Product filtration system for slurry reactors
AssigneeExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
InventorsDavid G. Hammond, David C. Long, Paul K. Ladwig, Min Chang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A filter system for use in a three-phase slurry reactor is provided. The filter system comprises one or more bundles of a plurality of filter elements for separating liquid from a mixture of liquid and solids contained in the reactor. Each filter bundle is connected to a product transfer conduit transporting separated liquid to a location outside of and downstream from the reactor. The transfer conduit is provided with means for backflushing the filter bundle and guard filter means.
Claims14
A filter system for use in a three-phase slurry process, the system comprising:
- a reactor for operating a three-phase slurry process;
- one or more bundles of a plurality of filter elements positioned within the reactor for separating liquid product from catalyst solids contained in the reactor;
- each bundle of filter elements being operably connected to a fluid collection conduit by means of one or more plenums;
- each collection conduit being connected to a product transfer conduit for removal of separated liquid product from the reactor and transport to a downstream location;
- valve means for each product conduit for isolating the fluid collection conduit and the filter element from the downstream location;
- means operably connected to each product conduit for periodically introducing a backflushing fluid through the filter elements into the reactor;
- and
- a guard filter in each product conduit downstream from the valve means for isolating the fluid collection conduit and filter element.
In a three-phase slurry process wherein liquid product is separated from catalyst solids by filtration through one or more filter bundles positioned within a slurry reactor wherein each filter bundle comprises a plurality of filter elements and wherein separated liquid product is transported by a product conduit to a downstream location, the improvement comprising:
- providing a separate product conduit for each filter bundle;
- providing a guard filter in each product conduit outside the reactor and before the downstream location for detecting a failure of a filter element and for protecting downstream equipment in the event of a filter element failure said guard filter including means to measure the pressure drop across the guard filter;
- providing valve means in each product conduit for optionally isolating the filter bundle or the guard filter;
- and
- providing backflushing means for each product conduit for backflushing the filter elements when required.
A method for separating a liquid hydrocarbon product from catalyst solids in a Fischer-Tropsch slurry bed reactor for transport to a point outside of and downstream from said reactor, the method comprising:
- (a) providing one or more filter bundles within said reactor comprising a plurality of filter elements that are pervious to liquid product and impervious to catalyst solids wherein the filter elements of each filter bundle are operably connected to a fluid collection conduit by means of one or more plenums and each collection conduit is connected to a product transfer conduit in communication with a point outside of and downstream from said reactor;
- guard filter means in each of said product conduits at a location outside of said reactor, said guard filter means having a mean pore diameter of 0.25 to 2 times the mean particle diameter of the slurry solids;
- (b) passing a portion of the slurry liquid phase through the filter elements and into said product conduits, thereby separating liquid product from catalyst solids;
- and
- (c) transporting separated liquid product in said product conduits through said guard filters to said point.
A method for protecting downstream processing equipment from solids contamination resulting from potential failure of any one of a plurality of filter bundles positioned within a three-phase slurry reactor, the method comprising:
- providing each of said filter bundles with a separate isolatable conduit for transport of liquid product passing through the filter elements to downstream processing equipment;
- and
- providing each of said conduits with a guard filter at a location outside of the slurry reactor whereby said guard filter will protect downstream equipment in the event of a failure of a filter element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.