Abstract: An apparatus and process for delivering fluidization gas to a bed of particulate solids to selectively locally fluidize the solids above a delivery conduit in communication with a reaction chamber. Also an apparatus and process for intimately mixing hydrocarbon feed with the particulate solids at the end of the delivery conduit in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A fluid-contacting process wherein fluid is contacted with convex and polylobal particles, the contacting stopped, a mixture of the particles formed and subsequently separated by screening. Also disclosed is a catalytic conversion process wherein a reaction is carried out in the presence of convex and polylobal catalysts, the reacting stopped, the catalysts withdrawn as a physical mixture from which one of the catalysts is separated, regenerated and returned to the process.

Abstract: A catalytic process for the conversion of hydrocarbons or bituminous shales or carbon monoxide in the liquid phase in contact with hydrogen flowing upwardly through a series of successive stages, each containing a catalyst bed either semi-stationary or dispersed in the charge, the catalyst being maintained at each stage by an upward flow of hydrogen or hydrocarbon supplied below an opening in the partition wall between two successive stages and periodically allowed to pass from one stage to the next through said opening, by discontinuing said upward flow.

Abstract: Heat transfer in a hydrocarbon conversion process utilizing a magnetically stabilized fluid bed reactor and a magnetically stabilized catalyst regenerator is improved by the use of a fluidizable solids mixture comprising substantially inert heat carrier particles and magnetizable catalyst particles wherein the inert particles have settling rates higher than the settling rates of the catalyst particles. The heat carrier particles and the magnetizable catalyst particles are completely or partially separated in settling zones associated with the reactor and regenerator. The separated heat carrier particles and catalyst particles are independently circulated between the reactor and regenerator so that the heat carrier particles can be passed through one or more heat exchangers to provide the desired temperature levels in the system.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon conversion process wherein a hydrocarbon feedstock is contacted with a magnetically stabilized fluid bed of particulate solids comprising a mixture of separate, discrete (a) magnetizable substantially non-catalytic particles, and (b) non-magnetizable catalytic particles. The particulate solids mixture is withdrawn from the magnetically stabilized, fluidized bed and separated into magnetizable, substantially non-catalytic particles and non-magnetizable catalyst particles. The non-magnetizable catalytic particles are thereafter regenerated and returned to the hydrocarbon conversion zone. The separated magnetizable, substantially non-catalytic particles are subjected to heat transfer prior to their return to the conversion zone.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for regenerating at elevated temperature at fluidized mass of particles, e.g., a catalyst used in treatment of hydrocarbons, e.g., fluidized catalysts cracking of oil, are disclosed.Several operations can be effected, each of them alone or in various combinations.An operation basic to the overall operation, always effected, is the continuous circulation of dense phase particles undergoing regeneration from a dense phase or fluidized regeneration zone or vessel to a hot surge zone or vessel and from the latter back into the dense phase bed in the regeneration zone.Used catalyst can be in part passed to hot surge zone whenever it is tending to cause undue temperature rise in the regeneration zone.Fresh or unused catalyst can be fed to the regeneration zone continuously or intermittently responsive to sensed temperature change in said zone and/or to said hot surge zone.

Abstract: A startup method for moving-bed reactors used in hydrocarbon conversion processes wherein the reactor is brought on-stream at full capacity while it contains less than a full loading of catalyst, and quantities of catalyst are intermittently added to the reactor while the hydrocarbons are being processed. Catalyst removal is then begun at a rate lower than the rate of catalyst addition and adjusted when the catalyst retention volume of the reactor becomes filled. The method is specifically adaptable to the hydrogenation of olefinic materials, the desulfurization of petroleum fractions and the production of liquid products from coal.

Abstract: Catalyst, e.g., for a fluid catalytic cracker, is added automatically by a system consisting of an addition hopper which is periodically fed by gravity from a storage hopper, sealed off from the supply, and then pressurized with air to discharge its contents to the carrier gas line feeding the hydrocarbon conversion unit, e.g., the regenerator section of a Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit. Sequencing can be by electronic timer-solenoid (or pneumatic) valve system.

Abstract: A method for charging a catalyst in particles to a tubular reactor having many vertically arranged reactor tubes of a definite length, which comprises inserting a wire formed in an optional shape into each reactor tube at the upper opening thereof, supplying the catalyst particles to the reactor tube to allow them to fall along the wire and gradually withdrawing the wire with or without vertical fluctuation as the height of the filled catalyst layer increases, thereby slowing down the falling velocity of the catalyst particles to prevent them from being crushed or powdered and at the same time obtaining a uniform bulk density of the filled catalyst.

Abstract: In an upflow, ebullated bed reactor using a heterogeneous catalyst, a transport liquid compatible with the catalyst and the reactor feedstock is used. During the addition of fresh catalyst, a heated slurry of catalyst and transport liquid is pumped into the reactor under conditions to minimize (a) the temperature difference between the slurry and the reactor and (b) exposure of the fresh catalyst to a deactivating elevated temperature. During catalyst withdrawal, the temperature of the reactor effluent stream is controlled by mixing with a transport liquid. Measurement and flowability of the resultant mixture is thus assured.

Abstract: A method for loading finely divided particulate matter into a vessel for the purpose of increasing the packing density by introducing a fluid medium counter-current to the downward flow of the finely divided particulate matter at a velocity selected to maximize the apparent bulk density of the particulate matter in the vessel.

Abstract: A process for controlling the coke balance as well as the size of coke particles within a fluidized bed in the range adapted for continuous operation of a heavy residual oil cracking apparatus, wherein thermal cracking of heavy residual oil is performed under fluidization of coke particles and steam, which comprises classifying one portion of the coke particles withdrawn from the fluidized bed into coarse particles and fine particles by means of a pneumatic classifier, and after the size of said coarse particles have been reduced by combustion, returning them to the fluidized bed along with said fine particles.

Abstract: An improvement in a process for catalytic cracking of hydrocarbon feedstocks which comprises reducing the emisssion of catalyst particles through a regenerator effluent gas by passing a catalyst-laden stream from a main column into a slurry settling zone where there is recovered a decanted oil from an upper portion of said zone and an oil (slurry and oil) of catalyst from a bottom portion of said slurry settler. The improvement comprises recycling at least a portion of the decanted oil from said zone to a lower portion of the zone so as to regulate the upward velocity of the oil in said zone to selectively reject through the decanted oil stream small catalyst particles (less than about 20 microns diameter), which if not rejected through the decanted oil stream, would be recycled back to a fluidized catalytic cracking reaction zone in the slurry oil stream and ultimately released to the atmosphere by the effluent gases from the regeneration zone.

Abstract: Catalyst, e.g., for a fluid catalytic cracker, is added automatically by a system consisting of an addition hopper which is periodically fed by gravity from a storage hopper, sealed off from the supply, and then pressurized with air to discharge its contents to the carrier gas line feeding the hydrocarbon conversion unit, e.g., the regenerator section of a Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit. Sequencing can be by electronic timer-solenoid (or pneumatic) valve system.