Method for separation of conversion catalysts from vapor-catalyst mixtures

In a process for carrying out a chemical conversion of a feedstock which includes a chemical reaction zone wherein said feedstock is contacted with solid particles capable of promoting said chemical conversion at chemical conversion condition to form at least one chemical conversion product and a mixture of solid particles and vapor, the improvement comprising separating at least a portion of said solid particles from said mixture with at least one separation means which is in fluid communication with said reaction zone, wherein said at least one separation means is an apparatus for separating from a mixture of vapor and solid particles at least a portion of said particles therefrom comprising:

• a chamber defined by a top, a bottom and at least one peripheral wall, an inlet means for said mixture so situated so as to induce a flow of at least a portion of said particles preferentially toward said peripheral wall, a fluid outlet means, a particle outlet means and a means for reducing the attrition of said portion of said particles comprising a plurality of zones each of which is a partially enclosed space having an opening defined by at least two generally vertical vanes and two generally horizontal vanes acting in cooperation with at least a portion of said peripheral wall, wherein said horizontal vanes comprise a lower vane and an upper vane, wherein at least a substantial portion of the top and bottom edges defined by the surface of said vertical vanes overlap at least a portion of the surfaces defined by said horizontal vanes, and wherein there is a means for attaching at least one of said vertical and horizontal vanes to said peripheral wall, said opening being oriented with respect to said peripheral wall so that as said portion of said particles move toward said peripheral wall said particles enter at least a portion of said zones.