METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR METERING CATALYST IN A FLUID CATALYTIC CRACKING CATALYST INJECTION SYSTEM

• US 20060138028A1
• Filed: 03/17/2006
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson Matthey Process Technologies Inc. (Johnson Matthey PLC)
• Original Assignee: Intercat Equipment, Inc. (Johnson Matthey PLC)
• Inventors: Evans, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 7,470,406 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 208/176
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2208/00539 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2208/00619 Controlling the weight
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2208/00752 Feeding
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00198 at the reactor inlet
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00231 at the reactor inlet
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 8/0015 Feeding of the particles in the reactor; Evacuation of the particles out of the reactor
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 8/18 with fluidised particles combustion apparatus with fluidised bed in general F23C10/00; furnaces with fluidised bed F27B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 11/18 according to the "fluidised-bed" technique
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 11/187 Controlling or regulating

Abstract

A method and apparatus for metering catalyst in a fluid catalytic cracking catalyst injection system are provided. In one embodiment, apparatus for metering catalyst in a fluid catalytic cracking catalyst injection system includes a low pressure storage vessel coupled to a pressure vessel that defines a high pressure side of the apparatus, where the determination of the amount of catalyst transferred is made on the low pressure side of the apparatus.

Claims

1. Apparatus for loading catalyst to a fluid catalyst cracking unit, comprising:

a pressure vessel having a single output adapted for coupling to a fluid catalyst cracking unit;

a plurality of separate catalyst storage containers coupled to the vessel, the containers maintained at a low pressure; and

a pressure control system configured to selectively pressurize of vessel to a high pressure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one sensor configured to provide a metric indicative of an amount of catalyst entering the vessel.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one load cell configured to provide a metric indicative of an amount of catalyst entering the vessel.

4. Apparatus for loading catalyst to a fluid catalyst cracking unit, comprising:

an injection apparatus having an outlet port for coupling to a fluid catalyst cracking unit (FCCU);

a plurality of catalyst storage regions coupled to the injection apparatus; and

a change in weight measuring system interfaced with the injection apparatus configured to determine an amount of catalyst delivered through the injection apparatus from a selected one of the catalyst storage regions to the FCCU.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising:

at least one load cell configured to provide a metric indicative of an amount of catalyst dispensed from a selected one of the catalyst storage regions to the FCCU.

6. A method of providing catalyst to a fluid catalyst cracking unit, comprising:

providing an injection apparatus having a plurality of separate catalyst storage regions, the injection apparatus coupled to a fluid catalyst cracking unit (FCCU);

delivering catalyst from a selected one of the catalyst storage regions through the injection apparatus to the FCCU; and

determining an amount of catalyst from each region delivered to the FCCU through the injection apparatus.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein determining the amount of catalyst delivered further comprises:

detecting a change in a weight of a vessel coupled between the catalyst storage regions and the FCCU.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein selectively delivering catalyst through the injection apparatus further comprises:

opening a valve that allows catalyst to flow within the injection apparatus.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein determining the amount of catalyst delivered further comprises:

detecting a change in catalyst level within the injection apparatus.

10. A method of providing catalyst to a fluid catalyst cracking unit, comprising:

selectively flowing catalyst from a first catalyst storage region to a vessel having at least a second catalyst storage region coupled thereto;

pressurizing the vessel; and

injecting catalyst from the pressurized vessel to a fluid catalyst cracking unit (FCCU).

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

determining an amount of catalyst delivered to the FCCU from the first catalyst storage region.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of determining further comprises:

determining a metric indicative of a weight of catalyst delivered to the FCCU.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

selectively flowing catalyst from the second catalyst storage region to the vessel.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

tracking an amount of catalyst provided to the FCCU from each catalyst storage region.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of tracking the amount of catalyst provided to the FCCU further comprises:

detecting a weight of a vessel through which the catalyst passes.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

transferring catalyst from one of the catalyst storage regions to a vessel;

pressurizing the vessel; and

injecting catalyst from the pressurized vessel to the FCCU.

14. A method of providing catalyst to a fluid catalyst cracking unit, comprising:

providing a change in weight measuring system coupled to a fluid catalyst cracking unit (FCCU);

automatically providing catalyst to the FCCU through the weight measuring system selectively from a plurality of catalyst storage regions.