Abstract: An apparatus for separating solid particles from a stream of a mixture of gaseous fluids and solid particles has a separation vessel. A mixture conduit extends vertically into a central section of the separation vessel and defines a discharge opening located within the vessel and tangentially oriented for discharging the stream into an open interior of the vessel and imparting a tangential velocity to the stream. A gas recovery conduit within the separation vessel has an inlet for withdrawing gaseous fluids from within the open interior of the separation vessel at a location below the discharge opening and radially offset from the mixture conduit. An intermediate portion of the gas recovery conduit is located above the inlet within the separation vessel and has a diameter greater than a diameter of the inlet.

Abstract: A continuous feeding and discharging system for solid material under high pressure is provided. The system includes a feeding assembly, a high pressure vessel, and a discharging assembly. The feeding assembly includes a raw material hopper that feeds solid raw material, a CO2 feeder that feeds dry ice, and a mixer that mixes the solid raw material with the dry ice to form an impermeable mixture. The high pressure vessel performs an extraction process under a supercritical condition to extract soluble components from the solid raw material. The discharging assembly includes a discharging extruder that receives the solid residue discharged from the high pressure vessel, a binder liquid feeder that feeds binder liquid to mix with the solid residue to form a uniform mixture and compacts the mixture to form impermeable pellets of residue, and a discharging valve that discharges the impermeable pellets of residue from the discharging extruder.

Abstract: A reaction device for preparing light olefins from methanol and/or dimethyl ether, and more specifically relates to a reaction device for preparing light olefins from methanol and/or dimethyl ether, which mainly comprises a dense phase fluidized bed reactor (2), a cyclone separator (3), a stripper (5), a lift pipe (7), a dense phase fluidized bed regenerator (10), a cyclone separator (11), a stripper (13), and a lift pipe (15), wherein the dense phase fluidized bed reactor (2) is separated into n (n?2) secondary reaction zones by a material flow controller (17), and the dense phase fluidized bed regenerator (10) is separated into m (m?2) secondary regeneration zones by the material flow controller (17).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an airflow particle sorter, comprising: a top-sealed sorter main body, a discharge port, an outtake tube and at least one directing-intake port; the inner space of the sorter main body, from the above to the bottom, includes, a straight tube zone and a cone zone, the conical bottom of the cone zone is connected to the straight tube zone; the discharge port is located at the bottom of the cone zone; the directing-intake port is installed in the upper part of the straight tube zone in a tangential direction of the straight tube zone, and is communicated with the inner space of the sorter main body; the outtake tube is hermetically inserted into the top of the sorter main body, and extends downwardly to the lower part of the straight tube zone, and the outtake tube has a sealed bottom end; the lower part of the outtake tube is installed with at least one directing-outtake port, which communicates the outtake tube with the inner space of the sorter main body, the directing-outtake

Abstract: A method for slicing a workpiece into wafers in which a polyphosphate solution is applied to the workpiece during the slicing process. The method comprises the steps of positioning the workpiece, such as a silicon ingot, in the vicinity of a wire saw that can cut through the workpiece without the use of an abrasive slurry; causing an aqueous polyphosphate solution to contact the workpiece; and causing the wire saw to cut into the workpiece while the polyphosphate solution is in contact with the workpiece. After the workpiece has been cut into wafers, the polyphosphate solution is rinsed off of the wafers. Preferably, the wire saw used in this method is a diamond wire saw.

Abstract: A method of recovering unsupported fine catalyst from heavy oil comprises combining a slurry comprising unsupported fine catalyst in heavy oil with solvent to form a combined slurry-solvent stream. The combined slurry-solvent stream is filtered in a deoiling zone. A stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent is recovered from the deoiling zone. Unsupported fine catalyst is separated from the stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent. Filtering in the deoiling zone can comprise filtering the slurry and solvent through a cross-flow microfiltration unit, recovering a retentate stream of the cross-flow microfiltration unit, combining the retentate stream of the cross-flow microfiltration unit with solvent to form a combined retentate-solvent stream, and filtering the combined retentate-solvent stream through a cross-flow microfiltration unit.

Abstract: A method of recovering unsupported fine catalyst from heavy oil comprises combining a slurry comprising unsupported fine catalyst in heavy oil with solvent to form a combined slurry-solvent stream. The combined slurry-solvent stream is filtered in a deoiling zone. A stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent is recovered from the deoiling zone. Unsupported fine catalyst is separated from the stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent. The deoiling zone can comprise a membrane that is rapidly displaced in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the separation of solids from gases in a mixture which is most particularly applicable to an FCC apparatus. The mixture of solids and gases are passed through a conduit and exit through a swirl arm that imparts a swirl motion having a first annular direction to centripetally separate the heavier solids from the lighter gases. The mixture then enters a gas recovery conduit in which at least one plate radially extending from an inner wall impedes rotational motion of the mixture. The mixture enters cyclones at the other end of the gas recovery conduit without substantial swirling motion.

Abstract: A staged fluidized catalytic cracker and method for cracking a hydrocarbonaceous material includes a plurality of staged reactors that have catalyst particles flowing in series from one reactor to the next and hydrocarbon feed that is delivered in parallel to the reactors. Between each reactor the partially spent catalyst is actively stripped to partially reactivate the catalyst. Once the catalyst is fully spent in the final reactor the catalyst can be oxidatively regenerated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compact riser separation system for Fluid Catalytic Cracking reactors possessing an external riser system wherein the riser enters the reactor from outside the reactor vessel.

Abstract: Gas-solids separator comprises a tubular housing, an inlet for introducing a gas-solids mixture at one end of said housing, which inlet is executed such that it imparts a swirl to the gas-solids mixture, a solids outlet opening at the opposite end of said housing, and a co-axially positioned tubular gas outlet conduit placed at an end of said housing, which separator further comprises a vortex stabilizer, comprising a pin placed on a stabilizing plate, in which separator the pin runs along the axis of the tubular housing and in which a passageway is provided through the stabilizer plate and the pin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst distributor and process for spreading catalyst over a regenerator vessel. Nozzles disposed angular to a header of the distributor spread catalyst throughout a full cross section of the catalyst bed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for removing fouling from a heat transfer surface, such as a heat exchanger. The method involves conducting a vapor containing a scouring material to the heat transfer surface and contacting the scouring material with the foulant, the heat transfer surface, or both. Scouring material and removed foulant can be recovered and conducted away.

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: A method for separating and recovering ultrafine particulate solid material from a suspension or slurry of the solid material and a hydrocarbon liquid by precipitation or flocculation of a heavy fraction of the hydrocarbon liquid with an effective amount of a precipitation or flocculation agent such that the precipitated heavy fraction encapsulates the particulate solid material. The method further comprises coking the precipitated heavy fraction and grinding the coked product to an ultrafine size.

Abstract: Described is a cyclone separator comprising a cyclone housing (1), a discharge duct (5) and a central tube (3) for diverting gases, said central tube (3) extends axially into the cyclone housing (1) and being composed by a number of segments (3a) which are suspended on a supporting element (15) provided in the area between the cyclone housing (1) and the discharge duct (5). The cyclone separator is peculiar in that it comprises a number of carrying means (17) which are evenly distributed and fixed to the inner side of the cyclone housing (1) and/or the discharge duct (5), and in that the supporting element (15) comprises an annular disc which is loosely fitted on top of the carrying means (17) and having an outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the cyclone housing (1) and/or the discharge duct (5) so that a clearance (18) is provided between the annular disc (15) and the cyclone housing (1) and/or the discharge duct (5).

Abstract: The system of the present invention includes a centripetal cyclone for separating particulate material from a particulate laden gas solids stream. The cyclone includes a housing defining a conduit extending between an upstream inlet and a downstream outlet. In operation, when a particulate laden gas-solids stream passes through the upstream housing inlet, the particulate laden gas-solids stream is directed through the conduit and at least a portion of the solids in the particulate laden gas-solids stream are subjected to a centripetal force within the conduit.

Abstract: A method for separating and recovering ultrafine particulate solid material from a suspension or slurry of the solid material and a hydrocarbon liquid by precipitation or flocculation of a heavy fraction of the hydrocarbon liquid with an effective amount of a precipitation or flocculation agent such that the precipitated heavy fraction encapsulates the particulate solid material. The method further comprises coking the precipitated heavy fraction and grinding the coked product to an ultrafine size.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making middle distillate and lower olefins. The process includes catalytically cracking a gas oil feedstock within a riser reactor zone by contacting under suitable catalytic cracking conditions within the riser reactor zone the gas oil feedstock with a middle distillate selective cracking catalyst that comprises amorphous silica alumina and a zeolite to yield a cracked gas oil product and a spent cracking catalyst. The spent cracking catalyst is regenerated to yield a regenerated cracking catalyst. Within an intermediate cracking reactor such as a dense bed reactor zone and under suitable high severity cracking conditions a gasoline feedstock is contacted with the regenerated cracking catalyst to yield a cracked gasoline product and a used regenerated cracking catalyst. The used regenerated cracking catalyst is utilized as the middle distillate selective catalyst.

Abstract: A fines injection apparatus, a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) system having a fines injection apparatus, and a method for using the same are provided. In one embodiment, a FCC system includes a FCC unit, a fines collector, and a fines injector coupled to the fines collector for retuning the fines recovered in the fines collector to the FCC unit. In another embodiment, an apparatus for injecting fines into a FCC system includes a fines separator coupled to an effluent stream and an injection apparatus coupled to a regenerator. A conduit is provided for delivering collected fines from the fines separator to the injection apparatus. In yet another embodiment, a method for injecting fines into FCC system includes collecting fines from a waste stream of a FCC system, automatically transferring the collected fines to a fines injection apparatus, and periodically injecting the transferred fines into the FCC system.

Abstract: Self purging expansion joint can include first annular seal sleeve connecting bellows to first conduit and second annular seal sleeve connecting bellows to second conduit. Flow-restricting orifice(s) can allow a higher pressure external fluid to flow through the annular passage to purge the bellows and into the primary fluid flow passage of the expansion joint containing a lower pressure fluid. Self purging expansion joint can be utilized in a disengager vessel of a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit, for example, between primary and secondary stripping cyclones.

Abstract: The invention relates to the partial recovery of discarded, spent, or waste fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) equilibrium catalyst by use of a separation device located off site, away from any FCC Process unit or Petroleum Refining area, whereby the separation of recoverable material is achieved by means of both magnetic properties exhibited from contaminated metals deposited on individual catalyst particles and inertial or momentum contributions based on size and density of each individual catalyst particle. The invention provides a process to recover twenty to forty percent of the original discarded, spent, or waste FCC equilibrium catalyst for reuse.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved separator for use in hydrocarbon cracking process.

Abstract: A stripping apparatus for desorbing gases from solid particles through which flows counter-currently a stripping fluid is described, which comprises a series of sets of at least two parallel, segmented, baffle plates each, with the segmented baffles being oriented so that the rows are offset relative to rows of other levels, where the thickness and separation of said sets of baffles is so dimensioned as to reduce coalescence of the size of the formed bubbles and optimize the hydrocarbons desorption from said fluidized solid particles. The solid particles are mainly spent catalyst particles from a FCC process. The stripping process to be carried out in a fluidized bed comprises contacting the spent catalyst with a stripping fluid that flows upwardly in the fluidized bed in the form of bubbles. Adsorbed hydrocarbons present in the spent catalyst are transferred from the catalyst emulsion that flows downwardly to the upwardly moving bubbles, so as to promote the efficient recovery of cracked products.

Abstract: An apparatus and process in which a catalyst nozzle and a feed nozzle are joined together at a joint in a reactor vessel that contains a disengaging transport conduit in communication with a separator. An inlet to the transport conduit is disposed vertically higher than the joint to reduce the quantity of catalyst that enters the transport conduit with the vapor product.

Abstract: Device that is integrated in a chamber that allows a separation of a mixture that comprises at least one gaseous fraction and one liquid fraction, whereby said mixture is obtained from a zone for bringing into contact a liquid phase, a gaseous phase and solid particles.

Abstract: A reactor apparatus and process for contacting hydrocarbons with catalyst. The reactor apparatus comprises a plurality of tubular reactors each having a first end into which a catalyst is fed and a second end through which the catalyst and product exit the tubular reactor. A catalyst retention zone is provided to contain catalyst and feed catalyst to the tubular reactors. A separation zone is provided to separate the catalyst from products of a reaction conducted in the apparatus. A transport conduit having a first end in fluid communication with the second ends of at least two of the tubular reactors and a second end extending into the separation zone transports product and catalyst to the separation zone. A catalyst return in fluid communication with the separation zone and the catalyst retention zone returns catalyst to the catalyst retention zone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for recovering heat in an oxygenate to olefin (“OTO”) production process. The process includes removing heat while maintaining the temperature of an effluent stream that comprises solid particles (typically catalyst particles) and a gas phase comprising prime olefins from an OTO reactor above the dew point temperature of the effluent stream. The process further includes washing the effluent stream in solids wash to remove the solid particles from the gas phase into a liquid wash medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for separating particulate matter from a gaseous stream. According to the method, the gaseous stream containing the suspended particulates is passed into a separator apparatus which includes at least two multiple-inlet-multicyclones (16-16C), wherein the particulates are separated from the gas by centrifugal force. According to the invention, a separator apparatus is employed wherein at least two (16-16C) of the multiple-inlet cyclones are adapted to operate in parallel so as to form a multiple-inlet-multicyclone apparatus. The cyclone assembly according to the invention may be used as, e.g., the primary separator of an FCC unit, but more advantageously it serves as the secondary or tertiary separator of an FCC unit to remove “fines” from the flue gases of the preceding separation stages.

Abstract: This invention is to a circulating fluid bed reactor that is designed so as to have the ability to adjust catalyst holdup within the reaction zone of the reactor while maintaining substantially constant catalyst circulation rate through the reaction zone. The ability to adjust catalyst hold up independently of catalyst circulation rate provides an advantage of having the ability to maintain a constant conversion level as catalyst activity or feed rates change.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for separating entrained particles from a gas in a fluidised bed reactor system and fluidised bed reactor system including a particle separator for separating entrained particles from a gas. The particles are separated from the gas flowing in a direction other than the main gas flow direction, whereby the separation is multidimensional. The gas is allowed to pass from the outside of the configuration to the inside thereof and/or vice versa, wherein the particles are separated from the gas during such a travel. The gas flow can be multileveled.

Abstract: A method and system for recovering fines from a light FCC-type effluent gas. Cracked gases from the reactor are cooled by direct contact with circulating oil in an oil quench tower. The circulating oil also washes out the catalyst fines carried with the reactor effluent gas. A flow of the oil from the quench tower bottoms is sent through one of a pair of filters to remove fines and recycled to the tower. The other filter is in backwash operation using a compressed gas to remove the fines therefrom and into a surge drum. Fuel oil or quench oil is added to the drum to form a slurry, which carries the catalyst fines to the regenerator where the oil is combusted to supply the FCC system heat requirements. Since a minimum amount of fuel oil is generated in the FCC, fuel oil is imported to inventory the quench tower.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel separator for use in a hydrocarbon cracking process and a novel spent catalyst stripping device and process wherein the separator includes a downcomer pipe having a vertical window for allowing the separated vapor to proceed upwardly through a vapor outlet duct and a bath tub container for containing and facilitating stripping of the separated spent catalyst.

Abstract: This invention is to a circulating fluid bed reactor that is designed so as to have the ability to adjust catalyst holdup within the reaction zone of the reactor while maintaining substantially constant catalyst circulation rate through the reaction zone. The ability to adjust catalyst hold up independently of catalyst circulation rate provides an advantage of having the ability to maintain a constant conversion level as catalyst activity or feed rates change.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is disclosed for the separation of solids from gases in a mixture which is most particularly applicable to an FCC apparatus. The mixture of solids and gases are passed through a conduit and exit through a swirl arm that imparts a swirl motion having a first annular direction to centripetally separate the heavier solids from the lighter gases. The mixture then enters a cyclone which has a curved outer wall and imparts a second swirling angular direction to the mixture. The second angular direction is counter to the first angular direction. The apparatus and method assures that a greater proportion of the mixture entering the cyclone is incorporated into the vortex to further enhance separation between the solids and gases.

Abstract: An integrated process for producing a liquid hydrocarbon stream from Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon product without having to remove particulate contaminants such as catalyst fines from hot Fischer-Tropsch wax is disclosed. The process involves performing Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, preferably under conditions which favor formation of wax and heavy products (i.e., using a catalyst with high chain growth probabilities), and obtaining a waxy heavy fraction including particulate contaminants. The fraction is subjected to hydroprocessing conditions, preferably upflow hydroprocessing conditions, using a catalyst bed which, through judicious selection of hydroprocessing catalysts and/or flow conditions, permits passage of the particulate contaminants. The particulates are then removed from the upgraded liquid product, for example by filtration, distillation and/or centrifugation.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and process, including a baffle, for contacting a first fluid with a second fluid of lower density than the first fluid in counter-current flow in a manner that increases the contacting efficiency.

Abstract: A separator and process for separating particles from a gaseous mixture wherein the separator includes: at least one chamber comprising a zone (1) which forms a rectangular or square cross section for passage of the mixture circulating in a tube reactor (R) towards a turning zone (3) which rotates the mixture in a vertical plane through an angle of at most 360 degrees; an external wall (30) which defines the turn through an angle of 70 to 225 degrees; a deflection (10) which turns co-axially with the external wall (30) through an angle of at least 30 degrees and at most the angle through which the external wall turns plus 90 degrees; a gas outlet (4) which is coaxial with the turning zone; the separator is indirectly or otherwise connected to a secondary cyclone (12). It also includes a particle outlet (9) having a wall (32) connected to forming zone (1).

Abstract: A process for use of magnetic separation to remove non-magnetic particles from FCC catalyst is disclosed. A stream of circulating catalyst from a fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) unit is charged to a magnetic separator. The catalyst is magnetically fractionated into at least three fractions, a high-metals fraction which is discarded, an intermediate-metals content fraction which is directly recycled to the FCC unit, and an inert, relatively magnetic metals-free fraction which is also discarded. Preferably, the high-metals fraction is immediately mixed with the inert, low-metals fraction, and the combined high-metals/inert fraction is pneumatically transmitted together to a spent catalyst storage facility for disposal.

Abstract: The invention relates ro a method of converting hydrocarbons. According to the method, a gaseous or liquid hydrocarbon feed is passed into a circulating fluidized-bed reactor, wherein the feed is converted at a high temperatue under the influence of particulate matter kept in a fluidized state, and the converted hydrocarbon products are removed from the reactor in a gaseous phase. According to the invention, a circulating fluidized-bed reactor (1-3; 41-43) is used having an axially annular cross section and being equipped with a multiport cyclone (14,17; 52,63) for the separation of the particulate matter from the gas-phase reaction products. The reaction space comprises an intershell riser space (13; 50) formed between two concentrically located cylindrical and/or conical envelope surfaces. The separation of particulate matter from the gas-phase reaction products is performed by means of a multiport cyclone equipped with louvered vanes (14; 63).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of separating solids from a gas flow in a fluidized catalytic process and to a cyclone assembly suited for use in a fluidized catalytic process. According to the invention, the gas flow of the process carrying the suspended solids is passed into a separation assembly, wherein the solids are separated from the gaseous phase under the effect of the centrifugal force, whereby a multiport cyclone is used as the separation assembly, into which the gas flow to be treated is passed via an inlet nozzle having an axially annular cross section. The use of the multiport cyclone, e.g., in an FCC process gives significant advantages in flow dynamics and process engineering over conventional arrangements and generally used single-port cyclones.

Abstract: A process for producing liquid fuels from heavy hydrocarbons such as residual oil in which the cracking temperatures are in the range of 800.degree. F. to 1200.degree. F., and the residence times are between 0.05 seconds and 0.50 seconds.

Abstract: A process for the dual riser contacting of a primary feed and a secondary recycle feed fraction uses independent recovery of the separate streams from the riser cracking zone to improve the product yields and properties. Separate recovery segregates the upgraded recracked components from the rest of the primary cracked products. The benefits of selective of recracking are lost if the upgraded products from the recycle stream become recombined with the primary cracked product. The selectively recovered recycle feed may undergo hydroprocessing to hydrogenate, hydrocrack and/or hydrotreatmement before recracking. The process can also make highly efficient use of the high residual activity in the catalyst that has contacted the secondary feed.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus which separates and strips catalyst particles suspended in gaseous hydrocarbons after the suspension of gaseous hydrocarbons and catalyst particles have traversed a gas/solids conduit means. A substantially can-shaped open-ended cyclone is placed in a disengager shell such that an inlet of the open-ended cyclone is in communication with the gas/solids conduit means. The disengager shell has a zone for containing a fluidized catalyst and the open end of the open-ended cyclone projects into the zone. A hollow closed cyclone may be placed in communication with the open-ended cyclone via an exhaust conduit means.

Abstract: The invention is a process and apparatus for rapidly and efficiently separating a fluidized catalytic cracking mixture into cracking catalysts and hydrocarbon vapor. The invention decreases the production of unwanted hydrocarbon byproducts by decreasing the contact time between the separated hydrocarbon vapor and the cracking catalyst.

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: The present invention provides a method for improving the contacting of feedstock and regenerated catalytic particulates in certain fluid catalytic cracking processes and apparatus.

Abstract: A cyclone and process for fluidized catalytic cracking of heavy oils is disclosed. Gas and entrained solids are added around a clean gas outlet tube in a cyclone body. Solids and some gas are withdrawn via a solids outlet and discharged into a catch chamber. Some of the gas discharged with the solids into the catch chamber is returned to the interior of the cyclone body via an opening in the cyclone. Chaotic reflux of gas back into the cyclone via the solids outlet is eliminated. The device may be used as an FCC regenerator third stage separator or to improve other gas/solid separations.

Abstract: A process for separating catalyst particles in the catalytic cracking of reacted hydrocarbons includes feeding the reacted hydrobarbons to an unconfined cyclone device made up of a diplegless cyclone opening directly into a large volume separator vessel downwardly through a mouth and upwardly through the annular space between concentric pipes. The concentric pipes are connected to the other components of the system as well as the hydrocarbon fluid catalytic cracking process carried out in the system.

Abstract: A fenestrated centrifugal terminator is described for use in an internally circulating fluid bed reactor or conventional riser reactor. It includes a tubular member having a straight vertical tubular portion the lower end of which is adapted for attachment to the upper end of a riser tube. The upper end of the vertical tubular portion merges into a substantially semi-circular inverted U-shaped tubular loop and terminating in a downwardly directing opening. A ramp portion of shallow angle is provided in the vertical tubular portion adjacent the inner face of the loop and terminating at the inlet to the loop to thereby create a venturi. Commencing at the end of the ramp portion is a semi-circular divider wall dividing the tubular loop into a larger upper flow channel and a smaller lower flow channel. This divider wall has a plurality of longitudinally spaced lateral slots through which the gas being separated from the solids is discharged.