Device for handling catalyst and other material in a reactor vessel

A robotic device for handling catalyst material in an interior of a reactor, wherein the robotic device comprises:

• a body configured to engage a flange of the reactor, wherein an inner edge of the flange defines an opening in the reactor;
• and
• a handling arm connected to the body and having a free end, the handling arm comprising at least one segment which is telescopically extendible/retractable relative to the body, wherein at least a part of the handling arm including the free end is configured to extend through the opening in the reactor into the interior of the reactor, and wherein the handling arm is configured to receive or connect to a vacuum line to form a cleaning arm for removing catalyst material from the interior of the reactor such that the free end of the handling arm and an inlet end of the vacuum line are proximate each other;
• and
• wherein the body includes a base plate which is configured to engage the flange of the reactor and a head which is articulated to the base plate for rotation relative to the base plate about a rotation axis;
• wherein the handling arm is in the form of a multistage telescopic handling arm which comprises a frame assembly which defines a central passageway along its length which is configured to receive or connect to the vacuum line to form the cleaning arm, and wherein the head of the body defines a longitudinally extending receiving channel therein, the handling arm being connected to the head of the body and being longitudinally displaceable relative to the head of the body within the receiving channel.