Solids Transferring Patents (Class 208/164)
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Patent number: 6126813Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrocarbon catalytic cracking method in the presence of a catalyst in fluidized phase, within a tubular type reactor (1) containing an injection area.According to the invention, a substantial part of the load to be cracked is introduced into the injection area using at least one means of injection (3) of such load against the flow, in relation to the direction of flow of the catalyst grains, and a substantial part of the load to be cracked is simultaneously introduced in the same area using at least one means of injection (2) of such load in direction of the flow in relation to the direction of flow of the catalyst grains.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1998Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Assignee: Total Raffinage Distribution S.A.Inventors: Marc Fersing, Mariano Del Pozo
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Patent number: 6059958Abstract: A process for the fluid catalytic cracking of heavy feeds under a heat balance regime is described, where one or more catalyst coolers external to the regenerator cool a stream of regenerated catalyst. A portion of said stream returns to the regenerator and a portion of the cooled regenerated catalyst is admixed to the non-cooled regenerated catalyst at a temperature substantially lower than the regenerator temperature, said admixture being brought into contact with the hydrocarbon feed to be cracked. As a result, the control of the catalyst circulation is rendered independent from the heat balance of the unit, with minimization of the thermal cracking, and therefore lower coke and fuel gas products.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1997Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.-PetrobrasInventors: Jose Geraldo Furtado Ramos, Jose Mozart Fusco, Moacir Jose Bampi, Emanuel Freire Sandes, Francisco Carlos Da Costa Barros, Jorivaldo Medeiros, Claudio Fonseca Machado Dos Santos, Aurelio Medina Dubois, Ingrid Alexandra Zech, Monica Einsfeldt, Maria Celia Dos Santos Da Rocha
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Patent number: 6045690Abstract: An object is to increase cracking rate of heavy fraction oils while producing a lessened amount of dry gases generated by the hydrogen transfer reaction and by the overcracking to obtain light fraction olefins in a high yield. A process for the fluid catalytic cracking of heavy fraction oils, which comprises steps of feeding the heavy fraction oils to a raw oil introducing portion provided at a reaction zone inlet; feeding a part of a regenerated catalyst taken out of a catalyst-regenerating zone to a catalyst introducing portion provided at a reaction zone inlet; and feeding another part of the regenerated catalyst taken out of the catalyst-regenerating zone to at least one catalyst introducing portion which is provided between the catalyst introducing portion provided at the reaction zone inlet and reaction zone outlet, the catalytic cracking in the reaction zone being carried out under conditions of a contact time of 0.1 to 3.0 sec. a reaction zone outlet temperature of 530 to 700.degree. C.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1997Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Nippon Oil Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuichiro Fujiyama, Michiaki Adachi, Toshiyasu Okuhara, Shunichi Yamamoto
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Patent number: 6042717Abstract: An FCC feed injection arrangement injects feed transversely from the sides of a restricted opening into a stream of FCC catalyst to provide good feed and catalyst contacting in an arrangement that simplifies external pipe configurations and maintenance of the feed injection system. The invention forms a venturi or restricted opening by forming a generally square opening between two parallel extended chords on opposite sides of the riser. A venturi area may be built out of refractory lining or other abrasion resistant structures. The invention may use horizontally extended pipes that are tangentially positioned apart from each other across from the restricted opening to provide a simple construction for the feed injection arrangement. The pipes are easily inserted and withdrawn from the riser to permit easy maintenance of the nozzles in the highly erosive environment.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1997Date of Patent: March 28, 2000Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: William H. Radcliffe, Brian W. Hedrick
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Patent number: 6013172Abstract: A methodology provides for the extraction of local chemical kinetic model constants for use in a reacting flow computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computer code with chemical kinetic computations to optimize the operating conditions or design of the system, including retrofit design improvements to existing systems. The coupled CFD and kinetic computer code are used in combination with data obtained from a matrix of experimental tests to extract the kinetic constants. Local fluid dynamic effects are implicitly included in the extracted local kinetic constants for each particular application system to which the methodology is applied. The extracted local kinetic model constants work well over a fairly broad range of operating conditions for specific and complex reaction sets in specific and complex reactor systems.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1997Date of Patent: January 11, 2000Assignee: The University of ChicagoInventors: Shen-Lin Chang, Steven A. Lottes, Chenn Q. Zhou
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Patent number: 6010618Abstract: An FCC process provides ultrashort catalyst and feed contacting in an FCC riser by recovering a short contact product stream in an intermediate section of the riser. The remainder of the catalyst and gas mixture continues through the riser along a continuous flow path for further for controlled cracking of the heavier adsorbed hydrocarbons and entrained hydrocarbons. Residual catalyst separated from the recovery of the short contact product stream returns to the upstream end of the riser for recycle. The section of the riser downstream of the short contact product recovery may receive additional feed to perform secondary cracking reactions. The riser arrangement greatly simplifies methods for performing ultra short FCC feed and catalyst contacting.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1997Date of Patent: January 4, 2000Assignee: UOP LLCInventor: David A. Lomas
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Patent number: 5958222Abstract: An arrangement for the controlled production of an essentially linear array of hydrocarbon feed injection jets reduces required clearances and elevation while facilitating modification of the contacting locating a feed distributor containing a linear array of jets at a standpipe junction point to provide choke point for particle flow control. The flow properties of the extended particle layer are controlled by adjusting the density of the particles above the choke point created by the upper part of the standpipe inside diameter and the top of the distributor. Steam or another fluidization medium may be added to the particles directly above the distributor for this purpose. This invention can also modify the particle or feed injection characteristics by changing the projection of the distributor into the standpipe to adjust the flow area over the choke point and by the use of bottom slides or baffles to change the flow area size and configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1997Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: William H. Radcliffe, Ismail B. Cetinkaya
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Patent number: 5944982Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: UOP LLCInventor: David A. Lomas
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Patent number: 5910240Abstract: An improved stripper section design is provided for use in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) units. The stripper section contains means for imparting rotational movement to the FCC cracking catalyst as it traverses the stripping section. In one embodiment the stripper section contains at least one rotation vane that is preferably disposed on the surface of a stripper section tray. The rotation vane provides angular, rotational movement to the cracking catalyst as it traverses the stripper section. Vertical movement is imparted to the cracking catalyst due to gravity and radial movement is imparted to the catalyst due to the slanted nature of the tray. Through the use of the rotation vanes the contact between the catalyst particles and the stripping steam is increased, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the FCC operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 1998Date of Patent: June 8, 1999Assignee: Mobil Oil CorporationInventors: Richard C. Senior, Christopher G. Smalley, Timothy P. Holtan
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Patent number: 5904837Abstract: A process for the fluid catalytic cracking of oils, wherein an oil is brought into contact with catalyst particles using a fluid catalytic cracking reactor under the following conditions: a) a reaction zone outlet temperature of 580 to 630.degree. C., catalyst/oil ratio of 15 to 50 wt./wt., contact time of 0.1 to 3.0 sec.; b) a catalyst-concentrated phase temperature in the regenerating zone of 670 to 800.degree. C.; and c) a temperature of regenerated catalyst to be forwarded into the reaction zone of 610 to 665.degree. C.; thereby producing light fraction olefins. The process increases the cracking rate of heavy fractions of oils while producing a lessened amount of dry gases generated by the overcracking of light fractions to obtain light fraction olefins in a high yield.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1997Date of Patent: May 18, 1999Assignees: Nippon Oil Co., Ltd., Petroleum Energy CenterInventor: Yuichiro Fujiyama
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Patent number: 5840176Abstract: A method for replacing particles in a process that transfers particles is disclosed. This invention employs a seal zone which is in communication with two zones of the process and in which particles that are being added to the process are purged. This invention allows particles to be replaced without reducing the normal rate of particle transfer through the process, which results in a savings in downtime costs. This invention is adaptable to a multitude of processes for the catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons in which deactivated catalyst particles are regenerated.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1996Date of Patent: November 24, 1998Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Roger R. Lawrence, Frank T. Micklich, Charles T. Ressl, Paul A. Sechrist
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Patent number: 5837637Abstract: The present invention provides a process for continuously regenerating a catalyst or an adsorbent which comprises the steps of:(a) establishing an ebullating or expanded bed by passing a gaseous stream upwardly through a plurality of particles confined in a regeneration zone,(b) providing a looped pathway in said ebullating bed,(c) passing a spent catalyst into said ebullating bed and moving said spent catalyst along said multi-looped pathway, and(d) removing a regenerated catalyst from said ebullating bed.In the process of this invention, the looped pathway requires substantially all of the particles to traverse a pathway that varies in direction by about 180.degree. from beginning to end of each loop in the pathway. In this process, the particles may be regenerated by lowering the carbon deposited thereon from a range of from about 8 to about 17 wt. % to a range of from about 0.3 to 1.5 wt. %, and the sulfur content of from about 6 to 9 wt. % to a range of from about 0.4 to 1.4 wt. %.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1996Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Assignee: Tricat Industries, Inc.Inventors: Cloyd P. Reeg, Phillip K. Maher, David K. Morash, James J. Prosser
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Patent number: 5702589Abstract: Disclosed is a process for converting olefinic hydrocarbons using spent FCC catalysts which comprises using spent FCC catalysts, optionally containing spent FCC additives, in the reactor/stripper part of the FCCU, instead of or in addition to a separate olefin upgrader, to upgrade C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 oligomerizable olefins, preferably propylene and ethylene, into C.sub.4 /C.sub.5 olefins and isoparaffins as well as gasoline, wherein feedstock can be product streams of the FCCU containing propylene/ethylene such as, for example, the absorber and depropanizer overheads.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 1996Date of Patent: December 30, 1997Assignee: ABB Lummus Global Inc.Inventors: Chih-Hao Mark Tsang, Randall Hughes Petty, Glenn Allen Clausen, Charles Henry Schrader
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Patent number: 5660716Abstract: A fluidized-bed process for catalytic cracking of a hydrocarbon feedstock where the hydrocarbon feedstock, particularly a feedstock with a high content of basic nitrogen compounds, and a catalyst circulate in the tubular zone co-currently from the top to the bottom, where the catalyst, which is under equilibrium conditions at 150.degree. C., and a pressure of 5 mbar, adsorbs less than 250 micromols, and preferably less than 50 micromols, of pyridine/g, and whose pyridine retention, after heating at 350.degree. C. under vacuum, does not exceed 20%, and preferably not 10%, of the amount adsorbed at 150.degree. C.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1995Date of Patent: August 26, 1997Assignee: Total Raffinage Distribution S.A.Inventors: Michel Bourgogne, Thierry Patureaux, Nathalie Boisdron
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Patent number: 5637207Abstract: An intermediate distillate fraction is subjected to fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) to yield liquid fuel and lighter. The C.sub.7 -C.sub.10 paraffin lift fluid is converted to C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 olefins and naphtha of enhanced octane.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1995Date of Patent: June 10, 1997Assignee: ABB Lummus Global Inc.Inventors: Hsu-Hui Hsing, Jonathan P. Rich, Glenn A. Clausen
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Patent number: 5614083Abstract: This FCC process suspends a layer of catalyst in a riser proximate or above the riser outlets. The density at the riser outlets is higher than the flowing density in the riser. The suspended catalyst provides a disengagement zone that enhances the separation of catalyst from product vapors. The riser operates in a manner that prevents any discharge of catalyst from its end. The arrangement also provides a convenient method for vetoing stripping vapors into a closed reactor cyclone system.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1995Date of Patent: March 25, 1997Assignee: UOPInventor: Ismail B. Cetinkaya
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Patent number: 5589139Abstract: An FCC arrangement uses two stages upflow conduit combustion and a regenerator cyclone separator to supply catalyst particles from a dip leg directly into a downflow reaction conduit. The downflow reaction conduit provides an immediate stage of initial catalyst and gas separation at its outlet end. The arrangement and method offers an improved method of operating an FCC reactor and regeneration zone without the use of large reactor or regeneration vessels. One form of the invention also uses enlarged dip pipe conduits to provide discrete zones of catalyst stripping thereby eliminating all relatively large pressure vessels from FCC method and arrangement of this invention.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: December 31, 1996Assignee: UOPInventors: Randy J. Zinke, William J. Koves
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Patent number: 5589057Abstract: This invention makes possible substantially continuous flow of uniformly distributed hydrogen and hydrocarbon liquid across a densely packed catalyst bed to fill substantially the entire volume of a reactor vessel by introducing the fluids as alternate annular rings of gas and liquid (i.e. a mixture of liquid hydrocarbon and a hydrogen-containing gas) at a rate insufficient to levitate or ebullate the catalyst bed. Catalyst are selected by density, shape and size at a design feed rate of liquids and gas to prevent ebullation of the packed bed at the design feed rates. The liquid and gas components of the hydrocarbon feed flow into the catalyst bed from concentric annular rings that are coaxial with the catalyst bed. At the desired hydrocarbon flow rate, such catalyst bed continually flows in a plug-like manner downwardly through the reactor vessel. Catalyst is removed on a periodic or semicontinuous basis by laminarly flowing catalyst particles in a liquid stream out of the bottom of the catalyst bed.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1994Date of Patent: December 31, 1996Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Harold J. Trimble, Brian A. Darsow
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Patent number: 5584986Abstract: A fluidized process which comprises contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock with a fluidized particulate solid in a contacting zone wherein carbonaceous deposits accumulate on the solid and the solid becomes spent and wherein the carbonaceous deposits are burned from the spent solid to produce a regenerated solid; removing a stream of the fluidized spent solid and entrained hydrocarbons from the contacting zone; introducing the fluidized spent solid/entrained hydrocarbon stream and a stream of hot regenerated solid into a lower portion of a zone; introducing a stream of a fluid stripping medium, e.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 1994Date of Patent: December 17, 1996Assignee: Bar-Co Processes Joint VentureInventor: David B. Bartholic
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Patent number: 5571482Abstract: A catalyst cooler apparatus and process for use with a two-stage regeneration system in a fluidized catalytic cracking process having a device to remove hot catalyst from the second regeneration zone at a point above the air distribution ring under the surface of the catalyst bed equivalent to the catalyst exit to the reactor, a heat exchanger for indirect heat exchange and cooling of the catalyst and a return device for returning the cooled catalyst to the second regeneration zone at or near the bottom of the catalyst bed, beneath the air distribution ring.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1992Date of Patent: November 5, 1996Assignee: Stone & Webster Engineering CorporationInventors: Steve L. Long, Joseph L. Ross, Gautham Krishnaiah
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Patent number: 5562818Abstract: An FCC feed distributor mixes fresh catalyst entering the riser with steam to cream a dense bubbling bed of catalyst. Fluidized catalyst rises from the dense bed around a conical section supported from the bottom of the riser. The conical section accelerates the catalyst by reducing the flow area into a small width annulus. As fast fluidized catalyst flows to the annulus, a diverter outwardly redirects an axially flowing feed stream to discharge feed radially into the catalyst as it flows by the annular section. A narrow width of the annular section provides good penetration of the catalyst stream by the feed to quickly and completely mix the catalyst and feed. A tapered conical section above the narrow annular section provides an extended region of gradually increasing flow area that controls downstream acceleration of the gas and catalyst mixture by permitting expansion and preventing back mixing over the initial stages of the cracking reaction.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1994Date of Patent: October 8, 1996Assignee: UOPInventor: Brian W. Hedrick
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Patent number: 5552034Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid catalytic cracking process in which the catalytic cracking reaction takes place in a dilute phase, and the reaction product contains a reduced volume of off gas having a low concentration of SO.sub.x and NO.sub.x. The use of off gas, which is produced during a regeneration step, to strip entrained vapor from spent catalytic cracking catalyst acts to reduce SO.sub.x and NO.sub.x byproducts, and eliminates the need to separately recover and treat the off gas stream from the regenerator portion of the system. The entire process, including the reaction step, the stripping step and the regeneration step, can be performed in a single vessel, and the stripping and reaction steps take place entirely in the dilute phase.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1994Date of Patent: September 3, 1996Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering CompanyInventor: Patrick H. Terry
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Patent number: 5549815Abstract: Disclosed is a method for fluidizing a dense phase bed of solid particles, preferably a method for fluidizing a dense phase bed of solid catalyst particles. The method includes the steps of continuously supplying a flowing fluid stream in a downward direction within an enclosed volume; contacting an upper surface of a dense phase bed of solid particles resting within the enclosed volume with the downward flowing fluid stream; continuously directing the flowing fluid stream into the dense phase bed of particles to form a continuous fluidized bed of solid particles within the enclosed volume; directing the flowing fluid stream in an upward direction after contacting the upper surface of the dense phase bed; and collecting the flowing fluid stream.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1994Date of Patent: August 27, 1996Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering CompanyInventor: William A. Wachter
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Patent number: 5547910Abstract: A method and system for cracking hydrocarbons and regeneration of the catalyst is described with particular emphasis directed to partially restoring the activity of the catalyst after an initial hydrocarbon conversion use by heat soaking the catalyst at an elevated temperature before use in a second hydrocarbon conversion zone.This case is a division of application Ser. No. 595,833, filed Jul. 14, 1975.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1986Date of Patent: August 20, 1996Assignee: Mobil Oil CorporationInventors: Edward J. Demmel, Hartley Owen
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Patent number: 5545312Abstract: A method and apparatus for replacing particles in a process that transfers particles is disclosed. This invention employs a seal zone which is in communication with two zones of the process and in which particles that are being added to the process are purged. This invention allows particles to be replaced without reducing the normal rate of particle transfer through the process, which results in a savings in downtime costs. This invention is adaptable to a multitude of processes for the catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons in which deactivated catalyst particles are regenerated.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1994Date of Patent: August 13, 1996Assignee: UOPInventors: Roger R. Lawrence, Frank T. Micklich, Charles T. Ressl, Paul A. Sechrist
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Patent number: 5516420Abstract: Disclosed is a method for improving fluid cracking catalyst performance by increasing metal contamination incrementally while cracking two different feedstocks that have different concentrations of metal contaminants. The relative amount of metal contamination is controlled by magnetic separation. The incrementally increased cracking catalyst is used in cracking a second feedstock.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 1994Date of Patent: May 14, 1996Assignee: Ashland Inc.Inventor: Lee M. Henton
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Patent number: 5500110Abstract: A controlled method of changing the transport rate of particles between two zones is disclosed. Changes are made in a computed value of the pressure difference of the conduit between the two zones through which the particles are transported. The changes are of a predetermined magnitude and are performed at predetermined time intervals, until the desired final value of the pressure difference is reached. The method minimizes fluctuations in the pressures of the two zones without over-sized vessels or additional equipment that would otherwise be needed to accommodate pressure changes. This results in a savings in construction costs. This invention is adaptable to a multitude of processes for the catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons in which deactivated catalyst particles are regenerated.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1994Date of Patent: March 19, 1996Assignee: UOPInventors: Paul A. Sechrist, Roger R. Lawrence, Frank T. Micklich, Larry D. Richardson, David M. Kazell
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Patent number: 5492617Abstract: This invention makes possible substantially continuous flow of uniformly distributed hydrogen and hydrocarbon liquid across a densely packed catalyst bed which substantially fills the entire volume of a reactor vessel. Catalyst are selected to be essentially the same density, shape and size at a design feed rate of liquids and gas to prevent ebullation of the packed catalyst bed at the design feed rates. The liquid and gas components of the hydrocarbon feed stream flow into the bed of catalyst and a quenching medium, which is preferably a liquid, is injected into the bed of catalyst. Injection of a liquid quench reduces the gas component of the hydrocarbon feed stream while simultaneously increasing the residence time and reducing the liquid velocity of the liquid component of the hydrocarbon feed stream within the substantially packed bed of catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 1994Date of Patent: February 20, 1996Inventors: Harold J. Trimble, Bruce E. Reynolds, Robert W. Bachtel, Robert J. Klett, David N. Brossard, David E. Earls
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Patent number: 5474669Abstract: A side-by-side reactor vessel and stripping vessel arrangement uses a rejection vessel to collect the catalyst from the bottom of a reactor vessel and eliminate stagnant layers of catalyst within the reactor vessel while increasing the efficiency of a stripper vessel located to the side of the reactor. Catalyst containing entrained and sorbed hydrocarbons pass from the bottom of a reactor vessel into the small diameter rejection vessel that provides a hydrocarbon rejection zone and uses a fresh stripping medium to maintain a dense fluidized bed from which entrained hydrocarbons are quickly disengaged from the catalyst and travel upward into the reactor vessel. Partially stripped catalyst flows through a passageway that extends horizontally to a stripping vessel that contains a conventional stripping zone. In the stripping vessel, catalyst counter-currently contacts additional stripping medium which removes sorbed hydrocarbons from the catalyst surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1992Date of Patent: December 12, 1995Assignee: UOPInventor: Ismail B. Cetinkaya
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Patent number: 5464528Abstract: An inertial/filtering separator in a single vessel and FCC process using same as a third stage separator are disclosed. Gas and fines are added tangentially to an annulus formed by a cylindrical insert in a vessel. Gas flows over the insert and down to filters in the vessel. Solids are withdrawn from the base of the annulus and periodically from the filter. Three types of solids collection--inertial, gravity settling and filtration--are practiced in a single vessel.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1993Date of Patent: November 7, 1995Assignee: Mobil Oil CorporationInventors: Hartley Owen, Paul H. Schipper
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Patent number: 5462652Abstract: A short contact time FCC process raises the coke level of the spent catalyst to improve regeneration zone kinetics and to decrease the total solids circulation through the unit by passing spent catalyst from the reaction zone back to a blending vessel. The blending vessel supplies a mixture of spent and fully regenerated catalyst to the reaction zone. The invention may also preferentially recover lightly coked catalyst by segregating catalyst from a separation device for recycle to the reaction zone.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1994Date of Patent: October 31, 1995Assignee: UOPInventor: David A. Wegerer
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Patent number: 5451313Abstract: An FCC process mixes spent and regenerated catalyst to obtain thermal equilibrium of a blended catalyst stream before contacting feed with the blended catalyst stream. The spent and regenerated catalyst from the reactor and regenerator catalyst may be mixed in a blending vessel located at the bottom of an FCC riser that can also serve as a hot catalyst stripper.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1994Date of Patent: September 19, 1995Assignee: UOPInventors: David A. Wegerer, David A. Lomas
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Patent number: 5409872Abstract: A process and apparatus for fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) with cooling of FCC catalyst during regeneration in a baffled heat exchanger attached to the regenerator. The heat exchanger has a vertical baffle defining an inlet and an outlet side. Lift gas added to the outlet side induces flow from the regenerator, around the baffle and back to the regenerator. A symmetrical design, with reversing flow can equalize wear on heat exchanger tubes and permit selected cooling if the heat exchanger outlet is near the regenerated catalyst outlet.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1993Date of Patent: April 25, 1995Assignee: Mobil Oil CorporationInventor: Michael F. Raterman
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Patent number: 5393415Abstract: An FCC process uses a highly efficient separation device to remove product from the catalyst so that the reactor vessel receives a low volume of feed hydrocarbons and riser by-products. The separation device encloses an upwardly directed outlet end of a ballistic separation device in low volume disengaging vessel that collects disengaged catalyst from the riser in a dense bed. Immediate contact of the dense bed with a stripping fluid minimizes the amount of hydrocarbons that are carried out of the disengaging vessel into the open volume of the reactor vessel.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1991Date of Patent: February 28, 1995Assignee: UOPInventors: Paul A. Sechrist, David A. Lomas, Edward C. Haun
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Patent number: 5389237Abstract: A process for fluidized catalytic cracking of heavy feed using a low H.sub.2 S content lift gas in the base of a riser reactor. The lift gas is a recycled, ethylene rich stream obtained by removing H.sub.2 S from a compressed vapor stream intermediate the FCC main column receiver and the gas plant associated with the FCC unit. The low H.sub.2 S lift gas does not increase SO.sub.x emissions from the regenerator as much as a recycled vapor from the FCC main column. As the lift gas is not purified in the gas plant it does not overload it.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1993Date of Patent: February 14, 1995Assignee: Mobil Oil CorporationInventors: Mohsen N. Harandi, Paul H. Schipper
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Patent number: 5389239Abstract: In a direct-coupled cyclone system, the riser cyclone is positioned external to a containment vessel. The riser cyclone separator discharges separated catalyst to a catalyst stripper internal to the containment vessel. Means is provided for withdrawing stripping gas from the catalyst stripper and passing it under pressure control to the riser cyclone separator. The riser cyclone separator is inherently pressure stable relative to the catalyst stripper. The invention is particularly useful for retrofitting a direct-coupled cyclone separator to a preexisting containment vessel with limited free volume.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1993Date of Patent: February 14, 1995Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventor: Leonce F. Castagnos, Jr.
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Patent number: 5380426Abstract: A fluidized catalytic cracking process and apparatus with an active bed annular spent catalyst stripper is disclosed. An annular catalyst stripper disposed about a riser reactor is separated, by a baffle or fluid flow, into a secondary stripper nearer the catalyst regenerator and a primary stripper on the far side of the annular stripper from the regenerator. Catalyst flows through the primary stripper as a dense bed, to a transport means which lifts catalyst to the inlet of the secondary stripper. The "dead" region on side of annular strippers far from the regenerator is eliminated. Preferably catalyst is added to the primary stripper via cyclone diplegs, and a cyclone is used on the transport outlet.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1993Date of Patent: January 10, 1995Assignee: Mobil Oil CorporationInventors: David L. Johnson, David H. Parsons, Gerald J. Teitman
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Patent number: 5376339Abstract: A riser cyclone separator is positioned external to a containment vessel. The riser cyclone separator discharges separated catalyst to a catalyst stripper and separated vapor to a plenum, both positioned internal to the containment vessel. Means is provided for withdrawing stripping gas from the catalyst stripper and passing it via the riser cyclone separator to the plenum. The riser cyclone separator is inherently pressure stable relative to the containment vessel. The invention is particularly useful for retrofitting a direct-connected riser cyclone separator to a preexisting containment vessel with space limitations.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1993Date of Patent: December 27, 1994Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: Leonce F. Castagnos, Jr., Harold C. Kaufman
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Patent number: 5376261Abstract: A process and apparatus for controlling the flow of FCC catalyst around a catalyst regenerator, using a non-mechanical valve, is disclosed. The preferred non-mechanical valve provides a de-aeration section, addition of fluidizing gas, a "U" trap seal, and venturi gas outlet on the top of the trap, for reliable flow control of non-uniform settling particles such as FCC catalyst. Control of the flow of a fluidizing gas to such a valve changes the flow properties of the FCC catalyst and permits flow control without resort to plug valves, or other internal mechanical valves, which are difficult to use in the harsh environment experienced within FCC regenerators.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1990Date of Patent: December 27, 1994Assignee: Mobil Oil CorporationInventor: Amos A. Avidan
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Patent number: 5370789Abstract: A process is described for ultrapyrolytic upgrading of a heavy hydrocarbon oil feedstock by contacting the feedstock in a confined riser vertical column with finely divided inert solid particles under ultrapyrolysis conditions, the riser forms part of an internally circulating aerated bed reactor with the bottom end of the riser being directly connected to an inlet nozzle feeding the heavy hydrocarbon oil feedstock and the upper end of the riser extending above an annular aerated bed of the finely divided solid particles surrounding the riser. The riser also includes a plurality of orifices in a lower region thereof flow connected to a lower region of the aerated bed for controlled delivery of the particles from the aerated bed into the riser.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1994Date of Patent: December 6, 1994Assignee: Energy Mines & Resources CanadaInventors: Bruce J. Milne, Franco Berruti, Leo A. Behie
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Patent number: 5364515Abstract: An FCC process and apparatus is arranged to provide a low volume dilute disengagement zone in a reactor vessel. A vented riser that provides an open discharge of catalyst and gaseous products is directly discharged into a reactor vessel. The interior of the reactor vessel is arranged such that the outlet of the reactor riser is located close to and directed at the top of the reactor vessel. The reactor vessel operates with a dense bed of catalyst having an upper bed level that is only a short distance below the outlet of the reactor riser. The cyclone separators are located to the outside of the reactor riser and circulate catalyst directly back to the reactor riser or directly to an independent stripping vessel that returns the catalyst to the regenerator.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 1993Date of Patent: November 15, 1994Assignee: UOPInventors: David A. Lomas, Paul A. Sechrist, Edward C. Haun
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Patent number: 5362380Abstract: In a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process coked catalyst is partially regenerated by contacting with high temperature steam in the absence of oxygen. About 10 to 30% of the coke is converted to a steam reformed gas comprising hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide. The off-gas may be subjected to cryogenic separation to yield a hydrogen-rich gas.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1993Date of Patent: November 8, 1994Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: Hsu-Hui Hsing, James Mudra, IV
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Patent number: 5358632Abstract: An FCC feed distributor mixes fresh catalyst entering the riser with steam to create a dense bubbling bed of catalyst. Fluidized catalyst rises from the dense bed around a conical section supported from the bottom of the riser. The conical section accelerates the catalyst by reducing the flow area into a small width annulus. As fast fluidized catalyst flows to the annulus, a ring of small diameter nozzles shoot feed across the narrow annular gap into the moving catalyst. The narrow gap provides good penetration of the catalyst stream to completely mix the catalyst and feed. A gently tapered conical section above the annular gap provides an extended region of gradually increasing flow area that controls downstream acceleration of the gas and catalyst mixture by permitting expansion and preventing back mixing over the initial stages of the cracking reaction.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1993Date of Patent: October 25, 1994Assignee: UOPInventor: Brian W. Hedrick
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Patent number: 5346613Abstract: An FCC process decouples the circulation of catalyst on the regeneration side of the process from the circulation of catalyst on the reactor side of the FCC process by mixing the spent and regenerated catalyst from the reactor and regenerator side of the process in a common blending vessel that receives all of the spent and regenerated catalyst from the reactor and regenerator. The blending vessel supplies blended catalyst to raise the solids to oil ratio on the reaction side of the process and regulate catalyst temperatures on the reaction and the regeneration sides of the process. The blending vessel can also retain the majority of the catalyst inventory for both the reactor and regenerator sides of the process. Moreover, by the introduction of a stripping gas into the blending vessel it operates as a hot stripper to remove additional hydrocarbons from the blended catalyst that enters the regeneration zone.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1993Date of Patent: September 13, 1994Assignee: UOPInventors: David A. Lomas, David A. Wegerer
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Patent number: 5344554Abstract: The invention relates to a downflow fluid cracking process and apparatus. More specifically, sampling takes place of the at least partly regenerated catalyst, which must be recycled to the reactor 1 from a dense phase 17a, contained in a regenerator 17 and the stage of introducing the catalyst into the upper part 3 of the reactor 1 takes place under conditions such that the density of the thus formed gas-solid suspension is between 80 and 500 kg/m.sup.3 prior to its contacting with the charge, which is introduced by the injectors 5.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1991Date of Patent: September 6, 1994Assignee: Institut Francais Du PetroleInventors: Renaud Pontier, Frederic Hoffmann, Pierre Galtier
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Patent number: 5338439Abstract: A process and apparatus for increasing the coke burning capacity of FCC catalyst regenerators is disclosed. An auxiliary regenerator receives spent catalyst from an FCC stripper and burns some of the coke at turbulent or fast fluidized bed conditions. Partially regenerated catalyst and flue gas enter a low pressure drop cyclone discharging more than 90% of the partially regenerated catalyst down into a bubbling or fast fluidized bed in the primary regenerator. Flue gas from the auxiliary regenerator is discharged into the dilute phase above the bed in the primary regenerator. Catalyst entrainment from the fluidized bed in the primary regenerator may be reduced because less combustion air is needed as a result of partial regeneration in the auxiliary regenerator. Reduced NOx and dust emissions, and/or increased coke burning capacity, may be achieved, especially when a bubbling dense bed primary catalyst regenerator is used.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1992Date of Patent: August 16, 1994Assignee: Mobil Oil CorporationInventors: Hartley Owen, Paul H. Schipper
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Patent number: 5338438Abstract: A process for the substantial homogenization of the mixture of hot solid particles and of the hydrocarbon vapors to be treated within a tubular reactor (preferably an FCC unit) for the cracking of hydrocarbons in a fluidized bed of hot solid particles. Directly downstream of the zone of injection, in the reaction zone of the feedstock to be or being treated, usually where at least 75 percent of the droplets of the feedstock are vaporized, there is injected into the reactor a fluid in the gaseous state at one or more points on the interior surface of the side wall of the reactor.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1991Date of Patent: August 16, 1994Assignee: Total Raffinage Distribution S.A.Inventors: Vincent Demoulin, Marc Fersing, Thierry Patureaux, Denis Pontvianne
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Patent number: 5332704Abstract: A fluidized solid process for upgrading or converting a hydrocarbon feedstock wherein carbonaceous deposits accumulate on a particulate fluidized solid and are burned in a regenerator to regenerate the solid, the regenerated solid and entrained combustion products are introduced into a vertical lift pipe, a fluid lift medium is introduced into the lift pipe and the regenerated solid is separated from the lift medium and combustion products to improve the quality of the regenerated solid contacted with the hydrocarbon feedstock.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1993Date of Patent: July 26, 1994Assignee: Bar-Co Processes Joint VentureInventor: David B. Bartholic
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Patent number: 5324696Abstract: A catalyst, e.g., a cracking catalyst, and a part of the regeneration fumes are drawn off from the dense catalytic bed of a second regenerator (9) and are introduced by force of gravity into an external exchanger (21) at a junction point beneath the level of the dense bed of the second regenerator. The heat exchange takes place in the bottom part of the exchanger below the junction point. Between the bottom end of the exchanger and the region above the junction point a dense bed zone is formed at a level which is substantially at the height of the dense bed in the regenerator and a discharge zone (27), of suitable size, for the regeneration gases and fluidization gas. The gases and fumes from the exchanger are removed in the diluted fluidized phase from the second regenerator through a conduit (28), while the catalyst is recycled in to the bed of the first regenerator through a conduit (34).Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1992Date of Patent: June 28, 1994Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Regis Bonifay, Frederic Hoffmann, Renaud Pontier, Thierry Gauthier
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Patent number: 5318691Abstract: A process and apparatus for mixing feed and catalyst in the base of a fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) reactor are disclosed. Regenerated catalyst flows through an annular region into a deceleration zone of increased cross-sectional area which induces vortices of circulating catalyst. Liquid feed is injected into the vortices, preferably via radially distributed feed outlets on a centrally mounted, truncated cone injector support means having a vortex convergence prevention means just above the feed outlets. Preferably catalyst and feed accelerate from the mixing device into the base of a riser reactor.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1993Date of Patent: June 7, 1994Assignee: Mobil Oil CorporationInventor: Gregory P. Muldowney