GB2381787A

GB2381787A - Particulate material transfer

Info

Publication number: GB2381787A
Application number: GB0127058A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Sheehan
Original assignee: Catalyst Handling Res & Engine
Current assignee: Catalyst Handling Res & Engine
Priority date: 2001-11-09
Filing date: 2001-11-09
Publication date: 2003-05-14
Also published as: GB0127058D0

Abstract

Apparatus for transferring particulate material 13, which apparatus includes:<BR> a first vessel 11 arranged to receive the particulate material 13, a second vessel 16 and a conduit 17, connecting the first vessel and the second vessel; and<BR> a pneumatic source 14 in communication with the second vessel 16, the pneumatic source arranged to apply a vacuum to the second vessel whereby material can be transferred from the first vessel 11 to the second vessel 16. Preferably, the second vessel is a catalyst reaction vessel, the first vessel an hopper and material added to the hopper by a IBC 13. A dust separation vessel 12 can be provided upstream form the reactor 16. Air 15 can be provided to the hopper 11 to assist the vacuum source 14.

Description

Particulate Material Transfer The present invention is concerned with a method of transferring particulate material from a first vessel to a second vessel and apparatus for transferring particulate material.

Manufacturers of particulate material, and in particular catalyst pellets, have previously utilised 45 gallon steel drums to contain and deliver their materials to the end user. However, the trend over the past decade or so has been to utilize flexible intermediate bulk containers (IBC).

Whilst flexible IBC's manufactured from canvas and/or plastics material are unsuitable for containing pellets which have exothermic properties. The main advantage of IBC's (apart from their increased volume when compared to a drum), is that they can be packed flat when empty, thereby taking up minimal storage space.

Currently, the fastest and most common method of loading the contents of flexible IBC's into a reactor (which typically contains beds in excess of 100 cubic metres) is to lift the IBC, by crane, to the top of the reactor. The contents of the IBC is subsequently emptied into the

reactor by the aid of gravity as the bottom drawstring of the IBC is released. Although this method of loading a reactor is relatively fast (lifting 25m to the top of a platform and unloading to vessel typically takes about 5 minutes per 1 cubic metre per IBC whereas current vacuuming methods can take 10 to 15 minutes per IBC), the use of a crane to load a reactor has a number of disadvantages. In particular, during adverse weather conditions the crane loading has to be stopped. In addition, the crane takes up a relatively large amount of ground space and therefore the safety risk factors in the immediate and surrounding area are much higher than with the vacuum loading method.

A further method for transferring particulate material is to vacuum the contents of the IBC from ground level to a suitable interceptor hopper which is arranged on the top platform of the reactor. This is achieved by manually inserting a vacuum hose into the IBC. However, this method is disadvantageous as it is very labour intensive and relies heavily on the skill of the vacuum hose operator because as the contents of the IBC reduces it becomes increasingly difficult to prevent the flexible sides of the bag being sucked into the vacuum hose causing it to block.

This problem therefore significantly reduces the speed of vacuum/pneumatic loading.

Therefore, it is an aim of the present invention to alleviate at least some of the disadvantages identified above.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for transferring particulate material from a first vessel to a second vessel.

It is yet a further aim of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for transferring particulate material from a transportation and/or storage vessel to a reaction vessel.

Therefore, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for transferring particulate material, which apparatus includes: a first vessel arranged to receive the particulate material, a second vessel and a conduit connecting the first vessel and the second vessel; and a pneumatic source in communication with the second vessel, the pneumatic source arranged to apply a vacuum to the second vessel.

The first vessel is preferably a hopper. According to a first embodiment, the second vessel may be a reactor vessel. Alternatively, it is envisaged that the second

vessel may be dust-particulate material separator vessel. It is particularly preferred that the second vessel is a dust-particulate material separator vessel which feeds material into a reactor vessel. The dust-particulate material separator is preferably of the type sold by Technivac Ltd. , United Kingdom under the trade mark SOFFLO.

It is particularly preferred that the first vessel is arranged in a position substantially below the second vessel.

Accordingly, the invention extends to apparatus for transferring catalyst from a storage vessel to a reactor which apparatus includes a hopper arranged to receive the catalyst, an interceptor hopper and a conduit arranged to apply a vacuum to the second vessel.

Preferably, the first vessel is arranged to receive particulate material from a transportation or storage container which is arranged to transport and/or store the particulate material prior to the material being transferred to the second vessel. It is particularly preferred that the transportation or storage container is the type commonly known as an intermediate bulk container (IBC).

The apparatus preferably includes a conveying gas inlet port arranged to permit entry of a conveying gas into the apparatus. The conveying gas is preferably air. The conveying gas is preferably directed to the conduit, either directly or via the first vessel.

The conveying gas inlet port may be arranged to direct the conveying gas directly into the conduit. Alternatively, the conveying gas inlet port may be an open portion of the first vessel.

The apparatus may further include a cover member for substantially covering an open portion of the first vessel.

Advantageously, the cover member substantially reduces dust emission which is produced when the storage and transportation vessel are emptied of their contents. The present invention therefore extends to an improved apparatus for reducing dust emission during particulate handling. The cover member may also include an inspection panel manufactured of, for example, glass or transparent plastic's material.

Advantageously, the cover member has an opening therein to permit entry of the particulate material into the vessel.

It is also envisaged that the opening may be the conveying

gas inlet port. It is particularly preferred that the apparatus includes a dust extraction pipe arranged to connect the first vessel and the conveying gas inlet port when the apparatus includes a cover member. Advantageously, the dust extraction pipe conveys dust from the first vessel to the conveying gas inlet where the conveying gas subsequently carries the dust, together with particulate material, to the second vessel.

Particulate material, such as catalysts, are often contaminated with debris. Such debris may include waste material (such as cardboard, paper, empty drink cans or the like) which has been inadvertently mixed with the particulate material. It is desirable to remove such debris prior to transferring the particulate material to the second vessel. Therefore, it is preferred that the apparatus includes a debris collection means.

The debris collection means is preferably arranged in the first vessel. The debris collection means preferably acts as a sieve which permits particulate material to pass therethrough whilst substantially retaining the debris. The debris collection means may be a mesh like or foraminous panel. The panel preferably has apertures

therein which are greater in diameter than the average diameter of the particulate material but smaller than the average size of the debris.

It is particularly preferred that the apparatus further includes a metering means which is arranged to control the volume of particulate material entering the conduit from the first vessel. The metering means may include a plate or the like arranged between the first vessel and the conduit.

The conduit may include a second conduit arranged in the first conduit. The second conduit preferably is of smaller diameter than the first conduit and has apertures therein (preferably of smaller diameter than the particulate material). Advantageously, the second conduit assists with the flow of conveying gas through the conduit thereby reducing the probability of a blockage of the conduit occurring.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of transferring particulate material from a first vessel to a second vessel, which method includes: Providing a vessel having particulate material therein, the vessel being connected to the second vessel by a conduit;

and applying a vacuum to the second vessel thereby forcing the particulate material to transfer from the first vessel to the second vessel via the conduit.

The method is preferably carried out in apparatus substantially as described herein before.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: FIGURE 1 represents prior art apparatus for loading catalyst into a reactor; FIGURE 2 represent apparatus for loading catalyst into a reactor according to the present invention in use; FIGURE 3 represents a first embodiment of the first vessel for use in the present invention; FIGURE 4 represent a second embodiment of the first vessel for use in the present invention; and FIGURE 5 represents a preferred embodiment of the first vessel for use in the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a reactor 1 and a crane 2 having an IBC bag 3 attached to the crane arm 4. In use, the IBC 3 is attached to the crane arm 4 and raised to the reactor inlet port 5. The contents of the IBC is released into the reactor 1 to form the catalyst bed 6.

Referring to Figures 2 to 5, where like numerals have been used to represent like parts, there is provided a first vessel 11 and a dust-catalyst separator 12. In use, the contents of IBC 13 is emptied into the vessel 11 and vacuum source 14 is switched on. The particulate material and conveying gas are transferred along conduit 15 in direction 17 to separator 12 by pneumatic means. The separator 12 directs particulate material into reactor 16 on direct dust and conveying gas along path 18.

Referring to Figure 3 there is shown a vessel according to present invention having auto feed de-dusting properties.

The vessel 21 has a particulate material inlet portion 22 and a particulate material outlet 23 which feeds conduit 24.

In use, the contents of IBC 25 is emptied into vessel 21 (the IBC 25 is typically suspended by a fork lift truck, not shown) and conveying gas is also permitted to enter the

vessel via inlet 22. In use, the vacuum source is switched on thereby forcing conveying gas, dust and particulate material to travel along path 26. The volume of particulate material entering conduit 24 is controlled by metering plate 23. Conduit 27 is arranged to permit conveying gas and dust to enter conduit 24. This is therefore carried out from vessel 21 in conduit 24, thereby reducing dust emission to the surrounding area.

Referring to Figure 4 there is shown a vessel 31 having a particulate material inlet portion 32 and a conveying gas inlet portion 33. In use the catalyst is placed in vessel 31 through inlet 32. The vacuum source is then applied in the direction arrow A which results in particulate material and conveying gas being transferred to a second vessel (not shown in Figure 4).

Referring to Figure 5 the vessel 41 has cover member 42. The cover member 42 has an inlet portion 43 arranged to receive the particulate material. The apparatus includes a debris collection means 44 to collect debris which has inadvertently been mixed with the particulate material. The apparatus further comprises a metering and plate 45 which is further arranged to control the volume of particulate material entering conduit 46 from vessel 41.

A dust extraction pipe 47 is arranged to connect vessel 41 with conduit 46. The dust extraction pipe 47 is arranged to connect with vessel 41 at a position substantially above the level particulate material attains when it is in the vessel 41.

In use, a vacuum is applied to the apparatus in the direction of arrow B particulate material is therefore transferred from vessel 41 through metering plate 45 and into conduit 46 (conduit 46 leads to vessel 2 (not shown in Figure 5) furthermore dust is extracted from vessel 41 through dust extraction pipe 47.

Claims

Claims 1. Apparatus for transferring particulate material, which apparatus includes: a first vessel arranged to receive the particulate material, a second vessel and a conduit connecting the first vessel and the second vessel; and a pneumatic source in communication with the second vessel, the pneumatic source arranged to apply a vacuum to the second vessel.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first vessel is a hopper.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second vessel is a reactor vessel.
4. Apparatus according claim 1 or 2, wherein the second vessel is a dust-particulate material separator vessel.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second vessel is a dust-particulate material separator vessel which feeds material into a reactor vessel.
6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the

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first vessel is arranged in a position substantially below the second vessel.
7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first vessel is arranged to receive particulate material from a transportation or storage container which is arranged to transport and/or store the particulate material prior to the material being transferred to the second vessel.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the transportation or storage container is the type commonly known as an intermediate bulk container (IBC).
9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, which includes a conveying gas inlet port arranged to permit entry of a conveying gas into the apparatus.
10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the conveying gas is directed to the conduit, either directly or via the first vessel.
11. Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the conveying gas inlet port is arranged to direct the conveying gas directly into the conduit.

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12. Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the conveying gas inlet port is an open portion of the first vessel.
13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, which further includes an open portion of the first vessel.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the cover member includes an inspection panel manufactured of, for example, glass or transparent plastic's material.
15. Apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the cover member has an opening therein to permit entry of the particulate material into the vessel.
16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the opening is the conveying gas inlet port.
17. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, which includes a dust extraction pipe arranged to connect the first vessel and the conveying gas inlet port when the apparatus includes a cover member.
18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the dust extraction pipe conveys dust from the first vessel to the conveying gas inlet where the conveying gas

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subsequently carries the dust, together with particulate material, to the second vessel.
19. Apparatus according to any preceding claim which further includes a debris collection means.
20. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the debris collection means is arranged in the first vessel.
21. Apparatus according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the debris collection means acts as a sieve which permits particulate material to pass therethrough whilst substantially retaining the debris.
22. Apparatus according to any of claims 19 to 21, wherein the debris collection means is a mesh-like or foraminous panel.
23. Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the panel has apertures therein which are greater in diameter than the average diameter of the particulate material but smaller than the average size of the debris.
24. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, which further includes a metering means which is arranged to control the volume of particulate material entering

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the conduit from the first vessel.
25. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the metering means includes a plate or the like arranged between the first vessel and the conduit.
26. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the conduit includes a second conduit arranged in the first conduit.
27. Apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the second conduit is of smaller diameter than the first conduit and has apertures therein (preferably of smaller diameter than the particulate material).
28. Apparatus for transferring catalyst from a storage vessel to a reactor which apparatus includes a hopper arranged to receive the catalyst, an interceptor hopper and a conduit arranged to apply a vacuum to the second vessel.
29. A methodtransferring particulate material from a first vessel to a second vessel, which method includes: providing a vessel having particulate material therein, the vessel being connected to the second vessel by a conduit; and

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applying a vacuum to the second vessel thereby forcing the particulate material to transfer from the first vessel to the second vessel via the conduit.
30. Apparatus for transferring particulate material substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.