In Gaseous Suspension (e.g., Fluidized Bed, Etc.) Patents (Class 502/41)
  • Patent number: 7217401
    Abstract: A method for reducing the amount of mercury affixed to a sorbent and/or fly ash is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing an amount of sorbent and/or fly ash wherein at least a portion of the amount of sorbent and/or fly ash has particulates having mercury compounds affixed to the particulates; and exposing the amount of sorbent and/or fly ash to heated flowing air until mercury compounds are liberated from at least some of the particulates. Preferably, the amount of sorbent and/or fly ash is maintained in the heated flowing air until the sorbent reaches a temperature of at least 700° F. (372° C.). When the sorbent is activated carbon, it is preferred that the amount of sorbent and/or fly ash is maintained in the heated flowing air until the activated carbon reaches a temperature in the range of 700° F. (372° C.) to 1000° F. (538° C.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Wisconsin Electric Power Company
    Inventors: Bruce W. Ramme, Terry L. Coughlin, Bryna D. Goeckner, Bryan C. Fisher, John J. Noegel
  • Patent number: 7199069
    Abstract: A method for oxidizing carbon adsorbable organic compounds in a controlled manner within a bed of activated carbon. The bed of activated carbon is exposed to a source of molecular oxygen, such as air, and is controlled within a temperature range whereby the molecular oxygen is slowly oxidizing the activated carbon. Under this controlled set of conditions, the activated carbon will oxidize organic compounds present within the bed of activated carbon. This technique has widespread versatility for the controlled destruction of organic vapors and liquids by activated carbon and applications for the regeneration of spent activated carbons containing previously adsorbed organic compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Inventor: Hugh Stanley McLaughlin
  • 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 The sulfur-loaded sorbent particulates are continuously withdrawn from the reactor and transferred to a regenerator.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: 7148171
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for adding heat to a reactor system used to convert oxygenates to olefin, in which supplemental heat is added with a heating fuel, e.g., a torch oil, having low autoignition temperature, low sulfur, and low nitrogen content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc
    Inventors: James R. Lattner, Keith H. Kuechler, Richard E. Walter
  • Patent number: 7053260
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for making an olefin product from an oxygenate feedstock which comprises: a) contacting the feedstock in a reaction zone with a catalyst comprising i) a molecular sieve having defined pore openings and ii) a CO oxidation metal, under conditions effective to convert the feedstock into an olefin product stream comprising C2–C3 olefins and to form carbonaceous deposits on the catalyst so as to provide a carbon-containing catalyst; b) contacting at least a portion of the carbon-containing catalyst with a regeneration medium comprising oxygen in a regeneration zone comprising a fluid bed regenerator having a dense fluid phase and a dilute fluid phase under conditions effective to obtain a regenerated catalyst portion, wherein the difference between the temperature of the dilute phase and the temperature of the dense phase is no greater than 100° C.; c) introducing said regenerated catalyst portion into said reaction zone; and d) repeating steps a)–c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Teng Xu, Paul N. Chisholm, Stephen Neil Vaughn, Shun Chong Fung, Keith Holroyd Kuechler, James R. Lattner, Kenneth Ray Clem, Patrick J. Maher, Dean C. Draemel
  • Patent number: 7026262
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and process for prolonging the residence time of catalyst in a chamber for regenerating catalyst. Spent catalyst, perhaps from an FCC reactor, is introduced into a chamber of a regeneration vessel between lower and higher combustion gas distributors. The velocity of gas from the lower distributor is insufficient to entrain catalyst from the bed, and gas from the higher distributor when combined with gas rising from the lower distributor is sufficient to generate a fast fluidized flow condition. The second distributor elevates the location of the transition from turbulent bed to fast fluidized conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, David A. Lomas
  • Patent number: 6838487
    Abstract: Solvent extraction is used to remove wax and contaminants from an iron-based Fischer-Tropsch catalyst in a natural circulation continuous-flow system. The wax-free catalyst is then subjected to controlled oxidation to convert the iron to its initial oxidized state, Fe2O3. Reactivation of the oxide catalyst precursor is carried out by addition of synthesis gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Rentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Belma Demirel, Mark S. Bohn, Charles B. Benham, James E. Siebarth, Mark D. Ibsen
  • Publication number: 20040259963
    Abstract: A process for regenerating a slurry Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, which needs regeneration, involves de-waxing and drying the catalyst sufficiently to produce a free-flowing catalyst powder that is fluidizable; fluidizing the catalyst powder; treating the catalyst powder with an oxygen treatment; reducing the catalyst powder with a reducing gas to form a reduced catalyst powder; and mixing the reduced catalyst powder with hydrocarbons to form a regenerated, slurry catalyst. The oxidation and reduction steps may be repeated. An oxygen treatment includes using a fixed O2 level with ramped temperatures, fixed temperatures with increased O2 levels, or a combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Jui-Hsin R. Huang, Kym Arcuri, Kenneth Agee, Paul F. Schubert
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6812179
    Abstract: A process for regenerating a slurry Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, which needs regeneration, involves de-waxing and drying the catalyst sufficiently to produce a free-flowing catalyst powder that is fluidizable; fluidizing the catalyst powder; treating the catalyst powder with an oxygen treatment; reducing the catalyst powder with a reducing gas to form a reduced catalyst powder; and mixing the reduced catalyst powder with hydrocarbons to form a regenerated, slurry catalyst. The oxidation and reduction steps may be repeated. An oxygen treatment includes using a fixed O2 level with ramped temperatures, fixed temperatures with increased O2 levels, or a combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Jui-Hsin R. Huang, Kenneth L. Agee, Kym B. Arcuri, Paul F. Schubert
  • Patent number: 6809054
    Abstract: An distributor arrangement introduces spent FCC catalyst more uniformly across the dense bed of the regenerator to provide more even contact with regeneration gas in order to avoid hot spots and zones of incomplete combustion. The invention forms a fluidized hopper to collect spent catalyst and a horizontally extended header with multiple horizontally extended outlet arms to place catalyst into the regenerator. The invention may use an aeration means to fluidize the header to further assist catalyst flow. Furthermore, the spent catalyst delivered to the top of the regenerator dense reduces NOx emissions in the flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Daniel N. Myers, Mikhail Tretyak, Rusty M. Pittman, Steven Niewiedzial
  • Patent number: 6776607
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for controlling afterburning in the regenerator of a FCC unit. The process and apparatus inject steam into the dilute phase within a regenerator to promote combustion of carbon monoxide before it enters the regenerator cyclones, plenum, or flue gas transfer lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Nicholas C. Nahas, Richard E. Walter, Dean C. Draemel, Bruce J. Artuso
  • Patent number: 6635795
    Abstract: While contacting under regeneration conditions an oxygen-containing stream with a sorbent comprising a promoter metal and zinc sulfide which has been sulfurized by contact with sulfur-containing hydrocarbons such as cracked-gasolines and diesel fuel, the oxygen partial pressure is controlled in a range of 0.5 to 2.0 psig to minimize sulfation of the sorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Jason J. Gislason, Ronald E. Brown, Robert W. Morton, Glenn W. Dodwell
  • 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6579820
    Abstract: A process for regenerating a spent catalyst having coke deposits thereon in a catalyst regeneration vessel having a dense phase and a dilute phase, wherein the process comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the spent catalyst with a primary oxygen-containing gas in the dense phase, thereby combusting the coke, resulting in the formation of a combustion gas comprising nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide which further reacts, thus reducing a majority of the nitrogen oxides to form elemental nitrogen; and (b) contacting the combustion gas with a secondary oxygen-containing gas, and typically a shield gas, at a location just above the interface between the dense phase and the dilute phase and also in the dilute phase, thereby oxidizing the remaining CO to CO2 without significant temperature rise in the dilute phase due to the after burn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Satish S. Tamhankar, Kirk Walton Limbach, Subodh Ganguly
  • Patent number: 6566539
    Abstract: A process for the production of tetrahydrofuran, gamma butyrolactone, 1,4-butane diol and the like from a hydrogenatable precursor such as maleic acid, succinic acid, corresponding esters and their mixtures and the like in the presence of hydrogen and a noble metal catalyst, wherein oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide, oxygen or air are used to regenerate spent noble metal catalyst for further use in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Daniel Campos, Richard Edward Ernst, John Byrne Michel
  • Patent number: 6544410
    Abstract: During the regeneration of a sulfurized sorbent comprising zinc aluminate, a promoter metal and zinc sulfide by contact with an oxygen-containing stream to convert at least a portion of said zinc sulfide to zinc oxide the average sulfur dioxide partial pressure in the regeneration zone is controlled within the range of from about 0.1 to about 10 psig to minimize sulfation of the sorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Jason J. Gislason, Ronald E. Brown, Robert W. Morton, Glenn W. Dodwell
  • Publication number: 20020183403
    Abstract: A process for regenerating a slurry Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, which needs regeneration, involves de-waxing and drying the catalyst sufficiently to produce a free-flowing catalyst powder that is fluidizable; fluidizing the catalyst powder; treating the catalyst powder with an oxygen treatment; reducing the catalyst powder with a reducing gas to form a reduced catalyst powder; and mixing the reduced catalyst powder with hydrocarbons to form a regenerated, slurry catalyst. The oxidation and reduction steps may be repeated. An oxygen treatment includes using a fixed O2 level with ramped temperatures, fixed temperatures with increased O2 levels, or a combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Jui-Hsin R. Huang, Kenneth L. Agee, Kym B. Arcuri, Paul F. Schubert
  • Patent number: 6403515
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for fluidising a catalyst or an adsorbent in a furnace which is fixed but the fluidised bed advances, optionally with rotation, in the presence of another inert solid with a granulometry which is different from that of the catalyst or the adsorbent, in the presence of a fluidisation gas, to carry out either stripping of a catalyst or an adsorbent or regeneration of a catalyst or an adsorbent in the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Pierre Dufresne, Jean Darcissac
  • Patent number: 6242167
    Abstract: An electron accepting developer useful for producing visible images by reaction with an electron donor in carbonless paper and photo-imaging systems, the developer comprising an acid-treated, water insoluble alkali metal-modified, inorganic oxide or an acid-treated molecular sieve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Rentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Shackle, Benjamin Chaloner-Gill
  • Patent number: 6121180
    Abstract: A method for regenerating a hydrocarbon conversion catalyst wherein at least a portion of a halogen-containing compound is precombusted in a precombustion zone, and the catalyst is regenerated in the presence of the halogen. By precombusting the halogen-containing compound in a precombustion zone rather than in the regeneration zone, this invention decreases the risk of permanent catalyst deactivation and of costly equipment damage in the regeneration zone. This method is adaptable to many processes for the catalyst conversion of hydrocarbons in which deactivated catalyst particles are regenerated in a moving bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Thomas John Gevelinger
  • Patent number: 6114265
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for controlling combustion in a fluid catalytic cracking regenerator. More specifically, afterburning which occurs during the combustion process is controlled by adjusting oxygen concentration in at least one of two combustion streams which is injected into a fluid catalytic cracking regenerator. Preferably, the combustion streams used in the invention are asymmetrically injected into a dense phase catalyst bed within the regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Todd R. Steffens, Paul K. Ladwig
  • Patent number: 6083862
    Abstract: Calcium sulfide particles in mixtures with carbon particles, as in coal gasifier waste, are converted to calcium oxide by repeated cycles of oxidation and reduction by utilizing the carbon as a source of the reducing gas required for the treatment. The treatment can be conducted in a two zone fluidized bed reactor by limiting the amount and concentration of oxygen supplied to a lower reducing zone and by supplying excess oxygen to an upper oxidizing zone. Alternatively, for particles less than 0.5 mm in size, the treatment can be conducted by utilizing either two transport reactors or two circulating fluidized bed reactors in series whereby the first reactor in the series is maintained in a reducing state and the second reactor is maintained in an oxidizing state. The particles are transported sequentially through both reactors and recycled several times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas D. Wheelock
  • Patent number: 6039863
    Abstract: A particulate catalyst is regenerated by upward transport in a combustor having an extended length and separated from combustion gases with a single stage of cyclones. The extended length combustor ends with a termination device arranged to tangentially discharge particulate catalyst and gases into an open disengaging vessel and to achieve a high separation efficiency. Initial high separation efficiency provided by the termination device permits a single downstream stage of cyclones to reduce particulate emissions to acceptable levels. The combination of the separation device and the extended combustor can accommodate changes in particulate densities in the extended combustor without inducing cyclone overload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Paolo Palmas
  • Patent number: 5914288
    Abstract: A process of regenerating a sulfided sorbent is provided. According to the process of the invention, a substantial portion of the energy necessary to initiate the regeneration reaction is provided by the combustion of a particulate metal sulfide additive. In using the particulate metal sulfide additive, the oxygen-containing gas used to regenerate the sulfided sorbent can be fed to the regeneration zone without heating or at a lower temperature than used in conventional processes wherein the regeneration reaction is initiated only by heating the oxygen-containing. The particulate metal sulfide additive is preferably an inexpensive mineral ore such as iron pyrite which does not adversely affect the regeneration or corresponding desulfurization reactions. The invention further includes a sorbent composition comprising the particulate metal sulfide additive in admixture with an active metal oxide sorbent capable of removing one or more sulfur compounds from a sulfur-containing gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Research Triangle Institute
    Inventors: Brian S. Turk, Raghubir P. Gupta
  • Patent number: 5908804
    Abstract: Coke is burned in the regenerator vessel of an FCC complex with a combustion medium consisting of a diluent gas, such as air, enriched with oxygen, The regenerator is operated in partial combustion mode and excess oxygen is introduced into the combustion zone of the regenerator. Emission of nitrogen oxides to the atmosphere is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Raghu K. Menon, Ramakrishnan Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 5863851
    Abstract: A catalyst composition containing one or more binary oxides of palladium and rare earth metal such as Ce, La, Nd, Pr and/or Sm. The catalyst composition is used for the catalytic combustion of gaseous combustion mixtures of oxygen and carbonaceous fuels such as methane, e.g., a natural gas/air combustion mixture. Specific preferred binary oxides may be, for example, M.sub.2 O.sub.3.PdO (e.g., La.sub.2 O.sub.3.PdO) or 2M.sub.2 O.sub.3.PdO, wherein in each case M is La, Nd or Sm. A process of combusting gaseous carbonaceous fuels includes contacting a catalyst as described above under combustion conditions, e.g., 925.degree. C. to 1650.degree. C. and 1 to 20 atmospheres pressure, to carry out sustained combustion of the combustion mixture, including catalytically supported thermal combustion. Regeneration of over-temperatured M.sub.2 O.sub.3.PdO catalyst is also provided for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: Teresa Kennelly, Ting C. Chou, Robert J. Farrauto
  • Patent number: 5858207
    Abstract: An FCC arrangement uses a regenerator stripper vessel for removing CO and light hydrocarbons upstream of the regeneration zone that can operate with backmix addition of regenerated catalyst directly from the regeneration zone. The regenerator stripping vessel can also serve as a blending vessel for an the transfer of spent and regenerated catalyst back to the reaction zone for increasing the catalyst to oil ratio of the process. This invention makes the recycle of spent catalyst in large proportions possible for an FCC operation that cracks a heavy feed by eliminating light combustibles such as CO and light hydrocarbons from the regeneration zone. Elimination of light gases permits spent catalyst to be recycled to the riser despite the high delta coke produced by the heavy feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: David A. Lomas
  • Patent number: 5854161
    Abstract: A process is provided for the regeneration of a vanadium-phosphorus oxide catalyst which has been used in a process for the preparation of maleic anhydride by oxidizing butane. The used catalyst particles are removed from the fluidized bed reactor and subjected to impact with each other and/or with structural surfaces such that the deteriorated layer is peeled away. Various forms of equipment may be employed such as pneumatic classifiers, jet mills and jetted fluidized beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignees: ABB Lummus Global Inc., Lonza Societa Per Azioni, Tonen Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsumi Ichiki, Nagato Hamashima, Teiji Nakamura, Masayuki Asami, Sadakatsu Suzuki, Hiroshi Ueno
  • Patent number: 5837637
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for continuously regenerating a catalyst or an adsorbent which comprises the steps of:(a) establishing an ebullating or expanded bed by passing a gaseous stream upwardly through a plurality of particles confined in a regeneration zone,(b) providing a looped pathway in said ebullating bed,(c) passing a spent catalyst into said ebullating bed and moving said spent catalyst along said multi-looped pathway, and(d) removing a regenerated catalyst from said ebullating bed.In the process of this invention, the looped pathway requires substantially all of the particles to traverse a pathway that varies in direction by about 180.degree. from beginning to end of each loop in the pathway. In this process, the particles may be regenerated by lowering the carbon deposited thereon from a range of from about 8 to about 17 wt. % to a range of from about 0.3 to 1.5 wt. %, and the sulfur content of from about 6 to 9 wt. % to a range of from about 0.4 to 1.4 wt. %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Tricat Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Cloyd P. Reeg, Phillip K. Maher, David K. Morash, James J. Prosser
  • Patent number: 5827793
    Abstract: Spent FCC catalyst is regenerated under net reducing conditions in a regenerator to minimize the migration of vanadium on the spent FCC catalyst particles. Reducing conditions in at least the bottom 50% of the catalyst bed are maintained by using at least two air distribution grids located in the lower 50% of the catalyst bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventor: Albert Y. Hu
  • Patent number: 5773379
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for thermal regulation in a continuous fluidized bed treatment process for a powdered solid, wherein the solid is treated in a fluidized bed treatment zone, at least a portion of the solid is extracted from said zone and transported to an external heat exchanger (21) containing at least one array (22) of thermal exchange tubes in which vaporizable cooling fluid circulates, fluidized or mobile bed thermal regulation by indirect heat exchange with the fluid is carried out and the portion of regulated solid is extracted for recycling into the treatment zone or to another treatment zone (1). More precisely, said portion of solid is circulated in descending mode by means of an inert or non inert fluidization fluid across the array of tubes (22) which are wound such that the current of solid intersects said tubes and that the cooling fluid is circulated in one direction in the array of tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Institut Francais Du Petrole
    Inventors: Regis Bonifay, Thierry Gauthier, Renaud Pontier, Frederic Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 5773378
    Abstract: A regenerator in a FCC unit, with the reactor elevated above the regenerator and a side entry spent catalyst introduction to the regenerator, is modified by installing a spent catalyst distribution apparatus along a central vertical axis of the regenerator to radially discharge the spent catalyst and 10-50 percent of the regeneration air into the dense phase of the catalyst. The existing compressor may be used to supply the regeneration air to the spent catalyst distributor. The remaining 50-90 percent of the regeneration air is supplied to the air distribution grid. The retrofit improves spent catalyst distribution and mixing in the regenerator to avoid dilute phase CO combustion or afterburning in the offgas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: The M. W. Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Benjamin Karl Bussey, Philip E. Glasgow, Steven A. Kalota, Phillip K. Niccum
  • Patent number: 5719093
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for desorbing TEDA by utilizing a fluidized bed so as to reuse a used impregnated active carbon for the purpose of removing toxic materials from a fluid. The impregnated active carbon is injected into a fluidized bed at a high temperature to carry out a desorbing process, in such a manner that TEDA and CH.sub.3 l are desorbed from the impregnated active carbon at a high temperature by utilizing the high volatility of TEDA and CH.sub.3 l. If a heated air is injected through an air inlet into the desorbing tower, the high temperature air and the used impregnated active carbon are met in a fluidized state, with the result that the active carbon with TEDA and CH.sub.3 l desorbed is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Korea Atomic Energy Research
    Inventors: Geun-Il Park, Myeong-Soo Jeong, Bum-Hoe Kim, Hoo-Kun Lee
  • Patent number: 5693582
    Abstract: A process for regenerating used catalysts having deposited on their surface contaminants comprising carbonaceous and/or sulfur-containing materials which comprises:a) contacting said particles in a fluidized bed with an oxygen-containing gas at an elevated temperature for a time which does not exceed about twenty minutes wherein at least about fifty percent by weight of the sulfur contaminants are removed, andb) passing the thus treated catalyst particles to a moving belt and causing the belt to move said catalyst particles through a furnace for at least about two hours, wherein said furnace is maintained at a temperature sufficient to remove the remaining portion of the contaminants from the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Charles Arthur Vuitel, Rong-Her Jean
  • Patent number: 5686648
    Abstract: Continuous process for the skeletal isomerization of n-olefins containing at the most 20 carbon atoms, in the presence of a catalyst essentially constituted by alumina and titanium, in which a charge containing the said n-olefins is made to flow through at least one fluidized bed reaction zone, the catalyst flowing into each reaction zone. The catalyst drawn off from the final reaction zone is passed into a regeneration zone, at the outlet of which it is passed into a zone where it undergoes a steam treatment prior to its reintroduction into the first reaction zone. The process is performed in the presence of steam, so that the catalyst is in contact with 3 to 85 wt. % (based on the catalyst weight) of steam. The water/olefin charge molar ratio in the reaction zone is between 0.1 and 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Burzynski, Christine Travers, Didier Duee, Larry Mank, Jean De Bonneville
  • Patent number: 5648585
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process in which a linear olefin is converted under isomerizing conditions to its corresponding methyl branched isoolefin by contact at a temperature of from 200.degree. C. to 650.degree. C. with an isomerizing catalyst comprising (i) at least one zeolite having only in one dimension a pore structure having a pore size small enough to retard by-product dimerization and coke formation and large enough to permit entry of the linear olefin and allow formation of the methyl branched isoolefin, (ii) an alumina binder and (iii) up to about 15% by weight of coke oxidation-promoting metal. After a period of operation, when sufficient coke has deposited on the catalyst in an amount to significantly reduce the activity of the catalyst, the catalyst is stripped of hydrocarbon and then contacted at elevated temperature with an oxygen-containing gas for a sufficient time to burn off the coke, i.e., to regenerate the catalyst at a temperature of less than about 565.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Inventors: Brendan Dermot Murray, Bruce Herman Charles Winquist, Donald Henry Powers, Jon Barin Wise, Richard Brian Halsey
  • Patent number: 5612003
    Abstract: A fluidized bed vessel includes a cyclone which has a leg for returning particulate material to the bed, and an eductor at the bottom of the leg for providing the gas to fluidize the bed and for inducing a downward flow in the leg to provide greater particulate separation from the gas in the cyclone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Fisher-Klosterman, Inc.
    Inventor: William L. Heumann
  • Patent number: 5578093
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for desulfurizing a gas and regenerating a sorbent is disclosed. The sulfur-containing feed gas which can be an effluent gas from a coal gasification reactor, for example, is desulfurized with a particulated metallic oxide sorbent in a transport riser. The sulfided sorbent is than separated from a desulfurized effluent gas and regenerated by contact with an oxygen-containing gas in a transport riser. The regenerated sorbent is separated from an SO.sub.2 containing offgas and recycled to the desulfurization step. The degree of sorbent conversion in the desulfurization step is held at a low level and the sorbent regeneration rate is increased to avoid excessive temperature rise in the regeneration step. In such manner, sorbent cooling can be substantially eliminated. The regeneration riser preferably comprises a once-through lift riser to minimize the riser transport gas requirements to just oxidant gas or oxidant gas mixed with a reduced amount of diluent gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: The M. W. Kellogg Company
    Inventors: William M. Campbell, Gunnar B. Henningsen
  • Patent number: 5565089
    Abstract: Coke deposits are removed from particulates by combustion in a regenerator by a process in which air is initially used as the oxidant. The combustion gas is subjected to a separation process to remove nitrogen therefrom, and the remaining carbon dioxide-enriched gas stream is recycled to the regenerator together while substantially pure oxygen is introduced into the regenerator. As the level of carbon dioxide in the system increases, the amount of air being introduced into the regenerator is gradually reduced and, in compensation, the amount of oxygen flowing to the regenerator is gradually increased. Eventually, part or all of the air is replaced by oxygen and carbon dioxide recycle gas, and the level of oxygen and carbon dioxide are regulated to maintain the desired temperature in the regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramakrishnan Ramachandran, Raghu K. Menon
  • Patent number: 5529963
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the regeneration of a deactivated, carbon-covered, fine-grained, heat-resistant catalyst, a pumpable suspension of deactivated catalyst being injected into a hot gas stream and the regenerated catalyst then being separated off from the gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Huels Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Dietrich Maschmeyer
  • Patent number: 5510553
    Abstract: Alkylaromatic hydrocarbons are dehydrogenated into alkenylaromatic hydrocarbons by contacting them in the absence of molecular oxygen with a supported catalyst of the redox type wherein the metal in the catalyst is at a valency such that it is not in its most reduced state, and the catalyst is regenerated before being contacted with fresh feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Fina Research, S.A.
    Inventors: Luc F. L. Delorme, Francisco M. M. Cerejo, Jacques F. Grootjans
  • Patent number: 5464528
    Abstract: An inertial/filtering separator in a single vessel and FCC process using same as a third stage separator are disclosed. Gas and fines are added tangentially to an annulus formed by a cylindrical insert in a vessel. Gas flows over the insert and down to filters in the vessel. Solids are withdrawn from the base of the annulus and periodically from the filter. Three types of solids collection--inertial, gravity settling and filtration--are practiced in a single vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Hartley Owen, Paul H. Schipper
  • Patent number: 5462717
    Abstract: Apparatus and processes are disclosed for carrying out chemical reactions of the type in which a fluidized particulate solid is contacted with reactants in a reaction vessel or conduit and then separated from the reactant products and regenerated in a regeneration process, such as combusting the carbonaceous deposit which accretes on fluid catalytic cracking catalyst particles. The regeneration reaction may change the temperature of the regenerated catalyst particles and in such case it is often required to subject the particles to heat exchange to provide them at a temperature suitable for recirculation to the reaction zone. The processes and apparatus of the invention essentially provide for dividing the fluidized solids regeneration bed into an uppermost bed zone and at least one lower bed zone by a horizontal occlusion zone disposed at a vertically intermediate portion of the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: Robert W. Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 5447702
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for desulfurizing a gas and regenerating a sorbent is disclosed. The sulfur-containing feed gas which can be an effluent gas from a coal gasification reactor, for example, is desulfurized with a particulated metallic oxide sorbent in a transport riser. The sulfided sorbent is than separated from a desulfurized effluent gas and regenerated by contact with an oxygen-containing gas in a transport riser. The regenerated sorbent is separated from an SO.sub.2 containing offgas and recycled to the desulfurization step. The degree of sorbent conversion in the desulfurization step is held at a low level and the sorbent regeneration rate is increased to avoid excessive temperature rise in the regeneration step. In such manner, sorbent cooling can be substantially eliminated. The regeneration riser preferably comprises a once-through lift riser to minimize the riser transport gas requirements to just oxidant gas or oxidant gas mixed with a reduced amount of diluent gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: The M. W. Kellogg Company
    Inventors: William M. Campbell, Gunnar B. Henningsen
  • Patent number: 5409872
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) with cooling of FCC catalyst during regeneration in a baffled heat exchanger attached to the regenerator. The heat exchanger has a vertical baffle defining an inlet and an outlet side. Lift gas added to the outlet side induces flow from the regenerator, around the baffle and back to the regenerator. A symmetrical design, with reversing flow can equalize wear on heat exchanger tubes and permit selected cooling if the heat exchanger outlet is near the regenerated catalyst outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Michael F. Raterman
  • Patent number: 5407878
    Abstract: A composition comprising a coprecipitated magnesia-lanthana-alumina (MgO--La.sub.2 O.sub.3 --Al.sub.2 O.sub.3) wherein the MgO component is present as microcrystalline phase, having a BET (N.sub.2) surface area of at least 130 m.sup.2 /g, preferably part of which contains a catalytic oxidation and/or reducing promoter metal such as ceria, vanadia, iron and/or titania, is combined with an FCC catalyst which is used to catalytically crack a hydrocarbon feedstock that contains metal and/or sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Gwan Kim
  • Patent number: RE37789
    Abstract: A method for countering the adverse effect of contaminating metals on a crystalline aluminosilicate catalyst comprising contacting the catalyst with a reducing gas under suitable conditions.In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst contains antimony.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Brent J. Bertus, Harold W. Mark, John S. Roberts, Arnold M. Schaffer
  • Patent number: RE37842
    Abstract: A method for countering the adverse effect of contaminating metals on a cystalline aluminosilicate catalyst comprising contacting the catalyst with a metallic passivating agent to effect some passivation of the effects of the contaminant metals and with a reducing gas under suitable conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst contains antimony.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Brent J. Bertus, Harold W. Mark, John S. Roberts, Arnold M. Schaffer