Controlling solids flow in a gas-solids reactor
OwnerJeffrey S. Smith, James Richardson Lattner +4inventors
InventorsJeffrey S. Smith, James Richardson Lattner, Kenneth R. Clem, Pete N. Loezos, Nicolas F. Coute, Rutton D. Patel
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Abstract
This invention is to a process and system for controlling solids distribution in a gas-solids reactor. Solids distribution is controlled by controlling electrical charges between solid particles flowing between conductive surfaces within a gas-solids reactor. The electrical charges are controlled by conventional means such as by grounding the opposing conductive surfaces, or by applying a voltage to one of the opposing conductive surfaces.
Claims38
A process for controlling flow of solid catalyst particles in a gas-solids reactor, the process comprising the steps of:
- a) flowing solid catalyst particles between opposing conductive surfaces in a gas-solids reactor;
- and
- b) controlling electrical charges between the flowing solid catalyst particles and the opposing conductive surfaces in the gas-solids reactor to move the solid catalyst particles away from at least one of the opposing conductive surfaces.
A gas-solids reactor system for controlling electrical charges between flowing solid particles and conductive surfaces in a gas-solids reactor, the system comprising:
- a) a gas-solids reactor having a wall with an inner surface, at least a portion of the inner surface being made of conducting material;
- b) a conductive surface internal to the inner surface of the gas-solids reactor wall;
- and
- c) an electric potential inducer in connection with the conductive surface portion of the gas-solids reactor wall and the conductive surface internal to the inner surface of the gas-solids reactor wall, wherein the inducer controls electrical charges between solids flowing through the reactor, the conducting material of the inner surface of the gas-solids reactor wall, and the conductive surface internal to the inner surface of the gas-solids reactor wall.
A process for controlling flow of solid catalyst particles in a gas-solids reactor, the process comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a gas-solids reactor having a wall with an inner surface, at least a portion of the inner surface being made of conducting material;
- b) providing a conductive surface internal to the inner surface of the gas-solids reactor wall;
- c) flowing solid catalyst particles between the conducting material of the inner surface of the of the gas-solids reactor wall and the conductive surface internal to the inner surface of the gas-solids reactor wall;
- and
- d) controlling electrical charges between the flowing catalyst, the conducting material of the inner surface of the of the gas-solids reactor wall, and the conductive surface internal to the inner surface of the gas-solids reactor wall to move the solid catalyst particles away from the conducting material of the inner surface of the of the gas-solids reactor wall or the conductive surface internal to the inner surface of the gas-solids reactor wall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.