Thermofor process

An improved design undertaken by Sacony used high-velocity gases to replace the mechanical elevator systems as catalyst carriers. These so-called air-lift units improved upon the Thermofor process both in terms of economies and octane numbers. It was, however, only with the fluid cracking process that catalytic technology realized fully continuous production. 

THERMOFOR PROCESS. A moving-bed catalytic cracking process in which petroleum vapor is passed up through a reactor countercurrent to a flow of small beads or catalyst. The deactivated catalyst then passes through a regenerator and is recirculated. 

This process has been modified for the thermofor process in which the catalyst bed is in continuous motion propelled by oil gas steam. ... 

Moving bed bead catalysts used in Mobil Thermofor process. 

The first Thermofor cracking unit came on line in late 1942. By March of 1943, twenty Thermofor units had been completed or were under construction. The larger Thermofor plants could circulate 100-150 tons of catalyst per hour and could process up to 20,000 barrels of petroleum per day. 

Fluid catalytic cracking rapidly overtook its competitors as both a source of fuel and of critical organic intermediates. Prior to 1942, the Houdry Process controlled 90 percent of the catalytic fuel market. But only three years later, in 1945, fluid cracking led all other catalytic cracking processes in market share (40 percent). At this time Thermofor technology stood at 31 percent, and Houdry at less chan 30 percent. 

Airlift Thermofor Catalytic Cracking Also called Airlift TCC. A continuous catalytic process for converting heavy petroleum fractions to lighter ones. The catalyst granules are moved continuously by a stream of air. Developed by Mobil Oil Corp., United States, and first operated in 1950. See also Thermofor. 

TPC [Thermofor pyrolytic cracking] A continuous process for thermally cracking petroleum fractions on a moving bed of hot pebbles. Developed by the Socony Vacuum Oil Company (now a part of Mobil Corporation). See also Thermofor. 

C. D. Prater, J. Wei, V. W. Weekman, Jr., and B. Gross, A Reaction Engineering Case History Coke Burning in Thermofor Catalytic Cracking Regenerators Costei D. Denson, Stripping Operations in Polymer Processing Robert C. Reid, Rapid Phase Transitions from Liquid to Vapor John H. Seinfeld, Atmospheric Diffusion Theory... 

Some of the principles used in Thermofor catalytic cracking have been applied to a coking operation. Coke itself, instead of catalyst, is the solid circulated. The coke is heated in the regenerator of the unit and more coke is deposited on the hot moving solid in the reactor of the unit. Appropriate proportions of the coke are removed continuously as the process proceeds (84). 

Figure 7-14 Thermofor moving bed catalytic cracking process.

Airlift Thermofor catalytic cracking a moving-bed continuous catalytic process for conversion of heavy gas oils into lighter products the catalyst is moved by a stream of air. 

Thermofor catalytic reforming a reforming process in which the synthetic, bead-type catalyst of coprecipitated chromia (Cr2Ot) and alumina (A1203) flows down through the reactor concurrent with the feedstock. 

Thermofor continuous percolation a continuous clay treating process to stabilize and decolorize lubricants or waxes. 

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