Abstract: A succession of low profile catalyst chambers each housing a reservoir or catalyst are alternately connected in sequence by openings below the levels of the catalyst reservoirs and openings thereabove. The catalyst in all reservoirs is fluidized by a gas moving upwardly therethrough. Separate portions of the sequence of chambers are operated as reactor and regenerator sections according to the gas used to fluidize the catalyst in those sections. Other portions of the sequence of chambers are used to create inert atmospheric seals between the reactor and regenerator sections. The entire apparatus is configured as a low-profile catalytic cracker wherein the fluidized flow of the catalyst moves throughout the apparatus in an alternating lifting and dropping sequence.

Abstract: A succession of low profile catalyst chambers each housing a reservoir of catalyst are alternately connected in sequence by openings below the levels of the catalyst reservoirs and openings thereabove. The catalyst in all reservoirs is fluidized by a gas moving upwardly therethrough. Separate portions of the sequence of chambers are operated as reactor and regenerator sections according to the gas used to fluidize the catalyst in those sections. Other portions of the sequence of chambers are used to create inert atmospheric seals between the reactor and regenerator sections. The entire apparatus is configured as a low-profile catalytic cracker wherein the fluidized flow of the catalyst moves throughout the apparatus in an alternating lifting and dropping sequence.

Abstract: A centrifugal drying and dedusting process is provided to dedust heavy oil derived from solid hydrocarbon-containing material such as oil shale, coal or tar sand. In the process, heavy oil laden with particulates derived from the solid hydrocarbon-containing material is centrifuged into a dedusted stream of heavy oil and a dust laden centrifuge sludge. The dedusted stream of oil can be further dedusted in a desalter, after being first mixed with fresh water, to form a purified, highly dedusted, effluent stream of heavy oil. Dust laden water from the desalter is centrifuged into a dedusted stream of water and a dewatered centrifuge sludge. The dedusted stream of water is recycled upstream of the desalter and mixed with the influent oil stream. Desirably, the centrifuges sludges are mixed, heated, dried and separated into another dedusted stream of oil and a powdery, dust-enriched residual stream which can be combusted in a lift pipe for use as heat carrier material in the dryer and retort.

Abstract: A horizontal fluid bed retorting process is provided for preheating, retorting, combusting, and recovering heat from oil shale and other solid hydrocarbon-containing material. In the process, the combustor and heat recovery chambers share a common heat-conductive metal wall with and are positioned in side-by-side relationship to the cellular preheating and retorting chambers. The heat of combustion in the combustor and the heat recovered from the combusted shale or other material in the heat recovery chamber are transferred by conduction into the retorting and preheating chambers, respectively, to provide the process heat requirements for preheating and retorting the oil shale or other feed. The oil shale or other feed is fluidly moved in a generally horizontal S-shaped flow pattern through the preheating and retorting chambers in countercurrent flow to the combusted material in the combustor and heat recovery chambers.

Abstract: A heating and drying process for dedusting heavy oil derived from solid hydrocarbon-containing material, such as oil shale, coal or tar sand, without the use of diluents, solvents, chemical additives or mechanical separators, such as centrifuges and filters. In the process, heavy oil is fed to a dryer, such as a screw conveyor dryer or fluid bed dryer, and separated into a dedusted stream of oil and a powdery, dust-enriched residual stream. Preferably, heavy oil residue in the residual stream is combusted to leave a spent stream for use as heat carrier material in both the dryer and retort.