Chemical processing vessel, and, method for chemical processing

Description

/ 21 CHEMICAL PROCESSING VESSEL, AND METHOD FOR CHEMICAL PROCESSING CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS

[001] This application claims the benefit of US provisional patent application serial number 63 / 497,312, filed April 20, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. FIELD

[002] The modalities described here generally refer to chemical processing and, more particularly, to equipment used in chemical processing. BACKGROUND

[003] Fluidized bed reactors are widely used in various industrial applications for chemical reactions. They have been applied in areas such as petrochemical, chemical, and power generation industries for over a century. In fluidized bed reactors, a fluid such as air or another gas is passed through a bed of solid particles, which are suspended and caused to behave like a fluid by the flow of the fluidizing medium. Due to their prominence in industry, improved fluidized bed reactors are desired. SUMMARY

[004] As described herein, some chemical processing vessels, such as those operating as fluidized bed reactors, include internal mechanical parts. For example, a wide variety of internal structures (sometimes simply called internal parts in the industry) are used in various industrial vessels that act as fluidized bed reactors. These include, without limitation, reticles that help normalize the flow of fluidized particulate by breaking bubbles. Such internal structures can be relatively heavy and may need to be mechanically supported by support beams (e.g., I-beams). In Petition 870250093088, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 13 / 40 / 21. In relatively large processing vessels, where support beams can be relatively large, it has been presently discovered that the support beams can impede the radial mixing of fluidized particles, such as particulate solid catalysts, and negatively affect the gas / solid contact regime. Support beams that include a plurality of openings are disclosed in the present invention. According to embodiments, the fluidized particles may be able to pass through the openings, which may mitigate the poor radial mixing caused by the presence of the support beams.

[005] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a chemical processing vessel may include side walls that define a main internal space, an internal structure positioned within the main internal space, and a support beam positioned within the main internal space that may include a substantially vertical height dimension and a substantially horizontal length dimension. Each of the opposite ends of the support beam in the substantially horizontal length dimension may be positioned on, or near, the side walls, and the support beam may support the internal structure. The support beam may include a substantially vertical surface portion situated in a plane including the substantially vertical height dimension.The substantially vertical surface portion may include a plurality of openings across the width of the supporting beam, defining an open area in the substantially vertical surface portion, and the open area in the substantially vertical surface portion may comprise from 30% to 95% of the substantially vertical surface portion.

[006] According to one or more additional embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for chemical processing may include bringing a reagent into contact with fluidized particles in a chemical processing vessel. The fluidized particles may be in a fluidized bed flow regime. The chemical processing vessel may include Petition 870250093088, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 14 / 40 / 21 side walls defining a main interior space, an interior structure positioned within the main interior space, and a support beam positioned within the main interior space that may include a substantially vertical height dimension and a substantially horizontal length dimension. Each of the opposite ends of the support beam in the substantially horizontal length dimension may be positioned on, or near, the side walls, and the support beam may support the interior structure. The support beam may include a substantially vertical surface portion situated in a plane including the substantially vertical height dimension.The substantially vertical surface portion may include a plurality of openings across the width of the supporting beam, defining an open area in the substantially vertical surface portion, and the open area in the substantially vertical surface portion may comprise from 30% to 95% of the substantially vertical surface portion.

[007] These and other features, and the characteristics of the present technology, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure and the combination of parts and manufacturing economies, will become more evident upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form part of this descriptive report, wherein similar reference numbers designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It should be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustrative and descriptive purposes only and are not intended to be a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the descriptive report and claims, the singular forms a, an, and include the plural forms, unless the context clearly directs otherwise. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[008] The following detailed description of specific modalities of Petition 870250093088, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 15 / 40 / 21. This disclosure can be better understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, in which a similar structure is indicated with similar reference numbers and in which: Figure 1 illustrates a front cross-sectional view of a chemical processing vessel, according to one or more embodiments illustrated and described herein; Figure 2A represents an isometric view of an internal structure that includes a second plurality of square openings, according to one or more embodiments illustrated and described in the present invention; Figure 2B represents an isometric view of an internal structure that includes a second plurality of diamond openings, according to one or more embodiments illustrated and described in the present invention; Figure 3 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the chemical processing vessel of Figure 1, according to one or more embodiments illustrated and described herein; and Figure 4 illustrates a support beam, according to one or more embodiments illustrated and described herein.

[009] It should be understood that the Figures are schematic in nature and do not include certain components of a fluid catalytic reactor system commonly employed in the art, such as, without limitation, temperature transmitters, pressure transmitters, flow meters, pumps, valves and the like. It would be known that these components are within the spirit and scope of the present embodiments disclosed. However, operational components, such as those described in the present disclosure, may be added to the embodiments described in this disclosure.

[0010] Now, more detailed reference will be made to various modalities, some of which are illustrated in the attached drawings. Whenever possible, the same numerical references will be used. Petition 870250093088, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 16 / 40 / 21 in all drawings to refer to the same parts or similar parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The embodiments described in this document are generally directed to chemical processing vessels and methods for their use. The chemical processing vessels described in the present invention include support beams that act to support internal structures such as, for example, reticles. As described herein, the support beams include openings through which gases and fluidized particles can pass while the chemical processing vessel operates under a fluidized bed flow regime.

[0012] Now with reference to Figure 1, an embodiment of a chemical processing vessel 100 is schematically represented in a cross-sectional view. Figure 3 further represents a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1, but from an angle perpendicular to that of Figure 1. This embodiment is only one embodiment contemplated, and it should be understood that those skilled in the art may generalize the teachings with respect to Figure 1, and various modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described in Figure 1.

[0013] The chemical processing vessel 100 of Figure 1 includes side walls 102, and the side walls 102 define a main internal space 104. An internal structure 106 is positioned within the main internal space 104. A support beam 108 is also placed within the main internal space 104 and includes a substantially vertical height dimension 110 and a substantially horizontal length dimension 112. Each of the opposite ends 114 of the support beam 108 on the substantially horizontal length dimension 112 is coupled to the side walls 102. The support beam 108 supports the internal structure 106. The support beam 108 includes a surface portion Petition 870250093088, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 17 / 40 / 21 substantially vertical 116 situated in a plane that includes the substantially vertical height dimension 110. The substantially vertical surface portion 116 includes a plurality of openings 118 through a width 109 of the supporting beam 108 defining an open area 119 in the substantially vertical surface portion 116. In one or more embodiments, the open area 119 in the substantially vertical surface portion 116 may comprise from 30% to 95% of the substantially vertical surface portion 116.

[0014] As described herein, it should be understood that substantially vertical and substantially horizontal should include directions or planes that are not completely vertical or horizontal, such as directions or planes 1 degree, 2 degrees, 3 degrees, 4 degrees, or even 5 degrees off from horizontal or vertical.

[0015] The chemical processing vessel 100 includes side walls 102 that define the main internal space 104. The side walls 102 that form the chemical processing vessel 100 can be side walls of a vessel, drum, barrel, vat, or any other container suitable for a given chemical reaction, so that the chemical processing vessel 100 can be of any of these geometric configurations. As described in more detail in the present invention, the chemical processing vessel 100 can operate as a fluidized bed reactor. The side walls 102 can be made of metal or any other material suitable to withstand temperatures up to, for example, 925 °C within the main internal space 104, and can optionally be lined with refractory materials for heat management. Various components can be positioned within the main internal space 104, as described herein.

[0016] The internal structure 106 is positioned within the main internal space 104. Although Figures 1 and 3 represent modalities of Petition 870250093088, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 18 / 40 / 21. Regarding the reticulated tray as the internal structure 106, the shape and size of the internal structure are not necessarily limited. Other internal structures may include distributors, liquid injectors, separators, other injection ports, or any other device that may be desired to be placed in a reactor for any purpose.

[0017] Referring again to Figure 1, the internal structure 106, as a reticulated tray 120, may substantially be situated in the horizontal plane. The substantially horizontal plane is defined by the geometric xy axes of Figure 1. The internal structure 106 may function to break up a plurality of fluidized gas bubbles flowing in a vertical direction defined by the geometric z axis by allowing restricted fluid passage. The internal structure 106 may function to redistribute a flow of the plurality of fluidized gas bubbles to prevent short-circuiting of the fluidized bed. The internal structure 106 may also reduce back-mixing of a catalyst emulsion phase and entrained gases in the catalyst emulsion phase. The internal structure may be made of metal or any other suitable material capable of withstanding reaction temperatures within the main internal space 104 of the chemical processing vessel 100.In some embodiments, a plurality of internal structures 106 is positioned along multiple vertical elevations along the z-axis; the plurality of internal structures 106 may be vertically spaced with a separation distance of 2 feet to 6 feet. As such, there may be one, two, three, four, or more layers of internal structures 106 positioned along multiple vertical elevations along the z-axis.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the internal structure 106 may include a reticulated tray 120. Examples of reticulated trays 120 are illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B. The reticulated tray 120 may include a second plurality of openings 136. The second plurality of openings 136 may be through a substantially horizontal surface portion of the Petition 870250093088, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 19 / 40 / 21 reticulated tray 120 in the substantially horizontal plane, defined by the geometric xy axes of Figure 2. The second plurality of openings 136 may include from 30% to 95% of the horizontal surface portion of the reticulated tray 120. The second plurality of openings 136 may constitute a square, rectangular, hexagonal, alveolar or any other suitable pattern. As an exemplary embodiment, Figure 2A represents a second plurality of square openings 136a and Figure 2B represents a second plurality of diamond openings 136b.The second plurality of openings 136 may be from 0.5 inches to 10 inches wide or in diameter, or from 1 inch to 4 inches wide or in diameter, such that the second plurality of openings 136 is smaller in width or diameter than the plurality of fluidized gas bubbles; thus, the second plurality of openings 136 may break the plurality of fluidized gas bubbles flowing in the vertical direction defined by the geometric axis z in Figure 2. The internal structure 106, like the reticulated tray 120, is supported by the support beam 108.

[0019] Referring again to Figure 1, the support beam 108 is positioned within the main internal space 104 of the chemical processing vessel 100. The support beam 108 includes the substantially vertical height dimension 110 and the substantially horizontal length dimension 112. The substantially vertical height dimension 110 is along the geometric z-axis of Figure 1, while the substantially horizontal length dimension 112 is along the geometric x-axis of Figure 1. The substantially vertical height dimension 110 can be from 4 inches to 12 feet high, or from 0.75 feet to 4 feet high. The substantially horizontal length dimension 112 can be from 2 feet to 100 feet, or from 10 feet to 50 feet long. The support beam 108 includes opposite ends 114 on the substantially horizontal length dimension 112.

[0020] The opposite ends 114 of the support beam 108 in Petition 870250093088, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 20 / 40 / 21 substantially horizontal length dimension 112 may be positioned on or near the side walls 102. For example, each opposite end 114 may be coupled to the side walls 102 by means of beam support brackets 134. As described herein, the coupling of support beams 134 to side walls 102 need not include direct contact between the support beams 134 and the side walls 102. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the beam support brackets 134, which may hold and / or support the support beam 134, may be directly coupled to the side walls 102 by means of welding, bolting or any other suitable means of coupling. As shown in Figure 1, the opposite ends 114 can be coupled to the side walls 102 via the beam support brackets 134. The opposite ends 114 of the support beam 108 can rest on the beam support brackets 134.The opposite ends 114 may rest freely on the beam support posts 134 or may be welded, bolted, or otherwise coupled to the beam support posts 134. The beam support posts 134 may include slots to which the opposite ends 114 may be bolted; this connection may allow the support beam 108 to thermally expand when heated and the opposite ends 114 may slide within the slots. In some embodiments, the beam support posts 134 may point upwards and downwards in a mirror-like manner. The upward and downward orientation of the beam support posts 134 allows the beam support posts 134 to support the support beams 108 at varying vertical elevations without the beam support posts 134 interfering with each other.

[0021] Now with reference to Figures 1 and 3, the support beam 108 can be an I-beam 128. The I-beam 128 includes an upper flange 127, a lower flange 129 and a sleeve 131, such that the upper flange 127 and the lower flange 129 provide resistance against bending. Petition 870250093088, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 21 / 40 / 21 or buckling. The I-beam 128 can be made of structural steel, aluminum, or any other suitable material.

[0022] The internal structure 106 can extend from one side wall 102 to another side wall 102 and can be contoured into shape for the arrangement of the side walls 102. Without the use of support beams 108, the internal structure 106 may flex under the weight of the internal structure 106 when extending between the side walls 102, or may not be able to be supported with perimeter fixings directly to the side walls 102. Thus, to prevent deformation of the internal structure 106, the support beam 108 supports the internal structure 106. The support beam 108 can support the internal structure 106 in various ways. In some embodiments, the internal structure 106 may rest on the lower flange 129 between each layer 131 of the support beams 108, as shown in Figure 3. In other embodiments, the internal structure 106 may rest on the upper flange 127, as shown in Figure 1.In some embodiments, there may be two or more internal structures 106 supported by the support beam 108, such that the internal structures 106 are positioned along multiple vertical elevations along the z-axis of the support beam 108. The support beam 108 may also function to break up the plurality of fluidized gas bubbles flowing in the vertical direction defined by the geometric z-axis.

[0023] Referring again to Figure 3, the internal structure 106 can rest freely on the lower flange 129, so that the internal structure 106 can translate horizontally (along the geometric x and y axes of Figure 3) or vertically (along the geometric z axis of Figure 3). In other embodiments, the internal structure 106 can rest freely on the lower flange 129, but be restricted from translating vertically by a plurality of retaining pins 133. The plurality of retaining pins 133 can extend from the blanket 131, so that the plurality of retaining pins 133 are above the internal structure 106 in Petition 870250093088, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 22 / 40 / 21 direction of the geometric z-axis. The plurality of retaining pins 133 may allow some vertical translation of the internal structure 106, such that the plurality of retaining pins 133 are not immediately above the internal structure 106. In other embodiments, the plurality of retaining pins 133 are immediately above the internal structure 106, such that the internal structure 106 is restrained from any vertical translation. In other embodiments, the internal structure 106 is coupled to the support beam 108 at the lower flange 129, the frame 131, or the upper flange 127. In some embodiments, there may be multiple layers of the internal structure 106 in the support beam 108, so that the internal structure 106 may be at the lower flange 129, the frame 131, and the upper flange 127. The internal structure 106 may be coupled to the support beam 108 by welding, bolting, or any other suitable coupling means.

[0024] The substantially vertical height dimension 110 of the support beam 108 may be uniform along the entire substantially horizontal length dimension 112, as shown in Figure 1. In other embodiments, the substantially vertical height dimension 110 of the support beam 108 at a midpoint 122 of the substantially horizontal length dimension 112 is greater than the substantially vertical height dimension 110 of the opposite ends 114 of the support beam 108, as shown in Figure 4. The substantially vertical height dimension 110 between the opposite ends 114 and the midpoint 122 may have a uniform slope throughout. In other embodiments, the substantially vertical height dimension 110 between the opposite ends 114 and the midpoint 122 may be convex, so that the vertical height dimension 110 does not have a uniform slope throughout.

[0025] Referring again to Figure 1, the support beam 108 includes the substantially vertical surface portion 116 situated in the plane Petition 870250093088, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 23 / 40 / 21, which includes the substantially vertical height dimension 110. The plane that includes the substantially vertical height dimension 110 is defined by the geometric xz axes in Figure 1. The substantially vertical surface portion 116 includes the plurality of openings 118 through the width 109 of the support beam 108 (shown in Figure 3). The plurality of openings 118 defines the open area 119 in the substantially vertical surface portion 116. The open area 119 in the substantially vertical surface portion 116 includes from 30% to 95% of the substantially vertical surface portion 116.For example, the open area 119 in the substantially vertical surface portion 116 may comprise 30% to 35%, 35% to 40%, 40% to 45%, 45% to 50%, 50% to 55%, 55% to 60%, 60% to 65%, 65% to 70%, 70% to 75%, 75% to 80%, 80% to 85%, 85% to 90%, 90% to 95%, or any combination of these ranges, of the substantially vertical surface portion 116. In some embodiments, the open area 119 in the substantially vertical surface portion 116 includes 40% to 85% of the substantially vertical surface portion 116. Without being limited by theory, it is believed that more space While open space may be good for mitigating radial fluid flow reduction, smaller amounts of open space may be needed to maintain mechanical integrity.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, in some embodiments, the plurality of openings 118 can be arranged so that the open area 119 in the substantially vertical surface portion 116 includes a truss beam. The truss beam may include a plurality of cross members 124. The plurality of cross members 124 includes the frame 131; the plurality of cross members 124 connects the upper flange 127 and the lower flange 129. The plurality of cross members 124 in the truss beam may be vertical (on the geometric z-axis), horizontal (on the geometric x-axis), or angled diagonally. The plurality of cross members 124 may define various shapes in the plurality of openings 118. By Petition 870250093088, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 24 / 40 / 21 example, in Figure 4, the plurality of cross members 124 can alternate in a vertical and diagonal pattern, resulting in triangular openings 118. The plurality of cross members 124 can also be arranged in other configurations, resulting in other shapes in the plurality of openings 118. The plurality of cross members 124 can also be arranged to include other beam structures, such as an open blanket beam, truss beam, or any other suitable beam. Other patterns of open areas 119 are also contemplated in the present invention, such as regular or irregular space perforations across the width of the support beam 108.

[0027] In the absence of the plurality of openings 118, normalized fluidization can be avoided in the radial direction (along the geometric x and y axes).The plurality of openings 118 that define the open area 119 in the substantially vertical surface portion 116 stimulates the mixing of a catalyst across the width 109 of the support beam 108 in the radial direction. The plurality of openings 118 allows the catalyst to flow and / or mix in the radial direction, while the plurality of cross members 124 provides mechanical support to the support beam 108 and thus to the internal structure 106. Radial mixing of the catalyst can increase gas-solid contact and thus increase the reaction rate between the gas and the solid. Radial mixing of the catalyst can also decrease a temperature gradient between the side walls 102. Radial mixing of the catalyst can also provide uniform temperatures throughout the chemical processing vessel 100.

[0028] The chemical processing vessel 100 may additionally comprise a second support beam 111 in the main internal space 104, or a plurality of support beams 108 in the main internal space 104. The second support beam 111 also supports the internal structure 106. As mentioned earlier in this document, the internal structure 106 may be supported in the same manner by the second support beam 111 thus Petition 870250093088, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 25 / 40 / 21 as with the support beam 108 resting on the lower flange 129 between the blankets 131 or resting on the upper flange 127. Any number of support beams 108 is contemplated in the present invention.

[0029] Support beam 108 may be at a first substantially vertical elevation 130 and the second support beam 111 may be at a second substantially vertical elevation 132. The first substantially vertical elevation 130 and the second substantially vertical elevation 132 are at different vertical elevations (different points along the geometric z-axis). The first substantially vertical elevation 130 and the second substantially vertical elevation 132 may be spaced at various vertical elevations, for example, from 2 feet to 6 feet apart. In some embodiments, the shorter the substantially horizontal length dimension 112 between the opposite ends 114 of support beam 108 and the second support beam 111, the less the first substantially vertical elevation 130 and the second substantially vertical elevation 132 will be spaced.In other embodiments, the plurality of support beams 108 can be positioned at a plurality of substantially vertical elevations.

[0030] The support beam 108 and the second support beam 111 may be substantially parallel, such that the support beam 108 and the second support beam 111 are equidistant from each other along the substantially horizontal length dimension 112 or the substantially vertical height dimension 110. The plurality of openings 118 of the support beam 108 and the second support beam 111 may be aligned. In other embodiments, the support beam 108 at the first substantially vertical elevation 130 is not substantially parallel to the second support beam 111 at the second substantially vertical elevation 132. In embodiments where the support beam 108 and the second support beam 111 are not substantially parallel, the support beam 108 and the second support beam Petition 870250093088, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page. 26 / 40 / 21 support 111 may be at an angle in the range of 30 degrees to 150 degrees to each other in the horizontal plane defined by the geometric xy axes of Figure 3.

[0031] With reference to Figure 3, the support beam 108 and the second support beam 111 may be coupled by a mechanical restraint 126. The mechanical restraint 126 may also couple a plurality of support beams 108. The mechanical restraint 126 may couple a plurality of support beams 108 in the first substantially vertical elevation 130, a plurality of support beams 108 in the second substantially vertical elevation 132, or a plurality of support beams 108 in the first substantially vertical elevation 130 to a plurality of support beams 108 in the second substantially vertical elevation 132. In some embodiments, the mechanical restraint 126 may mechanically couple the support beams 108 by means of welding, bolting or any other suitable fastenings.However, these embodiments may result in buckling of the support beams 108 due to thermal expansion of the mechanical restraint 126. Thus, the mechanical restraint 126 can be coupled to the support beams 108 via a sliding joint, so that the mechanical restraint 126 can slide along the support beams 108 and prevent buckling due to thermal expansion of the mechanical restraint 126. In embodiments, the mechanical restraint 126 provides structural support to the support beams 108 to prevent the support beams 108 from tipping over or buckling. The mechanical restraint 126 also maintains the alignment of the plurality of openings 118 between substantially parallel support beams 108 when the plurality of support beams 108 is heated.

[0032] In some embodiments, the plurality of support beams 108 may include an opening, such that the mechanical restraint 126 extends through the opening and slides couples to the plurality of support beams 108. The mechanical restraint 126 may include a steel cable, an I-beam, or any other suitable mechanical restraint. Petition 870250093088, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 27 / 40 / 21

[0033] Additional embodiments disclosed in the present invention relate to methods for chemical processing that utilize the chemical processing vessels presently disclosed. The methods may include contacting a reagent with fluidized particles in the chemical processing vessel. As described in this document, the fluidized particles may comprise a fluidized bed flow regime.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, based on the shape, size, gas flows, and other processing conditions (such as temperature and pressure) in the chemical processing vessel 100, the chemical processing vessel 100 can operate as a fluidized bed, referred to in the present invention as a fluidized bed flow regime. As understood by those skilled in the art, the fluidized bed flow regime generally occurs when a solid particulate substance is under the correct conditions so as to behave as a fluid. The usual way to obtain a fluidized bed is to pump pressurized fluid onto the particles. According to various embodiments, the fluidized bed regime can be classified as fast fluidization, turbulent fluidization, or bubbling bed fluidization.As described herein, a fast fluidized reactor may refer to a reactor using a fluidization regime in which the superficial velocity of the gas phase is greater than the throttling velocity and may be semi-dense in operation. As described herein, a turbulent reactor may refer to a fluidization regime in which the superficial velocity is less than the throttling velocity and is denser than the fast fluidized regime. As described herein, a bubbling bed reactor may refer to a fluidization regime in which well-defined bubbles in a highly dense bed are present in two distinct phases. The throttling velocity refers to the minimum velocity required to maintain solids in dilute phase mode in a vertical conveyor line.

[0035] According to modalities, fluidized particles can Petition 870250093088, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 28 / 40 / 21 pass through open area 119 in the substantially vertical surface portion 116 of support beam 108. As described herein, the existence of open area 119 may mitigate the poor distribution and poor flow of fluidized particles.

[0036] It is contemplated in the present invention that the fluidized particulates can be solid catalysts or non-catalytic solids such as, for example, materials capable of transporting oxygen. In non-limiting examples, the chemical processing vessel 100 described herein can be used to produce light olefins from hydrocarbon feed streams. Light olefins can be produced from a variety of hydrocarbon feed streams using different reaction mechanisms. For example, light olefins can be produced at least by dehydrogenation reactions, cracking reactions, dehydration reactions and methanol-to-olefin reactions. These reaction types can utilize different feed streams and different catalytic particulate solids to produce light olefins.

[0037] In some embodiments, the fluidized particulate may exhibit properties known in the industry, such as Geldart A or Geldart B properties. Solids may be classified as Group A or Group B according to D. Geldart, Gas Fluidization Technology, John Wiley and Sons (New York, 1986), 34 to 37; and D. Geldart, Types of Gas Fluidization, Powder Technol. 7 (1973) 285 to 292, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0038] Group A is understood by those skilled in the art to represent an aerable powder having a bubble-free fluidization range; a high bed expansion; a slow and linear deaeration rate; bubble properties that may include a predominance of splitting / recoalescence bubbles, with a large maximum bubble size and trail; high Petition 870250093088, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 29 / 40 / 21 levels of solids mixing and gas backmixing, assuming equal U-Umf (U is the carrier gas velocity and Umf is the minimum fluidization velocity, typically, though not necessarily measured in meters per second, m / s, i.e., there is excess gas velocity); aximetric slugging properties; and no spillage, except in very shallow beds. The listed properties tend to improve as the average particle size decreases, assuming equal particle size (cfp); or as the proportion of < 45 micrometers (gm) is increased; or as gas pressure, temperature, viscosity, and density increase.In general, the particles may exhibit a small average particle size and / or low particle density (< 1.4 grams per cubic centimeter, g / cm3), fluidize easily with smooth fluidization at low gas velocities, and may exhibit controlled bubbling with small bubbles at higher gas velocities.

[0039] Group B is understood by those skilled in the art to represent a sand-like powder that begins to bubble at Umf; exhibiting moderate bed expansion; rapid deaeration; no limit to bubble size; moderate levels of solids mixing and gas backmixing, assuming equal U-Umf; axisymmetric and asymmetric slugs; and gushing only in shallow beds. These properties tend to improve as the average particle size decreases, but the particle size distribution and, with some uncertainty, the pressure, temperature, viscosity, or density of the gas, seem to do little to improve them. In general, most particles have a particle size (cfp) of 40 μm < cfp < 500 μm when the density (pp) is 1.4 < pp < 4 g / cm3, and 60 μm < cfp < 500 μm when the density (pp) is 4 g / cm3 and 250 μm < cfp < 100 μm when the density (pp) is 1 g / cm3.

[0040] The present revelation includes several aspects. According to a first aspect of the present revelation, a processing vessel Petition 870250093088, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 30 / 40 / 21 chemical comprises side walls that define a main internal space; an internal structure positioned within the main internal space; a support beam positioned within the main internal space and comprising a substantially vertical height dimension and a substantially horizontal length dimension, wherein: each of the opposite ends of the support beam in the substantially horizontal length dimension is positioned on, or near, the side walls; the support beam supports the internal structure; the support beam comprises a substantially vertical surface portion situated in a plane comprising the substantially vertical height dimension; the substantially vertical surface portion comprises a plurality of openings across a width of the support beam defining an open area in the substantially vertical surface portion;and the open area in the substantially vertical surface portion comprises from 30% to 95% of the substantially vertical surface portion.

[0041] A second aspect of the present disclosure may include the first aspect, with the open area in the substantially vertical surface portion comprising from 40% to 85% of the substantially vertical surface portion.

[0042] A third aspect of the present disclosure may include any previous aspect or combination of aspects, wherein the internal structure comprises a reticulated tray.

[0043] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure may include any previous aspect or combination of aspects, wherein the substantially vertical height dimension of the support beam at a midpoint of the substantially horizontal length dimension is greater than the substantially vertical height dimension of the opposite ends of the support beam.

[0044] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure may include any previous aspect or combination of aspects, wherein the supporting beam Petition 870250093088, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 31 / 40 / 21, includes a truss beam.

[0045] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure may include any previous aspect or combination of aspects, further comprising a second support beam positioned within the main internal space, the second support beam supporting the internal structure.

[0046] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure may include the sixth aspect, wherein the support beam and the second support beam are coupled by a mechanical restraint.

[0047] An eighth aspect of the present revelation may include the sixth aspect, the seventh aspect, or a combination thereof, wherein the supporting beam and the second supporting beam are substantially parallel.

[0048] A ninth aspect of the present disclosure may include any of the sixth through eighth aspects, wherein the supporting beam is at a first substantially vertical elevation and the second supporting beam is at a second substantially vertical elevation, wherein the first substantially vertical elevation and the second substantially vertical elevation are at different vertical elevations.

[0049] A tenth aspect of the present disclosure may include the ninth aspect, in that the support beam in the first substantially vertical elevation is not substantially parallel to the second support beam in the second substantially vertical elevation.

[0050] An eleventh aspect of the present disclosure may include a method for chemical processing, wherein the method comprises: placing a reagent in contact with fluidized particles in the chemical processing vessel of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the fluidized particles comprise a fluidized bed flow regime.

[0051] A twelfth aspect of the present disclosure may include the eleventh aspect, wherein the fluidized bed flow regime is chosen from fast fluidized flow, turbulent flow or Petition 870250093088, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, page 32 / 40 / 21 fluidization in a bubbling bed.

[0052] A thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure may include the eleventh aspect, the twelfth aspect, or a combination thereof, wherein the fluidized particles pass through the open area in the substantially vertical surface portion of the support beam.

[0053] A fourteenth aspect of the present revelation may include any of the eleventh through thirteenth aspects, in which fluidized particles are catalysts.

[0054] A fifteenth aspect of the present revelation may include any of the eleventh through fourteenth aspects, in which the fluidized particles are classified as Geldart A or Geldart B.

[0055] The subject matter of the present disclosure has been described in detail and by reference to specific embodiments. It should be understood that any detailed description of a component or feature of an embodiment does not necessarily imply that the component or feature is essential to the specific embodiment or to any other embodiment. Furthermore, it should be evident to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter claimed.

[0056] It should be mentioned that one or more of the following claims use the term "being that" as a transitional expression. For the purposes of defining the present invention, it should be mentioned that this term is introduced in the claims as an unlimited transitional phrase that is used to introduce a citation of a series of features of the structure and should be interpreted in a manner similar to the more commonly used preamble term "comprising, not limited to". Petition 870250093088, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, pp. 33 / 40

Claims

1 / 3 CLAIMS 1. Chemical processing vessel, characterized in that it comprises: side walls defining a main internal space; an internal structure positioned within the main internal space; a support beam positioned within the main internal space and comprising a substantially vertical height dimension and a substantially horizontal length dimension, wherein: each of the opposite ends of the support beam in the substantially horizontal length dimension is positioned on, or near, the side walls; the support beam supports the internal structure; the support beam comprises a substantially vertical surface portion situated in a plane comprising the substantially vertical height dimension;The substantially vertical surface portion comprises a plurality of openings across the width of the supporting beam defining an open area in the substantially vertical surface portion; and the open area in the substantially vertical surface portion comprises from 30% to 95% of the substantially vertical surface portion.

2. Chemical processing vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that the open area in the substantially vertical surface portion comprises from 40% to 85% of the substantially vertical surface portion.

3. Chemical processing vessel according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal structure comprises a reticulated tray.

4. Chemical processing vessel according to any previous claim, characterized in that the substantially vertical height dimension of the support beam at a midpoint of the substantially horizontal length dimension is greater than the substantially vertical height dimension of the opposite ends of the support beam.

5. Chemical processing vessel according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support beam comprises a truss beam.

6. Chemical processing vessel according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a second support beam positioned within the main internal space, wherein the second support beam supports the internal structure.

7. Chemical processing vessel according to claim 6, characterized in that the support beam and the second support beam are coupled by a mechanical restraint.

8. Chemical processing vessel according to any one of claims 6 to 7, characterized in that the support beam and the second support beam are substantially parallel.

9. Chemical processing vessel according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the support beam is at a first substantially vertical elevation and the second support beam is at a second substantially vertical elevation, wherein the first substantially vertical elevation and the second substantially vertical elevation are at different vertical elevations.

10. Chemical processing vessel according to claim 9, characterized in that the support beam in the first substantially vertical elevation is not substantially parallel to the second support beam in the second substantially vertical elevation. Petition 870250093088, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, p. 35 / 40 3 / 3 11. A method for chemical processing, the method being characterized in that it comprises: placing a reagent in contact with fluidized particles in a chemical processing vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the fluidized particles comprise a fluidized bed flow regime.

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the fluidized bed flow regime is chosen from fast fluidized flow, turbulent flow or bubbling bed fluidization.

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the fluidized particles pass through the open area in the substantially vertical surface portion of the support beam.

14. Method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the fluidized particles are catalysts.

15. Method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the fluidized particles are classified as Geldart A or Geldart B. Petition 870250093088, dated 10 / 10 / 2025, pp. 36 / 40

Images