Tray support inserts for chemical reactor vessels and methods of use
AssigneeShell Oil Company
InventorsEdwin Maas, Remco Schilthuizen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tray support insert and method of use for supporting one or more trays within a reactor chamber. The tray support insert includes at least one annular member which rests upon a support shoulder within the reactor chamber.
Claims10
A tray support insert to support a tray within a reactor chamber of a hydrocarbon chemical reactor, the reactor chamber having an interior surface with a support shoulder formed thereon, the tray support insert comprising:
- at least one annular member further comprising:
- a support grid skirt which presents a first supporting surface for a first tray;
- and
- a catalyst support grid ring which is seated upon the support grid skirt and which presents a second supporting surface for a second tray;
- wherein the at least one annular member rests upon the support shoulder and presents a supporting surface for the first tray and the second tray;
- wherein the support grid skirt further comprises an annular skirt frame and a plurality of support members which extend axially away from the annular skirt frame and upon which the first tray can be supported;
- and
- wherein the catalyst support grid ring further comprises a vertical curved panel and
- a tray support ledge which projects radially inwardly from the panel and upon which the second tray can be supported.
A tray support insert to support a tray within a reactor chamber of a chemical reactor, the reactor chamber having an interior surface with a support shoulder formed thereon, the tray support insert comprising:
- at least one annular member formed of stainless steel, the annular member comprising
- a support grid skirt which presents a first supporting surface for a first tray;
- and
- a catalyst support grid ring which is seated upon the support grid skirt and which presents a second supporting surface for a second tray;
- wherein the at least one annular member rests upon the support shoulder and presents a supporting surface for the first tray and the second tray;
- and
- wherein the support grid skirt comprises an annular skirt frame and a plurality of support members which extend axially away from the annular skirt frame and upon which the first tray can be supported;
- and
- wherein the catalyst support grid ring comprises a vertical curved panel and a tray support ledge which projects radially inwardly from the panel and upon which the second tray can be supported.
A method of supporting a tray upon a tray support insert within a reactor chamber of a chemical reactor vessel, the method comprising the steps of:
- disposing the tray support insert into the reactor chamber;
- disassembling the tray support insert into separate components after it is disposed into the reactor chamber;
- assembling the tray support insert from the separate components within the reactor chamber;
- disposing the assembled tray support insert upon a support shoulder that is formed within the
- interior surface of the chemical reactor vessel, the tray support insert comprising at least
- one annular member;
- and
- supporting the tray upon the tray support insert;
- wherein the step of disposing the tray support insert into the reactor chamber is carried out
- prior to the step of disposing the tray support insert upon the support shoulder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.