US 7,350,962 B2 · Liquid recycle inlet distributor assembly

Abstract

A catalytic hydrocracking reactor vessel includes enhanced components for the conversion of a hydrogen gas and fossil fuel feedstream to light liquid hydrocarbons. The reactor vessel comprises one or more of a reactor cup riser with a helical cyclonic separator conduit for separating a liquid and vapor product stream to provide an essentially vapor-free liquid recycle stream; a grid plate bubble cap with wall housing having serrated edges for producing small hydrogen bubbles of increased total surface area of bubbles at lower pressure drop; a feedstream inlet pipe sparger containing rows of downward directed slots for even distribution of the feedstream across the cross-sectional area of the reactor and providing free drain of solid particles from the sparger; and optionally a liquid recycle inlet distributor containing vertically curved plates for creating a whirling motion in the liquid recycle stream for better mixing with the feedstream with minimal solids settling.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A liquid recycle inlet stream distributor assembly for introducing a liquid recycle stream through a bottom of a reactor vessel and also mixing the liquid recycle stream with a primary feedstream introduced into the reactor vessel above the distributor assembly by a feedstream inlet sparger, the inlet stream distributor assembly comprising:

an inlet conduit connected to a liquid recycle stream conduit and disposed through a bottom of a reactor vessel for introducing a liquid recycle stream from the liquid recycle stream conduit through the bottom of the reactor vessel;
an open plate or ring attached to or disposed above said inlet conduit and including a substantially flat body bounded by an exterior edge and an interior edge, and an interior opening therethrough bounded by said interior edge,
a closed plate disposed above said plate or ring for diverting the liquid recycle stream from said inlet conduit laterally into the reactor vessel through exit openings above and below said plate or ring;
and
curved fins laterally disposed on upper and lower sides of said open plate or ring at spaced apart intervals so as to at least partially redirect flow of the liquid recycle stream through said exit openings.

2 more elements

A liquid recycle inlet stream distributor assembly for introducing a liquid recycle stream into a reactor vessel and also mixing the liquid recycle stream with a primary feedstream, the inlet stream distributor assembly comprising:

an inlet conduit connected to a liquid recycle stream conduit for introducing a liquid recycle stream from the liquid recycle stream conduit into the reactor vessel;
an open plate or ring attached to or disposed above said inlet conduit and including a substantially flat body bounded by an exterior edge and an interior edge, and an interior opening therethrough bounded by said interior edge,
a closed plate disposed above said plate or ring for diverting the liquid recycle stream from said inlet conduit laterally into the reactor vessel through exit openings above and below said plate or ring;
and
fins laterally disposed on upper and lower sides of said open plate or ring at spaced apart intervals so as to at least partially redirect flow of the liquid recycle stream through said exit openings,
the inlet stream distributor assembly including only stationary components such that it does not include any moving parts.

3 more elements

an inlet conduit connected to a liquid recycle stream conduit for introducing a liquid recycle stream from the liquid recycle stream conduit into the reactor vessel;
a plurality of spaced apart open plates or rings attached to or disposed above said inlet conduit, each including a substantially flat body bounded by an exterior edge and an interior edge, and an interior opening therethrough bounded by said interior edge, wherein each plate or ring includes an interior opening of substantially the same size;
a closed plate disposed above said plate or ring for diverting the liquid recycle stream from said inlet conduit laterally into the reactor vessel through exit openings above and below each plate or ring;
and
fins laterally disposed on upper and lower sides of each open plate or ring at spaced apart intervals so as to at least partially redirect flow of the liquid recycle stream through said exit openings.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Liquid recycle inlet distributor assembly

Life of this patent

Liquid recycle inlet distributor assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20