Distributor for fluidized bed

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for distributing a light fluid phase (2) in a heavy fluid phase (4) in a reaction chamber (5), comprising: a conduit (1) for transporting the light fluid phase, the conduit comprising a lower end and an upper end; a first window (7) and a second window (8) pierced in the wall of the pipe close to the upper end; and a distributor (3) comprising: radial branches (9) connected to each second window on a branch axis (A) perpendicular to the axis of symmetry (Z) of the upper end towards a peripheral branch end (24), the underneath of these radial branches being open; a first jet breaker (6) provided at the upper end and extending around the upper end; and a second jet breaker (12) disposed adjacent to and facing the peripheral branch end.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification contributes to the improvement of the design of distributors for distributing a first fluid (usually a light fluid) in a reactor containing a second fluid (usually a dense fluid). In the context of a fluidized bed, the first fluid being distributed is a gas phase, gas-solid phase, gas-liquid phase, liquid phase, or liquid-solid phase, and the second fluid is the fluidized bed itself, i.e., a suspension of solid particles (e.g., catalyst or solid adsorbent) dispersed in a gas and / or liquid.

[0002] In the case where the reactor includes a fluidized bed such that the fluidized bed contains a solid phase (which may or may not be catalytic) maintained in a pseudo-fluid state by passing a gaseous or liquid fluid, gas-liquid mixture, or pseudo-fluid composed of a gas and / or liquid containing suspended particles, distribution has the fundamental role of maintaining the fluidization of the solids in the reactor while ensuring proper mixing of all phases, thus making it possible to have good uniformity of the various products within the fluidized bed.

[0003] Therefore, it is crucial to ensure good distribution of the fluid phases when they enter the reactor. This is even more important in the case of a chemical reaction occurring in a fluidized bed, as any bypasses, dead zones, and parasitic reactions that are harmful to the process are sought to be avoided.

[0004] The present invention is an improvement over known existing distributors, in particular the distributor described in patent FR3065886, which can be used in various types of processes involving fluidized beds. Some non-exhaustive examples of applications are fluid catalytic cracking (FCC), chemical looping combustion (CLC), and ebullated bed hydroconversion of residue oils. Background Art

[0005] Patent US5156817 describes a distributor provided with a plurality of distribution arms, the cross-section of the plurality of distribution arms being triangular, and the lower edges of the plurality of distribution arms being serrated.

[0006] Patent US6221318 describes a distributor provided with a plurality of distribution arms having different ends.

[0007] Patent FR3006607 describes a distributor for distributing a light phase in a dense phase, the distributor including deflection means provided on the outer surface of a cover.

[0008] Patent FR3065886 describes a distributor for distributing a light phase in a dense phase, the distributor including a window extending through a branch perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the reaction chamber.

[0009] Patent FR3082125 describes a distributor for distributing a light phase in a dense phase, which distributor includes a window and is divided into three passageways.

[0010] Patent US11266923 describes a distributor for distributing a light phase in a dense phase, which distributor includes a distribution arm pierced with holes extending radially outward from the head. Summary of the Invention

[0011] In the context described above, a first object of the present invention is to provide a distribution device so as to achieve better distribution of a first fluid phase (i.e., the light phase) in a reaction chamber containing a second fluid phase (i.e., the heavy phase or the dense phase), which second fluid phase has a density greater than that of the light fluid phase to be distributed. This density difference may be due to the volume fraction of solids, or due to the fact that the liquid volume fraction of the phase to be injected is less than the liquid volume fraction of the phases contained in the volume in which the phases are to be mixed. In particular, the present invention relates to a distribution device which enables improvement of the mixing between the phases, and in particular enables improvement of the good distribution of the two phases along the cross-section of the reaction chamber and especially along the walls of the reaction chamber. The present invention also relates to a distribution device for achieving better reaction performance.

[0012] According to a first aspect, the above-mentioned object together with other advantages is achieved by means of a distribution device which is adapted to distribute a light fluid phase within a heavy fluid phase, for example adapted to distribute a light fluid phase in a reaction chamber containing said heavy fluid phase (e.g., in a fluidized state), the distribution device comprising:

[0013] - a pipe for transporting the light fluid phase (e.g., a vertical pipe), which pipe includes a lower end portion and an upper end portion;

[0014] - a first window and a second window which are pierced in the wall of the pipe near the upper end portion of the pipe; and

[0015] - a distributor,

[0016] wherein the distributor comprises:

[0017] - radial branches which are connected to each second window along a branch axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the upper end portion of the pipe towards the peripheral branch ends, and the lower sides of these radial branches are open;

[0018] - a first jet breaker provided at the upper end portion of the pipe, which first jet breaker extends around the upper end portion of the pipe; and

[0019] - a second jet breaker which is provided near the peripheral branch ends and faces the peripheral branch ends.

[0020] According to one or more embodiments, the second jet breaker is a solid plate or a plate provided with orifices, and is substantially perpendicular to the branch axis.

[0021] According to one or more embodiments, each radial branch includes a lateral wall and an upper wall, and the second jet breaker is fastened to at least one of the lateral walls and the upper wall by means of at least one attachment element.

[0022] According to one or more embodiments, the second jet breaker includes an upper side portion that is connected to the upper wall of the radial branch by an extension plate.

[0023] According to one or more embodiments, the extension plate is a solid plate that is substantially parallel to the branch axis.

[0024] According to one or more embodiments, the opening in the lower surface of the radial branch extends upward to the second jet breaker.

[0025] According to one or more embodiments, the second jet breaker has a curved shape on the generatrix in a plane perpendicular to the axis of symmetry.

[0026] According to one or more embodiments, each radial branch has:

[0027] - a length e between 1×E and 6×E, and preferably between 1×E and 4×E, where E is the diameter of the pipe;

[0028] - a width f at the outer peripheral branch end between 1×c and 10×c, and preferably between 1.2×c and 6×c, where c is the width of the corresponding second window; and

[0029] - a height that is substantially equal to or greater than the height d of the corresponding second window.

[0030] According to one or more embodiments, each second jet breaker has:

[0031] - a width h between 1×f and 2×f, and preferably between 1×f and 1.5×f;

[0032] - a height g that is substantially greater than or equal to the height d of the second window 8, and the distance i between the second jet breaker and the corresponding radial branch is between 0.05×h and 0.9×h, and preferably between 0.1×h and 0.6×h.

[0033] According to one or more embodiments, the diameter E of the pipe is between 0.1 m and 8 m, preferably between 0.2 m and 6 m, and preferably between 0.4 m and 3 m.

[0034] According to one or more embodiments, the first window has a width a and a height b, and the second window has a width c and a height d, and the values a, b, c, and d satisfy at least one of the following characteristics:

[0035] - The height ratio b / a and / or the width ratio d / c are between 0.2 and 12, preferably between 1 and 10, and preferably between 2 and 8;

[0036] - The ratio of the surface area of the first window to the second window is between 0.2 and 5, preferably between 0.3 and 3, and more preferably between 0.5 and 2; and

[0037] - The ratio of the total surface area of the first window and the second window to the cross-sectional area of the pipe is between 0.5 and 4, and more preferably between 1 and 3.

[0038] According to one or more embodiments, the device includes: between 2 and 24, preferably between 3 and 12, and preferably between 3 and 8 first windows; and between 2 and 24, preferably between 3 and 12, and preferably between 3 and 8 second windows.

[0039] According to a second aspect, the above-mentioned object together with other advantages is achieved by using a reaction chamber, which includes a dispensing device according to the first aspect (as described above), that is, a dispensing device including the following:

[0040] - A pipe for transporting a light fluid phase (e.g., a vertical pipe), which includes a lower end portion and an upper end portion;

[0041] - The first window and the second window, which are pierced in the wall of the pipe near the upper end portion of the pipe; and

[0042] - A dispenser,

[0043] wherein the dispenser includes:

[0044] - Radial branches, which are connected to each second window along a branch axis substantially perpendicular to the symmetry axis of the upper end portion of the pipe towards the peripheral branch end, and the lower part of these radial branches is open;

[0045] - A first jet breaker provided at the upper end portion of the pipe, which extends around the upper end portion of the pipe; and

[0046] - A second jet breaker, which is provided near the peripheral branch end and faces the peripheral branch end.

[0047] According to one or more embodiments, the reaction chamber has a diameter D that is between 0.5 m and 50 m, preferably between 1 m and 30 m and more preferably between 2 m and 20 m. The ratio of the diameter E of the duct to the diameter D of the reaction chamber is between 0.005 and 0.9, preferably between 0.01 and 0.5 and more preferably between 0.1 and 0.3. The reaction chamber preferably includes a single distribution device, and the symmetry axis Z is centered substantially along the symmetry axis of the reaction chamber 5, for example.

[0048] According to a third aspect, the above-mentioned object together with other advantages is obtained by means of a process for catalytic cracking using a distribution device according to the first aspect (as described above) in order to, for example, regenerate the catalyst.

[0049] According to one or more embodiments, the process for catalytic cracking includes two regeneration zones, and the distribution device according to the first aspect is used, for example, to transfer the gas-catalyst mixture from the first regeneration zone to the second regeneration zone.

[0050] According to one or more embodiments, the reaction conditions in the regeneration zone are as follows:

[0051] - Temperature: between 600 °C and 815 °C;

[0052] - Pressure: between 0.1 MPag and 0.3 MPag;

[0053] - Superficial gas velocity: between 0.5 m / s and 1.5 m / s;

[0054] - FCC catalyst (silica-alumina matrix with zeolite and additives);

[0055] - Regenerator "feedstock": coked catalyst (e.g., coke consisting essentially of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulfur).

[0056] According to a fourth aspect, the above-mentioned object together with other advantages is obtained by means of a process for biomass treatment using a distribution device according to the first aspect in order to, for example, introduce a gas phase or a gas-solid suspension into a fluidized medium (e.g., into a catalytic pyrolysis reactor).

[0057] According to one or more embodiments, the reaction conditions in the catalytic pyrolysis reactor are as follows:

[0058] - Temperature: between 500 °C and 650 °C;

[0059] - Pressure: between 0.3 MPag and 0.7 MPag;

[0060] - Superficial gas velocity: between 0.3 m / s and 1.5 m / s;

[0061] -Silica-alumina matrix catalyst with additives:

[0062] -Solid raw material: biomass.

[0063] According to the fifth aspect, the above-mentioned object together with other advantages is achieved by using a process for hydrotreating and / or hydroconverting, for example, heavy petroleum fractions using a distribution device according to the first aspect, so as to introduce hydrogen, for example, into a fluidized medium containing solid particles (e.g., catalyst) and optionally a heavy hydrocarbon phase to be treated.

[0064] According to one or more embodiments, the reaction conditions of the process for hydrotreating and / or for hydroconverting are as follows:

[0065] -Temperature: between 390 °C and 460 °C;

[0066] -Pressure: between 15 MPag and 20 MPag;

[0067] -Superficial gas velocity: between 2 cm / s and 8 cm / s;

[0068] -Superficial liquid velocity: between 2 cm / s and 8 cm / s;

[0069] -H-Oil TM Catalyst (e.g., metals of Group VIB and Group VIIIB on alumina);

[0070] -Raw materials: atmospheric residue and / or vacuum residue.

[0071] The chemical elements of each group are given according to the CAS classification (CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, published by CRC Press, edited by D.R. Lide, 81st edition, 2000 - 2001). For example, Group VIIIB according to the CAS classification corresponds to the metals from columns 8, 9, and 10 according to the new IUPAC classification.

[0072] Upon reading the following description, which is given by way of non-limiting illustration only and with reference to the following drawings, the embodiments of the device and process according to the above-mentioned aspects, as well as other features and advantages, will become apparent. Description of the Drawings

[0073] Figure 1 Shows a schematic view in cross-section ZA of the distribution device according to the invention provided in the reaction chamber.

[0074] Figure 2 Shows a schematic outline of the pipes of the distribution device according to the invention (view A) and a schematic view in cross-section xy (view B).

[0075] Figure 3 Shows a schematic view in the xy cross-section of a dispensing device according to the invention provided in a reaction chamber.

[0076] Figure 4 Shows a schematic view in the xy cross-section (view A) and in the ZA cross-section (view B) of the radial branches and the second jet breaker of the dispensing device according to the invention.

[0077] Figure 5 Shows a schematic 3D view of the dispensing device according to the invention.

[0078] Figure 6 Shows a schematic 3D view of the dispensing device according to the invention having a circular shape.

[0079] Figure 7 Shows a view in the xy cross-section of the time-averaged particle volume fraction at 1 m and 2 m above a dispensing device according to the invention (views "A 1m" and "A 2m") and a dispensing device according to the prior art (views "B 1m" and "B 2m"). Detailed Description

[0080] The dispensing device according to the invention can be defined as a device for dispensing a light fluid phase within a heavy fluid phase (i.e., a fluid mixture having a density higher than that of the light fluid phase) in a reaction chamber, which reaction chamber contains said heavy fluid phase, for example in a fluidized state.

[0081] In this specification, the terms "comprising" is synonymous with "including" and "containing" (meaning the same thing), and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude other elements not stated. It will be understood that the term "comprising" encompasses the exclusive and closed term "consisting of".

[0082] The light fluid phase can be a gas phase, a gas-solid phase, a gas-liquid phase, a liquid phase, a liquid-solid phase or a gas-liquid-solid phase. According to one or more embodiments, the light fluid phase is a multiphase mixture, such as a gas-solid phase or a liquid-solid phase. According to one or more embodiments, the light fluid phase is a gas-solid phase.

[0083] According to one or more embodiments, the heavy fluid phase is a gas-solid emulsion or a three-phase gas-solid-liquid medium, such as in a process for hydrotreating petroleum fractions. According to one or more embodiments, the volumetric mass ratio between the heavy fluid phase and the light fluid phase is between 1.1 and 5000.

[0084] The dispensing device according to the present invention is particularly suitable for dispensing a light fluid phase in a fluidized bed reactor, such as a two-phase fluidized bed reactor or a three-phase ebullated bed reactor, in which a solid catalyst is fluidized by a reactive fluid mixture comprising a gas and / or a liquid. The dispensing device according to the present invention is particularly suitable for dispensing a gas-solid or gas-liquid phase at high temperature in a fluidized bed reactor. This is the case, for example, in the staged regeneration of the catalyst in the FCC R2R TM process, in which the catalyst undergoes a first regeneration step / zone in a first fluidized bed reactor and then a second regeneration step / zone in a second fluidized bed reactor, where the catalyst is dispensed from the first regeneration step / zone (e.g., a turbulent fluidized bed) to the second regeneration step / zone by means of a dispensing device.

[0085] In the context of a process for treating biomass, the dispensing device according to the present invention can be used to introduce a gas phase or a gas-solid suspension into the fluidizing medium of a biomass treatment reactor.

[0086] In the context of a process for hydrotreating (e.g., hydrotreating of petroleum fractions), the dispensing device according to the present invention can be used to introduce hydrogen into a fluidizing medium containing catalyst particles and a hydrocarbon phase to be treated.

[0087] In the context of a process for hydroconversion, the dispensing device according to the present invention is particularly suitable when the light fluid phase comprises hydrogen and when the dense fluid phase comprises petroleum residue, and is particularly suitable for implementation in an ebullated bed hydroconversion step using a three-phase fluidized bed reactor.

[0088] More generally, the dispensing device according to the present invention can be used in the following:

[0089] - FCC process reactors;

[0090] - Reactors for regenerating catalysts, such as FCC regenerators;

[0091] - Hydrotreating or hydrocracking reactors operating in upflow, where, for example, a gas-liquid or gas-solid two-phase flow is introduced at the bottom of the reaction chamber;

[0092] - "Slurry" reactors (i.e., reactors comprising a solid phase dispersed in a liquid);

[0093] - Strippers, dryers, aerators or humidifiers; and

[0094] - Catalytic pyrolysis reactors.

[0095] More specifically, with reference to Figure 1, the dispensing device according to the present invention includes a pipe 1 (also referred to as an inlet pipe), which includes a lower end portion and an upper end portion. The pipe 1 is adapted such that the upper end portion enters the lower part of a reaction chamber 5 containing a heavy fluid phase 4 (in a fluidized state), and the pipe 1 is adapted to transport the light fluid phase 2 (at a velocity V) into the fluidized bed 4 of the reaction chamber 5. According to one or more embodiments, the reaction chamber 5 is cylindrical, for example having a circular cross-section with a diameter D, and / or the pipe 1 is cylindrical, for example having a circular cross-section with a diameter E.

[0096] According to one or more embodiments, one or more dispensing devices are installed in a reaction chamber 5 having a diameter D that is between 0.5 m and 50 m, preferably between 1 m and 30 m and preferably between 2 m and 20 m. According to one or more embodiments, a single dispensing device is installed in the reaction chamber 5. According to one or more embodiments, the upper end portion of the pipe 1 has a symmetry axis Z that is substantially centered along the symmetry axis of the reaction chamber 5 (i.e., the vertical central axis). According to one or more embodiments, the dispensing device is used to dispense the light fluid phase 2 in the reaction chamber 5 below a gas injector 22, which may be in the shape of a ring. The gas injector 22 may also be composed of one or more rings or several branches and may be substantially positioned at the same height as the dispensing device or partially positioned below the dispensing device. According to one or more embodiments, the upper end portion of the pipe 1 has a symmetry axis Z that is eccentric with respect to the symmetry axis of the reaction chamber 5, for example, by supplying the reaction chamber 5 from an external exchanger known to those skilled in the art as a "catalyst cooler", which, for example, performs external cooling on the catalyst fraction contained in an FCC regenerator by exchanging with water, and which particularly results in the generation of high-pressure steam.

[0097] In this specification, the term "substantially" used to define a distance or a composition corresponds to an approximation of ±10%, preferably ±5%, and very preferably ±2% of the stated distance or composition. For example, the pipe 1 being substantially centered along the symmetry axis of the reaction chamber 5 means that the pipe 1 can be set with an approximation of ±10%, preferably ±5%, and very preferably ±2% with respect to the diameter D of the reaction chamber 5.

[0098] According to one or more embodiments, the pipe 1 (for example, a metal pipe) is vertical. If the pipe 1 transports a multiphase light fluid phase 2, the pipe is preferably vertical.

[0099] According to one or more embodiments, the diameter E of the duct 1 is between 0.1 m and 8 m, preferably between 0.2 m and 6 m and preferably between 0.4 m and 3 m. According to one or more embodiments, the ratio of the diameter E of the duct 1 to the diameter D of the reaction chamber 5 is between 0.005 and 0.9, preferably between 0.01 and 0.5 and preferably between 0.1 and 0.3.

[0100] On the upper part of the duct 1 (i.e., near the upper end of the duct 1), the first window 7 and the second window 8 (also see Figure 2 ) are pierced / open in the wall of said duct 1. Advantageously, the first window 7 is adapted to lead directly to the fluidizing medium of the reaction chamber 5. According to one or more embodiments, the first window 7 and / or the second window 8 have a substantially rectangular shape and optionally have rounded corners for connection at the corners.

[0101] Referring to Figure 2 a and Figure 2 b, according to one or more embodiments, the first window 7 and the second window 8 have a substantially rectangular shape, the first window 7 has a width a and a height b (i.e., a passage cross-section a×b), and the second window 8 has a width c and a height d (i.e., a passage cross-section c×d). It should be understood that the first window 7 and / or the second window 8 can be openings of any shape (e.g., square, triangle, trapezoid, rhombus, circle, etc.).

[0102] According to one or more embodiments, the height ratio b / a and / or the width ratio d / c are between 0.2 and 12, preferably between 1 and 10 and more preferably between 2 and 8. According to one or more embodiments, the ratio of the surface area of the first window 7 to the surface area of the second window 8 is between 0.2 and 5, preferably between 0.3 and 3 and more preferably between 0.5 and 2.

[0103] According to one or more embodiments, the ratio of the total surface area of the windows (7 and 8) to the cross-sectional area of the duct 1 is between 0.5 and 4 and more preferably between 1 and 3. According to one or more embodiments, the ratio of the total surface area of the window 7 or 8 to the cross-sectional area of the duct 1 is between 0.1 and 3 and more preferably between 0.3 and 2. It should be understood that the height and width of the first window 7 and the second window 8 depend on the total number of windows.

[0104] According to one or more embodiments, the number of the first windows 7 is between 2 and 24, preferably between 3 and 12 and preferably between 3 and 8; the number of the second windows 8 is between 2 and 24, preferably between 3 and 12 and preferably between 3 and 8. According to one or more embodiments, the total number of the first windows 7 and the second windows 8 exists in an even number and / or exists in an equal number. According to one or more embodiments, the first windows 7 and the second windows 8 are alternately arranged on the wall of the pipe 1.

[0105] According to one or more embodiments, the distance between the centers of the first windows 7 and the second windows 8 and the upper end is between 0.2×E and 4×E and preferably between 0.5×E and 4×E. According to one or more embodiments, the centers of the first windows 7 and the second windows 8 are separated from each other by a distance o along the symmetry axis Z and / or are offset by an angle θ in the plane xy perpendicular to the symmetry axis Z. According to one or more embodiments, the angle θ is between 0° and 180° and preferably between 0° and 60°. According to one or more embodiments, the first window 7 is arranged above the second window 8 on the symmetry axis Z. According to one or more embodiments, the distance o between the centers of the first windows 7 and the second windows 8 on the symmetry axis Z is less than b, preferably less than 0.75×b, very preferably less than 0.5×b, or less than d, preferably less than 0.75×d, very preferably less than 0.5×d.

[0106] Reference Figure 1 , the dispenser 3 (for example, a metal dispenser) is arranged on the upper part of the pipe 1 so as to distribute the light fluid phase 2 at various radial positions in the reaction chamber 5.

[0107] The dispenser 3 includes a first jet breaker 6 arranged at the upper end of the pipe 1, and the first jet breaker 6 extends around the pipe 1. The first jet breaker 6 includes a main body in the form of a plate substantially perpendicular to the symmetry axis Z, and the ends of the main body preferably extend downward (i.e., towards the bottom of the reaction chamber 5) through one or more lateral walls 19 (vertical walls also called skirts). The main body preferably has a cylindrical shape, for example, has a circular cross-section, for example, in the shape of a knob (for example, a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface).

[0108] Advantageously, the first jet breaker 6 is adapted to distribute a first part of the light fluid phase 2 (introduced into the central part of the reaction chamber 5 through the first window 7) by means of the main body and in a complementary manner by means of the lateral walls 19. Advantageously, the first jet breaker 6 improves the distribution of the first part of the light fluid phase 2, which is directly presented into the central part of the reaction chamber 5 via the first window 7.

[0109] According to one or more embodiments, the diameter of the first jet breaker 6 (e.g., the diameter of the body) is between 1.1×E and 10×E, preferably between 1.5×E and 8×E, and very preferably between 2×E and 5×E. According to one or more embodiments, the diameter of the first jet breaker 6 is between 0.05×D and 0.95×D, preferably between 0.2×D and 0.8×D, and more preferably between 0.3×D and 0.7×D. According to one or more embodiments, the ratio of the height of the lateral wall 19 to the diameter of the first jet breaker 6 is between 0.05 and 1 and preferably between 0.15 and 0.6. According to one or more embodiments, the body of the first jet breaker 6 has a concave shape on the side of the pipe 1 and / or a convex shape on the side of the reaction chamber 5. According to one or more embodiments, the body has an oval shape, where the semi-major axis is between 0.025×D and 0.45×D, preferably between 0.1×D and 0.4×D, and preferably between 0.15×D and 0.35×D, and / or where the semi-minor axis is between 0.02×D and 0.035×D, preferably between 0.05×D and 0.3×D, and more preferably between 0.1×D and 0.25×D.

[0110] According to one or more embodiments, the body is pierced with an orifice 21, in particular such that a first portion of the light fluid phase 2 can pass through the first jet breaker 6 and improve its distribution. The orifice 21 preferably has a circular cross-section. According to one or more embodiments, the orifice 21 has a diameter between 1 mm and 120 mm, preferably between 20 mm and 80 mm.

[0111] According to one or more embodiments, the body includes a solid central portion 23 (i.e., the portion not pierced with an orifice), in particular to close (block) the upper end of the pipe 1 and thus enforce the distribution of the light fluid phase 2 through the first window 7 and the second window 8. The solid central portion 23 preferably has a circular cross-section. According to one or more embodiments, the solid central portion 23 has a diameter between 1×E and 2×E, preferably between 1×E and 1.25×E. Very preferably, the solid central portion 23 has a diameter substantially the same as the diameter of the pipe 1.

[0112] According to one or more embodiments, the lateral wall 19 includes notches 20 provided at the lower edge of the lateral wall 19, particularly such that a first portion of the light fluid phase 2 can pass around the first jet breaker 6 and improve its distribution. According to one or more embodiments, the notches 20 are regularly distributed along the lower edge of the lateral wall 19 throughout. According to one or more embodiments, the notches 20 have a substantially triangular or rectangular shape. It should be understood that the notches 20 can be openings of any shape (e.g., square, semi-circular, etc.). According to one or more embodiments, the lateral wall 19 includes between 4 and 60 notches 20 and preferably between 10 and 30 notches 20. According to one or more embodiments, the coverage of the notches 20 on the lower edge of the lateral wall 19 is between 10% and 70% and preferably between 20% and 50%.

[0113] According to one or more embodiments, the notches 20 are substantially triangular and / or rectangular. According to one or more embodiments, the notches 20 are substantially triangular (e.g., isosceles triangle), and the ratio of the base length of the notch 20 to the height of the lateral wall 19 is between 0.01 and 0.95 and preferably between 0.1 and 0.85, and the ratio of the height of the notch 20 to the height of the lateral wall 19 is between 0.01 and 0.95 and preferably between 0.1 and 0.85.

[0114] The distributor 3 further includes a plurality of radial branches 9 (also referred to as lateral arms or ducts), which are connected to (extend) each of the second windows 8 from the duct 1 along a branch axis A that is substantially perpendicular to the symmetry axis Z towards the peripheral branch ends 24. Advantageously, the radial branches 9 are adapted to lead to the reaction chamber 5 through the peripheral branch ends 24. According to one or more embodiments, the radial branches 9 have an initial profile that is substantially the same as the shape of the second window 8. According to one or more embodiments, the radial branches 9 have a substantially rectangular profile. According to one or more preferred embodiments, the radial branches 9 protrude beyond the jet breaker 6.

[0115] Advantageously, the peripheral branch ends 24 are open to distribute a second portion of the light fluid phase 2 (introduced into the peripheral portion of the reaction chamber 5 through the second window 8 and the radial branches 9). Advantageously, the lower surface of the radial branches 9 is open such that the second portion of the light fluid phase 2 is also distributed towards the lower part of the reaction chamber 5, which also avoids any saltation problems. Advantageously, the lateral surfaces and the upper surface of the radial branches 9 are respectively enclosed by the lateral wall 10 and the upper wall. According to one or more embodiments, the lateral wall 19 of the first jet breaker 6 allows the radial branches 9 to pass through it, and these radial branches protrude beyond the circumference of the first jet breaker 6.

[0116] Reference Figure 3, the first window 7 makes it possible to distribute a first portion 14 of the light fluid phase 2 at the center of the reaction chamber 5, and the first window 7 leads directly into the reaction chamber. Similarly, the second window 8 and the radial branches 9 make it possible to distribute a second portion 15 of the light fluid phase 2 towards the periphery of the reaction chamber 5 or at least at a greater radial distance from the axis of symmetry Z.

[0117] According to one or more embodiments, the first window 7 and the second window 8 are adapted such that the first portion 14 is presented directly into the reaction chamber 5 via the first window 7 at a first velocity V1, and the second portion 15 is presented via the second window 8 at a second velocity V2 so as to then be directed towards the radial branches 9.

[0118] According to one or more embodiments, the passage cross-sections of the first window 7 and the second window 8 are shaped such that the first velocity V1 and the second velocity V2 are between 0.1×V and 10×V, preferably between 0.3×V and 5×V and preferably between 0.5×V and 2×V, where V represents the velocity of the light fluid phase in the pipe 1 and is between 0.01 m / s and 100 m / s. Advantageously, the velocity of the light fluid phase in the pipe 1 is greater than the minimum fluidization velocity of the heavy fluid phase 4.

[0119] In Figure 3 the schematic view in the xy plane, the position of the lateral wall 19 of the first jet breaker 6 is added in dashed lines to show that the end 24 of the peripheral branch is preferably more eccentric than the lateral wall 19.

[0120] Referring to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 , each of the radial branches 9 includes two lateral walls 10 which are preferably substantially vertical (parallel to the axis of symmetry Z) and an upper wall 11 which is preferably substantially horizontal (orthogonal to the axis of symmetry Z), and these walls together define an inverted U-shaped channel which is substantially orthogonal to the axis of symmetry Z. Advantageously, the bottom 18 of the radial branch 9 is open such that a portion 17 of the second portion 15 of the light fluid phase 2 is distributed towards the lower part of the reaction chamber 5, which also avoids any jumping problems. Preferably, the lateral walls 10 and the upper wall 11 of the radial branch 9 are solid plates.

[0121] In this specification, the term "substantially" used to define an angle corresponds to an approximation of ±20°, preferably ±10°, very preferably ±5° of the said angle. For example, a substantially vertical lateral wall 10 means that the lateral wall 10 is vertical with respect to the vertical plane with an approximation of ±20°, preferably ±10°, very preferably ±5°.

[0122] According to one or more embodiments, the length e of the radial branch 9 is between 1×E and 6×E, and preferably between 1×E and 4×E. According to one or more embodiments, the height of the lateral wall 10 of the radial branch 9 is substantially equal to or greater than the height d of the second window 8. Preferably, the height of the lateral wall 10 is substantially equal to the height d of the second window 8.

[0123] According to one or more embodiments, the passage cross-section (width × height) formed by the radial branch 9 is constant or variable. According to one or more embodiments, the passage cross-section of the radial branch 9 increases, for example linearly, continuously or discontinuously, starting from the pipe 1. Preferably, the passage cross-section of the radial branch 9 increases linearly from the second window 8 to the peripheral branch end 24. Very preferably, the width of the passage cross-section of the radial branch 9 increases linearly from the second window 8 to the peripheral branch end 24, and the height of the passage cross-section of the radial branch 9 is preferably substantially constant from the second window 8 to the peripheral branch end 24.

[0124] According to one or more embodiments, in the plane xy perpendicular to the symmetry axis Z, the radial branch 9 has a width c at the second window 8 of the pipe 1 and a width f at the peripheral branch end 24, where f is preferably greater than c.

[0125] According to one or more embodiments, the width f at the peripheral branch end 24 is between 1×c and 10×c, and preferably between 1.2×c and 6×c.

[0126] According to one or more embodiments, the width of the radial branch 9 (in the plane xy perpendicular to the symmetry axis Z) increases in the branch axis A from the pipe 1 at a distance e according to two angles α. For example, the width of the branch 6 can vary from 1×c to c + 2×e×tan(α). According to one or more embodiments, the angle α is between 0° and 60°, preferably between 0° and 30°, and preferably between 0° and 20°.

[0127] According to the invention, the distributor 3 further comprises a second jet breaker 12 arranged near and facing the peripheral branch end 24. Advantageously, the second jet breaker 12 makes it possible to reduce the radial flow of the light fluid phase 2 near the wall of the reaction chamber 5 by preventing the guidance of high fluid velocities towards said wall, which high fluid velocities can cause excessive and undesirable erosion of the wall of the reaction chamber 5, especially in the presence of solids. In addition, the second jet breaker 12 ensures better distribution of the mixture in the fluidized bed.

[0128] Reference Figure 3, the second jet breaker 12 is substantially centered on the branch axis A and substantially perpendicular to the branch axis A. The second jet breaker 12 is provided, for example, between the peripheral branch end 24 and the peripheral wall of the reaction chamber 5. According to one or more embodiments, the second jet breaker 12 is substantially vertical (parallel to the symmetry axis Z). Advantageously, the second jet breaker 12 is adapted such that the second portion 15 of the light fluid phase 2 distributed towards the (peripheral portion of the) reaction chamber 5 is constrained to have a movement component substantially perpendicular to the branch axis A. The second jet breaker 12 can be fastened, for example, to at least one of the side walls 10 and the upper wall 11 by means of at least one attachment element (such as a metal bar or a welded connection).

[0129] Preferably, the second jet breaker 12 is adapted such that the second portion 15 of the light fluid phase 2 is constrained to have a so-called "tangential" movement component 16 (that is, a movement component substantially perpendicular to both the branch axis A and the symmetry axis Z). To achieve this, the upper side of the second jet breaker 12 can be connected to the upper wall 11 of the radial branch 9 by an extension plate 13. Advantageously, the extension plate 13 makes it possible to extend the second jet breaker 12 upwards to the upper wall 11 of the radial branch 9 in order to close the upper passage profile between the second jet breaker 12 and the upper wall 11. Preferably, the extension plate is substantially parallel to the branch axis, for example in the plane xy perpendicular to the symmetry axis Z. The extension plate 13 of the second jet breaker 12 in particular makes it possible to prevent the second portion 15 of the light fluid phase 2 from having an upward movement component at the peripheral branch end 24. Preferably, the second jet breaker 12 is a solid plate or a plate provided with orifices. Preferably, the extension plate 13 is a solid plate.

[0130] Preferably, the opening in the lower surface 18 of the radial branch 9 extends upwards to the second jet breaker 12 such that the second portion of the light fluid phase 2 is also distributed towards the lower part of the reaction chamber 5 through the second jet breaker 12, which also avoids any jumping problems. Although it is preferred that the lower side of the second jet breaker 12 is not connected to the radial branch 9 by an extension plate (solid plate), it should be understood that the lower side of the second jet breaker 12 can be fastened to at least one of the side walls 10 of the branch by one or more attachment elements.

[0131] According to one or more embodiments, in the plane xy perpendicular to the symmetry axis Z, the second jet breaker 12 has a width h that is substantially greater than or equal to the width f at the peripheral branch end 24. According to one or more embodiments, the second jet breaker 12 has a width h that is greater than the width f. According to one or more embodiments, the width h is between 1×f and 2×f and preferably between 1×f and 1.5×f, for example between 1.05×f and 1.4×f. According to one or more embodiments, the second jet breaker 12 has a width h that is greater than the width c. According to one or more embodiments, the width h is between 1×c and 6×c and preferably between 1.5×c and 4.5×c.

[0132] According to one or more embodiments, in the plane ZA (including the symmetry axis Z and the branch axis A), the second jet breaker 12 has a height g that is substantially greater than or equal to the height d of the second window 8. According to one or more embodiments, the height g is between 0.5×d and 1.5×d and preferably between 0.6×d and 1.2×d.

[0133] According to one or more embodiments, the distance i between the second jet breaker 12 and the peripheral branch end 24 is between 0.05×h and 0.9×h, preferably between 0.1×h and 0.6×h. Refer to Figure 4 , the distance i corresponds to the width of the lateral passage profile 25 provided between the lateral wall 10 of the radial branch 9 and the second jet breaker 12. According to one or more embodiments, the distance i is selected in such a way that the velocity V3 (at which the second part 15 of the light fluid phase 2 presents via the lateral passage profile 25) is between 0.05×V and 2×V, preferably between 0.1×V and 1×V and preferably between 0.2×V and 0.5×V.

[0134] According to one or more embodiments, the ratio of the surface area of the lateral passage profile 25 to the surface area of the peripheral branch end 24 is between 0.25 and 10, preferably between 0.5 and 5, and very preferably between 1 and 2.5.

[0135] Refer to Figure 6, according to one or more embodiments, the second jet breaker 12 and / or the extension plate 13 and / or the lateral wall 10 and / or the upper wall 11 have a circular / curved shape, such as a part of a cylinder, an ellipsoid or a joint cone, in particular enabling the improvement of mechanical integrity / strength. According to one or more embodiments, one or more of the connecting edges between the second jet breaker 12, the extension plate, the upper wall 11 and / or the lateral wall 10 are circular, such that the lateral passage profile 25 provided between the radial branch 9 and the second jet breaker 12 is circular. For example, the peripheral branch end 24 and / or the lateral passage profile 25 may have a connecting fillet at the corner. According to one or more embodiments, the second jet breaker 12 has a curved shape along the plane xy perpendicular to the symmetry axis Z, for example, having a concave-shaped surface on the side of the peripheral branch end 24. According to one or more embodiments, the radius of curvature of the second jet breaker 12 along the plane xy perpendicular to the symmetry axis Z is greater than or equal to 0.5×f. According to one or more embodiments, the extension plate 13 has a curved shape along the plane ZA, for example, having a concave-shaped surface on the side of the peripheral branch end 24. According to one or more embodiments, the inner surface of the lateral wall 10 and / or the upper wall 11 is concave.

[0136] According to one or more embodiments, the dispensing device has:

[0137] - a pipe 1 with a diameter E, which is between 0.1 m and 8 m, preferably between 0.2 m and 6 m and preferably between 0.4 m and 3 m;

[0138] - between 2 and 24, preferably between 3 and 12 and preferably between 3 and 8 first windows 7 with a width a and a height b;

[0139] - between 2 and 24, preferably between 3 and 12 and preferably between 3 and 8 second windows 8 with a width c and a height d, the height ratio b / a and / or the width ratio d / c being between 0.2 and 12, preferably between 1 and 10 and preferably between 2 and 8, the surface area ratio of the first window 7 to the second window 8 being between 0.2 and 5, preferably between 0.3 and 3 and more preferably between 0.5 and 2, and the total surface area of the windows 7 and 8 to the surface area of the pipe 1 being between 0.5 and 4 and more preferably between 1 and 3;

[0140] - a first jet breaker 6 with a diameter between 1.1×E and 10×E, preferably between 1.5×E and 8×E and more preferably between 2×E and 5×E;

[0141] - A radial branch 9 having a length e, a width f at the end 24 of the peripheral branch, and a height, the length being between 1×E and 6×E, preferably between 1×E and 4×E, the width being between 1×c and 10×c, preferably between 1.2×c and 6×c, and the height being substantially equal to or greater than the height d of the second window 8;

[0142] - A second jet breaker 12 having a width h and a height g, the width being between 1×f and 2×f, preferably between 1×f and 1.5×f, and the height being substantially greater than or equal to the height d of the second window 8, the distance i between the second jet breaker 12 and the corresponding radial branch 9 being between 0.05×h and 0.9×h, preferably between 0.1×h and 0.6×h; and

[0143] - Optionally, an extension plate 13 connects the upper side of the second jet breaker 12 to the upper wall 11 of the radial branch 9,

[0144] - The distributor 3 is preferably arranged in a reaction chamber 5 having a diameter D (e.g., the reaction chamber of an FCC regenerator), the diameter being between 0.5 m and 50 m, preferably between 1 m and 30 m, and preferably between 2 m and 20 m, and the reaction chamber 5 includes, for example, a single distribution device.

[0145] Example

[0146] To illustrate the improvements made to the distribution device according to the present invention, some computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations:

[0147] - The distribution device according to the present invention (specifically see Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 ), which is labeled as Example A; and

[0148] - The distribution device according to Patent FR3065886, which is labeled as Comparative Example B.

[0149] The CFD model consists of an Euler / Euler model, in which the population balance model (PBM) is used to take into account the distribution of solid particles. The kinetic theory of granular flow (KTGF) model, which is well-known, is used to represent the solid phase as a continuum. The software used is Ansys Fluent (version 2021R2).

[0150] For Example A and Comparative Example B, an FCC regenerator with a diameter of 10 m is considered, which includes a fluidized bed with a catalyst circulation of 74 rpm.

[0151] Figure 7 Views of the time-averaged particle volume fraction in the cross-section for simulating Example A and Comparative Example B are shown, where:

[0152] - Cross-section “A 1m” shows a view in cross-section 1 m above the dispensing device according to the invention;

[0153] - Cross-section “A 2m” shows a view in cross-section 2 m above the dispensing device according to the invention;

[0154] - Cross-section “B 1m” shows a view in cross-section 1 m above the dispensing device of the prior art; and

[0155] - Cross-section “B 2m” shows a view in cross-section 2 m above the dispensing device of the prior art.

[0156] In the Figure 7 view in cross-section, the gray level gradient from light to dark corresponds to an increase in the gas volume fraction in the reaction chamber 5. Thus, Figure 7 it is shown that, for counterexample B, the gas volume fraction (the darker part) is much higher at the periphery near the wall (see the darker parts along the wall in cross-sections “B 1m” and “B 2m” compared to cross-sections “A 1m” and “A 2m”). The region with a high gas volume fraction is also the region where the velocity of the suspended matter is the highest. Considering the high concentration of solids in the reaction chamber 5 for counterexample B, the high velocity causes considerable damage to the wall. In addition, the mixing of the phases in cross-sections “A 1m” and “A 2m” is improved compared to the case of cross-sections “A 1m” and “A 2m” because the standard deviation of the gray levels in cross-sections “A 1m” and “A 2m” is narrower.

[0157] Advantageously, the second jet breaker 12 according to the invention (see cross-sections “A 1m” and “A 2m”) makes it possible to reduce the high velocity and redirect the light fluid phase 2 more evenly and less towards the wall of the reaction chamber 5.

[0158] In addition to this main improvement, better distribution of the fluid throughout the reaction chamber 5 requires better reaction efficiency and a lower risk of post-combustion.

Claims

1. An apparatus for distributing a light fluid phase (2) within a heavy fluid phase (4) in a reaction chamber (5), the apparatus comprising: - a pipe (1) for transporting the light fluid phase (2), the pipe including a lower end portion and an upper end portion; - a first window (7) and a second window (8) which are pierced in the wall of the pipe (1) near the upper end portion of the pipe (1); and - a distributor (3), wherein the distributor (3) comprises: - a radial branch (9) which is connected to each second window (8) along a branch axis (A) substantially perpendicular to the symmetry axis (Z) of the upper end portion of the pipe (1) towards an outer peripheral branch end (24), and the lower surface (18) of the radial branch (9) is open; - a first jet breaker (6) provided at the upper end portion of the pipe (1), the first jet breaker (6) extending around the upper end portion of the pipe (1); and - a second jet breaker (12) which is provided near the outer peripheral branch end (24) and faces the outer peripheral branch end (24), wherein each radial branch (9) has: - a length e between 1×E and 6×E, preferably between 1×E and 4×E, where E is the diameter of the pipe (1); - a width f at the outer peripheral branch end (24) between 1×c and 10×c, preferably between 1.2×c and 6×c, where c is the width of the corresponding second window (8); and - a height substantially equal to or greater than the height d of the corresponding second window (8), wherein each second jet breaker (12) has: - a width h between 1×f and 2×f, preferably between 1×f and 1.5×f; - a height g substantially greater than or equal to the height d of the second window (8), and the distance i between the second jet breaker (12) and the corresponding radial branch (9) is between 0.05×h and 0.9×h, preferably between 0.1×h and 0.6×h.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The second jet breaker (12) is a solid plate or a plate provided with orifices, and is substantially perpendicular to the branch axis (A).

3. The device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein Each radial branch (9) includes a side wall (10) and an upper wall (11), and the second jet breaker (12) is fastened to at least one of the side walls (10) and the upper wall (11) by means of at least one attachment element.

4. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The second jet breaker (12) includes an upper side portion which is connected to the upper wall (11) of the radial branch (9) by an extension plate (13).

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein The extension plate (13) is a solid plate substantially parallel to the branch axis (A).

6. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The opening in the lower surface (18) of the radial branch (9) extends upward to the second jet breaker (12).

7. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The second jet breaker (12) has a curved shape on the generatrix in a plane (xy) perpendicular to the symmetry axis (Z).

8. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The diameter E of the pipe (1) is between 0.1 m and 8 m, preferably between 0.2 m and 6 m and preferably between 0.4 m and 3 m.

9. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first window (7) has a width a and a height b, and the second window (8) has a width c and a height d, and the values a, b, c and d satisfy at least one of the following characteristics: - The height ratio b / a and / or the width ratio d / c is between 0.2 and 12, preferably between 1 and 10 and preferably between 2 and 8; - The ratio of the surface area of the first window (7) to the surface area of the second window (8) is between 0.2 and 5, preferably between 0.3 and 3 and more preferably between 0.5 and 2; and - The ratio of the total surface area of the first window (7) and the second window (8) to the cross-sectional area of the pipe (1) is between 0.5 and 4 and more preferably between 1 and 3.

10. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: Between 2 and 24, preferably between 3 and 12 and preferably between 3 and 8 first windows (7); and between 2 and 24, preferably between 3 and 12 and preferably between 3 and 8 second windows (8).

11. A reaction chamber, comprising means for distributing a light fluid phase (2) within a heavy fluid phase (4) in the reaction chamber (5), said distribution means comprising: - A pipe (1) for transporting the light fluid phase (2), said pipe comprising a lower end portion and an upper end portion; - A first window (7) and a second window (8), said first window (7) and second window (8) being pierced in the wall of the pipe near the upper end portion of the pipe (1); And - A distributor (3), wherein the distributor (3) comprises: - A radial branch (9) extending towards an outer peripheral branch end (24) along a branch axis (A) substantially perpendicular to the symmetry axis (Z) of the upper end portion of the pipe (1) for each second window (8), the underside (18) of the radial branch (9) being open; - A first jet breaker (6) provided at the upper end portion of the pipe (1), said first jet breaker (6) extending around the upper end portion of the pipe (1); and - A second jet breaker (12) provided near the outer peripheral branch end (24) and facing the outer peripheral branch end (24), wherein each radial branch (9) has: - A length e between 1×E and 6×E and preferably between 1×E and 4×E, where E is the diameter of the pipe (1); - A width f at the outer peripheral branch end (24) between 1×c and 10×c and preferably between 1.2×c and 6×c, where c is the width of the corresponding second window (8); and - A height substantially equal to or greater than the height d of the corresponding second window (8), wherein each second jet breaker (12) has: - A width h between 1×f and 2×f and preferably between 1×f and 1.5×f; - a height g that is substantially greater than or equal to the height d of the second window (8), and the distance i between the second jet breaker (12) and the corresponding radial branch (9) is between 0.05×h and 0.9×h, preferably between 0.1×h and 0.6×h.

12. The reaction chamber according to claim 11, having a diameter D between 0.5 m and 50 m, preferably between 1 m and 30 m, and preferably between 2 m and 20 m, and the ratio of the diameter E of the pipe (1) to the diameter D of the reaction chamber (5) is between 0.005 and 0.9, preferably between 0.01 and 0.5, and preferably between 0.1 and 0.

3.

13. A process for catalytic cracking, biomass treatment, hydrotreating or hydroconversion using a device for distributing a light fluid phase (2) within a heavy fluid phase (4) in a reaction chamber (5), the distribution device comprising: - a pipe (1) for transporting the light fluid phase (2), the pipe including a lower end and an upper end; - a first window (7) and a second window (8) pierced in the wall of the pipe (1) near the upper end of the pipe (1); and - a distributor (3), wherein the distributor (3) comprises: - a radial branch (9) extending towards a peripheral branch end (24) along a branch axis (A) that is substantially perpendicular to the symmetry axis (Z) of the upper end of the pipe (1) for each second window (8), and the lower surface (18) of the radial branch (9) is open; - a first jet breaker (6) provided at the upper end of the pipe (1), the first jet breaker (6) extending around the upper end of the pipe (1); and - a second jet breaker (12) provided near the peripheral branch end (24) and facing the peripheral branch end (24), wherein each radial branch (9) has: - a length e between 1×E and 6×E, preferably between 1×E and 4×E, where E is the diameter of the pipe (1); - a width f at the peripheral branch end (24) between 1×c and 10×c, preferably between 1.2×c and 6×c, where c is the width of the corresponding second window (8); and - a height that is substantially equal to or greater than the height d of the corresponding second window (8), wherein each second jet breaker (12) has: - a width h between 1×f and 2×f, preferably between 1×f and 1.5×f; - a height g that is substantially greater than or equal to the height d of the second window (8), and the distance i between the second jet breaker (12) and the corresponding radial branch (9) is between 0.05×h and 0.9×h, preferably between 0.1×h and 0.6×h.

Images