Edward Hsia Hsu

US Patent:

6667348, Dec 23, 2003

Filed:

Oct 1, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/262268

Inventors:

Min Chang - McLean VA
Constantine Anastasios Coulaloglou - Alexandria VA
Edward Ching-Sheng Hsu - Bridgewater NJ

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company - Annandale NJ

International Classification:

C07C 2700

US Classification:

518700, 518705, 518706

Abstract:

A gas distribution grid for a slurry reactor includes a plurality of gas injectors horizontally arrayed across, and extending through, an otherwise gas and liquid impervious plate. The injectors have a throat open at both ends, with a gas pressure reducing bore at one end which is the entrance end and with the other end opening into an upward opening cone. Flow diverting means in the injectors prevents slurry solids from entering the throat and being attrited by the high velocity gas jet exiting the bore into the throat. It is preferred that the gas injectors not protrude above the top surface of the grid and flat space is eliminated by means such as angular fillers, to prevent solids accumulation top of the grid. A chamfer may be present at the junction of the bore and throat to prevent unrestricted expansion of the gas jet entering the throat. This is useful for injecting gas into a reactive hydrocarbon synthesis slurry in a slurry reactor, with reduced catalyst attrition and deactivation.