Slurry phase apparatus

Abstract

Slurry phase apparatus is provided which includes a slurry vessel for holding a slurry comprising a liquid and solid particles and gas distribution means for injecting a gas into the slurry. The gas distribution means includes a sparger device which includes an apertured sparger portion inside the slurry vessel, an inlet portion leading into the slurry vessel and an outlet portion leading from the slurry vessel. The gas distribution means also includes closure means, external of the slurry vessel, and being operable to allow or deny flow from the sparger portion out through the outlet portion of the sparger device. The invention extends to a method of introducing or reintroducing a gas into a slurry vessel.

1 . Slurry phase apparatus which includes a slurry vessel for holding a slurry comprising a liquid and solid particles and gas distribution means for injecting a gas into the slurry, the gas distribution means including: 
 a sparger device comprising an apertured sparger portion inside the slurry vessel, an inlet portion leading into the slurry vessel and an outlet portion leading from the slurry vessel; and    closure means, external of the slurry vessel, operable to allow or deny flow from the sparger portion out through the outlet portion of the sparger device.    
     
     
         2 . Slurry phase apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inlet portion of the sparger device enters the slurry vessel at an elevation which is the same as, or above, the elevation at which the sparger portion is located inside the slurry vessel.  
     
     
         3 . Slurry phase apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the inlet portion of the sparger device includes a flow leg inside the slurry vessel, the flow leg being substantially vertically orientated.  
     
     
         4 . Slurry phase apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the outlet portion of the sparger device leads from the slurry vessel at an elevation which is the same as, or lower than, the elevation at which the sparger portion is located inside the slurry vessel.  
     
     
         5 . Slurry phase apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gas distribution means includes a collection vessel into which the outlet portion of the sparger device leads.  
     
     
         6 . Slurry phase apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the gas distribution means includes a return line leading from the collection vessel into the slurry vessel.  
     
     
         7 . Slurry phase apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gas distribution means includes a purge fluid line leading into the sparger device for purging the sparger device.  
     
     
         8 . Slurry phase apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , which includes: 
 an apertured support for supporting settled solid particles, the apertured support being located inside the slurry vessel below the sparger portion of the sparger device; and    a fluid inlet for introducing a fluid into the slurry vessel below the apertured support.    
     
     
         9 . Slurry phase apparatus comprising: 
 a slurry vessel for holding a slurry comprising a liquid and solid particles    gas distribution means comprising a sparger device, a portion of which extends into the slurry vessel for injecting a gas into the slurry;    an apertured support below the portion of the sparger device inside the slurry vessel for supporting settled solid particles; and    a fluid inlet for introducing a fluid into the slurry vessel below the apertured support.    
     
     
         10 . Slurry phase apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the apertures of the apertured support are small enough to prevent at least 90% by mass of the solid particles in the slurry from passing therethrough.  
     
     
         11 . Slurry phase apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the apertured support includes a plurality of parallel spaced rows or strips of wedge wire which between them define the apertures.  
     
     
         12 . Slurry phase apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , which includes a quench fluid sparger and cooling medium conduits inside the slurry vessel, the quench fluid sparger being located above the portion of the sparger device inside the slurry vessel, but below the cooling medium conduits.  
     
     
         13 . A method of quenching a slurry in a slurry vessel of slurry phase apparatus which comprises gas distribution means arranged to inject a gas into the slurry at a predetermined level, and an apertured solid particles support below the level at which the gas distribution means is disposed to inject the gas, the method including introducing a quenching fluid into the slurry vessel below the apertured support and passing the quenching fluid into the slurry through the apertures of the apertured support.  
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the method of  claim 13  comprises a step in a process selected from the group consisting of coal liquification, methanol synthesis, higher alcohol synthesis, a hydrogenation process, and hydrocarbon synthesis from carbon monoxide and hydrogen.  
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the quenching fluid is a liquid at a temperature which is lower than the temperature of the slurry in the slurry vessel, and wherein the slurry vessel holds a slurry in which an exothermic reaction takes place.  
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , including the step of introducing a quench fluid into the slurry vessel at a level above the predetermined level at which gas is injected into the slurry.  
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the quench fluid is a liquid at a temperature which is lower than the temperature of the slurry in the slurry vessel, and wherein the quench liquid is introduced through a liquid sparger.  
     
     
         18 . A method of introducing or reintroducing a gas into a slurry vessel of slurry phase apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , the method comprising: 
 operating the closure means to allow flow through the outlet portion of the sparger device;    flushing the sparger device through the outlet portion to remove settled material which may be present in the sparger device;    operating the closure means to deny flow through the outlet portion of the sparger device; and    introducing or reintroducing the gas into the slurry vessel through the sparger device.    
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the slurry phase apparatus includes an apertured support for supporting settled solid particles, the apertured support being located inside the slurry vessel below the sparger portion of the sparger device; and 
 a fluid inlet for introducing a fluid into the slurry vessel below the apertured support, the method including passing a fluid upwards through the apertured support to assist with suspension of particulate solids which have settled onto the apertured support.    
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in  claim 18 , including the step of flushing any settled material from the sparger device into a collection vessel, and further including the step of returning material flushed into the collection vessel to the slurry vessel.  
     
     
         21 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , including flushing any settled material from the sparger device into a collection vessel, and further including the step of returning material flushed into the collection vessel to the slurry vessel.