Method and apparatus for supporting a conduit in a radial flow reactor

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting a conduit in a radial flow reactor is provided. A support plate rests on an inner surface of the reactor below a cylindrical wall of the reactor. A lug is connected to the support plate, and a support ring is supported by the lug. The conduit is supported by the support ring. A stabilizing plate can be utilized. A method of installing such a support apparatus in a reactor is also provided.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. non-provisional patent application serial number 18 / 919,068, filed October 17, 2024, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application serial number 63 / 612,690, filed December 20, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates generally to the internal components of a radial flow reactor, and more specifically to a support conduit. Background Technology

[0004] Various methods utilize radial reactors to provide contact between fluids and solids. The solids typically contain catalytic materials on which the fluid reacts to form products, or the solids contain adsorbents for the selective removal of components from the fluid. These methods encompass a range of processes, including hydrocarbon conversion, gas processing, and adsorption separation.

[0005] Radial flow reactors are constructed with an annular structure and annular distribution and collection devices. The devices for distribution and collection incorporate various types of screen-like surfaces. These screen-like surfaces are used to hold the catalyst bed or adsorbent bed in place and contribute to pressure distribution on the surface of the reactor or adsorber, facilitating radial flow through the reactor bed. The screen can be a mesh of wire or other materials, or a perforated plate. For moving beds, the screen or mesh provides a barrier to prevent loss of solid catalyst particles while allowing fluid flow through the bed. The screen requires sufficiently small openings to allow fluid passage to prevent solids from flowing through it. Solid catalyst particles are added at the top and flow through the device, and removed at the bottom, while allowing fluid flow through a closed shell of catalyst. The screen is preferably constructed of a non-reactive material; however, in practice, screens often undergo some reaction through corrosion, and over time, corroded screens or meshes can cause problems.

[0006] The screens or meshes used to retain catalyst particles within the bed are designed with sufficiently small orifices to prevent particles from passing through. The outer screen element can be provided by a cylindrical screen that retains particles within it and provides fluid distribution through the space between the screen and the outer wall of the reactor. Another design for the outer screen element is the use of multiple elliptical conduits arranged around the reactor wall. A common shape for the elliptical conduits is a fan-shaped cross-section, where the flat side is positioned against the reactor wall, and the more sharply curved side presents a screen surface that allows the catalyst to flow against it, while the fluid flows within the elliptical conduit and across the screen surface. The shape of the flat side substantially conforms to the curve of the reactor wall to minimize the volume between the conduit and the reactor wall.

[0007] Common fan-shaped designs can be found in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,366,704 and 6,224,838, as well as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2017 / 0320033.

[0008] To support these conduits, support rings and various lugs can be used. While effective for their intended purpose, current installation designs and processes require the lugs to be welded to the reactor shell and / or reactor head. This can cause problems and require additional time during installation. For example, if the reactor shell is of low-chromium metallurgy, atomic hydrogen degassing and post-weld treatment are required. These may require additional days during installation. As will be understood, extended turnaround times result in lost production, which is a significant economic loss for refineries. Additionally, for retrofitting newer conduit designs into existing reactors, welding to the reactor shell may not be possible.

[0009] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a design and method that does not require welding the support structure for the conduit to the reactor shell. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The inventors have invented a novel device for supporting conduits in radial reactors. Instead of welding or otherwise attaching to the reactor shell, the new device allows the support plate to rest solely on the reactor shell. This avoids the need for post-weld heat treatment and atomic hydrogen degassing. Additionally, such devices require minimal on-site welding inside the reactor to avoid potential on-site assembly problems during installation away from the reactor head. Compared to conventional fan-shaped supports, this new device is "neutral" in terms of process gas hydraulics, gas flow patterns, and solid flow patterns within the reactor.

[0011] Therefore, in at least one aspect, the present invention can be characterized as providing an apparatus for supporting conduits in a radial flow reactor, the apparatus comprising: at least one support plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface being configured to contact the radial flow reactor; a plurality of lugs, each lug being connected to the upper surface of the support plate; and a support ring supported by the plurality of lugs, wherein the support ring is configured to support the conduits, and wherein the at least one support plate is located below the cylindrical wall of the radial flow reactor.

[0012] The lower surface may not be attached to the radial flow reactor.

[0013] The at least one support plate includes or forms a flat ring. Each lug may be attached to the upper surface of the flat ring.

[0014] The at least one support plate may include multiple support plates, and each support plate may be connected to one or more lugs, wherein the lugs are arranged in a radial pattern toward the central tube of the reactor.

[0015] The device may also include multiple stabilizing plates connected to the support ring. Each stabilizing plate includes a surface configured to contact the cylindrical wall of the radial flow reactor. Each stabilizing plate may be integrally formed with a lug. Each stabilizing plate may be welded or bolted to the support ring.

[0016] Each lug can be welded or bolted to the upper surface of the support plate. Each lug can be welded or bolted to the support ring.

[0017] In another aspect, the present invention can be broadly characterized as providing a method for installing a device for supporting conduits in a radial flow reactor, the method comprising the steps of: attaching a plurality of lugs to the upper surface of at least one support plate; placing the lower surface of the at least one support plate on the inner surface below the cylindrical wall of the radial flow reactor; placing a support ring on the plurality of lugs; and connecting a plurality of conduits to the support ring.

[0018] The method may also include connecting the support ring to the plurality of lugs.

[0019] The method may include providing a plurality of stabilizing plates, each having a surface configured to contact the cylindrical wall of a radial flow reactor. Each stabilizing plate may be integrally formed with a lug. The method may include connecting each stabilizing plate to the support ring. The stabilizing plates may be connected before the support ring is placed onto the plurality of lugs.

[0020] The lower surface may not be attached to the inner surface of the radial flow reactor.

[0021] The at least one support plate may be a flat ring. The method may also include welding each lug to the flat ring before placing the lower surface onto the inner surface of the radial reactor.

[0022] The method may also include removing the previously installed support structure from the radial reactor.

[0023] Further aspects, embodiments, and details of the invention (all of which may be combined in any way) are set forth in the following detailed description of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0024] One or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic side cross-sectional view of a radial flow reactor available according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0026] Figure 2 A schematic top view of a radial flow reactor having an apparatus according to one or more aspects of the present invention is shown;

[0027] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A close-up side view of a portion of the radial flow reactor shown;

[0028] Figure 4 A schematic top view of another radial flow reactor having an apparatus according to one or more aspects of the invention is shown; and

[0029] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A close-up side view of a portion of the radial flow reactor shown. Detailed Implementation

[0030] As mentioned above, a novel device and method for supporting conduits in a radial flow reactor have been invented. This invention eliminates the need for welding to the reactor shell and reactor head. Generally, the device comprises two support rings instead of a single support ring. Lugs are used to provide mechanical support.

[0031] The lugs and support rings form a "cage," a significantly stronger system than conventional single-ring designs where the support lugs are directly welded to the reactor wall and the support ring. Additionally, the lugs attached to the lower support ring eliminate the possibility of weld seams severing the lugs to the reactor shell or forming cracks under load, as is common in current designs, and thus reduce or eliminate the possibility of compromising the mechanical integrity of the reactor shell. The lower section of the lug can be tapered, allowing it to fit and be compatible with any curvature of a given reactor head. This eliminates the need for field modifications to the actual curvature required for assembling existing reactor heads. Stabilizing plates stabilize the cage, preventing it from tipping over under load.

[0032] In view of these general principles, one or more embodiments of the invention will be described in accordance with the following description, which is not intended to be limiting.

[0033] like Figure 1As shown, the radial flow reactor 10 has one or more reaction zones 12. Each reaction zone 12 receives a feed stream 14 and provides an effluent stream 16. Typically, the feed stream 14 of a downstream reaction zone 12 is the effluent stream 16 from an upstream reaction zone 12. The reaction zone 12 also receives solids, such as a catalyst 18 or an adsorbent, which can travel between the reaction zones 12 via a catalyst transfer pipe 20. Within the reaction zone, a conduit 22 conveys the fluid of the feed stream 14 to the solids. The conduit is located near the reactor shell 24. The fluid flows from the conduit, through the solids, and into a central pipe 26 that provides the effluent stream 16. The above describes a radial flow reactor for which fluid flows in a direction from the conduit 22 to the central pipe 26. Alternatively, the radial flow reactor may have fluid flowing in a direction from the central pipe 26 to the conduit 22.

[0034] As discussed above, in the method of this disclosure, the conduit 22 is not welded or otherwise fixedly attached to the reactor shell 24.

[0035] Therefore, as Figures 2 to 5 The device 50 for supporting the conduit is shown in more detail below. The device 50 includes at least one support plate 52 having an upper surface 54 and a lower surface 56. The support plate 52 is a ring, preferably a flat ring, having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape and a profile of the reactor surface it contacts. If multiple support plates are used, a ring can be formed by connecting the multiple support plates 52, for example, by welding or bolting the multiple support plates 52 together.

[0036] The lower surface 56 of the support plate 52 contacts the radial flow reactor 10 at the surface below the cylindrical wall portion of the reactor 10. However, unlike conventional designs, the lower surface 56 is not attached to the radial flow reactor 10, but merely rests on the reactor shell 24 or the head 28 of the reactor 10, thereby separating the reaction zone 12 (see [reference]). Figure 1 ).

[0037] Multiple lugs 58 are attached to the upper surface 54 of the support plate 52. Each lug 58 is planar and has a substantially (i.e., + / - 10%) radial orientation (i.e., located in a plane passing through the center of reactor 10). The radial orientation does not interrupt the radial flow pattern of reactants flowing from the conduit to the central tube 26, and does not interfere with solids transfer from one reaction zone to the downstream reaction zone of the moving bed reactor. Similarly, by placing the lugs 58 in a radial orientation, the solids flow within reaction zone 12 is not interrupted, thus enabling the solids transfer from one reaction zone 12 to the next, thereby moving the solid bed reactor.

[0038] Each lug 58 may be welded, bolted, or otherwise secured to the upper surface 54 of the support plate 52. If the flat ring is formed by multiple support plates 52, each support plate 52 may be connected to one or more lugs 58.

[0039] Lug 58 includes a recess 60 for receiving support ring 62. Support ring 62 supports conduit 22. Support ring 62 may also have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape. Lug 58 may be fixed to support ring 62, for example, by welding or bolting.

[0040] The load of conduit 22 is transferred to support ring 62. Support ring 62 transfers the load to lug 58 and support plate 52. Support plate 52 transfers the load to reactor shell 24 or reactor head 28.

[0041] Since the support plate 52 is not fixed to the reactor 10 but only contacts the reactor 10, one or more stabilizing plates 64 can be provided. Each stabilizing plate 64 has a surface 66 configured to contact the cylindrical wall of the radial reactor 10. Stabilizing plates 64 located at the cylindrical wall of the reactor 10 are provided to reduce and preferably eliminate displacement, tilting, or overturning of the device 50. The stabilizing plates 64 may be integrally formed with the lugs 58, or they may be provided separately.

[0042] For example, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the stabilizing plate 64 is a separate element connected to the support ring 62. The stabilizing plate 64 can be bolted, welded, or otherwise secured to the support ring 62.

[0043] Alternative locations, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the stabilizing plate 64 can be formed from one side of the recess 60 of the lug. The side of the recess 60 forming the stabilizing plate 64 has a higher height than the opposite side of the recess 60.

[0044] In the construction of adapting device 50 into an existing reactor 10, the installation process can begin by removing the previously installed support structure from the radial reactor 10.

[0045] The installation of the device 50 includes attaching a plurality of lugs 58 to the upper surface 54 of the support plate 52. If a plurality of support plates 52 are provided, the plurality of support plates can be assembled into a ring before the lugs 58 are attached.

[0046] The lower surface 56 of the support plate 52 can be placed on the inner surface below the cylindrical wall of the radial flow reactor 10. The lower surface 56 is not attached to the inner surface of the radial flow reactor 10.

[0047] The support ring 62 can be placed on the lug 58, and the support ring can be connected or fixed to the lug or not connected or fixed to the lug.

[0048] Then, the conduit 22 can be connected to the support ring 62.

[0049] If a stabilizing plate 64 is provided, the stabilizing plate 64 can be connected to the support ring 62, and this can be done before the support ring 62 is placed on the plurality of lugs 58.

[0050] Specific implementation plan

[0051] While the following description is presented in conjunction with specific embodiments, it should be understood that the description is intended to be illustrative and not to limit the scope of the foregoing description and the appended claims.

[0052] A first embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for supporting a conduit in a run-of-river reactor, the apparatus comprising: at least one support plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface being configured to contact the run-of-river reactor; a plurality of lugs, each lug connected to the upper surface of the support plate; and a support ring supported by the plurality of lugs, wherein the support ring is configured to support the conduit, and wherein the at least one support plate is located below a cylindrical wall of the run-of-river reactor. Embodiments of the present invention are one, any, or all of the embodiments described in the preceding embodiments to the first embodiment described in this paragraph, wherein the lower surface is not attached to the run-of-river reactor. Embodiments of the present invention are one, any, or all of the embodiments described in the preceding embodiments to the first embodiment described in this paragraph, wherein the at least one support plate comprises a flat ring. Embodiments of the present invention are one, any, or all of the embodiments described in the preceding embodiments to the first embodiment described in this paragraph, wherein each lug is connected to the upper surface of the flat ring. Embodiments of the present invention are one, any, or all of the embodiments described in the preceding embodiments to the first embodiment described in this paragraph, wherein the at least one support plate comprises a plurality of support plates, each support plate being connected to one or more lugs, and wherein the lugs are arranged in a radial pattern toward the central tube of the reactor. Embodiments of the present invention are one, any, or all of the embodiments described in the preceding embodiments to the first embodiment described in this paragraph, wherein the embodiments further include a plurality of stabilizing plates connected to the support ring, each stabilizing plate having a surface configured to contact the cylindrical wall of the radial flow reactor. Embodiments of the present invention are one, any, or all of the embodiments described in the preceding embodiments to the first embodiment described in this paragraph, wherein each stabilizing plate is integrally formed with a lug. Embodiments of the present invention are one, any, or all of the embodiments described in the preceding embodiments to the first embodiment described in this paragraph, wherein each stabilizing plate is welded or bolted to the support ring. Embodiments of the present invention are one, any, or all of the embodiments described in the preceding embodiments to the first embodiment described in this paragraph, wherein each lug is welded or bolted to the upper surface of the support plate. The embodiments of the present invention are one, any, or all of the embodiments described in the preceding embodiments to the first embodiment described in this paragraph, wherein each lug is welded or bolted to the support ring.

[0053] A second embodiment of the invention is a method of installing a device for supporting conduits in a run-of-river reactor, the method comprising: attaching a plurality of lugs to the upper surface of at least one support plate; placing the lower surface of the at least one support plate on an inner surface below a cylindrical wall of the run-of-river reactor; placing a support ring on the plurality of lugs; and connecting a plurality of conduits to the support ring. Embodiments of the invention are any one or all of the embodiments described in the preceding to the second embodiments of this paragraph, the embodiments further comprising attaching the support ring to the plurality of lugs. Embodiments of the invention are any one or all of the embodiments described in the preceding to the second embodiments of this paragraph, the embodiments further comprising providing a plurality of stabilizing plates, each stabilizing plate having a surface configured to contact the cylindrical wall of the run-of-river reactor. Embodiments of the invention are any one or all of the embodiments described in the preceding to the second embodiments of this paragraph, wherein each stabilizing plate is integrally formed with a lug. Embodiments of the invention are any one or all of the embodiments described in the preceding to the second embodiments of this paragraph, the embodiments further comprising attaching each stabilizing plate to the support ring. Embodiments of the present invention are any one or all of the embodiments described in the preceding to the second embodiments of this paragraph, wherein the stabilizing plate is connected before the support ring is placed onto the plurality of lugs. Embodiments of the present invention are any one or all of the embodiments described in the preceding to the second embodiments of this paragraph, wherein the lower surface is not attached to the inner surface of the runoff reactor. Embodiments of the present invention are any one or all of the embodiments described in the preceding to the second embodiments of this paragraph, wherein at least one support plate includes a flat ring. Embodiments of the present invention are any one or all of the embodiments described in the preceding to the second embodiments of this paragraph, further comprising welding each lug to the flat ring before placing the lower surface onto the inner surface of the runoff reactor. Embodiments of the present invention are any one or all of the embodiments described in the preceding to the second embodiments of this paragraph, further comprising removing the previously installed support structure from the runoff reactor.

[0054] Although no further detailed description has been provided, it is believed that those skilled in the art will be able to make full use of the invention by employing the foregoing description and will be able to readily identify the essential features of the invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and to make various changes and modifications to adapt it to various uses and situations. Therefore, the foregoing preferred embodiments should be understood as illustrative only and not as limiting the remainder of this disclosure in any way, and are intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.

[0055] In the foregoing, all temperatures are expressed in degrees Celsius, and all portions and percentages are by weight unless otherwise specified.

[0056] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be understood that numerous variations exist. It should also be understood that one or more exemplary embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or construction of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient roadmap for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention, and it should be understood that various changes can be made to the function and arrangement of the elements described in the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A device (50) for supporting a conduit (22) in a radial flow reactor (10), the device (50) comprising: At least one support plate (52) having an upper surface (54) and a lower surface (56) configured to contact the radial flow reactor (10). Multiple lugs (58), each lug (58) being connected to the upper surface (54) of the support plate (52); and A support ring (62) is supported by the plurality of lugs (58), wherein the support ring (62) is configured to support the conduit (22). The at least one support plate (52) is located below the cylindrical wall of the radial reactor (10).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lower surface (56) is not attached to the radial flow reactor (10).

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one support plate (52) comprises a flat ring.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein each lug (58) is connected to the upper surface (54) of the flat ring.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one support plate (52) comprises a plurality of support plates (52), each support plate (52) being connected to one or more lugs (58), and preferably, wherein the one or more lugs (58) are arranged in a radial pattern toward the reactor center tube.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: Multiple stabilizing plates (64) are connected to the support ring (62), each stabilizing plate (64) having a surface configured to contact the cylindrical wall of the radial reactor (10).

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein each stabilizing plate (64) is integrally formed with a lug (58).

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each stabilizing plate (64) is welded or bolted to the support ring (62).

9. The device (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each lug (58) is welded or bolted to the upper surface (54) of the support plate (52) and / or welded or bolted to the support ring (62).

10. A method for installing a device (50) for supporting a conduit (22) in a radial flow reactor (10), the method comprising: Multiple lugs (58) are connected to the upper surface (54) of at least one support plate (52); The lower surface of the at least one support plate (52) is placed on the inner surface below the cylindrical wall of the radial reactor (10); Place the support ring (62) onto the plurality of lugs (58); as well as Multiple conduits (22) are connected to the support ring (62).

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