Patent ID: 6814943
Filing Date: 2004-11-09
Classification: C07C,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for alkylating liquid hydrocarbons using solid catalyst particles, the apparatus comprising:a) a substantially vertical reactor conduit having a reactor conduit proximate end and a reactor conduit distal end, where the reactor conduit in part defines a reactor space for maintaining a bed of solid catalyst particles; b) a means for introducing liquid hydrocarbons to the reactor conduit proximate end; c) a means for disengaging solid catalyst particles and liquid hydrocarbons, the means for disengaging being in communication with the reactor conduit distal end for receiving solid catalyst particles and liquid hydrocarbons; d) a means for discharging liquid hydrocarbons from the apparatus; e) a vessel for receiving solid catalyst particles, the vessel being in communication with the means for disengaging, where the vessel has an outer vessel wall, an upper inner vessel wall having an upper diameter, a lower inner vessel wall positioned vertically below the upper inner vessel wall and having a lower diameter that is greater than the upper diameter, the outer vessel wall and the upper inner vessel wall in part defining an upper annular vessel space for maintaining a bed of solid catalyst particles, the outer vessel wall and the lower inner vessel wall defining a lower annular vessel space for maintaining a bed of solid catalyst particles, the lower annular vessel space being in communication with the upper annular vessel space for receiving solid catalyst particles; f) a plurality of fluid-controlled valves in communication with the lower annular vessel space for receiving solid catalyst particles, the plurality of fluid-controlled valves comprising a plurality of feeder conduits having a plurality of feeder conduit ends in communication with the reactor conduit proximate end for discharging solid catalyst particles, the plurality of feeder conduits extending in a substantially horizontal direction in a plane and being positioned symmetrically around the reactor conduit proximate end.