Catalyst, method and apparatus for a particle replacement system for countercurrent feed-packed bed contact

摘要

This invention makes possible substantially continuous flow of uniformly distributed hydrogen and hydrocarbon liquid across a densely packed catalyst bed (10) to fill substantially the entire volume of the reactor (11) by introducing the liquid and gas as alternate annular rings at a rate insufficient to ebullate the bed. Catalysts are selected by density, size and shape at a design maximum feed rate of fluids to prevent the ebullation of packed bed. The alternate annular rings flow across the full area of the bed. The catalyst flow in a continuous, downward plug-like manner is achieved by the introduction of the catalyst at the top of the bed in a laminarly flowing liquid on a periodic or semicontinuous basis. Catalyst removal is also achieved by laminar flow in the same fashion from the bottom. The catalyst used produces a plug-flowing, substantially packed bed.