Abstract: The present invention addresses to a third stage system with self-bleeding by means of the use of an internally or externally installed ejector with application in all multicyclone systems operating at positive pressure, whether for application in particulate abatement or protection systems of turbo-expanders or in industrial units that involve the need of recovering solid products carried by the process gas, aiming at eliminating the need for any additional separation systems using cyclones or filters to carry out the bleeding of the cyclone legs.

Abstract: The present invention deals with a mechanical device with wide application in the reduction or elimination of severe slug or plug flow instabilities in horizontal or inclined gas-liquid multiphase flow pipes, which lead to a reduced operating capacity, mechanical risks of rupture due to repetitive efforts, and operational non-viability.

Abstract: A separator comprises a separation chamber (1) with at least one inlet (11a) in its upper part, a solids outlet (12) in its lower part and two outlet pipes (2 and 3) for fractions of gas. Also described is a method which the separator uses, with the fractions of gas being sucked out in two separation zones generated inside the chamber, one with reverse flow and the other with unidirectional flow.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for cooling and distributing mixed charges on fixed catalyst beds for use in the cooling zone of descending flow reactors which comprises a flat tray fitted with collector and distributor tubes for liquid superimposed upon and connected to another flat tray of similar design to the upper tray. The device, which is of smaller size in comparison with other commercially available devices, is extremely simple to install industrially and compact, and has as its main characteristic the efficiency with which it promotes reduction of the temperature of the reaction medium when it receives the cooling fluid within the catalytic reactor.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for the production of propylene glycol from glycerol, the transformation of purified glycerol to propylene glycol being carried out by means of a reaction of hydrogenolysis, in the liquid phase, where the two stages of the reaction take place simultaneously and in one and the same reactor (1) under specified conditions of temperature and pressure, and the effluent from the fixed-bed reactor (1) is led to subsequent process stages that comprise separation and purification.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a thermocatalytic cracking process for the production of diesel oil from a charge of vegetable origin made from seeds of oleaginous plants in refineries possessing at least two FCC reactors. At least one of such reactors processes heavy gas oil or residue under conventional conditions while at least one of such reactors processes the charge of vegetable origin made from seeds of oleaginous plants under conditions suitable, for production of diesel oil. Said process employs the same catalyst utilized in the fluid catalytic cracking process which, simultaneously, processes a conventional charge. The diesel, or biodiesel, oil produced by means of said process is of superior quality having a cetane number exceeding 40 given that the cracking reactions occur at low temperatures and the products obtained are less oxidized and consequently purer than products obtained by means of existing technology.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for the production of propylene glycol from glycerol, the transformation of purified glycerol to propylene glycol being carried out by means of a reaction of hydrogenolysis, in the liquid phase, where the two stages of the reaction take place simultaneously and in one and the same reactor (1) under specified conditions of temperature and pressure, and the effluent from the fixed-bed reactor (1) is led to subsequent process stages that comprise separation and purification.

Abstract: A separator comprises a separation chamber (1) with at least one inlet (11a) in its upper part, a solids outlet (12) in its lower part and two outlet pipes (2 and 3) for fractions of gas. Also described is a method which the separator uses, with the fractions of gas being sucked out in two separation zones generated inside the chamber, one with reverse flow and the other with unidirectional flow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and respective process for distribution of mixed charges comprising a flat tray in the form of a disc drained by a series of drainage tubes located above the surface of fixed beds of catalysts, capable of promoting the homogenisation and distribution of charges by means of said device. Such drainage tubes mounted in said manner have the objective of restricting and reorienting the flow of mixed charges, multiplying the points whereon they fall, principally of the liquid phase, onto said beds of catalysts. For the purpose of doing so said drainage ducts, being segments of tubes, distributed on the entire surface of said tray possess caps affixed at the upper extremity thereof impeding the direct flow of charge onto the bed of catalyst, creating a reservoir of liquid on the tray, subsequently being drained down such device in a more controlled manner.

Abstract: A distributor nozzle for a two-phase charge, to be used in fixed-bed reactors in order to increase the area over which the mixture is dispersed and to make its flow rate the same over the whole area of the bed in the reactor. The device includes a number of fixing bars and a deflector cone frustum. The deflector cones or cone frusta may have more than one angle in order to improve the distribution, and they have a number of apertures or slits and a number of vertical directing elements or a directing cage or frame to direct the stream of the two-phase charge in order to increase the area over which the mixture is dispersed and to make its flow rate the same over the entire area of the bed in the reactor.

Abstract: This invention concerns a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process with reduced carbon monoxide emission which modifies the regeneration phase of the spent catalyst by using pure oxygen without the need for dilution when burning coke adhering to the catalyst. In addition, this invention improves the reconditioning stage of the catalyst, incorporating a reconditioner supplementary to a conventional reconditioner which employs nitrogen as a carrier gas in the reconditioning of the already regenerated catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for the separation of suspensions of spent catalysts and hydrocarbons formed in an FCC unit with multiple ascending flow reaction tubes, comprising interconnections between each of the ascending flow reaction tubes and the separator vessel, each interconnection also comprises two sections. The outside sections of the separator vessel are inclined and are connected to a single vertical section, which penetrates into the interior of the separator vessel, and which has at its lower end an open device for draining the spent catalyst from the suspensions separated in this sector. In the same vertical section, at the end of its internal part at the separator vessel, a series of two sets of cyclones are installed, the first set containing cyclones without sealing legs, and the second set containing conventional cyclones of the first stage.

Abstract: A system for sealing the legs of two stages of cyclones in series used in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes, comprising a terminal leg configuration, which is devoid of moving parts and makes use of a long-radius curve, and which changes the flow direction of the descending mass flow of catalyst in dense phase into a plane orthogonal to the ascending gaseous flow. This prevents the entry of gaseous phase inside the leg, and promotes efficient sealing and preventing the “packing-down” of the dense bed of particulates.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for cooling and distributing mixed charges on fixed catalyst beds for use in the cooling zone of descending flow reactors which comprises a flat tray fitted with collector and distributor tubes for liquid superimposed upon and connected to another flat tray of similar design to the upper tray. The device, which is of smaller size in comparison with other commercially available devices, is extremely simple to install industrially and compact, and has as its main characteristic the efficiency with which it promotes reduction of the temperature of the reaction medium when it receives the cooling fluid within the catalytic reactor.

Abstract: An improved cyclone system for disengaging solid and gaseous particles in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes with reduced coke formation in disengager vessels, without favoring release of the disengaged catalyst into cyclones in subsequent stages, said system comprising legless cyclones 42 fitted with external collector pipes 43, is described. The collector pipes 43 optimize the purge of gases coming from the disengager vessel 49, reducing the time the hydrocarbons remain inside the disengager vessel 49, thus preventing overcracking and subsequent coke formation. Positioning of the external collector pipes 43 prevents release of the disengaged catalyst into cyclones in subsequent stages.

Abstract: A stripping apparatus is described for the gas-solid separation process in a fluidized bed in a counter-current flow of a stripping fluid. The apparatus includes sets of perforated baffle-plates with holes, fixed in series, alternating central and lateral plates inside a stripping chamber. The holes in the baffle-plates, in number, size and in circular or elliptical lay-out, are oriented in offset position in relation to the holes in the parallel and subsequent baffle-plates, reducing the damage of erosion on the perforated baffle-plates and optimizing stripping of the fluidized solid particles.

Abstract: A system for sealing the legs of two stages of cyclones in series used in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes, comprising a terminal leg configuration, which is devoid of moving parts and makes use of a long-radius curve, and which changes the flow direction of the descending mass flow of catalyst in dense phase into a plane orthogonal to the ascending gaseous flow. This prevents the entry of gaseous phase inside the leg, and promotes efficient sealing and preventing the “packing-down” of the dense bed of particulates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for the separation of suspensions of spent catalysts and hydrocarbons formed in an FCC unit with multiple ascending flow reaction tubes, comprising interconnections between each of the ascending flow reaction tubes and the separator vessel, each interconnection also comprises two sections The outside sections of the separator vessel are inclined and are connected to a single vertical section, which penetrates into the interior of the separator vessel, and which has at its lower end an open device for draining the spent catalyst from the suspensions separated in this sector. In the same vertical section, at the end of its internal part at the separator vessel, a series of two sets of cyclones are installed, the first set containing cyclones without sealing legs, and the second set containing conventional cyclones of the first stage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and respective process for distribution of mixed charges comprising a flat tray in the form of a disc drained by a series of drainage tubes located above the surface of fixed beds of catalysts, capable of promoting the homogenisation and distribution of charges by means of said device. Such drainage tubes mounted in said manner have the objective of restricting and reorienting the flow of mixed charges, multiplying the points whereon they fall, principally of the liquid phase, onto said beds of catalysts. For the purpose of doing so said drainage ducts, being segments of tubes, distributed on the entire surface of said tray possess caps affixed at the upper extremity thereof impeding the direct flow of charge onto the bed of catalyst, creating a reservoir of liquid on the tray, subsequently being drained down such device in a more controlled manner.

Abstract: A device and a method for operating it for application in a vertical tube reactor with downward flow (downer), has the aim of ensuring the intimate mixing of the solid particulate catalyst with a reagent fluid. Homogeneous distribution of catalyst is due to the use of a plate having perforations. Said perforated plate normally allows the passage of a portion of the stream of catalyst. The other portion overflows the edge of the plate, flowing in the form of an annular curtain, near the inner surface of the surrounding tube of the device. After passing beyond the perforated plate, the curtain-flow undergoes a deflection produced by an annular screen, to be mixed with the stream originating from the orifices in the perforated plate. A hydrocarbon charge is injected below the perforated plate, forming a certain angle with respect to the direction of the downward flow of catalyst, by means of inlets distributed uniformly about cross sections of the surrounding tube.