Apparatus for and a method of operating power recovery equipment

Claim 1

Apparatus for utilizing the energy present in the gaseous effluent of a fluid catalytic cracking plant regenerator employed in conjunction with the fluid fractionation process comprising: a power recovery turbine for receiving high pressure gas at elevated temperatures, means mechanically connected to the turbinE representing a load for using the horsepower developed by the turbine power shaft, a main conduit connecting the regenerator and the turbine inlet for supplying gas generated in the regenerator to the turbine, first flow control means disposed in said main conduit for regulating flow of gas to the turbine in response to a first operating parameter, said flow control means having relatively slow response characteristics, a by-pass conduit serving as a parallel path of flow for gases emanating from the regenerator, second flow control means disposed in said by-pass conduit for regulating flow of gas around the turbine in response to the first operating parameter, said second flow control means having relatively slow response characteristics, and means connected to the main supply conduit serving as a vent for the portion of the main supply conduit between the first flow control means and the inlet to the turbine, said means including a branch control line and a valve controlling flow in said branch line in response to a second operating parameter, said valve having fast response characteristics relative to the response characteristics of said first and second flow control means.