Apparatus and methods for installation and removal of catalyst carriers
OwnerHenry Arthur CLAXTONinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for installation and removal of catalyst carriers in tubular reactors which utilise a support unit. The support unit is installable within a reactor tube together with a plurality of catalyst carriers. The support unit comprises at least one engaging portion for engaging an inner surface of the reactor tube to create a frictional engagement between the support unit and the reactor tube. The magnitude of the frictional engagement is sufficient for the support unit to support a static load of two or more catalyst carriers so as to hold two or more catalyst carriers in place within the reactor tube.
Claims25
A method of installing catalyst carriers into a reactor tube of a tubular reactor, the tubular reactor being of a type comprising a plurality of reactor tubes that extend between an upper tube sheet and a lower tube sheet, with a heat-exchange zone being provided between the upper tube sheet and the lower tube sheet;
- the method comprising the steps of:
- i) providing a plurality of catalyst carriers;
- ii) providing a support unit comprising at least one engaging portion for engaging an inner surface of the reactor tube;
- iii) inserting the support unit into a first, preferably upper, end of the reactor tube to create a frictional engagement between the at least one engaging portion of the support unit and an inner surface of the reactor tube;
- and
- iv) inserting catalyst carriers into the first end of the reactor tube to push the support unit along the reactor tube towards a second, preferably lower, end of the reactor tube into an installed position;
- wherein a magnitude of the frictional engagement of the at least one engaging portion of the support unit enables the support unit to support a static load of two or more catalyst carriers so as to hold two or more catalyst carriers in place within the reactor tube when additional catalyst carriers are not being inserted into the first end of the reactor tube.
A support unit for a reactor tube of a tubular reactor, the tubular reactor being of a type comprising a plurality of reactor tubes that extend between an upper tube sheet and a lower tube sheet, with a heat-exchange zone being provided between the upper tube sheet and the second tube sheet;
- the support unit being installable within the reactor tube together with a plurality of catalyst carriers;
- the support unit comprising at least one engaging portion for engaging an inner surface of the reactor tube to create a frictional engagement between the support unit and the reactor tube;
- the magnitude of the frictional engagement being sufficient for the support unit to support a static load of two or more catalyst carriers so as to hold two or more catalyst carriers in place within the reactor tube.
A support unit for a reactor tube of a tubular reactor, the tubular reactor being of a type comprising a plurality of reactor tubes that extend between an upper tube sheet and a lower tube sheet, with a heat-exchange zone being provided between the upper tube sheet and the second tube sheet;
- the support unit being installable within the reactor tube together with a plurality of catalyst carriers;
- the support unit comprising at least one engaging portion for engaging an inner surface of the reactor tube to create a frictional engagement between the support unit and the reactor tube;
- wherein the at least one engaging portion is adjustable for varying a magnitude of the frictional engagement of the support unit with the inner surface of the reactor tube.
A tubular reactor comprising a plurality of reactor tubes that extend between an upper tube sheet and a lower tube sheet, with a heat-exchange zone being provided between the upper tube sheet and the lower tube sheet, the or each reactor tube containing:
- i) one or more support units that each comprise at least one engaging portion frictionally engaging an inner surface of the reactor tube;
- and
- iii) one or more stacks of catalyst carriers that are supported in place by the one or more support units.
A kit of parts for installation in a reactor tube of a tubular reactor being of a type comprising a plurality of reactor tubes that extend between an upper tube sheet and a lower tube sheet, with a heat-exchange zone being provided between the upper tube sheet and the lower tube sheet, the kit of parts comprising one or more support units and a plurality of catalyst carriers;
- wherein the one or more support units are installable within the reactor tube and each support unit comprises at least one engaging portion for engaging an inner surface of the reactor tube to create a frictional engagement between the support unit and the reactor tube of a magnitude sufficient to support the weight of two or more of the catalyst carriers;
- and
- wherein the catalyst carriers are installable within the reactor tube and each catalyst carrier comprises a seal for engaging the inner surface of the reactor tube to produce a frictional engagement between the catalyst carrier and the reactor tube that is insufficient to support the weight of the catalyst carrier within the reactor tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.