Fixed-bed catalyst support for a hydroprocessing reactor
The present invention is directed to an upwardly convex fixed-bed catalyst support for a hydroprocessing reactor. The catalyst bed support includes an upwardly convex annular-shaped plate having an outer end in communication with the reactor inner surface, and an inner end in communication with a horizontal hub assembly.
1. A reactor, comprising:
a reactor vessel having an internal surface; and
an upwardly convex porous catalyst support in communication with the internal surface;
wherein the catalyst support comprises an upwardly convex annular-shaped plate having an outer edge in communication with the internal surface, and an inner edge in communication with a manway cover assembly; and
wherein the manway cover assembly comprises:
a grid bar support band in communication with the annular-shaped plate inner edge,
a plurality of horizontally positioned grid bars, each grid bar having a short end securely affixed to the grid bar support band, and
a horizontal catalyst support screen supported on top of the manway cover assembly by the grid bars and grid bar support band.
2. The reactor of claim 1 , wherein the catalyst support is a fixed-bed catalyst support.
3. The reactor of claim 1 , wherein the annular-shaped plate comprises a plurality of openings which, collectively, defines a plate open area of between 25 and 40 percent.
4. The reactor of claim 1 , wherein the grid bar support band further comprises a screen retention lip extending upwardly from top edge of the grid bar support band for restricting horizontal movement of the horizontal catalyst support screen.
5. The reactor of claim 1 , further comprising a support ridge protruding from the internal surface, the support ridge having a horizontal support surface;
the catalyst support further comprising a catalyst support band rigidly affixed to the annular-shaped plate outer edge, the catalyst support band having a bottom surface vertically supported by the support ridge horizontal support surface.
6. A reactor, comprising:
a reactor vessel having an internal surface; and
an upwardly convex porous catalyst support in communication with the internal surface;
wherein the catalyst support comprises:
an upwardly convex annular-shaped plate having an outer edge in communication with the internal surface, and an inner edge affixed to a manway cover support band, and
a manway cover assembly in removable communication with the manway cover support band; and
wherein the manway cover assembly comprises:
a grid bar support band removably affixed to the manway cover support band,
a plurality of horizontally positioned grid bars, each grid bar having a short end securely affixed to the grid bar support band, and
a horizontal catalyst support screen supported on top of the manway cover assembly by the grid bars and grid bar support band.
7. The reactor of claim 6 , wherein the catalyst support is a fixed-bed catalyst support.
8. The reactor of claim 6 , wherein the annular-shaped plate comprises a plurality of openings which, collectively, defines a plate open area of between 25 and 40 percent.
9. The reactor of claim 6 , wherein the grid bar support band further comprises a screen retention lip extending upwardly from top edge of the grid bar support band for restricting horizontal movement of the horizontal catalyst support screen.
10. The reactor of claim 6 , further comprising a support ridge protruding from the internal surface, the support ridge having a horizontal support surface;
the catalyst support further comprising a catalyst support band rigidly affixed to the annular-shaped plate outer edge, the catalyst support band having a bottom surface vertically supported by the support ridge horizontal support surface.