Abstract: A specially arranged fresh catalyst container is provided to effectively and efficiently transport store, and dispense fresh catalyst into a resid hydrotreating unit in an oil refinery. The fresh catalyst container is equipped with monorail- and bridge crane- grab channels to receive and be carried by the grab hooks of a monorail, as well as by the grab hooks of an overhead bridge crane. The container also has separate forklift channels to accommodate movement of the container by a forklift truck onto railway cars and flatbed trucks for transport to and from the refinery. The container has special electronic and visual indicators for indicating the type of catalyst within the closed interior of the container.

Abstract: An improved catalyst handling process and system is provided to safely, effectively, and automatically transport catalyst by remote control to and from resid hydrotreating units. The process and equipment feature computerized monorail equipment for efficiently transporting special fresh catalyst containers and spent catalyst containers. Various electronic equipment is provided to electronically detect the type of catalyst stored in the catalyst containers. Lift elevators, four-prong liftfork trucks, remote control tilting mechanisms, catalyst transfer lines, deoiler units, bridge cranes, and other transport vehicles, as described, can also be used.

Abstract: A special spent catalyst container is provided to safely and effectively transport, store, and dispense spent catalyst and residual reactor oil from a resid hydrotreating unit to a reclamation site or disposal area. In order to protect and safeguard the environment, the container is constructed of a catalytically resistant oil-impermeable steel with a special shape and arrangement to prevent spent catalyst and residual reactor oil from the resid hydrotreating unit from spilling, leaking, and accumulating on the nation's highways. The spent catalyst container has a rotatable truncated bin with a support frame to enhance the structural strength and integrity of the bin. The bin has monorail and bridge crane-receiving slots to alternatively receive the grab hooks of a monorail and a bridge crane to facilitate transport by both monorail and the bridge crane.

Abstract: An improved deoiling process is provided for removing substantial amounts of oil from spent catalyst withdrawn from resid hydrotreating units. In the process, a slurry of spent catalyst and oil is spirally conveyed at an upward angle of inclination in a spiral classifier. Oil is drained from the upwardly spiraling slurry to substantially separate the oil from the spent catalyst. The deoiled catalyst is discharged into a catalyst bin. Preferably, the bin is continuously weighed as the deoiled catalyst is discharged into the bin. The flow of deoiled catalyst into the bin is stopped when the weight of the catalyst-laden bin has reached a preselected weight.