Chevron U.s.a. Inc.

Tsunehiko Hiraga

Robert W Bachtel

Toshio Ishizuka

Yoshitomo Ohara

Krishniah Parimi

David E Earls

A light-weight and easily manufacturable catalyst support structure is provided, which allows fluid flow into a catalyst bed in uniform distribution. The support structure is formed in a cone-like shape in which the diameter enlarges upward. The support structure comprises a shell-like support member, a first mesh layer comprising thick mesh elements, and a second mesh layer having a mesh size which does not allow catalytic particulates to pass through. The first mesh layer overlays the support member, and the second mesh layer overlays the first mesh layer. The shell-like support member includes a circular bottom plate extending perpendicular to the center line of the reactor, and a side wall having a truncated cone shape which extends upward from the edge of the bottom plate. The bottom plate and the side wall are primarily made of perforated plates through which the fluid passes. A plurality of cylindrical flow guides of different diameters are provided underneath the shell-like support member.

Apparatus for catalyst replacement

A light-weight and easily manufacturable catalyst support structure is provided, which allows fluid flow into a catalyst bed in uniform distribution. The support structure, used for supporting a moving catalyst bed within a moving bed reactor having an upward flowing fluid phase, is formed in a cone-like shape in which the diameter enlarges upward. The supporting structure comprises a shell-like support member, a first mesh layer comprising thick mesh elements, and a second mesh layer having a mesh size which does not allow catalyst particles to pass through. The first mesh layer overlays the support member, and the second mesh layer overlays the first mesh layer. The shell-like support member includes a circular bottom plate extending perpendicular to the center line of the reactor, and a side wall having a truncated cone shape which extends upward from the edge of the bottom plate. The bottom plate and the side wall are primarily made of perforated plates through which the fluid passes. A plurality of cylindrical flow guides of different diameters are provided underneath the shell-like support member.

Growing community of inventors

Hokkaido, Japan

Tsunehiko Hiraga