Sequentially Arranged Patents (Class 422/142)
  • Publication number: 20080146683
    Abstract: Method of operating a three-phase slurry reactor includes feeding at a low level at least one gaseous reactant into a vertically extending slurry body of solid particles suspended in a suspension liquid, the slurry body being contained in at least two vertically extending shafts housed within a common reactor shell, each shaft being divided into a plurality of vertically extending channels at least some of which are in slurry flow communication and the slurry body being present in at least some of the channels. The gaseous reactant is allowed to react as it passes upwardly through the slurry body present in at least some of the channels of the shafts, thereby to form a non-gaseous and/or a gaseous product. Gaseous product, if present, and/or unreacted gaseous reactant is allowed to disengage from the slurry body in a head space above the slurry body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Andre Peter Steynberg, Berthold Berend Breman, Derk Willem Frederik Brilman
  • Patent number: 7250140
    Abstract: A fluid catalytic reactor vessel having at its upper end a single centrally positioned primary cyclone having a gas-solids inlet fluidly connected to the downstream end of a fluid catalytic riser, which riser is positioned externally from a fluid catalytic reactor vessel. The primary cyclone is further provided with a gas outlet conduit at its upper end fluidly connected to one or more secondary cyclone separators, which secondary cyclone separators are positioned in the space between the centrally positioned primary cyclone and the wall of the reactor vessel and which secondary cyclones have means to discharge solids to the lower end of the reactor vessel and means to discharge a gaseous stream poor in solids to a gas outlet of the reactor vessel. The primary cyclone is further provided with a primary stripping zone at its lower end and means to discharge pre-stripped solids from the primary cyclone to the lower end of the reactor vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Ye-Mon Chen, Thomas Shawn Dewitz, Hendricus Arien Dirkse, Hubertus Wilhelmus Albertus Dries, Richard Addison Sanborn
  • Patent number: 7241425
    Abstract: A fluidized bed apparatus for batch-by-batch or continuous process control is provided that allows the processes in the fluidization region to be influenced as desired, especially in terms of material movement and dwell time. The fluidized bed apparatus is formed from at least two processing regions and the processing regions are connected to each other by overflow channels. The first processing region is provided with a solids inlet and the last processing region is provided with a solids outlet. For influencing the dwell time, the material to be treated is supplied to at least two processing regions one after the other and flows through these regions, wherein the material transport direction is a cross flow relative to the flow of the fluidization means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Glatt Ingenieurtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Jacob, Karlheinz Rümpler, Mike Waskow
  • Patent number: 7195741
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hydrocarbon conversion apparatus. The apparatus comprises the following: a plurality of riser reactors, each of the riser reactors having a first end into which a catalyst can be fed and a second end through which the catalyst can exit the riser reactor, a separation zone into which the second ends of the riser reactors extend, the separation zone being provided to separate the catalyst from products of a reaction conducted in the hydrocarbon conversion apparatus; and at least one catalyst return in fluid communication with the separation zone and the first ends of the riser reactors, the catalyst return being provided to transfer the catalyst from the separation zone to the first ends of the riser reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Lattner, Jeffrey S. Smith, Nicolas P. Coute, Keith H. Kuechler
  • Patent number: 7172685
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon desulfurization system employing regenerable solid sorbent particulates in a fluidized bed desulfurization reactor. The sulfur-loaded sorbent particulates are continuously withdrawn from the reactor and transferred to a regenerator. A novel solids transport mechanism provides for the safe and effective transfer of the sulfur-loaded sorbent particulates from the high pressure hydrocarbon environment of the reactor to the low pressure oxygen environment of the regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Conocophillips Company
    Inventors: Max W. Thompson, Behzad Jazayeri, Robert Zapata, Manuel Hernandez
  • Patent number: 7169293
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and process for controlling space velocity in a fluidized catalytic conversion reactor. The catalyst flux rate can be adjusted during the process of the reaction to adjust the space velocity and maintain a fast fluidized flow regime therein. The set parameter in the reactor may be pressure drop which is proportional to catalyst density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David A. Lomas, Lawrence W. Miller
  • Patent number: 7153478
    Abstract: A downflow catalytic cracking reactor, comprising the following components: catalyst delivery pipe (1), reactor top cover (2), feed nozzle (3), reactor vessel (6), downflow reaction pipe (9), the upper end of the outer body is close connected to top cover (2) along the direction of circumference; the bottom of the outer wall body is close connected to the outer wall of the downflow reaction pipe; the upper section of the downflow reaction pipe is located inside the reaction vessel, while the lower section extends from the bottom of the outer body; feed nozzle (3) is located on the top cover (2) and/or side wall of the reactor vessel (6) with the outlet of the feed nozzle being above the inlet of the downflow reaction pipe; catalyst delivery pipe (1) is fixedly joined to the reactor vessel and in communication with catalyst lifting zone (7) formed by the reaction vessel and the downflow reaction pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignees: China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, Research Institute of Petroleum Processing Sinopec
    Inventors: Kejia Xu, Shuandi Hou, Jun Long, Xiaoxiang Zhong, Jiushun Zhang, Zhanzhu Zhang, Songnian Li, Xuefeng Wu, Jun He
  • Patent number: 7141219
    Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a physical and/or chemical process, such as a heat exchanger, comprising a fluidized bed, through which a fluid flows, and a separator for separating fluidized bed particles from the medium for recirculation. According to the invention, the top box is provided with separated discharge means for discharging a main flow of medium with a partial flow of medium and for discharging granular material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Klarex Beheer B.V.
    Inventor: Dick Gerrit Klaren
  • Patent number: 7112307
    Abstract: A riser reactor system for conversion of hydrocarbon feedstock to ethylene and propylene is described. The riser reactor system prevents riser reactors with a plurality of inlet ports for feeding gases having different compositions and for controlling the residence time of a gas catalyst within the riser reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Hayim Abrevaya, Joel T. Walenga, Michael A. Schultz, Anil R. Oroskar
  • Patent number: 7101516
    Abstract: Described is a catalyst regenerator system that includes a regenerator vessel within which is a verticaliy extending partition that divides a fluidized bed zone of the regenerator vessel into a dense phase fluidized bed zone and a fast-fluidized bed zone. Apparatus is provided to introduce spent catalyst into the fast-fluidized bed zone and to remove regenerated catalyst from the dense phase fluidized bed zone. The partition is equipped with openings that provide for the flow of catalyst from the dense phase fluidized bed zone to the fast-fluidized bed zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Rene Samson
  • Patent number: 7094380
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for injecting a plurality of uniform jets into an extended dispersion of moving catalyst particles within a reactor vessel. The apparatus comprises a plurality of outer conduits each for carrying contacting fluid and being fixed to a respective opening in a first tube sheet. A plurality of outlet nozzles are each fixed to a respective opening in a second tube sheet which is fixed to the first tube sheet. Feed in the outer conduits are delivered to the outlet nozzles for distribution into the vessel. All of the outlet nozzles can be easily replaced by breaking the fixation between the two tube sheets and securing a new second tube sheet with outlet nozzles to the first tube sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Lawrence A. Lacijan, Adam S. Kasle
  • Patent number: 7063823
    Abstract: A depleted UF6 processing plant including a first fluidized bed reactor configured to react depleted UF6 with steam to produce UO2F2 and hydrogen fluoride, a second fluidized bed reactor connected to the first fluidized bed reactor and configured to react the UO2F2 with steam to produce U3O8, hydrogen fluoride and oxygen, a gas cooler configured to cool the hydrogen fluoride generated in the first and second fluidized bed reactors down to 150 to 300° C., and a fluorine fixing reactor containing granular calcium carbonate and connected to the gas cooler to receive the hydrogen fluoride cooled down to 150 to 300° C. from the gas cooler. The fluorine fixing reactor is configured to form granular calcium fluoride from the granular calcium carbonate and the hydrogen fluoride passing through the fluorine fixing reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromichi Koizumi
  • Patent number: 7029633
    Abstract: Uranium trioxide is reduced to uranium dioxide using microwave radiation or radiofrequency radiation directed in such a way that the radiation encounters an interface between uranium trioxide and the uranium-containing reduction product without first having passed through that product. By this method, and also using a reducing gas, it is possible to obtain UO2 with an O:U ratio less than 2.04:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Cameco Corporation
    Inventor: Mikhail Simonovich Ioffe
  • Patent number: 7011740
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Tallman, Robert B. Peterson, Maureen F. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 6962676
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus in a fluidized bed heat exchanger including a heat exchange chamber having a fluidized bed of solid particles, heat transfer surfaces, an inlet, and an outlet. Particles are fed through the inlet onto the upper surface of the bed of solid particles by a guiding channel. The guiding channel, which extends from above the upper surface of the bed of solid particles to the surface thereof, or to below the surface, passes the solid particles to the restricted area of the surface. The outlet is formed in the area of the guiding channel to remove particles from the area delimited by the guiding channel. Uncooled particles can thus be removed from the heat exchange chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energia Oy
    Inventor: Timo Hyppänen
  • Patent number: 6949224
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel gasification furnace including a gasification chamber (1) for fluidizing a high-temperature fluidizing medium therein to form a gasification chamber fluidized bed having an interface, and for gasifying a fuel in the gasification chamber fluidized bed, a char combustion chamber (2) for fluidizing a high-temperature fluidizing medium therein to form a char combustion chamber fluidized bed having an interface, and for combusting char generated by gasification in the gasification chamber (1) in the char combustion chamber fluidized bed to heat the fluidizing medium, and a first energy recovery device (109) for using gases generated by the gasification chamber (1) as a fuel. The gasification chamber (1) and the char combustion chamber (2) are integrated with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Norihisa Miyoshi, Seiichiro Toyoda, Shugo Hosoda, Nobutaka Kashima, Katsutoshi Naruse, Katsuyuki Aoki, Shinji Sekikawa, Shuichi Nagato, Hiroshi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6946105
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of metal oxides from a solution containing metallic salts by spray roasting of these solutions. The process is particularly suitable for spray roasting spent pickling acids. The process feeds the solution to a reactor for spray roasting of the droplets in at least two stages, where at least one evaporation stage follows at least one conversion stage to convert the metal salts to metal oxides. The device for implementing the process includes a spray roasting reactor having a first heating zone to evaporate the water and a second heating zone to convert the metal salts to oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Andritz AG
    Inventor: Albert Lebl
  • Patent number: 6919048
    Abstract: An elongate reaction vessel and process includes at least two stages in the vertical direction in which an endothermic or exothermic catalytic reaction is carried out and comprises: a catalytic reaction zone (12a, 12b) per stage (6, 7); introducing (2) a reaction fluid to a stage adapted for transverse motion of the fluid across the whole vertical extent of the reaction zone; introducing and extracting the catalyst; a heat exchanger (5a) for reaction fluids located inside the vessel between two successive reaction zones; means (6) for transporting reaction fluids from one stage to another preferably connected to the exchanger of the stage under consideration and to the inlet for reaction fluids of the subsequent stage; and means for recovering reaction fluids downstream of the last stage. The temperature variation in each zone and the temperature level are respectively adjusted by the thickness of each zone and by heat exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Frédéric Hoffmann, Eric Lenglet, Philippe Mege
  • Patent number: 6911057
    Abstract: An apparatus for burning coal to produce substantially pure hydrogen for use in fuel cells, together with “sequestration ready” carbon dioxide and a stream of oxygen depleted air for powering gas turbines. The apparatus includes two fluidized bed reactors and a third transfer line reactor. The first reactor is supplied with coal particles or “char” and fluidized with high temperature steam. The second reactor is fluidized with high temperature steam and the third reactor is fluidized by compressed air. Solids circulated among these three reactors include a mixture of materials containing coal, calcium compounds (present as CaO, CaCO3 and mixtures thereof) and iron compounds (present as FeO, Fe2O3 and mixtures thereof).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Richard K. Lyon
  • Patent number: 6872364
    Abstract: An apparatus for conducting an endothermic reaction of an organic' compound in the presence of molecular hydrogen and of multicomponent solids is described. The process of operating the apparatus comprises contacting the compound with a solid catalyst for the endothermic reaction and a hydrogen oxidizing solid reagent intermixed with the solid catalyst. Organic products of the endothermic reaction are produced, with evolution of molecular hydrogen. The solid catalyst becomes gradually deactivated by formation of carbonaceous deposits thereon. The evolved hydrogen undergoes an exothermic reaction with the hydrogen oxidizing solid reagent to form a reduction product which comprises deactivated hydrogen oxidizing solid reagent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Sunoco, Inc. (R&M)
    Inventors: Thomas W. Bierl, Vincent A. Durante, Lawrence H. Finkel, Daniel E. Resasco
  • Patent number: 6863905
    Abstract: A mixed bed of iodine source/iodine capture resin provides high flow rates that are useful for treatment of water. The ratio of source/capture resin can be adjusted to meet the goals of the system. If insufficient iodine is being provided, the source resin amount can be increased relative to the capture resin. If excess iodine or iodide are found in the treated water, the capture resin amount can be increased relative to the source resin. The release of iodine from the source resin and its effectiveness can be significantly enhanced by using a mixed bed system in which one or both of the source and the capture ion exchange resins have had their exchange sites saturated with the anion of an organic acid such as citrate and/or isocitrate. This significantly increases the amount of iodine released into aqueous solution and enhances the disinfecting power of that iodine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Shanbrom Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Edward Shanbrom
  • Publication number: 20040251168
    Abstract: A desulfurization system employing fluidizable and circulatable finely divided solid sorbent particulates that are transported between reactor, regenerator, and reducer vessels. Agglomeration of the sorbent particulates is minimized and circulation of the sorbent particulates is enhanced by controlling the location at which the sorbent particulates are withdrawn from the reducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Paul F. Meier, Steven L. Lacy, Jason J. Gislason
  • Patent number: 6828143
    Abstract: A modular reactor system and method for synthesizing nanoscale quantities of chemical compounds characterized by a continuous flow reactor under high pressure having uniform temperature throughout the reaction mixture. The apparatus includes a number of generic components such as pumps, flow channels, manifolds, flow restrictors, valves and at least one modular reactor, as small as one nanoliter in volume, where larger quantities can be produced by either using larger nanoscale sized units or adding parallel and serially disposed nanoscale reactor units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Integrated Chemical Synthesizers, Inc.
    Inventor: Allen J. Bard
  • Patent number: 6827908
    Abstract: In a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit, a regenerator, a stripper or a withdrawal well connecting to either of the vessels, includes a standpipe for circulating catalyst from one vessel to another, the standpipe having an inlet design which reduces gas entrainment during catalyst transport by partial de-fluidization in the standpipe inlet region. The standpipe inlet design could include multiple inlet openings through the top of the standpipe or from the side wall by slots, or both, and a horizontal disk surrounding the standpipe below the slots for blocking the upward flow of bubbles, the combination thereby forming a dense fluidization zone above the disk and surrounding the inlet, including the slots. Additionally, the disk may include a downwardly-projecting lip or edge forming an inverted void space around the standpipe and the downwardly-projecting edge may further include vent holes around its circumference which allow bubbles trapped under the disk to be vented outside the standpipe inlet region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Ye-Mon Chen
  • Publication number: 20040104148
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and process for controlling space velocity in a fluidized catalytic conversion reactor. The catalyst flux rate can be adjusted during the process of the reaction to adjust the space velocity and maintain a fast fluidized flow regime therein. The set parameter in the reactor may be pressure drop which is proportional to catalyst density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: David A. Lomas, Lawrence W. Miller
  • Publication number: 20040104149
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and process for controlling reactor volume in a fluidized catalytic conversion reactor. Changing volume results in controllable residence time and/or space velocity. Reactor volume may be changed by altering the feed distributor elevation, diluent flow rate or the number of reaction subsections to which feed is distributed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: David A. Lomas, Lawrence W. Miller
  • Patent number: 6723227
    Abstract: Fluidized catalytic cracking process which process comprises: (a) separating the hydrocarbon product from the spent catalyst by means of one or more gas-solid separation steps; (b) stripping the spent catalyst in a dense phase fluidized stripping zone by introducing a stripping medium in the lower portion of the stripping zone; (c) introducing part of the spent catalyst obtained in step (b) to a regeneration zone wherein the coke is removed from the catalyst by means of combustion; (d) introducing the remaining part of the spent catalyst and part of the hot regenerated catalyst into a lower portion of an elongated dilute phase stripping zone; (e) introducing a stream of a stripping medium into the lower portion of the dilute phase stripping zone to contact the resulting mixture of spent catalyst and regenerated catalyst therein; (f) passing a stream of the spent catalyst mixed with the hot regenerated catalyst and stripping medium in the dilute phase stripping zone; (g) introducing the separated catalyst of s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Rene Samson
  • Patent number: 6689331
    Abstract: An apparatus for regeneration a reforming or aromatic compound production catalyst comprises a first combustion zone wherein the first combustion zone receives catalyst and an oxygen-containing gas; a successive second combustion zone; and a conduit communicating the first and second combustion zones for transferring catalysts from the first combustion zone to the second combustion zone. The first combustion zone is isolated from the second combustion zone to prevent passage of oxygen-containing gas from the first combustion zone to the second combustion zone and the severity of the operating conditions increases from the first combustion zone to the second combustion zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Pétrole
    Inventors: François-Xavier Brunet, Emmanuelle Bromet, Jean-Marie Deves
  • Patent number: 6669917
    Abstract: A process for burning coal to produce substantially pure hydrogen for use in fuel cells, together with “sequestration ready” carbon dioxide and a stream of oxygen depleted air for powering gas turbines, characterized by using a combination of two fluidized bed reactors and a third transfer line reactor, the first reactor being supplied with coal particles or “char” and fluidized with high temperature steam; the second reactor being fluidized with high temperature steam and the third reactor being fluidized by compressed air. Solids circulated among these three reactors include a mixture of materials containing calcium compounds (present as CaO, CaCO3 and mixtures thereof) and iron compounds (present as FeO, Fe2O3 and mixtures thereof). The coal is gasified by the steam in the presence of CaO to produce CaCO3 and relatively pure hydrogen for use in fuel cells per a CO2 acceptor process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventor: Richard K. Lyon
  • Patent number: 6667022
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating gas mixtures containing synthesis gas (syngas) into separate streams of wet hydrogen containing significantly reduced amounts of CO2 and CO, with the CO2 being “sequestration ready” and containing less than 1% fixed gases. In the preferred embodiment, a mixture of limestone and iron oxide circulates between two fluidized beds whereby one bed is fluidized with a gas containing syngas, while the other bed is fluidized with a gas containing steam and oxygen. As the fluidizing gas containing syngas passes through the bed, the CO2 reacts with CaO to form CaCO3. Virtually all of the CO is removed by a water gas shift reaction, forming hydrogen and CO2, with the remainder being removed by reaction with the iron oxide, reducing Fe2O3 to FeO. Some hydrogen is also removed by reaction with the iron oxide, reducing Fe2O3 to FeO, while the remainder of the hydrogen passes through the fluid beds, leaving in a purified state, i.e., PEM fuel cell quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventor: Jerald A. Cole
  • Patent number: 6660502
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of preparing commercial quantities of glucose and/or fructose from sucrose, a process of preparing commercial quantities of glucose and a polyfructan from sucrose, a reactor for practicing same, a process of preparing commercial quantities of fructose and a polyglucan from sucrose and a reactor for practicing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Magnolia Nutritionals, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Steven J. Catani, Stephen A. Roth, Edward J. McGuire, Juan L. Navia
  • Patent number: 6652736
    Abstract: The invention concerns a stripping method for extracting solid fluidized particles whereby the particles to be stripped are subjected to a first stripping in a first chamber (9), then at least a second stripping in a second chamber (10) wherein are provided solid/gas separating means allowing the gaseous fluids derived from the second stripping to directly pass through from the bottom to the top but preventing them from going up again into the first chamber (9). The invention also concerns a device for implementing said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Total Raffinage Distribution S.A.
    Inventors: Mariano Del Pozo, Tanneguy Descazeaud, Daniel Barthod
  • Patent number: 6649130
    Abstract: A hybrid reactor arrangement provides a reactive design that achieves higher acrylonitrile yield and lower catalyst circulating rate. The hybrid reactor design first passes a mixture of reactants and catalyst through a circulating bubbling bed reaction section. Heat exchange coils or other cooling medium in the bubbling bed reactor section maintain temperature in a range that will maximize the selectivity of reactants to the acrylonitrile product. The bubbling bed reactor section provides the initial conversion of the reactant. A circulating fluidized bed reaction zone finishes the conversion of reactants to a high yield under conditions that reduce the occurrence of secondary reactions that could otherwise produce unwanted by-products. The circulating fluidized bed reactor section maintains nearly plug flow conditions that allow continued conversion of unreacted feed components through primary reactions while limiting the time for secondary reactions to continue and diminish the final yield of products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Zhou, W. Patrick Dennler, Anil R. Oroskar, Bipin V. Vora, Hayim Abrevaya, Laurence O. Stine
  • Patent number: 6645437
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for injecting a hydrocarbon charge into a catalytic cracking reactor comprising in particular an envelope (1), a main (liquid) charge feed tube (3), and an inlet (2) for an auxiliary gaseous fluid. According to the invention, charge feed tube (3) is divided, inside envelope (1), into at least two secondary lines (4) designed to distribute said charge uniformly, each secondary line (4) terminates coaxially with the inlet of an element (7) of the venturi type, and the auxiliary gaseous fluid is mixed with the charge at the inlet of said venturi (7). The present invention applies in particular to catalytic cracking of heavy hydrocarbon charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Thierry Gauthier, Régis Bonifay
  • Patent number: 6616900
    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 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 ultrashort FCC feed and catalyst contacting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: David A. Lomas
  • Publication number: 20030127358
    Abstract: The present invention provides a catalytic cracking reactor system and process in which a riser reactor is configured to have two sections of different radii in order to produced improved selectivity to propene and butenes as products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventor: Warren S. Letzsch
  • Patent number: 6544413
    Abstract: This invention provides an ultra-micro simulated moving bed apparatus employing valve devices, each of which is applied to each unit column and comprises an eluent valve that opens or closes a first communication passage connecting an eluent feeding cul-de-sac passage with the circulation passage, an extract valve that opens or closes a second communication passage connecting an extract draw-out cul-de-sac passage with the circulation passage, a feedstock mixture valve that opens or closes a third communication passage connecting a feedstock mixture feeding cul-de-sac passage with the circulation passage, and a raffinate valve that opens or closes a fourth communication passage connecting a raffinate draw-out cul-de-sac passage with the circulation passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignees: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd., Novasep
    Inventors: Shinji Nagamatsu, Oliver Ludemann-Hombourger, Julien Filou
  • Publication number: 20030035770
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating gas mixtures containing synthesis gas (syngas) into separate streams of wet hydrogen containing significantly reduced amounts of CO2 and CO, with the CO2 being “sequestration ready” and containing less than 1% fixed gases. In the preferred embodiment, a mixture of limestone and iron oxide circulates between two fluidized beds whereby one bed is fluidized with a gas containing syngas, while the other bed is fluidized with a gas containing steam and oxygen. As the fluidizing gas containing syngas passes through the bed, the CO2 reacts with CaO to form CaCO3. Virtually all of the CO is removed by a water gas shift reaction, forming hydrogen and CO2, with the remainder being removed by reaction with the iron oxide, reducing Fe2O3 to FeO. Some hydrogen is also removed by reaction with the iron oxide, reducing Fe2O3 to FeO, while the remainder of the hydrogen passes through the fluid beds, leaving in a purified state, i.e., PEM fuel cell quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Jerald A. Cole
  • Patent number: 6503460
    Abstract: Staged combustion in a single regenerator of a FCC unit is disclosed. The regenerator has a spent catalyst distributor at the top of the catalyst bed, and an air grid at the lower end of the bed. A baffle separates the catalyst bed into upper and lower stages. Excess oxygen is present in the lower bed; partial CO combustion mode is maintained in the upper bed. The baffle inhibits backmixing flux to achieve sufficient staging to burn the catalyst clean under partial CO combustion. This achieves a clean burn of the catalyst in a single regenerator vessel in the partial CO combustion operating mode. Surprisingly, the baffle also reduces catalyst entrainment in the dilute phase, thereby cutting particulate emissions from the regenerator and reducing cyclone wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard B. Miller, Yong-Lin Yang
  • Publication number: 20020192124
    Abstract: A depleted UF6 processing plant including a first fluidized bed reactor configured to react depleted UF6 with steam to produce UO2F2 and hydrogen fluoride, a second fluidized bed reactor connected to the first fluidized bed reactor and configured to react the UO2F2 with steam to produce U3O8, hydrogen fluoride and oxygen, a gas cooler configured to cool the hydrogen fluoride generated in the first and second fluidized bed reactors down to 150 to 300° C., and a fluorine fixing reactor containing granular calcium carbonate and connected to the gas cooler to receive the hydrogen fluoride cooled down to 150 to 300° C. from the gas cooler. The fluorine fixing reactor is configured to form granular calcium fluoride from the granular calcium carbonate and the hydrogen fluoride passing through the fluorine fixing reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiromichi Koizumi
  • Publication number: 20020182124
    Abstract: A process is provided to stabilize and/or reactivate an olefin production catalyst system which comprises contacting an olefin production catalyst system, either before or after use, with an aromatic compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: WILLIAM M. WOODARD, WARREN M. EWERT, HARVEY D. HENSLEY, MARK E. LASHIER, BRUCE E. KREISCHER, GLYNDAL D. COWAN, JEFFREY W. FREEMAN, RALPH V. FRANKLIN, RONALD D. KNUDSEN, RICHARD L. ANDERSON, LYLE R. KALLENBACH
  • Patent number: 6451274
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to simplify the depleted UF6 processing plant and processing method and to prevent calcium fluoride to be a fine powder, wherein the processing plant comprises a first fluidized bed reactor for forming UO2F2 and hydrogen fluoride by allowing depleted UF6 to react with steam, a second fluidized bed reactor for forming U3Oa, hydrogen fluoride and oxygen by allowing UO2F2 to react with steam, a gas cooler for cooling hydrogen fluoride at 150 to 300° C., and a fluoride fixing reactor for forming calcium fluoride by allowing cooled hydrogen fluoride to contact calcium carbonate; and wherein the processing process comprises a dry vapor-phase reaction step for forcing UO2F2 and hydrogen fluoride by allowing depleted UF6 to react with steam at a temperature of 230 to 280° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromichi Koizumi
  • Patent number: 6287522
    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 hydrotreatment 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: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: David A. Lomas
  • Patent number: 6276441
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat transferring device for transferring heat energy from a first gaseous flow into a second gaseous flow. The heat transferring device includes first and second circulating fluidized bed reactors. A first gaseous flow enters the first bed and carries heat transferring particles into a first cyclone. A second gaseous flow enters the second bed and carries heat transferring particles into a second cyclone. The particles accumulated at the bottom of the first cyclone, are presented with a recirculation channel to the first bed and a cross-over channel to the second bed. Likewise, the particles accumulated at the bottom of the second cyclone, are presented with a recirculation channel to the second bed and a cross-over channel to the first bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Neste OY
    Inventor: Seppo Ruottu
  • Patent number: 6197264
    Abstract: A process for polymerization of olefin monomers by forming a fluid stream containing catalyst, continuously feeding the fluid stream into an elongated polymerization reactor having at least two successive chambers separated by dividing plates having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the polymerization rector, feeding monomers, and an optional catalyst and donor into the polymerization reactor under temperature conditions to polymerize the olefin while maintaining a mixed flow in the chambers to polymerize the monomers and optional comonomer in the fluid, and removing the resultant polymer slurry from the polymerization reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Borealis A/S
    Inventors: Esa Korhonen, Pauli Leskinen, Ward Mennes, Fred Bergmann
  • Patent number: 6166282
    Abstract: An oxygenate conversion process and fast-fluidized bed reactor are disclosed having an upper disengaging zone and a lower reaction zone. The process is carried out in a reaction zone having a dense phase zone in the lower reaction zone and a transition zone which extends into the disengaging zone. The feedstock in the presence of a diluent is passed to the dense phase zone containing a non-zeolitic catalyst to effect at least a partial conversion to light olefins and then passed to the transition zone above the dense phase zone to achieve essentially complete conversion. A portion of the catalyst is withdrawn from above the transition zone in the disengaging zone, at least partially regenerated, and returned to a point above the dense phase zone, while catalyst is continuously circulated from the disengaging zone to the lower reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence W. Miller
  • Patent number: 6159252
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of granulates by fluidized bed spray granulation and to a device for this purpose. Liquid starting materials may be converted into granulates by fluidized bed spray granulation. In order to ensure elevated material throughput, numerous nozzles, which are moreover susceptible to plugging and encrustation, must be installed.The disadvantages of known processes may be overcome according to the invention by arranging at least two spray nozzles at least partially directed towards each other in such a manner and the quantity of spray is adjusted in such a manner that their spray jets collide within the fluidized bed and substantially no liquid strike-through occurs onto a surface delimiting the fluidized bed or out of the fluidized bed. The spray jets of two spray nozzles directed towards each other collide frontally or enclose an angle of less than 180.degree.; the angle is preferably between 150.degree. and 180.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Degussa-Hus Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rudiger Schutte, Claas-Jurgen Klasen, Martin Bewersdorf, Hans-Christian Alt
  • Patent number: 6149874
    Abstract: A rinsing apparatus used in a simulated moving bed feed adsorption unit includes a plurality of beds of an adsorbent, each being connected by a fluid distribution arrangement comprising a line for distributing fluids to at least one feed inlet. The apparatus includes at least one desorbent (or solvent) inlet, at least one outlet for an extract and at least one outlet for a raffinate. Each is characterized in that each distribution line for each bed comprises at least one rinsing valve, all of the rinsing valves being connected to a line for circulating displaced fluid. The distribution line comprises a fluid circulation pump and a regulator for the flow rate of the fluid delivered by the pump. Each of the rinsing valves is connected to a controller for controlling the opening or closing of said valves. The apparatus is used for the separation of aromatic hydrocarbons containing 8 carbon atoms, and in particular for the production of very high purity para-xylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Gerard Hotier
  • Patent number: 6136285
    Abstract: The conversion apparatus comprises in succession: a reactor provided with injectors of UF.sub.6, steam, and nitrogen so as to cause UO.sub.2 F.sub.2 to be formed by hydrolysis; a rotary tubular pyrohydrolysis furnace for transforming UO.sub.2 F.sub.2 into uranium oxide, and provided with heaters distributed in at least five zones; and a tail end for conditioning the oxide powder. The injectors comprise three concentric nozzles connected respectively to inlets for UF.sub.6, nitrogen, and steam, UF.sub.6 being fed to the central nozzle and nitrogen being injected between UF.sub.6 and steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Franco Belge de Fabrication de Combustibles
    Inventor: Andre Feugier
  • Patent number: 6133499
    Abstract: According to the present invention, boiler water is pressurized so that its boiling point is set at approximately 200.degree. C. to 320.degree. C. The boiler water is heated in at least two stages. Thermal energy of gases containing chlorine compounds is used to heat the water to its boiling point. Thermal energy of gases which do not contain chlorine compounds is used to heat the water from its boiling point until superheated steam of a given temperature is generated. The heating which uses the thermal energy of gases containing chlorine compounds is accomplished using the thermal energy from the combustion of pyrolysis gases obtained from a pyrolysis means in which waste material is supplied into a chamber containing a fluidized bed medium which has been heated to at least 300.degree. C., and a pyrolytic reaction is induced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Horizoe, Yoshihito Shimizu, Jun Sato, Shizuo Yasuda, Yuji Kaihara, Yoshimasa Kawami