Supplying a dispensing device for loading a refinery and/or petrochemical reactor with solid particles

Abstract

An assembly for loading a refinery and/or petrochemical reactor (100) with solid particles, comprising a dispensing device (110) for loading the reactor with solid particles in a relatively uniform manner, a system (200) for supplying the dispensing device, comprising a flexible sleeve (140) connected to a solid particle tank (130) and to the dispensing device, and a control system (300) comprising a blocking device (310) for blocking the particles flowing in the flexible sleeve, adjacent to a portion (141) of the flexible sleeve and capable, when activated, of moving the walls of the flexible sleeve in such a way as to reduce a cross section of said sleeve at said portion, and an actuating device (350) for actuating the blocking device located at a distance from the blocking device.

Claims

1. A system comprising a refining and/or petrochemical reactor and an assembly for loading the refining and/or petrochemical reactor with solid particles, the assembly comprising a dispensing device for loading the reactor with solid particles, said device being arranged such as to homogenize and/or make uniform the loading of solid particles into the reactor, a system for supplying the dispensing device, said supply system comprising a flexible sleeve intended to be connected to a solid particle reserve firstly, and to the dispensing device secondly, wherein the solid particles can flow, generally from the top to the bottom, a system for controlling the supply system, comprising: a device for blocking the particles flowing in the flexible sleeve, which device is adjacent to a portion of the flexible sleeve and suitable for, when activated, moving walls of the flexible sleeve such as to reduce an effective cross-section of said sleeve at said portion, and a device for actuating the blocking device located remotely from the blocking device.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blocking device is arranged such as to urge the walls of the flexible sleeve against a rigid or semi-rigid pipe through which said flexible sleeve passes at the portion adjacent to the blocking device.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blocking device includes a balloon element pneumatically connected to a gas supply pipe.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the balloon element is adapted to be connected to a pneumatic network by means of a single pipe.

5. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the balloon element comprises two planar parts made from flexible material, which are connected to one another in a sealed manner.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispensing device comprises distributing means suitable for giving the solid particles a speed with a component perpendicular to the vertical direction.

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the distribution means comprise blades and a motor to rotate these blades about a vertical axis.

8. A method of managing loading of a refining and/or petrochemical reactor with catalyst particles and/or inert beads, comprising installing the assembly as claimed in claim 1 in the refining and/or petrochemical reactor.

9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reactor has an opening for the loading.

10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the dispensing device is placed through this opening into the reactor and loads with a rain effect the reactor with solid particles comprising catalyst particles and/or inert beads.

11. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating device is located at a distance from the blocking device that is greater than or equal to the radius of the base of the reactor.

Description

(1) The invention will be better understood with reference to the figures, which illustrate embodiments given by way of example.

(2) FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a loading assembly example according to an embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 schematically shows an example of a system for controlling a loading assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 schematically shows a balloon element example, for an assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

(5) FIG. 4 is a logical diagram illustrating a method example according to an embodiment of the invention.

(6) Identical references can be used from one figure to another in order to designate elements that are identical or similar, in the shape thereof or in the function thereof.

(7) With reference to FIG. 1, a reactor 100 defines an orifice 113 through which a dispensing device 110 for solid particles 107 passes.

(8) The dispensing device 110 can be of the type described in the document WO 2010/076522.

(9) This reactor 100 is approximately 5 or 6 meters high or more as the case may be, and the diameter of the base thereof is approximately 3 or 4 meters or even more.

(10) The dispensing device 110 allows the reactor 100 to be loaded with inert beads (not shown), in the bottom of the reactor, then also with catalyst particles 107.

(11) This type of reactor 100 can particularly be used in the oil or petrochemical industry. It can, for example, be a refining or petrochemical reactor (of a design that is well known to a person skilled in the art) wherein a load of hydrocarbons flows through the catalyst bed 107 and the inert bead bed which is not shown under temperature and pressure determined conditions. The catalyst solid particles can be porous extruded beads normally comprising metal compounds.

(12) In this embodiment, blades 119, for example in the form of straps, placed at the outlet of the loading device 110 allow for better distribution of the solid particles in the reactor 100.

(13) The dispensing device 110 defines orifices 118 through which the solid particles flow.

(14) This dispensing device 110 comprises a main body 117 or drum, made from metal, and an extension pipe 114, also made of metal, or possibly made from a non-metal semi-rigid material, for supplying the dispensing device with solid particles. The extension pipe 114 is mounted on the drum 117 by means of hoops and tubes that are not shown.

(15) The dispensing device 110 rests on a plate 150 of the reactor 100, by means of arms 133 mounted on the drum 117 and of ball and socket bases 134 at the end of the respective arms 133.

(16) The dispensing device 110 is supplied with solid particles by a supply system 200. This supply system 200 comprises a flexible sleeve 140, for example a sleeve made from a flexible plastic, fabric, fibers, etc.

(17) This flexible sleeve 140 is connected firstly to a solid particle reserve 130, for example a hopper, and secondly to the dispensing device 110 by standard means of connection that are not specific to the invention.

(18) When an outlet valve 131 of the hopper 130 is open, the solid particles 107 can flow, as a result of gravity, into this flexible sleeve 140, and therefore reach the dispensing device 110.

(19) A portion 141 of the flexible sleeve 140 is received in the extension pipe 114 and passes through this extension pipe 114.

(20) The loading facility further includes a system 300 for controlling loading of the enclosure 100 with solid particles.

(21) This control system 300 comprises a device 310 for blocking the particles flowing in the flexible sleeve 140. This blocking device 310 comprises, in this case, a balloon element 311 inserted between the portion 141 of the flexible sleeve, and the rigid walls of the extension pipe 114.

(22) The balloon 311 is pneumatically connected to a single pipe 312. This pipe 312 is therefore used both for supplying the balloon with air, and evacuating the air coming from the balloon during deflation.

(23) The control system 300 further includes a device 350 for actuating the blocking device 310. This actuating device 350, for example a computer, a smart phone, a programmable logic controller, etc., is remote from the blocking device 310. In particular, this actuating device can be located, and preferably is located, outside the enclosure 100. Therefore, it is no longer necessary for the operator to move inside the enclosure 100 in order to close the flexible sleeve 140.

(24) The actuating device 350 can comprise a user interface, for example a keyboard, a screen, and/or another element.

(25) A remote control console 351 (see FIG. 2) allows the pneumatic network 352 to be adjusted in order to inflate or deflate the balloon 311.

(26) This remote control console 351 can be connected to an air admission pipe 353 and to an escape pipe 354 of the pneumatic network 352. This console 351 can comprise an air pressure reducing valve 355 to reduce the air pressure from the air admission pipe 353. Indeed, the balloon 311 can be designed such as to only tolerate relatively low pressures, for example less than or equal to 0.5 bar.

(27) This air pressure reducing valve can therefore allow the air pressure from the pipe 353 to be changed from a value of 1 bar, for example to a value of 0.3 bar.

(28) A 2/1 air distributor 356 allows the number of pipes connected to the balloon 311 to be reduced to 1. During the inflation of the balloon 311, this air distributor 356 pneumatically connects the pipe 312 and the pipe 353, the pipe 312 being isolated from the pipe 354. When, on the contrary, the aim is to deflate the balloon, the air distributor isolates the pipe 312 from the pipe 353 and connects the pipe 312 to the pipe 354.

(29) In an alternative, it would be absolutely possible for the balloon to define an air inlet and outlet, which are separate from one another, an inlet pipe being connected to the air admission pipe 353 and the outlet pipe being connected to the air escape pipe 354, and/or to a vacuum pump. Two respective valves would allow the balloon to be inflated/deflated. Nevertheless, the solution of FIG. 2, wherein a single pipe is connected to the balloon 311, allows the spatial requirement to be limited in the enclosure, and particularly the spatial requirement at the manhole therefore allowing quick access to the plate if required.

(30) When the operator enters data on the computer 350 to indicate an intention to close the sleeve 140, a command message is transmitted to the console 351 and the air distributor connects the pipe 312 to the pipe 353. The balloon 311 is therefore inflated, as a result of the air admission from this pipe 353. The inflation of this balloon 311 inside the extension pipe 114 presses the walls of the sleeve 140, at the portion 141, flat against the rigid walls of the extension pipe 114, therefore preventing the solid particles from passing towards the dispensing device 110.

(31) In this embodiment, as in that of FIG. 3, the balloon 311 is obtained by welding two surfaces made from Kevlar. In the deflated state, this balloon is, therefore, relatively flat. A sheet metal element 322 is placed inside this balloon 311.

(32) Once the sleeve 140 has, therefore, been shut against the extension pipe 114, it is possible to reopen a flow path for the solid particles by commanding deflation of the balloon 311. If the operator enters such a command, the control console 351 then isolates the pipe 312 from the pipe 353, and connects this pipe 312 to the escape pipe 354, which is in fluid communication with a vacuum pump. The air present in the balloon 311 is then evacuated to this pipe 354. Since the balloon 311 is produced from rigid and relatively flat material, and is given structure by the sheet metal element 322, this balloon again assumes the original shape thereof. Furthermore, the sleeve 140 also again assumes the original shape thereof, i.e. the effective cross-section of this sleeve 140 at the balloon 311 increases, as a result of the choice of the material chosen for this sleeve 140 and/or since solid particles 107 tend to flow through this sleeve 140.

(33) FIG. 3 shows a more precise example of a balloon element 311 according to an embodiment of the invention, this balloon element being slightly different to the balloon element also having the reference 311 in FIG. 1, particularly with regard to the air admission and fixation. This balloon comprises a sheet metal element 322 in order to give structure to and rigidify the balloon in the deflated state. Two threaded inserts 323 and a pipe piece 324 are welded onto this sheet metal element, these elements 323, 324 therefore being raised with respect to the plane of the sheet metal element 322.

(34) The threaded inserts 323 are blind and intended for fixing the balloon onto a rigid pipe of the type of pipe having reference 114 in FIG. 1.

(35) The pipe piece 324 comes out on either side of the sheet metal element 322. An air admission and escape pipe, of the type of pipe having reference 312 in FIGS. 1 and 2, can be fixed in a sealed manner on this pipe piece.

(36) To manufacture the balloon, after welding the elements 323, 324 on the sheet metal element 322, fitting takes place of a first sheet of Kevlar defining three openings at locations corresponding to the locations of the elements 323, 324 on the sheet metal element 322, then this sheet is welded about these elements 323, 324 by vulcanization. A second Kevlar sheet is then placed on the other side of the sheet metal element 322, then also welded by vulcanization to the first sheet, on the respective contours thereof, such as to form a Kevlar structure 425.

(37) FIG. 4 shows an example of a method that can be executed by the computer 350.

(38) Following the receipt of data entered by the user indicating that this user wishes to stop loading (step 401), the method comprises a step 413 of comparing this entered data with a value SHORT indicating that the stoppage will be short. If this test 413 is negative, i.e. if the user has entered data corresponding to a long or definitive stoppage, then the method comprises a step of transmitting a valve closure message close_131 to an actuator, that is not shown, of the valve having reference 131 in FIG. 1. Therefore, the first stage is to close the connection between the hopper 130 and the rest of the loading facility, during a step 410.

(39) Then, the computer receives from a sensor, that is not shown, measurement values allowing it to be deduced whether the sleeve having reference 140 is emptied or not. If these measurements allow it to be deduced that the sleeve is emptied, then a flag s_empty is set to 1 during a step that is not shown.

(40) The method comprises a test step 411 during which the value of this flag s_empty is compared with 1. So long as this value is equal to 0, the system is placed in a waiting state, during a step 412. In other words, these steps 411, 412 allow for a waiting time until the sleeve is completely emptied.

(41) The detection that the sleeve is empty can be carried out by means of a sensor for the rotation speed of the blades 119 of the loading device 110. Indeed, when the sleeve 140 is emptied, it is expected that the rotation speed increases.

(42) Once the sleeve is emptied, the system transmits a message for stopping the motor of the dispensing device 110, during a step 414, then the user enters a value for mass loaded into the enclosure M_lo and this value is received during a step 415 then stored in a memory during a step 416.

(43) If, by contrast, the user has entered data indicating that the stoppage would be short, i.e. if the test 413 is positive, then the system 350 transmits to the console 351 a message for closing the sleeve 140, during a step 417.

(44) Then, the pressure of the balloon is monitored in order to ensure the inflation thereof. A pressure value is received during a step 450. If this value is less than a threshold of 0.3 bar (test 451), a waiting step 452 is carried out. The steps 450, 451, 452 form a loop from which the system only emerges when the pressure reaches or exceeds this threshold value of 0.3 bar. It is possible to provide additional steps, which are not shown, in order to transmit a warning message if the system remains for too long in this loop.

(45) This monitoring of the closure of the sleeve by means of a pressure sensor can be more advantageous than simple auditory monitoring, as can be envisaged in the prior art, since the operator can then be located further from the enclosure.

(46) Once the closure of the sleeve has been detected, when the test 451 is negative, a test 418 is carried out with respect to a value of a flag relating to the filling level of the hopper 130. If the sensors allow for the detection that this hopper 130 is empty, then the flag 130_empty is set to 1. If the test 418 is positive, i.e. if the hopper 130 is assessed as being empty, then a message is displayed to invite the operator to fill this hopper 130, during a step that is not shown.

(47) Furthermore, a new test step 419 with respect to the value of the flag 130_empty and a waiting step 420 allow the system to be placed in a waiting state so long as the hopper 130 is not filled.

(48) The temporary stoppage of loading can therefore be taken advantage of in order to reload the hopper. The closure of the sleeve can allow the prevention of a transitional rate during which the loading of the enclosure would be carried out with a lesser throughput than with the constant rate.

(49) If the test 418 or the test 419 shows that the hopper 130 is at least partially filled, then the operator enters a loaded mass value, and this value is received during a step 421.

(50) Furthermore, it is possible to provide other steps of receiving measured values, for example values coming from sensors that are not shown in FIG. 1, for example level sensors for the bed of loaded particles 107.

(51) Once this check of the quantity of loaded particles has been carried out, or, if required, once this filling of the hopper has been carried out, the system transmits a message for opening the sleeve, during a step 422. Loading then restarts.

(52) The balloon 311 allows the sleeve 140 to be closed proximate the loading device 110, which can allow the insertion of solid particles into the enclosure to be stopped relatively quickly. Indeed, the particles present in the sleeve 140 before this closure at the portion 141 remain inside the sleeve 140 while the balloon is not deflated.

(53) Returning to FIG. 4, it will, furthermore, be possible to provide, after the step 422, steps, that are not shown, for monitoring the pressure inside the balloon, in order to ensure the deflation thereof.

(54) The logical diagram of FIG. 4 illustrates a process resulting in temporarily or definitively interrupting loading. To start loading, it will be possible to transmit a message to inflate the balloon 311 before opening the valve 131. In other words, once this valve 131 is open, the particles fill the sleeve 140. It is only when the sleeve is full that the command is given to deflate the balloon, and therefore the particles are allowed to move toward the dispensing device 110.

(55) More precisely, the method can comprise a step for setting the orifices 118 of the dispensing device 110, a step for commanding switch-on of the motor such that the blades 119 rotate, a step for transmitting a message to close the sleeve 140, a step for transmitting a message to open the hopper by means of the valve 131, steps for waiting until the sleeve is full, a step for transmitting a message for opening the sleeve, and finally steps for setting the rotation speed of the dispensing device 110.

(56) These various steps can be carried out on the computer 350, under the control of an operator located proximate this computer 350.