Mobil Oil Corporation

David W Lewis

Nicholas Daviduk

Richard G Graven

Fouad A Aly

Michael T Siuta

A distributor system for use in multiple bed, downflow reactors which provides improved distribution across the reactor and improved vapor/liquid contact and distribution. The system comprises a collection tray arranged below the first catalyst bed in the reactor, a first, rough distributor tray which is arranged below the collection tray and which is fed from the collection tray by means of spillways in the tray and a mixing chamber beneath the spillways. The first distributor tray provides for separate vapor and liquid flow by means of apertures in the tray or downward flow of liquid and vapor chimneys for downward flow of vapor. After the first distributor tray, a second, final distributor tray is provided with downcomers for flow of liquid and vapor onto the lower catalyst bed. Each downcomer comprises an open-topped tube with a side aperture for entry of liquid into the tube, vapor entering through the open top of the tube.

Distribution system for downflow reactors

A process for in situ retorting of oil shale wherein an externally heated gas is circulated through a first retort zone. Surface retorting units comprised of compressors and furnaces are used to start the retorting process and to continue same until the off gas being recovered from the first retort zone reaches a temperature condition which is indicative that adequate heat is available in the retort zone to complete the retorting process without further external heating of the retorting gas. The surface retorting units are then replaced with frontal advance units comprised of low head fans which are capable of circulating the required volume of retorting gas but which require substantially less power to operate than the compressors. Also, when the units are interchanged the off gas from the first retort zone is diverted through a second retort zone to cool the off gas and to preheat the second zone.

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Lawrenceville, NJ, United States of America

David W Lewis