Abstract: The invention relates to an installation for the fluidized-bed cracking of a hydrocarbon feedstock.In accordance with the invention recycling of the regenerated catalyst particles to the intake of the reactor comprise, from upstream to downstream, a preferably substantially vertical pipe (1) for the discharge of the regenerated particles from the regenerator, and a substantially straight pipe (2) connected to the vertical pipe (1) and sloping downward therefrom to the base (3) of the reactor to which it is connected, the downward-sloping pipe (2) being connected to the vertical pipe (1) and to the base (3) of the reactor through inward-curved portions or elbows which impose neither a sharp change in direction on the course of the particles nor sudden changes in the diameter of the pipes.

Abstract: An improved reactor system for hydrocarbon processing, employing an external catalyst cooler ("ECC") for dehydrogenating and cracking an alkane stream by contacting it with a fluid catalytic cracking ("FCC") catalyst to produce olefins. Advantageously, these olefins are then oligomerized to gasoline in a single zone of a fluid bed crystalline zeolite oligomerization catalyst, the bed operating in the turbulent regime.

Abstract: An improved fluid-bed reaction apparatus is disclosed in which feedstock is preheated and may be at least partially converted by contacting the feedstock with spent catalyst in a preheat zone. Additional benefits include a reduction in catalyst poisons and coke production in the reaction zone. By contacting the fresh feed with hot spent catalyst, at least a portion of the coke which would otherwise form in the reactor is deposited on the spent catalyst. Temporary catalyst poisons are also sorbed onto the spent catalyst. The spent catalyst is then withdrawn from the preheat zone, stripped of entrained hydrocarbon and regenerated.

Abstract: A piping arrangement for two or three Claus catalytic converters and condenser sets used for recovering sulphur from gas streams containing hydrogen sulphide. One of the converters is operated at a sub-dewpoint temperature while the other(s) is(are) operated at a higher temperature for regenerating the catalyst. The piping arrangement includes two four-way switching valves that allow an influent gas stream to be switched between the two converters without leaving stagnant gas in the piping.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates an improved grid for fluid bed reactors which minimizes catalyst coking in fluidized catalytic cracking operations by shedding catalyst dispersed through the grid from feed risers located therebelow. Indeed, the grid has a central portion containing a plurality of orifices therein and a downwardly extending annular ring portion for shedding catalyst outwardly and downwardly for collection and removal from the reactor vessel.In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the grid consists of a convex upper grid and a concave lower plate joined together and defining a disengaging zone therebetween. At least one riser opens into the disengaging zone for introducing the material to be fed into and separated in the reactor. The upper grid includes a solid annular ring which extends outwardly and downwardly from the point at which the upper grid and the lower plate are joined.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for transferring and regulating the recycle of particulate solids separated from a gas-particulate solids suspension in which an auxiliary vessel and slanted pipe are provided to transfer and regulate particulate solids flow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the refractory lining covering the lower part of a tube wall in the reactor chamber of a fluidized bed reactor. The upper surface or edge of the refractory lining is provided with a plurality of radial grooves to guide the bed material flowing downwards along the walls so as to decrease its wearing effect at the border line of the refractory lining and the tube walls.

Abstract: A manifold (10) for use in a gas solder-reflow oven (50) comprises a hollow tube made from a transition metal having an open end (18) for receiving gas, a closed end (16), and a plurality of holes (12).

Abstract: Improved operating techniques and apparatus for converting methanol or the like to intermediate olefins and etherification products, such as methyl t-butyl ether, by extracting crude methanol feedstock with an olefinic liquid hydrocarbon stream containing C.sub.4.sup.+ iso-olefins. The methanol extract phase is reacted under etherification conditions. The aqueous methanol raffinate stream is converted catalytically to olefins for recovery of C.sub.4.sup.+ olefinic liquid hydrocarbons useful as extraction solvent.

Abstract: An improved system for performing an alkylation process and a method for handling liquid catalyst in an alkylation process. This improvement involves method and apparatus by which liquid alkylation catalyst contained in the alkylation process equipment can be transferred into a catalyst storage vessel without the need for venting excess pressure from the storage vessel to atmosphere. Through a combination of the physical arrangement of the process equipment and the storage vessel along with the addition of a pressure equalization line, apparatus is provided whereby certain process steps can be followed which allow the transfer of catalyst from the process equipment to the storage vessel without venting the storage vessel. The improvement comprises physically locating the catalyst storage vessel at a relative elevation below the alkylation process equipment and providing a line to connect the vapor space of the storage vessel with that of a catalyst settling vessel in the process equipment.

Abstract: A fluid catalytic cracking reactor system useful for regenerating and recycling hot cracking catalyst while utilizing thermal energy therefrom comprising: pressurized regenerator vessel for regenerating a coke-contaminated fluid cracking catalyst in a regeneration zone, maintaining oxidation regeneration temperature and receiving sufficient oxygen-containing regeneration gas to maintain a dense fluid bed of regenerator catalyst so as to regenerate the catalyst before recycling it to a fluid cracker; first valved conduit for withdrawing a controlled stream of regenerator catalyst from the regenerator vessel; dehydrogenation reactor in valved communication with the regenerator vessel, the dehydrogenation reactor having a dehydrogenation zone maintained at temperature below that in the regeneration zone, with the dehydrogenation reactor being located externally relative to the cracker and regenerator vessel; fluid handling for introducing a lower alkane feedstream into the dehydrogenation zone in an amount suffi

Abstract: In a fluid catalytic cracking process, a new separator apparatus has been invented for separating catalyst from cracked vapor. The separator comprises a downwardly spiraling channel. The separator demonstrates good separation efficiency even at turn down flow rates.

Abstract: The inventive apparatus for the execution of endothermic reactions between gaseous reactants at heightened temperture and increased pressure encompasses the following main components:an inner isolating hull (33) for conveying the feed substances from their inlet (E) along the clearance between the pressure wall (31) of the apparatus and the hull,a tube-bundle heat exchanger (39'), placed within the hull for the internal heat recovery, whereby the feed substances are outside of the tubes (39) of the heat exchanger,a catalyst material, disposed in the lower part of the heat exchanger and/or after it in flowing direction.heating means (37, 37") arranged within the catalyst material for the supply of heat energy to the reactants at the region of the final conversion, whereby the reaction products proceed inside of the tubes, with heat delivery to the entering feed substances to the outlet of the apparatus.Processes for producing a hydrogen-rich gas may be carred out by using an apparatus as indicated.

Abstract: A semi-continuous multi-stage catalytic reactor system for converting lower olefinic feedstock to heavier liquid hydrocarbon product.

Abstract: The liquid feed injector as hereindescribed uses sequential stages of increased severity mixing to fully atomize a liquid portion of a combined liquid and gaseous stream. Sequential mixing consists of a first mild mixing that takes place in a mild mixing zone and blends the liquid and gaseous material into a substantial uniform mixture. The uniform mixture of liquid and gaseous material passes through another stage of vigorous mixing where the liquid is sheared and gas is dispersed throughout the liquid by dividing the mixture into a plurality of small streams and directing the projection of the streams into impingement with an impact medium to produce a homogeneous mixture of fine gas bubbles dispersed in the liquid. The homogeneous liquid and gas mixtures are then discharged through one or more discharge nozzles to effect atomization and distribution of the liquid in a suspension of fluidized solids.

Abstract: A reformer optimization system including the injection of non-reactive gas into hydrogen recycle gas for increasing hydrogen flow through a recycle compressor. Non-reactive gas is injected into hydrogen-rich gas fed to the compressor at least as early as the hydrogen-rich gas enters the compressor. The quantity of hydrogen is monitored, and the quantity of non-reactive gas injected is controlled in response to the hydrogen quantity. By maintaining a substantially constant molecular weight of the hydrogen gas, hydrogen content thereof is increased. The non-reactive gas is preferably at least one of a group comprising nitrogen, ethane and propane.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved method for stripping hydrocarbons from spent catalyst which has been used in effecting hydrocarbon conversion reactions prior to the regeneration of this catalyst by combustion of carbon deposits upon the catalyst. The invention is described in terms of its use in FCC processes, since such processes are the most common application of the invention. In order to better distribute stripping gas, which is normally steam, so that the gas contacts and passes through substantially all of the catalyst, distribution ports are added to the skirts of the stripper baffles which direct catalyst flow in a generally side-to-side manner as it moves downward through a stripping vessel. The ports are sized to vary penetration of the stripping gas into the stream catalyst that moves past the grids. Use of these ports increases the amount of hydrocarbons removed from the spent catalyst and/or decreases stripping gas requirements.

Abstract: A furnace for firing an enamelled wire comprising a principal chamber, an auxiliary unit for the aspiration of a first stream of air and solvent vapours from this principal chamber and combustion of the vapors themselves, and a duct assembly operable to introduce gaseous streams into the principal chamber for controlling the temperature within the principal chamber; the auxiliary unit comprises a heater constituted by a plurality of electrical resistances operable to heat this first stream at least up to a temperature sufficient to cause initiation of the combustion of the said vapors, and by a support structure for these resistances, housable in a duct of the auxiliary unit; the support structure and the walls of the duct are made in steel alloy which is highly resistant to high temperatures. (FIG. 1 and 2).

Abstract: A unitized deodorizer for placement in restricted locations where odor control is desirable. The unitized deodorizer includes a portion of conventional sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO.sub.3) or baking soda which is provided with or without a container. In its non-contained form, a unitized deodorizer is compressed or chemically bonded into a substantially solidified unit of selected shapes including round and block. In its contained form, pulverized sodium bicarbonate is provided within a number of containers composed of a variety of materials including plastic, flexibly woven natural or synthetic cloth, or cardboard.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for defining the molecular chemical make up of a liquid sample, based on electrostatic charges of emission. Three spaced electrodes are brought into contact with the surface of a liquid to be tested. Two electrodes are wired in series through a usual cone speaker to the terminals of an audio amplifier. A third electrode is wired in series through a variable oscillator to the amplifier auxiliary input terminal. This overall regenerative feedback circuit will result in unique patterns of coded pulses at the amplifier speaker output corresponding to the composition of the liquid, which can be observed on an oscilloscope or recorded and compared with known compositions. This apparatus can be useful in defining molecular diseases when the electrodes are touched to the wetted skin of an animal, plant tissue or blood sample. The apparatus can also be adapted to a neological method of electronic gene mapping.