Abstract: A steam-cracking unit comprises at least one multitube quenching exchanger, equipped with a non-obstructive impact separator for preventing the erosion of the tubular input plate. The impact separator is at least 50% opaque when viewed from transfer pipe. It is arranged inside of an input cone in such a way that there is free passage of at least 40 mm between the periphery of the impact separator and the cone.

Abstract: The device comprises at least one column 1 that is filled with a number of beds An, whereby each bed Ai is separated from the next bed Ai+1 by a fluid distributor plate Pi. Each plate is divided into a number of sectors P10, and P11, and each sector comprises at least two fluid distribution chambers CHi and CHj. Each chamber of the plate is connected to a transfer line LTi and LTj to the outside. Transfer line LTi, which is associated with chambers CHi of a distributor plate, is connected to transfer line LTj, which is associated with chambers CHj of the same plate, via a bypass line Li,j. The latter comprises means 14, 15, 16, and 17 for controlling and adjusting the flow rate of fluid that circulates there, such that each distribution chamber CHi is flushed by a fluid that is obtained from chamber CHj and that has approximately the same composition as that of the fluid that circulates through distributor plate Pi at each of the chambers.

Abstract: A steam-cracking process includes the injection, at at least one point upstream from a secondary quenching indirect exchanger (4b), of particles with a mean size of between 0.02 and 4 mm, at a velocity speed in the exchanger of 20 to 180 m/s, in sufficient quantity to limit the rise in the output temperature of the effluents from the exchanger to a value that is less than 100° C. per month. At least 70% by weight of the quantity of injected particles is introduced downstream from primary quenching exchangers (4a) and upstream from the inlet to the secondary quenching exchanger. At intervals, decoking of the pyrolysis pipes and primary quenching exchangers is carried out in the presence of air.

Abstract: A steam-cracking unit and a steam-cracking process with controlled injection of solid particles in a quenching exchanger (3) is described. The particles are injected through a single axial injection pipe that is arranged on the axis of input cone (2) of the quenching exchanger, just upstream from an impact separator-diffuser (6) that comprises solid surfaces that are arranged opposite the transfer pipe of the cracked gases toward the exchanger; this impact separator-distributor is located in input cone (2) of the exchanger and is gas-permeable along a number of passages and at least 70% opaque when viewed from the transfer pipe.

Abstract: The device comprises at least one column 1 that is filled with a number of beds A.sub.n, whereby each bed A.sub.i is separated from the next bed A.sub.i+1 by a fluid distributor plate P.sub.i. Each plate is divided into a number of sectors P.sub.10, and P.sub.11, and each sector comprises at least two fluid distribution chambers CH.sub.i and CH.sub.j. Each chamber of the plate is connected to a transfer line LT.sub.i and LT.sub.j to the outside. Transfer line LT.sub.i, which is associated with chambers CH.sub.i of a distributor plate, is connected to transfer line LT.sub.j, which is associated with chambers CH.sub.j of the same plate, via a bypass line L.sub.i,j. The latter comprises means 14, 15, 16, and 17 for controlling and adjusting the flow rate of fluid that circulates there, such that each distribution chamber CH.sub.i is flushed by a fluid that is obtained from chamber CH.sub.j and that has approximately the same composition as that of the fluid that circulates through distributor plate P.sub.

Abstract: Injection or extraction device that comprises at least one injection or extraction rail 2 that is integral with a chamber 1 for injecting a fluid F2 into a zone Z1 or for extracting a fluid F1 from zone Z1 in which said fluid circulates, whereby the rail comprises at least one orifice 3 that makes it possible for fluid F2 to pass into zone Z1 or for said fluid F1 to be extracted from zone Z1 and that in front of each orifice comprises at least one means 5 for at least partial blocking of the orifice, whereby the means is located downstream or upstream from the rail in the direction of circulation of fluid F2 and that makes it possible for fluid F2 to pass into zone Z1 or for said fluid F1 to be extracted from zone Z1. Use of the device for monitoring the injection or extraction of a first fluid in the simultaneous presence of a second fluid that is different from the first fluid.

Abstract: A chamber comprising a moving bed of solid particles, delimited by at least one screen with thickness e, circulating in a downward direction substantially parallel to the screen, the bed being traversed by at least one fluid flowing in the bed in a principal direction which is different to that of the ensemble of particles and leaving the bed by an outlet screen. In accordance with the invention, the chamber comprises at least one opening for introducing solid particles located above the bed and comprising at least one orifice for the flow of the particles, located at a distance of at least 0.6 e from the outlet screen. The chamber advantageously comprises at least two extraction openings, one extraction opening being located at a distance not more than 0.5 e from the outlet screen, and the other at a distance of at least 0.5 e from the outlet screen. The invention is applicable to catalytic reactors, in particular to catalytic reforming reactors.

Abstract: A flexible steam cracking process for hydrocarbon feeds comprises injection of particles with an average size of between 0.02 mm and 4 mm, at a circulation rate in indirect transfer line exchangers (4) of 20 to 180 m/s, and in a sufficient quantity to limit the increase in temperature at the outlet to the exchangers (4) to a value of less than 100.degree. C. per month, into at least one point upstream of an indirect transfer line exchanger (4), cracking zone (2) remaining in communication with downstream means (6) for the treatment of cooled effluents. At least 70% by weight of the quantity of injected particles is introduced between the outlet to the cracking zone (2) and the tubes of the indirect transfer line exchanger (4). Chemical decoking is carried out in the tubes of the cracking zone at time intervals of less than 4 months by establishing accelerated coke gasification conditions, for example by injecting compounds which catalyse gasification by steam, or by decoking in air and/or steam.

Abstract: A facility and a process for steam cracking include controlled injection of solid particles into a transfer line exchanger (3). The particles are injected via injection lines, numbering between 1 and 8, just upstream of an impact-diffuser (6) comprising solid surfaces disposed on either side of the line for transfer of the cracked gases to the exchanger; this impact-diffuser is located in the inlet cone (2) of the exchanger, is permeable to the gases via a plurality of passages and at least 70% opaque viewed from the transfer line.

Abstract: A steam cracking process and facility is described which comprises injection of erosive powder to effect at least partial decoking of transfer line exchangers without interrupting the steam cracking stream. The powder, preferably injected just upstream of the transfer line exchangers (TLE) (4), is separated from the cracked gases in primary gas/solid separators (5), temporarily stored in receiving drums at a controlled temperature and evacuated to a common powder storage and/or treatment module by pneumatic transfer by means of a relatively low flow of uncondensable gas. The process and facility can be used to collect solid fragments generated by injection of chemical compounds which are catalysts for the gasification of coke by steam.

Abstract: An enclosure in which there circulates a moving bed of solid particles (for example a moving-bed catalytic reactor such as a reforming reactor), is delimited in the enclosure by at least one grill. In the enclosure a fluid passes through the bed in a direction different from that of the flow of the assembly of the particles and issues from the bed by way of at least one grill. Disposed in the thickness of said bed in an intermediate wall (grill) such as to distribute the thrust forces produced by the fluid on the particles in the zones of the bed which are delimited in that way. Jamming of the particles against the grill or grills is greatly reduced and the admissible fluid flow rate is then decreased.

Abstract: A process for discharging solids from a vessel having at least three successive beds of solid particulate material with at least two of the beds being of different solid material than the other. The process comprises opening a lowermost closure and discharging the lowermost bed from the vessel while maintaining other closures in closed positions. After discharging the lowermost bed, opening the next-to-lowermost closure to permit the next-to-lowermost bed of solids to replace the lowermost bed, and repeating this operation up through all the beds without mixing of the beds, and discharging each bed separately from the vessel.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for carrying out chemical reactions, in the presence of at least one catalyst, in at least one reaction zone equipped with heat exchanger plates which make it possible to control the temperature of the zone. The apparatus mainly comprises a reactor, at least one central distributor manifold, a plurality of distributor manifolds, at least one central receiver manifold, a plurality of receiver manifolds and a plurality of continuous and elongate hollow plates, preferably substantially perpendicular. The hollow plates can contain adjacent channels having one of the following shapes: square, rectangular, triangular, sinusoidal.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out chemical reactions in the presence of at least one catalyst, in at least one reaction zone equipped with heat exchanger plates allowing the temperature of the zone to be controlled. The apparatus mainly comprises a reactor (1), at least one central distributing manifold (6.1a), a plurality of distributing manifolds (6.2a), at least one central receiving manifold (6.5a), a plurality of receiving manifolds (6.4a), a plurality of connecting manifolds (6.6a) and a plurality of hollow, continuous, elongate plates (6.3a), each divided into two hollow half panels (6.3, 1a and 6.3, 2a). The plates are preferably substantially parallelepipedic and may contain adjacent channels having one of the following forms: square, rectangular, triangular, or sinusoidal.

Abstract: The improved device for generating acoustic shear waves in the earth comprises a target member adapted to be coupled with the earth and provided with two lateral striking surfaces on which impinges a hammer pivotably mounted on a platform; the target member is connected through damping means to a cage supporting the platform, the hammer and its actuation means, said cage being displaceable with respect to the frame of a carrying vehicle between a position of contact with the earth of the target member and a lifted position thereof, the striking surfaces being inner walls of the target member.

Abstract: Apparatus and continuous process for converting hydrocarbons in the presence of a granular catalyst including a metal from group VI a, VII a or VIII, deposited on a carrier, comprising passing a charge of hydrocarbons with hydrogen through a series of at least two vertical catalytic zones in which the catalyst bed moves progressively downwardly, withdrawing progressively the catalyst from the bottom of the last catalytic zone, and reintroducing the same, after regeneration, at the top of the first catalytic zone.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon hydroconversion catalyst is regenerated by (a) combustion, (b) chlorination or oxychlorination and (c) treatment with an oxygen-containing gas, and the gas discharged from the regeneration zone, before re-use, is (a) cooled down to below 70.degree. C., (b) subjected to double washing and (c) dried to reduce the water content of the gas to less than 2,500 ppm. An apparatus is also disclosed, certain parts of which are made of a material strongly resistant chlorine and other parts of a less resistant material with respect thereto.

Abstract: Continuous process for converting hydrocarbons in the presence of a granular catalyst including a metal from group VI a, VII a or VIII, deposited on a carrier, comprising passing a charge of hydrocarbons with hydrogen through a series of at least two vertical catalytic zones in which the catalyst bed moves progressively downwardly, withdrawing progressively the catalyst from the bottom of the last catalytic zone, and reintroducing the same, after regeneration, at the top of the first catalytic zone.

Abstract: Catalytic process for reforming or production of aromatic hydrocarbons at a temperature from 480.degree. to 600.degree. C., wherein a charge of hydrocarbons and hydrogen is passed through two reaction zones, of the moving bed type, whose catalyst continuously flows downwardly and is withdrawn at the bottom thereof, is regenerated, treated with hydrogen and then with a sulfur compound, at respective temperatures lower than the reaction temperature, and thereafter fed back continuously to the reaction zone.

Abstract: Continuous process for converting hydrocarbons in the presence of a granular catalyst including a metal from group VI a, VII a or VIII, deposited on a carrier, comprising passing a charge of hydrocarbons with hydrogen through a series of at least two vertical catalytic zones in which the catalyst bed moves progressively downwardly, withdrawing progressively the catalyst from the bottom of the last catalytic zone, and reintroducing the same, after regeneration, at the top of the first catalytic zone.