Exxon Research and Engineering Company

Robert H Shabaker

James H Taylor, Jr

Geoffrey R Say

LeRoy R Clavenna

Charles A Euker, Jr

Mark Leland Tiller

Gerald A Wilcox

Darrell R Pitzer

Herbert Weinstein

A process for detecting, and monitoring, changes in the properties of a fluidized bed of particulate solids, especially a fluidized bed of particulate catalytic solids at elevated temperature wherein a low molecular weight hydrocarbon is converted, in the presence of steam and oxygen, to synthesis gas. Measurement is made of the magnitude of differential pressure fluctuations taken at different levels of bed elevation and these are recorded as a standard deviation, or normalized standard deviation, and directly related to particle size changes caused by agglomeration (growth) and/or attrition (size reduction). Operation of the process requires the use of fast response pressure transducers that are located in the bed and connected to an A/D board of a PC which records and accumulates the data for processing, and analysis.

Process for detecting and monitoring changes in properties of fluidized bed solids by pressure difference fluctuation measurement

A process for the in situ attrition and break up of an agglomerating, or agglomerated catalyst to maintain and control the fluidization characteristics of a bed wherein low molecular weight hydrocarbons, oxygen and steam are contacted with the bed to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide via both partial oxidation and steam reforming reactions. The feeds are injected into the reaction zone with mechanical energy input sufficient to balance the intrinsic rate of agglomeration by fracturing and breaking apart in situ the agglomerated catalyst to maintain the fluidization characteristics of the bed throughout the cycle of operation.

High energy level in situ attrition and break up of catalyst to maintain

Growing community of inventors

Chatham, NJ, United States of America

Robert H Shabaker