Method of removing cobalt deposits in a reactor for the cobalt-catalyzed high-pressure hydroformylation of olefins by treatment with aqueous nitric acid, wherein the reactor is at least partly filled with aqueous nitric acid and the temperature of the aqueous nitric acid is increased during the treatment.

Methods and systems for solution polymerization. The method can include forming a first mixture stream consisting essentially of at least one catalyst and a process solvent, and forming a second mixture stream consisting essentially of at least one activator and the process solvent. The first mixture stream and the second mixture stream can be fed separately to at least one reaction zone comprising one or more monomers dissolved in the process solvent where the at least one monomers can be polymerized within the at least one reaction zone in the presence of the catalyst, activator and process solvent to produce a polymer product.

This invention relates to a self cleaning reactor and to a process for the oligomerization of ethylene that employs a self-cleaning reactor. The reactor includes a mass of inert, particulate cleaning bodies that are entrained by the liquid in the reactor and scour the internal surfaces of the reactor during normal operation. This scouring action reduces the level of fouling on the reactor surfaces. Foulant material (polyethylene) is removed from the process on a continuous basis but the cleaning bodies remain within the reactor.

The invention concerns a process for the oligomerization of ethylene into alpha-olefins, comprising a step for the oligomerization of ethylene, a step for deactivation of the catalyst, a and step for separation of the products, the reactor being provided with a cooling loop (100, 101, 102) by means of which at least a portion of the reaction effluent is moved through at least two switchable heat exchangers, said heat exchangers being cleaned alternately by means of an integrated cleaning device.

A method for removing contaminants from an process stream that includes the use of reticulated material to filter the process stream. The reticulated material also facilitate process stream flow distribution in process units. The reticulated material can be packed with a void space between a substantial number of the reticulated material that can be varied to enhance filtration and flow distribution. The method of filtering also provides a method of removing contaminants leaving process equipment. The methods can be used on a variety of process streams and process equipment. The reticulated material can include ceramics, metallic materials, and chemical vapor deposition elements. The reticulated material can be of various shapes and sizes, and can also be catalytically active.

A system and method is provided for upgrading a continuously flowing process stream including heavy crude oil (HCO). A reactor receives the process stream in combination with water, at an inlet temperature within a range of about 60 C. to about 200 C. The reactor includes one or more process flow tubes having a combined length of about 30 times their aggregated transverse cross-sectional dimension, and progressively heats the process stream to an outlet temperature T(max)1 within a range of between about 260 C. to about 400 C. The reactor maintains the process stream at a pressure sufficient to ensure that it remains a single phase at T(max)1. A controller selectively adjusts the rate of flow of the process stream through the reactor to maintain a total residence time of greater than about 1 minute and less than about 25 minutes.

Disclosed herein are systems and processes which prevent fouling of a reactor inlet of an oligomerization reactor. The systems and processes involve placement of an inlet sleeve around at least a portion of a reactor inlet such that a curtain of inert material flows through an annular space coaxially with respect to an outer surface of the end of the reactor inlet and into the reactor.

The present disclosure provides a reactor cleaning apparatus including: a fixing part having a partial region inserted into a hole formed in an upper portion of a reactor to be coupled to the reactor and fixing a pipe; the pipe inserted into a hole formed in the fixing part, protruding downward from the fixing part, and having a length adjustable in a vertical direction; a spray nozzle provided at a lower end of the pipe; and a screener provided on a lower side surface of the pipe, and a reactor cleaning method using the same.

A device for the descending flow of a hydrocarbon-containing liquid containing solid particles at the bottom of an item of equipment (1) and a process for the conversion of hydrocarbon-containing feedstocks implementing said device.

Disclosed herein are systems and processes which prevent fouling of a reactor inlet of an oligomerization reactor. The systems and processes involve placement of an inlet sleeve around at least a portion of a reactor inlet such that a curtain of inert material flows through an annular space coaxially with respect to an outer surface of the end of the reactor inlet and into the reactor.