Technique for sequential rotation of reactors in a multi-reactor catalytic conversion system

A method of sequentially backwardly rotating at least three reactors, such that in each of a series of successive operation mode cycles said reactors are positioned so that one reactor currently operates in regeneration mode while other reactors currently operate in serial process mode, said method comprising:

• (a) initiating a new operation mode cycle by placing a reactor with freshly regenerated catalyst in a last process position of a train of at least two reactors operating in series flow such that said reactor with freshly regenerated catalyst occupies said last process position in parallel with a said reactor which in an immediately preceding cycle occupied said last process position alone;
• (b) isolating from said process mode said reactor which in said immediately preceding cycle occupied said last process position alone;
• (c) placing said reactor isolated in step (b) in parallel operation with a said reactor which in an immediately preceding cycle occupied an adjacent upstream process position to said last process position;
• (d) isolating from said process mode said reactor which in said immediately preceding cycle occupied said adjacent upstream process position;
• (e) subjecting said reactor isolated in step (d) to regeneration provided that said adjacent downstream position of said reactor isolated in step (d) is a first process position;
• and
• (f) sequentially placing said reactor isolated in step (b) in parallel operation with a said reactor which in an immediately preceding cycle occupied an adjacent upstream process position to said last process position and isolating from said process mode said reactor which in said immediately preceding cycle occupied said adjacent upstream position provided that said adjacent upstream position of said reactor isolated in step (d) is an intermediate process position.

A method of sequentially backwardly rotating at least three reactors, such that in each of a series of successive operation mode cycles said reactors are positioned so that one reactor currently operates in regeneration mode while other reactors currently operate in serial process mode, said method comprising:

• (a) initiating a new operation mode cycle by placing a reactor with freshly regenerated catalyst in a last process position of a train of at least two reactors operating in series flow such that said reactor with freshly regenerated catalyst occupies said last process position in parallel with a said reactor which in an immediately preceding cycle occupied said last process position alone;
• (b) isolating from said process mode said reactor which in said immediately preceding cycle occupied said last process position alone;
• (c) sequentially placing adjacent downstream reactors in parallel operation with adjacent upstream reactors and isolating said adjacent upstream reactors until an adjacent upstream reactor is encountered which occupied a first process position alone in an immediately preceding cycle;
• and
• (d) subjecting said isolated reactor which occupied said first process position alone in an immediately preceding cycle to regeneration.