US4502946A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for the complete replacement of particles in vessels
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
•
Filing: 1984-03-28
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Granted: 1985-03-05
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Expires: 2004-03-28
Abstract
Abstract Process for the complete replacement under operating conditions of particles in a vessel provided with a feed inlet and, if desired, a separate particle inlet, a particle outlet and an effluent outlet, wherein part of the feed passing through the vessel during withdrawal of particles is by-passing the vessel when the particles still present in the vessel do not occupy more than 20% v of the volume initially occupied by particles and the feed is passed through the vessel before or during the addition of fresh particles. The process is particularly suitable for the complete replacement under operating conditions of spent hydrodemetallization catalysts.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerrit J. Pronk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:42
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J8/00; B01J8/0015; B01J8/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
Process for the complete replacement under operating conditions of particles in a vessel provided with a feed inlet, a particle outlet and an effluent outlet, which comprises: withdrawing particles from said vessel under operating conditions, including passing feed through the vessel during withdrawal of particles; by-passing the vessel with a portion of the feed when the particle volume present in the vessel is no more than 20% of the initial particle volume; withdrawing the remainder of the particles from the vessel; closing off the feed by-pass and again passing all feed through said vessel; while adding particles through a separate particle inlet or through the feed inlet to said vessel, until the desired particle volume is reached.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
Process for the complete replacement under operating conditions of particles in a vessel provided with a feed inlet, a particle outlet and an effluent outlet, which comprises: withdrawing particles from said vessel under operating conditions, including passing feed through the vessel during withdrawal of particles; by-passing the vessel with a portion of the feed when the particle volume present in the vessel is no more than 20% of the initial particle volume; withdrawing the remainder of the particles from the vessel; closing off the feed by-pass and again passing all feed through said vessel; while adding particles through a separate particle inlet or through the feed inlet to said vessel, until the desired particle volume is reached.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
Process according to claim 1, characterized in that part of the feed passing through the vessel during withdrawal of particles is by-passing the vessel when the particles still present in the vessel do not occupy more than 10%v of the volume initially occupied by particles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
Process according to claim 1, characterized in that part of the feed by-passing the vessel during withdrawal of particles is fed to one or more further vessels under operating conditions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
Process according to claim 2, characterized in that part of the feed by-passing the vessel during withdrawal of particles is fed to one or more further vessels under operating conditions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the particles being replaced comprise a catalyst charge of a (hydro)demetallization reactor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
Process according to claim 1, characterized in that particles being replaced comprise a catalyst charge of a hydrodesulfurization reactor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
123 words
Process according to claim 5, characterized in that the catalyst charge is withdrawn from a vessel containing at least one tray and supporting means for one or more catalyst beds, which supporting means is (are) permeable to liquid and gas and impermeable to catalyst particles and in which the supporting means is (are) at least partly in the shape of a conical surface of a truncated cone and is (are) attached to the wall of the vessel and is (are) provided with a downward-directed opening permeable to catalyst particles, and in which beneath each supporting means a tray is located which is permeable to liquid and gas and impermeable to catalyst particles, which tray has an opening which is permeable to catalyst particles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
123 words
Process according to claim 6, characterized in that the catalyst charge is withdrawn from a vessel containing at least one tray and supporting means for one or more catalyst beds, which supporting means is (are) permeable to liquid and gas and impermeable to catalyst particles and in which the supporting means is (are) at least partly in the shape of a conical surface of a truncated cone and is (are) attached to the wall of the vessel and is (are) provided with a downward-directed opening permeable to catalyst particles, and in which beneath each supporting means a tray is located which is permeable to liquid and gas and impermeable to catalyst particles, which tray has an opening which is permeable to catalyst particles.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-03-04 | 1988-09-03 | 1989-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-03-04 | 1992-09-03 | 1993-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-03-04 | 1996-09-03 | 1997-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |