Method and apparatus for monitoring temperatures during catalytic regeneration

• US 3,933,044 A
• Filed: 03/15/1973
• Issued: 01/20/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Chevron Research Company (Chevron Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Chevron Research Company (Chevron Corp.)
• Inventors: Fauerso, Walter E., Loper, D. Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): Queisser, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shoon, Frederick
• Application Number:
  US05/341,626
• Time in Patent Office: 1,041 Days
• Field of Search: 23/288 B, 23/288 H, 23/230 A, 73/340, 73/362.5, 73/362.8, 73/355 R, 73/355 EM, 73/349, 73/DIG. 7, 250/334, 250/342, 252/416, 356/44, 236/15 B
• US Class Current: 374/110
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 23/90 Regeneration or reactivation
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/04 Casings
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/047 Mobile mounting; Scanning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/061 by controlling the temperature of the apparatus or parts thereof, e.g. using cooling means or thermostats
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/08 Optical arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0806 Focusing or collimating elements, e.g. lenses or concave mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0808 Convex mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0813 Planar mirrors; Parallel phase plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/48 Thermography; Techniques using wholly visual means
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 25/48 on solution, sorption, or a chemical reaction not involving combustion or catalytic oxidation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/12 Condition responsive control

Abstract

Careful and accurate indication of regeneration temperatures of catalysts associated with the refining of hydrocarbons such as occur in catalyst-aided hydrocracking and catalyst-aided reforming processes--in real time--occurs by monitoring the infrared energy, say in a frequency range greater than 300 × 10⁹, but not more than 10¹⁵ Hz, emitted from a plurality of distributed metallic studs mounted as by welding to the exterior surface of the sidewall of a vessel undergoing catalytic regeneration. The dynamic temperature variation of such energy rays readily indicate regeneration temperatures of the catalyst interior of the vessel. The studs extend through the insulation of the vessel, but do not penetrate its interior. Where the regeneration process is cyclically occurring, not only is there a marked decrease in the time required for regeneration, but there is also better statistical certainty that full regeneration of the catalyst has occurred. Further, real-time thermograms have been found to have surprising value as histograms for prognosticating optimum regeneration conditions.

Claims

1. Apparatus for monitoring the regeneration of a catalyst located within an insualtion-clad vessel involving elevating the temperature interior of said vessel after production of hydrocarbon products such as petrochemicals, gasoline, light fuel oils, and the like, has been terminated, comprising:

1. a plurality of metallic stud means affixed to the metallic sidewall of said vessel associated with a similarly oriented spatial position interior of said vessel, for defining a true temperature gradient for catalyst regeneration interior of said vessel as said vessel is utilized in a catalyst regeneration operating mode;

2. an infrared scanning and detection unit responsive to infrared energy in a frequency frange from about 300 ×

10⁹ to 10¹⁵ Hz, for the purpose of detecting said infrared energy emitted from said plurality of stud means during operation of said vessel in said regeneration mode, and displaying said energy as a function of geometric and time variables indicative of the geographic positions of said stud means as viewed from a scanning station exterior of said vessel, said infrared scanning and detection unit including;

A. infrared camera means for generating electrical signals as a function of detected infrared energy;

B. means for allowing said infrared camera means (A) to be movably positioned at a series of vertically separated viewing stations along a pathway extending upwardly from ground level, each being horizontally adjacent to a selected group of said stud means of said vessel;

C. control means fixably positioned relative to said vessel but electrically connected to said motion allowance means (B) and camera means (A) for controlling movement of said camera means (A) along said vertical pathway, said control means also including first cooperative switch means for controlling operation of said camera means (A) to allow detection of said infrared signals at least when said camera means (A) is stationary relative to said vessel at each of said viewing stations;

D. recording circuit means also fixedly positioned relative to said vessel, but electrically connected to said camera means (A) for recording said electrical signals generated by said camera means (A) due to the detection of infrared energy emitted from said plurality of stud means of said vessel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said plurality of metallic stud lie in a series of vertically extending, cyclically repeating 5-spot patterns, each pattern positioned on a common curved arcuate section whose axis of formation is common to the axis of symmetry of said vessel.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said plurality of metallic stud means lie in a series of vertically extending, cyclically repeating sinusoidal patterns, each pattern positioned on a common curved arcuate section whose axis of formation is common to the axis of symmetry of said vessel.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said motion allowance means (2) is further characterized by rail means attached to the earth and extending vertically along said vertical pathway offset from said stud means, H-frame support movably mounted on said rail means to which said camera means (1) is fixedly mounted, reversible drive means permanently affixed to said H-frame support means but movably positioned relative to said rail means, said drive means being in circuit with said control means (3) through a second switch means so as to control rectilinear travel of said camera means (1) and said H-frame support means between said series of viewing stations in sequence, along said vertical pathway as well as to reverse rectilinear travel of said camera means (1) and said H-frame support means after said camera means (1) has been located at a last-of-scan station and to return said camera means (1) to a first-of-scan station, where reinitiation of the scanning cycle can occur, if desired.