And Means Providing Flow Of Particulate Matter Into Or Out Of Reaction Chamber Patents (Class 422/145)
  • Patent number: 6808543
    Abstract: An improved system and method is provided for operating a parallel entrainment fluidized bed gasifier system. A first aspect of the present invention relates to a method for reducing ash agglomeration in a parallel entrainment fluidized bed gasifier/combustor system by adding a quantity of MgO to the feedstock used in the gasifier/combustor system. A second aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for reducing erosion at piping bends in fluidized particulate piping systems which utilizes sand retention cavities positioned to receive and retain a portion of the fluidized particulate. A third aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for facilitating the flow of sand and char fragments from a first compartment to a second compartment while minimizing the flow of gases between the first and second compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Ferco Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Paisley
  • Patent number: 6797239
    Abstract: The present invention is related to methods and apparatus for improving distributions of both spent catalyst and transport gas into a regenerator of a fluid catalytic cracking unit. Spent catalyst and transport gases move upwardly through a spent catalyst riser and are diverted in a radially outward direction by a deflector cone. The catalyst and transport gas are re-mixed as they move radially outward between two disks before discharging from the outer edges (perimeter) of the distributor into the regenerator in a substantially uniform radial direction. The distributor is adapted to provide continuous discharge from its perimeter so as to cover the entire cross-section of the regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Ye-Mon Chen, Mahendra Sonabhai Patel
  • Patent number: 6786714
    Abstract: A delivery system for generating a sparging gas containing catalyst particles and delivering them to a flame zone of a combustion reaction is disclosed. A catalyst mixture receptacle for the delivery system includes a floating ball check valve on an air inlet to an inlet tube of the receptacle which is spaced from a vertical wall of the receptacle. A secondary splash chamber having an opening smaller than the body of the chamber is also included between the main body of the receptacle and the sparging gas outlet for the receptacle to reduce the opportunity for catalyst mixture in liquid form to reach the sparging gas outlet. An enrichment circuit is disclosed including a controller, pump, and a one-way check valve for adding additional sparging gas to a flame zone of a combustion process in times of added load. The receptacle may be mounted with a vibrator, such as the pump, to increase the consistency of the bubbles in the sparging process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Inventor: James W. Haskew
  • Publication number: 20040166033
    Abstract: A multi-cyclone gas/solids separator with reduced solids re-entrainment is disclosed. The separator uses a plurality of cyclones spaced horizontally apart from adjacent cyclones to process flue gas containing residual catalyst fines. Each cyclone has a body that has a feed inlet end for admitting gas and entrained solids into an annular space defined by a sidewall of the cyclone body and a cylindrical gas outlet tube axially aligned with the cyclone body. A solids outlet at an opposing end of the cyclone body has a tangential outlet for solids and a minor amount of gas through a sidewall of the cyclone body. A gas reflux opening is axially aligned with the outlet tube. The plurality of cyclones share both a common catch chamber for solids discharged from the solids outlet, and a common manifold for gas and entrained solids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT, INC.
    Inventors: Richard B. Miller, Eusebius Gbordzoe, Yong-Lin Yang, Suisheng M. Dou, David Lee Johnson
  • Publication number: 20040166032
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for metering catalyst in a fluid catalytic cracking catalyst injection system are provided. In one embodiment, apparatus for metering catalyst in a fluid catalytic cracking catalyst injection system includes a low pressure storage vessel coupled to a pressure vessel that defines a high pressure side of the apparatus, where the determination of the amount of catalyst transferred is made on the low pressure side of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventor: Martin Evans
  • Publication number: 20040122273
    Abstract: A process for controlling an oxygenates to olefin reactor is disclosed which comprises: contacting oxygenate-containing feedstock, e.g., methanol, in a reaction zone in the presence of a molecular sieve oxygenate to olefins conversion catalyst under conditions sufficient to provide an olefins-containing effluent containing alkyl alcohol and dialkyl ether, e.g., methanol and dimethyl ether; analyzing a single gas phase of the effluent determine alkyl alcohol concentration and dialkyl ether concentration; and adjusting reactor conditions, e.g., WHSV, as a function of alkyl alcohol concentration and dialkyl ether concentration, as necessary to provide a substantially consistent effluent composition. A corresponding apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Kabin, Nicolas P. Coute, Stephen N. Vaughn
  • Publication number: 20040115102
    Abstract: Cyclone separator provided with an inlet for receiving gas and solid particles, a gas outlet at its upper end and a lower tubular part, wherein the lower tubular part is provided with a closed lower end, through which closed lower end a substnatially vertical particle withdrawal conduit extends from a position below the closed lower end to a position in the tubular part and below the inlet for receiving gas and solid particles, said conduit being provided with openings to withdraw solid particles from the cyclone separator and wherein said conduit has a smaller cross-sectional area than the lower tubular part, thereby defining a space between conduit and inner wall of the lower tubular part, wherein in the lower part of said space main means to add a primary fluidizing medium are present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Ye-Mon Chen, Thomas Shawn Dewitz, Hendricus Arien Dirkse, Hubertus Wilhelmus Albertus Dries, Richard Addison Sanborn
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040099572
    Abstract: A system and method for injecting catalyst into a fluid catalyst cracking (FCC) unit is provided. In one embodiment, a system for injecting catalyst into a FCC unit includes at least one catalyst injection apparatus for providing catalyst to a fluid catalyst cracking unit, at least one sensor adapted to provide a metric indicative of the composition of a product stream produced in the fluid catalyst cracking unit, and a controller coupled to the sensor, for controlling the additions made by the catalyst injection system in response to the metric provided by the sensor. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a method for injecting catalyst from a catalyst injection system into a FCC unit that includes the steps of dispensing catalyst for a catalyst injection system into a fluid catalytic cracking unit, sensing an output in the fluid catalytic cracking unit, and automatically adjusting the amount of catalyst dispensed in response to the at least one sensed metric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventor: Martin Evans
  • Patent number: 6737276
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus is provided for the determination of the content of organic carbon (TOC) of liquids, in particular ultra-pure water, wherein a liquid sample under investigation is located in a reaction chamber and carbon present in the liquid is statically oxidized to mainly carbon dioxide. After oxidation of the carbon, the sample quantity is transferred to a measuring cell, connected to the reaction chamber by liquid entering the reaction chamber from the outside the reaction chamber, where (i.e. in the measuring cell) the carbon concentration of the sample, which is proportional to the carbon content, is dynamically registered as the sample flows through the measuring cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Maihak Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Voss, Erich Messerschmitt, Herbert Bendlin
  • Patent number: 6730278
    Abstract: In a process for the production of urea, substantially pure ammonia and carbon dioxide are reacted in a reaction space (1) from which comes out a reaction mixture subjected to stripping (2) to obtain a partially purified mixture sent to a urea recovery section (3, 4, 7, 8). From the recovery section (3, 4, 7, 8) it is obtained a dilute carbamate solution, which is subjected to stripping (9) with recycling of vapors to the reaction space (1) after condensation (6). This process achieves high conversion yield with reduced energy consumption and low implementation costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Urea Casale
    Inventors: Giorgio Pagani, Umberto Zardi
  • Publication number: 20040076554
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hydrocarbon conversion apparatus and process. The apparatus comprises the following: a plurality of riser reactors, each having a first end into which a catalyst is fed, a second end through which the catalyst can exit, and optionally a center axis extending therebetween. The apparatus also includes a separation zone having a plurality of inlets, each inlet not being oriented along the center axes of the riser reactors, the separation zone being provided to separate the catalyst from products of a reaction conducted in the hydrocarbon conversion apparatus. A plurality of deviating members are also provided, each deviating member being in fluid communication between the second end of a respective riser reactor and a respective inlet of the separation zone. The apparatus also includes a catalyst retention zone provided to contain catalyst, which is fed to the riser reactors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Keith Holroyd Kuechler, James R. Lattner, Nicolas P. Coute, Jeffrey S. Smith, Justin Leonard Krieger
  • Patent number: 6723292
    Abstract: A stripper and a stripping process for removing the flue gas carried by regenerated catalyst. A cylindrical stripper mainly comprises a degassing pipe at the longitudinal axis, a horizontal pipe connected with the lower end of the degassing pipe, several sets of inner annular baffles and outer annular baffles arranged in alternative arrangement along the vertical direction. Inner annular baffles are fixed on the degassing pipe, outer annular baffles are fixed on the inner wall of the cylinder. The degassing pipe has holes below each set of the inner annular baffles. The regenerated catalyst enters the stripper from the upper part, comes into a countercurrent and crosscurrent contact with steam from the annular steam conduit, and the stripped regenerated catalyst leaves the stripper from the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignees: China Petrolam and Chemical Corp., Research Institute of Petroleum Processing
    Inventors: Weimin Lu, Xieqing Wang, Xiaoxiang Zhong, Songnian Li
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040071608
    Abstract: A distributor (9) for the equalization of flow rate of cyclones in closed cyclone systems installed in the interconnection of the cyclones of the disengager vessel of the gas-solid suspension of the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes is described, that distributes the gases exiting the first stage cyclones so as to promote a desirable and uniform flow rate of said gases through said space, besides absorbing the relative movements between the cyclones caused by the differential thermal expansion. The distributor of the invention secures a homogeneous accommodation of the gas-solid suspension in a connecting pipe, allowing a uniform cyclone operation in the next stage, no matter the geometry of the riser-cyclone set or of the downer-cyclone set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: PETROLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.- PETROBRAS
    Inventor: Eduardo Cardoso De Melo Guerra
  • Publication number: 20040072971
    Abstract: A process for the gas-phase catalytic polymerisation carried out in two interconnected polymerisation zones, to which one or more monomers are fed in the presence of a catalyst under polymerisation conditions and from which the produced polymer is discharged. The growing polymer particles flow through a first polymerisation zone under fast fluidisation conditions, leave said first zone and enter a second polymerisation zone through which they flow in a densified form under the action of gravity, leave said second zone and are reintroduced into the first polymerisation zone, thus establishing a circulation of polymer between the two polymerisation zones. The present invention is characterised in that a gas of composition different from that present in the first polymerisation zone is introduced into the second polymerisation zone and it is avoided that the gases present in the first polymerisation zone are introduced into the second polymerisation zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Gabriele Govoni, Massimo Covezzi
  • Publication number: 20040060846
    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: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Warren S. Letzsch
  • Publication number: 20040064007
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for integrating a catalyst regeneration system with a plurality of hydrocarbon conversion apparatuses, preferably, a plurality of multiple riser reactor units. One embodiment of the present invention is a reactor system including a plurality of reactor units, at least one reactor unit preferably comprising a plurality of riser reactors. The system also includes a regenerator for converting an at least partially deactivated catalyst to a regenerated catalyst. A first conduit system transfers the at least partially deactivated catalyst from the reactor units to the regenerator, and a second conduit system transfers regenerating catalysts from the regenerator to the plurality of reactor units. Optionally, catalysts from a plurality of hydrocarbon conversion apparatuses may be directed to a single stripping unit and/or a single regeneration unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: James H. Beech, Michael Peter Nicoletti, James R. Lattner, Dennis George Alexion, Peter K. Paik
  • Publication number: 20040059171
    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 provided to separate the catalyst from products of a reaction conducted in the hydrocarbon conversion apparatus; at least one transport conduit having a first end in fluid communication with at least two of the second ends of the riser reactors and a second end extending into the separation zone; 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: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Walter R. Brookhart
  • Publication number: 20040052691
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for injecting gasification medium into particle-loaded gasification spaces of fixed-bed, fluidized-bed or entrained-bed gasifiers by means of gasification-medium nozzles, wherein the supply portion the isorate of the gasification medium in the gasification-medium nozzle does not fall below a minimum value, and in the adjoining acceleration portion the gasification medium is constantly accelerated and upon exit from the nozzle orifice is concentrated in a focus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicants: Sekundarrohstoff-Verwertungszentrum Schwarze Pumpe GmbH, Lurgi Energie und Entsorgung GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Meyer, Reinhard Skoddow, Osman Turna
  • Patent number: 6698501
    Abstract: Heat exchangers utilizing flat surfaced passages to contact, contain and utilize fluidized small solid particles is provided. Top and bottom woven wire mesh or perforated sheet corrugated with rounded or flat-sided ridges are attached to respective top and bottom sides of said passage to increase its surface and to prevent said small solid particles from exiting said heat exchanger. A variety of shapes of the small solid particles are provided to further enhance the heat transfer rate. More energy efficient systems of all kinds will result from the use of these smaller heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventor: William H. Fleischman
  • 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: 6680032
    Abstract: A new process for continuously preparing granules having narrow grain size distribution, comprising a) spraying the product to be granulated in liquid form into a fluidized bed, b) separating the proportions of fine material escaping from the fluidized bed from the off-gas and returning said fine material to the fluidized bed as nuclei for granule formation, c) setting the fluidizing gas flow such that granules are formed which are of a predetermined size, and d) removing the completed granules solely by way of at least one countercurrent gravity classifier inserted into the outflow bottom of the fluidized-bed vessel. A new apparatus for carrying out the process according to the invention and new granules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Bayer AG
    Inventors: Hans Uhlemann, Burkhard Braun, Heinz Hausmann, Gerhard Stopp, Horts Karkossa
  • Patent number: 6680031
    Abstract: A fluid bed processing system with a spraying apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes an expansion chamber and at least one spraying apparatus which extends into the expansion chamber. The spraying apparatus has a plurality of single nozzles which are spaced along the spraying apparatus and has at least one fluid passage connected to each of the single nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Bisgrove, Ryszard Braun, Robert I. Christensen, Jr., Robert C. Fewkes, Alfred L. Gaertner, John Reynold, David R. Wight, Antti Kosola
  • Publication number: 20030223918
    Abstract: An FCC process and apparatus that blends spent and regenerated catalyst before the catalyst contacts the feed in a reaction zone. The circulation rate of spent catalyst is automatically controlled based on a circulation rate of regenerated catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Neal E. Cammy, Ricardo Castillo
  • Patent number: 6652815
    Abstract: A shelf is incorporated into a typical FCC riser that permits the tips of the nozzles to extend past the wall of the riser while preventing the tips from promoting coke build-up and protecting the tips from erosion. The shelf can be part of an angled section that often appears in a transition zone for increasing the internal diameter of the riser to accommodate the volumetric expansion of the feed. The shelf section reduces the non-uniformity in the mixing of the catalyst and feed and minimizes backmixing of the feed injection. The shelf of this invention accomplishes these objectives without recessing the feed injectors into the riser wall which can interfere with the spray pattern. The shelf provides a location for the tips of the upwardly directed feed injectors which virtually eliminates quiescent areas that were the sites for riser coking and that resulted from the protrusion of nozzles and/or nozzle protection devices into the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Aziz A. Sattar
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20030206830
    Abstract: A multiple parallel processing assembly has been developed. The assembly has (1) a plurality of vessels for containing material, each vessel having an open end and a fluid permeable end (2) a plurality of bottoms, each bottom having an open end and a closed end with the plurality being supported by a single first support plurality of vessels positioned within the plurality of bottoms; (3) a plurality of tops supported by a single second support with the plurality of tops engaged with the plurality of bottoms to form a plurality of sealed independent chambers; and (4) a plurality of fluid conduits in fluid communication with the chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Duncan E. Akporiaye, Arne Karlsson, Ivar M. Dahl, Rune Wendelbo
  • Patent number: 6641715
    Abstract: An entrained bed or fluidised bed process for catalytic cracking of a hydrocarbon feed in two reaction zones is described, one zone (1) being in catalyst dropper mode, the other (2) being in catalyst riser mode. A feed (102) and catalyst from at least one regeneration zone (302) are introduced into the upper portion of the dropper zone, the feed and catalyst are circulated in accordance with a catalyst to feed weight ratio, C/O, of 5 to 20, the cracked gases are separated from the coked catalyst in a first separation zone (105), the cracked gases are recovered (107), the coked catalyst is introduced (110) into the lower portion of the riser zone (2), the coked catalyst and said feed are circulated in a C/O weight ratio of 4 to 8, the used catalyst is separated from the effluent produced in a second separation zone (203), the catalyst is stripped in a stripping zone (212), the effluent and stripping gases are recovered (206) and the used catalyst is recycled (7) to the regeneration zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Thierry Gauthier
  • Patent number: 6627161
    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: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: William H. Radcliffe, Brian W. Hedrick
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6616899
    Abstract: A high efficiency FCC process obtains the necessary regenerated catalyst temperature for a principally thermal cracking stage by cracking a light feedstock such as naphtha or a middle distillate in a first riser that principally performs thermal cracking and then cracks a heavy FCC feed in a second riser with a blend of catalyst from the principally thermal cracking step and recycle catalyst from the heavy feed to provide the necessary coke content on the catalyst that will produce high regenerated catalyst temperatures. The high temperature of the regenerated catalyst in the first riser provides a convenient means of cracking naphtha under high severity conditions and then using the remaining activity of the contacted catalyst for the principally catalytic reaction of the heavier feed. A separate thermal cracked product may be recovered from an intermediate blending vessel downstream of the first riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence L. Upson
  • Patent number: 6613290
    Abstract: A fluidized catalytic cracking system includes a riser for contacting catalyst and hydrocarbon feedstock. The riser has an inner surface that defines a central passage. The central passage acts as a flow path for the catalyst and the hydrocarbon feedstock. A plurality of ribs are disposed on the riser inner surface. The ribs increase the degree of mixing that occurs between the catalyst and the hydrocarbon feedstock within the central passage. In particular, each rib has a contoured inner wall. The contour of the inner wall forces a portion of the catalyst flow inward, toward the hydrocarbon-rich center of the central passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventor: Richard C. Senior
  • Patent number: 6613111
    Abstract: A process and method is provided for operating a small-scale high-throughput gasifier. As is known in the art, the exothermic combustion reactions can be separated from the endothermic gasification reactions. The exothermic combustion reactions can take place in or near the combustor while the endothermic gasification reactions take place in the gasifier. Heat from the exothermic zone is transferred to the endothermic reaction zone by circulation of an inert particulate solid such as sand. In order to increase efficiency by reducing heat loss from the gasifier, the gasifier is concentrically-disposed within the endothermic reaction zone of the combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Future Energy Resources Corporation
    Inventor: Mark A. Paisley
  • Patent number: 6610255
    Abstract: A fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process performed in a FCC process unit containing a reactor, a regenerator and an outboard vessel. Catalyst particles containing vanadium are circulated back and forth from the reactor to the regenerator and back and forth from the regenerator and the outboard vessel. The outboard vessel contains a vanadium trap material that removes vanadium from at least a portion of the catalyst particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Guang Cao, Todd Richard Steffens, Gordon Frederick Stuntz, Daniel Paul Leta, William Russell Adamson, Albert Yuan-Hsin Hu
  • Publication number: 20030146132
    Abstract: Fluidized catalytic cracking reactor vessel comprising at its upper end means to separate catalyst particles from an effluent of a dilute phase fluidized catalytic cracking reactor riser, which separation means are fluidly connected to the downstream part of the reactor riser, fluidly connected with means to discharge the cleaned reactor riser effluent from the vessel and fluidly connected to means to discharge the separated catalyst to the lower end of the vessel, the vessel further comprising at its lower end means to discharge catalyst from the reactor vessel, wherein (a) between the side wall of the vessel and the separation means a shield is present, resulting in an exterior space between the vessel wall and the shield and an interior space within the shield, wherein the interior space is in open communication with the lower end of the reactor vessel at its lower end and wherein the exterior space and interior space are fluidly connected by means of one or more openings, and (b) means are present to supp
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Ernst Antonius Bakker, David John Bridger, Hendricus Arien Dirkse, Stephen Brian Fowler
  • Patent number: 6602476
    Abstract: Apparatus and process for heat exchange with fluid beds comprises heat-exchange tubes located longitudinally with respect to the axis of a fluidization zone with a rectangular pitch, one side of which having a length at least one and a half times the length of the other side and/or with a triangular pitch, having two sides each at least one and a half times the length of the shortest side reduces the impact of the heat-exchange tubes on the fluidization characteristics of the fluid bed. The invention is particularly suitable for oxidation reactions using molecular oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a fluid bed of fluidizable catalyst, such as (a) the acetoxylation of olefins, (b) the oxidation of ethylene to acetic acid and/or the oxidation of ethane to ethylene and/or acetic acid, (c) the ammoxidation of propylene and/or propane to acrylonitrile and (d) the oxidation of C4's to maleic anhydride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Stanley John Becker, Timothy Crispin Bristow, Michele Fiorentino, David Newton, Bruce Leo Williams
  • Publication number: 20030143126
    Abstract: Regenerator vessel provided with means to supply catalyst particles, means to supply an oxygenate gas, means to discharge regenerated catalyst, means to discharge combustion gases from the vessel and means to separate entrained catalyst from the combustion gases, which vessel also comprises, in use, a fluidised bed zone of catalyst at its lower end, wherein in the fluidised bed zone a vertically extending partition, which partition is provided with one or more openings, is present dividing the fluidised bed zone in a dense phase fluidised bed zone and a fast-fluidised bed zone, the dense phase fluidised bed zone provided with the means to supply catalysts and the fast-fluidised bed zone provided with the means to supply an oxygenate gas at its lower end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Rene Samson
  • Patent number: 6596242
    Abstract: Apparatus comprising a fluidized-bed catalytic cracking plant riser reactor having an axial passageway extending between said inlet end for receiving hydrocarbonaceous feed and catalyst particles and wherein said outlet end discharges effluent and catalyst particles, which reactor riser is provided with a plurality of contacting devices arranged axially spaced apart in said axial passageway, wherein each said contacting device comprises a mixing element having the shape of a segment of arc, wherein the mixing element of each said contacting device is present in a plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the passageway and wherein the mixing element of a contacting device is arranged staggered with respect to the mixing element of an adjacent contacting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Hubertus W. Albertus Dries
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20030124034
    Abstract: A catalytic cracking reaction-regeneration system, comprising a regenerator, a settler, a gas-solid separator, a buffer, a riser reactor, a horizontal reaction tube, a catalyst delivery pipe, and a down-flow reactor. This system can be used for experiments and researches on various processes such as riser catalytic cracking, sectional feeding, instantaneous contact, and down-flow catalytic cracking and can be used for catalyst evaluation tests. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xuefeng Wu, Jun He, Zhanfeng Zhang, Xianglin Yu, Xiaoxiang Zhong
  • Publication number: 20030091485
    Abstract: The invention provides process and apparatus for conducting an endothermic reaction of an organic' compound in the presence of molecular hydrogen and of multicomponent solids. The process 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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas W. Bierl, Vincent A. Durante, Lawrence H. Finkel, Daniel E. Resasco
  • Publication number: 20030083535
    Abstract: The present invention features a system and method for circulating catalyst between a reactor system and a regenerator system. A circulating catalyst system includes a reactor system, a regenerator system, and a distribution unit. The reactor system and regenerator system are adapted to exchange catalyst. The regeneration system preferably includes a regeneration zone adapted for the contact of catalyst with a regeneration gas. The system and method are adapted so that more than one regeneration gas may contact catalyst. The distribution unit is adapted to control the percentage of catalyst contacting each regeneration gas. Thus, the distribution unit is adapted to select the percentages so as to maintain the reactor system and regeneration system under a heat balance regime. Heat is preferably transferred from the regenerator system to the reactor system by an exchange of catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Harold A. Wright, Todd H. Harkins, Doug S. Jack, Ajoy P. Raje
  • Publication number: 20030044327
    Abstract: This invention is to a circulating fluid bed reactor that is designed so as to have the ability to adjust catalyst holdup within the reaction zone of the reactor while maintaining substantially constant catalyst circulation rate through the reaction zone. The ability to adjust catalyst hold up independently of catalyst circulation rate provides an advantage of having the ability to maintain a constant conversion level as catalyst activity or feed rates change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: James R. Lattner, Jeffrey S. Smith, Rathna P. Davuluri
  • Publication number: 20030019613
    Abstract: Heat exchangers utilizing flat surfaced passages to contact, contain and utilize fluidized small solid particles is provided. Top and bottom woven wire mesh or perforated sheet corrugated with rounded or flat-sided ridges are attached to respective top and bottom sides of said passage to increase its surface and to prevent said small solid particles from exiting said heat exchanger. A variety of shapes of the small solid particles are provided to further enhance the heat transfer rate. More energy efficient systems of all kinds will result from the use of these smaller heat exchangers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: William H. Fleischman
  • Patent number: 6511635
    Abstract: The upstream portion of a reactor (1), contains, between the feeding area of the catalyst flow and the injection area of the charge to be cracked, at least one solid and attached packing element (6, 6′), that extends over all or part of the cross section of the reactor and consists of a network of cells through which pass the catalyst particles. This network makes it possible to create at least one step of division and recombination of the flow of catalyst particles, so as to redistribute the latter in a homogenous manner over the cross section of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Total Raffinage Distribution S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Mauleon, Mariano Del Pozo, Daniel Barthod
  • Patent number: 6503461
    Abstract: An injector of a type routinely used in an FCC unit for dispersing a feed into a fluidized stream of catalyst particles is given additional versatility and maintainability through the use of internal connections of a low profile type. The injector apparatus has at least one connection that is positioned inside a retaining sleeve and connects the discharge tip of the injector to the piping that extends outside the sleeve and delivers the feed to the injector. The connection can join materials that are not amenable to welding in a space that is too confined for a flange connection. The connection combines the ductile properties of the carbon steel or stainless steel for the feed piping with an abrasion resistant but brittle material that will extend the life of the nozzle tip. Such relatively brittle materials include ceramics. The injector will also routinely incorporate an internal sleeve for separating two different fluids that enter the injector independently and undergo mixing therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Burgard, Gary A. Schulz, Todd P. Mitchell