US 3,938,386 AGranted

Method and apparatus for monitoring temperatures during catalytic regeneration from a continuously moving infrared scanning and detection unit fixedly mounted aboard an aircraft

AssigneeChevron Research Company

InventorsArmand C. Comfort, Harold D. Messner

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Abstract

Careful and accurate indication of regeneration temperatures of catalysts associated with the refining of hydrocarbons such as occurring in catalyst-aided hydrocracking and catalyst-aided reforming processes--in real time--occurs by monitoring--from an overflying aircraft--the infrared energy, say in a frequency range greater than 300 .times. 10.sup.9 but not more than 10.sup.15 Hertz, emitted from a plurality of distributed metallic studs mounted as by welding to the exterior surface of the sidewall of a vessel undergoing catalytic regeneration. The dynamic temperature variation of such energy rays readily indicates regeneration temperatures of the catalyst interior of the vessel. The studs extend through the insulation of the vessel but do not penetrate its interior. Where the regeneration process is cyclically occurring, not only is there a marked decrease in the time required for regeneration, but there is also better statistical certainty that full regeneration of the catalyst has occurred. Further, by mounting the infrared scanning and detection unit aboard a continuously moving aircraft flying a constant elevational, circular path over the vessel, the temperature of catalyst interior of the vessel over the full 360-degree circumference of the vessel can be quickly and accurately determined. Such scanning and detection unit preferably includes novel enhancement circuitry for restoring the infrared energy signals after detection, say under operating conditions concomitant with atmospheric degradation ("clutter") or image blur of the emitted infrared signals.

In the regeneration of a catalyst located interior of an insulation-clad vessel having an axis of symmetry, by elevating the temperature of said catalyst only after production of hydrocarbon products such as petrochemicals, gasolines, light-fuel oils and the like, has been terminated, the method of monitoring the efficiency of such regeneration process comprising the steps of:

i. prior to operation of said vessel and either production or regeneration processing modes, affixing a plurality of metallic stud members to the metallic sidewall of said vessel, said plurality of metallic stud members extending through said insulation of the vessel, and being associated with a set of imaginary laterally offset spatial positions interior of said vessel for identifying full top-to-bottom interior temperature readings within each catalyst bed when said vessel undergoes regeneration,
ii. during regeneration of said catalyst, monitoring from an aircraft having known geographical coordinates with respect to said vessel at the earth's surface, infrared energy--in real time--being emitted from said plurality of metallic stud members defining a viewable space of said stud members in a frequency range greater than 300 .times. 10.sup.9 but less than 10.sup.15 Hertz,
iii. converting said detected infrared energy to electrical signals,
iv. enhancing those portions of said electrical signals based on whether the detected energy represented thereby radiated from all sources including that from said stud members remains stationary during two adjacent scanning cycles as said aircraft overflies said vessel,
v. dynamically indicating temperatures of said catalyst interior of said vessel for the purpose of optimizing said regeneration process by displaying said enhanced signals as a function of geometric and time variables associated with said stud members as viewed from said aircraft, and
vi. cyclically repeating the scanning sequence as said aircraft overflies said vessel on a flight pattern of sufficient height so that, between said scanning cycles, said stud members appear to be stationary with respect to said aircraft.

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Abstract

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