PATENTS

3793.            VANCE, F. P.  (Phillips Petroleum Co.).  Fluidized-Bed Reactor. United States Patent 2,546,570, Mar. 27, 1951; appl. filed Nov. 15, 1948, Serial No. 60,071; 9 claims (Cl. 260-449.6).

Apparatus and process particularly adaptable to the Fischer-Tropsch reaction are given.  The depth and volume of the fluidized bed of catalyst may be adjusted in response to the flow rate and desired contact time.  Gaseous reactant is introduced at the bottom of the reactor, containing sufficient fluidizable catalyst to maintain the catalyst in a dense, fluidized bed phase.  Gaseous reactant is also introduced at least one point above the bottom at a sufficient rate to maintain the catalyst above the inlet zone in a less dense, fluidized-bed phase.  The depth of the less dense phase is varied by varying the height of the reactant-gas inlet zone and by introducing or removing catalyst from the more dense phase when said depth is decreased or increased.  4 United States patents cited.