Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the conversion of petroleum hydrocarbons in the presence of catalyst particles in a fluidized phase in an essentially upflow or downflow tubular reaction zone. The process includes at least one stage of steam cracking of at least one light hydrocarbon fraction and a stage of catalytic cracking of at least one heavy hydrocarbon fraction. The steam cracking is carried out by contacting the light hydrocarbons and a quantity of steam equal to at least 20 percent by weight in a fluidized bed of the catalyst particles, the resulting temperature ranging from 650.degree. to 850.degree. C. The catalytic cracking of the heavy hydrocarbons is carried out by injection of the effluents from the upstream section of the reaction zone into the catalyst suspension in such a way that the temperature of the mixture ranges from 500.degree. to 650.degree. C. and is then reduced to a temperature ranging 475.degree. to 550.degree. C.

Abstract: In a fluidized catalytic cracking (FLC) type unit for contacting of a hydrocarbon feedstock with hot solid particles in a fluidized bed in an upright tubular-type upflow hydrocarbon conversion reactor, there is provided, between the means for fluidization and the means for injection of the feedstock, a means for causing the fluidized phase at the periphery of the reactor to rotate about the axis of the reactor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the conversion of petroleum hydrocarbons in the presence of catalyst particles in a fluidized phase in an essentially upflow or downflow tubular reaction zone, said process comprising at least one stage of steam cracking of at least one light hydrocarbon fraction and a stage of catalytic cracking of at least one heavy hydrocarbon fraction.The steam cracking is carried out by contacting the light hydrocarbons and a quantity of steam equal to at least 20 percent by weight in a fluidized bed of the catalyst particles, the resulting temperature ranging from 650.degree. to 850.degree. C.The catalytic cracking of the heavy hydrocarbons is carried out by contacting them with the effluents from the upstream section of the reaction zone and the catalyst suspension in such a way that the temperature of the mixture ranges from 500.degree. to 650.degree. C. and is then reduced to a temperature ranging from 475.degree. to 550.degree. C.

Abstract: Catalytic conversion of a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising a stage of catalytic cracking of a hydrocarbon feedstock, a stage of separation of the products of cracking from the catalytic mass, and a stage of regeneration and recycling of the catalytic mass and between the stage of regeneration of the catalytic mass and the stage of separation of the products of cracking there is injected continuously or intermittently, at one or more points, in admixture with at least one hydrocarbon to be treated, at least one diorganophosphite of the general formula ##STR1## where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, which may be alike or different, are selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl or aralkyl groups having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water-soluble demulsifying and antifouling agent capable of separating possibly emulsified water/hydrocarbon mixtures, and particularly water/crude petroleum mixtures containing suspended matter.Said agent comprises from 10 to 60 percent by weight of a combination of the following compounds:at least one quaternary tetraalkylammonium halide; andat least one polyalkyloxylated alkylenediamine or its sulfate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation and activation of a catalyst, comprising a stage of fabricating a support consisting at least in part of at least one refractory oxide mineral, a stage of depositing on the support at least one metal from the platinum group, and a stage intended for forming on the support at least two metal halides of the Lewis acid type. Between the deposition of the metal halides of the Lewis acid type and the utilization of the catalyst in the reactor, the catalyst is subjected to an activation stage by being maintained in an acidic and nonoxidizing or reducing medium at a temperature between 300.degree. and 475.degree. C. so that its final content of a promoter metal of the zirconium, molybdenum tungsten or titanium type ranges from 0.15 to 1 percent, based on the weight of the support.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the separation of fine catalyst particles from a hydrocarbon feedstock coming from a catalytic cracking unit by filtration through mineral barriers and a filtration loop.The process consists of filtering the feedstock through mineral barriers that are resistant to heat and have a porosity adapted to the minimum diameter of the particles to be retained. The porosity is generally between 0.1 and 100 microns.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the sweetening of a petroleum fraction in a fixed catalytic bed in the presence of an oxidizing agent, by catalytic oxidation of the mercaptans which it contains, in the presence of a catalyst in the form of a support impregnated with a metal chelate and in the absence of an aqueous base, the water content of the support is maintained within a predetermined range of values by action on the solvent power of the feedstock for the water of the support as a function of temperature.

Abstract: A device for injection of a hydrocarbon feedstock into a catalytic cracking reactor comprising, from upstream to downstream in the direction of flow of the feedstock, an intake and mixing system (5) for the liquid hydrocarbon feedstock and steam, a venturi tube (6) whose entrance cone (10) is joined to said intake and mixing system (5), and a protective cap (7) that is integral with the discharge cone (14) of the venturi tube and is provided with an orifice (16) for injection of the feedstock into the reactor. The dimensions of the venturi tube (6) are such that the velocity of the mixture of liquid feedstock and steam attains therein sonic conditions at the level of the throat (13), and the rectilinear throat located between the discharge cone (14) and the entrance cone (10) is connected to such cones continuously by a curved section without making an angle exceeding about 5 degrees and about 15 degrees, respectively, with the axis of the venturi tube.

Abstract: A process for sweetening a petroleum fraction by catalytic oxidation of mercaptans contained therein in a fixed bed of the supported catalyst, with the oxidation reaction being carried out in the absence of an aqueous phase and in the presence of an oxidizing agent, and the water molecules formed during the oxidation reaction being removed from the catalyst support by washing the latter periodically with a substantial quantity of a polar solvent that is miscible with water.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for promoting the separation and/or contact of two immiscible liquids, said apparatus comprising at least one pipe for feeding an emulsion of the two liquids to an assembly of tubes in each of which there is disposed, in the direction of its length and over at least a portion thereof, a bundle of fibers which are preferentially wettable by one of the two liquids, said assembly being connected to a decanter in which the two liquids separate, the decanter being provided with pipes for the discharge of each of the two liquids.The tubes are bounded by two walls, separated by a substantially constant distance, and by a corrugated element inserted between said walls and alternately in contact with each of them through its corrugations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the continuous cleaning of the inside of a tube in which a fluid circulates, in which method there is continuously driven in rotation within the tube by the fluid a movable element, one end of which is fastened to one end of the tube through a mechanical linkage permitting it to rotate freely on itself about the axis of the tube. In accordance with the invention, the movable element comprises at least one sharp edge designed to scrape the inner surface of the tube, this edge being disposed so that during the rotation of the movable element it is, along every cross section of the tube, the portion of the movable element farthest removed from the axis of the tube.

Abstract: A catalyst regeneration process effected in an apparatus which comprises two regeneration chambers, a heat exchanger, means for withdrawing from the second chamber a controlled fraction of hot catalyst for the purpose of maintaining the temperature in that chamber substantially at a first desirable value of less than 950.degree. C., and preferably at 910.degree. C., means for transferring this fraction of hot catalyst to the heat exchanger for the purpose of cooling it, means for the discharge of the cooled catalyst from the heat exchanger and the reinjection of the cooled catalyst into the first chamber, and means, controlled by the means for measuring the temperature in the first chamber, for regulating the supply of combustion fluid to the first chamber for the purpose of maintaining said temperature substantially at a second desired value lower than 730.degree. C. and preferably ranging from 650.degree. to 710.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid granular catalyst subject to degradation by exposure to humidity and/or oxygen, wherein each granule of the catalyst is coated with a continuous and removable protective film of a material that is impermeable to gases and moisture and inert to the constituents of the catalyst.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons in a fluidized bed wherein the catalyst particles are injected in a fully fluidized suspension into an elongate reaction zone. In accordance with the process, the feedstock to be cracked is injected in a state of small droplets less than 200 microns in diameter countercurrently to the flow of the fully fluidized suspension of catalyst particles.

Abstract: A process for improving the deasphalting of a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock with a solvent by subjecting the feedstock to shearing alternatively after and/or before the addition of at least a portion of the solvent to the feedstock is disclosed. Alternative means for effecting the shearing and desired ranges of shear are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for catalytic cracking in a fluid phase of a hydrocarbon charge. The process comprises contacting, in ascending or descending flow, the charge and grains of a cracking catalyst in a tubular reactor, ballistically separating the spent catalyst and the cracked charge downstream of the end of said reactor, mixing spent catalyst with grains of at least partially regenerated catalyst having a temperature exceeding that of the grains of spent catalyst, stripping spent catalyst in a dense fluidized phase by means of a fluid injected counter-current into this catalyst regenerating the catalyst under conditions to effect combustion of coke deposited thereon, and recycling regenerated catalyst to feed the reactor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sampling method and apparatus for a fluidized bed of particles in an enclosure, comprising a sampling riser pipe (4) that communicates with the enclosure (1) below the upper surface of the fluidized bed and forms an extension thereof and has a restriction (5) adapted to limit the sampling flow rate, and means (14, 15) provided for injecting a compressed gas at an adjustable flow rate into the pipe (4) between the enclosure (1) and the restriction (5) with a view to controlling, by appropriate regulation of the flow rate of the gas, the quantity of particles withdrawn.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for maintaining in position one end of an element driven in rotation by a fluid circulating in a tube (12), the other end of said element being free, said device being of the type which comprises a part forming a bearing (1) and adapted to be rigidly attached to one end of the tube, and an element (4), mounted for rotation relative to the part forming a bearing (1) and adapted to be attached to one end of the movable element (13). In accordance with the invention, the part forming a bearing (1) is a one-piece part made of a rigid material that is capable of being elastically deformed, said one-piece part comprising at least two flanges (2) spaced apart by such a distance that they can be force-fitted into an open end of said tube (12) to bear elastically on its inner wall so as to rigidly join the part forming a bearing (1) to the tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for injecting and conditioning regenerated catalyst particles at the base of a catalytic cracking reactor/elevator below the zone where the feedstock to be cracked is injected to give better uniformity of treatment and control of the effective C/O ratio. A first fluid is injected at a low rate into the reactor below the level where the catalyst particles coming from the regenerator are introduced so as to form a dense phase fluidized bed, and a second fluid is injected at a higher rate substantially above the zone where the catalyst particles coming from the regenerator enter so as to form a homogenized dilute phase fluidized bed of catalyst prior to subsequent contact with the feedstock to be treated.