Abstract: The invention describes a laboratory reactor for the kinetic study of catalytic reactions calling for a gaseous reaction phase and a liquid reaction phase, characterized by a capillary shape, a substantially uniform arrangement of the catalyst grains along the reactor, with, on average, every cross-section of the reactor comprising a defined and constant number of catalyst grains, and this number of grains being between 1 and 4. The reactor that is the object of the invention is especially well suited for studying reactions of hydrogenation, hydrotreatment, and hydrocracking.

Abstract: The invention describes a laboratory reactor for the kinetic study of catalytic reactions calling for a gaseous reaction phase and a liquid reaction phase, characterized by a capillary shape, a substantially uniform arrangement of the catalyst grains along the reactor, with, on average, every cross-section of the reactor comprising a defined and constant number of catalyst grains, and this number of grains being between 1 and 4. The reactor that is the object of the invention is especially well suited for studying reactions of hydrogenation, hydrotreatment, and hydrocracking.

Abstract: A process for synthesising hydrocarbons by reacting a mixture comprising at least carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst is carried out in a three-phase reactor in which the liquid Peclet number is in the range 0 (excluded) to about 10, with a superficial gas velocity Ug that is preferably less than 35 cm.s−1, to encourage gas transfer into the liquid phase and avoid too much attrition of the catalyst grains.

Abstract: A process for converting hydrocarbons in the presence of a catalyst is described that is carried out in a three-phase reactor in which the liquid Peclet number is in the range 0 (excluded) to about 10, with a superficial gas velocity Ug that is preferably less than 35 cm.s−1, to encourage gas transfer into the liquid phase and avoid too much attrition of the catalyst grains.

Abstract: A process for synthesising hydrocarbons by reacting a mixture comprising at least carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst is carried out in a three-phase reactor in which the liquid Peclet number is in the range 0 (excluded) to about 10, with a superficial gas velocity Ug that is preferably less than 35 cm.s−1, to encourage gas transfer into the liquid phase and avoid too much attrition of the catalyst grains.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for converting hydrocarbons in the presence of a catalyst carried out in a three-phase reactor and wherein the liquid Peclet number ranges between 0 (excluded) and about 10, and the gas surface speed Ug is preferably less than 35 sm.s−1, so as to promote the transfer, of gas into the liquid phase and avoid too much attrition of the catalyst grains.

Abstract: Continuous process for the production of prevalently heavy hydrocarbons starting from synthesis gas in the presence of a gas phase, a liquid and a solid catalyst, the above process being carried out using a bubble column, characterized in that the bubble column internally has: (a) at least one draft-tube; (b) at least one device for the inlet of the synthesis gas; (c) at least one device for the inlet of the regenerating gas; (d) at least one device for activating/interrupting the stream of regenerating gas; (e) optional devices suitable for minimizing the mixing of the synthesis gas with the regenerating gas.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for optimal operation of a slurry bubble column containing a suspension of solid particles in a liquid, characterized in that a gas phase containing the reactant(s) required for the production of the desired products is injected in the form of bubbles close to the lower extremity of said reactor and at least a portion of the liquid fraction and optionally of the solid fraction of said suspension is recirculated, drawn off from close to one extremity of said reactor and reintroduced close to the other extremity of said reactor, with a liquid flow rate U.sub.1 in the reactor which is at least equal to and preferably greater than the sedimentation rate U.sub.s of the solid particles. The invention also concerns an apparatus for optimal operation of the process. Finally, the invention concerns the use of the process and apparatus in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for optimal operation of a slurry bubble column containing a suspension of solid particles in a liquid, characterized in that a gas phase containing the reactant(s) required for the production of the desired products is injected in the form of bubbles close to the lower extremity of the reactor and at least a portion of the liquid fraction and optionally of the solid fraction of the suspension is recirculated, drawn off from close to one extremity of the reactor and reintroduced close to the other extremity of the reactor, with a liquid flow rate U.sub.l in the reactor which is at least equal to and preferably greater than the sedimentation rate U.sub.s of the solid particles. The invention also concerns an apparatus for optimal operation of the process. Finally, the invention concerns the use of the process and apparatus in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.

Abstract: In the synthesis of essentially linear saturated C.sub.5.sup.+ hydrocarbons from synthesis gas, the reactive gas phase circulating either as a downflow or as an upflow through a fixed bed catalytic reaction zone, an upflow of an inert liquid phase through said zone at a superficial flow rate of more than 0.01 cm/s, as compared to a downflow of liquid phase, increases the selectivity of the process to the formation of the desired C.sub.5.sup.+ cut.

Abstract: A device for testing the development of processes or chemical reactions in the presence of solid catalysts comprising a reactor of cylindrical shape, of inside diameter D and of length L, such that 50<L/D<150. The reactor having a preferred D of 10-40 mm also includes a sheathed thermometer arranged substantially along the axis of the reactor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for catalytic cracking and the associated apparatus in which the cracking reaction takes place in two substantially vertical and successive reaction zones, the loads being introduced into the first zone where it circulates from the top downwards, then at least a part of the product obtained is introduced into a second reaction zone in which it circulates in an ascending fashion. A supplementary hydrocarbonated phase is advantageously introduced into the product entering the second zone. The invention applies particularly to heavy loads, with a U-shaped apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a downflow fluid cracking process and apparatus, particularly suitable for use in the catalytic cracking of heavy hydrocarbon charges. More specifically, removal of at least partly regenerated catalyst, which must be recycled to the reactor 1 from a dense phase 17a contained in a regenerator 17, and the introduction of the catalyst into the upper part 3 of the reactor 1 takes place under conditions such that the density of the thus formed gas-solid suspension is between 80 and 500 kg/m.sup.3 prior to its contacting with the charge, which is introduced by the injectors 5.

Abstract: The invention relates to a downflow fluid cracking process and apparatus. More specifically, sampling takes place of the at least partly regenerated catalyst, which must be recycled to the reactor 1 from a dense phase 17a, contained in a regenerator 17 and the stage of introducing the catalyst into the upper part 3 of the reactor 1 takes place under conditions such that the density of the thus formed gas-solid suspension is between 80 and 500 kg/m.sup.3 prior to its contacting with the charge, which is introduced by the injectors 5.

Abstract: Process for the catalytic conversion of a charge incorporating at least one oxygen compound such as methanol, into olefinic hydrocarbons having 2 to 4 carbon atoms. Conversion takes place in a reactor (100), into which the charge is introduced by the pipe (20), the catalytic solid by the pipe (30) and the solid entrainment gas by the pipe (40), the reactor being connected by a pipe (1) to a co-current cyclone separator (S) making it possible to separate a solid phase from a gaseous phase containing the conversion products, which is recovered by the pipe (4). The solid phase is fed by the pipe (9) to a regenerator (R), in which the catalytic particles are at least partly regenerated before being returned by the pipe (80), connected to the pipe (30), to the reactor (100).

Abstract: The conversion of a charge comprising at least one oxygen compound is performed in a reactor C, into which the charge is introduced by the pipe (11), the solid catalytic particles forming the dense phase D1 by the pipe (14) and the solid entrainment gas by the pipe (12). The reactor is connected by a pipe (1) to a cocurrent cyclone separator-mixer (MS) making it possible to separate a solid phase from a gaseous phase containing the conversion products recovered by the pipe (4'), while carrying out a quenching of said gaseous phase by a product M2 introduced by the pipe (3). The phase D1 is fed by the pipe (7) to a regenerator R before being returned by the pipe (13) into the reactor C. The mixture of the gaseous phase and the product M2 is separated in a separator and the product M2, optionally after cooling, is recycled to the mixer-separator (MS).

Abstract: A co-current separator is provided which makes it possible to separate a light phase contained in a mixture from a dense phase. Disposed downstream in the direction of circulation of the dense phase is an internal output opening of an interior enclosure. Fins are provided on the interior enclosure for limiting the progression of the light phase to the outside of the interior enclosure. The mixture is introduced tangentially into an inlet, and the dense phase is recovered at one outlet with the light phase recovered at another outlet. This makes it possible to rapidly separate the dense phase from the light phase, providing an apparatus useful for separating, for example, a solid from a gas.

Abstract: A co-current cyclone mixer-separator which makes it possible to separae a light phase L1 contained in a mixture M1 which also contains a dense phase D1 from the dense phase and to mix this phase L1 with a dense phase or with a mixture containing this phase and a light phase. The mixture M1 is introduced at and the phase D1 is recovered at. The dense phase of a mixture is introduced at and enters a second inner enclosure at, at least a part of the phase likewise entering the latter enclosure. A mixture comprising the phases, if it has been introduced, is obtained at. Preferably, the apparatus comprises blades which make it possible to limit the progress of the vortex into the outlet. This apparatus permits of a rapid heat exchange, for exmple the hardening, of a phase by a phase or a mixture. It can also be used for the rapid replacement of a phase contained in a mixture also containing a phase by a phase other than.

Abstract: A process for converting liquid or semi-liquid hydrocarbon charges to lighter fractions comprises a first step (a) heating droplets jets of the charge introduced into a pyrolysis chamber by surrounding them with parallel jets of hot solid particles, of relatively large size, of a heat carrier material, not substantially in contact with the droplet jets, so as to maintain a temperature of 700.degree.-1600.degree. C., and introducing a gas so as to obtain a pressure from 1 to 150 bars. A second step involves (b) separating the gaseous fraction from the solid particles. Thereafter (c) at least a portion of the solid particles are heated and fed back to step (a). The gaseous fraction is (d) cooled by means of a cold gas so as to recover light hydrocarbons therefrom.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and an apparatus for making a stable solution or dispersion of a hydrosoluble powder.It is characterized by the simultaneous use of a system for withdrawing powder from a vessel (2) e.g. by means of a gas (4), the dilution of the powder in a carrying gas, the driving with said carrying gas, of the obtained dilution, through a transfer duct (10), the passage of the dilution across an electrostatic field (11) and the solubilization in water of a tank (12).The invention is particularly applicable to the dispersion of polyacrylamides used in the technique of enhanced oil recovery.