Abstract: The invention is directed to a multi-tier bypass apparatus for extending the operating life of fixed bed reactors. The multi-tier bypass may be disposed within a fixed catalyst bed to allow any fluid feedstock to bypass successive layers of the fixed catalyst bed as they foul. The invention also relates to an improved fixed bed reactor comprising the inventive multi-tier bypass and a method for extending the operating life of a fixed bed reactor.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bypass device for extending the operating life of fixed bed reactors. The device may be placed within a fixed catalyst bed to partition the bed into a first top bed and a second virtual bed. The bypass device allows any fluid feedstock to bypass the first top bed of the fixed catalyst bed as it fouls and enter the second virtual bed under conditions that promote depositing any foulants contained in the bypass flow on the top surface of the second virtual bed rather than in the interstices of the second virtual bed. The invention also relates to an improved fixed bed reactor comprising the inventive bypass device and a method for extending the operating life of a fixed bed reactor that employs the inventive bypass device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unique fuel and air premixing system for a gas turbine catalytic combustion system. The mixer utilizes a multi-channel counter-rotating swirler with aerodynamically shaped fuel pegs located upstream of the swirler. The premixing system provides the downstream catalyst with a fuel-air mixture sufficiently uniform for proper catalyst operation and wide operating limits. Features have been incorporated in the system to make it resistant to flameholding.

Abstract: Fluid/solids contacting in a fluidization reactor is enhanced by passing the fluidization fluid through a fine screen positioned below the fluidized bed of solid particulates, thereby decreasing axial dispersion in the reactor.

Abstract: A distributor assembly for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon mixture of hydrogen-containing gas and liquid hydrocarbon is presented. The distributor assembly has a circular plate with a plurality of hollow risers, or tubular zones, bound thereto for distributing hydrogen-containing gas and liquid hydrocarbon through openings in the circular plate member. Each of the hollow risers has a tubular opening in its associated side. At least some of the risers are partially obstructed at their bottom ends, in order to prevent entry of gas bubbles through the bottom of the tube. Side entry into the risers is preferred, since it provides an opportunity for mixing gas and liquid hydrocarbon. The distributor assembly is connected to an internal wall of a reactor.

Abstract: A full-flow mechanical failsafe is composed of a cylindrical shell having a movable sealing plug therein, for attachment to a reaction tube of a fluid treatment system, such as a gas clean up system in a power plant. The sealing plug rests on locking spheres within the shell during normal operation. Upon reaction tube failure or breakage, the flow of fluid will be substantially increased, causing an increase in upward pressure against the sealing plug, forcing it upward off the spheres and into a sealing contact with a flow aperture, shutting off fluid flow. The spheres move downward into a locking position upon movement of the sealing plug, to secure the sealing plug in its upward sealing position. The failsafe can be used in fluid flow control systems other than fluid filtering systems, such as oil or gas pipelines, and can be used to prevent improper reverse fluid flow.

Abstract: Feeding device for feeding burned lime to a reaction vessel for causticizing a soda liquor to caustic soda. The feeding device, in its upper part, comprises an inlet for a slurry of the burned lime and the soda liquor for formation of said slurry inside said feeding device. The system further comprises a tall and slender feed vessel having a lower part having an outlet defined therein for the slurry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon-containing fluid stream wherein desulfurization is enhanced by improving the contacting of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid stream and sulfur-sorbing solid particulates in a fluidized bed reactor.

Abstract: A reactor for evaporating liquid feed and reacting said feed in the presence of catalyst to make product comprises a housing having at least one inlet and at least one outlet and encasing an evaporation zone and a reaction zone, an injector passing through the inlet and having an orifice in the evaporation zone for introducing a liquid feed, an insert containing packing for vaporizing the liquid feed where the packing is in the evaporation zone, a receptacle for retaining catalyst in the reaction zone and at least one heater associated with at least a portion of the reactor, wherein the injector orifice and the packing define a gap between the orifice and the packing sufficiently small to interfere with the formation of a drop at the orifice.

Abstract: A fuel gas-steam reformer assembly, preferably an autothermal reformer assembly, for use in a fuel cell power plant, includes a mixing station for intermixing a relatively high molecular weight fuel and an air-steam stream so as to form a homogeneous fuel-air-steam mixture for admission into a catalyst bed. The catalyst bed can include catalyzed alumina pellets, or a monolith such as a foam or honeycomb body which is preferably formed from a high temperature material such as a steel alloy, or from a ceramic material. The air-steam stream is fed into a manifold in the mixing station. The mixing station also comprises a plurality of tubes which open into the catalyst bed, and which pass through the manifold. The tubes extend through the manifold and include tangential openings which interconnect the interior of the tubes with the manifold. The openings have axes which are tangential to the circumference of each of the tubes.

Abstract: A transalkylation reactor having a plurality of catalyst beds with individual feed points for each bed for converting poly alkylated benzene, typically products from a alkylation process, to mono alkylated benzene. Only so many of the catalyst beds are used to optimize the conversion of poly substituted benzene to mono substituted benzene. As the catalyst ages more of the beds are utilized to maintain conversion.

Abstract: A device for distributing a poly-phase mixture comprises: at least one gas phase and at least one liquid phase, said mixture being in downflow mode through at least one bed of granular solid, comprising: at least one tray (P) located above one of said beds of granular solid, a plurality of mixer conduits (21) for said liquid and gas phases, each of said conduits comprising at least one upper cross section for flow (22) and at least one lower cross section for flow (23) allowing the mixture formed inside said mixer conduits to communicate with a bed of granular solid, said mixer conduits being provided over a portion of their height with one or more lateral cross sections for flow (26), said upper cross section for flow (22) allowing the majority of the gas phase to pass and said lateral cross section for flow (26) allowing the passage of the liquid phase into said mixer conduits and/or at least a portion of the gas phase respectively, said device comprising at least one jet disturber type dispersive system (2

Abstract: A process for high-efficiency catalytic conversion of carbon monoxide (CO) to carbon dioxide (CO2) of the type comprising the steps of feeding at predetermined speed a gaseous flow comprising carbon monoxide to a reaction space (3) and reacting in the reaction space (3) said carbon monoxide to obtain a gaseous flow comprising carbon dioxide is distinguished by the preliminary step of accelerating said gaseous flow comprising carbon monoxide upstream of said reaction space (3).

Abstract: The invention concerns an up-flow reactor for catalytic treatment of a particle-containing gas comprising a catalytic unit and at least one drain pipe upstream the catalytic unit within a reactor wall.

Abstract: The liquid distributor (2) for columns (1) comprises at least one tub shaped or tubular part (3) of a rigid material. Outflow elements (4) of yielding, in particular elastomeric material are tightly inserted into apertures (30) of the tub shaped or tubular part. A liquid (6) to be distributed can flow off in each case through at least one opening (40) in the outflow element. This opening has a precisely predeterminable geometry.

Abstract: A process and arrangement for contacting a moving bed of compact particulate material, usually catalyst, with a radial flow of fluid maintains an unconfined surface of catalyst particles in place by passing fluid axially into the upper surface of the bed and maintaining radial gas flow across an inlet screen at an elevation that is above the upper most elevation of perforations for withdrawing gas flow from the particulate bed. Two vertical screens confine the bed of catalyst. Perforations cover substantially the entire length of the inlet screen. The outlet portion of the screen has perforations that end below the top of the free surface of the catalyst bed and define an upper bed portion therebetween. The inlet screen directs gas flow radially across the inlet screen into an upper portion of the bed and causes at least partial axial flow of gas through the upper portion of the particle bed.

Abstract: In a reformer for a fuel cell equipped with a reforming unit 7 using a reaction system composed of a partial oxidation reaction and a steam reforming reaction as a reforming reaction, the reformer includes a vaporizing device 4 for vaporizing a raw fuel using a mixture of liquid hydrocarbon such as gasoline or alcohol and water and for supplying the vaporized fuel to the reforming unit 7. A spray nozzle 6 atomizes the raw fuel and supplies the atomized fuel to the reforming unit 7, and a blowing machine 9 supplies air to the reforming unit 7.

Abstract: A device for distributing fluid into a monolith bed includes a plurality of flow channels stacked in order of decreasing diameter. The flow channels successively split a flow stream into a multiple flow streams prior to the flow stream entering the monolith bed.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an improved apparatus comprised of a monolith catalytic reactor having an inlet and an outlet and a static mixer having an inlet and an outlet thereto with the outlet of said static mixer in communication with the inlet of said monolith catalytic reactor. The invention also pertains to an improvement in a process for effecting a reaction in the monolith catalytic reactor wherein a reactant gas and reactant liquid are introduced to the inlet to the monolith catalytic reactor, reacted and, then, the reaction product passed through the outlet of the monolith catalytic reactor.

Abstract: A radial reactor for utilization for catalytic reactions of gaseous or liquid feed streams including an annular catalyst bed, wherein the material contained within the catalyst bed includes an active catalyst material, contained within an outer ring-shaped layer of the catalyst bed, and a generally inert material, contained within an inner ring-shaped layer of the catalyst bed, wherein the generally inert material includes a potassium-containing compound, such as potassium oxide, hydroxide, carbonate or bicarbonate.

Abstract: A compact quench box design for a multi-bed, mixed-phase cocurrent downflow fixed-bed reactor has a quench pipe manifold and nozzle assembly, a collection tray, a mixing chamber, and a single final distributor tray. The quench pipe manifold and nozzle assembly is an annular ring pipe having nozzles arising therefrom. The mixing chamber is an annular compartment depending from the collection tray above having a partition pan, forming a partition weir at its inside diameter for liquid to flow, and a bottom section pan, which forms a vapor outlet weir at its inside diameter for vapor flow onto the final distributor tray below. This design reduces the number of manway required for the quench box.

Abstract: An autothermal reformer for converting a fuel into a reformate stream comprising hydrogen comprises (a) a closed vessel having a top end and a bottom end, the vessel comprising at least one insulation layer adjacent the interior surface of the vessel; (b) a first reactant manifold disposed within the vessel for receiving and distributing a first reactant stream, the first reactant manifold having a plurality of mixer tubes extending therefrom, each of the mixer tubes having an inlet end and an outlet end, the mixer tubes disposed in a separator member; and (c) a second reactant manifold disposed within the vessel for receiving and distributing a second reactant stream, the second reactant manifold comprising a plurality of injection tubes. Each of the injection tubes has an inlet end and an outlet end, extend through the first reactant manifold and are fluidly isolated therefrom.

Abstract: Improved fuel processing systems convert a hydrocarbon fuel into a reformate stream comprising hydrogen. Improved steam reformers and fuel processing systems employ steam reforming catalyst compositions that are oxygen-tolerant and/or sulfur-tolerant. Improved fuel processing systems employ shift reactors comprise shift catalyst compositions that are oxygen-tolerant and self-reducing. Improved fuel processing systems also comprise a preoxidizer or first-stage selective oxidizer, shift reactor, and selective oxidizer connected in series. An improved integrated reactor comprises a metal oxide bed and shift catalyst bed, and fuel processing systems comprising the improved integrated reactor.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for the operation of a fuel cell to generate electric power from a feed stream comprising a hydrocarbon or an alcohol. The fuel cell comprises a proton exchange membrane which produces electric power from a hydrogen product stream which comprises essentially no carbon monoxide. The hydrogen product stream is produced from the feed stream in a novel steam reforming zone containing a steam reforming catalyst disposed in a bell-shaped catalyst zone. The bell-shaped catalyst zone is disposed over a combustion zone such that the exhaust gas from the combustion flows around the bell-shaped catalyst zone to heat the catalyst from the inside and the outside of the catalyst zone. Furthermore, the bell-shaped catalyst zone maintains a high inlet and a high outlet temperature to avoid methane slippage in the steam reforming zone. Heat for the steam reforming zone is provided by a fuel stream and at least a portion of the anode waste gas stream from the fuel cell.

Abstract: Many useful chemical conversion processes result in the production or removal of thermal energy as the result of such processes. A device for permitting staged addition of heat into a steam reforming, carbon dioxide reforming, water-gas-shift, or preferential reactor using an inline system built to accomplish multiple reactant injection and gas mixing along the flow path of a chemical reactor. This integrates a uniform reaction injection device, a gas mixing component, and a catalytic initiator within a section designed to be installed between compartments used to promote an endothermic process. The intent is to provide heat through an endothermic process that uniformly increases temperature for convection heat transport into the subsequent compartment.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bypass device for extending the operating life of fixed bed reactors. The device may be placed within a fixed catalyst bed to partition the bed into a first top bed and a second virtual bed. The bypass device allows any fluid feedstock to bypass the first top bed of the fixed catalyst bed as it fouls and enter the second virtual bed under conditions that promote depositing any foulants contained in the bypass flow on the top surface of the second virtual bed rather than in the interstices of the second virtual bed. The invention also relates to an improved fixed bed reactor comprising the inventive bypass device and a method for extending the operating life of a fixed bed reactor that employs the inventive bypass device.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for the operation of a compact water gas shift reactor for use in conjunction with fuel cell to generate electric power from a feed stream comprising a hydrocarbon or an alcohol. The fuel cell comprises a proton exchange membrane which produces electric power from a hydrogen product stream which comprises essentially no carbon monoxide. The hydrogen product stream may produced from the feed stream in a steam reforming of autothermal reforming zone. The compact water gas shift reactor comprises a vertically aligned vessel having a top end, a bottom end opposite, which defines an interior space. The interior space contains a first water spray zone for contacting a reforming effluent stream comprising hydrogen with a first water stream. A first dispersion zone is disposed below the first water spray zone and above a high temperature shift zone. The high temperature shift zone contains a high temperature shift catalyst to produce a high temperature shift effluent stream.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a multi-tier bypass apparatus for extending the operating life of fixed bed reactors. The multi-tier bypass may be disposed within a fixed catalyst bed to allow any fluid feedstock to bypass successive layers of the fixed catalyst bed as they foul. The invention also relates to an improved fixed bed reactor comprising the inventive multi-tier bypass and a method for extending the operating life of a fixed bed reactor.

Abstract: A catalytic reactor and process wherein the reactor contains a fixed catalyst bed comprised of at least one layer of a mesh having catalyst particles and/or catalyst fibers retained in the interstices of the mesh, wherein the catalyst particles have an average particle size of no greater than 200 microns and the fibers have a diameter of no greater than 500 microns and wherein the wire mesh layer has a void volume of at least 45%.

Abstract: The invention comprises an OCR catalyst reactor which includes passive spheres and catalyst particles having substantially the same size and separated on opposite sides of a distributor cone by a screen. The use of passive spheres of substantially the same size to the catalyst particles provides for a more uniform distribution of the gas liquid reactants charged into the reactor vessel. The screen is configured such that it provides a separation of the catalyst and the passive spheres while being sized to prevent plugging.

Abstract: A device feeds educts to parallel spaces separated from one another by way of a distributor unit. Outlets of the distributor unit are assigned to the spaces, and evaporator structures for the evaporation of liquid media are provided in the spaces. Each outlet of the distributor unit project into a space. The boiling point of the medium in the distributor unit is maintained above the temperature of the medium in the distributor unit.

Abstract: An improved apparatus (1) for carbamate decomposition and ammonia and carbon dioxide stripping from urea solutions, comprises a stripper (2) including a substantially cylindrical shell (3), which can be fitted onto a structure (6) for supporting the shell (3) in two distinct vertical positions rotated by 180° with respect to a horizontal symmetry axis (x-x) of the stripper.

Abstract: A quench zone mixing apparatus that occupies a low vertical height and has an improved mixing efficiency and fluid distribution across the catalyst surface includes a swirl chamber, a rough distribution network, and a distribution apparatus. In the swirl chamber, reactant fluid from a catalyst bed above is thoroughly mixed with a quench fluid by a swirling action. The mixed fluids exit the swirl chamber through an aperture to the rough distribution system where the fluids are radially distributed outward across the vessel to the distribution apparatus. The distribution apparatus includes a plate with a number of bubble caps and associated drip trays that multiply the liquid drip stream from the bubble caps to further symmetrically distribute the fluids across the catalyst surface. Alternatively, deflector baffles may be associated with the bubble caps to provide a wider and more uniform liquid distribution below the plate.

Abstract: The gas exhaust system, intended for an internal combustion engine, has a plurality of connectors leading to an exhaust manifold. The exhaust vent from the exhaust manifold is used as a feed gas for a catalyst. In order to install said catalyst as close as possible to the exhaust manifold, it is suggested by the invention that a mixer be provided inside the catalyst housing. The mixer enables the exhaust gas stream arriving at the catalyst via the feed pipe to be homogenized in time and geometry and prevents catalyst elements from being damaged by a non-homogeneous gas stream. The mixer also allows for the unburnt air-fuel mixture to settle inside instead of burning in catalyst elements, thereby preventing the latter from being damaged by suddenly burning deposits.

Abstract: The structure of the present invention consumes carbon monoxide produced by the reverse shift reaction proceeding in an effective temperature range that ensures a sufficient activity of a catalyst for selective oxidation of carbon monoxide, thus significantly reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide included in a resulting hydrogen-rich gas. A fuel reformer 30 incorporated in a fuel-cells system 10 includes a gas flow sensor 37 disposed in a reformed gas supply conduit 36 that connects a reformer unit 32 with a CO selective oxidizing unit 34. A control unit 70 outputs driving signals to three valves of the CO selective oxidizing unit 34, in response to a detection signal from the gas flow sensor 37. The CO selective oxidizing unit 34 has three reaction chambers filled with a carbon monoxide selective oxidizing catalyst. The number of the reaction chambers, which a reformed gas fed to the CO selective oxidizing unit 34 passes through, is changed by switching the on/off state of the three valves.

Abstract: A reactor for reacting liquid petroleum or chemical streams wherein the liquid stream flows countercurrent to the flow of a treat gas, such as a hydrogen-containing gas. The reactor is comprised of at least one vertically disposed reaction zone, each containing a bed of catalyst, wherein each reaction zone may contain vapor bypass means, and wherein each reaction zone is immediately preceded by a non-reaction zone, and wherein each non-reaction zone contains a gas/liquid contacting zone for stripping gaseous by-products, such as NH3 and H2S, from the liquid stream.

Abstract: The apparatus for indirectly exchanging heat with narrow channels in a heat exchange type channel reaction zone uses plates containing partially perforated sections to simplify or eliminate the use of manifolds to distribute to and collect different fluids from the various channels. The invention simplifies the operation by directly communicating adjacent channels across sections of perforations located at one end or the other of the channels. The arrangement of this invention provides the advantage of more compact heat exchanging reactor arrangements. In this manner, multiple pass channels can be contained in a single plate channel arrangement using only single or double distribution manifolds at the ends of the channels. The arrangement of the invention can also simplify the use of a single manifold arrangement at one end of the channels to facilitate catalyst unloading and catalyst replacement in the reaction channels.

Abstract: A distributor assembly for a multi-bed, downflow catalytic reactor is disclosed. The distributor assembly is configured for disposal and fixable attachment between the inner surfaces of the walls of a multi-bed downflow cylindrical reactor wall and for disposal between vertically stacked catalyst beds within the reactor.

Abstract: A reactor unit includes a monolithic block with several parallel reaction chamber lengthwise channels into which a reaction starting product can flow, which contain a suitable reaction catalyst material, and which are delimited externally by membrane walls for the selective separation of a desired reaction component from the reaction end product. A catalytic burner is accommodated in at least some of the lengthwise channels.

Abstract: A multi-stage, isothermal, carbon monoxide preferential oxidation (PrOx) reactor comprising a plurality of serially arranged, catalyzed heat exchangers, each separated from the next by a mixing chamber for homogenizing the gases exiting one heat exchanger and entering the next. In a preferred embodiment, at least some of the air used in the PrOx reaction is injected directly into the mixing chamber between the catalyzed heat exchangers.

Abstract: A gas-liquid dispersion device to be installed in a system in which a liquid flows forming a continuous phase and a gas flows upward includes a perforated plate which is so mounted as to interrupt a gas-liquid passage, in which a mixed phase of the gas and liquid is produced. A separated liquid-conducting channel extending from the perforated plate toward its gas inflow opening side is formed in such a way that a gas-liquid passage is divided into a liquid-conducting portion and a gas-dispersing portion. When the mixed phase of the gas and liquid is supplied to the gas-liquid dispersion device, a gas phase accumulates on the gas inflow opening side of the gas-liquid dispersion device and creates a gas pocket, whereby pulsation of gas and liquid flows can be prevented. As a result, the gas passes upward through individual through holes (excluding the liquid-conducting channel) made in the perforated plate while the liquid passes through the liquid-conducting channel in a stable manner.

Abstract: Device and application thereof for distributing a multiphase mixture having at least one gas phase including, e.g., hydrogen in part and at least one liquid phase, the mixture being in a downward flow through at least one bed of granular solids, the device including, at least one distributor plate located above one of the beds of granular solids at a distance "d", and several mixing channels of the liquid and gas phases of the mixture. Each of the channels has at least one upper passage section and at least one lower passage section allowing communication between the mixture formed in the mixing channels with a bed of granular solids. The mixing channels are provided on at least part of their height with one or more lateral passage sections, the upper passage section allowing the majority of the gas phase of the mixture to pass and the lateral passage sections allowing passage of the liquid phase and/or at least part of the gas phase inside the mixing channels.

Abstract: A chamber comprising a moving bed of solid particles, delimited by at least one screen with thickness e, circulating in a downward direction substantially parallel to the screen, the bed being traversed by at least one fluid flowing in the bed in a principal direction which is different to that of the ensemble of particles and leaving the bed by an outlet screen. In accordance with the invention, the chamber comprises at least one opening for introducing solid particles located above the bed and comprising at least one orifice for the flow of the particles, located at a distance of at least 0.6 e from the outlet screen. The chamber advantageously comprises at least two extraction openings, one extraction opening being located at a distance not more than 0.5 e from the outlet screen, and the other at a distance of at least 0.5 e from the outlet screen. The invention is applicable to catalytic reactors, in particular to catalytic reforming reactors.

Abstract: A fuel atomizer for a liquid hydrocarbon fuel reformer/processor creates a high velocity atomized stream of a liquid fuel and steam, wherein the liquid fuel is quickly vaporized so as to limit carbon deposition from the fuel on the fuel vaporizer surfaces. The injector includes a small diameter fuel injection tube through which the liquid fuel and steam mixture is ejected at relatively high velocities. The liquid fuel forms an annular film which surrounds a steam core in the tube, which liquid droplet film and steam core composite are ejected from the tube into a stream of super heated steam, or steam and air. The stream of super heated steam substantially instantaneously vaporizes the fuel droplets from the film after the latter leaves the injection tube.

Abstract: A reaction vessel for processing liquid petroleum or chemical streams wherein the stream flows countercurrent to the flow of a treat gas, such as a hydrogen-containing gas, in at least one interaction zone. The reaction vessel contains vapor, and optionally liquid, passageways to bypass one or more packed beds, preferably catalyst beds. This permits more stable and efficient vessel operation.

Abstract: A reactor for catalytic dehydrogenation of dehydrogenatable hydrocarbons, in particular C.sub.3 and/or C.sub.4 hydrocarbons, in a hydrocarbon-containing stream, with selective oxidation of hydrogen. The reactor comprises serially connected in the flow direction of the hydrocarbon-containing stream: a first catalyst zone (2), an oxygen admixing zone (3) provided with a means (5) for separate feeding of an oxygen-containing gas into the hydrocarbon-containing stream, and a second catalyst zone (4). The oxygen admixing zone (3) has a cross section area in the flow direction of the hydrocarbon-containing stream which is from 0.5% to 75% of the cross section area of each of the two catalysts zones (2, 4), so as to obtain a higher flow velocity in the oxygen-admixing zone (3) than in the catalyst zones.

Abstract: A reactor is provided for reacting a liquid with a treat gas in the presence of a catalyst, the reactor comprising a continuous wall enclosing a first reaction zone, wherein the first reaction zone includes a catalyst for causing a desired reaction between the liquid and the treat gas; a liquid inlet above the first reaction zone for allowing a portion of the liquid to enter the reactor; a gas inlet below the first reaction zone for allowing a portion of the treat gas to enter the reactor; a liquid outlet below the first reaction zone for allowing a reacted portion of the liquid to exit the reactor; a gas outlet above the first reaction zone for allowing a portion of the treat gas to exit the reactor; and a gas bypass device in the first reaction zone for allowing a portion of the treat gas to bypass a portion of the first reaction zone, the gas bypass device including a gas bypass regulating device for regulating the amount of treat gas which bypasses the first reaction zone.

Abstract: A reactor is provided for reacting a liquid with a treat gas in the presence of a catalyst, the reactor comprising a continuous wall enclosing a first reaction zone, wherein the first reaction zone includes a catalyst for causing a desired reaction between the liquid and the treat gas; a liquid inlet above the first reaction zone for allowing an unreacted portion of the liquid to enter the reactor; a gas inlet below the first reaction zone for allowing an unreacted portion of the treat gas to enter the reactor; a liquid outlet below the first reaction zone for allowing a reacted portion of the liquid to exit the reactor; a gas outlet above the first reaction zone for allowing a reacted portion of the treat gas to exit the reactor; and a liquid bypass device in the first reaction zone for allowing a portion of the liquid to bypass a portion of the first reaction zone, the liquid bypass device including a liquid bypass regulating device for regulating the amount of liquid which bypasses the first reaction zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing vapor and liquid reactants within a column. The apparatus forms a first mixing zone into which a first reactant (e.g., vapor) is homogenized by swirl flow and flows vertically downward. The apparatus further forms a second mixing zone into which a second reactant (e.g., liquid) is homogenized by swirl flow and flows vertically downward. Additional amounts of either the first reactant, the second reactant or both may be added into or ahead of the first mixing zone or the second mixing zone as appropriate. The first reactant is directed radially to collide in crossflow with a thin sheet of the second reactant to provide intense mixing of the first and second reactants. Due to separate mixing zones for the two reactants, the mixing conditions for each can be tailored to best mix each reactant while minimizing pressure drop and minimizing the space and volume requirements for this mixing.

Abstract: A method, and a reactor, for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon feed stream through multistage moving catalyst beds contained within a single onstream reactor vessel, with separate catalyst addition and withdrawal systems for each of the multistages of moving catalyst beds. The reactor contains two or more different and distinct moving catalyst beds for any hydroprocessing application. The method includes serially passing, without leaving the reactor vessel, at least a partially treated hydrocarbon stream from one hydroconversion reaction zone containing a moving catalyst bed with a first set of catalytic characteristics to another hydroconversion reaction zone containing a moving catalyst bed with a second set of catalytic characteristics that differ in catalytic abilities from the first set of catalytic characteristics.