Abstract: Improved apparatus for carrying out catalytic chemical conversion and restoring the catalytic activity of solid particles previously used to promote chemical conversion involve improved devices to at least partially separate solid particles-vapor mixtures. These improved devices include, for example, properly positioned arresting vanes, flow reversal systems and/or plates, and provide for reduced attrition of the solid catalyst particles.Improved methods employing such apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for distributing particulate material, e.g., comprising catalyst particles, over a zone, e.g., chemical reaction zone, comprising:A supply hopper, having inlet means and outlet means, for holding particulate material;A deflection plate located adjacent to the end of the outlet means away from said supply hopper to deflect the direction of at least a portion of the particulate material flowing through the outlet means; andAt least one rotatable conduit in fluid communication with at least one source of gaseous media, the conduit being situated such that at least a portion of the gaseous media from the conduit flows in the space between the end of the outlet means away from the supply hopper and the deflection plate to thereby cause at least a portion of the particulate material to be propelled in substantially the same direction as the flow.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for distributing particulate material, e.g., comprising catalyst particles, over a zone, e.g., chemical reaction zone, comprising:A supply hopper, having an inlet and an outlet, for holding particulate material;A deflection plate located adajcent to the end of the outlet away from said supply hopper to deflect the direction of at least a portion of the particulate material flowing through the outlet; andAt least one conduit in fluid communication with at least one source of gaseous media, the conduit being situated such that at least a portion of the gaseous media from the conduit flow in the space between the end of the outlet away from the supply hopper and the deflection plate to thereby cause at least a portion of the particulate material to be propelled in substantially the same direction as the flow.An improved method for placing particulate material in a zone has also been discovered.