Apparatus and method of removal of catalyst blockage from reactor

Abstract

A process and apparatus of preventing the plugging of the discharge and/or suction line of an internal recycle pump utilized in an expanded bed reactor of the type having a partition transversely extending through the lower portion thereof and defining a plurality of substantially regularly and uniformly disposed perforations and communicating with a reaction zone above the partition and plenum chamber therebelow. The reaction zone contains a mass of particulate catalyst contact matter supported by the partition and placed in randon motion above the partition by a pressurized mixture of a liquid carbon containing material and a hydrogen rich gas flow passing through the perforations from the plenum chamber and by the internal recycle pump having a pump suction line generally concentrically disposed with respect to the reactor and extending through the partition into the reaction zone. The pump has a discharge communicating with the plenum chamber and is situated in the bottom of the reactor and has an exterior surface which extends into the atmosphere. The pump functionally recycles the liquid carbon containing material from the reaction zone through the recycle pump discharge into the plenum chamber and through the perforations in the partition. The improvement comprises extending a first catalyst withdrawal line from the pump suction line into the atmosphere to withdraw catalyst matter and prevent plugging with particulate catalyst contact matter of the recycle pump discharge and/or the suction line.