Gas-pocket distributor and method of distributing gas

摘要

A distributor assembly for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon mixture of hydrogen-containing gas and liquid hydrocarbon is presented. The distributor assembly has a circular plate with a plurality of hollow risers, or tubular zones, bound thereto for distributing hydrogen-containing gas and liquid hydrocarbon through openings in the circular plate member. Each of the hollow risers has a tubular opening in its associated side. At least some of the risers are partially obstructed at their bottom ends, in order to prevent entry of gas bubbles through the bottom of the tube. Side entry into the risers is preferred, since it provides an opportunity for mixing gas and liquid hydrocarbon. The distributor assembly is connected to an internal wall of a reactor. A method is also presented for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising flowing a mixture of hydrogen-containing gas and liquid hydrocarbon into a reactor zone to produce evolved hydrogen-containing gas; and flowing the mixture of hydrogen-containing gas and liquid hydrocarbon through a plurality of partially obstructed tubular zones while admixing simultaneously therewith the evolved hydrogen-containing gas.