Fluid atomization process

An apparatus for atomizing a fluid comprising:

• (a) a central passageway comprising at least one feed inlet for a fluid to be atomized;
• (b) an atomization zone positioned downstream from the at least one feed inlet;
• (c) and at least one atomization fluid passageway configured to fluidly communicate with the central passageway via an atomization fluid passageway outlet, wherein the atomization fluid passageway outlets have a forward acute angle greater than 60° and are positioned concentrically about a perimeter of the central passageway;
• and,
• (d) a heating zone configured to promote heat exchange between the central passageway and the at least one atomization fluid passageway, wherein the beating zone is positioned upstream from the atomization zone.

An apparatus for atomizing a fluid comprising:

• (a) a central passageway comprising at least one inlet for a fluid to be atomized;
• (b) an atomization zone positioned downstream from the at least one inlet;
• (c) at least one atomization fluid passageway configured to fluidly communicate with the central passageway via an atomization fluid passageway outlet, wherein the atomization fluid passageway outlets have a forward acute angle greater than 60° and are positioned concentrically about a perimeter of the central passageway;
• and,
• (d) a heating zone configured to promote heat exchange between the central passageway and the at least one atomization fluid passageway;
• (e) a stream splitter positioned within the central passageway upstream from the atomization fluid passageway outlets,
• wherein the central passageway has a cross-section having two-dimensions, wherein at least one of the two dimensions converges in a downstream direction along at least a portion of the length of the central passageway, wherein the atomization zone has a cross-section comprising two dimensions and wherein at least one of the dimensions diverges in a downstream direction along at least a portion of the length of the atomization zone.

A fluidized catalytic cracking unit comprising a reactor comprising at least one feed nozzle, wherein at least one of the feed nozzles comprises:

• (i) a central passageway comprising at least one FCC feed inlet;
• (ii) an outlet comprising an atomization zone in fluid communication with the reactor;
• (iii) at least one atomization fluid passageway fluidly communicating with the central passageway via an atomization fluid passageway outlet;
• and,
• (iv) a heating zone configured to promote heat exchange between the FCC feed and the atomization fluid before the FCC feed and atomization fluid mix.

A nozzle for atomizing a petroleum product comprising:

• (i) a central passageway comprising at least one petroleum feed inlet;
• (ii) an outlet comprising an atomization zone and a spray distributor configured to promote a predetermined spray pattern;
• (iii) at least one atomization fluid passageway fluidly communicating with the central passageway via an atomization fluid passageway outlet;
• and,
• (iv) a heating zone configured to promote heat exchange between the petroleum feed and the atomization fluid before the petroleum feed and atomization fluid mix.