Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through valveless conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the intermediate zone and the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduits. A body within the lower zone is in particle communication with a valveless conduit and obstructs the particle flow within the lower zone.

Abstract: Moving bed hydrocarbon conversion processes are provided for contacting a catalyst moving downward through a reaction zone with a hydrocarbon feed, withdrawing the catalyst from the reaction zone and conveying the catalyst to a regeneration zone wherein the catalyst moves downward. The catalyst is withdrawn from the regeneration zone and passed downward to an upper zone of a particle transfer apparatus wherein the transfer of catalyst from the upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone is regulated by varying the pressure of the intermediate zone and the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduits. A body within the lower zone is in catalyst communication with a valveless conduit and provides more consistent catalyst flows. The catalyst from the lower zone of the particle transfer apparatus is conveyed to the reactions zone.

Abstract: Moving bed hydrocarbon conversion processes are provided for contacting a catalyst moving downward through a reaction zone with a hydrocarbon feed, withdrawing the catalyst from the reaction zone and conveying the catalyst to a regeneration zone wherein the catalyst moves downward. The catalyst is withdrawn from the regeneration zone and passed downward to an upper zone of a particle transfer apparatus wherein the transfer of catalyst from the upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone is regulated by varying the pressure of the intermediate zone and the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduits. A container within the second zone is in catalyst communication with a valveless conduit and provides more consistent catalyst flows. The catalyst from the lower zone of the particle transfer apparatus is conveyed to the reactions zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in radial flow reactors is presented. The apparatus includes a plate of sufficient thickness to impart strength in supporting a solid particle bed, and is milled to have narrow slots allowing the flow of fluid through the plate, while preventing the passage of catalyst through the plate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through valveless conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the intermediate zone and the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduits. A container within the second zone is in particle communication with a valveless conduit and provides more consistent particle flows.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through valveless conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the intermediate zone and the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduits. A container within the second zone is in particle communication with a valveless conduit and provides more consistent particle flows.

Abstract: A new reactor design is presented for a counter-current flowing reactor. The reactor has a catalyst flowing down through the reactor, and over baffles. Gas is admitted under the baffles and flows up through the solid catalyst bed. The design includes slotted plates that extend from the bottom of the baffle in the reactor to a position near the catalyst outlet. The gas flows through the slotted plates and is directed up through the catalyst bed, while directing the flowing catalyst to the catalyst outlet ports.

Abstract: A milled plate is presented that is provided for use in a radial flow reactor. The milled plate has narrow slots milled in the plate on the solid particle side and slots of slightly greater width milled on the fluid side of the plate. The plates provide strength to support the pressure from solid particles that currently is not present in wire screen meshes.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in radial flow reactors is presented. The apparatus includes a plate of sufficient thickness to impart strength in supporting a solid particle bed, and is milled to have narrow slots allowing the flow of fluid through the plate, while preventing the passage of catalyst through the plate.

Abstract: A radial flow reactor fluid duct distribution apparatus is presented. The apparatus includes a plate of sufficient thickness to impart strength to the fluid flow duct and is milled to have narrow slots allowing fluid to flow through the plate, while preventing the passage of catalyst through the plate.

Abstract: A permeate adapter is provided. The permeate adapter may be used within a pressure vessel. The permeate adapter includes a front portion and an oppositely disposed back portion. The front portion includes a permeate opening for receiving an end of a permeate passage tube of a membrane cartridge and for being in fluid communication with a permeate reservoir. The front portion and the back portion each include one or more fluid openings. Fluid passageways are connected between the one or more front portion fluid openings and the back portion fluid openings. The fluid passageways receive an end of a membrane cartridge at the front portion. At the back portion, the fluid passageways are in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir adjacent the back portion of the permeate adapter.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can include an apparatus for transferring catalyst from a regeneration zone to a reaction zone in a hydrocarbon conversion unit. The hydrocarbon conversion unit can include a transfer vessel, and first, second, and third lines. The transfer vessel can transfer regenerated catalyst from the regeneration zone at a first pressure to the reaction zone at a second pressure where the second pressure is greater than the first pressure. Generally, the first line communicates the catalyst to the transfer vessel and is coupled to a first valve to allow catalyst into the transfer vessel and the second line communicates the catalyst from the transfer vessel and is coupled to a second valve to allow catalyst out of the transfer vessel. The third line for allowing the passage of gas therethrough may be at a pressure higher than the first pressure having a first portion communicating with the transfer vessel and having a second portion coupled to third and fourth valves.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can include a method of controlling a catalyst transfer vessel cycle of loading and unloading based on an expected level of a catalyst in a downstream vessel for a hydrocarbon conversion unit. The method can include calculating an expected catalyst level in the downstream vessel based on the unloading of the catalyst transfer vessel to adjust a setpoint to change the catalyst transfer vessel cycle of loading and unloading.

Abstract: A process is disclosed that uses fired heater having two types of burners. The first burner is located in a duct which provides oxygen-containing gas to the heater to be combusted with the fuel provided by the burner. The second burner is located in the heater and provides both air and fuel for combustion. The heater may be located downstream of a gas turbine engine that cogenerates electricity and provides the oxygen-containing gas. The second burners are operated at a low flow rate until the flow rate of oxygen-containing gas through the duct is diminished, in which case the flow rate to the second burners is increased.

Abstract: A fired heater has two types of burners. The first burner is located in a duct which provides oxygen-containing gas to the heater to be combusted with the fuel provided by the burner. The second burner is located in the heater and provides both air and fuel for combustion. The heater may be located downstream of a gas turbine engine that cogenerates electricity and provides the oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is disclosed for the separation of solids from gases and a mixture which is most particularly applicable to an FCC apparatus. The mixture of solids and gases are passed through a conduit and exit through a swirl arm that imparts a swirl motion to centrifugally separate the heavier solids from the lighter gases. The mixture then enters a cyclone through an inlet that has a long, straight sidewall that gradually transitions with a curved outer wall that defines a cyclone barrel and a short, straight sidewall that abruptly transitions with the curved outer wall. The short, straight sidewall is substantially tangentially disposed with respect to a gas recovery conduit which transports a mixture of solids and gases from a reactor conduit. This arrangement provides greater clearance between cyclones and a reactor vessel.