Exxon Research and Engineering Company

Exxonmobil Research and Engineering Company

Other

Power Play Energy L.l.c.

Jackson I Ito

Teh Chung Ho

George A Swan, Iii

Russell J Koveal

Leonard Schoenman

Dean C Draemel

Ross A Hewitt

Felix F Chen

John L Grimes

Joseph P Maceda

Svein Hestevik

Randall L Peeters

Kenneth P Klaas

The present invention provides heat exchanging elements for use in Stirling engines. According to the present invention, the heat exchanging elements are made from muliple platelets that are stacked and joined together. The use of platelets to make heat exchanging elements permits Stirling engines to run more effiecient because the heat transfer and combustion processes are improved. In one embodiment, multi-stage combustion can be introduced with platlets, along with the flexibility to use different types of fuels. In another embodiment, a single component constructed from platelets can provide the heat transfer rquirements betweeen the combustion gas/working gas, working gas in the regenerator and the working gas/coolant fluid of a Stirling engine. In another embodiment, the platelet heat exchanging element can recieve solar energy to heat the Stirling engine's working gas. Also, this invention provides a heat exchanging method that allows for multiple fluids to flow in opposing or same direction.

Stirling engine having platelet heat exchanging elements

A liquid atomization process comprises forming a two-phase fluid mixture of a liquid and a gas, under pressure, dividing the fluid into two separate streams which are passed into and through an impingement mixing zone in which they are impingement mixed to form a single stream of two-phase fluid. The mixed, single stream is then passed into and through a shear mixing zone and then into a lower pressure expansion zone, in which atomization occurs to form a spray of atomized drops of the liquid. The impingement and shear mixing zones comprise respective upstream and downstream portions of a single fluid passageway in a nozzle. This is useful for atomizing the hot feed oil in an FCC process.

Process for atomizing FCC feed oil

The present invention provides heat exchanging elements for use in Stirling engines. According to the present invention, the heat exchanging elements are made from muliple platelets that are stacked and joined together. The use of platelets to make heat exchanging elements permits Stirling engines to run more effiecient because the heat transfer and combustion processes are improved. In one embodiment, multi-stage combustion can be introduced with platlets, along with the flexibility to use different types of fuels. In another embodiment, a single component constructed from platelets can provide the heat transfer requirements between the combustion gas/working gas, working gas in the regenerator and the working gas/coolant fluid of a Stirling engine. In another embodiment, the platelet heat exchanging element can recieve solar energy to heat the Stirling engine's working gas. Also, this invention provides a heat exchanging method that allows for multiple fluids to flow in opposing or same direction.

A process and apparatus for atomizing a fluid is disclosed. The processes and apparatuses are useful for atomizing a feed oil for a fluid cat cracking (FCC) or other suitable process.

Fluid atomization process

An atomizing gas, such as steam, and a hot fluid comprising a hot liquid to be atomized, are passed under pressure, through separate fluid conduits in a heat exchange means, in which the hot liquid heats the steam to a superheat temperature, by indirect heat exchange. The superheated steam is then injected into the hot fluid, which comprises a two-phase fluid comprising steam and the hot liquid, subsequent to the superheated steam injection. The two-phase fluid is passed through an atomizing means, such as an orifice, into a lower pressure atomizing zone, which causes the steam to expand and atomize the liquid into a spray of liquid droplets. The two-phase fluid is formed before or as a consequence of the superheated steam injection and is preferably steam-continuous when passed through the atomizing means. This process is useful for atomizing a hot feed oil for a fluid cat cracking (FCC) process.

Superheating atomizing steam with hot FCC feed oil

A liquid atomization process comprises forming a two-phase fluid mixture of a liquid and a gas, under pressure, dividing the fluid into two separate streams which are passed into and through an impingement mixing zone in which they are impingement mixed to form a single stream of two-phase fluid. The mixed, single stream is then passed into and through a shear mixing zone and then into a lower pressure expansion zone, in which atomization occurs to form a spray of atomized drops of the liquid. The impingement and shear mixing zones comprise respective upstream and downstream portions of a single cavity in a nozzle. This is useful for atomizing the hot feed oil in an FCC process.

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Sacramento, CA, United States of America

Jackson I Ito