Dresser-rand Company

Shocksystem, Inc.

Siemens Energy Global Gmbh & Co. Kg

Paul Morrison Brown

Kirk Ryan Lupkes

David James Peer

Mark Joseph Kuzdzal

James M Sorokes

Silvano R Saretto

David Andrew Taylor

Richard J Wiederien

Raymond N Henderson

Mark J Kuzdzal

Brian David Massey

Blake C Chenevert

Ralph E McDonald

David J Peer

Chemical reactor () and method for cracking are disclosed. A process fluid is accelerated with axial impulse impellers (A,B) to a velocity greater than Mach 1 and, in turn, generating a shock wave () in the process fluid by decelerating it in a static diffuser () having diverging diffuser passages (). Temperature increase of the process fluid downstream of the shockwave cracks or splits molecules, such as hydrocarbons entrained in the process fluid, in a single pass, through a unidirectional flow path (F), within a single stage, without recirculating the process fluid for another pass through the same stage. In some embodiments, a system involving at least two turbomachine chemical reactors () may provide multiple successive stages of one or more axial impulse impellers (A,B), paired with a diverging passage, static diffuser ().

Turbomachine chemical reactor and method for cracking

Chemical reactors () and methods crack hydrocarbons in process fluids by accelerating the process fluid to a velocity greater than Mach 1 with an axial impulse impeller () and generating a shock wave () in the process fluid by decelerating it in a static diffuser () having diverging diffuser passages (). Temperature increase of the process fluid downstream of the shockwave cracks the entrained hydrocarbons in a single pass, through a unidirectional flow path (F), within a single stage, without recirculating the process fluid for another pass through the same stage. In some embodiments, the turbomachine chemical reactor () has multiple successive stages of one or more axial impulse impellers (A,B), paired with a diverging passage, static diffuser (). Successive stages crack additional hydrocarbons by successively raising temperature of the flowing process fluid.

Turbomachine chemical reactor and method for cracking hydrocarbons in a process fluid

A balance piston seal assembly for a balance piston of a compressor is provided. The balance piston seal assembly may include a balance piston seal configured to be disposed about the balance piston such that an inner radial surface of the balance piston seal and an outer radial surface of the balance piston define a radial clearance therebetween. The balance piston seal assembly may also include a plurality of heaters in thermal communication with the balance piston seal and configured to heat and thermally expand the balance piston seal and thereby increase a radial length of the radial clearance.

Electrically heated balance piston seal

A balance piston seal assembly for a balance piston of a compressor is provided. The balance piston seal assembly may include a balance piston seal, a stationary support, and a gripping assembly disposed between the balance piston seal and the stationary support. The balance piston seal may be configured to be disposed about the balance piston such that an inner radial surface of the balance piston seal and an outer radial surface of the balance piston define a radial clearance therebetween. The stationary support may be configured to be coupled or integral with a casing of the compressor. The gripping assembly may be configured to secure the balance piston seal with the stationary support and to maintain concentricity between the balance piston seal and the balance piston during thermal radial expansion of the balance piston seal relative to the balance piston.

Balance piston seal centering

An apparatus for cleaning a surface within a vessel has an elongate combustion conduit extending from an upstream end to a downstream end. The downstream end is associated with an aperture in the wall of the vessel and is positioned to direct a shockwave toward the surface. At least one hanger supports the combustion conduit at at least one location along a length of the combustion conduit.

Detonative cleaning apparatus

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Paul Morrison Brown