Tronox LLC

Kerr-Mcgee Chemical, LLC

Robert O Martin

Harry Eugene Flynn

Charles A Natalie

Lonnie G Hewell

Joe Bert Maker

Charles A Natalle

Charles A Nataile

Jeffrey W Giles

Harry E Flynn

The current invention provides an improved jet nozzle suitable for use in a micronizing jet mill or retrofitting to an existing jet mill. The improved jet nozzle incorporates a coanda effect inducing element to enhance entrainment of particles to be ground within the vortex created by the micronizing jet mill. When the jet mill uses steam to generate the jet, use of the improved nozzle will reduce energy costs by increasing the efficiency of the jet mill.

Jet for use in a jet mill micronizer

Methods and apparatus are provided for influencing mixing of a first fluid injected through a slot into a second fluid flowing through a conduit, by automatically or remotely adjusting the slot width to provide at least a certain slot velocity of the first fluid being introduced into the conduit. In particular, methods and apparatus are provided for mixing control in injecting titanium tetrachloride into an oxygen stream in a process for making titanium dioxide.

Fluid mixing apparatus and method

A piping elbow capable of facilitating a fluid flow direction change in a smaller space than conventional piping elbows, without causing the larger pressure losses found when using conventional elbows in the equivalent space. Piping elbows of the present invention comprise a substantially-cylindrical body having a first end, a second end, and a substantially-constant inside diameter; a tangential inlet attached to the body near the first end of the body and having an inside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the body; and a tangential outlet attached to the body near the second end of the body and having an inside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the body. Fluid flows linearly through the tangential inlet and enters the body. Inside the body, linear motion of the fluid is converted into a rotational or spiral motion. The fluid in the body continues its spiral motion as it also moves axially through the body toward the tangential outlet. The fluid exits the body through the tangential outlet. Upon exiting through the tangential outlet, rotational or spiral motion of the fluid in the body is converted back into linear motion. The piping elbows can comprise two substantially-identical components attached to each other. The two substantially-identical components can be removably attached to each other and oriented at a selected degree relative to each other to effect a desired change in the direction of fluid flow.

Changing fluid flow direction

A process for manufacturing titanium dioxide by the chloride process is provided. In one embodiment, a particle size control agent comprising an ionizing agent such as potassium chloride is introduced into the reaction zone of the oxidation reactor to control the particle size of the titanium dioxide. In a first aspect, the effectiveness of the particle size control agent in controlling the particle size of the titanium dioxide is improved by adding the particle size control agent to at least one of the reactant streams at a sufficient distance upstream of the oxidization reactor to allow the ionizing agent to efficiently ionize and the particle size control agent to thoroughly admix with the stream(s) prior to entering the reaction zone. In a second aspect, the particle size control agent comprises an ionizing agent and fumed silica. In another embodiment, the amount of alumina added to the reaction zone of the oxidization reactor is increased in order to control the particle size of the titanium dioxide.

Methods of controlling the particle size of titanium dioxide produced by the chloride process

Liquid fuel injectors are provided. The liquid fuel injectors allow the injection of a fine spray of liquid fuel. The liquid fuel injectors utilize a schrader valve movable between an open position and a closed position. When the schrader valve is in the closed position fuel flow is blocked and purge gas is allowed to flow through the fuel injectors. When the schrader valve is in the open position, the flow of purge gas is blocked and fuel is allowed to flow through the fuel injector. In this manner, the fuel injectors provide for an immediate and automatic purge of the fuel lines when the fuel flow is shut off.

Liquid fuel injection

Novel gas separation apparatus and methods are provided that help reduce the amount of process gas lost through the discharge outlet of either a cyclone separating gas/solid mixtures or a hydroclone separating gas/liquid mixtures. Significant savings are realized by minimizing losses and neutralization costs. A cyclone or hydroclone is placed within a containment vessel that creates a contained atmosphere common to both the gas outlet and the discharge outlet of the cyclone or hydroclone. Process gas mixed with the solids or mixed with the liquids in the discharge underflow are displaced from the discharge underflow and contained within the containment vessel. The displacement of the process gas is facilitated by an introduction of a small amount of purge gas to the discharge underflow exiting the cyclone or hydroclone via the discharge outlet. The mixture of displaced process gas and purge gas migrates to the top of the containment vessel where it is merged with the gas overflow exiting the cyclone or hydroclone via the gas outlet.

Gas separation apparatus and methods

Liners useful as piping elbow liners comprising a body liner, a tangential inlet liner, and a tangential outlet liner. The tangential inlet liner and the tangential outlet liner can be removably inserted into a cavity in the body liner. The body liner can comprise two substantially-identical body section liners.

Piping elbow liners

Methods and apparatus for detecting wear in a liner. In one embodiment of the present invention, an electrically conductive wire is placed on or near the outside surface of the liner and the electrical resistance in the electrically conductive wire is measured to determine whether the wire has worn through. In another embodiment of the present invention, the temperature measured by a temperature measuring device, such as a thermocouple, is monitored over time to estimate wear in the liner.

Liner wear detection

A fluid barrier along the inside surface of ductwork between a reactor and subsequent product separation and recovery apparatus to reduce the buildup of solids on the ductwork from a gaseous product mixture conveyed through the ductwork. Barrier fluid is sprayed along the internal surface of the ductwork to form a fluid barrier and cool the gaseous mixture. The barrier fluid can be comprised of a component of the gaseous mixture. The barrier fluid can be a liquid at the second temperature and converted to a gaseous state in the ductwork, using the heat of vaporization of the barrier fluid to help cool the gaseous mixture.

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Edmond, OK, United States of America

Robert O Martin