Fixed bed catalytic reactor system with improved liquid distribution

摘要

A continuous process and system is provided for a petroleum oil in a multi-phase fixed bed catalytic reactor column comprising methods and means for: feeding the oil and a reactant gas at production flow rates above a first bed of porous solid catalyst particles under conversion conditions for cocurrent downward flow therethrough, collecting and withdrawing the treated oil from the first bed and redistributing at least a portion of the treated oil to at least one succeeding catalyst bed while permitting the gaseous phase to flow directly to the succeeding lower catalyst bed, recycling a quantity of treated oil collected below a catalyst bed and reapplying the treated oil at a preceding redistribution zone above the bed from which treated oil is collected, whereby the total of oil production flow rate and recycled treated oil flow rate is maintained at a predetermined minimum sufficient to effect uniform catalyst wetting. This technique is useful for hydrodewaxing of oils over zeolite catalysts.