Abstract: Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by release of lignin therefrom. Methods for digesting cellulosic biomass solids may comprise: heating cellulosic biomass solids and a digestion solvent in the presence of molecular hydrogen and a slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen, thereby forming a phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin, an aqueous phase comprising an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids, and an optional light organics phase, the slurry catalyst being distributed in the cellulosic biomass solids and at least a portion of the slurry catalyst accumulating in the phenolics liquid phase as it forms; conveying at least a portion of the phenolics liquid phase and the slurry catalyst to a location above at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass solids; and after conveying the phenolics liquid phase and the slurry catalyst, releasing them such that they come in contact with the cellulosic biomass solids.

Abstract: Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by lignin release therefrom, which can produce a highly viscous phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin polymer. Methods for digesting cellulosic biomass solids may comprise: providing cellulosic biomass solids in the presence of a digestion solvent, molecular hydrogen, and a slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen; at least partially converting the cellulosic biomass solids into a phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin, an aqueous phase comprising an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids, and an optional light organics phase; wherein at least a portion of the slurry catalyst accumulates in the phenolics liquid phase as it forms; and reducing the viscosity of the phenolics liquid phase.

Abstract: Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by release of lignin therefrom. Methods for digesting cellulosic biomass solids may comprise: providing cellulosic biomass solids in a digestion solvent; at least partially converting the cellulosic biomass solids into a phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin, an aqueous phase comprising an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids, and an optional light organics phase; and separating the phenolics liquid phase from the aqueous phase.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can include a hydrocarbon conversion process. Generally, the process includes passing a hydrocarbon stream through a hydrocarbon conversion zone comprising a series of reaction zones. Typically, the hydrocarbon conversion zone includes a staggered-bypass reaction system having a first, second, third, and fourth reaction zones, which are staggered-bypass reaction zones, and a fifth reaction zone, which can be a non-staggered-bypass reaction zone, subsequent to the staggered-bypass reaction system.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can include a hydrocarbon conversion process. Generally, the process includes passing a hydrocarbon stream through a hydrocarbon conversion zone comprising a series of reaction zones. Typically, the hydrocarbon conversion zone includes a staggered-bypass reaction system having a first, second, third, and fourth reaction zones, which are staggered-bypass reaction zones, and a fifth reaction zone, which can be a non-staggered-bypass reaction zone, subsequent to the staggered-bypass reaction system.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for contacting reactants with a particulate catalyst while indirectly contacting the reactants with a heat exchange medium performs heat exchange in a first reaction zone and moves catalyst, at least intermittently, through the second reaction zone while the process is operating. The first reaction zone is preferably a fixed bed reaction zone. The use of first reaction zone as a fixed bed reaction zone simplifies the process arrangement by not requiring means for catalyst movement in a reaction zone that performs simultaneous heat exchange. Long periods of operation are possible since the first reaction zone will typically experience a slow rate of catalyst deactivation and need infrequent regeneration. The first reaction zone may also be designed for catalyst movement, but independently controlled from the first reaction zone to facilitate the movement of catalyst therethrough.

Abstract: This invention is a reforming process that employs at least two moving bed reaction zones. One of the reaction zones, called the lead reaction zone, passes catalyst particles and a hydrocarbon-containing effluent to the other reaction zone, which operates at an inlet temperature that is at least 60.degree. F. (33.degree. C.) hotter than the lead reaction zone. In a preferred embodiment, this invention employs no heating between the combined feed exchanger and the lead reaction zone. This invention is particularly applicable to reforming processes that employ continuous regeneration sections.

Abstract: A process for contacting reactants with a particulate catalyst while indirectly contacting the reactants with a heat exchange medium amid simultaneous exchange of catalyst particles by an operation that sequentially restricts reactant flow while moving catalyst through reaction stacks in which the reactant flow has been restricted. The process permits a change out of catalyst in a channel type reactor arrangement that would normally restrict catalyst flow during operation. Moving catalyst through a heat exchange type reactor having reactant and heat exchange channels permits control of catalyst activity as well as temperatures.

Abstract: A novel, packed-bed, reverse flow reactor is provided for the endothermic dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene. The catalyst bed is flanked by inert end sections to prevent the occurrence of the reverse reaction. Ethylbenzene vapor is added at one end of the reactor while superheated steam is added concurrently at a downstream location. The flow direction is periodically reversed by alternating the ethylbenzene introduction between the reactor ends and the steam introduction between axially symmetric locations away from the reactor ends. Employing a steam to ethylbenzene feed ratio of 8:1 to 10.2:1 (as compared to 12:1 to 17:1 employed during conventional adiabatic operation), it is shown that the proposed reverse flow operation produces reactor temperatures that are hundreds of degrees higher than the mixing cup temperature of the feed streams.

Abstract: A process for separating catalyst particles in the catalytic cracking of reacted hydrocarbons includes feeding the reacted hydrobarbons to an unconfined cyclone device made up of a diplegless cyclone opening directly into a large volume separator vessel downwardly through a mouth and upwardly through the annular space between concentric pipes. The concentric pipes are connected to the other components of the system as well as the hydrocarbon fluid catalytic cracking process carried out in the system.

Abstract: Method for effecting contact of a gas with light particles of solid matter, where the particles are retained within particle retention screens to form a bed of particles and the particles move downward in plug flow by means of gravity. When the particles are light, that is, of relatively small size and low density, the velocity of the gas may be sufficiently high that downward movement of particles is hindered by the horizontal forces exerted on the particles by the flowing gas. This invention provides that gas flows through the bed of particles in a downwardly sloping direction instead of in a horizontal direction, so that the force exerted on a particle has a horizontal component and a downward vertical component. The vertical component of the force resulting from gas flow, along with the gravity force on a particle, is sufficient to overcome the frictional resistance to downward movement of a particle which results from the horizontal component of the flowing gas force.

Abstract: A continuous process for hydrocarbon conversion wherein a hydrocarbon charge stock is catlytically converted in the presence of hydrogen at hydrocarbon conversion conditions including a first inlet temperature, a first hydrogen to hydrocarbon mole ratio and a first mass flow rate of hydrocarbon into a hydrocarbon product stream in a high space velocity moving bed radial flow reactor containing catalyst wherein at least a portion of the catalyst is pinned and thereby immobilized during high space velocity conversion which process comprises: (a) reducing the first inlet temperature of the reactor by about 10.degree. F. (5.5.degree. C.) to about 100.degree. F. (55.5.degree. C.

Abstract: A multiple single-stage process for the conversion of heavy hydrocarbonaceous charge stock into a lower boiling distillate hydrocarbon product. Fresh charge stock and hydrogen are introduced into a first catalytic reaction zone for substantially 100% conversion of the feed. Hydrocracked product effluent from the first hydrocracking reaction zone which comprises a predetermined distillate fraction is passed with an accucracked effluent from a second catalytic hydrocracking or accucracking reaction zone into a separation zone and separated into various hydrocarbon streams including a light hydrocarbon stream comprising the distillate product, a middle hydrocarbon stream and a heavy hydrocarbon stream. The middle hydrocarbon stream comprising said distillate fraction and hydrogen is introduced into the second catalytic hydrocracking or accucracking reaction zone for conversion into a lower boiling accucracked effluent stream comprising the distillate hydrocarbons boiling in the distillate product range.

Abstract: A continuous process and system is provided for a petroleum oil in a multi-phase fixed bed catalytic reactor column comprising methods and means for:feeding the oil and a reactant gas at production flow rates above a first bed of porous solid catalyst particles under conversion conditions for cocurrent downward flow therethrough, collecting and withdrawing the treated oil from the first bed and redistributing at least a portion of the treated oil to at least one succeeding catalyst bed while permitting the gaseous phase to flow directly to the succeeding lower catalyst bed, recycling a quantity of treated oil collected below a catalyst bed and reapplying the treated oil at a preceding redistribution zone above the bed from which treated oil is collected, whereby the total of oil production flow rate and recycled treated oil flow rate is maintained at a predetermined minimum sufficient to effect uniform catalyst wetting. This technique is useful for hydrodewaxing of oils over zeolite catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for the catalytic treatment of a hydrocarbon oil and an apparatus for carrying out such process, by passing said oil through one or more catalyst beds within a reactor wherein catalyst is withdrawn from the bottom of the reactor and fresh catalyst is supplied to the top thereof, said catalyst being withdrawn through a discharge funnel contained in the bottom of said reactor, which funnel allows for separation of product from the catalyst via a first main screen located in the funnel upstream of the exit end of said funnel, the withdrawal of product being effected via a product outlet, in which process use is made of a second screen forming part of the discharge funnel system, located between the main screen of the funnel and the product outlet and having a larger mesh size.

Abstract: An improved multiple stage reactor system for effecting radial flow contact of a reactant stream with catalyst particles movable as an annular-form bed through said system by gravity flow. The improved multiple stage reactor system may be advantageously employed in the catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons and in particular in the catalytic reforming of a naphtha boiling range charge stock.

Abstract: An apparatus for contacting fluid with particulate solid material provided with a contact space and a separating section arranged at an angle with respect to the horizontal for the discharge of fluid from the contact space into a fluid collecting space. To avoid pinning of solid material against the separating section means are provided for inducing a pressure gradient with the pressure decreasing in downward direction along the separating section during operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A reactor system is disclosed which comprises a reaction chamber containing a plurality of reaction zones, each of which comprises an annular-form catalyst-retaining section, whereby a reactant stream is distributed amongst said reaction zones in a manner to promote uniform flow of reactants across said sections. The disclosed reactor system is of particular advantage with respect to a relatively low pressure hydrocarbon conversion process.

Abstract: The reactor system of this invention comprises two or more vertically spaced or stacked reaction chambers each of which contains two or more vertically positioned annular-form catalyst-retaining sections existing side-by-side, each of said catalyst-retaining sections being defined by an inner tubular-form catalyst-retaining screen coaxially disposed within a vertically positioned outer tubular-form catalyst-retaining screen. Catalyst particles are movable through the resulting annular-form catalyst sections in a dense phase via gravity flow. A reactant stream is processed serially through said reaction chambers, and contacted with catalyst within said annular-form catalyst-retaining sections in a manner to promote uniform flow of reactants across said sections. The disclosed reactor system is of particular advantage with respect to a relatively low pressure hydrocarbon conversion process.

Abstract: A multiple stage catalytic conversion system in which a hydrocarbonaceous charge stock and hydrogen flow serially through a plurality of catalytic reaction zones, in each of which the catalyst particles are downwardly movable via gravity flow. At least four reaction zones are utilized, with the fresh feed and hydrogen reactant stream being split between the first and second reaction zones. The flow of that portion introduced into the second zone is restricted. The effluent stream from the first reaction zone is also restricted and then combined with the effluent from the second reaction zone. One portion of the combined effluent streams is introduced into the third reaction zone, and the remaining portion is restricted in flow, combined with the effluent stream from said third reaction zone, and introduced into the fourth reaction zone.

Abstract: A multiple stage catalytic conversion system in which a hydrocarbonaceous charge stock and hydrogen flow serially through a plurality of catalytic reaction zones, in each of which the catalyst particles are downwardly movable via gravity flow. At least three reaction zones are utilized, with the effluent stream from the first reaction zone being split between the second and third reaction zones. The technique decreases mass flow to the second reaction zone, thus serving to alleviate a catalyst pinning problem therein, a situation which occurs when catalyst pinning in the first reaction zone has been alleviated by structural modification methods not available to the second reaction zone.

Abstract: A multiple stage hydrocarbon conversion system wherein a hydrogen-hydrocarbonaceous feedstock reaction mixture is processed serially through a plurality of reaction zones, each of which contains a particulate catalyst disposed as an annular-form bed movable downwardly through the reaction zone, and wherein said reaction mixture is processed in radial flow through said annular-form bed. Pinning of the catalyst particles within the annular-form bed is substantially alleviated by the device of charging only a portion of the total hydrogen to the first reaction zone, and charging the balance of the total hydrogen to a subsequent reaction zone.

Abstract: A multiple stage hydrocarbon conversion system wherein a hydrogen-hydrocarbonaceous feedstock reaction mixture is processed serially through a plurality of reaction zones, each of which contains a particulate catalyst disposed as an annular-form bed movable downwardly through the reaction zone, and wherein said reaction mixture is processed in radial flow through said annular-form bed. Pinning of the catalyst particles within the annular-form bed is substantially obviated by the combined effect of charging only a portion of the total hydrogen to the first reaction zone, charging the balance of the total hydrogen to a subsequent reaction zone, and restricting the effluent flow of at least one reaction zone.

Abstract: A multiple-stage catalytic conversion system in which a hydrocarbonaceous charge stock and hydrogen flow serially through a plurality of catalytic reaction zones in each of which the catalyst particles are movable via gravity-flow. The flow of the product effluent from at least one reaction zone is restricted. This technique increases the pressure drop within the entire reactor circuit, and serves to alleviate the problems associated with the occurrence of stagnant catalyst areas as a result of catalyst particles being "pinned" within the reaction zone and thus unable to assume a downward gravity-flow pattern. Flow restriction may be effected either before, or after the inter-reaction zone heaters, preferably the former.

Abstract: A multiple-stage catalytic conversion system in which a hydrocarbonaceous charge stock and hydrogen flow serially through a plurality of catalytic reaction zones in each of which the catalyst particles are movable via gravity-flow. The reaction product effluent from each zone, in admixture with added hydrogen is heated prior to the introduction thereof into the succeeding reaction zone. The proportions of added hydrogen (portions of a recycled hydrogen-rich phase) are such that (i) vapor density decreases, and, (ii) lateral pressure drop across the catalyst bed increases in the direction of reactant stream flow through the plurality of reaction zones. The disclosed technique alleviates problems associated with the occurrence of stagnant catalyst areas as a result of catalyst particles being "pinned" within the reaction zone and thus unable to assume a downward gravity-flow pattern. In addition, the technique allows utilization of excess heater capacities before and between reaction zones.

Abstract: A multiple-stage catalytic conversion system in which a hydrocarbonaceous charge stock and hydrogen flow serially through a plurality of catalytic reaction zones, in each of which the catalyst particles are downwardly movable via gravity-flow. At least three reaction zones are utilized, with the fresh feed and hydrogen reactant stream being split between the first and second. The flow of that portion introduced into the second zone is restricted. Effluent flow from the first reaction zone is also restricted and combined with the effluent from the second reaction zone; the mixture is introduced into a third reaction zone. Where the catalytic conversion system consists of four reaction zones, the flow of effluent from the third is restricted prior to the introduction thereof into the fourth reaction zone.

Abstract: A multiple-stage catalytic conversion system in which a hydrocarbonaceous charge stock is reacted in a plurality of catalytic reaction zones, through all of which the catalyst particles flow downwardly via gravity-flow. The charge stock, in the absence of added, or recycle hydrogen, is reacted in a first reaction zone (1) into which fresh, or regenerated catalyst particles are introduced and, (2) from which deactivated catalyst particles are withdrawn for regeneration. The reaction product effluent emanating from the first reaction zone is further reacted in a multiple-zone stacked reaction system (1) into the uppermost zone of which fresh, or regenerated catalyst particles are introduced and (2) from the lowermost zone of which deactivated catalyst particles are withdrawn for regeneration. The product effluent from the lowermost reaction zone in the stacked system is separated to recover the intended product.

Abstract: A multiple-stage catalytic conversion system in which a hydrocarbonaceous charge stock is reacted in a plurality of catalytic reaction zones, through all of which the catalyst particles flow downwardly via gravity-flow. The charge stock, in the absence of added, or recycled hydrogen, is reacted in the last reaction zone, from which deactivated catalyst particles are withdrawn for regeneration. The reaction product effluent emanating therefrom is further reacted in an intermediate reaction zone. Additional reaction of the product effluent, from the intermediate zone, is effected in the first reaction zone, through which fresh, or regenerated catalyst particles are introduced into the system. The effluent from the first reaction zone is separated to recover the intended product. The system may comprise three or more reaction zones in side-by-side relationship, with the catalyst particles being transported from the lower end of one zone to the upper end of the next succeeding reaction zone.

Abstract: A multiple-stage catalytic conversion system in which a hydrocarbonaceous charge stock is reacted in a plurality of stacked catalytic reaction zones through which catalyst particles flow downwardly via gravity-flow. The charge stock, in the absence of added, or recycle hydrogen, is reacted first in the lowermost reaction zone, from which deactivated catalyst particles are withdrawn from the system. Resulting reaction zone effluent is further reacted in the uppermost reaction zone, through which fresh, or regenerated catalyst particles are introduced into the system, and serially in one or more subsequent, lower reaction zones. Product effluent from the reaction zone immediately above the lowermost zone is separated to recover the desired normally liquid product.

Abstract: A multiple-stage catalytic conversion system in which a hydrocarbon charge stock is countercurrently reacted in a plurality of catalytic reaction zones, in all of which the catalyst particles are downwardly movable via gravity-flow. The charge stock, in the absence of added, or recycled hydrogen, is reacted serially in the reaction zones in the order of increasing catalyst loading, the product ultimately being recovered from the effluent emanating from that reaction zone (1) into which fresh, or regenerated catalyst particles are introduced and, (2) which contains the greatest quantity of catalyst particles. Catalyst particles are transferred from one reaction zone to another in the order of decreasing catalyst loading, ultimately being withdrawn from the system through the reaction zone containing the least amount of catalyst particles.

Abstract: An improved moving bed contacting design, which is especially useful for moving bed reforming. A moving catalyst bed is contained in a single, downflowing annular bed. Multiple feed inlet and outlet locations, and baffles on screens containing the catalyst, permit radial flow operation through a single bed of catalyst to simulate several distinct catalyst beds. Some gas may flow up or down, instead of radially to increase or decrease the loading of the catalyst bed.

Abstract: A gas phase and a liquid phase pass countercurrently through a reaction vessel, and solid particles move from stage to stage in the reactor concurrently with either the liquid phase or the gas phase. In one embodiment of the invention the liquid phase is a hydrocarbon oil to be treated, for example, desulphurized, the gas phase is hydrogen, and the solid particles are hydrodesulphurization catalyst particles.

Abstract: An effective and economical supply of energy from residual oil for power generation can be obtained by a sequential process of partial combustion of a crude or residual oil such as Bunker C and other high sulfur stocks, in the presence of air and steam in a fluidized bed of inert particles followed by a fluidized bed heat exchange for the production of steam and control of solids build-up, the solids-free gas being desulfurized by commerical processes and thence being available for combustion for gas turbine operation to produce transportable electrical power or other types of mechanical power such as a compressor driver. Emission levels of contaminants are within forseeable requirements and turbine maintenance problems are reduced. Coal solids can be used as a supplement to the residual oil. Alternatively, the low BTU gas can be effectively added to pipeline gas as a supplementary source of energy when dilution of high-Btu gas is permitted or used directly as a low-Btu desulfurized industrial fuel.