Abstract: An improved method of controlling catalyst inventory in the reactor of an ebullated bed process has been discovered. Pressure differentials are measured to calculate a catalyst inventory characterization factor. This factor is calculated by means of a new algorithm. Aged catalyst is withdrawn and fresh catalyst added in an amount to reestablish the value of the factor. The catalyst to oil ratio is maintained despite changes in bed ebullation, gas and liquid holdups, oil residence time and conversion.

Abstract: A fluid solid-contacting device eliminates the accumulation of deposits behind distribution collection conduits, reduces the differential expansion between the conduits and a containment vessel, and improves fluid distribution by extending the perforations into a back side of a distribution conduit that abuts the vessel. This apparatus has greatest application to scallop-shaped conduits that are commonly used in radial flow reactors. The perforations, extended into the back side of the scallop, ventilate the area between the scallop and the vessel holding the scallops.

Abstract: An oxidation reactor having elongated shape includes in combination, a mixing member including a pipe for feeding oxidizing gas and a pipe for feeding oxidizable charge; a reaction member, arranged subjacent the mixing member, and a discharge member associated with a discharge pipe for the products of the reaction. The reaction member includes a central zone which has a first lining and the reactor includes at least one peripheral zone which has a second lining, passages in the second lining being smaller than passages in the first lining so that the pressure loss in the second lining is greater than that of the first lining. The second lining forms a sleeve surround the first lining and this sleeve is formed of at least one refractory heat insulating material. The oxidation reactor is provided with an external sleeve steel jacket, a concrete wall and a steel element surrounding the mixing member arranged above the reaction member.

Abstract: A moving bed reactor for the treatment of fluid in a countercurrent process includes a reactor vessel having, in an upper region thereof, an inlet for receiving particulate material and an outlet for discharging treated fluid, the reactor vessel also having, in a lower region thereof, a downward tapering first funnel leading to an outlet, the first funnel guiding the particulate material to the outlet for discharge from the reactor vessel, the first funnel being formed by wall sections which mutually overlap in louvre fashion to create slot-shaped passages for the fluid to be treated to enter the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dry type simultaneous desulfurization and dedusting method in forming moving beds with a granulate desulfurizing and dedusting agent containing as the principle composition 5-95 weight % of iron oxide and 95-5 weight % of metallic iron, and contacting these moving beds with the gas containing hydrogen sulfide and dust, thereby simultaneously desulfurizing and dedusting the gas.

Abstract: Void blowing by gas flow through a bed of particulate material is avoided by the use of a cover plate that eliminates void spaces at the top of the bed and a vertical duct that allows a head of particulate material to be maintained above the cover plate. The particle bed is arranged in the usual fashion using inner and outer screens to hold particulate material in a vertically extended bed into which particulate material is intermittently added and withdrawn. The top of the particulate bed is contacted by an imperforate cover plate that is sloped up to an inlet opening that has a smaller cross-sectional area than the area of the bed. The cover plate has a slope which is greater than the angle of the repose of the particles so that particles filling the top section of the bed will be free of void spaces.

Abstract: The invention concerns a regeneration process and the corresponding apparatus for regeneration of a reforming catalyst, the reforming operation being carried out in at least two reactors in series, through which the catalyst and the charge successively flow, the pressure in the first reactor through which the catalyst and the charge pass being under a pressure of between 3 and 8 bars.

Abstract: Hydrogen gas is generated on demand by reacting hydrochloric acid (haloacid) and a pure metal by flowing the acid upwardly through a bed of metal particles held on a distributor plate within a sliding tray. The tray reciprocates in a retaining vessel. A port in the retaining vessel can be aligned with a drain port in the sliding tray (below the distributor plate) so that the solution in the bed can be shunted directly to an annulus between the retaining vessel and the reactor jacket, thereby eliminating contact of acid and metal and stopping the generation of hydrogen. A coolant may be circulated in the base of the retaining vessel to control the temperature of the acid as it enters the bed, thereby helping to control the reaction rate.

Abstract: A method for continuously or semi-continuously regenerating reforming catalyst by the recirculation of a gas stream advantageously controls the water content by using an oxygen-deficient makeup gas stream to supply the oxygen for combustion of coke. The volume of makeup gas entering the process is increased by reducing its oxygen concentration so that additional waste gases from the combustion of coke on the catalyst can be vented. The venting of additional gas from the circulating gas stream lowers the overall water concentration during the combustion of coke. The oxygen-deficient makeup gas stream can be supplied by oxygen and nitrogen separation from air. Where the production of the oxygen-deficient makeup gas stream also produces an oxygen-enriched stream, the oxygen-enriched stream is advantageously added to a catalyst reconditioning step for an increased dispersion of metals in the catalyst.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the catalytic treatment of hydrocarbon oils comprising the use of by-pass means allowing the transport of oil inside the reactor from above the uppermost catalyst bed to outlet means without contacting catalytic material during transport.

Abstract: A uniform feed distribution system for selectively upgrading a feed stream of hydrocarbon fluid containing metallic components, such as organometallic compounds, and/or inert materials, which deactivate or contaminate catalyst particles counterflows into a descending bed of catalyst particles. The heated feed stream is at temperatures and pressures so that lighter hydrocarbon components or hydrogen evolve as gas components as it is introduced into the reaction vessel. The evolved gas is separated into reservoir or pocket above a reservoir of liquid components and both components are then uniformly and selectively introduced into the downflowing bed of catalyst. By forming a common supply volume of gaseous and liquid components, the gas components are independently accessible to the lower end of the moving bed of catalyst particles through an inclined distribution surface preferably in the form of a cone.

Abstract: Catalyst bed supports having improved performance characteristics are prepared from a mixture of a clay and a feldspathic sand.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for effecting contact of a gas with light particles of solid matter, where the particles are retained within particle retention screens to form a bed of particles and the particles move downward in plug flow by means of gravity. When the particles are light, that is, of relatively small size and low density, the velocity of the gas may be sufficiently high that downward movement of particles is hindered by the horizontal forces exerted on the particles by the flowing gas. This invention provides that gas flows through the bed of particles in a downwardly sloping direction instead of in a horizontal direction, so that the force exerted on a particle has a horizontal component and a downward vertical component. The vertical component of the force resulting from gas flow, along with the gravity force on a particle, is sufficient to overcome the frictional resistance to downward movement of a particle which results from the horizontal component of the flowing gas force.

Abstract: A vapor collector and process utilizes a skirted pan to collect vapor in an ebullated bed reactor and substantially minimize gas entrainment so as to enhance the efficiency and yield of resid hydrotreating.

Abstract: A reaction vessel has a catalytic core, with an inlet for a first gas and for a second gas. The first and second gasses react in an exothermic reaction during passage through the catalytic core. The first gas passes through conduits which extend through the catalytic core, so as to be preheated and also so as to cool the catalytic core so that the catalyzed reaction proceeds in a preferred temperature range. The gasses are mixed at one end of the vessel in a mixing chamber, and are drawn through the catalytic core into a gathering chamber, from which the reacted gasses exit. A cooling chamber is provided for introduction of a cooling fluid about the periphery of the catalytic core, for drawing away any excess heat during operation.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a fixed bed reactor, a method of loading catalyst into the reactor to minimize plugging and to improve the uniformity of fluid flow across the reactor, and a hydrotreating process employing the novel reactor. The system utilizes removable partition forms and/or permanent interbed baskets to create gradual transition zones between catalyst layers and to significantly increase the open area available for flow at the interface of such zones.

Abstract: A contactor/filter arrangement for removing particulate contaminants from a gaseous stream includes a housing having a substantially vertically oriented granular material retention member with upstream and downstream faces, a substantially vertically oriented microporous gas filter element, wherein the retention member and the filter element are spaced apart to provide a zone for the passage of granular material therethrough. The housing further includes a gas inlet means, a gas outlet means, and means for moving a body of granular material through the zone. A gaseous stream containing particulate contaminants passes through the gas inlet means as well as through the upstream face of the granular material retention member, passing through the retention member, the body of granular material, the microporous gas filter element, exiting out of the gas outlet means.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for effecting treatment needed to regenerate spent hydrocarbon conversion catalyst. The invention may be termed a variable gas flow catalyst bed. Catalyst particles in a vertically-elongated movable bed are contacted with a hot oxygen-containing gas stream in order to remove, by means of combustion, coke which accumulated on the catalyst particles while they were used in a hydrocarbon conversion zone. The catalyst particles are confined in the bed by means of catalyst retention screens. The catalyst retention screens are configured such that gas flow through the bed varies from a maximum at the top of the bed to a minimum at the bottom of the bed. The variation in gas flow is accomplished by varying the size of gas flow apertures in the retention screens from a maximum at the top of the bed to a minimum at the bottom of the bed.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for removing unwanted pollutants from flue gases are disclosed. A sequence of at least three vertical beds of particulates is disposed in the flue gas exhaust duct. A first bed comprises boiler ash or sand. Lime in the fly ash and sulfuric acid and water in the flue gas react with the particulates to form gypsum, removing the fly ash from the flue gas. In the second bed, the remaining sulfuric acid is condensed and removed on a further bed of boiler ash. In the third bed, a catalyst, typically an activated aluminous particulate with an alkali coating thereon, provided by adding ammonia to the flue gas stream, condenses out the remaining sulphur dioxide, which can then be removed from the catalyst particles in a regenerative step. A scrubber embodying these principles is readily retrofittable to pre-existing power plants burning sulphur-containing coal.

Abstract: A reaction column for the physical or chemical treatment of a solution in heterogeneous phase. Such a column operates under a pressure substantially equal to the height of charge in the column; its lower part is conical, the lining comprises a static component and, arranged within the cone, layers of inert materials of a size and density increasing from the top to the bottom; a free height being left between the top of the upper layer and the top of the column.

Abstract: Hydrogen gas is generated on demand by reacting hydrochloric acid (haloacid) and a pure metal by flowing the acid upwardly through a bed of metal particles held on a distributor plate within a sliding tray. The tray reciprocates in a retaining vessel. A port in the retaining vessel can be aligned with a drain port in the sliding tray (below the distributor plate) so that the solution in the bed can be shunted directly to an annulus between the retaining vessel and the reactor jacket, thereby eliminating contact of acid and metal and stopping the generation of hydrogen. A coolant may be circulated in the base of the retaining vessel to control the temperature of the acid as it enters the bed, thereby helping to control the reaction rate. A hydrogen generator reactor includes one or more such sliding trays housed within a jacket.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting multiple treatment steps needed to regenerate spent hydrocarbon conversion catalyst. Catalyst is contacted with a hot oxygen-containing gas stream in order to remove coke which accumulates on the catalyst while it is in a hydrocarbon conversion zone. After the coke is burned off in a combustion zone, catalyst is passed into a halogenation zone wherein a halogen is deposited on the catalyst. Catalyst leaving the halogenation zone is passed into a drying zone for removal of water formed in the combustion zone which has remained on the catalyst instead of being carried off with combustion gases. Water removal is accomplished by passing a hot dry air stream through the catalyst in the drying zone.

Abstract: A reactor of the moving bed type wherein a granular material is packed and held by a louver structure and moved downward and brought into contact with a gas passing through the louver, is improved so as to avoid both accumulation of dust on the louver part at the gas inlet side and excessive rising of the pressure loss.

Abstract: Apparatus for uniformly distributing a fluid such as a vapor or gas upwardly through a cylindrical bed of a particulate contact material such as a catalyst, without interfering with the catalyst flow, includes an annular chamber which is closed at its top and which surrounds the cylindrical bed. The annular chamber receives fluid near its top and distributes it evenly at its bottom where it passes the fluid downwardly into a region which contains catalyst particles which have descended from the cylindrical bed, said region being defined at its top by the catalyst at the bottom of the aforesaid cylindrical bed and the open bottom end of the annular chamber, at its bottom by the bottom of a vessel containing the apparatus, and at its sides by the sides of the vessel. The distance between the bottom of the cylindrical bed and the bottom of the vessel is preferably at least equal to the radius of the cylindrical bed.

Abstract: Process for uniformly distributing a fluid such as a gas upwardly through a cylindrical bed of a particulate contact material, preferably a downwardly moving catalyst, without interfering with the downward flow of the material. The contact material of the cylindrical bed is confined within the outer wall of the open bottomed cylindrical chamber while additional contact material is confined under and radially outwardly of the cylindrical chamber. The fluid is introduced into an annular chamber surrounding the outer wall of the cylindrical chamber and caused to flow uniformly around its bottom end downwardly into the additional contact material and then upwardly and uniformly into the cylindrical bed.

Abstract: A device for and method of working up etching and pickling liquids consisting of a vertical furnace having one or more vertical reaction spaces through which balls move at a maximum packing density.The furnace has a temperature gradient from the bottom (high) to the top (low). The reaction space and the balls consist of a material which is inert with respect to the liquid to be worked up. The liquid is introduced into the upper side of the furnace so that a film is formed in the heated surface of the balls. The salt dissolved in the liquid decomposes pyrolytically. The metal oxide is deposited on the surface of the balls and is removed therefrom after leaving the reaction space. The acid residue vapours are drained at the top and recovered in a separate absorber to the original pickling or etching acid.

Abstract: A vessel for effecting multiple treatment steps needed to regenerate spent hydrocarbon conversion catalyst. Regeneration is accomplished by means of a moving bed of catalyst, where catalyst is passed through several treatment zones in the regeneration vessel. Catalyst is contacted with a hot oxygen-containing gas stream in order to remove coke which accumulates on the catalyst while it is in a hydrocarbon conversion zone. After the coke is burned off in a combustion zone, catalyst is passed into a drying zone for removal of water formed in the combustion zone which has remained on the catalyst instead of being carried off with combustion gases. Water removal is accomplished by passing a hot dry air stream through the catalyst. This air stream is introduced into the bottom of the regeneration vessel and is heated by exchange of heat with catalyst, thereby effecting the required cooling of the catalyst. Before passing into the drying zone, the air is heated further by heating means located in the vessel.

Abstract: A novel catalyst system for use in a distillation column reactor is disclosed including annularly-defined spaces within the reactor comprised of vapor-permeable material with packed catalyst and alternately positioned vapor barrier means.

Abstract: A system is provided in which particulates and sulfur oxides are simultaneously removed from flue gases in a granular bed filter with special sulfur oxide-capturing and particulate-removing material. The spent sulfur oxide-capturing and particulate-removing material can be regenerated in a lift pipe riser.

Abstract: A multiple bed downflow hydrocarbon hydroprocessing reactor is modified by the addition of a phase separator above at least one of the catalyst beds. This enables the lighter fraction of the hydrocarbon, which has passed through the upper bed(s) in the vapor phase and thus not been heavily hydroprocessed, to be hydroprocessed in the absence of the liquid heavier fraction in the same reactor.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a catalytic chemical reaction in the presence of a granular catalyst under conditions such that both the reactants and the reaction product are gaseous at the temperature and pressure of the reaction. According to the present invention, a vertically extending, annular, intercylinder space, defined between a cylindrical outer catalyst retainer and a cylinder inner catalyst retainer, is divided by radially extending vertical partition walls into a plurality of chambers. Heat-exchanging tubes are disposed vertically in at least one of the chambers. A granular catalyst is packed in at least two of said chambers to form at least two reaction chambers. A feed gas is caused to flow successively and in radial directions through these reaction chambers. Since the invention reactor achieves an improved linear gas flow velocity and a greater overall heat-transfer coefficient, the reactor of the invention requires fewer heat-exchanging tubes and can thus be made smaller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a movable catalyst bed reactor provided with catalyst bed supporting and guiding means in the shape of one or more downwardly converging conical surfaces with one or more vertical outlet channels connected to the lower end(s) of the conical surface(s), the supporting and guiding means comprising one or more screen sections for withdrawal of reactor effluent from the catalyst, and separate outlet means for reactor effluent and catalyst, wherein the vessel is further provided with conduit means for forming a protecting layer of substantially spherical particles along the surface(s) of the screen section(s) facing catalyst, which layer is movable along the screen section(s).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for regenerating particulate catalyst used in a hydrocarbon conversion process such as catalytic reforming. The method is especially applicable to moving bed reactor systems. The catalyst being regenerated slowly moves downward as a dense bed which is contacted with different gas streams at different elevations within the regeneration zone. The invention involves employing a portion of relatively hot combustion gas as a heating gas stream, with the remainder of the combustion gas being cooled and recycled to the combustion zone. This eliminates the need to employ a heater to provide a suitable heating gas stream.

Abstract: The hydrotreatment of hydrocarbons in the liquid phase is effected in a column containing a catalyst fixed or moving bed supported by a grid, wherethrough passes an ascending stream of the charge admixed with hydrogen. The perforations of the grid are small enough to prevent passage of the catalyst particles but large enough for giving passage to the hydrogen-charge mixture. The reaction effluent is withdrawn from the top of the column.

Abstract: Moving catalyst bed reactor comprising a normally vertically extending cylindrical vessel having separate inlets for reactant and catalyst at the upper part of the vessel, an intermediate catalyst bed supporting means and a bottom catalyst bed supporting means inside the vessel and separate outlets for reactor effluent and catalyst. At least the intermediate catalyst bed supporting means consists of a plurality of interconnected downwardly converging frustoconical surfaces having their lower ends connected to spaced apart vertical outlet channels having circumferential walls provided with substantially circumferential screen sections for withdrawing reactor effluent from catalyst, the vertical outlet channels 12 having their axes arranged substantially uniformly distributed in a circular pattern.

Abstract: An improved multiple stage reactor system for effecting radial flow contact of a reactant stream with catalyst particles movable as an annular-form bed through said system by gravity flow. The improved multiple stage reactor system may be advantageously employed in the catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons and in particular in the catalytic reforming of a naphtha boiling range charge stock.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device useful when installed in a urinal for collection of urinary proteins. The adsorbent means includes a conduit for gravity feed passage of urine streams. The conduit has permeable layers in series containing a slow releasing antimicrobial agent and an adsorbent for urinary proteins such that for collection puropses wanted proteins are adsorbed without odor or loss due to bacterial degradation.

Abstract: A moving catalyst bed reactor is disclosed, the reactor being provided with conical catalyst bed support means and independently laterally displaceable screen sections which provide for separation of the catalyst and the effluent.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulphide is extracted from a supply gas as elemental sulphur using a reactor comprising a vertical cylinder containing a downwardly moving bed of catalyst. Catalyst extracted at the bottom is elevated by a stream of the supply gas in an unheated condition and is cooled by contact with the gas and subsequently by contact with supply air to a temperature of the order of 150.degree. F. for injection into the top of the cylinder. The cylinder is free from restrictions to catalyst movement. A plurality of slip stream condensers arranged seriatim along the length of the cylinder each act to extract 60% of the total gas flow upwardly in the cylinder and return the extracted gas downstream of the next adjacent extraction point so that the whole of the gas is extracted into one or more condensers for condensation of the sulphur formed on the catalyst.

Abstract: A radial flow reactor design which allows the maintenance of a temperature profile along the height of a catalyst bed which descends through the reactor by gravity flow. Two feed inlet conduits are provided on the inlet side of the annular catalyst bed, with the inlets being divided by a porous flow control and distribution means. The inlet streams have different temperatures and the distribution means produces a changing admixture rate between the two streams along the bed. A preferred form of the distribution means is an open-topped cone located within the centerpipe of the reactor.

Abstract: An apparatus for contacting fluid with particulate solid material provided with a contact space and a separating section arranged at an angle with respect to the horizontal for the discharge of fluid from the contact space into a fluid collecting space. To avoid pinning of solid material against the separating section means are provided for inducing a pressure gradient with the pressure decreasing in downward direction along the separating section during operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A process for upgrading a petroleum charge of crude oil or residual fractions thereof, in which the charge is dispersed into a descending curtain of heated, substantially inert contact material. This contact material preferably has a conversion rate not substantially greater than 10% in the CAT D test. The vapors generated on contact of the charge with the curtain are collected on the side of the curtain opposite from where the charge is dispersed. The recovered product has a substantially reduced metals content and Conradson Carbon number and is suitable for catalytic cracking or use as heavy fuel or a heavy fuel precursor.

Abstract: The reactor system of this invention comprises two or more vertically spaced or stacked reaction chambers each of which contains two or more vertically positioned annular-form catalyst-retaining sections existing side-by-side, each of said catalyst-retaining sections being defined by an inner tubular-form catalyst-retaining screen coaxially disposed within a vertically positioned outer tubular-form catalyst-retaining screen. Catalyst particles are movable through the resulting annular-form catalyst sections in a dense phase via gravity flow. A reactant stream is processed serially through said reaction chambers, and contacted with catalyst within said annular-form catalyst-retaining sections in a manner to promote uniform flow of reactants across said sections. The disclosed reactor system is of particular advantage with respect to a relatively low pressure hydrocarbon conversion process.

Abstract: A reactor system is disclosed which comprises a reaction chamber containing a plurality of reaction zones, each of which comprises an annular-form catalyst-retaining section, whereby a reactant stream is distributed amongst said reaction zones in a manner to promote uniform flow of reactants across said sections. The disclosed reactor system is of particular advantage with respect to a relatively low pressure hydrocarbon conversion process.

Abstract: Moving bed reactor provided with conical catalyst bed supporting means, which are in communication with vertical channels below the cone(s) and provided with screen walls for the removal of reactor effluent, wherein for increasing the sieve area the channels are ring shaped, both walls having a screen area and/or are provided with intermediate double-walled partitions bearing screen sections in each wall.

Abstract: A multi-stage moving bed type adsorption device which comprises a unit made of a chamber filled with adsorbent particles which chamber is defined by fore and rear louvers, the distance therebetween being larger downwardly, fore and rear lower walls extending downwardly from the lower end of the respective louvers, the distance therebetween being narrower downwardly, and two right and left side walls, an inverted V-shaped cross-sectional rectifying body extending horizontally from the right side wall to the left side wall and a rectifying plate extending downwardly from the top of said rectifying body vertically, the latter two means being located in the lower region of the said chamber, a plurality of said units being placed one upon another and communicated mutually by virtue of a coupling means consisting of vertical fore and rear walls and side walls; a gas-circulating vessel including a plurality of thus communicated units therein; an adsorbent particle inlet port provided at the top of the uppermost unit

Abstract: Coke is removed from particulate catalyst by passing coke-containing catalyst downwardly through a regenerator without backmixing, in a countercurrent flow with respect to a regeneration gas having a limited free-oxygen content, so that nitrogen oxides are reacted to form free nitrogen in a substantially oxygen-free atmosphere in an intermediate level of the regenerator, and carbon monoxide formed in the intermediate level is burned in contact with coke-free catalyst with additional oxygen introduced into an upper level of the regenerator.

Abstract: Apparatus for liquid/solid contact including apparatus for single or multiple fluidized beds provided with one or more trays having a number of inverted frustum-shaped depressions with an opening located therein.

Abstract: An improved radial reactor for hydrocarbon conversion is provided, having a new catalyst collector whose center is located nearer to the internal wall than to the external wall of the annular enclosure for receiving the moving catalyst bed.

Abstract: Screen for use in collecting and/or distributing process flow streams has profiled surface wires welded to channel-shaped support members and is preferably made by helically wrapping and welding a profiled surface wire around the elongated channel members which are rotated about the screen axis to produce a cylindrical slotted screen which is then cut along a line parallel to its axis, flattened, and either used flat or rerolled and welded at right angles to its original direction so that the channels form hoop-like supports. The channels are preferably apertured to such an extent that the total open area for an inlet stream flow on the channel side of the screen is less than the open area of the slots on the wire side of the screen. Also, it should be noted that the outer edge of each leg portion of each of the channel members is positioned so close to the outer edge of a leg portion of an adjacent channel member that substantially all of the process stream will flow through the aperatures.