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US 6,358,401 B1Granted
Apparatus and procedures for replenishing particulate materials used in industrial processes
AssigneeIntercat Equipment, Inc.
InventorMartin Evans
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Injection of particulate materials into industrial processes can be improved through use of a vessel mounted on a weighing device and which is vented through use of two separate and distinct valves. Optionally, a predetermined pressure in the vessel is maintained through use of a pressure transmitter and an on/off mode of operation.
Claims11
An apparatus for introducing particulate material into an industrial process, said apparatus comprising:
- (1) a CPU for controlling operation of apparatus;
- (2) a weighing device;
- (3) a vessel for holding the particulate material and pressurized gas, wherein said vessel and at least one of said particulate material and said pressurized gas are weighed by said weighing device;
- (4) a first valve for transferring the particulate material from the vessel to the industrial process;
- (5) a second valve for transferring a first stream of pressurized gas from a source of pressurized gas to the vessel;
- (6) a third valve for transferring the particulate material from a particulate material source to the vessel by entraining said particulate material in the first stream of pressurized gas;
- (7) a first vent valve for lowering a gas pressure in the vessel from an initial pressure to a first lower pressure;
- and
- (8) a second vent valve for lowering a gas pressure in the vessel from the first lower pressure to a second pressure lower than said first lower pressure, wherein said second vent valve is larger than said first vent valve.
6 more elements
An apparatus for introducing a particulate, catalyst material into a fluid catalytic cracking process, said apparatus comprising:
- (1) a CPU for controlling operation of the apparatus;
- (2) a load cell weighing device;
- (3) a vessel for holding the particulate, catalyst material and pressurized air, wherein said vessel and at least one of said particulate, catalyst material and said pressurized air are weighed by said load cell weighing device;
- (4) a first valve for transferring the particulate, catalyst material from the vessel to the fluid catalytic cracking process;
- (5) a second valve for transferring a first stream of pressurized air from a source of pressurized air to the vessel;
- (6) a third valve for transferring the particulate, catalyst material from a particulate, catalyst material source to the vessel by entraining said particulate, catalyst material in the first stream of pressurized air;
- (7) a fourth valve for transferring a second stream of pressurized air from a source of pressurized air to the vessel;
- (8) a first vent valve for lowering air pressure in the vessel from an initial, operating pressure of about 60 psi to a first lower pressure of less than about 30 psi;
- and
- (9) a second vent valve for lowering air pressure in the vessel from a first lower pressure of less than about 30 psi to a second pressure of about atmospheric pressure, wherein said second vent valve is larger than said first vent valve.
7 more elements
A process for introducing a particulate material into an industrial operation, said process comprising:
- (1) placing the process under control of a CPU;
- (2) weighing a vessel and its contents to determine when a predetermined, vessel recharge signal-generating, amount of the particulate material has been reached;
- (3) generating a signal when the predetermined, vessel recharge signal-generating amount of the particulate material has been reached and thereby initiating a vessel recharging program;
- (4) closing a first valve that transfers the particulate material from the vessel to the industrial operation;
- (5) opening a first vent valve to lower a gas pressure in the vessel from an initial pressure to a first lower pressure;
- (6) opening a second vent valve to lower the gas pressure in the vessel from the first lower pressure to a second, still lower, pressure, wherein said second vent valve is larger than said first vent valve;
- (7) opening a second valve that transfers a stream of pressurized gas from a source of pressurized gas to the vessel;
- (8) opening a third valve that transfers particulate material from a particulate material source to the vessel by entraining said particulate material in the stream of pressurized gas passing through the second valve;
- (9) determining that a predetermined amount of the particulate material is in the vessel by weighing said vessel;
- (10) closing the third valve to prevent flow of particulate material to the vessel;
- (11) closing the first vent valve;
- (12) closing the second vent valve;
- (13) closing the second valve when a first predetermined pressure is attained in the vessel;
- (14) weighing the vessel and its contents to determine an amount of particulate material added to the vessel;
- and
- (15) opening the first valve to allow transfer of the particulate material from the vessel to the industrial operation.
13 more elements
A process for introducing particulate, catalyst material into a fluid catalytic cracking unit, said process comprising:
- (1) placing the process under the control of a CPU;
- (2) weighing a vessel and its contents to determine when a predetermined, vessel recharge signal-generating, amount of the particulate, catalyst material has been reached;
- (3) generating a signal when the predetermined, vessel recharge signal-generating amount of the particulate material has been reached and thereby initiating a vessel recharging program;
- (4) closing a first valve that transfers the particulate, catalyst material from the vessel to the fluid catalytic cracking unit;
- (5) closing a fourth valve that transfers a second stream or pressurized air from a pressurized air source to the vessel;
- (6) opening a first vent valve to lower air pressure in the vessel from an initial pressure of about 60 psi to a first lower pressure of less than about 30 psi;
- (7) opening a second vent valve to lower the air pressure in the vessel from the first lower pressure to about atmospheric pressure, wherein said second vent valve is larger than said first vent valve;
- (8) opening a second valve that transfers a stream of pressurized air from a source of pressurized air to the vessel;
- (9) opening a third valve that transfers particulate, catalyst material from a particulate material source to the vessel by entraining said particulate, catalyst material in the stream of pressurized air passing through the second valve;
- (10) determining that a predetermined amount of the particulate, catalyst material is in the vessel by weighing said vessel;
- (11) closing the third valve to prevent flow of particulate, catalyst to the vessel;
- (12) closing the first vent valve;
- (13) closing the second vent valve;
- (14) opening the fourth valve in order to introduce pressurized gas into the vessel;
- (15) closing the second valve when a first predetermined pressure is attained in the vessel;
- (16) closing the fourth valve when a second predetermined pressure that constitutes a final operating pressure is attained in the vessel;
- (17) weighing the vessel and its contents to determine an amount of particulate, catalyst material added to the vessel;
- and
- (18) opening the first valve to allow transfer of the particulate, catalyst material from the vessel to the fluid catalytic process.
16 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.