System and process for injecting catalyst and/or additives into a fluidized catalytic cracking unit

Abstract

Systems for loading catalyst and/or additives into a fluidized catalytic cracking unit are disclosed. Methods of making and using the systems are also disclosed.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A process for introducing one or more catalysts and/or additives into a fluidized catalytic cracking unit, comprising:
 generating a vacuum within a loading unit comprising a dust collector in fluid communication with and separatable from a transfer pot;   drawing the one or more catalysts and/or additives from one or more storage bins and into the dust collector of the loading unit in response to the vacuum;   determining a weight of the one or more catalysts and/or additives positioned in the transfer pot of the loading unit;   pressurizing the transfer pot of the loading unit; and   injecting the one or more catalysts and/or additives into the fluidized catalytic cracking unit in response to reaching a threshold pressure within the transfer pot of the loading unit;   wherein said determining step comprises weighing the transfer pot and the one or more catalysts and/or additives positioned in the transfer not so as to obtain a transfer pot/contents weight, wherein the transfer pot/contents weight contains either (i) a minimal weight contribution provided by said dust collector or (ii) no weight contribution provided by said dust collector.   
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 15 , further comprising monitoring the weight of the one or more catalysts and/or additives in the transfer pot and stopping generation of the vacuum when the weight reaches a predetermined value. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 15 , wherein said pressurizing step comprises introducing a fluid into a space positioned above the transfer pot of the loading unit and a flexible section positioned between and in fluid communication with the dust collector and the transfer pot. 
     
     
         18 - 20 . (canceled)