Abstract: A method for supplying spent catalyst to a catalyst regenerator comprises (1) guiding the flow of spent catalyst from the lower end of a spent catalyst standpipe downwardly therefrom and (2) curving the downward flow of spent catalyst away from the wall of the catalyst regenerator towards the vertical center line of the air distributor for providing the most thorough and even distribution of spent catalyst and air. An extension tube means for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved air distribution apparatus for a regenerator in a fluid catalytic cracking process has been invented. The improvement is in the nozzles which eject air from an air ring to a bed of coke deactivated catalyst. The nozzles are positioned to take air from the centerline of the air ring and are of length 4 to 8 diameters. The nozzles are noted for reduced aspirated catalyst erosion.

Abstract: An improved process for recovering energy via an expander turbine axial flow gas compressor set which utilizes hot regeneration gas recovered from the regeneration of fluidized catalytic cracking catalyst, and during turndown conditions when the output of the gas compressor is required to be increased by an excess amount to prevent surge and the excess amount is normally vented to the atmosphere prior to entering the regenerator to prevent afterburn, the process including the steps of:(1) adjusting air compressor air rate set point to at least 10% above surge; thereby(2) increasing air rate to an amount in excess of regeneration requirement;(3) flowing all air compressed to the regenerator;(4) by use of complete combustion catalyst, oxidizing essentially all coke to carbon dioxide,(5) driving the expander with all the hot flue gas produced and thereby;(6) driving the motor-generator thereby generating electricity.

Abstract: A method for transferring heat between two fluids comprises (1) flowing the first fluid in an upright diamond shaped tube, and (2) flowing the second fluid therearound the tube over upper and lower surfaces of the diamond shaped tube formed at an angle to the horizon that is greater than the angle of repose of the second fluid therearound the tube for preventing accumulation of second fluid sediment on top and stagnant gases on the bottom of the tube. A novel heat exchanger tube is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method as described in the title comprising deflecting the gas from the distributor through nozzles therein through an angle in the range of 30.degree. to 75.degree. for decreased erosion in the nozzles by solids drawn therein and for reduced required power consumption. A new gas distributor with nozzles mounted therein is disclosed.

Abstract: A few methods for shaping and assembling a highly efficient cyclone separator for the removal of entrained solids from gases comprises basically, among other steps, the novel steps of:(1) attaching a solids-free-gas outlet (74) having an area (O) to the upper portion of the separator housing shaped for receiving solids-free-gas at a velocity in the range of 52 feet per second to 200 feet per second,(2) forming the solids-free-gas outlet area (O) proportional to the separator inlet area (I) in the range of substantially O/I=0.4/1 to 1.0/1.0, and(3) forming the distance (L) from the gas outlet (74) to the solids outlet (70) proportional to the diameter (D) of the cyclone separator cylindrical portion (56) in an amount of L/D=4.49-1.09 (O/I) for providing maximum efficiency with minimum erosion of both the cyclone separator internal housing wall surface and of the separated solids. L/D is about 4.0.

Abstract: A method for the removal of entrained solids from gases in a cyclone separator having a dipleg attached to the bottom thereof comprises the basic steps of, (1) injecting the gases with the entrained solids in an inlet (54) of cyclone separator in the range of substantially 52 feet per second (16 m/s) to 80 feet per second (24 m/s), (2) spinning the injected gases with the entrained solids around and down the cyclone separator to the inlet (70) of the dipleg (34) by a vertical distance (L) below the gas outlet (74) proportional to the diameter (D) of the top of the separator by an amount of L/D=4.49-1.09 (O/I) or about 4, and (3) ejecting the solids-free-gases through a gas outlet (74) in the range of substantially 52 feet per second (16 m/s) to 200 feet per second (61 m/s) having an area (O) in proportion to the area (I) of the separator inlet (54) in the range of substantially O/I=0.

Abstract: An air distribution apparatus for delivering an oxygen-carrying gas such as air to a zone of spent catalyst in a regenerator for the purpose of combusting air with the spent catalyst in order to rejuvenate the catalyst. A header support assembly is adapted for mounting in a regenerator which receives the spent catalyst. A hollow header ring is mounted onto the header support assembly and includes a plurality of openings each having a nozzle mounted therein. Air is supplied to the header support assembly and thus to the hollow header ring at a pressure sufficiently high to effect a maximum desired pressure differential between header pressure and pressure in the zone of spent catalyst to cause maximum uniform air distribution. The nozzles mounted in the openings in the header ring decrease air velocity between nozzle inlet and nozzle outlet in order to provide for maximum uniform air distribution without destruction of the catalyst.

Abstract: A fluidized catalytic cracking unit wherein cyclone diplegs extend from the reactor vessel into the stripping vessel, for reducing the overall height of the unit. Valve means are provided at the lower end of the diplegs to prevent blow by of gas through the diplegs. The diplegs pass through the vent lines.

Abstract: Apparatus for the regeneration of fluidized solid catalyst including a regeneration chamber adapted to hold a fluidized solids bed, oxygen containing gas source communicating with the chamber, a tangential inlet communicating with the regeneration chamber to impart a swirling motion to spent catalyst entering the regeneration chamber and a free standing drawoff conduit disposed within the regeneration chamber, the drawoff conduit having an upper, open end in communication with the solids bed, the open end being formed by an obliquely truncated, outwardly flared portion of the conduit, the high portion of said truncated conduit lying closest the spent catalyst inlet.

Abstract: The method comprises basically (1) fixedly securing, as by welding, an air inlet header between an air ring at a predetermined location point and the bottom of the regenerator for a primary support, (2) connecting other elongated supports under the air ring as secondary supports, (3) pivotally mounting slip rings on parallel pivot pins on opposite ends of each of the secondary supports and inserting them into corresponding pairs of sleeves mounted oppositely on the air ring and regenerator, (4) aligning each support so that its corresponding pivot pin is normal to a line between each pin and the predetermined location point, and (5) welding the slip rings in their respective sleeves with the supports so aligned to provide pivotal movement about the slip ring pins for eliminating any bending stresses due to thermal expansion or contraction when operating in the 1,100.degree. F.-1,400.degree. F. heat range of a regenerator in a fluid catalytic cracking unit.

Abstract: In a fluidized catalytic cracking unit a riser discharge head for discharging catalyst and hydrocarbon vapor from a riser conduit substantially vertically downward into a vertical reaction vessel such that erosion of the discharge head and the reaction walls is avoided.

Abstract: A temperature-sensitive instrument assembly for removable mounting within a vessel, flowline or the like including a flange plate for mounting onto a vessel or flowline nozzle; a hollow mounting tube mounted within and extending through the flange plate into the interior of the vessel, flowline nozzle or the like; a temperature-sensitive element positioned in and extending with the mounting tube into the interior of the vessel, flowline nozzle or the like, the mounting tube having an opening on the downstream side thereof to expose the temperature-sensitive element to fluid conditions within the vessel; and, a shield mounted on the mounting tube opposite from the mounting tube opening for protective positioning upstream of any fluid flow in the vessel, flowline nozzle or the like.

Abstract: A process is described herein for regeneration of spent, coke contaminated fluidized cracking catalyst by burning coke therefrom with a molecular oxygen containing regeneration gas in a fluidized dense phase bed, and for burning substantially all carbon monoxide formed to carbon dioxide. A method is provided for balancing oxygen concentration across the cross-sectional area of the dense phase bed, as is a method for supplying additional oxygen above the dense phase bed for combustion of carbon monoxide. Additionally, a method is provided for transferring heat from a dilute phase back to the fluidized dense phase bed.

Abstract: Apparatus for regeneration of spent, coke contaminated fluidized cracking catalyst by burning coke therefrom with a molecular oxygen containing regeneration gas in a fluidized dense phase bed, and for burning substantially all carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. Means are provided for transferring heat from the top to the bottom of the regeneration apparatus, employing catalyst as the transfer medium. Also, conical standpipe means is provided for deaerating regenerated catalyst.

Abstract: Apparatus for regeneration of spent, coke contaminated fluidized cracking catalyst by burning coke therefrom with a molecular oxygen containing regeneration gas in a fluidized dense phase bed, and for burning substantially all carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. Means are provided for transferring heat from the top of said regeneration apparatus to the bottom, employing catalyst as the transfer medium. Additionally, means are provided for maintaining a homogeneous fluidized dense phase bed of catalyst undergoing regeneration. Also, conical standpipe means is provided for deaerating regenerated catalyst.