Fixed bed multiple zone fluid-solids contacting apparatus

A fluid-solids contacting apparatus which comprises:

• (a) an enclosed outer vessel having a vertical major axis and comprising a cylindrical vertical outer wall;
• (b) a vertical centerpipe located within the outer vessel and aligned with the major axis of the outer vessel;
• (c) a plurality of vertically spaced apart horizontal layers of fluid distributor pans containing adsorbent particles, each layer being in the form of a discoid ring extending between the centerpipe and the vertical outer wall of the vessel and comprising a plurality of distributor pans, and with each fluid distributor pan being a wedge-shaped structure having a first end adjacent the centerpipe and a second end adjacent said vertical outer wall of the vessel and comprising:
• (i) two imperforate side plates extending between the centerpipe and said vertical outer wall;
• (ii) an upper screen extending horizontally from side to side between the side plates;
• (iii) a lower screen extending horizontally from side to side between the side plates;
• and,
• (iv) a first and a second imperforate flow diversion plates extending horizontally from side to side between the side plates and located between and spaced apart from the upper screen and the lower screen;
• the first and the second flow diversion plates being at substantially the same elevation with the first flow diversion plate being separated from the second flow diversion plate by a substantially uniform gap which extends from side to side across the fluid distributor pan at a point between the first and second ends of the fluid distributor pan;
• and,
• (d) fluid transfer means comprising a fluid distribution pipe extending from each fluid distributor pan to an annular fluid distribution ring mounted on said centerpipe, wherein a separate fluid distribution ring is provided for each layer of fluid distributor pans communicating with each fluid distributor pan at said gap between the first and the second flow diversion plates and also communicating with the volume between said upper and lower screen through a perforated horizontal conduit located above said gap and extending from side to side across said fluid distributor pan and extending to a point outside of the outer vessel for passage of fluid into and out of said vessel.

A liquid-solids contacting apparatus which comprises:

• (a) an enclosed outer vessel having a vertical major axis and comprising a cylindrical vertical outer wall;
• (b) a vertical imperforate centerpipe located within the outer vessel and concentric with the major axis of the outer vessel;
• (c) a plurality of vertically spaced apart horizontal liquid distribution means containing adsorbent particles, each liquid distribution means being in the form of a discoid ring extending between the centerpipe and the vertical outer wall of the vessel, there being provided means within the liquid distribution means allowing the vertical flow of liquid upward or downward through the liquid distribution means between any two points located between the uppermost and lowermost liquid distribution means while preventing the vertical flow of solid particles, the liquid distribution means comprising horizontal flow diversion plates which channel liquid flowing vertically through the liquid distribution means into a mixing area located in the middle one-third of the distance between the centerpipe and the vertical outer wall of the vessel;
• and,
• (d) means to add or withdraw liquid at said mixing area of the liquid distribution means from or to the outside of said vessel comprising annular liquid distribution rings mounted on said centerpipe, a plurality of liquid distribution pipes connecting said annular liquid distribution rings to a multiplicity of points on a single liquid distribution means and a substantially horizontal liquid transfer conduit extending from each annular liquid distribution ring to a point outside of the outer vessel.