Abstract: Oxides of nitrogen (NO.sub.x) emissions from an FCC regenerator are reduced by operating the regenerator in partial CO burn mode to produce flue gas with more CO than O.sub.2 and with NO.sub.x precursors. This flue gas is then enriched with controlled amounts of oxygen and charged over catalyst, preferably Group VIII noble metal on a support, to convert most NO.sub.x precursors to nitrogen. Flue gas may then be charged to a CO boiler. Eliminating more than 90% of NO.sub.x emissions is possible by operating the FCC regenerator in partial CO burn mode, then adding air and catalytically converting NO.sub.x precursors at substoichiometric conditions. Conversion of NO.sub.x, if formed in the regenerator, may be achieved as well.

Abstract: An apparatus for multistage, hot stripping of spent FCC catalyst in a regenerator having a stripper supported by the regenerator is disclosed. A secondary stripper, under the conventional primary stripper, is heated indirectly by immersion in a dense bed of hot regenerated catalyst, or heat exchange with a dilute phase transport riser encompassing the primary stripper standpipe and secondary stripper, or by direct contact heat exchange with added hot regenerated catalyst. Vapor from the secondary stripper passes through the primary stripper without contacting spent catalyst in the primary stripper.

Abstract: An inertial/filtering separator in a single vessel and FCC process using same as a third stage separator are disclosed. Gas and fines are added tangentially to an annulus formed by a cylindrical insert in a vessel. Gas flows over the insert and down to filters in the vessel. Solids are withdrawn from the base of the annulus and periodically from the filter. Three types of solids collection--inertial, gravity settling and filtration--are practiced in a single vessel.

Abstract: A process for fluidized catalytic cracking of heavy feed using a low H.sub.2 S content lift gas in the base of a riser reactor. The lift gas is a recycled, ethylene rich stream obtained by removing H.sub.2 S from a compressed vapor stream intermediate the FCC main column receiver and the gas plant associated with the FCC unit. The low H.sub.2 S lift gas does not increase SO.sub.x emissions from the regenerator as much as a recycled vapor from the FCC main column. As the lift gas is not purified in the gas plant it does not overload it.

Abstract: Oxides of nitrogen (NO.sub.x) emissions from FCC regenerators in complete CO combustion mode are reduced by degrading regenerator performance to increase the coke on regenerated catalyst. High zeolite content cracking catalyst, regenerated to contain more coke, gives efficient conversion of feed and reduces NO.sub.x emissions from the regenerator. Operating with less catalyst, e.g., 30-60% of the normal amount of catalyst in the bubbling dense bed, can eliminate most NO.sub.x emissions while increasing slightly plant capacity and reducing catalyst deactivation.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for regeneration of spent FCC catalyst in a bubbling bed regenerator having a stripper mounted over the regenerator. Spent catalyst is regenerated in a fast fluidized bed coke combustor heated by direct contact heat exchange with catalyst recycled to the coke combustor via an internal "trough" trap. Catalyst recycle flow to the combustor is controlled by varying gas flow in the trough trap.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for upgrading reformate and/or light FCC gasoline by substantially reducing the amount of benzene in the gasoline product while simultaneously reducing the gasoline ASTM distillation End Point. The process comprises the fractionation of reformate to recover that fraction, C.sub.7 -C.sub.8 hydrocarbons, directly useful in gasoline without further conversion. A heavy bottom fraction comprising C.sub.9 + aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbons is recovered and a C.sub.6 fraction rich in benzene. The total C.sub.6 fraction and a portion of the C.sub.9 + fraction are converted by alkylation, transalkylation and cracking in contact with acidic metallosilicate catalyst particles to gasoline boiling range materials rich in alkylaromatics. Following debutanization or depentanization of the conversion product, the fraction containing unconverted benzene is recycled to the reformate fractionator.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for increasing the coke burning capacity of FCC catalyst regenerators is disclosed. An auxiliary regenerator receives spent catalyst from an FCC stripper and burns some of the coke at turbulent or fast fluidized bed conditions. Partially regenerated catalyst and flue gas enter a low pressure drop cyclone discharging more than 90% of the partially regenerated catalyst down into a bubbling or fast fluidized bed in the primary regenerator. Flue gas from the auxiliary regenerator is discharged into the dilute phase above the bed in the primary regenerator. Catalyst entrainment from the fluidized bed in the primary regenerator may be reduced because less combustion air is needed as a result of partial regeneration in the auxiliary regenerator. Reduced NOx and dust emissions, and/or increased coke burning capacity, may be achieved, especially when a bubbling dense bed primary catalyst regenerator is used.

Abstract: A process for multistage regeneration of spent FCC catalyst in an "Orthoflow" or stacked FCC unit having a stripper mounted over the regenerator. Spent catalyst is discharged into a fast fluidized bed coke combustor heated by direct contact heat exchange with catalyst and large particles or beads of CO combustion promoter. The large particle CO combustion promoter is trapped in the coke combustor, to permit complete CO combustion, with limited coke combustion.

Abstract: A process for demetallizing metals contaminated FCC catalyst in an FCC regenerator. A metals getter additive, with higher settling velocity, is added to the regenerator, to remove metals from FCC catalyst by solid-solid interaction. The FCC catalyst forms a light, discrete, dense phase fluidized bed on top of a fluidized bed of additive. FCC catalyst is recycled to the cracking reactor from the top fluidized bed, while additive can be withdrawn from the lower fluidized bed for disposal or for metals recovery and recycle. Additive can be optimized for metals removal and will not dilute the cracking catalyst in the FCC reactor.

Abstract: A layered catalyst contains a core of at least one, and preferably three, molecular sieve components within a shell layer of reduced molecular sieve content. A preferred catalyst consists of a core of a large pore molecular sieve, preferably a dealuminized Y-type zeolite, a shape selective paraffin cracking/isomerization component, preferably HZSM-5, and a shape selective aliphatic aromatization component, preferably gallium ZSM-5, within a shell of an alumina-rich, matrix. The shell can capture metals from the feeds being processed, it can act as a metals sink, and can remove metals form the unit by attrition. The catalyst is preferably prepared by forming the core and then coating or encapsulating the core with a shell having a reduced molecular sieve content. The shell may contain a pillared clay or other very large pore cracking component. The shell may be an attritable coating of an amorphous rare earth oxide, aluminum oxide and aluminum phosphate composite, which traps metals.

Abstract: A process for thermally and catalytically upgrading a heavy feed in a single riser reactor FCC unit is disclosed. A heavy feed is added to a blast zone in the base of the riser, and sufficient hot regenerated FCC catalyst is added to induce both thermal and catalytic cracking of the heavy feed. A reactive quench material, which cools the material discharged from the blast zone is added to a quench zone downstream of the blast zone, to reduce temperature at least in part by undergoing endothermic reactions in the riser. Quench liquids can be distillable FCC feeds such as gas oil, slack wax, or alcohols or ethers. The quench material is added in an amount equal to 100 to 1000 wt % of the non-distillable material in the heavy feed. A preferred catalyst, with a high zeolite content, is used which retains activity in the quench despite initial contact with the heavy feed, which tends to overwhelm conventional FCC catalysts.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for achieving turbulent or fast fluidized bed regeneration of spent FCC catalyst in a bubbling bed regenerator having a stripper mounted over the regenerator and a stripped catalyst standpipe within the regenerator. A coke combustor vessel, which may be partially or totally open to the dilute phase above the bubbling bed, is added to the existing regenerator vessel Spent catalyst is discharged into the coke combustor, regenerated in a turbulent or fast fluidized bed, then discharged into the dilute phase region above the bubbling bed, either via a deflector or by simply overflowing the combustor. Regeneration of catalyst is completed in the bubbling dense bed, and/or an annular fast fluidized bed surrounding the coke combustor. Catalyst may be recycled from the dense bed to the coke combustor either by a flow line, or by adjusting relative heights of bubbling to fast fluidized bed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for simultaneously heating and cooling of spent FCC catalyst during regeneration in a high efficiency FCC regenerator, one using a fast fluidized bed coke combustor. The coke combustor burns coke from spent catalyst in a turbulent or fast fluidized bed, and discharges catalyst and flue gas up into a dilute phase transport riser. Catalyst is separated into flue gas and a bubbling dense bed of catalyst. The coke combustor is heated by recycling hot catalyst from the bubbling dense bed and simultaneously cooled by a backmixed heat exchanger. Catalyst flows from the combustor to the cooler and is displaced back into the combustor by adding air to the catalyst in the cooler. Heating promotes rapid coke combustion, while cooling reduces thermal and hydrothermal deactivation of the spent catalyst.

Abstract: The invention provides a substantially fail-safe HF alkylation process and reactor apparatus. The elongated reactor vessel is enclosed in a subterranean well casing and an alkylate-containing hydrocarbon layer is maintained above the hydrofluoric acid to prevent release of gaseous HF in the event of sudden depressurization. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrocarbon layer contains light hydrocarbons which vaporize upon depressurization to effect Joule-Thompson cooling of the reactor vessel.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for fluidized catalytic cracking of heavy oils is disclosed using a modified high efficiency catalyst regenerator. A fast fluidized bed coke combustor, which is essentially free of gas/catalyst separation means, partially regenerates catalyst and discharges a steam laden flue gas and catalyst into a dilute phase transport riser. Closed cyclones separate catalyst from steam laden flue gas exiting the transport riser outlet. This flue gas is isolated from a second fluidized bed of catalyst maintained in a vessel containing the transport riser and closed cyclones. Coke combustion in the drier region of the second fluidized bed is possible. Catalyst deactivates less in the second fluidized bed because it is drier.

Abstract: A layered catalyst suited to the catalytic cracking of heavy feeds comprises a core and a shell. The shell comprises at least 5 wt % of at least 1 molecular sieve having openings of at least 8 angstroms. The core comprises at least 10 wt % of at least 1 molecular sieve having openings comprising a 12 or less-membered ring and has a reduced, if any, content of said molecular sieve having openings of at least 8 angstroms, relative to its concentration in the shell. Suitable molecular sieve materials having openings of at least 8 angstroms include MCM-41, VPI-5, MCM-9 and layered metal oxides, e.g., pillared clays. The required molecular sieve of the core can include zeolite Y, Ultrastable Y or intermediate pore size zeolites such as ZSM-5. The shell which may further contain a metals passivator can act as a metals sink, and can remove metals from the unit by attrition. The catalyst is preferably prepared by forming the core and then coating or encapsulating the core with a shell material.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for achieving turbulent or fast fluidized bed regeneration of spent FCC catalyst in a bubbling bed regenerator having a stripper mounted over the regenerator and a stripped catalyst standpipe within the regenerator. A closed coke combustor vessel is added alongside an existing regenerator vessel, and spent catalyst is discharged into a transfer pot beneath the existing dense bed, then into the coke combustor. Catalyst is regenerated in a turbulent or fast fluidized bed, and discharged into the dilute phase region above the existing bubbling dense bed. The discharge line preferably encompasses, and is in a heat exchange relationship with, the spent catalyst standpipe. Discharged catalyst is collected in the bubbling dense bed surrounding the coke combustor, and may be given an additional stage of regeneration. Catalyst may be recycled from the dense bed to the transfer pot.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for fluidized bed catalyst regeneration. The regenerator contains a base fluidized bed, a bubbling dense bed above the base fluidized bed, and a dilute phase region above the bubbling dense bed. The bubbling dense bed has a larger cross sectional area than the base bed. Most, preferably all, the regeneration gas is added to the base fluidized bed. Higher superficial vapor velocities in the base fluidized bed, with conventional vapor velocities in the bubbling dense bed, allow more efficient regeneration in the base bed, without excessive catalyst entrainment into the dilute phase. Regenerated catalyst may be recycled from the bubbling dense bed or the dilute phase to the base fluidized bed, preferably via a cyclone dipleg.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for achieving turbulent or fast fluidized bed regeneration of spent FCC catalyst in a bubbling bed regenerator having a stripper mounted over the regenerator and a stripped catalyst standpipe within the regenerator. A coke combustor vessel, which may be partially or totally open to the dilute phase above the bubbling bed, is added to the existing regenerator vessel. Spent catalyst is discharged into the coke combustor, regenerated in a turbulent or fast fluidized bed, then discharged into the dilute phase region above the bubbling bed, either via a deflector or by simply overflowing the combustor. Regeneration of catalyst is completed in the bubbling dense bed, and/or an annular fast fluidized bed surrounding the coke combustor. Catalyst may be recycled from the dense bed to the coke combustor either by a flow line, or by adjusting relative heights of bubbling to fast fluidized bed.