Nozzle removal tool and method for removing nozzle

Abstract

A nozzle removal tool for removing a nozzle from a nozzle sleeve of a vessel has a nozzle sleeve clamp configured to be coupled to the nozzle sleeve of the vessel and a nozzle attachment configured to be coupled to a nozzle disposed in the nozzle sleeve. Fluid-powered cylinders are provided to extend between the nozzle sleeve clamp and the nozzle attachment. When actuated, the fluid-powered cylinders cooperate with the nozzle attachment to displace the feed nozzle outwardly from the nozzle sleeve.

Description

NOZZLE REMOVAL TOOL AND METHOD FOR REMOVING NOZZLEFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a nozzle removal tool and a method for removing a nozzle from a vessel. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a fluid- powered nozzle removal tool and method for using same.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Refinery and chemical plants use nozzles for distributing liquid and / or gases into a vessel. Over time, the nozzles may need to be removed for maintenance and / or replacement due to fouling and / or degradation. For example, during processing of a hydrocarbon feedstock, coke deposits may form on reactor components. One area in which the coke deposits is within an annulus between the nozzle and a nozzle sleeve. Current techniques for removing nozzles from a nozzle sleeve are done manually, which may be difficult and inefficient due to the amount of force, resources, and time needed to remove them. In particular, when products and by-products of chemical and / or biological reactions are deposited in an annulus between the nozzle and the nozzle sleeve, the nozzle may become stuck within the nozzle sleeve, thereby making manual removal difficult due, in part, to the amount of force needed to pull and remove the nozzle from the nozzle sleeve. Moreover, conventional tools used to remove the nozzle do not apply an equal and uniform loading across the nozzle. This unequal and nonuniform loading can cause the nozzle to become cocked and wedged within the nozzle sleeve rendering it more difficult to remove. Therefore, in certain instances when the nozzles can’t be removed, nozzles may be not replaced and are then used beyond their lifetime, which may result in lost margins due to reduced performance compared to maintenance and / or new nozzles.

[0003] Accordingly, there is a need for a nozzle removal tool for removing a nozzle from a vessel in a manner that applies an equal and uniform force, is efficient, and requires minimal to no manual force.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nozzle removal tool for removing a nozzle from a nozzle sleeve of a vessel, comprising: a nozzle sleeve clamp configured to be coupled to the nozzle sleeve of the vessel; a nozzle attachment configured to becoupled to a nozzle disposed in the nozzle sleeve; and a plurality of fluid-powered cylinders extending between the nozzle sleeve clamp and the nozzle attachment, the fluid-powered cylinders configured to cooperate with the nozzle attachment to displace the feed nozzle outwardly from the nozzle sleeve when the fluid-powered cylinders are actuated.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided method for removing a nozzle from a nozzle sleeve of a vessel, comprising: coupling a nozzle sleeve clamp to the nozzle sleeve of the vessel, wherein a portion of the nozzle is disposed in the nozzle sleeve; coupling a nozzle attachment to the nozzle; coupling a plurality of fluid-powered cylinders to the nozzle sleeve clamp and the nozzle attachment, wherein the fluid-powered cylinders are sized to extend between the nozzle sleeve clamp and the nozzle attachment when in a non-actuated position; and actuating the fluid-powered cylinders, whereby the actuated fluid- powered cylinder extends outwardly to displace the feed nozzle outwardly from the nozzle sleeve.

[0006] Additional features and advantages of exemplary implementations of the disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations. The features and advantages of such implementations may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations as set forth hereinafter.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The process of the present invention will be better understood by referring to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and the drawings referenced therein, in which:

[0008] Figs. 1 A and IB are front elevation and top plan views, respectively, of one embodiment of a nozzle removal tool of the present invention;

[0009] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the nozzle removal tool of Figs. 1A and IB;

[0010] Figs. 3A and 3B are front elevation and top plan views, respectively, of a further embodiment of a nozzle removal tool of the present invention;

[0011] Figs. 4A and 4B are perspective views of another embodiment of the nozzle removal tool of Figs. 3 A and 3B, with the fluid-powered cylinders in contracted and extended positions, respectively; and

[0012] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the nozzle removal tool of Fig. 1 deployed in one example of a reactor, namely an FCC riser reactor.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. These described embodiments are examples of the presently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation may be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developers’ specific goals, such as compliance with system -related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0014] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

[0015] In accordance with the present invention, a nozzle removal tool is fluid-powered to remove the nozzle from a vessel. In this way, the nozzle can be removed easily, safely, and efficiently, without requiring substantial manual force or additional tools and reducing the risk of the nozzle becoming wedged and / or stuck within the nozzle sleeve. The fluid-powered cylinders are configured to apply a uniform force against the nozzle sleeve when actuated so that the nozzle can be smoothly displaced and pulled out from the vessel.

[0016] With the foregoing in mind and turning now to the drawings, Figs. 1 A and IB illustrate one embodiment of the nozzle removal tool 10 of the present invention.

[0017] The nozzle removal tool 10 has a nozzle sleeve clamp 12, a nozzle attachment 14, and a plurality of fluid-powered cylinders 16 extending between the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 and the nozzle attachment 14.

[0018] The nozzle sleeve clamp 12 is configured to be coupled to a nozzle sleeve of a vessel. Preferably, the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 is configured to be removably coupled to the nozzle sleeve. In one embodiment, the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 may be configured to be coupled to a flange of a nozzle sleeve of a vessel. In another embodiment, the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 may be configured to be coupled to the body of a nozzle sleeve of a vessel.

[0019] The nozzle attachment 14 is configured to be coupled to a nozzle disposed in the nozzle sleeve of the vessel. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1A and IB, the nozzle attachment 14 is a clamp that is coupled to a flange of the nozzle.

[0020] In the embodiment of Figs. 1A and IB, the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 and the nozzle attachment 14 have mounting brackets 18 spaced apart around their respective circumference. In operation, the mounting brackets 18 on the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 and the mounting brackets 18 on the nozzle attachment 14 are configured to be axially aligned. In the embodiment of Figs. 1A and IB, the mounting brackets 18 are provided to attach a respective fluid-powered cylinder 16 so that the plurality of fluid-powered cylinders 16, when actuated, can cooperatively operate to pull the feed nozzle from the nozzle sleeve of the vessel. For example, the mounting brackets 18 may have openings or through holes that align with openings of connectors on the fluid-powered cylinders 16. Securing hardware (e.g., pins, bolt, clamp, or the like) may be inserted into or through the openings of the mounting bracket 18 and fluid-powered cylinder connectors to secure the fluid-powered cylinders 16. While in the illustrated embodiment the nozzle removal tool 10 has four fluid-powered cylinders 16, the nozzle removal assembly 10 may have any number of fluid-powered cylinders 16 suitable for applying a uniform load on the nozzle sleeve for pulling the nozzle from the nozzle sleeve. Upon activation of the fluid-powered cylinders 16, each fluid-powered cylinder 16 applies a uniform force on the nozzle sleeve in an outwardly direction, thereby pulling a distal end of the nozzle out of the nozzle sleeve without cocking and lodging the nozzle in the nozzle sleeve.

[0021] The fluid-powered cylinders 16 may be powered, for example, hydraulically or pneumatically, to move from a contracted position to an extended position to displace the nozzle from the nozzle sleeve.

[0022] Those skilled in the art will understand that the fluid-powered cylinders 16 are configured for connection to a hydraulic fluid or gas source for activation of the hydraulics or pneumatics used to apply the force that displaces the feed nozzle from within the nozzle sleeve. When the nozzle removal tool 10 is deployed on the nozzle and nozzle sleeve, the fluid-powered cylinders 16 are sized to extend between the nozzle attachment 14 and the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 when the cylinders 16 are in a non-actuated (i.e., a contracted) state. The actuator(s) is not depicted in the drawings for ease of illustration. Those skilled in the art will understand how to configure and operate an actuator for the fluid-powered cylinders 16. The actuator(s) is selected and operated to extend the fluid-powered cylinders 16 uniformly so as not to cock the nozzle within the nozzle sleeve.

[0023] Fig. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the nozzle removal tool 10 of Figs. 1A and IB deployed to remove a nozzle 30 from a nozzle sleeve 20. In this embodiment, the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 includes multiple separate clamp segments that may be individually placed and coupled to one another around the nozzle sleeve 20. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 is coupled to a flange of the nozzle sleeve 20. Alternatively, the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 may be coupled to the body of the nozzle sleeve 20. Nozzle sleeves 20 and / or the flanges of the nozzle sleeves 20 may vary in size, specifically the diameter thereof. Therefore, the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 is preferably constructed from separable individual segments to accommodate for the variability in size of the nozzle sleeves 20. While in the embodiment depicted in Fig. 2, the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 has four cooperating segments, the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 may have any number of segments. For example, the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 may have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or more segments. In one embodiment, the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 may be hinged. That is, the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 may have two segments coupled to one another by a hinge.

[0024] The nozzle sleeve clamp 12 may have various features that facilitate coupling the segments to one another, to other components of the nozzle removal tool 10, and to the nozzle sleeve 20. For example, each segment may include a segment body and a set of coupling plates at or near each segment terminal end. Each coupling plate may be provided with an opening orthrough hole that may be used to removably couple and secure the clamp segments to another, for example, with segment securing hardware (e.g., bolts, screws, rods, pins, and the like).

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, where the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 is configured to be coupled to a flange of a nozzle sleeve 20, the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 includes a rim that radially protrudes inwardly from an inside wall of the nozzle sleeve clamp 12. The rim may extend along the entire inner circumference of the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 and / or along the inner length of segments of the nozzle sleeve clamp 12. Alternatively, the rim may extend along only a portion of the length. In this particular embodiment, the rim on each segment may be evenly spaced apart and aligned along the circumference of the segment inside wall. When assembled on the nozzle sleeve, the rim is wedged between flanges on the nozzle sleeve 20 and the nozzle 30. When the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 is formed of segments, the segments may each be formed as one integral piece with no removable parts and manufactured by any suitable means such as, but not limited to, molding, 3-D printing, sintering, and the like. In certain embodiments, the segment body, any coupling plates, and the rim may be manufactured separately and subsequently non-removably coupled to one another through welding, annealing, adhesives, or any other suitable coupling technique.

[0026] In the embodiment of Fig. 2, the nozzle attachment 14 is a clamp configured to be coupled to a flange on the end of the nozzle 30. Similar to the nozzle sleeve clamp 12, the nozzle attachment 14 includes segments. As depicted, the nozzle attachment 14 is formed by two segments coupled to one another around a perimeter of the flange of the nozzle 30. It will be understood that the nozzle attachment 14 may have any number of segments. For example, the nozzle attachment 14 may have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or more segments. Securing hardware (e.g., bolts, pins, screws, and the like) may be used to attach the segments to one another and for securing the nozzle attachment 14 on the nozzle 30. The segments may be connected by one or more hinges or coupled as described with respect to the nozzle sleeve clamp 12.

[0027] Figs. 3 A and 3B illustrate another embodiment of the nozzle removal tool 10 of the present invention where the nozzle attachment 14 is provided by a pull flange 14a and an arm assembly 14b. In this embodiment, the pull flange 14a is coupled to a flange of a nozzle. The pull flange 14a is configured to be coupled to the nozzle flange by a mating flange plate. A shaft extending from the flange plate is configured for connection to the arm assembly 14b. The plate and the shaft may be non-removably coupled (e.g., welded, annealed, adhered, and the like) toone another. In other embodiments, the plate and the shaft are removably connected. For example, the plate may be provided with a slot (e g., recess, groove, or opening / hole) sized and shaped to receive a first end of the shaft. The slot and the first end of the shaft may have complementary threads, snaps, quick connects, or any other suitable coupling feature that secures the shaft to the plate.

[0028] The mating flange plate is preferably provided with holes configured to align with some or all of the holes typically provided on a nozzle flange to attach the plate to the nozzle, for example, using securing hardware (e.g., screws, threaded studs, bolts, pins, rods, and the like). Once the pull flange 14a is secured to the nozzle, the arm assembly 14b is positioned on the shaft. The arm assembly 14b is configured to attach a respective fluid-powered cylinder 16 so that the plurality of fluid-powered cylinders 16, when actuated, can cooperatively operate to pull the nozzle from the nozzle sleeve of the vessel.

[0029] The arm assembly 14b may be positioned along any portion of the shaft of the pull flange 14a, depending on a length of the portion of the nozzle that extends from the nozzle sleeve. The arm assembly 14b is then locked into the desired position on the shaft. The arm assembly 14b may be secured in a number of different ways, for example a bolt, lock pin, set screw, quick connect, and the like.

[0030] A preferred embodiment of the nozzle attachment 14 is illustrated in Figs. 4A and 4B.In this embodiment, the pull flange 14a is coupled to the arm assembly 14b by a fastener 14c at a distal end of the pull flange 14a. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the fastener 14c may be screwed onto the shaft.

[0031] The fastener 14c may be placed to abut a surface of the arm assembly 14b, so that when the fluid-powered cylinders 16 are actuated to push the arm assembly 14b outwardly, the pull flange 14a is carried with the arm assembly 14b to displace the nozzle 30 from the nozzle sleeve 20. In the embodiment of Figs. 4A and 4B, one or more spacers 14d are provided on the shaft between the arm assembly 14b and the fastener 14c so that the pull flange 14a is substantially locked into position relative to the arm assembly 14b when the fluid-powered cylinders 16 are actuated to an extended position, as illustrated in Fig. 4B. The spacers 14d provide increased flexibility to use the nozzle removal tool 10 on nozzles that may differ in the extent to which they extend outwardly from the nozzle sleeve.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the arm assembly 14b has a bore and outwardly extending arms. The bore is sized and shaped to receive the shaft of the pull flange 14a. That is, the bore may have an inner diameter that is slightly less than an outer diameter of the shaft, so that the shaft may slide through the bore during set-up and then locked into position before actuating the fluid-powered cylinders 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the arm assembly 14b has four arms. However, the arm assembly 14b may have any number of arms. For example, the arm assembly 14b may have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more arms depending on the number of fluid-powered cylinders 16 used in the nozzle removal tool 10. The arms are configured for attachment to a distal end of each fluid-powered cylinder 16. For example, each arm may be provided with an arm opening for attaching a respective end of the fluid-powered cylinder 16.

[0033] The various components of the nozzle removal tool 10 may be manufactured from durable materials such as, but not limited to, nickel-chromium alloys, steel, and the like. One or more of the components of the nozzle removal tool 10 may include protective coatings, such as anti-corrosive coatings (e.g., aluminum oxide, chromium oxide, zirconium oxide, chromium carbide, tungsten carbide).

[0034] As set forth above, the nozzle removal tool 10 of the present disclosure may be used to displace a nozzle 30 from a nozzle sleeve 20 without cocking and / or lodging it inside the nozzle sleeve 20 and with minimal to no manual force (e.g., by system operators). The nozzle 30 is displaced from the nozzle sleeve 20 to a point at which the risk of lodging or coking the nozzle 30 is sufficiently low. The degree to which the nozzle 30 is displaced will be dependent on the length of the nozzle 30, the nozzle sleeve 20, the vessel type, and the degree and type of deposits encountered, for example. Those skilled in the art will understand the desired degree of nozzle displacement. The disclosed nozzle removal tool 10 applies a uniform force resulting in smooth and efficient removal of the nozzle 30. Nozzles 30 are used for introducing feed, and / or reactant liquids and / or gasses to a vessel. A non -limiting example of a process in which nozzles 30 may be used is for the injection of feed to an FCC riser reactor.

[0035] Accordingly, present embodiments also include a method for removing the nozzle 30 from a nozzle sleeve 20 using the nozzle removal tool 10 of the present invention.

[0036] In one embodiment of the method of the present invention, a nozzle sleeve clamp 12 is coupled to a nozzle sleeve 30. Prior to coupling the nozzle sleeve clamp 12, bolts and / or other fasteners used to connect the nozzle 30 to the nozzle sleeve 20 are removed. The nozzle sleeveclamp 12 may be coupled to a flange on the nozzle sleeve 30, a body of the nozzle sleeve 30, or a combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 is coupled to a flange on the nozzle sleeve 30.

[0037] A nozzle attachment 14 is coupled to a nozzle 30 disposed in the nozzle sleeve 20. The nozzle attachment 14 may be coupled to the nozzle 30 prior to or after the step of coupling the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 to the nozzle sleeve 30. Where the nozzle attachment 14 is a clamp as depicted in Figs. 1 A and IB, the nozzle attachment 14 is preferably clamped to a flange on the nozzle 30. Where the nozzle attachment 14 comprises a pull flange 14a and an arm assembly 14b as depicted in Figs. 3 A and 3B, the pull flange 14a is coupled to a nozzle flange at a distal end of the nozzle 30. In a preferred embodiment, a mating flange plate is abutted with the flange of the nozzle 30 such that holes in the mating flange plate align with holes on the nozzle flange. In this embodiment, securing hardware is used to couple the pull flange 14a to the nozzle 30 flange. Once secured, the arm assembly 14b is placed on the shaft of the pull flange 14a at a desired position along the shaft. In one embodiment, the arm assembly 14b is coupled to the pull flange 14a with a fastener 14c. In another embodiment, spacers 14d are positioned on the shaft to hold the arm assembly 14a at a desired distance from the nozzle sleeve clamp 12. A fastener 14c is then used to secure the arm assembly 14b in place.

[0038] Fluid-powered cylinders 16, sized to extend between the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 and the nozzle attachment 14 when in a non-actuated position, are coupled to the nozzle sleeve clamp 12 and the nozzle attachment 14 at opposing ends of the fluid-powered cylinders 16. The fluid- powered cylinders 16 are connected to actuators (not shown) in a manner known to those skilled in the art.

[0039] The fluid-powered cylinders 16 are actuated to displace the nozzle 30 from the nozzle sleeve 20. The fluid pressurizes the fluid-powered cylinders 16 outwardly from the nozzle sleeve 20, thereby pulling on the nozzle 30. Accordingly, the nozzle 30 is displaced from the nozzle sleeve 20 and the nozzle 30 may then be smoothly and efficiently removed from within the nozzle sleeve 20 in a safe manner without cocking or lodging inside the nozzle sleeve 20 and with minimal to no manual force.

[0040] The nozzle removal tool and method of the present invention may be advantageous for a number of different vessels. One example for deploying the tool and method of the invention is in an FCC unit. Fig. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a fluid catalyticcracker (FCC) riser 26 that forms part of an FCC unit. In the illustrated embodiment, the FCC riser 26 has a plurality of nozzle sleeves 20 extending outwardly from the riser 26. Often, the nozzle sleeves 20 are provided at a downward angle.

[0041] Each nozzle sleeve 20 provides an opening into which a portion of a respective nozzle 30 is inserted and secured. Conventionally, the nozzle 30 has a flange that is aligned and secured to a flange on the nozzle sleeve 20. In operation, during the catalytic breakdown of the hydrocarbon feed, gasses formed within the FCC riser 26 may condense and form coke deposits in an annulus between the nozzle sleeve 20 and the nozzle 30 positioned within the nozzle sleeve 20. The coke deposits may cause the nozzle 30 to get stuck within the nozzle sleeve 20, thereby making it difficult to remove and replace and / or maintain the nozzle 30.

[0042] In accordance with the present invention, a nozzle removal tool is mounted onto the nozzle sleeve 20 and nozzle 30 and used to displace the nozzle 30 from the nozzle sleeve 20 to a degree whereby the nozzle 30 may then be manually removed in a safe and efficient manner.

[0043] The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms with, out departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A nozzle removal tool for removing a nozzle from a nozzle sleeve of a vessel, comprising: a nozzle sleeve clamp configured to be coupled to the nozzle sleeve of the vessel; a nozzle attachment configured to be coupled to a nozzle disposed in the nozzle sleeve; and a plurality of fluid-powered cylinders extending between the nozzle sleeve clamp and the nozzle attachment, the fluid-powered cylinders configured to cooperate with the nozzle attachment to displace the feed nozzle outwardly from the nozzle sleeve when the fluid-powered cylinders are actuated.

2. The nozzle removal tool of claim 1, wherein the nozzle sleeve clamp is configured to be coupled to a flange on the nozzle sleeve, a body of the nozzle sleeve, or a combination thereof.

3. The nozzle removal tool of claim 1, wherein the nozzle attachment is a clamp configured to be coupled to a flange on the feed nozzle, and wherein the clamp is configured to be coupled to an end of each of the plurality of fluid-powered cylinders.

4. The nozzle removal tool of claim 1, wherein the nozzle attachment is comprised of a pull flange configured to be coupled to a flange of the feed nozzle and an arm assembly configured to be coupled to the pull flange and an end of each of the plurality of fluid-powered cylinders.

5. The nozzle removal tool of claim 1, wherein the nozzle sleeve clamp is configured to be coupled to a flange on the nozzle sleeve and wherein the nozzle sleeve clamp comprises a rim on an inner surface of the nozzle sleeve clamp, the rim configured to be placed between the flange of the nozzle sleeve and a flange of the nozzle.

6. The nozzle removal tool of claim 1, wherein the fluid-powered cylinders are selected from a hydraulic cylinder and a pneumatic cylinder.

7. A method for removing a nozzle from a nozzle sleeve of a vessel, comprising: coupling a nozzle sleeve clamp to the nozzle sleeve of the vessel, wherein a portion of the nozzle is disposed in the nozzle sleeve; coupling a nozzle attachment to the nozzle; coupling a plurality of fluid-powered cylinders to the nozzle sleeve clamp and the nozzleattachment, wherein the fluid-powered cylinders are sized to extend between the nozzle sleeve clamp and the nozzle attachment when in a non-actuated position; and actuating the fluid-powered cylinders, whereby the actuated fluid-powered cylinder extends outwardly to displace the feed nozzle outwardly from the nozzle sleeve.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the nozzle sleeve clamp is configured to be coupled to a flange on the nozzle sleeve, a body of the nozzle sleeve, or a combination thereof.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the nozzle attachment is a clamp configured to be coupled to a flange on the feed nozzle, and wherein the clamp is configured to be coupled to an end of each of the plurality of fluid-powered cylinders.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the nozzle attachment is comprised of a pull flange configured to be coupled to a flange of the feed nozzle and an arm assembly configured to be coupled to the pull flange and an end of each of the plurality of fluid-powered cylinders.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the nozzle sleeve clamp is configured to be coupled to a flange on the nozzle sleeve and wherein the nozzle sleeve clamp comprises a rim on an inner surface of the nozzle sleeve clamp, the rim configured to be placed between the flange of the nozzle sleeve and a flange of the nozzle.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the fluid-powered cylinder is selected from a hydraulic cylinder and a pneumatic cylinder.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein the vessel is an FCC riser reactor.

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