Patent ID: 8192691

Claim:
A hydrocarbon conversion unit, comprising: a) a regeneration vessel; b) a apparatus for allowing the passage of catalyst from a lower pressure to a higher pressure comprising a transfer vessel; wherein the apparatus comprises: a first line communicating catalyst to the transfer vessel and coupled to a first valve to allow catalyst into the transfer vessel a second line communicating catalyst from the transfer vessel and coupled to a second valve to allow catalyst out of the transfer vessel; and a third line for allowing the passage of gas therethrough at a pressure higher than the first pressure having a first portion communicating with the transfer vessel and having a second portion coupled to third and fourth valves; wherein each of the third and fourth valves has a first position that is open and a second position that is closed, which corresponds, respectively, to the opening and closing of the first and second valves to allow gas to pass therethrough; wherein the first portion of the third line is coupled to the second portion between the third and fourth valves and one end of the second portion communicates with a vent line from a storage vessel c) a reaction zone; wherein the regeneration vessel is aligned substantially vertically with the apparatus or valveless lock hopper for passing regenerated catalyst by gravity-assisted transfer from the regeneration vessel to the apparatus or valveless lock hopper.