What is a catalyst continuous regeneration device?

In the petrochemical industry, metal catalysts are used to convert raw materials into desired products. These catalysts are coking and deactivated during chemical reactions, so catalyst regeneration is an integral part of the continuous production process.

In these continuous production processes, continuous catalyst regeneration devices are often included. Its task is to collect the catalyst that has been deactivated in the reactor, restore its activity, and then return the regenerated catalyst to the reaction unit.

MCD5-0195B-T5-G2X-00-CV2 Continuous catalyst regeneration units are particularly found in the continuous catalytic reforming (CCR) process in refining plants and in the propane dehydrogenation (PDH) process for the production of polypropylene (PP). In the French company AXENS ‘patented Aromizing™ process and UOP’s patented Platforming™ and Oleflex™ processes, we also often see isotope measuring instruments on continuous catalyst regeneration units. The emergence of continuous catalyst regeneration technology not only helps to solve the growing environmental problems, but also significantly improves the economic efficiency of production, so that more than 500 patented units have been put into use around the world.

Non-contact measurement for high temperature and corrosion conditions

The isotope measurement technology is very reliable on the catalyst continuous regeneration plant because it does not touch the production process and is not directly exposed to the high temperature and corrosion environment of the catalyst continuous regeneration plant.

VEGA isotope meter installation site

VEGA’s isotope meters are used to measure the catalyst level from the reactor and control the flow of the catalyst each time it enters the regeneration process, ensuring continuous and reliable recovery of the catalyst.

Controlling catalyst flow has two purposes: one is to ensure that the catalyst has been completely regenerated before entering the reactor again; The second is to avoid the differential pressure change between different containers in the catalyst continuous regeneration device is too large to prevent the material from suffering unnecessary impact and friction during transportation.

MCD5-0195B-T5-G2X-00-CV2 The catalyst continuous regeneration device consists of a plurality of containers. The first container is the catalyst separation hopper, which collects the deactivated catalyst in the reactor. The operating temperature of the separation hopper is very high, similar to the process temperature in the reactor, so care needs to be taken to prevent high temperature conduction to the instrument. In the separation hopper, continuous measurement of the material level is required to control the catalyst flow in the buffer zone.

VEGA SOLITRAC 31

The level can be measured using FIBERTRAC 31, VEGA’s patented flexible detector, or the very sensitive SOLITRAC 31.

The MINITRAC 31 can be used as a low level switch to control the valve opening and closing, allowing the deactivated catalyst to enter the regenerator by gravity, and preventing the equipment from idling.

The installation position of the source tank is also very important for the normal operation of the guarantee device, which is related to whether the measuring range of continuous level measurement and limit detection can meet the requirements of the patent vendor.