Abstract: Vent gases from a catalyst cooler are directed downstream or outside of the catalyst regenerator to avoid sending air to a location where after burn may occur. Vent gases contain oxygen that when contacted with carbon monoxide in regenerator flue gas can cause after burn to occur at a location which lacks sufficient catalyst density to serve as a heat sink. Locating the cooling media supply in the top of the catalyst cooler enables cooled catalyst to drain from the bottom of the catalyst cooler and fitting more cooler tubes in the catalyst cooler.

Abstract: A method for fluidizing a spent catalyst in a regenerator during a combustion process. The combustor includes a vessel and an air distributor. The air distributor includes an air grid and a plurality of first nozzles extending from the air grid. Spent catalyst is introduced into the vessel. Air is provided to the vessel via the plurality of first nozzles at a base combustion air rate. Additional air is provided to the vessels via a plurality of second nozzles of a fluffing air distributor at a fluffing air rate that is between 0.5 wt % and 10 wt % of the base combustion air rate to fluidize the catalyst. The second nozzles have outlets that are disposed below the air grid and above a bottom head of the vessel.

Abstract: A Fluid Catalytic Cracking process converts heavy crude oil fractions into lighter hydrocarbon products at high temperature and moderate pressure in the presence of a catalyst. During this process, catalyst particles stay entrained in the descending gas stream. An inlet scroll on the cyclone may be used to keep the inlet gas stream and the entrained particles away from the entrance to the gas outlet tube. Refractory material may applied to the interior of the wall of the cyclone to form an abrasion resistant lining to insulate the walls of the cyclone from the gas flow contents. The inlet feed velocity may be used as a predictive factor to determine a wear rate of the cyclones. Thus, lining erosion can be predicted so that the lining can be repaired or replaced during a planned turnaround.

Abstract: A Fluid Catalytic Cracking process converts heavy crude oil fractions into lighter hydrocarbon products at high temperature and moderate pressure in the presence of a catalyst. During this process, catalyst particles stay entrained in the descending gas stream. An inlet scroll on the cyclone may be used to keep the inlet gas stream and the entrained particles away from the entrance to the gas outlet tube. Refractory material may applied to the interior of the wall of the cyclone to form an abrasion resistant lining to insulate the walls of the cyclone from the gas flow contents. The inlet feed velocity may be used as a predictive factor to determine a wear rate of the cyclones. Thus, lining erosion can be predicted so that the lining can be repaired or replaced during a planned turnaround.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for fluidizing a spent catalyst in a regenerator during a combustion process. The combustor includes a vessel and an air distributor. The air distributor includes an air grid and a plurality of first nozzles extending from the air grid. Spent catalyst is introduced into the vessel. Air is provided to the vessel via the plurality of first nozzles at a base combustion air rate. Additional air is provided to the vessels via a plurality of second nozzles of a fluffing air distributor at a fluffing air rate that is between 0.5 wt % and 10 wt % of the base combustion air rate to fluidize the catalyst. The second nozzles have outlets that are disposed below the air grid and above a bottom head of the vessel.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon processing apparatuses and methods of refining hydrocarbons are provided herein. In an embodiment, a method of refining hydrocarbons includes providing a cracked stream that includes a sulfur-containing component and cracked hydrocarbons. The cracked stream is compressed to produce a pressurized cracked stream. The pressurized cracked stream is separated to produce a pressurized vapor stream and a liquid hydrocarbon stream. The pressurized vapor stream includes C4? hydrocarbons and the liquid hydrocarbon stream includes C3+ hydrocarbons. The liquid hydrocarbon stream is separated to produce a first liquid absorption stream that includes C5+ hydrocarbons and a C4? hydrocarbon stream. C3+ hydrocarbons are absorbed from the pressurized vapor stream through liquid-vapor phase absorption using the first liquid absorption stream. The sulfur-containing component is removed prior to absorbing C3+ hydrocarbons from the pressurized vapor stream.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon processing apparatuses and methods of refining hydrocarbons are provided herein. In an embodiment, a method of refining hydrocarbons includes providing a cracked stream that includes a sulfur-containing component and cracked hydrocarbons. The cracked stream is compressed to produce a pressurized cracked stream. The pressurized cracked stream is separated to produce a pressurized vapor stream and a liquid hydrocarbon stream. The pressurized vapor stream includes C4? hydrocarbons and the liquid hydrocarbon stream includes C3+ hydrocarbons. The liquid hydrocarbon stream is separated to produce a first liquid absorption stream that includes C5+ hydrocarbons and a C4? hydrocarbon stream. C3+ hydrocarbons are absorbed from the pressurized vapor stream through liquid-vapor phase absorption using the first liquid absorption stream. The sulfur-containing component is removed prior to absorbing C3+ hydrocarbons from the pressurized vapor stream.

Abstract: Catalyst regenerators and methods of their use are provided. A method includes combusting coke from the catalyst in a second stage regenerator to produce a second flue gas, where the second stage regenerator includes a second combustion chamber and a top having a top cross-sectional area. The coke is partially combusted from the catalyst in a first stage regenerator with a first combustion chamber having a first combustion chamber cross-sectional area greater than the top cross-sectional area. The first stage regenerator is positioned above the top of the second stage regenerator. The first combustion chamber includes a cylindrical section directly over the top and an annular section surrounding the cylindrical section. The second flue gas is vented into the first stage regenerator through a vent tube, and a portion of the second flue gas is dispersed into the annular section of the first combustion chamber.

Abstract: Catalyst regenerators and methods of their use are provided. A method includes combusting coke from the catalyst in a second stage regenerator to produce a second flue gas, where the second stage regenerator includes a second combustion chamber and a top having a top cross-sectional area. The coke is partially combusted from the catalyst in a first stage regenerator with a first combustion chamber having a first combustion chamber cross-sectional area greater than the top cross-sectional area. The first stage regenerator is positioned above the top of the second stage regenerator. The first combustion chamber includes a cylindrical section directly over the top and an annular section surrounding the cylindrical section. The second flue gas is vented into the first stage regenerator through a vent tube, and a portion of the second flue gas is dispersed into the annular section of the first combustion chamber.