chemical species and generating a continuous stream of data related to the one or more property changes to the one or more chemical species during a time interval, and a process controller configured to fit the continuous stream of data to a mathematical function to predict one or more properties of the one or more chemical species at a future time point and make one or more process decisions based on the prediction of one or more properties at the future time point.

Controlling the shutdown of a polyethylene reactor system that includes a secondary compressor, a reactor, a high pressure let down valve (HPLDV), a high-pressure separator, and a high-pressure recycle gas system is provided. After a partial or complete shutdown of secondary compressor, HPLDV opens to a pre-set open position until the reactor pressure reduces to either a pre-set reduced pressure limit or a until the slope of the reactor gas density to reactor pressure exceeds 0.15. The HPLDV controls the pressure to a pressure set point.

An actuator is provided that includes a housing, a linear actuating shaft disposed within the housing, a piston coupled with the shaft, and a fluid barrier disposed on an end of the shaft and encircled by the piston. The piston is movable longitudinally between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration upon rotation of the shaft. The fluid barrier engages an inner surface of the piston preventing fluid communication across the fluid barrier. The fluid barrier has a shaft engaging side which receives the shaft and a fluid facing side. A cavity is formed between the piston and the fluid facing side and expands when the piston moves to the extended configuration and contracts when the piston moves to the retracted configuration. A port is disposed in the piston and extends from the cavity to external the piston thereby permitting fluid communication between the cavity and external the piston.

Systems for loading catalyst and/or additives into a fluidized catalytic cracking unit are disclosed. Methods of making and using the systems are also disclosed.