An apparatus and a method to withdraw samples from a polymerization plant using a defined sequence of steps combined with locking devices for valves opened by a single key.

A moving bed reactor is provided that can allow facilitate performing a reaction involving a three-phase flow under co-axial flow conditions for the solid and liquid portions of the three phase flow, while the gas portion of the three-phase flow is exposed to the solids under radial flow conditions. Methods for using such a moving bed reactor to perform a reaction, such as upgrading of a feed to distillate products, are also provided.

A feed distribution apparatus and method of using such an apparatus are provided for introducing a three-phase flow into a moving bed reactor that is operated under co-current flow conditions. The feed distribution apparatus can allow for separate introduction of liquid and solids in a manner that allows for even distribution of liquid within the solids. The gas portion of the flow can be introduced in any of a variety of convenient manners for distributing gas into a liquid or solid flow.

An air lance for removing pellets from tubes may include a nozzle with an inner surface having converging and diverging portions adjacent the downstream end of the nozzle to improve air flow. The air lance may include a projection fixed relative to the nozzle and extending beyond the downstream end of the nozzle to serve as a feeler, a poker, and a spacer.

A solids circulation system receives a gas stream containing char or other reacting solids from a first reactor. The solids circulation system includes a cyclone configured to receive the gas stream from the first reactor, a dipleg from the cyclone to a second reactor, and a riser from the second reactor which merges with the gas stream received by the cyclone. The second reactor has a dense fluid bed and converts the received materials to gaseous products. A conveying fluid transports a portion of the bed media from the second reactor through the riser to mix with the gas stream prior to cyclone entry. The bed media helps manipulate the solids that is received by the cyclone to facilitate flow of solids down the dipleg into the second reactor. The second reactor provides additional residence time, mixing and gas-solid contact for efficient conversion of char or reacting solids.

Methods and systems for olefin polymerization are provided. The method for olefin polymerization can include flowing a catalyst through an injection nozzle and into a fluidized bed disposed within a reactor. The method can also include flowing a feed comprising one or more monomers, one or more inert fluids, or a combination thereof through the injection nozzle and into the fluidized bed. The feed can be at a temperature greater than ambient temperature. The method can also include contacting one or more olefins with the catalyst within the fluidized bed at conditions sufficient to produce a polyolefin.

A counter-current catalyst regenerator with at least two stages of counter-current contact along with a regenerator riser is proposed. Each stage may comprise a permeable barrier that allows upward passage of oxygen-containing gas and downward passage of coked catalyst into each stage, but inhibits upward movement of catalyst to mitigate back mixing and approximate true counter-current contact and efficient combustion of coke from catalyst. The regenerator riser may provide a passage to transport the catalyst and may serve as a secondary stage for coke combustion to provide the regenerated catalyst.

A vessel for the downflow of a preferably hydrocarbon liquid, containing solid particles: a bottom comprising a cylindrical upper part (11), a lower part (12) with a decreasing cross section and a varying angle of inclination with respect to the vertical axis (Z), and an outlet pipe (9); injections (5) and (6) of recirculated and/or of makeup liquid into the lower and upper parts respectively; injections (5) inclined with respect to the tangent to the wall of the lower part at the injection point by an angle 1 in the vertical plane (xz) and by an angle 2 in the horizontal plane (xy); injections (6) are inclined with respect to the wall of the upper part by an angle 01 in the vertical plane (xz) and by an angle 2 in the horizontal plane (xy).

Methods and systems for olefin polymerization are provided. The method for olefin polymerization can include flowing a catalyst through an injection nozzle and into a fluidized bed disposed within a reactor. The method can also include flowing a feed comprising one or more monomers, one or more inert fluids, or a combination thereof through the injection nozzle and into the fluidized bed. The feed can be at a temperature greater than ambient temperature. The method can also include contacting one or more olefins with the catalyst within the fluidized bed at conditions sufficient to produce a polyolefin.

The present invention is directed towards modifying the internals of the reactor section of a fluidized coke reactor such that the majority of the hydrocarbon feed will react in the core region of the reactor section and that any hydrocarbon vapour that is produced in the annular region will be released into the core region. Therefore, the present invention reduces the residence time of vapour immediately flashed from the injected hydrocarbon feed, resulting in reduced secondary vapour phase cracking.