Abstract: The present invention discloses a process and apparatus for improving the catalyst life and efficiency in a gas flow catalyst bed reactor assembly. The reactor comprises an outer reaction vessel, an inner displacement cylinder, and an annular catalyst bed surrounding the displacement cylinder having a top half and a bottom half. Fluid flow improvement is achieved by adding at least one baffle to the top half of the displacement cylinder to improve uniformity of fluid flow in the reaction vessel and across the catalyst bed. Also disclosed is a process for improving fluid flow uniformity in a gas phase reactor comprising an outer reaction vessel, an inner displacement vessel having a top half and a bottom half and a reaction outer surface and an inert inner space, and an annular catalyst bed. The process comprises conducting fluid flow simulations using actual reactor conditions. During simulation, baffles are added on the outer reaction surface of the displacement reactor to improve simulated fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process and apparatus for improving the catalyst life and efficiency in a gas flow catalyst bed reactor assembly. The reactor comprises an outer reaction vessel, an inner displacement cylinder, and an annular catalyst bed surrounding the displacement cylinder having a top half and a bottom half. Fluid flow improvement is achieved by adding at least one baffle to the top half of the displacement cylinder to improve uniformity of fluid flow in the reaction vessel and across the catalyst bed. Also disclosed is a process for improving fluid flow uniformity in a gas phase reactor comprising an outer reaction vessel, an inner displacement vessel having a top half and a bottom half and a reaction outer surface and an inert inner space, and an annular catalyst bed. The process comprises conducting fluid flow simulations using actual reactor conditions. During simulation, baffles are added on the outer reaction surface of the displacement reactor to improve simulated fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process and apparatus for improving the catalyst life and efficiency in a gas flow catalyst bed reactor assembly. The reactor comprises an outer reaction vessel, an inner displacement cylinder, and an annular catalyst bed surrounding the displacement cylinder having a top half and a bottom half. Fluid flow improvement is achieved by adding at least one baffle to the top half of the displacement cylinder to improve uniformity of fluid flow in the reaction vessel and across the catalyst bed. Also disclosed is a process for improving fluid flow uniformity in a gas phase reactor comprising an outer reaction vessel, an inner displacement vessel having a top half and a bottom half and a reaction outer surface and an inert inner space, and an annular catalyst bed. The process comprises conducting fluid flow simulations using actual reactor conditions. During simulation, baffles are added on the outer reaction surface of the displacement reactor to improve simulated fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention addresses heat integration in an alkylation/transalkylation process involving alkylation of an aromatic substrate with a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alklating agent coupled with separation to recover a monoalkylated aromatic product and liquid phase transalkylation of a polyalkylated product. Aromatic feedstock and a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkylating agent are supplied to an alkylation reaction zone which is operated to produce an alkylated product. The output from the alkylation reaction zone initially travels through an arrangement of heat exchangers. From there, the alkylation effluent passes into the first separation zone which is operated to produce a lower boiling fraction comprising the aromatic substrate, which may be recycled to the alkylation reaction zone, and a higher boiling fraction comprising a mixture of monoalkylated and polyalkylated aromatics.