RU2795982C2 - Reactor wireless monitoring system using rfid tags equipped with passive sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: wireless monitoring.

SUBSTANCE: system for monitoring process parameters inside the reactor chassis, which defines the reaction zone, inside which there is a catalyst layer with catalyst particles, contains an RFID sensor inside the catalyst layer, and an RFID reader antenna. The RFID sensor is configured to determine a reactor parameter in the reaction zone, receive a polling signal, and, upon receipt of a polling signal, transmit an RFID signal that contains data representing the indicated reactor parameter. The RFID reader antenna is wirelessly connected to the RFID sensor and configured to transmit said polling signal and receive said RFID tag signal received in response to said polling signal.

EFFECT: possibility of local determination of parameters of the reaction zone of the reactor and transmission of radio frequency signals containing the determined data for further processing via a wireless communication channel.

26 cl, 4 dwg

Description

This application claims priority under pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/616,166, filed January 11, 2018, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The invention relates to a system and method for wireless monitoring of parameters inside a process building such as a reactor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For refineries and chemical plants, reactor vessels containing a catalyst are common. In the operation of such reactors, it is necessary to determine or control the process parameters inside the vessel, since such information can help control the conditions for the chemical reaction to occur inside the reactor vessel. Current methods for determining parameters inside the reactor vessel require a physical connection, including an electrical or pneumatic connection, to a sensor that transmits the data received by the sensor for external display. One example of such measuring devices is the use of thermocouples to determine temperature. The use of a thermocouple in determining the temperature at a location within the reactor pressure vessel requires a thermocouple protective pocket. The thermocouple protective pocket extends through the housing wall and reaches a location where a temperature determination is made within the housing.

A prerequisite is the ability to determine and monitor process parameters at locations within the reactor vessel and transmit data wirelessly to be collected at another location. For this, a possible use of radio frequency (RF) identification tags equipped with a sensor is proposed for determining various parameters of the working environment in the reactor volume and transmitting the measured data via a wireless communication channel for their remote collection. Various systems are disclosed in the art, comprising devices with RFID tags, connected in a certain way to a sensor device, which are used to determine the appropriate parameters of the working environment and transmit such data over a wireless communication channel.

An example of such a device is described in US 6,720,866. This patent discloses a system comprising a radio frequency identification (RFID) tagged device receiving a sensor input that causes the RFID tagged device logic circuits to change the signal transmitted by the RFID tagged device. An RFID tagged device is passive in the sense that it does not contain an internal power supply. Instead, it uses the power of the RF wave generated by the RFID reader (reader/interrogator) that activates the device with the RFID tag. The device with the RFID tag is configured to receive input from the sensor. This sensor provides for the determination of such parameters as voltage, electric current, resistance, frequency, pressure, temperature, acceleration, mechanical vibrations, degree of humidity, percentage of gas, density, flow velocity, light flux intensity, sound force, penetrating radiation, magnetic flux, pH, or other values. The sensor also provides for the generation of an analog input signal for an RFID tagged device, which generates a signal containing data related to the sensor's input signal. An RFID tag reader or reader/interrogator reads such a sensor input.

US 8,106,778 describes another application for radio frequency identification (RFID). This patent discloses a method and system for tracking variables such as location, temperature, humidity, pressure, time, date, and making inertial measurements (eg, velocity and acceleration). The RFID system disclosed in the '778 patent includes an RFID sensor configured to determine a parameter on the RFID sensor. The variable data received from the sensor is then stored in the memory of the RFID tag processor of the RFID sensor, which then transmits to the RFID tag reader a response signal containing the variable data representing the parameter.

These patents do not disclose or suggest the use of sensor-equipped RFID tags to determine the parameters of the technological process or the working environment inside the reactor pressure vessel or wirelessly transmit data related to the determined parameters inside the reactor pressure vessel for further reception, processing and use. In fact, those skilled in the art do not foresee the possibility of transmitting RF signals through a housing that contains a volume filled with catalyst particles or hydrocarbons without significantly distorting or attenuating the RF signal, or both. This is because it was previously thought that catalyst particles containing significant amounts of catalytic metals would distort or severely attenuate RF waves transmitted by RFID tags and RF readers/interrogators as they passed through the catalyst particles.

At the same time, the present invention proposes a system and method that provides for the local determination of the parameters of the working environment or the technological process at a location inside the reactor and the transmission via a wireless communication channel from the reactor to the receiver of radio frequency waves containing data representing the determined parameter inside the reactor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In this regard, a system is proposed for monitoring the parameters of the technological process inside the reactor vessel via a wireless communication channel. The system contains a reactor vessel which defines the reaction zone. Inside the reaction zone is a catalyst bed containing catalyst particles, and inside the catalyst layer is an RFID sensor configured to determine the parameter of the reactor in the reaction zone, receive a polling signal and, when a polling signal arrives, transmit an RFID RFID signal that contains data , representing the reactor parameter. The system comprises an RFID reader antenna that is wirelessly connected to the RFID sensor and configured to transmit a polling signal and receive an RFID RFID tag signal received in response to the polling signal.

Also provided is a method for monitoring process parameters inside a reactor vessel that defines a reaction zone containing a catalyst bed containing catalyst particles. The catalyst bed contains an RFID sensor that is wirelessly connected to the antenna of the RFID reader. The antenna of the RFID reader transmits a polling signal, which is received by the RFID sensor. Upon receipt of the interrogation signal, the RFID sensor transmits an RFID tag signal, which contains data indicative of a parameter of the reactor in the reaction zone, and which is received by the antenna of the RFID reader.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF GRAPHICS

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the monitoring system of the present invention over a wireless communication channel of process parameters inside a reactor vessel.

Fig. 2 is a schematic of an RFID system comprising, within a work environment, an RFID sensor-equipped tag and an RFID reader/interrogator that is wirelessly connected to the RFID sensor-equipped tag and connected to a computer to process the data contained in the RF signal.

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the experimental equipment used to test the attenuation of RF signals passing through the catalyst bed and liquid hydrocarbons relative to air.

Fig. 4 is a plot of RF signal strength versus frequency from 500 MHz to 2.5 GHz when the RF signal travels through 4 feet of air, one foot of catalyst and diesel oil, and 7 feet of catalyst and diesel oil.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention include both a system and a method for wireless monitoring of relevant parameters within a reactor vessel. Such parameters may include process or fluid parameters, including pressure or temperature at various locations within the reactor pressure vessel, and may also include quantities such as vapor and liquid percentages, flow rates, and chemical composition of the fluids contained within. or passing through the reactor vessel.

Three related provisional patent applications have been filed concurrently with this patent application, entitled " SP2118 - Wireless monitoring and profiling of reactor parameters using a collection of sensor-equipped RFID tags with known locations ", " SP2119 - Wireless monitoring and profiling of reactor parameters using arrays of sensor-equipped RFID tags placed at known reactor heights ”, and “ SP2102 - Wireless monitoring and profiling of reactor parameters using a combination of sensor-equipped RFID tags and various transceivers ”; having serial numbers 62/616,148; 62/616.185 and 62/616.155 respectively.

The invention requires the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) sensors for determining or sensing one or more process parameters inside the reaction zone of a reactor vessel, and then transmitting the received data to the antenna of the RFID reader via an RFID RFID tag signal, which contains data representing the received information.

As used herein, the term "RFID sensor" means a device that includes a sensor configured or integrated with or operatively associated with a passive RFID tag. The sensor forms a means for determining a parameter or characteristic of the process within the reactor vessel and a means for applying to the RFID tag an input signal containing data representing the value of a particular process parameter being determined. Passive RFID tags known in the art comprise an integrated circuit coupled to the RFID tag's transceiver antenna for receiving a polling signal from the RFID reader's antenna and for transmitting the RFID signal.

Upon receiving a polling signal from the RFID reader, the RFID sensor sends an RFID tag response signal to the antenna of the RFID reader, which contains data received from the sensor representing the process variable being detected. The computer processes the data contained in the received RFID tag signal and provides output data related to the determined or sensed process variable.

One of the distinguishing features of the invention is that it allows determining the parameters of the technological process and the working environment inside the reactor vessel using a sensor device and transmitting radio frequency signals containing the determined data via a wireless communication channel from the reactor vessel to the antenna of the RFID reader connected to the device. a readout that performs processing on the data contained in the RF signals. This possibility is envisaged by the invention even if the transmitted RF signals pass through a layer of catalyst particles or a housing filled with hydrocarbons, or through a combination of both. RF signals from the reader/interrogator and RFID tag signals pass through the catalyst bed and hydrocarbons contained within the reactor vessel with little distortion or attenuation preventing wireless monitoring of process parameters within the reactor.

To determine the parameters inside the reactor vessel, an RFID sensor is placed at a location inside the reaction zone formed in the reactor vessel. The reaction zone is a space that may be empty or contain a gas or liquid selected from any type of fluid, including water, hydrocarbons and other chemicals. Examples of hydrocarbons include naphtha, kerosene, diesel fuel, gas oil, and heavy diesel fuel, including heating oil. Typically, the reaction zone contains a layer of catalyst particles and, in addition, along with catalyst particles may contain any of the above fluids, preferably a hydrocarbon fluid.

The catalyst particles in the reaction zone can be of any size and shape commonly used in the industry, including extrudates of any shape (eg, cylindrical, bipartite, trilobular, and quadripartite), spheres, spheres, composite aggregates, granules, and powders. The catalyst particle size may range from 0.1 mm to 200 mm, but preferably the catalyst particle size ranges from 0.5 mm to 100 mm, or from 1 mm to 20 mm, and may be of any composition.

Representative catalyst compositions contain an inorganic oxide component, such as silica, alumina, aluminosilicate, and titanium dioxide. In addition, the catalyst composition may contain a catalyst metal component, including any of the transition metals, including chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, rhenium, iron, cobalt, nickel, palladium, platinum, gold, silver, and copper. The concentration of metal components in the catalyst particles can be up to 60 wt%. based on the amount of metal, regardless of its actual state, and the concentration of the metal, as a rule, is in the range of 0.1% of the mass. up to 30% wt. based on the amount of metal, regardless of its actual state.

Prior to the present invention, scientists and engineers believed that RF signals could not pass through a layer of catalyst particles without being significantly attenuated or distorted due to metal concentration on the catalyst particles and due to the thickness of the catalyst layer. This attenuation will prevent RF waves from traveling to and from the transceiver and will therefore render them unreadable. At the same time, it is a feature of the present invention that the RFID sensor is placed in the catalyst bed of the reaction zone so that the catalyst particles surround the RFID sensor. The catalyst particles contain an inorganic oxide component or a metal component, or both, as described above.

The reactor vessel of the present invention may be any suitable vessel made from any suitable material known to those skilled in the art. In many applications, the reactor vessel typically forms a space in which the catalyst is contained and into which the reactants or feedstock are introduced. In one embodiment of the invention, a reaction zone is formed in the reactor vessel, in which the catalyst bed is located. The reactor vessel is equipped with an inlet which provides for the transfer of fluid to the reaction zone and which is a means for introducing a feed stream, including hydrocarbons, into the reaction zone, as described above. The reactor vessel is also equipped with an outlet that provides for the transfer of fluid from the reaction zone and is a means for removing the effluent stream, including reaction products, from the reaction zone.

A sensor-equipped RFID tag, also referred to herein as an RFID sensor, is placed at a desired location in the reaction zone to determine a local process variable. This desired location is the point at which a particular process variable is determined and from which an RFID RFID tag signal containing or carrying data indicative of the reactor variable being determined is transmitted wirelessly to the RFID reader antenna.

In an embodiment, the RFID sensor is placed in the catalyst bed of the reaction zone such that the catalyst particles surround the RFID sensor. For a typical reactor, the catalyst bed is characterized by the geometric dimensions of thickness and width. For reactors that can be characterized by thickness and width, a typical catalyst bed thickness ranges from 0.5 meters to 20 meters and a typical effective catalyst bed width ranges from 0.5 meters to 20 meters. As a result, the RFID sensor can be surrounded by a layer or shell of catalyst particles having a thickness of up to 20 meters, which requires the interrogation signals and the RFID tag to pass through a layer of catalyst particles from about 0.5 meters to about 20 meters thick.

Since the RFID tag equipped with a sensor is passive, the RFID tag signal is transmitted when a polling signal is received from the antenna of the RFID reader. As noted above, the sensor is integrated with the RFID tag and configured to sense one or more parameters within the reaction zone. The sensor component of the RFID sensor may be selected from temperature sensors, pressure sensors, chemical sensors, humidity sensors, and any combination of the above. The sensor is integrated with the RFID tag to provide a means of sensing the reactor parameter, receiving an interrogation signal, and upon receipt of an interrogation signal, transmitting an RFID tag signal that contains data indicative of the reactor parameter. US Published Patents 2013/0057390, US 9,563,833, US 9,412,061, US 9,035,766 and WO 03/098175 provide examples of sensor-equipped RFID tags. These published patents are incorporated herein by reference.

The RFID reader antenna is placed at any location that is remote from the RFID sensor; provided that it is wirelessly coupled to the RFID sensor such that it can communicate with the RFID sensor by transmitting a polling signal to the RFID sensor and receiving an RFID tag response signal from the RFID sensor.

It is preferable to install the antenna of the RFID reader in the reaction zone, since this eliminates the need for the interrogation signal and the RFID signal to pass through the wall of the reactor vessel. At the same time, in another embodiment of the system according to this invention, the RFID antenna is installed or placed at an external location with respect to the reactor vessel. The antenna of the RFID reader is connected to the reader, which provides a polling signal to the antenna of the RFID reader and receives the signal of the RFID tag. The computer processes the data contained in the RFID tag signal provided by the reader and displays or otherwise provides output related to the parameters within the reaction zone.

Consider Fig. 1, which is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the present invention of a system 10 for wireless monitoring of process parameters within a reactor vessel 12. In the case 12 of the reactor formed by the reaction zone 14, which is a layer 16 of the catalyst containing particles 18 of the catalyst. The reactor vessel 12 is equipped with an inlet fitting 22 that is operatively connected to conduit 24. The inlet fitting 22 provides a means for conveying fluid through the conduit 24 and a means for introducing the feedstock into the reaction zone 14. The reactor vessel 12 is also equipped with an outlet fitting 26 that is functionally connected to conduit 28. Outlet 26 provides a means for conveying fluid through conduit 28 and a means for withdrawing effluent from reaction zone 14.

In FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the system 10 of the present invention, which includes an RFID reader antenna 30 installed in the reaction zone 14. Although the figure shows the RFID reader antenna 30 positioned above the surface 32 of the catalyst layer 16, it is assumed that RFID reader antenna 30 may be placed at any location within reaction zone 14, including within the boundaries of the location and surrounded by catalyst particles of catalyst bed 16. At the same time, it is important to install the antenna 30 of the RFID reader in such a way that it is connected via a wireless communication channel and can communicate with the RFID sensor 36 by transmitting a polling signal 38 and receiving a RFID signal 40.

In an alternative embodiment of the system 10 of the present invention, the RFID reader antenna 30 is installed at a location external to the reaction zone 14 and the reactor vessel 12. Similar to the case of internal placement of the RFID reader antenna, it is important that the antenna 30 of the RFID reader be installed in such a way that it is connected wirelessly and can communicate with the RFID sensor 36, although it can be placed in any location that allows it. a location external to the reactor vessel 12.

Placing the RFID sensor 36 at the desired location within the reaction zone 14 allows the process variable to be determined near or within the sheath around the RFID sensor 36. Figure 1 shows the RFID sensor 36 located inside the layer 16 of the catalyst and, therefore, surrounded by a volume or layer of particles 18 of the catalyst. As a result, in order to communicate with the RFID reader antenna 30, the interrogation signal 38 and the RFID signal 40 must pass through the thickness of the compacted catalyst particles up to 20 meters or more, depending on the location of the RFID sensor 36 in the catalyst layer 16.

The RFID reader antenna 30 is operatively connected by cable 42 to the reader 44 . The reader 44 forms means for outputting a polling signal 38 to the antenna 30 of the RFID reader and means for receiving the RFID signal 40 from the antenna 30 of the RFID reader. The computer 46 and the reader 44 are coupled to each other via a cable 48 which constitutes a means for communication between the reader 44 and the computer 46. The computer 46 forms the means for processing the RFID signal 40 from the antenna 30 of the RFID reader and for providing output data 50 related to the determined parameters of the reactor, for display or storage in a storage device.

In FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic of the elements of the RFID sensor 36 in relation to some other elements of the RFID system 10. The RFID sensor 36 includes a passive RFID tag 54 which includes an integrated circuit 56 capable of storing and processing the input data received from the sensor 58 via connection 60.

The integrated circuit 56 is operatively coupled to the RFID tag antenna 62 to form a means for transmitting an RFID tag signal 40 that carries data indicative of a reactor parameter within an adjacent space or enclosure 64, or near or near the RFID sensor 36. The RFID tag antenna 62 is also configured to receive a polling signal 38 that is transmitted by the RFID reader antenna 30 . The RFID reader antenna 30 is operatively connected by cable 42 to the reader 44 .

RFID tag 54 is configured or integrated with sensor 58 such that sensor 58 is configured to provide sensor input to integrated circuit 56 of RFID tag 54 via connection 60. Sensor 58 is configured to sense or determine a process variable or operating environment within an adjacent space. 64 using element 66 or any other suitable sensor means, configured to provide through the processor 68 to the integrated circuit 56 an analog or digital input signal that represents the determined parameter of the process or working environment. The integrated circuit 56 provides for changing the signal 40 of the RFID tag, upon receipt of the input signal of the sensor supplied through the connection 60, so that it contains or carries data representing the determined parameter of the working environment within the adjacent space 64. Within the adjacent space 64 contains particles 18 of the catalyst .

The following Example illustrates some features of the invention, but is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Example

The purpose of the experiment described in this Example was to determine the ability of the transmitted RF signals to pass through a catalyst layer consisting of metal-containing catalyst particles and be received with the least attenuation or distortion.

Two experimental buildings were used in the experiment. One of the hulls was assembled with 12" diameter, 10' high polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe, and the second hull was assembled with schedule 40 12" diameter, 10' high carbon steel tubing (0.406" wall thickness) . A plate (antenna) of a radio frequency receiver was placed at the bottom of the case. The plate (antenna) of the radio frequency transmitter was placed inside the case together with the lifting guide, which provided the rise and fall of the antenna of the radio frequency transmitter to the specified locations inside the case. This made it possible to place catalyst layers of a given thickness between the transmitter and receiver antennas. To form the catalyst bed, the housing was filled with commercially available 1/8 inch hydrotreating catalyst extrudate particles that contained nickel and molybdenum metal catalyst components.

The test sequence was performed using an unfilled casing to obtain baseline data on the passage of the RF signal through the airspace, and then received data on the effect of the degree of filling when the RF signal passed through the dry catalyst bed and the catalyst bed filled with liquid diesel hydrocarbon. Measurements were made by increasing the catalyst bed height from one foot to a catalyst bed thickness of 8 feet. To transmit RF signals in the frequency range from 500 MHz to 5 GHz, a high gain directional antenna and a low gain broadband antenna were used.

In FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the experimental setup used for the experiment. Presented installation 310 for testing. The test apparatus 310 comprised a tube 312 which defined a casing 314 and its interior volume 316, within which was placed a catalyst bed 318 having a bed height of 320. Catalyst bed 318 contained a bed of catalyst particles containing alumina-based extrudates, which had concentrations of nickel and molybdenum metal catalyst components incorporated therein. During the test, the layer height 320 was changed.

At the bottom of the housing 314 under the layer 318 of the catalyst was placed a plate or antenna 324 of the radio frequency receiver. Antenna 324 received RF signals transmitted by RF transmitter plate or antenna 326, which was placed above or near the top surface 328 of the catalyst layer 318. The RF transmitter antenna 326 was operatively connected to the transmitter cable 330 and was capable of transmitting RF signals of various frequencies ranging from 500 MHz to 5 GHz. Such radio frequency signals passed through the catalyst bed 318 and were received or received by the RF receiver antenna 324 . The RF receiver antenna was operatively connected to the receiver cable 332 and was capable of receiving RF signals transmitted from the RF transmitter antenna 326 and passing through the catalyst bed 318 .

In FIG. 4 is a graph comparing the amount of RF signal attenuation after passing through 4 feet of air with the intensity of the RF signal after passing through a one foot thick catalyst bed filled with liquid diesel hydrocarbon and through a 7 foot thick catalyst bed filled with liquid diesel hydrocarbon.

The results shown in FIG. 4 unexpectedly show that RF signals can be transmitted through the catalyst bed and received by the receiver antenna without significant attenuation or reduction in intensity compared to such values obtained for airspace. The data shown in FIG. 4 show that the level of the received RF signal is closely comparable to the RF signal transmitted through airspace. This is an unexpected result; because it was previously believed that RF signals would be adversely affected or distorted and attenuated in the catalyst bed, the metal components of the catalyst particles, and also in the liquid hydrocarbon inside the casing. This would result in preventing or significantly hindering the RF signals from passing through the catalyst bed and being received by the RF receiver antenna.

Claims (32)

1. A monitoring system via a wireless communication channel for process parameters inside the reactor vessel, comprising: a reactor vessel that defines the reaction zone; moreover, inside the reaction zone there is a catalyst layer containing catalyst particles, and at the same time, inside the catalyst layer there is an RFID sensor configured to determine the parameter of the reactor in the reaction zone, receive a polling signal and, upon receipt of a polling signal, transmit an RFID radio frequency tag signal, which contains data representing a reactor parameter; And an RFID reader antenna that is wirelessly connected to the RFID sensor and configured to transmit a polling signal and receive an RFID RFID tag signal received in response to the polling signal. 2. The system according to claim. 1, characterized in that the catalyst particles contain an inorganic oxide component and a metal component. 3. The system according to claim. 2, characterized in that the RFID sensor contains an RFID tag, functionally connected to the sensor device for determining the parameter of the reactor and supplying to the RFID tag the input signal of the sensor, displaying the parameter of the reactor, and the sensor is associated with the RFID tag to supply a radio frequency signal an RFID tag that contains data that represents the reactor parameter. 4. The system of claim. 3, characterized in that the antenna of the RFID reader is installed in a location external to the reactor vessel. 5. The system of claim. 4, characterized in that the reactor vessel contains an inlet means, which provides for the transfer of a fluid medium for supplying a feed stream to the reaction zone, and an outlet means, which provides for the transfer of a fluid medium for withdrawing an effluent stream from the reaction zone. 6. The system according to claim 5, characterized in that the reactor parameter is selected from the group of parameters of the working environment, consisting of pressure, temperature, chemical composition, vapor and liquid composition, density, flow rate, pH, mechanical vibrations, penetrating radiation, magnetic flux, luminous flux intensity and sound power. 7. The system of claim 6 wherein the RFID reader antenna is operatively coupled to the reader to provide a polling signal to the RFID reader antenna and to receive the RFID tag signal from the RFID reader antenna. 8. The system of claim 7, further comprising computing means coupled to the reader and including processing the RFID RFID signal to provide output related to the reactor parameter. 9. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that the antenna of the RFID reader is installed inside the reaction zone of the reactor vessel. 10. The system of claim. 9, characterized in that the reactor vessel contains an inlet, providing for the transfer of fluid for supplying a feed stream to the reaction zone, and an outlet, providing for the transfer of fluid for removing the effluent stream from the reaction zone. 11. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that the reactor parameter is selected from the group of parameters of the working environment, consisting of pressure, temperature, chemical composition, vapor and liquid composition, density, flow rate, pH, mechanical vibrations, penetrating radiation, magnetic flux, luminous flux intensity and sound power. 12. The system of claim 11 wherein the RFID reader antenna is operatively coupled to the reader to provide a polling signal to the RFID reader antenna and to receive the RFID tag signal from the RFID reader antenna. 13. The system of claim 12, further comprising computing means coupled to the reader and including processing the RFID RFID signal to provide output data related to the reactor parameter. 14. A method for monitoring process parameters inside the reactor vessel, including: providing a reactor vessel that defines a reaction zone within which is a catalyst bed containing catalyst particles and an RFID sensor that is wirelessly connected to an antenna of the RFID reader; transmitting, via an antenna of the RFID reader, a polling signal which is received by the RFID sensor; And upon receipt of the interrogation signal, the RFID sensor transmits an RFID tag signal, which contains data indicative of a parameter of the reactor within the reaction zone, and which is received by the antenna of the RFID reader. 15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the catalyst particles contain an inorganic oxide component and a metal component. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the RFID sensor comprises an RFID tag operatively connected to the sensor that detects a reactor parameter and provides the RFID tag with a sensor input representing the reactor parameter; and also outputs an RFID tag signal that contains data indicative of the reactor parameter. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the antenna of the RFID reader is installed at a location external to the reactor vessel. 18. The method of claim. 17, characterized in that the reactor vessel contains an inlet, providing for the transfer of fluid for supplying a feed stream to the reaction zone, and an outlet, providing for the transfer of fluid for removing the effluent stream from the reaction zone. 19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the reactor parameter is selected from a group of process parameters consisting of pressure, temperature, chemical composition, vapor and liquid composition, density, flow rate, pH, mechanical vibrations, penetrating radiation, magnetic flux, luminous flux intensity and sound power. 20. The method of claim 19, comprising: providing a reader that sends a polling signal to the antenna of the RFID reader and receives the RFID tag signal from the antenna of the RFID reader. 21. The method according to p. 20, further comprising: providing computing tools linked to the reader; RFID signal processing; displaying or displaying output related to the reactor parameter. 22. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the antenna of the RFID reader is installed inside the reaction zone of the reactor vessel. 23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the reactor vessel comprises an inlet means providing for the transfer of fluid for supplying a feed stream to the reaction zone, and an outlet means providing for the transfer of a fluid for withdrawing an effluent stream from the reaction zone. 24. The method according to p. 23, characterized in that the reactor parameter is selected from the group of process parameters, consisting of pressure, temperature, chemical composition, vapor and liquid composition, density, flow rate, pH, mechanical vibrations, penetrating radiation, magnetic flux, luminous flux intensity and sound power. 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising: providing a reader that sends a polling signal to the antenna of the RFID reader and receives the RFID tag signal from the antenna of the RFID reader. 26. The method according to p. 25, further comprising: providing a computer linked to the reader; RFID signal processing; displaying or displaying output related to the reactor parameter.

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