Abstract: Processes and apparatus for reforming hydrocarbons to reduce the impact of contaminants created by non-catalyst coking. The reaction zone receives sulfur to inhibit the impact, and a control index is used to control the determine conditions with generally lower pressures. Additionally, a compression zone, pressure control zone and combustion zone operation are provided for the operation of the reaction zone at the generally lower pressures.

Abstract: A method for improving the efficiency of a fired heater without an air preheat system is described. The method involves the use of an additional outboard convection section which is separate from the regular convection section of the fired heater. The outboard convection section uses the boiler feed water or an alternate cold sink to reduce the temperature of the flue gas, thereby improving the efficiency.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for reforming hydrocarbons to reduce the impact of contaminants created by non-catalyst coking. The reaction zone receives sulfur to inhibit the impact, and a control index is used to control the determine conditions with generally lower pressures. Additionally, a compression zone, pressure control zone and combustion zone operation are provided for the operation of the reaction zone at the generally lower pressures.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for reforming of hydrocarbons including recovery of products are provided. In one example, a method comprises separating a reforming-zone effluent into a net gas phase stream and a liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The net gas phase stream is separated for forming an H2-rich stream and a first liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The H2-rich stream may be contacted with an adsorbent to form an H2-ultra rich stream and a gas stream. C3/C4 hydrocarbons are absorbed from the gas stream with the liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The gas stream may be contacted with an H2/hydrocarbon separation membrane to separate the PSA tail gas stream and form an H2-rich permeate stream and an H2 depleted non-permeate residue stream.

Abstract: A method for improving the efficiency of a fired heater without an air preheat system is described. The method involves the use of an additional outboard convection section which is separate from the regular convection section of the fired heater. The outboard convection section uses the boiler feed water or an alternate cold sink to reduce the temperature of the flue gas, thereby improving the efficiency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a hydrocarbon stream are described. The method includes heating a feed stream in a convective bank. The heated feed stream is reacted in a first reaction zone to form a first effluent, which is heated in a first radiant cell. The first radiant cell combusts fuel to heat the first effluent and forms a first exhaust gas. The first exhaust gas is contacted with the convective bank to heat the feed stream. The outlet temperature the heated feed stream from the convective bank is controlled by introducing an additional gas stream into the convective bank. There can be additional reaction zones and radiant heaters.

Abstract: Processes and apparatuses for relocating a reforming process heater service into the convection section rely on combining a flue gas recycle quench stream with the radiant section off gases entering the convection section. The uniformity of mixing influences the effectiveness of that quench stream. The more effective the quench stream is, the lower the equipment size required to manage the recycle design.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for reforming of hydrocarbons including recovery of products are provided. In one example, a method comprises separating a reforming-zone effluent into a net gas phase stream and a liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The net gas phase stream is separated for forming an H2-rich stream and a first liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The H2-rich stream may be contacted with an adsorbent to form an H2-ultra rich stream and a gas stream. C3/C4 hydrocarbons are absorbed from the gas stream with the liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The gas stream may be contacted with an H2/hydrocarbon separation membrane to separate the PSA tail gas stream and form an H2-rich permeate stream and an H2 depleted non-permeate residue stream.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for an improved catalyst stripping process. The stripping vessel is divided into two zones. The first zone is a stripping zone where a substantial portion of the volatile hydrocarbons is removed at higher severity conditions. After the catalyst is stripped, the stripped catalyst moves to the lower cooling zone to be cooled at lower severity conditions. The flow rates, temperatures, pressures and the stripping and cooling zones are designed to ensure there is minimal volatile hydrocarbons on the catalyst by the time it leaves the stripping vessel. This design enables efficient stripping of volatile hydrocarbons at high severity conditions and eliminates these components from being stripped off elsewhere in the unit causing process and equipment issues.

Abstract: Processes and apparatuses for relocating a reforming process heater service into the convection section rely on combining a flue gas recycle quench stream with the radiant section off gases entering the convection section. The uniformity of mixing influences the effectiveness of that quench stream. The more effective the quench stream is, the lower the equipment size required to manage the recycle design.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for an improved catalyst stripping process. The stripping vessel is divided into two zones. The first zone is a stripping zone where a substantial portion of the volatile hydrocarbons is removed at higher severity conditions. After the catalyst is stripped, the stripped catalyst moves to the lower cooling zone to be cooled at lower severity conditions. The flow rates, temperatures, pressures and the stripping and cooling zones are designed to ensure there is minimal volatile hydrocarbons on the catalyst by the time it leaves the stripping vessel. This design enables efficient stripping of volatile hydrocarbons at high severity conditions and eliminates these components from being stripped off elsewhere in the unit causing process and equipment issues.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a hydrocarbon stream are described. The method includes heating a feed stream in a convective bank. The heated feed stream is reacted in a first reaction zone to form a first effluent, which is heated in a first radiant cell. The first radiant cell combusts fuel to heat the first effluent and forms a first exhaust gas. The first exhaust gas is contacted with the convective bank to heat the feed stream. The outlet temperature the heated feed stream from the convective bank is controlled by introducing an additional gas stream into the convective bank. There can be additional reaction zones and radiant heaters.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for reforming of hydrocarbons including recovery of products are provided. In one example, a method comprises separating a reforming-zone effluent to form a net gas phase stream and a liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The net gas phase stream is compressed, partially condensed and cooled to form a partially condensed, compressed net gas phase stream. The partially condensed, compressed net gas phase stream is separated to form an intermediate gas phase stream. The intermediate gas phase stream is cooled to form a cooled intermediate gas phase stream. The liquid phase hydrocarbon stream is cooled to form a cooled liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The cooled intermediate gas phase stream is contacted with the cooled liquid phase hydrocarbon stream to form an H2-rich stream and a cooled second intermediate liquid phase hydrocarbon stream that is enriched with C3/C4 hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for reforming of hydrocarbons including recovery of products are provided. In one example, a method comprises separating a reforming-zone effluent to form a net gas phase stream and a liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The net gas phase stream is compressed, partially condensed and cooled to form a partially condensed, compressed net gas phase stream. The partially condensed, compressed net gas phase stream is separated to form an intermediate gas phase stream. The intermediate gas phase stream is cooled to form a cooled intermediate gas phase stream. The liquid phase hydrocarbon stream is cooled to form a cooled liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The cooled intermediate gas phase stream is contacted with the cooled liquid phase hydrocarbon stream to form an H2-rich stream and a cooled second intermediate liquid phase hydrocarbon stream that is enriched with C3/C4 hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for regenerating catalyst particles. In one embodiment, a method for regenerating catalyst particles includes passing the catalyst particles through a halogenation zone and a drying zone. The method feeds drying gas to the drying zone and passes a first portion of the drying gas from the drying zone to the halogenation zone. The method includes removing a second portion of the drying gas from the drying zone and injecting a halogen gas into the second portion of the drying gas. Further, the method includes delivering the halogen gas and the second portion of the drying gas to the halogenation zone. In the method, substantially all of the drying gas fed to the drying zone enters the halogenation zone.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for reforming of hydrocarbons including recovery of products are provided. In one example, a method comprises separating a reforming-zone effluent to form a net gas phase stream and a liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The net gas phase stream is compressed, partially condensed and cooled to form a partially condensed, compressed net gas phase stream. The partially condensed, compressed net gas phase stream is separated to form an intermediate gas phase stream. The intermediate gas phase stream is cooled to form a cooled intermediate gas phase stream. The liquid phase hydrocarbon stream is cooled to form a cooled liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The cooled intermediate gas phase stream is contacted with the cooled liquid phase hydrocarbon stream to form an H2-rich stream and a cooled second intermediate liquid phase hydrocarbon stream that is enriched with C3/C4 hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for reforming of hydrocarbons including recovery of products are provided. In one example, a method comprises separating a reforming-zone effluent to form a net gas phase stream and a liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The net gas phase stream is compressed, partially condensed and cooled, and separated to form an intermediate gas phase stream. The intermediate gas phase stream is cooled to form a cooled intermediate gas phase stream. The liquid phase hydrocarbon stream is cooled to form a cooled liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The cooled intermediate gas phase stream is contacted with the cooled liquid phase hydrocarbon stream to form an H2-rich stream and a cooled second intermediate liquid phase hydrocarbon stream that is enriched with C3/C4 hydrocarbons. The H2-rich stream is contacted with an adsorbent to form an H2-ultra rich stream.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for reforming of hydrocarbons including recovery of products are provided. In one example, a method comprises separating a reforming-zone effluent to form a net gas phase stream and a liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The net gas phase stream is separated for forming an H2-rich stream and a first intermediate liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The H2-rich stream is contacted with an adsorbent to form an H2-ultra rich stream and a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) tail gas stream. The PSA tail gas stream and at least a portion of the liquid phase hydrocarbon stream are combined and cooled to form a cooled two-phase combined stream. The cooled two-phase combined stream is separated into a H2, C2?hydrocarbons-containing gas stream and a cooled second intermediate liquid phase hydrocarbon stream.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for reforming of hydrocarbons including recovery of products are provided. In one example, a method comprises separating a reforming-zone effluent to form a net gas phase stream and a liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The net gas phase stream is compressed, partially condensed and cooled to form a partially condensed, compressed net gas phase stream. The partially condensed, compressed net gas phase stream is separated to form an intermediate gas phase stream. The intermediate gas phase stream and the liquid phase hydrocarbon stream are combined to form a two-phase combined stream. The two-phase combined stream is cooled and separated to form an H2-rich stream and a cooled second intermediate liquid phase hydrocarbon stream that is enriched with C3/C4 hydrocarbons and further comprises C5+ hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A flow connector creates a fluid connection between a port in a wall of a reactor vessel and an axial flow path of the reactor vessel. The flow connector has a wall defining a flow path of the flow connector. The flow path terminates in a first end opening and a second end opening. The first end opening is configured to connect to the axial flow path of the reactor vessel, and the second end opening is configured to connect to the port in a wall of the reactor. The flow connector includes a passageway extending through the wall of the flow connector to provide access to the flow path of the flow connector. A cover is dimensioned for sealing the passageway. The passageway may be dimensioned such that a person may traverse the passageway to access the flow path of the flow connector.