Multi-bed catalytic reactor with distributor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape with a distribution device, further comprising a feed distributor separated from the recycle fluid distributor, thus protecting the feed from high recycle fluid temperatures.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a reactor, particularly a multi-bed reactor for the hydrotreating of renewable feedstocks, equipped with a distributor. Specifically, the distributor is used in a downflow catalytic reactor containing vertically stacked packed beds of particulate catalytic material, where a liquid, a liquid-gas mixture, or a vapor flows downward through the packed beds. This type of reactor is used in the petroleum and chemical processing industries to perform various catalytic reactions, such as sulfur and nitrogen conversion (HDS / HDN), hydrogenation of olefins (HYD) and aromatics (hydrodearomatization - HDA), metal removal (hydrodemetallization - HDM), oxygen conversion (hydrodeoxygenation - HDO), and hydrocracking (HC). The present invention specifically addresses problems encountered in the hydrotreating of renewable feedstocks. [Background technology]

[0002] Background of the Invention Hydrotreating is carried out in a hydrotreating catalytic reactor, a key component of the hydrotreating unit. Hydrotreating catalytic reactors can have single or multiple catalyst beds. The choice of which option for a particular reactor depends on the amount of catalyst required to convert the feed into products with the desired properties. Most hydrotreating reactions are exothermic, generating heat as the feed passes through the catalyst bed. To avoid exposing the catalyst to excessively high temperatures and thereby promote catalyst deactivation, the required amount of catalyst is divided into multiple beds, with cooling zones (quench sections) between the beds. Traditionally, cooling is achieved by introducing cold hydrogen gas through a "quench pipe." In addition to cooling, the quench zone must achieve spatial uniformity of species and temperature in the liquid phase exiting the section to the lower bed. For this purpose, a mixing chamber is installed within the section.

[0003] After the cooling and mixing stages, the liquid must be evenly distributed over the sub-bed of catalyst. For this purpose, distribution trays are installed below the mixing chamber and above the sub-bed of catalyst. To achieve the best distribution quality, it must be ensured that the distribution tray operates within its sensitivity limits. One of the parameters that improves the operability of a distribution tray is to minimize the difference in liquid depth on the tray from one end of the "tray" to the other. For this reason, the flow parameters of the fluid leaving the mixing chamber are often modified by different means to the values ​​required for the best performance of the distribution tray.

[0004] In the hydroprocessing of renewable feedstocks, increased feed temperatures pose a greater risk of fouling than conventional hydroprocessing. In addition to the challenges mentioned above regarding mixing and distribution, this poses additional challenges for the distribution equipment.

[0005] Prior art mixers offer solutions to the problems of effective mixing and mixer space requirements. US8017095 discloses a means for achieving gas and fluid mixing in the interlayer space of a height-constrained catalytic reactor without increasing pressure drop. In particular, this device improves the effectiveness of existing mixing volumes in mixing the gas and liquid phases of a two-phase system. According to US8017095, this mixing device creates a highly arcuate flow for the incoming effluent, which helps achieve a high degree of mixing within the constrained interlayer space of the catalytic reactor.

[0006] The need for installation, removal and maintenance as well as cleaning of all elements in the quench section makes it extremely important to have sufficient space to allow full access to every element. To minimize the complexity of work inside the reactor, it is necessary to allow easy and rapid opening and closing of all manways of all elements in the section.

[0007] US2015328610 discloses a mixing device installed between two catalyst beds in a cylindrical multi-bed catalytic reactor. The mixing device has a circular outer edge corresponding to the inner wall of the reactor and includes a recovery section for recovering fluid from the upstream catalyst bed, a mixing section for mixing the recovered fluid, and a discharge section for discharging the mixed fluid to the downstream catalyst bed. The recovery section, mixing section, and discharge section are located outside the center of the circular cross section of the reactor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] US8017095 [Patent Document 2] US2015328610 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Therefore, there is a need for an effective distribution system that provides free space for cleaning and servicing, which solves the problem of feed fouling due to elevated feed temperatures, especially present in the hydroprocessing of renewable feedstocks.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need to provide a catalytic reactor with an improved, efficient distributor that provides free space for servicing and cleaning and solves the problem of fouling due to elevated feed temperatures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] Summary of the Invention The novel multi-bed reactor, having a cylindrical shape and including at least one distributor according to the present invention, distributes fresh feed onto the catalyst beds independently of the recycled oil and gas, allowing the feed to be maintained at a low temperature during distribution, thus reducing or eliminating the risk of fouling by polymerization, coking, or other means. To counteract the uneven temperature effects of the composition from previous catalyst beds, the recycled oil and gas are homogenized independently (and each phase is homogenized separately). The elimination of the need for a dedicated two-phase mixer reduces space requirements and costs. The increased free space improves accessibility for cleaning the interior.

[0012] According to the present invention, the distribution device involves a novel principle of distributing the feed into separate feed distribution channels (flow paths) that cover the entire cross section. In one embodiment, the submerged gas that enters the reactor with the feed is used to shield said feed channels from ambient heat. The feed and submerged gas are distributed uniformly over the reactor cross section by utilizing an excess pressure (e.g., 1.5 bar) at the feed inlet, which results in a very uniform distribution compared to conventional VLT. To counteract the uneven effect of the composition from previous beds on the temperature, the recycle oil and gas are homogenized independently (each phase separately).

[0013] This has the advantage that the independent feed distribution system keeps the highly reactive feed cool until it contacts the catalyst bed, reducing the risk of polymerization in the bed, and ensures that when the feed is finally heated, it does so in a hydrogen-rich environment, also reducing the risk of polymerization.

[0014] The recycle stream in the reactor is used as diluent and heat sink in this embodiment. Unlike existing solutions, the recycle gas and oil are first mixed with the feed in the next bed, rather than in the quench zone.

[0015] The novel cylindrical multi-bed reactor according to the present invention comprises at least one distributor for distributing fluids. Fluids are understood to mean liquids, gases, or vapors, or a mixture of two or more of these. The distributor comprises at least one recycle fluid inlet and a distribution tray (recycle fluids are more or less processed fluids recycled within the reactor or supplied from downstream of the reactor). This recycle fluid enters the distribution tray through the recycle fluid inlet of a particular distribution tray, which passes the recycle fluid throughout the distribution tray and distributes the recycle fluid evenly over the region of the catalyst bed below the distributor. How evenly the distribution tray distributes the recycle fluid depends on several factors, such as the number of distribution points, the pressure loss over the distributor, and the levelness of the distribution tray. According to the present invention, the distributor further comprises separate feed distributors. The separate feed distributors comprise at least one feed inlet and multiple feed outlets. While one feed inlet may be sufficient as long as it has the necessary fluid flow capacity, multiple feed outlets are necessary to ensure uniform feed distribution over the underlying catalyst bed, as described below. The feed distributor has a means for distributing the feed fluid from at least one feed inlet to multiple feed outlets. This can be done by any means known in the art, such as pipes or channels connecting one or more feed inlets and manifolding to multiple feed outlets. The feed distributor is isolated from the aforementioned recycle fluid fluid connection within the distributor; i.e., the feed fluid does not come into contact with the recycle fluid within the distributor. This is important to ensure that the time before the feed fluid comes into contact with the catalyst bed is long enough to risk polymerization or fouling, as explained above, and to ensure that the feed fluid is protected from the high temperature of the recycle fluid.

[0016] The described distribution device may be placed in the upper part of the catalytic reactor, in some cases above the catalyst bed of the reactor or completely above the catalyst bed, ensuring the distribution of the recycle fluid and the safe (with respect to potential overheating) distribution of the feed above the catalyst bed below the distribution device. In one embodiment of the present invention, the described distribution device is installed between two catalyst beds in the reactor. In this case, the distribution device further comprises a collection tray adapted to collect fluid descending from the catalyst bed above the distribution device. The collection tray comprises at least one recycle fluid inlet to allow the collected fluid to pass to the distribution tray. In one embodiment, the collection tray may comprise an at least partially fluid-sealing plate mounted horizontally above the distribution tray, and the recycle fluid inlet may be at least one hole or drain in the collection tray.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of feed outlets are adapted to distribute the feed fluid below the collection tray. Thus, the feed fluid is distributed below the zone where the recycle fluid is collected, and thus the discharged feed fluid does not come into contact with the recycle feed in the zone where the recycle feed is collected, along with the temperature / time exposure that would otherwise accompany it. In a further embodiment, the plurality of feed outlets are adapted to distribute the feed across at least 90% of the entire cross-section of the catalyst bed located below the distributor and the plurality of feed outlets. The ability of the feed outlets to distribute the feed uniformly across as wide a portion as possible below the catalyst bed depends on several factors, including the number and pattern of the feed outlets, the outlet design, the feed pressure, the distance from the feed outlet to below the catalyst bed, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the catalyst bed. For the present invention, which includes at least one distributor, the number and pattern of the feed outlets should be considered in particular. It will be appreciated that the multiple feed outlets may also distribute the feed to nearly 100% of the total cross-sectional area of ​​the catalyst bed located below the distributor, or to a smaller portion of the cross-sectional area located below the distributor, such as 80% or more or 60% or more of the total cross-sectional area of ​​the catalyst bed.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the feed distributor can include a feed channel for fluidly connecting at least one feed inlet to multiple feed outlets. It should be understood that fluidly connecting (fluidly connected) means that a connection is provided that allows a fluid (gas, liquid, or vapor) to flow from at least one feed inlet to multiple feed outlets. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the distributor includes a cooling channel adapted to protect the feed fluid from ambient temperatures. This can be achieved in various ways; the cooling channel can be in any contact with the feed channel that allows the cooling fluid to cool the feed. In one embodiment of the present invention, each feed channel is at least partially surrounded by at least one cooling channel. This can be the case over a small or large portion of the length of the feed channel, as well as over intermittent portions of the length of the feed channel. Also, each feed outlet can be at least partially surrounded by a cooling channel or cooling channel outlet, which has the effect of cooling the feed as it exits the feed outlet and protecting the feed from degrading temperatures and fouling.

[0019] In an embodiment of the present invention, the feed distributor further comprises a feed phase separator for separating a liquid feed phase from a gaseous feed phase of the feed fluid. The feed phase separator may be disposed between the at least one feed inlet and a plurality of feed outlets, and the separated gaseous feed phase may have a fluid connection from the feed gaseous phase outlet of the feed phase separator to at least one of the cooling channels, so that the gaseous phase of the feed can be utilized to cool and / or protect the liquid phase of the feed while it flows through at least a portion of the feed distributor, as the liquid phase of the feed is at risk of fouling. (It should be understood that a separate cooling fluid, e.g., cooling gas, can also be added from outside the reactor to cool and / or protect the liquid phase of the feed.) In a further embodiment of the present invention, Since any excess cooling fluid that may flow to the cooling means may be necessary or beneficial to ensure cooling of the feed, the feed distributor also includes a cooling fluid inlet adapted to supply cooling fluid to the feed distributor.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one recycle fluid inlet can include a recycle gas inlet, which can be separated from the recycle liquid inlet if beneficial. In an embodiment of the present invention, the recycle gas can bypass the distribution device via a recycle gas mixer and a recycle gas bypass channel, while in a further embodiment, the recycle liquid flowing from the recycle liquid inlet flows through a recycle liquid mixer and a recycle liquid distributor adapted to distribute the recycle liquid from the collection tray and recycle liquid mixer onto a distribution tray, from which it is further distributed onto the catalyst bed below. In one embodiment, this can be achieved by several additional recycle liquid precision distributors in fluid communication with the recycle liquid mixer and adapted to distribute the recycle liquid from the distribution tray onto the catalyst bed below as described above. In an embodiment, these recycle liquid precision distributors can be chimney-type, as can be further seen and described in the drawings.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the recycle gas bypass channel bypasses the recycle gas from the collection tray and exits below the distribution tray, so that the recycle gas does not significantly contribute to the temperature rise in the distributor. In another embodiment of the present invention, the recycle gas bypass channel is adapted to bypass the recycle gas from the collection tray to the distribution tray and further to the recycle liquid precision distributor, which can have the effect of enhancing the liquid fine distribution.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for distributing a process fluid and a feed fluid through a multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical geometry is provided. The process fluid includes a gas phase, a liquid phase, and optionally a vapor phase. The feed fluid is mixed with the process fluid between the upper and lower catalyst beds of the multi-bed catalytic reactor, or entirely above the catalyst beds of the multi-bed catalytic reactor. The distribution method is carried out in a distribution apparatus including a collection tray having at least one recycle fluid inlet; a distribution tray adapted to distribute the recycle fluid and positioned below the collection tray; and a separate feed distributor including at least one feed inlet and multiple feed outlets. A particular feature of the invention is that the feed distributor is separated from fluid connection with the recycle fluid within the distribution apparatus, thereby protecting the feed fluid from high temperatures of the recycle fluid that could cause fouling of the feed fluid. The feed fluid can also be further protected or cooled as it flows through the distribution apparatus. The method includes the step of narrowing the cross-sectional area of ​​flow of the recycle fluid from the upper catalyst bed to the at least one recycle fluid inlet by the collection tray. The collection tray can be a metal plate that blocks the entire cross-sectional area of ​​the catalytic reactor except for flow through at least one recycle fluid inlet, which allows the recycle fluid to flow through a specific portion(s) of the collection tray. In a further step of the method, the recycle fluid flows through the distribution device, as described above, or partially bypasses the distribution device. At least a portion of the recycle fluid is then distributed onto the distribution tray, and from the distribution tray onto the catalyst bed located below the distribution device. With respect to the feed fluid, a step of the method is to supply the feed fluid from at least one feed inlet to a feed distributor. The feed distributor is isolated from fluid connection with the recycle fluid in the distribution device, thereby protecting the feed fluid from the high temperature of the recycle fluid in the distributor. In a further step of the method, the feed fluid is then distributed from the at least one feed inlet to multiple feed outlets, while the feed fluid is still maintained isolated from fluid connection to the recycle fluid.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the invention, the fluid distribution step further comprises a feed channel connecting at least one feed inlet and a plurality of feed outlets, and further comprises cooling the feed fluid by a cooling channel surrounding the feed channel along at least a portion of its length. While the separation of the recycle and feed fluids within the distribution device protects the feed fluid from the high temperatures of the recycle fluid, this active cooling of the feed fluid within the distribution device further contributes to temperature protection of the feed fluid within the distribution device and therefore contributes to avoiding feed fouling.

[0024] In a further embodiment of the invention, a multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical geometry comprising at least one distributor as described above is used in the hydroprocessing of renewable energies, where the risk of fouling is particularly present.

[0025] Features of the present invention 1. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape comprising at least one distributor, said distributor comprising at least one recycle fluid inlet and a distribution tray adapted to distribute the recycle fluid; 1. A multi-bed catalytic reactor, wherein the distribution apparatus further comprises a separate feed distributor, the separate feed distributor having at least one feed inlet and a plurality of feed outlets, adapted to distribute a feed fluid from the at least one feed inlet to the plurality of feed outlets; A multi-bed catalytic reactor wherein said feed distributor is separated from the fluid connection to said recycle fluid within a distribution device. 2. The cylindrical multi-bed catalytic reactor according to Feature 1, wherein the distributor is mounted between two catalyst beds in the reactor, and the distributor further comprises a collection tray defining at least one recycle fluid inlet, and the distributor tray is disposed below the collection tray.

[0026] 3. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape and comprising at least one distributor according to feature 2, wherein the plurality of feed outlets are adapted to distribute the feed below the collection tray. 4. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape with at least one distributor according to any of the previous features, wherein the plurality of feed outlets are adapted to distribute the feed over at least 90% of the total cross section of the catalyst bed located below the distributor and the plurality of feed outlets. 5. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape comprising at least one distributor according to any of the preceding features, wherein the feed distributor further comprises a feed channel fluidly connecting the feed inlet and the plurality of feed outlets.

[0027] 6. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape with at least one distributor according to feature 5, wherein the feed distributor further comprises cooling channels adapted to protect the feed fluid from ambient temperature. 7. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape and comprising at least one distributor according to feature 6, wherein each feed channel is at least partially surrounded by at least one of the cooling channels. 8. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape with at least one distributor according to feature 6 or 7, wherein each feed outlet is at least partially surrounded by a cooling channel outlet.

[0028] 9. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape comprising at least one distributor according to any of the preceding features, wherein the feed distributor further comprises a feed phase separator, the feed phase separator being disposed between the at least one feed inlet and the plurality of feed outlets and adapted to separate a feed liquid phase and a feed gas phase from the feed fluid. 10. The multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape with at least one distributor according to feature 9, wherein the feed distributor further has a fluid connection from the feed gas phase outlet of the feed phase separator to the at least one cooling channel. 11. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape with at least one distributor according to any of the preceding features, wherein the feed distributor further comprises a cooling fluid inlet adapted to supply a cooling fluid to the feed distributor.

[0029] 12. 10. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape comprising at least one distributor according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the at least one recycle fluid inlet comprises a recycle gas inlet and a recycle liquid inlet. 13. 13. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape and comprising at least one distributor according to feature 12, further comprising a recycle gas mixer and a recycle gas bypass channel. 14. 14. The multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape with at least one distributor according to Feature 12 or 13, further comprising a recycle liquid mixer and a recycle liquid distributor, the recycle liquid distributor being adapted to distribute the recycle liquid from the collection tray and the recycle liquid mixer onto a distribution tray. 15. 10. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape comprising at least one distributor according to any of the preceding features, wherein the distributor tray comprises a plurality of recycle liquid precision distributors adapted to distribute liquid from the distributor tray onto the catalyst beds below the distributor.

[0030] 16. 16. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape, comprising at least one distributor according to feature 15, wherein the recycle liquid precision distributor is a chimney-type liquid precision distributor. 17. 17. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape, comprising at least one distributor according to any one of features 13 to 16, wherein the recycle gas bypass channel is adapted to bypass the recycle gas from the collection tray and exit below the distribution tray. 18. 17. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape, comprising at least one distributor according to any one of features 15 to 16, wherein the recycle gas bypass channel is adapted to bypass the recycle gas from the collection tray to the distribution tray and further to the recycle liquid precision distributor.

[0031] 19. 1. A method for distributing process fluids, including a gas phase, a liquid phase, and optionally a vapor phase, and a feed fluid, between an upper catalyst bed and a lower catalyst bed in a multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical geometry, comprising: The method is carried out in a distribution apparatus including a collection tray with at least one recycled fluid inlet; a distribution tray adapted to distribute recycled fluid and positioned below the collection tray; and a separate feed distributor with at least one feed inlet and a plurality of feed outlets; where: the feed distributor is isolated from the fluid connection to the recycle fluid within a distribution device; The method comprises the steps of: narrowing a cross-sectional area of ​​recycle fluid flow from the upper catalyst bed to at least one recycle fluid inlet by a collection tray; - passing the recycled fluid through a distributor or partially bypassing the distributor; distributing at least a portion of the recycle fluid to a distribution tray and evenly distributing at least a portion of the recycle fluid from the distribution tray onto a catalyst bed located below the distributor; supplying a feed fluid from a feed inlet to said feed distributor isolated from a fluid connection to a recycle fluid in a distribution device; Distributing the feed fluid from a feed inlet to a plurality of feed outlets while keeping the feed fluid separate from any fluid connection to a recycle fluid.

[0032] 20. 20. The method of distributing a process fluid of claim 19, further comprising a feed channel connecting the feed inlet to the plurality of feed outlets, and further comprising cooling the feed fluid with a cooling fluid provided by a cooling channel at least partially surrounding the feed channel. twenty one. 20. Use of a multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape, comprising at least one distributor according to any of features 1 to 19, for the hydroprocessing of renewable raw materials. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is further illustrated by the accompanying drawings, which show examples of embodiments of the invention. FIG. 1 is an isometric side view of a distribution device in a multi-bed catalytic reactor (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a distribution device in a multi-bed catalytic reactor (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a distribution device in a multi-bed catalytic reactor (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a distribution device in a multi-bed catalytic reactor (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an isometric cutaway view showing details of a distribution device in a multi-bed catalytic reactor (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a distribution device in a multi-bed catalytic reactor (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a distribution device in a multi-bed catalytic reactor (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Position number 01. Distribution device. 02. Collection tray 03. Recycle fluid inlet 04. Recycle gas inlet 05. Recycled liquid inlet 06. Distribution tray 07. Feed distributor 08. Supply inlet 09. Feed outlet 10. Cooling Channel 11. Cooling channel outlet 12. Recycle gas mixer and bypass channel. 13. Recycled Liquid Mixer 14. Recycled liquid distributor 15. Recycled liquid precision distributor DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Numerous embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. While these drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that there are several other possible implementations of the present invention as claimed. Therefore, the drawings and the following description are exemplary of the present invention, but are not an exhaustive description of the present invention as claimed.

[0036] The drawing shown in Figure 1 is an isometric top / side view of a distributor 01 in a multi-bed catalytic reactor (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The distributor has a circular shape corresponding to the inner circular wall of the cylindrical reactor in which it is installed. At the top of the distributor, a collection tray 02 restricts the flow of fluid from above the distributor and collects and directs the fluid to a recycle fluid inlet 03, which in this embodiment shows a dedicated recycle gas inlet 04. It should be understood that in some embodiments there may be only one recycle fluid inlet, but as shown in Figure 1, this embodiment also includes a dedicated recycle liquid inlet 05, thus separating the recycle fluid entering above the distributor into liquid and gas streams.

[0037] In this embodiment, the recycle gas stream is mixed and bypassed below the distributor via a recycle gas mixer and bypass channel 12. The recycle liquid is mixed in a recycle liquid mixer 13 and directed to a recycle liquid distributor 14 to uniformly distribute the recycle liquid to the distributor trays 06 of the distributor.

[0038] On the distribution tray, the recycle liquid is spread over the cross-sectional area of ​​the mixer, and then the recycle liquid passes through the bottom of the mixer and is sent onto the catalyst bed (not shown) below the catalytic reactor via multiple recycle liquid mixer precision distributors 15.

[0039] Feed fluid is also supplied to the distribution device via a feed inlet 08 (not visible in this view) and a feed distributor 07. The feed is protected from high temperatures by cooling channels 10 within the feed distributor, as will be seen below.

[0040] Figure 2 shows the same embodiment of the distributor, but from an angled side view. Here, the aforementioned feed inlet 08 is visible, how it leads to the feed distributor, and how cooling channels surround the feed distributor to protect the feed fluid from the high temperatures present in the distributor and prevent the feed from becoming contaminated before delivery. Additional features of Figure 2 are the same as Figure 1 and have been described above.

[0041] Figures 3 and 4 show in more detail, in a cutaway side view, how the feed distributor directs the feed fluid through the distributor via multiple vertical channels and also horizontal channels (all part of the feed distributor 07). In Figure 4, the final passage of the feed fluid, the feed outlet 09, is visible, as are the cooling channel outlets 11. These will be shown in more detail in subsequent figures, but Figure 4 shows in overview how the feed fluid is fed into the catalytic reactor near the catalyst bed below, and also how the feed fluid is protected from high temperatures, and therefore fouling, from its passage from the feed inlet through the distributor by the cooling channels and by the cooling fluid that surrounds the feed fluid as it exits the feed outlet.

[0042] The detailed view of Figure 5 shows in more detail how the feed outlet is connected to the feed distribution apparatus and how it is all contained and thermally protected by the cooling channels, which uniformly provide a skirt or ring of protective cooling fluid around the feed fluid as it exits the feed outlet by the cooling channel outlet. This also appears in Figures 6 and 7, which also show how the details described above are incorporated into the distribution apparatus as a whole.

Claims

1. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape, comprising at least one distributor, said distributor comprising at least one recycle fluid inlet and a distributor tray adapted to distribute the recycle fluid; 1. A multi-bed catalytic reactor, wherein the distribution apparatus further comprises a separate feed distributor, the separate feed distributor having at least one feed inlet and a plurality of feed outlets, adapted to distribute a feed fluid from the at least one feed inlet to the plurality of feed outlets; A multi-bed catalytic reactor wherein said feed distributor is separated from the fluid connection to said recycle fluid within a distribution device.

2. 2. The multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape according to claim 1, wherein the distributor is installed between two catalyst beds in the reactor, the distributor further comprising a collection tray having the at least one recycle fluid inlet, and the distributor tray is disposed below the collection tray.

3. 3. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape and comprising at least one distributor according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of feed outlets are adapted to distribute the feed below the collection tray.

4. 4. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape comprising at least one distributor according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of feed outlets are adapted to distribute the feed over at least 90% of the total cross section of the catalyst bed located below the distributor and the plurality of feed outlets.

5. 5. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape comprising at least one distributor according to claim 1, wherein the distributor further comprises a feed channel fluidly connecting the feed inlet to the plurality of feed outlets.

6. 6. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape with at least one distributor according to claim 5, wherein said feed distributor further comprises cooling channels adapted to protect said feed fluid from ambient temperature.

7. 7. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape and comprising at least one distributor according to claim 6, wherein each feed channel is at least partially surrounded by at least one of said cooling channels.

8. 8. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape, comprising at least one distributor according to claim 6 or 7, wherein each feed outlet is at least partially surrounded by a cooling channel outlet.

9. 9. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape comprising at least one distributor according to claim 1, wherein the feed distributor further comprises a feed phase separator, the feed phase separator being disposed between the at least one feed inlet and the plurality of feed outlets and adapted to separate a feed liquid phase and a feed gas phase from the feed fluid.

10. 10. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape with at least one distribution device according to claim 9, wherein the feed distributor further comprises a fluid connection from a feed gas phase outlet of the feed phase separator to said at least one cooling channel.

11. 11. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape comprising at least one distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the feed distributor further comprises a cooling fluid inlet adapted to supply a cooling fluid to the feed distributor.

12. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape, comprising at least one distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said at least one recycle fluid inlet comprises a recycle gas inlet and a recycle liquid inlet.

13. 13. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape and comprising at least one distributor according to claim 12, further comprising a recycle gas mixer and a recycle gas bypass channel.

14. 14. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape and comprising at least one distributor according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising a recycle liquid mixer and a recycle liquid distributor, the recycle liquid distributor being adapted to distribute the recycle liquid from the collection tray and the recycle liquid mixer onto a distribution tray.

15. 15. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape comprising at least one distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the distributor tray comprises a plurality of recycle liquid precision distributors adapted to distribute the liquid from the distributor tray onto the catalyst beds below the distributor.

16. 16. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape, comprising at least one distributor according to claim 15, wherein the recycle liquid precision distributor is a chimney-type liquid fine distributor.

17. 17. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape, comprising at least one distributor according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the recycle gas bypass channel is adapted to allow the recycle gas to bypass the collection tray and exit below the distribution tray.

18. 17. A multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical shape, comprising at least one distributor according to any one of claims 15 to 16, wherein the recycle gas bypass channel is adapted to bypass the recycle gas from the collection tray to the distribution tray and further to the recycle liquid fine distributor.

19. 1. A method for distributing process fluids, including a gas phase, a liquid phase, and optionally a vapor phase, and a feed fluid, between an upper catalyst bed and a lower catalyst bed in a multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical geometry, comprising: The method is carried out in a distribution apparatus including a collection tray with at least one recycled fluid inlet; a distribution tray adapted to distribute recycled fluid and positioned below the collection tray; and a separate feed distributor with at least one feed inlet and a plurality of feed outlets; where: the feed distributor is isolated from the fluid connection to the recycle fluid within a distribution device; The method comprises the steps of: - Reducing the cross-sectional area of ​​recycle fluid flow from the upper catalyst bed to at least one recycle fluid inlet by a collection tray; - passing said recycled fluid through or partially bypassing a distributor; Distributing at least a portion of the recycle fluid onto a distribution tray and distributing at least a portion of the recycle fluid from the distribution tray evenly onto a catalyst bed located below the distributor; - supplying a feed fluid from a feed inlet to said feed distributor isolated from a fluid connection to a recycle fluid in a distribution device; Distributing the feed fluid from a feed inlet to a plurality of feed outlets while keeping the feed fluid separate from any fluid connection to a recycle fluid.

20. 20. The method of distributing a process fluid of claim 19, further comprising a feed channel connecting the feed inlet to the plurality of feed outlets, the method further comprising cooling the feed fluid with a cooling fluid provided by a cooling channel at least partially surrounding the feed channel.

21. Use of a multi-bed catalytic reactor having a cylindrical geometry, comprising at least one distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 19, for the hydroprocessing of renewable raw materials.

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