Multistage moving-bed hydroprocessing reactor with separate catalyst addition and withdrawal systems for each stage, and method for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon feed stream

A reactor comprising a reactor vessel having an internal cylindrical wall with an internal reactor cylindrical wall diameter;

• a first distributor plate assembly coupled to and supported by said internal cylindrical wall of said reactor vessel;
• a first catalyst bed support assembly coupled to and supported by said internal cylindrical wall of said reactor vessel such as to define a first plenum chamber between said first distributor plate assembly and said first catalyst bed support assembly, for allowing a hydrocarbon feed stream to pass therethrough from said first plenum chamber while preventing catalyst particles from a first moving bed of substantially packed catalyst to exit therethrough;
• a first moving bed of substantially packed catalyst in a first hydroconversion reaction zone supported by said first catalyst bed support assembly and having a first set of physical and/or catalytic properties;
• a first catalyst outlet means, communicating through said internal cylindrical wall of said reactor vessel with said first moving bed of substantially packed catalyst supported by said first catalyst bed support assembly, for withdrawing a first generally spent catalyst from a first hydroconversion reaction zone;
• a first catalyst inlet means, communicating through said internal cylindrical wall of said reactor vessel with said first moving bed of substantially packed catalyst supported by said first catalyst bed support assembly, for introducing a first generally fresh catalyst into a first hydroconversion reaction zone;
• a second distributor plate assembly coupled to and supported by said internal cylindrical wall of said reactor vessel;
• a second catalyst bed support assembly coupled to and supported by said internal cylindrical wall of said reactor vessel such as to define a second plenum chamber between said second distributor plate assembly and said second catalyst bed support assembly, for allowing a hydrocarbon feed stream to pass therethrough from said second plenum chamber while preventing catalyst particles from a second moving bed of substantially packed catalyst to exit therethrough;
• a second moving bed of substantially packed catalyst supported by said second catalyst bed support assembly and having a second physical and/or catalytic properties;
• a second catalyst outlet means, communicating through said internal cylindrical wall of said reactor vessel with said second moving bed of substantially packed catalyst supported by said second catalyst bed support assembly, for withdrawing a second generally spent catalyst from a second hydroconversion reaction zone;
• and a second catalyst inlet means, communicating through said internal cylindrical wall of said reactor vessel with said second moving bed of substantially packed catalyst supported by said second catalyst bed support assembly, for introducing a second generally fresh catalyst into a second hydroconversion reaction zone.