WO2009156685A1

WO2009156685A1 - Catalyst handling method and system for the chemical industry

Info

Publication number: WO2009156685A1
Application number: PCT/FR2009/051091
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michaël Mallet
Original assignee: Mallet Michael
Priority date: 2008-06-27
Filing date: 2009-06-10
Publication date: 2009-12-30
Also published as: EP2296799A1; FR2933085A1; FR2933085B1

Abstract

Catalyst handling method for a refinery or petrochemical site, comprising the draining of a storage tank (2) containing catalyst (1a), characterized in that: - a transfer line (6), having a first end (6a) that receives the catalyst coming from the storage tank (2) and a second end (6b) that distributes said catalyst to containers (4), is put into position, said containers being on a transport trailer (5); and - upon draining the storage tank, at least some of the catalyst contained in the storage tank (2) is transported to the containers (4) on said transport trailer (5) by means of said catalyst transfer line (6).

Description

PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR CATALYST HANDLING FOR THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY

The present invention relates generally to the field of catalyst handling for refinery or petrochemical site.

More particularly, the invention relates to a catalyst handling process for a refinery or petrochemical site, including the emptying of a catalyst-containing reservoir.

For reasons related to the processes for manufacturing fuels and chemicals and the yields of chemical reactions, it is regularly necessary to transport, drain and replace the catalysts contained in reserves and / or reactors.

However, during their production and / or use, these catalysts can become dangerous. For example, when using catalysts in the reactor they are charged with impurities which make them pyrophoric for example: they are likely to rise in temperature in contact with oxygen in the air and may for example ignite. The risks associated with the catalysts are obviously to be avoided not only in a hydrocarbon environment, in the place of handling / emptying of the reserve / reactor but also during transport.

Such catalysts which are expensive and dangerous must therefore be transported with care and generally according to strict standards such as the ADR standard, the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road. Given their high cost of purchase, used catalysts are transported to regenerators to allow a second or third cycle (usually partial) reactor use.

The catalyst reserves to be drained are thus:

on new or regenerated catalyst storage sites;

at sites of use of catalyst for catalyzing chemical reactions, in this case the reserve to be emptied is a reactor and the drained catalyst is used; and

at catalyst regenerator sites. In this context, the present invention aims to provide a catalyst handling method to reduce the risk of catalyst dissemination.

To this end, the handling method of the invention, moreover in conformity with the generic definition given in the preamble defined above, is essentially characterized in that:

- a transfer line is provided having a first end receiving the catalyst from the supply and a second end distributing said catalyst to containers on a trailer; and

- during the emptying of the reserve, at least part of the catalyst contained in the reserve is transported to containers on the said transport trailer using said catalyst transfer line.

In other words, the method according to said preamble is characterized in that during the emptying of the reserve, at least part of the catalyst contained in the reserve is transported to containers on a transport trailer using a catalyst transfer line, the transfer line having a first end receiving the catalyst from the reactor and a second end distributing said catalyst to the containers on said trailer.

The method of the invention allows to fill each of the containers while they are on the trailer. Thanks to this characteristic, the risks of uncontrolled dispersion of the catalyst are limited. Thus the process is advantageous from the point of view of securing the industrial site because the catalysts are generally dangerous products for the environment and human health.

The method avoids manipulation of containers between the trailer and the reserve during the emptying operation. Moreover, the method makes it possible to accelerate the emptying since it eliminates the steps of displacement of containers between the trailer and the reserve for their filling in catalyst.

For the implementation of the method according to the invention, one can also ensure that said first end of the transfer line comprises a hopper disposed under a drain point of the reserve. The emptying of the reserve is thus performed by gravity and the hopper allows adaptation to different types of reserves. A reserve may be a chemical reactor containing spent catalyst, or a storage silo, or a hopper or buffer silo. It should be noted that a buffer silo is typically supplied with catalyst (used or not) from a main reservoir either by gravity or by depressurizing this buffer silo.

The method of the invention can be used in the same way when filling containers on a new, used or regenerated catalyst trailer.

The invention is therefore adaptable to different types of sites where there is a need for emptying a reserve containing dangerous catalysts.

Preferably, the hopper of the transfer line may be in the form of an enclosure having an inlet opening sealingly connected to the reserve and an outlet opening. This embodiment avoids catalyst leakage at the location of the resist / transfer line link.

For the implementation of the process according to the invention, it is also possible for said catalyst transfer line to comprise a connecting conveyor adapted to move catalyst along an axis of displacement extending over containers and to carry out said distribution of catalyst to said containers being on the trailer and in that prior to the emptying of the reserve is conveyed the transport trailer carrying said empty containers and then assembles said connecting conveyor on said trailer.

This connecting conveyor is thus removable from the trailer which allows on the one hand to have a trailer not overloaded by the conveyor link during road transport and on the other hand to be able to adapt the conveyor link to several trailers to perform a rotation of trailers container doors during the emptying. This embodiment is therefore particularly economical.

Preffentially this conveyor link is covered so as to protect, against possible showers, on the one hand all the containers present on the trailer and on the other hand the catalyst passing on this conveyor link.

Pref erentially the entire transfer line is covered to protect the transferred catalyst from showers.

For the implementation of the method according to the invention, it is also possible to ensure that the transfer line comprises first and second angularly orientable sections relative to one another, the first section comprising the first end of the line and the second section with the second end of the line.

This embodiment makes it possible to position the first section of the fixed station transfer line vis-à-vis the reserve while allowing the displacement of the second section to fill in turn container trailers via a / des link conveyors. For the implementation of the method according to the invention, it is also possible to ensure that said transfer line comprises a valve provided with valve control means, this valve being adapted to selectively allow and prohibit the transport of catalyst from the valve. the catalyst transport prohibition being preferably controlled upon receipt of a full container information outputted from a container fill sensor.

Preferably this valve is disposed at the first end of the transfer line receiving the catalyst, and is assembled to said reserve so as to control the flow of catalyst drained via the emptying point of the reserve. Preferably the container filling sensor is carried by the connecting conveyor.

In one embodiment of the invention, a hopper fill level sensor is arranged at the hopper of the transfer line and a catalyst transfer speed is regulated via said transfer line as a function of information from the hopper. level of hopper filling emitted by said hopper sensor.

Preferably, said transfer line valve is connected to said hopper sensor and is adapted to selectively allow and prohibit the transport of catalyst from the supply to the transfer line upon receipt of hopper filling level information from said sensor. hopper. For the implementation of the method according to the invention, it is also possible to ensure that said transfer line comprises attachment means adapted to be connected to said trailer carrying said containers, this line being thus adapted to be connected to one part to the trailer carrying the containers and the other part to the reserve. According to a particular embodiment, the transfer line may comprise positioning stops of a portion of the transfer line on the trailer and / or on the containers and / or on a hopper located above the containers. Such goals allow positioning by supporting the transfer line without having to attach.

In one embodiment of the invention, this transfer line is adapted to be transported by the trailer and for this is adapted to be fixed on the trailer. In this mode, this line is adapted to be deployed towards the outside of the trailer thus making it possible to arrange the first end of the line under the said point of emptying the catalyst reserve. In this embodiment where the transfer line is carried by the trailer, it is preferably made so that it is partly movable relative to the different containers to selectively position the second end of the line in separate positions, each of these stations being located above a clean container to allow filling.

For the implementation of the method according to the invention, it can also be ensured that the emptying of the reserve, each container on said trailer is fed with catalyst via a head opening made on an upper part of this container.

The fact that the containers have a head opening allows their filling by gravity via the transfer line while they are stationed on the trailer.

According to a remarkable mode of implementation of the process according to the invention, it is also possible to ensure that the catalyst contained in the containers is transported by means of the trailer to a catalyst storage site at a distance from the site where the catalyst is placed. the reserve and that the catalyst contained in the containers is drained at the remote site to storage drums.

This embodiment of the invention therefore makes it possible to release the containers by emptying them to reusable storage barrels, which are less expensive (because they are not subject to road transport standards), which reduces the financial immobilization of the containers and favors their storage time. use for transport. This embodiment therefore provides significant savings.

For the implementation of the previous embodiment of the method of the invention, it is also possible to ensure that the catalyst contained in the containers carried by the trailer is emptied while these containers are arranged on the trailer.

For the implementation of the previous embodiment of the method of the invention, it is also possible to ensure that the catalyst contained in the containers is transported by means of the trailer to a catalyst storage site remote from the site where the reactor is located and the catalyst contained in the containers is drained at the remote site to storage drums, each container having a container foot opening.

For the implementation of the previous embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is also possible to ensure that the container emptying means arranged on the trailer comprise, at least temporarily, a lower catalyst transport line, this line lower transport having a catalyst outlet and being adapted to move the catalyst flowing from at least one container placed on the trailer towards the catalyst outlet.

This lower transport line is temporarily placed under the containers which makes it possible to drain them by gravity while they are placed on the trailer.

Alternatively, for the implementation of said remarkable mode of the method according to the invention, it can also be ensured that for the emptying of containers carried by the trailer, said containers are unloaded from the trailer, each container is disposed above at least one was stored and the catalyst contained in the containers is allowed to flow by gravity into at least one of said storage drums.

This embodiment makes it possible to quickly release the trailer without waiting for the containers to be effectively emptied. For the implementation of the previous embodiment of the method according to the invention, it can be arranged to fill regenerated or new catalyst containers, and transport these containers with a trailer to the site where is disposed said reserve and after the emptying of this reserve, disassembling the trailer at least one of these containers and is moved over a hopper filling the reserve, regenerated or new catalyst contained in this container being then transferred to the filling hopper.

It should be noted that the use of the same transport container for the emptying of the reserve and its filling but not for storage at the remote site of the reserve is particularly advantageous because it allows to limit the immobilization of the container by maximizing its utilization rate for catalyst transport. This advantage is allowed on the one hand because the container is stationed on the trailer during its filling and secondly because the container is removed from the trailer for filling the reserve.

The displacement of each container above the filling hopper is preferably carried out using a crane. Preferably, the filling hopper has a feed valve adapted to allow the control of the new or regenerated catalyst flow from the filling hopper to an internal zone of the reactor. The filling hopper makes it possible to store a sufficient volume of catalyst to reduce the risk that the supply of the reserve is interrupted during filling, thus allowing a regular filling of the reactor favorable to a homogeneous distribution of the catalyst in the reserve.

For the implementation of any of the embodiments of the method according to the invention, it can be made so that said catalyst transfer line comprises a connecting conveyor adapted to move the catalyst along an axis of displacement s' extending over containers arranged on the trailer in an aligned manner.

This remarkable embodiment of the invention makes it possible to use a conveyor temporarily loaded on the trailer to feed the containers, which makes it easier to fill the containers of a trailer in a continuous operation.

Preferably, this link conveyor is a conveyor belt.

For the implementation of any of the embodiments of the method according to the invention, it can be ensured that: said connecting conveyor is a two-way conveyor having a maximum conveying length less than three quarters of the distance separating two of said containers aligned on the trailer which are furthest apart from each other, these two furthest containers being said first and second containers; and that said conveyor is at least partly mobile with respect to said containers aligned on the trailer between: a first position in which a first end of the conveyor is disposed vis-à-vis the first container; and a second position distinct from the first position in which a second end of said conveyor is disposed opposite said second container.

By virtue of this linear displacement characteristic, the connecting conveyor makes it possible to fill all the containers aligned on the trailer for a single connection position between the link conveyor and the portion of the transfer line conveying the catalyst from the reserve to the link conveyor. . The filling of the containers is done by simply moving at least a portion of the connecting conveyor (connected to the reserve via the transfer line portion) with respect to the containers combined with the selection of the direction of catalyst displacement on the conveyor.

For the implementation of any of the embodiments of the method according to the invention combined with the aforementioned remarkable embodiment, it is possible to ensure that said containers arranged on the trailer comprise a first group of containers aligned according to a first alignment axis and a second group of containers also aligned along a second axis of alignment distinct from the first axis, said first group of aligned containers comprising said first and second containers, the link conveyor further comprising at least one movable squeegee between a first catalyst guiding position present on the link conveyor to at least one of the containers of the first group of containers and a second position catalyst guide on the conveyor link to at least one of the containers of the second group of containers, the first and second switch positions being separate from each other.

This embodiment is particularly advantageous because the same conveyor is used to selectively supply each of the containers that are on the trailer and which are aligned along two distinct alignment axes.

For the implementation of any one of the embodiments of the method according to the invention can be made so that the catalyst transfer line comprises first and second scraper blades arranged on either side of said conveyor link, each of said first and second scrapes being movable between first and second guide positions specific to each scraper.

The scrapers facilitate the orientation of the conveyor catalyst to one of the containers selected to be filled.

Alternatively to the last two embodiments of the above-mentioned embodiments (modes comprising a doctor blade (s)), for the implementation of the above-mentioned remarkable embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is possible to make said containers arranged on the trailer comprises a first group of containers aligned along a first alignment axis and a second group of containers also aligned along a second alignment axis distinct from the first axis, said first group of aligned containers comprising said first and second containers, the transfer line having a switch channel movable between a first catalyst guiding position to at least one of the containers of the first group of containers and a second catalyst guiding position to at least one of the containers of the second group of containers, the first and second guiding positions being distinct from one another.

This embodiment makes it possible to use the same conveyor to selectively supply each of the containers that are on the trailer without having to use a doctor blade.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to ensure that said chute is movable relative to the sides of the connecting conveyor so that in the first guiding position, a lower end of the chute is facing the one side of the connecting conveyor and that in the second position, the chute is vis-à-vis another side of the connecting conveyor, these connecting conveyor sides being respectively parallel to said axis of displacement of the catalyst .

Preferably, said sides of the connecting conveyor are separated from each other by a guide edge adapted to prevent the passage of catalyst. placed on the connecting conveyor from one side to the other of said conveyor. As a result, it is possible to automate the filling of the containers by choosing: the position of the conveyor relative to the containers; and the direction of catalyst displacement on the conveyor; and

the position of the doctor blades or the chute (according to the chosen embodiment).

Thus the operator can be remote from the trailer when filling containers which is advantageous from the point of view of its safety. Moreover, thanks to these characteristics, the transfer line can be automated which favors the filling speed of the containers.

For this purpose fill level sensors of each container may be used for the method of the invention. Such sensors may be carried by the containers, but are preferably carried by the connecting conveyor which is positioned above the containers or possibly carried by the trailer itself thus allowing the containers to be exchanged while keeping the same sensors for the container. filling all the containers, which is economical.

In the case where these container filling sensors are carried by the connecting conveyor they are arranged at the ends of this conveyor so that when the connecting conveyor is positioned to fill a particular container, at least one filling sensors are opposite the container to observe the level of filling. Preferably, the link conveyor carries 2 sensors at each end, each of the sensors of one end being aligned with an axis of alignment of head openings of the containers which are distributed on the trailer in two rows.

For the implementation of any one of the embodiments of the method according to the invention, it is possible for the transfer line to include means for weighing the transferred catalyst and for having a controller adapted to control the transfer. catalyst to said containers as a function of weighing information measured by the weighing means and as a function of filling information measured by means of said fill level sensors.

With this embodiment one can make sure of:

calculating the density of the catalyst by correlating a filling information with a weighing information; and or

calculating the weight of catalyst transferred via said transfer line; and or

adjusting the catalyst conveying speed via the transfer line as a function of the weighing information and / or the filling information; and or

- regulate the transfer line valve according to the weighing and / or filling information; and or - Order the positioning of the doctor blade and / or the chute according to the weighing and / or filling information; and or

- control the position of the connecting conveyor relative to the trailer according to the weighing and / or filling information; and / or distributing the mass of catalyst between the containers (by controlling the transfer line and / or the connecting conveyor and / or the position of the doctor blades and / or the chute position) according to the weighing information and / or filling.

For the implementation of any of the embodiments of the method according to the invention combined with the above-mentioned remarkable embodiment, it is possible to ensure that the link conveyor comprises at least one series of link hoppers aligned with each other. along an axis of alignment of the connecting hoppers, each of these connecting hoppers being arranged vis-à-vis one of the containers arranged on the trailer so as to guide the catalyst of the connecting conveyor to this container.

The connecting hoppers avoid catalyst dispersion when filling containers and protect the catalyst in the containers from rainwater.

For the implementation of any of the embodiments of the method according to the invention combined with the aforementioned remarkable embodiment, it can be arranged that the link conveyor comprises a first group of link hoppers each arranged in a screw configuration. one of the containers of the first group of containers and a second group of link hoppers each disposed opposite one of the containers of the second group of containers.

This embodiment guides catalyst to each container while reducing the risk of catalyst falling between two containers.

The fact of arranging the containers in separate rows on the trailer and placing a connecting conveyor over the connecting hoppers at the top makes it possible to automatically fill a trailer with a large catalyst transport capacity while having containers of an individual capacity of 3 m3 maximum. Typically a trailer carries 12 containers.

For the implementation of any of the embodiments of the method according to the invention combined with the aforementioned remarkable embodiment, it is possible to ensure that the emptying of the catalyst contained in the containers to storage tanks of the remote site is carried out using a hopper drums having several catalyst guide openings, each of these guide openings being arranged vis-à-vis one of said storage drums.

The invention also relates to a handling system for implementing the method of the invention. This system is provided with a trailer and a transfer line according to any of the embodiments of the transfer line described above and containers adapted to be selectively mounted and dismounted from the trailer. system comprising means for attaching the containers adapted to attach the containers when they are mounted on the trailer, the transfer line being adapted to fill the containers with catalyst while they are mounted on the trailer.

The trailer of the system of the invention is a trailer according to any one of the trailer embodiments described above.

Similarly, the containers of the system of the invention are containers according to any one of the embodiments of the containers described above or the container described below.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description which is given below, by way of indication and in no way limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 represents the chronology of various operations of the method according to the invention implemented for the emptying of used catalyst from a reactor and its replacement as a new or reformed catalyst; Figure 2a shows the handling system according to the invention used during the emptying of a reserve containing catalyst; FIG. 2b represents a type of installation that can be emptied using the method and system of the invention, this installation comprising a chemical reactor R and a buffer silo 2 placed under vacuum via an aspirator ASP and connected to the reactor R to force catalyst transfer from the reactor to the silo / reserve 2, this silo / reserve and the transfer line being adapted to be connected together at the emptying zone Z; FIG. 3 represents a view from above of the system of the invention in a possible configuration during emptying of the fuel tank, this system comprising a catalyst transfer line provided with steerable sections and two trailers arranged perpendicularly relative to one another. and each carrying several containers in line, each trailer carrying a connecting conveyor; Figure 4 shows the system of Figure 3, but in this case the trailers are parallel to each other which illustrates one of the interests of the orientation function of the sections of the transfer line; trailers that may have angular positions other than those shown in these figures; a trailer that may be filling when the other is being substituted by an empty container trailer; FIG. 5 shows the system of the invention in an embodiment where the transport unit comprises two trailers carrying the empty containers, the transfer line 6 itself being mounted on a container carrier trailer, this makes it possible to transport in a same transport unit two empty container trailers or the transfer line with an empty container trailer; FIG. 6 represents a perspective of the transfer line of the system of the invention provided with steerable sections; Figure 7 shows, in top view, the second section of the transfer line and illustrates the rotational and translational movements achievable; Figure 8 shows a side view of the second section, orientable, telescopic or slide of the transfer line; FIG. 9 represents a view of the connecting conveyor without its upper casing making it possible to collect the catalyst from the end of the second section of the transfer line and to distribute the catalyst at the top of the containers along a vertically aligned axis of displacement XO and / or parallel to the alignment axis (s) of the containers X1, X2; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a container attachment block on a trailer, this block being adapted to be attached to the trailer to receive and hold the containers in two rows; Fig. 11 shows a container used for carrying out the method and system of the invention; Figure 12 shows a container emptying operation as they are placed on the trailer and their drain means are connected to a lower catalyst line 55; FIG. 13 shows a drum filling operation 8 using a drum hopper 8a in which the containers are emptied; FIG. 14 represents a filling operation of a filling hopper 21 of a reserve 2 with a crane 10 carrying a container 4 to the top of the hopper 21; FIG. 15 represents a step of manual emptying of drums in a shuttle hopper 11 during the filling of a reserve 2, a crane carrying the shuttle hopper 11 towards the filling hopper 21 of the reserve 2; FIG. 16 represents a perspective view of the handling system according to the invention in an embodiment according to which a motorized chute is used to distribute the catalyst on one side or the other of the connecting conveyor, in this FIG. transfer line includes first and second transfer line sections, the first section being a catalyst elevation section and the second section being connected to the first section and the connecting conveyor for supplying catalyst therethrough via the chute; Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the manipulation system of the invention of Fig. 16 without the first section; FIG. 18 shows a rear view of the trailer showing the connecting conveyor having two sides separated from each other by a guide edge, and the chute disposed between the second section of the transfer line and the connecting conveyor. for guiding catalyst to one side of the bonding conveyor; FIG. 19 shows a portion of the transfer line of the system of the invention in one embodiment where a section of the transfer line is equipped with a weighing means for evaluating the transferred catalyst weight; in this embodiment, this transfer line section is provided with weighing means and is adjustable with respect to the connecting conveyor on which it is assembled.

As previously announced, the invention relates to catalyst transport for refineries and the chemical industry.

A catalyst is an agent that allows two elements to react with each other to obtain a third, this agent finding its initial state almost at the end of the reaction. The invention relates preferentially to the transport of solid catalysts (shaped into rods or balls of 3 to 5 mm for example) and which manufacturers use to synthesize, transform, convert, eliminate, purify the products they manufacture. These catalysts are generally arranged in layers in capacities called reactors, in which are generated the chemical reactions required by the manufacturing processes.

The invention relates to the automated handling, transport and conditioning of catalysts for chemical reactions which are generally dangerous or difficult to handle products, these catalysts being in particular used in refineries.

The invention relates to a catalyst handling process implemented during the emptying of a reactor 2 containing used catalysts in view firstly of the treatment of these catalysts used in a regeneration center and secondly the refilling of the reactor with new or regenerated catalyst.

Figure 1 describes various steps of the method of the invention classified chronologically.

The column on the left shows the events taking place chronologically on the site where the reserve 2 is located, which is here a chemical reactor 2 using catalyst 1. This catalyst, once used must be emptied, to be replaced by new catalyst or regenerated / reformed Ib.

For this purpose the spent catalyst is drained and transported to a spent catalyst storage site 7 distant from the site where the reactor 2 is located. This remote site 7 is shown on the right column.

The central column illustrates the zone separating the site comprising the reactor 2 from the storage site 7.

In step A, transport is carried on the storage area 7 trailers carrying empty containers V and trailers carrying containers filled with reformed or new catalyst F. In this step A is installed a first end 6a of transfer line 6 to receive spent catalyst from the emptying of the reactor 2 and a valve regulating the passage of catalyst from the reactor 2 to the line 6 is fixed.

In step B, a vacuum trailer V is conveyed, by means of a tractor, from the storage site 7 to the site containing the reactor 2. This empty trailer is placed in the vicinity of the reactor 2 at the step C. In step D, the empty containers carried by the trailer 5 are connected to the reactor via the transfer line 6, its valve and its connecting conveyor 66. For this we install the connecting conveyor on the trailer. The tractor returns to the storage site 7 while the reactor 2 is drained and the empty containers 4 are loaded with used catalyst la. When the valve is open and the motorized transfer line is actuated, the emptying of the reactor to the containers is automatic.

In step E, the tractor transports a new trailer carrying empty containers V from the storage site 7 to the site containing the reactor 2. During this step, the emptying of the reactor 2 continues as long as the containers connected to the reactor via the transfer 6 are not full. The transfer line 6 used for the implementation of the method and system according to the invention is advantageous because it allows automation of the filling containers carried by the trailer. Indeed, this line comprises containers filling level sensors and a weighing system of the products connected to the valve placed at the outlet of the reactor via a pilot machine. This valve is adapted to prevent the passage of catalyst to the line 6 when at least one of the sensors (level or weighing) emits a particular container information full.

In step F, the empty container trailer V is placed in the vicinity of the reactor 2 and a second connecting conveyor 66 is attached to the latter trailer.

In step G after the containers of the first trailer are filled, a section is rotated orientable from the transfer line to the second connecting conveyor 66 and these are connected together.

In step H, the trailer 5 carrying the full containers of used catalyst 1a is conveyed to the storage site 7, while the empty containers V carried by the second trailer are filled with used catalyst via the transfer line 6. In step I, the emptying of the reactor continues and the tractor returns to the site comprising the reactor 2 to be coupled to the second trailer carrying the containers which are being filled with used catalyst la. In step K the second trailer is detached from the transfer line 6 and coupled to the tractor and then transported to the storage site 7 to route the containers containing used catalyst la. The steps F to K are repeated as many times as necessary until the reactor 2 has been completely emptied.

In step L, the tractor is coupled, at the storage site 7, to a trailer carrying containers containing fresh catalyst Ib, that is to say new or reformed and this trailer is then transported to the site of implantation of the reactor 2.

In an alternative embodiment, the trailer carrying the containers containing reformed catalyst Ib can be routed between steps A to K.

In step M, once the reactor 2 has been completely drained, it is filled with fresh catalyst Ib via a reactor filling hopper 21 located in the upper part of the reactor 2. The filling of the reactor is done by draining the fresh catalyst Ib found in the containers 4 of the trailer in the hopper, the containers 4 are then raised using a crane 10. The container trailers full of fresh catalysts Ib are conveyed to the foot of the reactor 2 as it is filled.

In step M the tractor is unhitched from the fresh catalyst trailer which is being transferred to the reactor 2 and travels back and forth to the storage site for transport, from the storage site 7 to the site where it is located. implanted the reactor 2, a new trailer carrying several containers each containing new or regenerated catalyst Ib.

This new trailer is then emptied to the reactor 2 via its filling hopper 21. This step is repeated until the reactor is filled with new / regenerated catalyst Ib. The trailers containing the empty containers V are returned using from the tractor to the storage site 7 as filling of the reactor 2. The reactor filled with fresh catalyst is then available in step N and can then be used to catalyze new chemical reactions.

FIG. 2a shows the stage of emptying the reactor using the trailer 5 carrying the 12 containers 4 and using the transfer line provided with a first end 6a placed under the reactor 2 and a second end 6b on the trailer 5 for distributing the catalyst to the containers 4. The transfer line is adapted to limit the drop height of the spent catalyst to at most 1 meter in order to limit the degradation of the catalyst by shocks and friction during the fall. Preferably, the transfer line comprises a flexible sock connecting the reserve and the first end of the transfer line in order to limit the rate of fall of the catalyst and therefore its degradation. Preferably the system of the invention comprises catalyst level sensors at different points of the transfer line 6 and at each end of the connecting conveyor, the transfer line 6 and its connecting conveyor 66 are adapted to have a speed of catalyst transfer from the first end 6a to both ends of the variable link conveyor according to fill level values generated by at least one of said sensors. This feature of the invention allows automated filling of containers.

Also the transfer line 6 is adapted to have a catalyst transfer rate from the first end 6a to the second end 6b which is zero when at least one of said sensors transmits a fill level limit value to said transfer line , this filling level value being for example a weight information.

This characteristic of the invention makes it possible to have an automated stop function of the transfer line, thus reducing the risk of dispersion and degradation of the catalyst when filling containers.

Preferably the reserve 2 comprises a lower valve adapted to selectively prohibit the catalyst outlet to the first end 6a of the transfer line. Preferably said sensors and / or said transfer line 6 is / are connected to said lower valve, this lower valve being adapted to adopt a configuration of catalyst exit prohibition of the reserve 2 on receipt of a prohibition signal. draining from said sensor and / or the control line 6. This characteristic of the invention allows to have a function of automatically stopping catalyst flow from the reserve 2 to the first end of the line 6a.

The transfer line comprises, going from its first end 6a to its second end 6b, a line hopper 61 receiving the catalyst coming from the reserve 2, a first and a second section that are orientable relative to each other 62, 63, which allow a freedom of positioning of the trailers 5 with respect to the reserve 2 as shown in FIGS. 2a, 3, 4 and 7.

Preferentially, the second section 63 is a telescopic section that makes it possible to vary the length of the transfer line 6 between its ends 6a and 6b. Figure 8 shows the telescopic section with a soft sock C limiting projections, catalyst oxygenation and rainwater penetration. Each of the first and second steerable sections comprises a belt conveyor specific to each section, the conveyor being provided with slats transverse to the direction of travel of the conveyor belt.

Preferably each conveyor is covered in a sealed manner by housings so that the catalyst conveying between the ends 6a and 6b is done with a reduced amount of ambient oxygen thus limiting the risk of ignition of the catalyst and rainwater penetration .

As seen in Figures 2a and 12, the containers 4 are arranged on the trailer 5 in two groups of containers 4a and 4b parallel to each other and extending along longitudinal axes of the trailer. Each container 4 is adapted to be selectively attached and detached from the trailer by mechanisms. Typically each container 4 is connected to the trailer 5 via an ear and a rod placed towards a longitudinal internal area of the trailer and by toads arranged in the outer area of the trailer. Preferably the ears and rods are controlled in position by a system of cams operable from the front and rear ends of the trailer 5. Preferably the system of the invention comprises locking means of each container adapted to unlock the container vis-à- screw of the trailer when the latter is lifted by means of lifting the container (typically a ring placed at the top of the container) and adapted to lock the container on the trailer 5 when the container is placed on the trailer and when the lifting means of the container is not biased in a lifting direction of the container.

In one embodiment the transfer line is carried by a separate trailer of the container carrier trailer 5. This embodiment is shown in Figures 2a, 6, where the transfer line 6 is carried by a separate trailer attached via means of attachment to the container carrier trailer 5.

Preferably, the transfer line comprises a link conveyor 66 temporarily placed on the container carrier trailer (s) 5, these link conveyors 66 are visible on the top of the trailers 5 shown in FIGS. 2a, 3, 4 and a view in FIG. Open perspective of this connecting conveyor 66 is shown in FIG. 9.

A link conveyor 66 has a length L1 greater than half the distance L2 between two containers 4a, 4b farthest from each other on the container carrier trailer.

A portion of the connecting conveyor is assembled sliding in its structure so as to be displaced over the different head openings 41 of the containers 4 in order to supply them with a catalyst passing through the connecting conveyor 66.

This connecting conveyor 66 is adapted to have a variable catalytic converter direction as a function of a control signal, the direction of drive to a container or another being selective. Typically, this conveyor 66 is strip-shaped and the direction of strip travel is selected selectively towards the front or towards the rear of the trailer 5, this direction being parallel to an axis of displacement X 0 visible in FIG. 9.

The control signal determining the direction of drive is preferably a function of level measurements and / or container loading weights carried out using sensors.

Preferably, the connecting conveyor comprises squeegees 68a, 68b visible in FIG. 9 which are arranged at the ends of the connecting conveyor 66 so as to selectively orient the flow of catalyst transported by the connecting conveyor towards: first group G1 of containers which are aligned along an axis of alignment of containers X1; or to a container of a second group G2 of containers which are aligned along an axis of alignment of containers X2.

For this purpose each doctor blade 68a and 68b consists of a scraping part of the conveyor which is rotatably mounted along an axis perpendicular to the conveying plane of the conveyor belt. Thus each doctor blade can be oriented in a first position to guide the catalyst to the first group of containers G1 or in a second position to direct the catalyst to the second group of containers G2. In order to facilitate the guiding of the catalyst thus scraped and falling by gravity towards one of the head openings 41 of the containers 4, the connecting conveyor comprises a series of connecting hoppers 67 visible in FIG. 9. More precisely these hoppers are distributed. in a first group of hoppers 67a aligned with each other along an axis XT1 parallel to the axis X0 of the conveyor 66 and a second group of hoppers 67b aligned with each other along an axis XT2 distinct from the axis XT1. The first group of hoppers 67a is aligned so as to be in a vertical plane passing through the axis of alignment of the containers Xl. The second group of hoppers 67b is aligned so as to be in a vertical plane passing through the axis of alignment of the containers X2 of the structure carrying the containers shown in FIG. 10. Thus the positions of the scrapers direct the catalyst towards the first group of hoppers 67a or to the second group of hoppers 67b.

The connecting hoppers 67 of the first group 67a which are each aligned with an opening 41 of a container of the first group G1 make it possible to fill the containers of the first group G1. The connecting hoppers 67 of the second group 67b which are each aligned with an opening 41 of a container of the second group G2 make it possible to fill the containers of the second group G2.

Each container 4 has a head opening 41 made in the upper part of the container, so that this opening 41 is arranged opposite one of the connecting hoppers 67 when the container is carried by the trailer 5. All of the containers are identical to each other in ways that can be interchanged on the trailer 5.

Figure 11 depicts a container with internal walls arranged in baffles to reduce the maximum free fall height of the catalyst within the container. These walls are preferably inclined planes with respect to a vertical axis of the container passing through its head opening 41 and by its foot opening 42. These inclined planes are spaced from each other to allow catalyst sliding along and between these plans. This characteristic of the container makes it possible to limit the degradation of the catalyst by the shocks related to its height of fall during filling of the container.

Each container 4 also has means for selectively closing the foot opening 42, for example these means may be a door mounted to slide and / or pivot relative to the foot opening 42.

The system of the invention also comprises emptying means 55 for containers temporarily placed under the trailer 5. These means are partly visible in FIG. 12 which shows a step of the process of the invention in which the containers 4 are emptied. used catalyst they contain at the site of the remote storage and regeneration of the catalysts. For this purpose, a lower transfer line is arranged opposite the foot openings 42 of the containers carried by the trailer 5. The means for selectively sealing the foot openings 42 of the containers are each connected to the lower line. catalyst carrier which is provided with a catalyst outlet and means for transferring the catalyst from the collection points to this outlet. These means of transfer of the lower line may be a belt conveyor. The outlet of the emptying means 55 can be connected to a drum hopper 8a for filling barrels 8 as can be seen in FIG. 12.

As shown in FIG. 13, this drum hopper 8a is used to store the catalyst and to fill barrels 8. For this purpose, the drum hopper 8a has several outlets each aligned with one of the barrels 8. Preferably the hopper 8a comprises drum lifting means (for example a lifting table carrying several drums) for raising drums to bring them closer to the outlets of the drum hopper, which reduces the drop height of the catalyst.

The system of the invention therefore makes it possible: to transport catalyst via containers of size less than or equal to 3 m 3 while reducing human intervention thanks to the transfer lines and the emptying means of the containers; and to deliver this catalyst in bulk in less expensive packages than the reusable containers.

The system of the invention can also be used to fill new containers or regenerated containers 4 on a trailer 5. This filling can be achieved preferentially automated through the transfer line carried by the trailer. The trailer carrying the containers thus filled with new or regenerated catalyst is transported to the destination site. The catalyst is then transferred from the containers to a filling hopper 21 located in the upper part of the reactor. This transfer is carried out with a crane 10 which is used, as shown in FIG. 14, to raise the containers one after the other above the hopper 21 and to hold them in this position during the catalyst transfer from the container. to the hopper.

Preferably the filling hopper 21 comprises a reactor supply valve for controlling the catalyst inlet flow rate in the reactor to homogenize the distribution of the catalyst in this reactor.

In the case of Figures 16 to 19, the transfer line comprises first and second angularly adjustable sections 62, 63 relative to each other. In this embodiment, the first section 62 includes the first end of the line 6a and the second section 63 includes said connecting conveyor 66 and the second end of the line 6b.

In the embodiment of FIG. 16, the first section of the transfer line 62 is composed of two sub-sections 62a and 62b articulated with respect to each other, the first sub-section 62a being a catalyst elevator and the other sub section 62b having a hopper 89 at one end to receive catalyst from the first sub section 62a and a steerable chute 80 attached to its second end. This steerable chute 80 opens into a housing 81 of the connecting conveyor.

The casing 81 of the connecting conveyor 66 is adapted to remain fixed relative to the trailer regardless of the displacement of the remainder of the connecting conveyor vis-à-vis the trailer. This feature makes it possible to move the linkage conveyor on the trailer without having to move the first section of the transfer line 62.

As can be seen in FIG. 19, a section of the transfer line 62 can be rotatably mounted relative to the casing 81 of the connecting conveyor, for example by means of rollers 83 and a bearing 84 surrounding an opening. 85 in the housing and allowing the passage of the chute 80. Thus a section of the transfer line 62 can be rotatably assembled vis-à-vis the connecting conveyor.

The section of the transfer line which is rotatably mounted relative to the housing of the connecting conveyor is also provided with a conveyor belt and weighing means adapted to weigh the product conveyed by this belt.

In the example of FIG. 19, this weighing means is produced by an assembly 86 carrying the belt and comprising a hinge 87 and a stop 88 remote from the hinge. The belt is thus rotatably mounted relative to the hinge 87 which is a hinge of horizontal axis and the stop 88 serves as a stop in rotation of the belt. The abutment 88 of the weighing means is equipped with a sensor adapted to measure the mass of the carpet and the products it carries. So part of the mass of the belt is carried by the hinge 87 and the other part is carried by the stop 88 provided with the sensor. Thus, by measuring the speed of rotation of the belt and using the weight information measured by the sensor, the mass of catalyst transported over a given time is determined.

Preferably, the chute 80 is rotatably mounted on the casing of the connecting conveyor 66 and is rotatably actuated by motorization means such as a jack or an electric motor. The catalyst distribution to the right of the groups of containers is therefore provided by the steerable chute 80.

The positioning / orientation of the chute 80 is automatically regulated according to the weight measurements of the transported catalyst and / or the filling of the containers.

The global automation of the transfer line is governed by a central computer controller in connection with all the sensors (instruments) and actuators (mats, valves of the line). Its most notable functions are:

- collection of the following information:

- inlet valve of the transfer line open or closed,

- conveyor belt speeds,

- weight of product transferred,

- Position of the conveyor belt feed chute, position of the link conveyor via longitudinal position sensors of the guide rails of the conveyor,

- filling level of the containers,

distance between the collection point 6a of FIG. 19 of the products on the subsection 62b and the weighing stop 88 ...

- control of the following equipment: opening / closing of the inlet valve of the transfer line on demand (emergency stop or filling level of containers reached or trigger by operator), knowing the capacity of unit volume of containers, calculating the actual bulk density of the loaded products as the loaded weights are combined with the container fill levels. As the density of the products evolves, the automaton determines the maximum filling level of the containers and controls the chute and the conveyor of connection so as to: optimize the filling of the trailer to the maximum of its load useful (each container is filled to the maximum of its capacity at first of two thresholds reached: weight or volume); and / or guarantee that this payload is not exceeded.

Claims

Process for handling a catalyst for a refinery or a petrochemical site (1) comprising the emptying of a reservoir (2) containing catalyst (1a), characterized in that:

there is a transfer line (6) having a first end (6a) receiving the catalyst (1a) from said supply (2) and a second end (6b) distributing said catalyst (1a) to containers (4) lying on a trailer (5); and

when at least one part of the catalyst (1a) contained in the supply (2) is transported to containers (4) on said transport trailer (5) with the aid of catalyst transfer (6).

2. A handling method according to claim 1, characterized in that said first end (6a) of the transfer line (6) comprises a hopper (61) which is arranged under a drain point of the reserve (2) when its emptying.

3. A handling method according to at least one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said transfer line (6) of catalyst comprises a connecting conveyor (66) adapted to move the catalyst along a displacement axis (XO ) extending over containers (4) and for carrying out the said dispensing catalyst to said containers on the trailer and in that prior to filling of said containers is conveyed the transport trailer (5) carrying said empty containers and then assembles said connecting conveyor on said trailer.

4. A handling method according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the transfer line (6) comprises first and second sections (62, 63) angularly orientable relative to each other the first section (62) having the first end (6a) of the line (6) and the second section (63) having the second end (6b) of the line (6).

5. A handling method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said transfer line (6) comprises a valve provided with valve control means, said valve being adapted to selectively allow and prohibit the transport of catalyst from the supply to the transfer line (6), the catalyst transport prohibition being preferentially controlled upon receipt of a full container information transmitted by means of a container filling sensor.

6. A handling method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during the emptying of the reserve (2), each container (4) on said trailer (5) is fed catalyst (1a) via a head opening (41) made on an upper part of this container (4).

7. A handling method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the catalyst (la) contained in the containers (4) is transported by means of the trailer (5) to a catalyst storage site (a) remote from the site where the reactor (2) and the catalyst (la) contained in the containers (4) are emptied at the remote site to storage drums (8), each container (4) having a container foot opening (42).

8. A handling method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that filled containers of regenerated or new catalyst (Ib), and transported these containers with a trailer to the site where is disposed said reserve, and after the emptying of this reserve is disassembled at least one of these containers filled with regenerated catalyst or new and moved over a filling hopper (21) of the reserve (2) , the regenerated or new catalyst (Ib) contained in this container (4) then being transferred to the filling hopper (21).

9. Handling system (0) for implementing the handling method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with a trailer (5), containers (4) adapted to be selectively assembled and disassembled from the trailer (5), the system (0) comprising means for attaching the containers (9) adapted to attach the containers (4) when they are mounted on the trailer (5), the system further comprising a line transfer device (6) adapted to fill the containers (4) with catalyst while they are mounted on the trailer (5), said catalyst transfer line (6) comprising a connecting conveyor (66) adapted to move the catalyst along an axis of displacement (XO) extending over containers (4) arranged on the trailer in an aligned manner.

10. Handling system (0) according to claim 9, characterized in that said connecting conveyor (66) is a two-way conveying conveyor having a maximum conveying length (Ll) less than three quarters of the distance (L2 separating two of said containers (4) aligned on the trailer (5) which are furthest apart from each other, said two containers (4a, 4b) furthest being said first and second containers (4a, 4b) and in that said link conveyor (66) is movable with respect to the containers (4) aligned on the trailer (5) between a first position in which a first end (66a) of the conveyor (66) is disposed facing -vis the first container (4a) and a second position distinct from the first position in which a second end (66b) of said conveyor (66) is disposed vis-à-vis said second container (4b).

11. Handling system (0) according to at least one of claims 9 and 10, characterized in that said containers arranged on the trailer comprise a first group of containers aligned along a first alignment axis and a second group of containers. also aligned along a second axis of alignment distinct from the first axis, said first group of aligned containers comprising said first and second containers, the transfer line comprising a switching chute (80) movable between a first catalyst guiding position to at least one of the containers of the first group of containers and a second catalyst guide position to at least one of the containers of the second group of containers, the first and second guide positions being distinct from one another .

12. Handling system (0) according to claim 11, characterized in that said chute (80) is movable relative to the sides (66a, 66b) of the connecting conveyor (66) so that in the first position of guiding, a lower end of the chute (80) is vis-à-vis one side of the connecting conveyor and in the second position, the chute (80) is vis-à-vis another the sides of the connecting conveyor, these connecting conveyor sides being respectively parallel to said axis of displacement of the catalyst

(XO).

13. handling system (0) according to claim 12, characterized in that said sides of the connecting conveyor (66) are separated from each other by a guide edge (66c) adapted to prohibit the passage of catalyst placed on the conveyor of connecting one side to the other of said conveyor.

14. Handling system (0) according to at least one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the transfer line comprises weighing means (86, 87, 88) of the transferred catalyst and comprises an automaton adapted to control the transfer of catalyst to said containers based on weighing information measured by the weighing means and as a function of filling information measured using container fill level sensors.

15. Handling system (0) according to at least one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the transfer line comprises first and second angularly orientable sections relative to each other, the first section comprising the first end of the line and the second section comprising said connecting conveyor and the second end of the line.