SELECTIVE REMOVAL FROM THE REACTION SYSTEM OF CATALYTIC PARTICLES OF NON-DESIRABLE SIZES

摘要

Various methods have been proposed for selectively removing catalyst particles of undesirable size from the reaction system. In one embodiment, a plurality of catalyst particles, characterized by a first average particle diameter, are withdrawn from the reaction system and sent to a separator installation, such as a countercurrent cyclone separator. In the separator installation, the particles are divided into a stream of fine catalyst particles and a stream of large catalyst particles, with a stream of fine catalyst particles characterized by a second average particle diameter, which is less than the first average particle diameter, and a stream of large catalyst particles is characterized by a third average particle diameter, which is larger than the first average diameter particles. Further, at least a portion of the flow of small or large catalyst particles is returned to the reaction system in order to maintain the desired particle size distribution therein.