Solids Transferring Patents (Class 208/164)
  • Patent number: 6126813
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Total Raffinage Distribution S.A.
    Inventors: Marc Fersing, Mariano Del Pozo
  • Patent number: 6059958
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.-Petrobras
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 6045690
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Nippon Oil Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Fujiyama, Michiaki Adachi, Toshiyasu Okuhara, Shunichi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6042717
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: William H. Radcliffe, Brian W. Hedrick
  • Patent number: 6013172
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Shen-Lin Chang, Steven A. Lottes, Chenn Q. Zhou
  • Patent number: 6010618
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: David A. Lomas
  • Patent number: 5958222
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: William H. Radcliffe, Ismail B. Cetinkaya
  • Patent number: 5944982
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: David A. Lomas
  • Patent number: 5910240
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Richard C. Senior, Christopher G. Smalley, Timothy P. Holtan
  • Patent number: 5904837
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignees: Nippon Oil Co., Ltd., Petroleum Energy Center
    Inventor: Yuichiro Fujiyama
  • Patent number: 5840176
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Roger R. Lawrence, Frank T. Micklich, Charles T. Ressl, Paul A. Sechrist
  • Patent number: 5837637
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Tricat Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Cloyd P. Reeg, Phillip K. Maher, David K. Morash, James J. Prosser
  • Patent number: 5702589
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: ABB Lummus Global Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Hao Mark Tsang, Randall Hughes Petty, Glenn Allen Clausen, Charles Henry Schrader
  • Patent number: 5660716
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Total Raffinage Distribution S.A.
    Inventors: Michel Bourgogne, Thierry Patureaux, Nathalie Boisdron
  • Patent number: 5637207
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: ABB Lummus Global Inc.
    Inventors: Hsu-Hui Hsing, Jonathan P. Rich, Glenn A. Clausen
  • Patent number: 5614083
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventor: Ismail B. Cetinkaya
  • Patent number: 5589139
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Randy J. Zinke, William J. Koves
  • Patent number: 5589057
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Harold J. Trimble, Brian A. Darsow
  • Patent number: 5584986
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Bar-Co Processes Joint Venture
    Inventor: David B. Bartholic
  • Patent number: 5571482
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Steve L. Long, Joseph L. Ross, Gautham Krishnaiah
  • Patent number: 5562818
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventor: Brian W. Hedrick
  • Patent number: 5552034
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventor: Patrick H. Terry
  • Patent number: 5549815
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventor: William A. Wachter
  • Patent number: 5547910
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Demmel, Hartley Owen
  • Patent number: 5545312
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Roger R. Lawrence, Frank T. Micklich, Charles T. Ressl, Paul A. Sechrist
  • Patent number: 5516420
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Ashland Inc.
    Inventor: Lee M. Henton
  • Patent number: 5500110
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Paul A. Sechrist, Roger R. Lawrence, Frank T. Micklich, Larry D. Richardson, David M. Kazell
  • Patent number: 5492617
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Inventors: Harold J. Trimble, Bruce E. Reynolds, Robert W. Bachtel, Robert J. Klett, David N. Brossard, David E. Earls
  • Patent number: 5474669
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventor: Ismail B. Cetinkaya
  • Patent number: 5464528
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Hartley Owen, Paul H. Schipper
  • Patent number: 5462652
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventor: David A. Wegerer
  • Patent number: 5451313
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: David A. Wegerer, David A. Lomas
  • Patent number: 5409872
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Michael F. Raterman
  • Patent number: 5393415
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: Paul A. Sechrist, David A. Lomas, Edward C. Haun
  • Patent number: 5389237
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Mohsen N. Harandi, Paul H. Schipper
  • Patent number: 5389239
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Leonce F. Castagnos, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5380426
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Johnson, David H. Parsons, Gerald J. Teitman
  • Patent number: 5376339
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Leonce F. Castagnos, Jr., Harold C. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 5376261
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Amos A. Avidan
  • Patent number: 5370789
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Energy Mines & Resources Canada
    Inventors: Bruce J. Milne, Franco Berruti, Leo A. Behie
  • Patent number: 5364515
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: David A. Lomas, Paul A. Sechrist, Edward C. Haun
  • Patent number: 5362380
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Hsu-Hui Hsing, James Mudra, IV
  • Patent number: 5358632
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventor: Brian W. Hedrick
  • Patent number: 5346613
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: David A. Lomas, David A. Wegerer
  • Patent number: 5344554
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Institut Francais Du Petrole
    Inventors: Renaud Pontier, Frederic Hoffmann, Pierre Galtier
  • Patent number: 5338439
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Hartley Owen, Paul H. Schipper
  • Patent number: 5338438
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Total Raffinage Distribution S.A.
    Inventors: Vincent Demoulin, Marc Fersing, Thierry Patureaux, Denis Pontvianne
  • Patent number: 5332704
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Bar-Co Processes Joint Venture
    Inventor: David B. Bartholic
  • Patent number: 5324696
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Regis Bonifay, Frederic Hoffmann, Renaud Pontier, Thierry Gauthier
  • Patent number: 5318691
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory P. Muldowney