Catalytica, Inc.

General Electric Company

Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo K.k.

Tanaka Kikinzoku K.k.

James C Schlatter

Ralph Albert Dalla Betta

Sarento George Nickolas

Kazunori Tsurumi

Kenneth W Beebe

Nobuyasu Ezawa

Martin B Cutrone

Ralph Dalla Betta

Walter Wiley

Jane A Nikkel

David R Lane

R A DallaBetta

Diana O Durieux

Glenn C Morrison

An improved catalytic reactor for high temperature reactions having a reaction chamber and a monolithic catalyst structure disposed in the reaction chamber is disclosed wherein the catalyst structure has a multiplicity of longitudinally disposed channels formed by thin metal substrate walls which expand on exposure to the heat generated in high temperature reactions and reactor also includes a monolithic open cellular support structure disposed in the reaction chamber having a multiplicity of longitudinally disposed passageways formed by strips of high temperature resistant metal or ceramic material with the support structure being secured on its outer periphery to the wall of the reaction chamber to limit movement along the longitudinal axis, and being positioned at and abutting against the outlet end of the catalyst structure. The improved structure also includes: (a) an annular space between the outer periphery of the catalyst structure and the wall of the reaction chamber which is sized to accommodate the thermal expansion of the catalyst structure which occurs during the high temperature reaction without allowing the catalyst structure to be deformed by pressing against the reaction chamber wall; (b) a plurality of flexible flanges which extend from the outer peripheral surface of the catalyst structure to the inner surface of the reaction chamber tubular wall to substantially block the flow of reaction gas mixture through the annular space; (c) a radial centering assembly which includes cooperating struts and splines mounted on the chamber wall and the support structure to permit thermal expansion of the support structure; (d) an optional centering support structure for transferring a portion of the force from the flow of gases onto a second support structure positioned on the inlet side of the catalyst structure; and (e) an outer metal band for the support structure having slots formed therein to provide sufficient flexibility for thermal expansion of the support structure while providing additional support therefor.

Support structures for a catalyst

A support structure for securing a catalyst structure comprising a multiplicity of longitudinally disposed channels for passage of a flowing gas mixture within a reactor, said support structure being comprised of a monolithic open celled or honeycomb-like structure formed by thin strips or ribs of high temperature resistant metal or ceramic which abuts against one end of the catalyst structure, and extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the catalyst structure to essentially cover an end face (at either the inlet end or outlet end or both) of the catalyst structure with the support structure being secured on its periphery to the reactor wall. The strips or ribs making up the support structure are bonded together to form a unitary structure having cellular openings at least as large as the catalyst structure channel openings. The cellular openings in the support structure are also positioned to be in fluid communication with the channels of the catalyst structure thus affording essentially unaltered gas flow from the catalyst structure through the support structure.

Support structure for a catalyst in a combustion reaction chamber

This invention is a device and a process for controlling the emission of volatile organic components. The invention is useful on gaseous or vapor-containing streams containing a minor amount of organic material, particularly on fairly dilute streams or those containing only a few parts per million of the organic material. The device is useful in adsorbing organics as might be found emanating from paint spray booths, restaurants, print shops, dry cleaners, furniture manufacturers, and bakeries. The device may be two-stage including an adsorber and a catalytic oxidation reactor or may be of such a configuration that the same bed is used both as the adsorber and catalytic oxidation reactor. In the former configuration, a first stage contains an electrically conductive adsorbent bed, potentially comprising an adsorbent placed on a conductive support of fibers, foil, or other structure. The adsorbent removes the organic from the gaseous stream as that stream passes through. When the adsorbent is loaded with volatile organic, a voltage is applied to the conductive support and the adsorbed organic material is desorbed. The stream containing the desorbed organic is passed through a catalyst bed where a catalyst (which may also be on a conductive support) oxidizes the volatile organic to a harmless material which may (perhaps after other treatment) be emitted to the atmosphere.

Self-contained system for controlling gaseous emissions from dilute

This invention is a comparatively high pressure combustion process having a two stages in which a fuel is stepwise combusted using specific catalysts and catalytic structures and, optionally, having a final homogeneous combustion zone. The choice of catalysts and the use of specific structures, including those employing integral heat exchange, results in an overall catalyst structure which is stable due to its comparatively low temperature. The product combustion gas is at a temperature suitable for use in a gas turbine, furnace, boiler, or the like, but has low NO.sub.x content.

Two stage process for combusting fuel mixtures

A method for reducing the amount of carbon monoxide produced in the combustion of carbonaceous fuels. The fuel is coated on at least a portion of its exterior surface with a microporous layer of solid particulate matter which is non-combustible at temperatures in which the carbonaceous fuel combusts. This invention is particularly applicable in the reduction of carbon monoxide in the burning of carbonaceous fuel elements found in currently available 'smokeless' cigarettes.

Optimizing the oxidation of carbon monoxide

Growing community of inventors

Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

James C Schlatter