Abstract: A reforming reactor and process of using same in which a flow distributor distributes the process gas circumferentially to the reactive zone. Feed is injected into the reactor into a non-reactive zone. The non-reactive zone has two portions, a first portion receiving the feed, and a second portion receiving a purge gas. The purge gas will flow from the second portion to the first portion to prevent flow of the feed from the first portion to the second portion. The combined gas may be passed to a reaction zone for catalytic reforming. The first portion and the second portion may be separated by a flow distributor having two horizontal portions connected to opposite ends of a vertical portion.

Abstract: A reforming reactor and process of using same in which a flow distributor distributes the process gas circumferentially to the reactive zone. Feed is injected into the reactor into a non-reactive zone. The non-reactive zone has two portions, a first portion receiving the feed, and a second portion receiving a purge gas. The purge gas will flow from the second portion to the first portion to prevent flow of the feed from the first portion to the second portion. The combined gas may be passed to a reaction zone for catalytic reforming. The first portion and the second portion may be separated by a flow distributor having two horizontal portions connected to opposite ends of a vertical portion.

Abstract: A reforming reactor and process of using same in which the process gas is effectively and efficiently distributed through the non-reactive zone. The non-reactive zone has two portions, a first portion receiving a purge gas and having an outlet for an effluent from a reactive zone disposed beneath the non-reactive zone and a second portion receiving the feed and having an inlet. The inlet is located between the reaction zone and the outlet. A flow distributor separates the non-reactive zone into the two portions.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for an improved catalyst stripping process. The stripping vessel is divided into two zones. The first zone is a stripping zone where a substantial portion of the volatile hydrocarbons is removed at higher severity conditions. After the catalyst is stripped, the stripped catalyst moves to the lower cooling zone to be cooled at lower severity conditions. The flow rates, temperatures, pressures and the stripping and cooling zones are designed to ensure there is minimal volatile hydrocarbons on the catalyst by the time it leaves the stripping vessel. This design enables efficient stripping of volatile hydrocarbons at high severity conditions and eliminates these components from being stripped off elsewhere in the unit causing process and equipment issues.

Abstract: A radial flow reactor is described. It includes a vertically extending vessel, an outer conduit, and a central conduit. At least a portion of the outer conduit and the central conduit comprises a screen. A particle retaining space is defined by at least one of the vessel, the central conduit, and the outer conduit, and it communicates with the screen of the outer conduit and the central conduit. An inlet distribution ring is positioned on the outer conduit. The inlet distribution ring comprises a ring having at least one opening and at least one vertically extending riser tube. One end of the riser tube is sealed to the ring, and the other end is positioned inside the outer conduit.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for an improved catalyst stripping process. The stripping vessel is divided into two zones. The first zone is a stripping zone where a substantial portion of the volatile hydrocarbons is removed at higher severity conditions. After the catalyst is stripped, the stripped catalyst moves to the lower cooling zone to be cooled at lower severity conditions. The flow rates, temperatures, pressures and the stripping and cooling zones are designed to ensure there is minimal volatile hydrocarbons on the catalyst by the time it leaves the stripping vessel. This design enables efficient stripping of volatile hydrocarbons at high severity conditions and eliminates these components from being stripped off elsewhere in the unit causing process and equipment issues.

Abstract: A radial flow reactor is described. It includes a vertically extending vessel, an outer conduit, and a central conduit. At least a portion of the outer conduit and the central conduit comprises a screen. A particle retaining space is defined by at least one of the vessel, the central conduit, and the outer conduit, and it communicates with the screen of the outer conduit and the central conduit. An inlet distribution ring is positioned on the outer conduit. The inlet distribution ring comprises a ring having at least one opening and at least one vertically extending riser tube. One end of the riser tube is sealed to the ring, and the other end is positioned inside the outer conduit.

Abstract: A flow connector creates a fluid connection between a port in a wall of a reactor vessel and an axial flow path of the reactor vessel. The flow connector has a wall defining a flow path of the flow connector. The flow path terminates in a first end opening and a second end opening. The first end opening is configured to connect to the axial flow path of the reactor vessel, and the second end opening is configured to connect to the port in a wall of the reactor. The flow connector includes a passageway extending through the wall of the flow connector to provide access to the flow path of the flow connector. A cover is dimensioned for sealing the passageway. The passageway may be dimensioned such that a person may traverse the passageway to access the flow path of the flow connector.

Abstract: A system for radial flow contact of a reactant stream with catalyst particles includes a reactor vessel and a catalyst retainer disposed in the reactor vessel, the catalyst retainer including an inner particle retention device and an outer particle retention device, the inner particle retention device and the outer particle retention device being spaced apart to define a catalyst retaining space of the catalyst retainer, the inner particle retention device defining an axial flow path of the reactor vessel, the outer particle retention device and an inner surface of a wall of the reactor vessel defining an annular flow path of the reactor vessel. The system further includes an inlet nozzle positioned along a side of the reactor vessel and having an exit opening in fluid communication with the annular flow path of the vessel and an outlet nozzle in fluid communication with the axial flow path.

Abstract: A flow connector creates a fluid connection between a port in a wall of a reactor vessel and an axial flow path of the reactor vessel. The flow connector has a wall defining a flow path of the flow connector. The flow path terminates in a first end opening and a second end opening. The first end opening is configured to connect to the axial flow path of the reactor vessel, and the second end opening is configured to connect to the port in a wall of the reactor. The flow connector includes a passageway extending through the wall of the flow connector to provide access to the flow path of the flow connector. A cover is dimensioned for sealing the passageway. The passageway may be dimensioned such that a person may traverse the passageway to access the flow path of the flow connector.

Abstract: A system for processing signals includes a receiver assembly for receiving a signal. The signal has a sample component with a sample electric field and a sample polarization, and has a reference component with a reference electric field and a reference polarization. The receiver assembly includes an analyzer for polarimetrically processing the signal, including differencing the signal to generate a difference electric field proportional to the difference of the sample and reference electric fields. By polarimetrically differencing the signal, the analyzer reduces the magnitude of the common-mode signal at the difference signal receiver. The receiver assembly includes an electric-field detector for measuring the difference electric field such that the reduction in common-mode amplitude decreases the noise equivalent power of the electric-field detector.

Abstract: A system for processing signals includes a receiver assembly for receiving a signal. The signal has a sample component with a sample electric field and a sample polarization, and has a reference component with a reference electric field and a reference polarization. The receiver assembly includes an analyzer for polarimetrically processing the signal, including differencing the signal to generate a difference electric field proportional to the difference of the sample and reference electric fields. By polarimetrically differencing the signal, the analyzer reduces the magnitude of the common-mode signal at the difference signal receiver. The receiver assembly includes an electric-field detector for measuring the difference electric field such that the reduction in common-mode amplitude decreases the noise equivalent power of the electric-field detector.