JPH0644988B2 - Catalyst filling method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial field of application] The present invention relates to a catalyst packing device, and can be used for the work of packing a catalyst into a reaction tower such as a petroleum refining facility or a chemical industrial facility.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, catalysts have been used for various reactions in petroleum refining, chemical industry, etc., and in using them, for example, a granular catalyst is packed in a cylindrical reaction tower or the like. It is common to feed a raw material oil, a reaction liquid, a gas, or a mixture thereof into the reaction tower to catalyze the catalyst surface.

In such a reaction tower, if the catalyst packed inside has a partial density, the feedstock oil, etc. passed through the reaction tower will pass through only the part with a rough density, so that the concentration of that part The catalytic activity of No. 1 rapidly decreases, and even if the other parts are normal, sufficient performance as a reaction tower cannot be obtained, and it becomes necessary to replace the catalyst in a short time. For this reason,
It is necessary to make the density of the packed catalyst as uniform as possible.

In filling these catalysts, it was common for an operator to enter the reaction tower and spray the catalyst using a flexible pipe or the like to evenly distribute the catalyst. However, in such a method, the work efficiency is low, the work is performed in a closed reaction tower, and a large amount of fine powder particles of the catalyst are generated, which is problematic in terms of worker safety and hygiene. For this reason, in recent years, in order to perform safe and efficient catalyst filling work from the outside, granular catalyst is supplied from above to a rotating disk that is suspended and supported in the reaction tower, and is scattered around by a centrifugal force. Many types of catalyst filling devices have been developed.

By the way, in such a catalyst filling device, generally, the catalyst falling from the disk is scattered along an annular locus, and the density of the part becomes higher than the other parts. For this reason, it is necessary to constantly change the radius of the catalyst drop trajectory in order to perform uniform charging.For example, the height of the rotating disk and the number of revolutions are constantly changed to create an annular trajectory drawn by the catalyst. Complex operations such as adjusting the diameter of the are performed.

On the other hand, a catalyst filling device in which a distribution plate having an oval shape or the like is used instead of a disc, and a plurality of distribution channels are formed on the surface in the radial direction, and the diameter dimensions of the distribution channels are different from each other. (See Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-141923). In this catalyst filling device, since the catalyst scattered from each distribution path draws a number of circular-centric trajectories, it is possible to spread it uniformly over a wide range by controlling the number of revolutions. The operation is simpler than that of a plate-type catalyst filling device, and uniform catalyst filling can be performed very efficiently.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

By the way, in the catalyst filling device for performing the catalyst dispersion in the circular-centric shape as described above, good catalyst filling can be performed if the falling trajectory of the outermost circumference is appropriately maintained. However, the drop trajectory radius changes depending on the rotation speed of the distribution plate and the drop height of the catalyst (the height of the distribution plate from the catalyst holding surface of the reaction tower or the surface of the catalyst deposited on it). When the radius of the falling trajectory of the outermost circumference greatly exceeds the inner diameter of the reaction tower, the packed catalyst becomes dense along the inner wall surface, and conversely, when it is smaller than the inner diameter, the portion along the inner wall surface becomes coarse. Therefore, it is necessary to control the number of rotations of the distribution plate according to the inner diameter of the reaction column and the drop height in order to realize the optimal packed state.

However, the radius of the falling trajectory changes depending on the size, shape, and weight of the catalyst, and it is not easy to determine the optimum rotation speed in consideration of these various factors. Further, since the drop height of the catalyst changes with the progress of filling, it is necessary to change the rotation speed of the distribution plate at any time during the spraying according to the work progress. For this reason, setting requires a skilled technician, etc., and because there are many fluctuation factors, the reproducibility of the condition setting is difficult, and even when the filling operation is repeated under the same conditions, it is difficult to repeat. In some cases, it was necessary to make complicated settings. Moreover, there is still no definitive method for determining the optimum condition settings,
There are many unclear points about what state value to use as a criterion, and it has been desired to develop a method capable of performing reliable and optimal catalyst filling.

An object of the present invention is to provide a catalyst filling method which can save the work of filling the catalyst, can obtain uniform filling, can be easily set in the work and has high reproducibility, and can easily cope with setting changes. To provide.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

In the present invention, a distribution plate having a catalyst dropping part and a plurality of catalyst distribution parts partitioned by radial ribs and having different radial lengths in the central part is rotated in a reaction tower, and a distribution plate is placed above the distribution plate. In a method of supplying a catalyst to a distribution plate from the arranged catalyst supply pipe, and spraying the supplied catalyst to the surroundings by the catalyst distribution unit and dropping it downward by the catalyst dropping unit to fill the catalyst in the reaction tower. The conditions of the catalyst, the distribution plate and the reaction tower are set in advance, the surface height of the catalyst in the reaction tower at any time is detected, and the catalyst falls from the difference between the surface height and the distribution plate height. The height of the distribution plate is calculated from the calculated drop height and the preset conditions, and the optimum rotation speed of the distribution plate is calculated, and the rotation speed of the distribution plate is calculated according to the calculated optimum rotation speed. The catalyst filling method is configured by controlling Those were.

Here, in calculating the optimum number of revolutions, the conditions of the catalyst, the distribution plate and the reaction tower and the drop height of the catalyst are summarized as a function based on the experiment, etc. It is possible to employ a method of sequentially calculating the optimum rotation speed according to the drop height data in the above.

In addition, a function of drop height-optimal rotation speed is calculated in advance for each condition, and one of these functions is selected based on the set condition data, and the optimum rotation speed according to the drop height data is selected. May be calculated.

Furthermore, there is also a method in which the optimum number of revolutions is calculated in advance for each condition and drop height and summarized as a data table, and the one that matches the set condition data and the current drop height data is selected from among them. Can be adopted.

[Action]

In the present invention configured as described above, the conditions of the catalyst, the distribution plate and the reaction tower used in performing the filling operation are set in advance, and when starting the operation, the distribution plate of the distribution plate from the catalyst holding surface in the reaction tower is set. Optimal rotation speed is calculated with the height as the drop height, and the distribution plate is rotated at this optimum rotation speed to perform the filling operation. During operation, the height of the surface of the catalyst deposited on the catalyst holding surface is detected by a height detector such as a contact type or an optical type installed in the reaction tower to obtain the current drop height. The optimum rotation speed is sequentially adjusted by controlling the rotation speed of the distribution plate in accordance with the optimum rotation speed to ensure the optimum catalyst filling state at any time. Therefore, in addition to achieving uniform filling, the filling operation can be performed automatically, eliminating the need for constant manual control and monitoring and achieving high reproducibility. Furthermore, the setting itself can be done by inputting various data. Simplify and achieve these objectives.

〔Example〕

 An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a reaction tower 1 for petroleum refining, which is controlled based on the catalyst filling method of the present invention. The reaction tower 1 has a substantially cylindrical outer shell, and is provided inside with an upper screen 2 and a lower screen 3 through which raw material oil can pass. On the lower screen 3, granular catalysts 4 are loaded and packed. Has been done. In order to fill the catalyst 4, a hopper 5 for storing the catalyst 4 is arranged at the upper opening of the reaction tower 1, and a supply tube 6 for transferring the catalyst 4 is connected to the lower end of the hopper 5 to connect the supply tube 6 with the supply tube 6. The lower end is connected to a catalyst packing device 10 supported at the center of the upper screen 2.

The catalyst filling device 10 includes a drive shaft 12 driven by a motor 11 arranged on the upper surface side of the upper screen 2, and two distribution plates 13 and 14 are provided at the lower end of the drive shaft 12. A supply passage 15 continuous from the supply tube 6 is arranged above the center of the distribution plates 13 and 14, and the supplied catalyst 4 is scattered around by the rotation of the distribution plates 13 and 14, and the lower screen 3 It is sprayed on the top to uniformly fill the reaction tower 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, a fixing member 21 is screwed to the lower end of the drive shaft 12, and four supporting arms are provided around the fixing member 21.
A central cylindrical body 23 is supported via 22 and the inner peripheral edge of the distribution plate 13 is welded and fixed to the collecting surface near the upper end of the central cylindrical body 23. Further, the distribution plate 14 is suspended by four bolts 25 attached to the peripheral surface of the central cylindrical body 23, and is supported in parallel and coaxially with the distribution plate 13 at a predetermined interval from the lower end of the central cylindrical body 23.

Further, a conical surface 24 that expands downward is provided at the upper end edge of the central cylindrical body 23, and the lower end thereof is connected to the upper surface of the distribution plate 13, and receives the catalyst 4 from the supply passage 15 and distributes it. Board 13
Can be supplied to the upper surface of. Further, the space inside the central cylindrical body 23 constitutes a catalyst dropping portion of the distribution plate 13, and the catalyst 4 from the supply passage 15 can be dropped and supplied to the upper surface of the distribution plate 14.

Here, a plurality of ribs 31 and 41 are provided on the upper surfaces of the distribution plates 13 and 14 from the outer peripheral edge to the vicinity of the outer circumference of the conical surface 24, and the ribs 31 and 41 face outward in the radial direction. The catalyst distribution portions 32 and 42 having a substantially concave shape are formed by partitioning the surfaces of the distribution plates 13 and 14 so as to be expanded.

These distribution plates 13 and 14 are each formed in a substantially oval shape that is point-symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis of the drive shaft 12, and has an expanded catalyst distribution section.
The lengths in the radial direction are different for each of 32 and 42. Therefore, the catalyst 4 supplied to the distribution plates 13 and 14 is scattered from the tips of the catalyst distribution parts 32 and 42 to the surroundings by the centrifugal force caused by the rotation, but the catalyst distribution parts 32 and 42 are distributed in the radial direction. Since the lengths are different, as shown in FIG. 1, the catalyst 4A from the distribution plate 13 is scattered in a range of a predetermined width from the outer peripheral edge of the lower screen 3, and the catalyst 4B from the distribution plate 14 is distributed in the inner range thereof. It is scattered. The distribution plates 13 and 14 are arranged such that the large diameter portion 44 of the distribution plate 14 overlaps the small diameter portion 33 of the distribution plate 13, respectively, so that the catalysts 4A and 4B scattered from the distribution plates 13 and 14 can be smoothly connected. Is configured.

Further, a long hole as a catalyst dropping portion is provided in the center of the distribution plate 14.
45 is provided, and a part of the catalyst 4 dropped from the inside of the central tubular body 23 is configured to drop downward from the elongated hole 45. Therefore, in the central portion of the lower screen 3 which cannot be dispersed by the distribution plate 14, the catalyst 4C is dispersed from the long hole 45,
As a result, the catalyst 4 is evenly dispersed on the lower screen 3, and the catalyst 4 can be uniformly packed in the reaction tower 1.

Returning to FIG. 1, a height detector 61 is provided on the inner wall surface of the reaction tower 1 from the upper surface of the lower screen 3 to the height of the distribution plate 14. The height detector 61 can detect the height of the surface of the catalyst 4 deposited on the lower screen 3 by using a piezoelectric or electrostatic capacitance contact sensor or the like.

The height detector 61 is connected to a control device 60 provided outside the reaction tower 1. The control device 60 has a structure as shown in FIG. 3 for controlling the catalyst filling device 10 based on the catalyst filling method of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, the control device 60 is provided with a height detector 62, and the height detector 62 is a height detector 61 from the height H _O of the distribution plate 14 from the lower screen 3 set in advance. The drop height of the catalyst 4 can be calculated by subtracting the surface height H _C obtained in
The H _F can be detected.

The output of the detection unit 62 is connected to the calculation unit 63, and the calculation unit 63 is connected to the environment setting unit 64. Environment setting section 64
The variables of various environmental conditions can be set from the outside during the filling work. Here, the device constant A of the catalyst packing device 10, which is determined by the shape and size of the distribution plates 13 and 14, the inner diameter D of the reaction tower 1, and the catalyst used. Particle size factor M and shape factor P of 4
Can be set.

Further, the arithmetic expression storage unit 65 is connected to the arithmetic unit 63,
This arithmetic expression storage unit 65 has a function R used in the arithmetic unit 63.
_{(A, D, M, P, H)} is stored. This function R
_{(A, D, M, P, H)} is the optimum rotation speed R _{O with the} variables A, D, M, P and the drop height H _F as parameters, based on experimental data using simulation or an actual product in advance.
Is set to give.

Therefore, the calculation unit 63 receives the falling height H _F from the height detection unit 62 at every predetermined cycle, reads the variables A, D, M, P from the environment setting unit 64, and outputs the calculation formula storage unit 65. Based on the function R _{(A, D, M, P, H)} of, the optimum rotation speed R _O can be calculated.

Furthermore, the output of the calculation unit 63 is connected to the rotation control unit 66, and the rotation control unit 66 is connected to the motor 11 of the catalyst charging device 10. The output P to this motor 11 is sent from the calculation unit 63 to the optimum rotation speed. controlled in accordance with the number R _O, the optimum rotational speed R of the motor 11
It is configured to rotate at _O.

In this embodiment having such a configuration, the filling operation is performed in the following procedure.

First, in the environment setting unit 64 of the control device 60, the variables A, D,
Adjust the settings of M and P, and operate the motor 11 of the catalyst charging device 10. Here, since the catalyst 4 is not filled at the beginning of the work, the control device 60 performs the calculation with the predetermined height H _O of the distribution plate 14 as the fall height H _F , and obtains the optimum rotation speed R obtained.
_The motor 11 is rotated by _O and the drive shaft is driven by the rotation of the motor 11.
The distribution plates 13, 14 are rotated via 12.

Then, the supply of the catalyst 4 from the hopper 5 through the supply tube 6 to the catalyst filling device 10 is started. Here, the supplied catalyst 4 is sent from the supply passage 15 onto the distribution plates 13 and 14, and is dispersed from the tips of the catalyst distribution portions 32 and 42 in a substantially circular-centric shape by the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of each. And partly long hole
The catalyst 4 is sprayed on the central portion through 45, and the catalyst 4 is evenly sprayed on the lower screen 3.

The surface height H _C changes as the filling progresses, and the dispersion of the catalyst 4 also changes, but this surface height H _C is detected by the height detector 61 at any time and sent to the control device 60. Controller 60
Converts the current drop height H _F according to the surface height H _C in the height detection unit 62, and the calculation unit 63 stores variables A, D, M, P and calculation formulas from the environment setting unit 64. Function from part 56
Based on R _{(A, D, M, P, H)} , a new optimum rotation speed R _O is calculated, and the rotation of the motor 11 is controlled via the rotation control unit 66 to optimize the distribution plates 13 and 14. Rotate at the rotation speed R _O to always maintain the sprayed state of the catalyst 4 to be optimum.

According to this embodiment, there are the following effects.

That is, the control device 60 controls the motor 11 and the distribution plate 13,
Since the number of revolutions of 14 can be controlled and the sprayed state of the catalyst 4 can be always maintained optimally, the catalyst 4 packed in the reaction tower 1 can be made extremely uniform regardless of the height.

Further, the control by the control device 60 is based on a function R _{(A, D, M, P, H)} set in advance based on experimental data using simulation or an actual object, and each variable A,
Based on D, M, P and the drop height H _F , the motor 11 and the distribution plates 13, 14 can always be rotated at an appropriate optimum rotational speed R _O.

For this reason, reproducibility is excellent even in repeated execution under the same conditions, the best filling result is always obtained, and adjustments by a skilled technician as in the past can be omitted, making the work extremely easy. It can be carried out.

Further, since the control during the filling work can be all automatically performed by the control device 60, it is not necessary to frequently perform monitoring and adjustment operations during the filling work unlike the conventional case, and it is possible to significantly reduce labor. is there.

Further, the setting before the filling work only needs to set the variables A, D, M, P according to the equipment conditions such as the catalyst 4 used in the environment setting section 64, the reaction tower 1, the catalyst filling equipment 10, etc. It can be easily performed by only the staff.

Further, even when different catalysts 4 are used, it is only necessary to change the particle size coefficient M and the shape coefficient P in the environment setting section 64, and the setting can be changed extremely quickly and easily.
By changing the device constant A, the distribution plates 13 and 14 can be replaced quickly, and by changing the inner diameter D, it can be easily applied to other reaction columns 1.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment,
The following modifications are also included.

That is, the specific control procedure performed by the control device 60 uses the function R _{(A, D, M, P, H)} and successively calculates using the variables A, D, M, P and the drop height H _F. However, other formats may be used.

For example, the control device 60 shown in FIG. 4 is substantially the same as the control device 60 of FIG. 3, but instead of the calculation formula storage unit 65, a calculation formula selection unit 67 is connected to the calculation unit 63. The environment setting unit 64 is connected to the arithmetic expression selection unit 67. here,
In the arithmetic expression selection unit 67, an appropriate combination of variables A, D, M, P is assumed in advance, and these are substituted into the function R _{(A, D, M, P, H)} to obtain the function R _{(H )} Are stored, a function R _(H) corresponding to the actual variables A, D, M, P is selected according to the setting of the environment setting unit 64, and this function R _(H) and the fall height _H are selected. _The calculation unit 63 is configured to perform calculation based on _F. With such a control device 60, substantially the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained, and the processing can be simplified and the speed can be increased as compared with the case where the calculation is successively performed for all variables.

In the control device 60 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the function R _{(A, D, M, P, H)} and the function R _(H) used by the control device 60 are different for each range of arbitrary parameters. It may be a continuation of such a functional expression, and more precise control can be performed according to actual conditions.

On the other hand, the control device 60 shown in FIG. 5 is also substantially the same as the control device 60 of FIG. 3, except that a data storage area 68 is replaced with a large capacity storage area to form a data table 68. It was done. That is, in the data table 68, these values are substituted into the function R _{(A, D, M, P, H)} for each combination of the assumed variables A, D, M, P and the drop height H _F. The optimum rotation speed R _O obtained by
Reference numeral 63 is configured so that the corresponding optimum rotation speed R _O on the data table 68 can be read according to the setting of the environment setting unit 64. With such a control device 60, substantially the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained, and in the control, numerical calculation can be omitted, and the processing can be simplified and speeded up.

In the control device 60 of FIG. 5, the optimum rotation speed R _O on the data table 68 is not calculated by using a functional expression, but a simulation or an experiment using an actual product is performed and each setting is performed. The optimum number of revolutions R _O may be determined, and it takes time and effort to create the data table 68, but more delicate settings can be made.

In addition, other types of the reaction tower 1 and the catalyst filling device 10 in the above embodiment, different shapes, dimensions, etc. may be used,
When the number, size, shape, etc. of the reaction tower 1 or the distribution plates 13 and 14 are changed, the inner diameter of the environment setting section 64 is changed according to the changed points.
Change D and device constant A.

It should be noted that not only the reaction column 1 that involves a chemical reaction, but also the adsorption column, the absorption column, the extraction column, the washing column, and many other columns used in the chemical industry in which granular materials are packed, etc. In addition to the catalyst, it can be used for filling solid fillers such as Dashig rings and zeolite.

Further, the height detector 61 used by the control device 60 is not limited to the rod-shaped one as in the above-mentioned embodiment, but a point type sensor or the like is arranged at multiple points at different height positions on the inner wall surface of the reaction tower 1. You may. The sensor type is not limited to the contact type, and an optical type, an acoustic (ultrasonic) type, or the like may be used, which means that the surface height of the catalyst 4 deposited on the lower screen 3 can be detected. Good.

Further, in controlling the rotation of the motor 11, for example, 3 to
The rotation direction may be reversed at predetermined intervals of about 10 minutes.
Here, the distribution plates 13 and 14 are formed in a substantially oval shape, and the same spraying operation can be performed by rotating the distributor plates in either forward or reverse directions. It is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the catalyst 4 adheres to one side of the catalyst distribution parts 32 and 42 by switching the forward and reverse directions. The rotation of the motor 11 may not be changed every predetermined time, but may be changed every time the controller 60 adjusts the rotation speed.

Incidentally, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the number of rotations of the distribution plate was controlled by detecting one point of the catalyst surface height, but the specific control contents are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and the control target is the above-mentioned embodiment. In addition to the similar control of the rotation speed of the distribution plate, the supply amount (speed) of the catalyst may be controlled. When detecting the height of the catalyst surface, the number of revolutions or the number of revolutions and the amount of catalyst supplied may be controlled by detecting the heights at a plurality of positions in accordance with the uneven shape of the catalyst surface. For example, when the surface condition of the catalyst is concave, that is, when the outer periphery is raised, it is automatically controlled based on the diameter of the concave portion of the central portion or the middle portion. Conversely, when the surface is convex, the outer peripheral portion and its vicinity are selectively controlled. It is desirable to make the level of the catalyst surface more uniform by automatic control so that the catalyst surface can be distributed.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the catalyst filling device of the present invention,
The work of filling the catalyst can be saved, uniform filling can be obtained, and the setting for the work is easy and highly reproducible.
It is possible to easily deal with setting changes.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a top view showing a distribution plate used in the embodiment, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control device used in the embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are block diagrams showing a control device which can be used in the above embodiment. 1 ... reaction tower, 4 ... catalyst, 10 ... catalyst packing device, 11 ...
… Motors, 6,15 …… Supply tubes and supply passages that are catalyst supply tubes, 13,14 …… Distributing plates, 23,45 …… Center cylinders and elongated holes that are catalyst falling parts, 31,41 …… Ribs , 32, 42
...... Catalyst distributor, 60 ...... Control device, 61 ...... Height detector,
62 ... Height detection unit, 63 ... Calculation unit, 64 ... Environment setting unit,
65 ... Calculation formula storage unit, 66 ... Rotation control unit, 67 ... Calculation formula selection unit, 68 ... Data table.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A distribution plate having a catalyst dropping part and a plurality of catalyst distribution parts, which are partitioned by radial ribs and have different radial lengths, in a central portion is rotated in a reaction tower, and above the distribution plate. A method of supplying a catalyst to a distribution plate from a catalyst supply pipe arranged in the above, and supplying the supplied catalyst to the periphery by the catalyst distribution unit and dropping it downward by the catalyst dropping unit to fill the catalyst in the reaction tower. In the above, the conditions of the catalyst, the distribution plate and the reaction tower are set in advance, and the surface height of the catalyst in the reaction tower at any time is detected,
The drop height of the catalyst is calculated from the difference between this surface height and the height of the distribution plate, and the optimum rotation speed of the distribution plate that gives optimum catalyst filling is calculated from the calculated drop height and the conditions set above. A method for charging a catalyst, which comprises performing a calculation and controlling the rotation speed of the distribution plate according to the calculated optimum rotation speed. 2. The catalyst filling method according to claim 1, wherein the rotation direction of the distribution plate is switched between normal and reverse directions.