Multi-Outlet FCC Material Delivery System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for delivering materials, such as catalysts or additives, are limited to a single Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) unit and cannot efficiently manage the delivery to multiple FCC units, lacking the necessary metering and distribution capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for metering and delivering materials to a plurality of FCC units using a delivery vessel with multiple dispense mechanism outlets, equipped with load cells for weight measurement and pressure control, along with a control module to manage the delivery process, ensuring accurate and efficient distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional additive injector is used, then material delivery to a single FCC unit is achieved, but the system cannot deliver materials to multiple FCC units

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to deliver materials to multiple FCC unitsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The additive injector system is designed with multiple outlets that can be coupled to multiple FCC units, allowing a single injector to perform multiple delivery functions. The system can selectively deliver materials to different FCC units through valve control, making the injector universal rather than unit-specific.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system divides the material delivery capability into separate outlets, each capable of being directed to different FCC units. The valve assembly segments the flow paths, allowing independent control of material delivery to each connected FCC unit while maintaining a unified injector body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If material is delivered to multiple FCC units, then versatility is improved, but control and metering precision becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-unit delivery capabilityVSAvoidmetering precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates metering devices at each outlet that provide feedback on the amount of material being delivered to each FCC unit. This feedback mechanism allows the control system to monitor and adjust deliveries to maintain precise metering control across multiple units simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The valve assembly provides dynamic control by allowing selective opening and closing of different outlets based on which FCC units require material delivery. This dynamic routing capability enables precise control over material distribution to multiple units, adjusting flow paths in real-time to maintain metering precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a single delivery system serves multiple FCC units, then system complexity is reduced, but the ability to control material ratios for each unit is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidprocess control flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The valve assembly enables dynamic routing of materials to different FCC units, allowing the system to be easily reconfigured for different delivery scenarios. Each outlet can be independently controlled to deliver appropriate material ratios to specific units, maintaining operational flexibility within a unified system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If conventional injectors are used for each FCC unit, then delivery control is simple, but the number of required systems increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery control simplicityVSAvoidnumber of systems required
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple injector functions into a single additive injector system with multiple outlets. By combining the metering, storage, and delivery capabilities into one unified system that serves multiple FCC units, the overall number of separate systems required is reduced while maintaining individual delivery control through the valve assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables precise and efficient delivery of materials to multiple FCC units, improving process control and flexibility, and allowing for the management of material ratios and emissions, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency and profitability of FCC units.

Implementation Method 1

a metering device provides a metric indicative of the dispensed material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWeight measurement:

Implementation Method 2

provides pressurized fluid, such as air, that is utilized to carry the various products, such as a catalyst, additive, equilibrium spent catalyst, catalyst fines, etc. from the injectors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid transport:

Data Source

PatentEP2321381B1Method of material delivery to a plurality of FCC units
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 JOHNSON MATTHEY PROCESS TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • EP2321381B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2321381B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2321381B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Material delivery systems and methods are disclosed. A material delivery system includes a delivery vessel and at least one dispense mechanism outlet. The delivery vessel is configured to deliver material to at least one unit, with the proviso that when the unit is an FCC unit, the unit includes a plurality of units. The at least one dispense mechanism outlet is configured to couple the delivery vessel to the at least one unit. A method includes providing a material to at least one unit. The method includes dispensing material from a delivery vessel, wherein a metering device provides a metric indicative of the dispensed material with respect to at least a unit, and delivering the metered material to at least one unit via at least one dispense mechanism outlet of the delivery vessel coupled to the at least one unit. Another method includes providing a material to a plurality of units.