Moving-bed catalyst regeneration

The formulas of Table 17.18 also could be used by taking hp = 1.25hw. In moving bed catalyst regenerators, heat fluxes of the order of 25,000 Btu/(hr)(cuft) have been estimated to occur between fluid and particle. Fluid and particle temperatures consequently differ very little. 

The equations of Table 17.18 also could be used by taking hp =. 25hw. In moving bed catalyst regenerators, heat fluxes of... 

Fig. 2. Moving-bed calciner regeneration of base metal catalysts.

Limitation of coke concentration to a low level, by frequent regeneration, not only results in maximum activity and thereby keeps the necessary reactor size at a minimum it also has advantages of better product distribution (100), better temperature control in fixed-bed (238) and moving-bed (86) regenerators, and less entrainment of catalyst in fluid-catalyst regenerators (305). 

The catalyst is employed in bead, pellet, or microspherical form and can be used as a fixed bed, moving bed, or fluid bed. The fixed-bed process was the first process used commercially and employs a static bed of catalyst in several reactors, which allows a continuous flow of feedstock to be maintained. The cycle of operations consists of (/) the flow of feedstock through the catalyst bed (2) the discontinuance of feedstock flow and removal of coke from the catalyst by burning and (J) the insertion of the reactor back on-stream. The moving-bed process uses a reaction vessel, in which cracking takes place, and a kiln, in which the spent catalyst is regenerated and catalyst movement between the vessels is provided by various means. 

The catalysts used in this CCR commercial service must meet several stringent physical property requirements. A spherical particle is required so that the catalyst flows in a moving bed down through the process reactors and regenerator vessel. These spheres must be able to withstand the physical abuse of being educated and transferred by gas flow at high velocity. The catalyst particles must also have the proper physical properties, such as particle size, porosity, and poresize distribution, to achieve adequate coke combustion kinetics. 

FIG. 23-24 Reactors with moving catalysts, a) Transport fluidized type for the Sasol Fischer-Tropsch process, nonregenerating, (h) Esso type of stable fluidized bed reactor/regeuerator for cracldug petroleum oils, (c) UOP reformer with moving bed of platinum catalyst and continuous regeneration of a controlled quantity of catalyst, (d) Flow distribution in a fluidized bed the catalyst rains through the bubbles. 

In the moving-bed process, oil is heated to up to 1,300"F and is passed under pressure through the reactor where it comes into contact with a catalyst flow in the form of beads or pellets. The cracked products then flow to a fractionating tower where the various compounds are separated and collected. The catalyst is regenerated in a continuous process where deposits of coke on the catalyst are burned off. 

Several processes based on non-precious metal also exist. Because of high catalyst deactivation rates with these catalyst systems, they all require some form of continuous regeneration. The Fluid Hydroforming process uses fluid solids techniques to move catalyst between reactor and regenerator TCR and Hyperforming use some form of a moving bed system. 

Process parameters are set to obtain the required octane level ( 90). In the process, minute amounts of carbon are deposited on the catalyst which reduces the product yield, but can be removed by batch burning. Continuous regeneration avoids periodic shutdowns and maximizes the high-octane yield. This employs a moving bed of catalyst particles that is circulated ihrnugli a regenerator vessel, for carbon removal, and returned to the reactor. 

Fluid cracking retained the moving bed concept of the catalyst transported regularly between the reactor and regenerator. And as with the air-lift systems, the fluid plant rejected mechanical carrying devices (elevators) in favor of standpipes through which the catalyst fluid traveled. 

In the moving bed processes, the preheated feed meets the hot catalyst, which is in the form of beads that descend by gravity to the regeneration zone. As in fluidized bed cracking, conversion of aromatics is low, and a mixture of saturated and unsaturated light hydrocarbon gases is produced. The gasoline product is also rich in aromatics and branched paraffins. 

Figure 7.7 A moving bed or fluidized bed allows the catalyst to be continuously withdrawn and regenerated. 

In fluidized beds, the temperature is uniform within a few degrees even in the largest vessels, but variation of comnposition is appreciable in large vessels, and is not well correlated for design purposes. One currently successful moving bed process is the UOP "Stacked Reactor" platforming where the catalyst is transported and regenerated in a separate zone. When the activity of the catalyst declines fairly rapidly, its variation with time and position must be taken into account by the mathematical formulation. 

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