Circulating fluid bed reactor system

Abstract

This invention is to a circulating fluid bed reactor that is designed so as to have the ability to adjust catalyst holdup within the reaction zone of the reactor while maintaining substantially constant catalyst circulation rate through the reaction zone. The ability to adjust catalyst hold up independently of catalyst circulation rate provides an advantage of having the ability to maintain a constant conversion level as catalyst activity or feed rates change.

1 - 9 . (canceled)  
     
     
         10 . A circulating fluid bed reactor comprising: 
 a reaction having an inlet and outlet; and    a separation means apart from the reaction zone outlet for increasing or decreasing catalyst holdup within the reaction zone while maintaining substantially constant catalyst circulation rate through the reaction zone.    
     
     
         11 . The reactor of  claim 10 , wherein the separation means is an impingement plate, and the impingement plate is coupled to a means for increasing or decreasing distance between the impingement plate and an outlet of the reaction zone.  
     
     
         12 . The reactor of  claim 11 , wherein the impingement plate is concave with respect to the outlet of the reaction zone.  
     
     
         13 . The reactor of  claim 12 , wherein the impingement plate is substantially flat.  
     
     
         14 . The reactor of  claim 13 , wherein the impingement plate is substantially flat and has distended ends.  
     
     
         15 . The reactor of  claim 14 , wherein the impingement plate has a conical contact section.  
     
     
         16 . The reactor of  claim 11 , wherein the means for increasing or decreasing distance from the impingement plate and the outlet of the reaction zone is an actuator.  
     
     
         17 . The reactor of  claim 16 , wherein the actuator and impingement plate are coupled together by a shaft.