Fluor Technologies Corporation

Fluor Corporation

Garry E Jacobs

Steven W Stupin

Robert W Kuskie

Adam S Milliken

Gerald A Zeininger

Douglas E Nelson

Curt Graham

Walt Stupin

F Emmett Bingham

Ghaith Aljazzar

F Emmet Bingham

Jesus Cabrera

Nathan Barber

Robert A Logman

Elemental sulfur carrying capacity of a hydrocarbonaceous solvent is improved by first loading the solvent with sulfur and subsequent hydrotreatment under conditions that convert at least some of the elemental sulfur in the sulfur loaded solvent to hydrogen sulfide while preserving at least 95% of the monoaromatic and polyaromatic components in the solvent.

Configurations, systems, and methods for recovery of elemental sulfur using a solvent

A multi-phase fluid is split in a flow splitting device that includes a feed pipe in which a flow redistribution element induces tangential motion in the phases such that the denser phase is forced to redistribute around the periphery of the feed pipe. The so redistributed flow is then split into two or more distribution conduits that are typically perpendicular to the flow direction of the feed flow. Most typically, the feed pipe is in a vertical position.

Methods and apparatus for splitting multi-phase flow

Contemplated configurations and methods are drawn to systems in which gas assisted spray nozzles are used to distribute a liquid phase in micron-sized droplets in a device effluent at a position upstream of a second device having multiple parallel flow paths for the effluent. Most preferably, the assist gas is a high-pressure gas phase that is generated in a process upstream of the device effluent, the first device is a hydrotreating or hydrocracking reactor or distillation column, and the second device is an air cooler or heat exchanger.

Configurations and methods of gas-assisted spray nozzles

A quench zone mixing apparatus that occupies a low vertical height and has an improved mixing efficiency and fluid distribution across the catalyst surface includes a swirl chamber, a rough distribution network, and a distribution apparatus. In the swirl chamber, reactant fluid from a catalyst bed above is thoroughly mixed with a quench fluid by a swirling action. The mixed fluids exit the swirl chamber through an aperture to the rough distribution system where the fluids are radially distributed outward across the vessel to the distribution apparatus. The distribution apparatus includes a plate with a number of bubble caps and associated drip trays that multiply the liquid drip stream from the bubble caps to further symmetrically distribute the fluids across the catalyst surface. Alternatively, deflector baffles may be associated with the bubble caps to provide a wider and more uniform liquid distribution below the plate. The distribution apparatus can be used in the reaction vessel without the swirl chamber and rough distribution system, e.g., at the top of a vessel.

Reactor distribution apparatus and quench zone mixing apparatus

A flow distribution device () has a vane distributor () at least partially disposed within a cartridge () and is operationally coupled to a second distributing device () that receives output from the vane distributor () Especially preferred flow distribution devices () are disposed within a vessel containing a contact bed, and may include at least a second vane distributor () within the cartridge (), wherein the vane distributors () are preferably swirl-inducing vane distributors ().

Methods and apparatus for mixing and distributing fluids

At least two feedstocks (A) (B) with different boiling point ranges are hydrotreated in an integrated hydrogenation plant () using an interbed separator () that is fluidly coupled between two hydrogenation reactors (A) (B). Contemplated configurations and methods will significantly reduce construction and operating cost by integration of at least two hydrogenation processes of two different feedstocks into one process, and/or by providing process conditions that reduce use of catalyst in at least one of the reactors.

Combined hydrotreating process and configurations for same

A bubble cap () has a cap () with at least one slot () and a riser (), configured with a skirt height () of at least 4 cm, such that 1.5*Skirt Height (cm)+[Slot Length (cm)&#x2212;Exposed Slot Height (cm)] is greater than or equal to 7.5, and posed such that a liquid fluid and a gas flow co-currently upwardly in a space between the riser () and the cap ().

Methods and apparatus for mixing fluids

A bubble cap () has a riser () and a cap (), separated by a divider () that extends to a length at least 50% of a distance measured between the top of the riser () and the bottom of the cap (). In another aspect, the riser () and cap () cooperate to provide a skirt height () of no less than 1.5&#x2033;. More preferred bubble caps () have a relatively high skirt height () or long slit length (), or both. In yet another aspect, flow-redirecting vanes () and plates () cooperate to provide a rough distribution of fluids to subsequent distribution tray ().

A bubble cap has a riser and a cap, separated by a divider that extends to a length at least 50% of a distance measured between the top of the riser and the bottom of the cap. In another aspect, the riser and cap cooperate to provide a skirt height of no less than 1.5&#x2033;. More preferred bubble caps have a relatively high skirt height or long slit length, or both. In yet another aspect, flow-redirecting vanes and plates (e.g., mixing chamber floor and splash deck) cooperate to provide a rough distribution of fluids to subsequent distribution tray(s).

A quench zone mixing apparatus () that occupies a low vertical height and has an improved mixing efficiency and fluid distribution across the catalyst surface includes a swirl chamber (), a rough distribution network (), and a distribution apparatus (). In the swirl chamber (), reactant fluid from a catalyst bed above is thoroughly mixed with a quench fluid by a swirling action. The mixed fluids exit the swirl chamber () through an aperture to the rough distribution system () where the fluids are radially distributed outward across the vessel to the distribution apparatus (). The distribution apparatus () includes a plate () with a number of bubble caps () and associated a drip trace () that multiply the liquid drip stream from the bubble caps () to further symmetrically distribute the fluids across the catalyst surface. Alternatively, deflector baffles may be associated with the bubble caps () to provide a wider and more uniform liquid distribution below the plate (). The distribution apparatus () can be used in the reaction vessel () without the swirl chamber () and rough distribution system (), e.g., at the top of a vessel.

The invention is directed to a bubble cap including: a riser having a lower end located within and extending through an aperture in the plate of the distribution apparatus and a top end to define a passageway between the ends; a cap located over the top end of the riser, the cap having a top portion and a downwardly extending skirt portion; at least one spacer located between the riser and the cap to maintain a gap between the top end of the riser and the cap; and a plurality of riser vanes located between the top end of the riser and the top portion of the cap. An annulus (&ldquo;bubble cap annulus&rdquo;) is created between the riser and the cap. The riser vanes are preferably flush against the underside of the bubble cap top wall. The riser vanes are spaced from each other to form vane passageways. Preferably, the vane passageways are the only (or sole) means of fluid communication between the bubble cap annulus and the riser passageway.

Distribution apparatus having bubble caps with riser vanes

A quench zone mixing apparatus is supported within a vessel of a reactor by a support structure that includes a concentric hub, which may be formed to act as a torsion tube, and at least a first set of radial beams extending radially outward from the hub and terminating at a support ring that is attached to the reactor vessel wall. In particular, the radial beams comprise a flange that supports the redistribution tray and a web of the beams preferably includes a plurality of openings to allow the passage of fluids across the vessel. In addition, the webs also carry the channels. The radial beams also support the mixing chamber and, in the area between the wall of the mixing chamber and the vessel wall, the radial beams may have a vertical height that slopes downward from the vessel wall to the mixing chamber wall.

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Aliso Viejo, CA, United States of America

Garry E Jacobs