Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a pressure swing adsorber vessel. The pressure swing adsorber vessel can include one or more walls. Generally, the one or more walls contain an adsorbent bed having a first side and a second side and at least one spacer forming a cusp. Usually, the one or more walls and the adsorbent bed define at least one void volume adjacent to the adsorbent bed, and the cusp of the at least one spacer may be positioned in the at least one void volume. The cusp can be positioned opposing an incoming feed stream or a desorbent stream.

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: An apparatus is for directing a fluid into a radial reactor is and which maintains a bed of solid particulate material within a reactor. The apparatus comprises a duct for directing fluid into a reactor and has a screenless face for the egress of the fluid, while providing for the retention of solid particles.

Abstract: A screenless reactor design is presented. The reactor includes a series of overlapping vanes where solid catalyst can cascade down the vanes. Gas flows across the catalyst by flowing through the vanes contacting the catalyst and then disengaging from contact with the solid catalyst particles.

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: 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: An apparatus is presented for the mixing of a feed fluid with a process fluid between two adsorbent beds. The apparatus creates a space for mixing and redistributing a fluid mixture between the two adsorbent beds, where a process fluid is received from the upper adsorbent bed, and a distributor box passes the feed fluid to space between the adsorbent beds and mixes the feed fluid with the process fluid. The mixture is then redistributed and passed through to the lower adsorbent bed.

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: 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: A process has been developed for producing diesel boiling range fuel from renewable feedstocks such as plant oils and animal oils, fats, and greases. The process involves treating a renewable feedstock by hydrogenating and deoxygenating to provide a hydrocarbon fraction useful as a diesel or aviation boiling range fuel or fuel blending component. If desired, the hydrocarbon fraction can be isomerized to improve cold flow properties. A portion of the hydrogenated and deoxygenated feedstock is used as a non-flashing liquid quench stream to control the temperature of the hydrogenation and deoxygenation reactor.

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 process for reducing the energy consumption of a distillation column is disclosed. The process includes drawing off an intermediate vapor stream from the rectification section of the distillation column. The vapor stream is compressed and the heat in the vapor stream is exchanged with a portion of the liquid bottoms stream. The heat transfer condenses a portion of the vapor stream, while vaporizing the liquid bottoms stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the energy consumption of a distillation column is disclosed. The apparatus draws off an intermediate vapor stream from the rectification section of the distillation column, where the vapor stream is compressed and used to reboil a portion of the bottoms stream. The compressed vapor stream transfers energy to the bottoms stream, thereby condensing a portion of the vapor stream while vaporizing the bottoms stream.

Abstract: A liquid distribution device is presented for the collection and distribution of liquid between reactor or adsorbent beds. The device includes a liquid collection tray, a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the liquid collection tray, a rough distribution tray in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, a liquid distribution tray in fluid communication with the rough distribution tray, and a plurality of vapor pipes.

Abstract: A liquid distribution device is presented for the collection and distribution of liquid between reactor or adsorbent beds. The device includes a liquid collection tray, a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the liquid collection tray, a liquid distribution tray in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, and a plurality of nozzles for delivering the liquid over the top of a reactor or adsorbent bed.

Abstract: An apparatus is shown for contacting a bed of particulate material with a cross flowing fluid, which maintains the bed of particulate material within a retention volume. The apparatus includes partitions for retaining particles, with apertures disposed within the partitions. The apertures are covered by louvers that extend above the edges of the apertures to prevent solid particles from spilling through inlet apertures. And the apparatus includes baffles to inhibit erosion of the particles by redirecting the inlet gas flow.