Exxon Research and Engineering Company

Rodney T Mueller

Robert F Tammera

Donald F Shaw

Catherine M Murray

The present invention provides a cylindrical reactor vessel having a top end with an inlet and a bottom end with an outlet end. A refractory insulating lining is applied on the interior of the wall of the vessel. A cylindrical vertically disposed first inner basket having a generally closed top first end and an open second end in communication with the outlet conduit and having fluid pervious sidewalls surrounded by a vertically disposed outer cylindrical second basket defining a space therebetween for containment of subdivided contact material. The cylindrical second basket also has a top end, which is closed, and fluid pervious sidewalls. The cylindrical second basket is spaced away from the refractory lining of the vessel at a sufficient distance, to provide an annular space for fluid, admitted through the inlet, to progress downwardly through the annular space and then radially inwardly through the contact material contained in the space between the first and second basket. The fluid, ultimately passes into the centrally located first basket for collection and then for removal through the outlet conduit. Guide means are provided at the top end of the second basket, which assists in maintaining the basket in a central position, but permitting its movement during thermal cycling of the vessel. A horizontal annular refractory ring is provided in the bottom of the vessel for supporting the second basket.

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Reigate, United Kingdom

Rodney T Mueller