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 whilst 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 utilised 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 oxidised and consequently purer than products obtained by means of existing technology.

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: 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 said 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: 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 said 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: An apparatus for downflow fluid catalytic cracking is described, which comprises a regenerated catalyst riser carrying regenerated catalyst and a carrying fluid, those being directed through a crossover section to a distributor that will centrifuge gas and separate catalyst from carrying fluid, the catalyst being directed to a downflow reactor through a distributing basket provided with perforations. The upper part of the reactor is provided with feed injectors, which atomize the feed so that feed vaporization and feed and catalyst admixture is optimized. After the cracking reaction in downflow reactor, reaction products are separated and spent catalyst is directed to stripping and regeneration sections. The FCC process carried out in the apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A second stage cyclone dipleg termination device for cyclones that operate under conditions in which the pressure in the top of the cyclone dipleg is lower than the external pressure where fine particulate matter is collected and discharged. The second stage cyclone dipleg termination device operates in a separator vessel (2) or a vessel of the regenerator of a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) converter to reverse the pressure conditions commonly found in this type of equipment. One end of a cyclone dipleg (7) is joined to a collector vessel (11), in such a way that a portion of the dipleg (7) enters into the inside of the collector vessel (11). The end of the dipleg (7) is connected to the conventional, normally used sealing device (17) in second stage cyclone (4) diplegs (7). The collector vessel (11), in turn, has on its bottom an outlet in the form of the dipleg (14).

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.

Abstract: The concept of the present invention is mainly applicable to cyclones in series that operate under conditions in which the pressure in the top of the cyclone dipleg is lower than the external pressure where fine particulate matter is collected and discharged. The second stage cyclone dipleg termination device is described that operates in a separator vessel (2) or a vessel of the regenerator of a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) converter with the capability to reverse the pressure conditions commonly found in this type of equipment. One end of a cyclone dipleg (7) is joined to a collector vessel (11), in such a way that a portion of the dipleg (7) enters into the inside of the collector vessel (11). The end of the dipleg (7) of the cyclone is connected to the conventional, normally used sealing device (17) in second stage cyclone (4) diplegs (7). The collector vessel (11), in turn, has on its bottom an outlet in the form of the dipleg (14).

Abstract: An apparatus for downflow fluid catalytic cracking is described, which comprises a regenerated catalyst riser carrying regenerated catalyst and a carrying fluid, those being directed through a crossover section to a distributor that will centrifuge gas and separate catalyst from carrying fluid, the catalyst being directed to a downflow reactor through a distributing basket provided with perforations. The upper part of the reactor is provided with feed injectors, which atomize the feed so that feed vaporization and feed and catalyst admixture is optimized. After the cracking reaction in downflow reactor, reaction products are separated and spent catalyst is directed to stripping and regeneration sections. The FCC process carried out in the apparatus is also described.

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.

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.