JPS6038030A - Reactor assembly and pump assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for chemically reacting a liquid or a slurry or slurry of liquid and solid with gaseous material 1° by an ebullated bed process. The present invention is particularly directed to such a method that utilizes a liquid recirculation pump mounted on top of the ebullated bed reactor. More specifically, the present invention relates to ebullated bed reactor and pump assemblies topped with recirculation pumps.

The ebullated bed reaction process generally involves simultaneously passing a liquid, or a slurry or slurry of liquid and solids, and a stream of gaseous material upwardly through a generally cylindrical vessel containing an agglomerate of particulate contacting material. including. The contacting particles are introduced into the liquid medium in a random motion, and the particles have a total volume dispersed through the liquid medium that is greater than the volume of the particle agglomerate when it is at rest. have This technology has found commercial applications in improving the quality of heavy liquid hydrocarbons and for converting coal to synthetic oil.

This ebullated bed reaction method is particularly useful for oil and coal conversion.
U.S. Reissue Patent No. 25,77 reissued to Johansson
Generally described in No. 0. A mixture of liquid hydrocarbon and hydrogen is passed through the boiling bed at such a rate that the particles are moved at random as the liquid and gas pass upward through the boiling bed.
Pass upward through an ebullated bed of catalyst particles. The movement of the levered catalyst bed is, however, controlled by the recycled liquid flow so that most catalyst particles do not rise above the upper level of the reactor. The liquid being hydrogenated together with the vapors present during the reaction is passed through a level above the catalyst particles and removed from the top of the reactor. In normal operation of such a system, most of the amount of hydrogen is Gas and light hydrocarbon vapors rise through the reaction zone and enter the liquid-gas separation zone, with some liquid then being recycled towards the bottom of the reactor and the remainder providing an effluent stream. Gases and vapors are separated from this liquid and the liquid portion is recycled to the bottom of the reactor through a pump that controls the desired expansion of the catalyst particles at a relatively constant and stable level and at random. It is controlled by 5 to maintain movement. Any gas or vapor present in the recirculated liquid will significantly reduce the capacity and efficiency of the recirculation pump as well as alter the desired flow pattern. Recirculation of reactor liquid through the ebullated bed also eliminates slumping of the ebullated bed, which creates uneven temperature distribution, and coking, which presents severe problems in reboiling the ebullated bed. must be reliably maintained to prevent

Typically, reactors used in catalytic hydrogenation processes employ an ebullated bed of catalyst particles, in which liquid is recirculated upward through the catalytic reaction zone from an upper level above the ebullated catalyst bed. A vertical conduit is provided to recirculate clean liquid up to the suction of the recirculation pump. Such recirculation of liquid from the top of the reactor boils the catalyst bed and improves the gas-liquid contact there. , which also helps maintain a generally uniform temperature throughout the reactor.

An example of a prior art reactor with gas-liquid separation and recirculation of reactor liquid is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 124,518, which discloses a conduit for conveying liquid downwardly fitted with a large inlet cone. This cone makes it possible to slow the rate of rise of the liquid with respect to the gas.

Gas entrained in the liquid can thus be separated and raised to the gas-liquid contact area above the cone before recycling the liquid downwards through the 5 conduits and the boiling bed. Another reactor liquid recirculation arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Shows the conduit for sending. Although such use of a pump mounted at the lower end of the downward conduit for the recirculation of reactor liquids has generally been satisfactory in the past, it has been found that during operational failures of the reactor the catalyst bed becomes overloaded. A problem arises in that spreading and large amounts of catalyst are undesirably carried into the recirculation pump suction, further causing corrosive damage to the pump. Following a period of such operational failure, it is usually necessary to temporarily shut down the process and remove the lower recirculation pump for cleaning or repair.
Significant plant downtime is thus required.

Not only for improved reliability in the recirculation of the reaction liquid for catalyst bed boiling, but also for the removal of catalyst from the downward conduits and without the undesirable removal and possible disassembly of this pump. To remove the suction area of
A need thus existed in the operation of ebullated bed reactors. As a result, the reliability and efficiency of the entire hydrogenation reaction process could be significantly improved.

To meet this need, the present invention provides a boiling bed having a recirculation pump assembly advantageously mounted at the top of the reactor for recirculating upward tilt reactor liquid through the catalyst bed to expand and boil the catalyst bed. A reactor is disclosed.

The present invention provides a continuous reaction method for treating viscous liquids in which a feedstock liquid or liquid-slurry is contacted with a reactant gas at high temperatures and pressures in a reaction zone containing an ebullated bed of contacting particles. provide. A liquid or liquid-solid slurry is introduced into the lower portion of the reaction zone with a gas at an upward flow rate sufficient to cause at-random (i.e., random) movement of the catalyst particles and spread the catalyst bed in the reaction zone. . This ebullated bed of catalyst particles maintains a random motion in the πE response region to the U.S. Patent Reissued Patent No. It also has a volume expansion that is about lθ~200% larger. The liquids and gases to be treated are
In order to achieve the release of most of the gas in this liquid,
It passes upwardly from the reaction zone into the adjacent phase separation zone with almost no entrainment of catalyst particles. The bulk of the treated vapor-reduced liquid is collected from the phase separation region downwardly through a conduit having an enlarged top and a recirculation pump impeller (i.e. impeller) advantageously located at the upper end of the conduit. Recirculated. The treated liquid and the remainder of the mixed gas from the phase separation are recovered from above the phase separation region.

More specifically, the feedstock and gas are introduced at the lower end of the reaction zone, which includes a particulate contact solid or preferably an ebullated bed of catalytic material, and are passed through the reaction zone to a phase separation zone, which further includes a phase separation-collection device. go up evenly until

This device is provided to effectively separate the gas or gaseous portion from the rising gas-liquid mixture, so that the liquid, which is substantially free of vapor, is collected and disposed of at the top of the conduit downstream of the phase separation-collection device. is returned through a downwardly directed conduit to at least one recirculation pump in which the impeller is located. This pump is provided for recirculation of reactor liquid through the reaction zone to maintain the desired uniform ebullated bed expansion in the reaction zone.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an ebullated bed reaction method which significantly increases the reliability and efficiency of ebullated bed reaction processes, such as for the catalytic hydrogenation of hydrocarbon feedstocks, using a boiled catalyst bed reaction. The goal is to provide the following.

Another object of the invention is an upper recirculation pump that can be used alone or in conjunction with a lower recirculation pump to reliably recirculate reactor liquid upward through the boiled catalyst bed. The purpose is to provide a circulation or boiling pump assembly.

The recirculation pump assembly above the reactor has an impeller located below but close to the separation-collection device in the upper part of the recirculation liquid conduit, and the pump assembly can be removed from the reactor head. The rotor has an adjacent bearing shaft and a seal, which allows gas, such as hydrogen gas or oil, to flow outwardly through the bearing and seal.
A small stream K of a suitable clear fluid compatible with the reactor liquid is sealed against the inlet of the slurry liquid particles. The pump preferably utilizes a bearing located above or inward from the impeller that is continuously button lubricated and flushed with a clear compatible fluid.

Sufficient hydrogen gas pressure is typically maintained in the housing to reduce the reactor liquid level therein and to prevent liquids containing such fine solid particles from contacting bearing or sealing surfaces. Including assembly. or,
To help prevent undesirable entrainment of gas or vapor into the pump suction liquid based on swirling flow, multiple vanes that direct or counter-swirl the flow are preferably provided just upstream of the pump impeller. It is established.

If desired to improve reliability, circulation of the reactor liquid through the reaction zone may be accomplished by a second recirculation pump located at the lower end of the conduit directing the liquid downwards and in relation to the upper recirculation pump. This can be aided by direct current or series. Alternatively, such recycling of the reactor liquid upward through the ebullated bed can be assisted by a second recirculation pump located outside the reactor.

An important advantage of using a top-mounted recirculation or boiling pump in an ebullating bed reactor is that the pump
This means that it can be conveniently removed without draining all the reactor liquid. In order to use this reactor without clogging, the upper pump can also be operated in the counter-flow direction. Furthermore, this top pump can be used alone as the first recirculation pump, or it can advantageously be operated in direct current or series relationship with a second bottom-mounted recirculation pump.

The method and device of the present invention can be used under conditions of high temperature and high pressure. Although it is suitable for treating and reacting a fluid feedstock with pine burr gas, this feedstock is preferably a petroleum crude oil, residue, oil base shale oil, A fluid hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of tar sands bitumen, coal and lignite, the gas being hydrogen.

The present invention can be applied to a method of chemically reacting liquid and gaseous materials in the presence of an agglomerate of solid contacting particles, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,607, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. The present invention will be described with particular reference to coal liquefaction, as generally disclosed in No. 719.

Generally, the reactor vessel is divided into two zones: a lower reaction zone and an upper phase separation zone. The supplied liquid and gas are introduced into the lower end of the reaction zone containing the granular homogeneous bed, preferably a bed of catalyst material;
It rises uniformly through the reaction zone, thereby expanding the catalyst bed. The liquid and gas pass upwardly to a phase separation region that includes a phase separation-collection device.

This phase separation-collection device provides effective separation of the gas and vapor portions of the ascending gas-liquid mixture.

A substantially vapor-free liquid portion is collected, whereupon at least one upper recirculation pump for recirculating this liquid upwardly through the ebullated bed reaction zone to maintain the desired ebullated bed expansion; It is returned through a conduit towards the underwash. This separation-collection device has an enlarged upper part, usually in the shape of a cone or truncated cone, and at its lower end sends the liquid downwards, including the impeller of a recirculation pump located in the upper part of the reactor. connected to the conduit.

The invention will be further described with reference to FIG. 1 which shows a reactor vessel IO, which is preferably cylindrical and oriented in a vertical position. Although this FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram, this reactor 10 is a liquid, solid-liquid slurry 1 at high temperature and high pressure.
It will be understood that the structure is suitable for solids and gases to react. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the reactor lθ is 500-1500'F and 10100'F.
Suitable for treating liquids and coal-coal slurries with hydrogen at high temperatures and pressures such as 0-5000p. The reactor 10 is provided with an inlet conduit 12 for charging heavy oil or a mixture of oil with small coal and hydrogen-containing gas. The outlet conduit is provided at the top of the reactor lO and is connected to conduit 14.
are provided to recover the combined vapor and liquid. Additionally, if desired, a conduit 1G is provided primarily for recovering liquid product. The reactor also has an inlet connection pipe 1
5 and an apparatus for introducing and recovering the catalyst particles, shown schematically as outlet connection pipe 17.

Feedstock, such as oil slurried with heavy oil or coal particles, is introduced through conduit 11, while hydrogen-containing gas is introduced through conduit 1B, combined with feet dots, and reacted through conduit 1B. is supplied to the bottom of the vessel. The incoming fluid passes through a grid 18 that includes a suitable fluid distribution device, such as a bubble cap 19, but serves to uniformly distribute the incoming fluid from the conduit over the entire cross-sectional area of the reactor 10. It is understood that any suitable device known in the art may be utilized. The liquid and gas mixture flows upwardly through the catalyst bed 22, causing the catalyst particles to kinetically boil at random due to the combined flow of gas and feed liquid. The flow of recirculating liquid is thus provided by a recirculating pump zO having an impeller 21 located at the upper end of the downward conduit 24. The flow of liquid discharged by the self-recirculating pump impeller, at steady velocity, causes the upward flow of gas and liquid through the catalyst bed 22, as generally indicated by the direction of arrow 22a, to the stationary movement of those catalyst particles. (settlement) to an extent of at least 10% beyond the height of
It is sufficient to expand the agglomerates of catalyst particles in the catalyst bed to the extent of 0%. Because of the upward fluid flow provided by the recirculation pump and the downward force provided by gravity, catalyst bed particles reach the upper level of motion or boiling, while lighter liquids and gases reach their It will continue to move upwards beyond the level. The upper level of the catalyst or catalyst contacting area is indicated generally at reference numeral 28, and the reaction area extends from grid tray 18 to level 28. The catalyst particles in the catalyst bed 22 are arranged at random (
that is, at random) and generally evenly distributed throughout the entire reaction zone of the reactor 10, while the contact zone 2 of the catalyst
Very few catalyst particles rise above 8.

The volume above contact area 28 of the catalyst contains liquid and entrained gas or vapor up to the gas-liquid contact area shown as level 25. The upper part of the reactor is a phase-separation zone in which the liquid and gas are collected and recycled through a conduit 24 which carries the liquid downwards, having a gas and vapor content of only a small fraction of the gas, so that the separation is carried out. - separated in collection device 28;

The outlet conduit 14 terminates in the vapor space and is typically used to recover the combined vapor and liquid exit stream. However, if desired, the liquid stream can be separated and substantially recovered from the gas and vapor through outlet 16. The upper part of the conduit 24 going to the lower washing is marked with reference numeral 28.
It is enlarged at the top and preferably has an inverted frusto-conical shape and includes a vertical conduit which is joined here for additional fluid flow. An annular space 26 between the inner wall of the reactor 10 and the phase separation-collection device z8 allows upward fluid flow therethrough. A fluid accompanied by a gas undergoes phase separation -
It moves generally upwardly through the collection device, where the liquid portion reverses direction and flows into and through the descending conduit 24 to the recirculation pump 200A port, thereby being recycled through the lower part of the reactor 10. . Conductor 24 is preferably centrally located inside the reactor IO. The gases and vapors separated from the liquid rise to the gas-liquid contact area 25 where they are collected at the top of the reactor IO and removed through the outlet conduit 14. The gases and vapors removed at this point are further processed using conventional equipment to recover as much hydrogen as possible for recirculation to gas field inlet 18. If necessary, this liquid portion is treated to remove particulate solids and further fractionate it into the desired product stream.

FIG. 2 shows a preferred arrangement for the upper recirculation pump assembly 20, where the pump is supported from the top of the reactor by bolt flanges 81.

Pump shaft 82 and shaft bearing 88 are located above pump impeller 21 . That is, it is located inside between the pump impeller 21 and the drive motor 84. This shaft bearing, that is, the shaft bearing is located in the housing structure 86.
This structure 86 is made conical or attached to the motor flange 84a to provide greater rigidity to the rotating parts. Pump assembly 20 has reference number 81
It is constructed such that it can be removed through a flanged opening at the top. A clear compatible fluid, such as hydrogen gas, is supplied to space 87 at a pressure slightly above the reactor pressure for pressurization and sealing to prevent undesired entry of slurry liquid. Lubricating oil is supplied to a tube 8 attached to a containment structure 86 so that it can be supported.
9 to the normal bearing 88 or it can be fed through the central longitudinal passage 82a of the pump shaft 82. The impeller 21 should be located below the conical lower end of the phase separator β8 by a distance equal to at least 0.5 of the diameter of the conduit 24, and more preferably to the extent of 0.6 to 6 times its diameter. It is. If desired, the pump rotor 21 and motor 84 can be reversed in operation as necessary to remove materials such as unreacted coal solids and catalyst in the conduit 24 that create flow restrictions. I can do it.

Separation of phases accompanying suction of pump 20 - collector syndrome 28
At least one, and more preferably two to eight, stationary vanes 88 are provided upstream but close to the impeller 21 to substantially prevent steam coming from the impeller 21 . These vanes 88 are generally radially arranged and conveniently attached to the pump support structure 86 and further serve as straight or twin spiral vanes to direct the flow. These vanes fill the space 25a carried into the pump inlet by the swirling flow of liquid.
Virtually prevents steam from escaping. The outer end of R88 should have a diameter at least equal to the diameter of pump impeller 21, but an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of conductor 24. If desired, additional radially oriented vanes can be securely attached to the inner surface of the phase separation cone, preferably at the lower end of the one phase separation cone, to further permit upward removal of the pump assembly 20. It can be placed in

A second recirculation pump assembly 60 having an impeller 61 driven by a motor 52 is preferably connected to the reactor lO at the lower end of the liquid conduit 24, as shown in FIG.
It can be provided in This pump is preferably operated in series, direct current, with the upper pump assembly 20 attached to provide greater reliability for continuous recirculation of reactor liquid to the boiled catalyst bed 28. Alternatively, a conduit extension 54 leading to the pump suction and a conduit 56 and K leading from the pump discharge to the space below the flow distributor grid 18, as shown in FIG. The lower recirculation pump assembly 65 can be located externally.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative arrangement for the upper recirculation pump assembly 40, which is supported from the flange 81 and has an impeller located within the descending liquid conduit 24. . The pump impeller or rotor 41 is driven by a suitable motor 44 through an elongated tubular shaft 42.

An outer bearing 4B is provided for the pump impeller 41 and is supported from the descending conduit 24 by a radial channel 46 with a well-fitting central non-rotating guide bush or bushing 47. Lubricating oil is provided to this bearing 48 through a tube 49 attached to the support tube 60 in conjunction with a longitudinal passage 49a at the lower end of the tubular shaft 42. Also, to prevent reactor liquid containing fine particulate solids from entering the outer bearing 4B, the space +8a above this bearing 48 can be filled with a transparent material that is compatible with the reactor liquid, such as hydrogen or oil. The fluid is pressurized to slightly above the pressure of the reactor vessel. Thus,
A small outward flow of such clean, transparent fluid is provided from the shaft seal 45. If desired, pump rotor 21 and motor 44 can be made reversible in operation.

To reduce the swirl of the liquid and to substantially prevent vapor from the vapor space 25a entrained in the suction of the pump 40, the branch tube 6 is
A number of radially oriented twin spiral vanes 58 are provided which are mounted at zero. The support tube 60 can be cylindrical, but is preferably tapered on the outside to improve stiffness. The blades 58 and the support tube 60 are attached to and removable from the motor flange 44aK, allowing the pump impeller 41 to be removed upwardly from the reactor lO when necessary. K, which further reduces liquid swirl in the pump suction, includes the addition of a number of radially oriented twin swirl vanes 62 mounted on the inner surface of the phase separation-collection device 28, preferably on its lower sloped surface portion. It can be provided in The inner ends of such vanes 62 form a diameter which allows the pump impeller 4 to be removed upwardly from the reactor.
It is made slightly larger than the diameter of 1.

Although the invention has been described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, it will be understood that variations and modifications to the arrangements described herein may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention.

In summary, the present invention is a continuous reaction method and apparatus in which a liquid or slurry is contacted with a gas in a boiled contact bed reaction zone. The liquid and gas flow upwardly through the reaction zone into a phase separation zone that is substantially free of catalyst particles. The liquid and gas are separated by a phase separation collection device and the liquid portion is collected and recirculated through a central conduit by a recirculation pump whose impeller is located at the top of the conduit. The impeller bearing of this pump is pressurized and expelled by a clear compatible liquid such as hydrogen or oil to keep out reactor liquid containing fine solids coming from the bearing and sealing surfaces. A second liquid recirculation pump may be provided at the lower end of the reactor and operated in direct current or series relationship with the upper pump. This second pump can be arranged inside or outside the reactor vessel and connected to it by a conduit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an ebullated bed contact reactor showing the upper and lower recirculation pumps used inside the reactor; FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an upper recirculation pump showing the attached impeller and associated inner bearing; FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative apparatus for a reactor having an external type bearing mounted in a conduit conveying the liquid of the vessel downward; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the upper recirculation pump showing the impeller, associated outer bearing arrangement, and twin spiral vanes. lO... Reactor container 11... Conduit 12... Inlet conduit 18... Conduit 14... Outlet conduit 15... Inlet connection 1 17.
...Inlet connection 18...Grid (grid tray) 19...Bubble cap 20°°°Recirculation pump 21...I/Peller (impeller) 22...Catalyst bed 22a...Arrow Direction 2B... Catalyst contact area 24... Downward sending conduit 25... Level (gas-liquid contact area) 25a... Vapor space 26... Annular space 81...
Bolt flange 82... Pump shaft 82a... Passage 88... Shaft bearing B4... Drive motor 84
a...Motor flange 86...Storage structure 87...
- Space 88... Stationary vane (vane) 89... Tube 40... Upper recirculation pump assembly 41... Pump impeller (rotor) 42... Tubular shaft 4B... Outer bearing 44...・Motor 44a
... Motor flange 45 ... Shaft seal 4
6...Radial structure 47...Central non-rotating guide bearing tube 49...Tube body 49a...Longitudinal passage 50
...Second recirculation pump assembly 51...Impeller 52...Motor 54...
Conduit extension 55...lower recirculation pump assembly 56...conduit 58...pair of swirl vanes 60...support tube 62...pair of swirl vanes. Patent Applicant HRI Inc. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 4 Procedural Amendment 1, Case Description 1981 Special Jl Application No. -24591 2, Name of Flashing Continuous Liquid Phase Reaction Method , Reactor assembly and pump assembly directly used for this 3, Relationship with the case to be amended Patent mFiR Person name: ARI Inc. 1,
The claims on page 1, line 8 to page 4, line 12 of the specification are amended as follows. ``2. Separating the claimed fluid into substantially liquid and gaseous portions; and recirculating the fluid into substantially liquid and gaseous portions; and 4. passing the liquid flowing downwardly through the conduit through twin radial spiral vanes;
Claim 1, characterized in that said upper recirculation pump is adapted to be reversible in the direction of flow.
The discharge of liquid sent from the upper circulation pump is advanced to a second circulation pump disposed at the lower end of the reaction zone, and the flow of discharge sent from this second pump is roughly controlled. , passing upwardly through the reaction zone. 7. The feedstock comprises a flowable carbonaceous material selected from the group consisting of petroleum crude oil, residual oil, shale oil, tar sands bitumen, coal, and lignite. the method of. the method of. The improved method includes a process for collecting a liquid portion from a zone, and a separate collection device disposed below the zone. This collected liquid is recycled downward through a broken impeller tube in an ebullated bed reactor assembly topped with a recirculation pump (al) a generally vertical pressurized vessel with upper and lower pointed ends; b) an introduction device for introducing liquid and gaseous feed materials into the lower part of the vessel below the flow distribution device and an upper part of the vessel for separating the reacted fluid flowing above into a liquid part and a gaseous part; Phase separation arranged in −
a collection device; (d) a generally vertical conduit disposed within the container having an upper end in fluid communication with the phase separation-collection device and a lower end in fluid communication with the lower portion of the container; +8 > a pump assembly having an impeller supported from the upper tip of the reactor and disposed at the upper end of the conduit for recirculation of the reactor liquid through the reactor; A generator assembly characterized in that it consists of a device for recovering the flow of reaction products coming from the top of the reactor. A pump impeller is driven by an associated elongated shaft and a motor supported from an upper end of the reactor. 13. Reactor assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that it is rotated.14- The pump bearing is pressurized with a compatible fluid to exclude reaction liquid and solids from the bearing. Reactor assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that: 1 & the pump has at least one pair of spiral vanes arranged upstream of the pump impeller. Reactor assembly according to claim 12. 1a. Reactor assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that the pump assembly is adapted to be reversible in its flow direction. 17. A pump bearing for the pump impeller is 13. A reactor assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that: 1 & a pump bearing for the pump impeller is located below the impeller and below the impeller; 13. A reactor assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that the reactor assembly is supported from a flowing liquid conduit. 19. A second recirculation pump is provided below and in downstream direct current relationship with the upper pump assembly. 13. A reactor assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that it is provided with a number of twin spiral vanes attached to the inner surface of the 8G phase separation-collection device. Reactor assembly according to scope 15. gt (aJ) a drive motor mounted on a mounting flange; (b) an elongated conical support structure mounted on the flange and including a bearing arrangement at the outer end of the support structure. and +Cj a drive shaft projecting from the motor through a bearing arrangement 2; +(11 an impeller mounted on the outer end of said drive shaft; and a plurality of radial vanes projecting from the removable pump assembly for attachment to a reactor. Pump assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that the outer diameter of said plurality of radial vanes is at least equal to the outer diameter of the pump impeller. ”
The title of the invention in Specification 2 is corrected to ``Continuous liquid phase reaction method, reactor assembly and pump assembly directly used therein-1.''

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. An ebullated bed reactor assembly topped with a recirculation pump comprising: (a) a generally vertical pressurized vessel having upper and lower prongs; (b) a lower flow distribution device; (c) an introduction device for introducing liquid and gaseous feed feed into the lower part of the vessel; (c) placed in the upper part of the vessel to separate the reacted fluid flowing into the liquid part and the gaseous part; (6) a generally vertical phase separation device disposed within a container having an upper end in fluid communication with the phase separation collection device and a lower end in fluid communication with a lower portion of the container; a conduit; (e) a pump assembly having an impeller supported from an upper end of the reactor and disposed at the upper end of the conduit for recirculation of reactor liquid through the reactor; and (f) phase separation. and a device for collecting the reaction product stream coming from the top of the reactor above a collection device. A reactor assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the pump impeller is rotated by an associated elongated shaft and a motor supported from an upper end of the reactor. A reactor assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the pump bearing is pressurized with a compatible fluid to exclude reaction liquids and solids from the bearing. 54. Reactor assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the pump has one pair of spiral vanes arranged upstream of the Bongain Bella. Reactor assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the pump bearing for the pump impeller is located between the impeller and the pump's drive motor. 7. A reactor assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that a pump bearing for the pump impeller is located below the impeller and is supported from the downwardly going liquid conduit. A reactor assembly according to scope 1, & characterized in that a second recirculation pump is provided below and in downstream DC relationship with said upper pump assembly for recirculation of reactor liquid. 9. A reactor assembly as claimed in claim 1. 9. Claim 4, characterized in that the phase separation-collection device is provided with a number of twin spiral vanes attached to the inner surface thereof. Reactor assembly as described. (C) a drive shaft protruding from the motor through a bearing arrangement; (cl) an impeller attached to the outer end of said drive shaft; A removable pump assembly for attachment to a reactor, characterized in that it consists of a plurality of projecting radial vanes.
11. A pump assembly according to claim 10, wherein both diameters are equal to the outer diameter of the pump impeller.