Process and separation apparatus for use in the conversions of hydrocarbons

Claim 1

IN PROCESSES FOR THE CONVERSION OF PETROLEUM HYDROCARBONS EMPLOYING A SOLID ADSORPTIVE TYPE CONVERSION CATALYST IN ONE OR MORE ZONES OF GAS-SOLIDS CONTACTING, THE METHOD OF SEPARATING SUSPENDED FINELY DIVIDED CATALYST PARTICLES FROM GAS STREAMS WHICH COMPRISES FLOWING A GAS STREAM CONTAINING SUSPENDED FINELY DIVIDED CATALYST PARTICLES THROUGH AN IONIZING ELECTROSTATIC FIELD BETWEEN A GROUNDED NON-DISCHARGING ELECTRODE AND A DISCHARGING ELECTRODE, SAID DISCHARGING ELECTRODE HAVING IMPRESSED THEREON A POTENTIAL SUFFICIENTLY HIGH TO PRODUCE CORONA DISCHARGE AND TO IONIZE THE GAS STREAM WHEREBY THE SOLID PARTICLES HAVE AN ELECTRIC CHARGE IMPARTED TO THEM, THEN FLOWING THE GASEOUS STREAM CONTAINING CHARGED PARTICLES IN SUSPENSION THROUGH A PERFORATED THIRD ELECTRODE HAVING AN IMPRESSED POTENTIAL OF LIKE POLARITY TO THE CHARGE ON THE SOLID PARTICLES AND HIGHER THAN THE POTENTIAL IMPRESSED AT THE DISCHARGING ELECTRODE, WHEREBY THE ELECTROSTATIC FIELD GENERATED BY THE THIRD ELECTRODE CAUSES THE CHARGED PARTICLES TO BE REPELLED AND RETURNED TO A GAS-SOLIDS CONTACTING ZONE.