Inventors:
Herbert Weinstein - Teaneck NJ
Robert H. Shabaker - Chatham NJ
Mark L. Tiller - Baton Rouge LA
James H. Taylor - Baton Rouge LA
Darrell R. Pitzer - Denham Springs LA
Assignee:
Exxon Research and Engineering Company - Annandale NJ
International Classification:
G01N 3100
G06F 1900
Abstract:
A process for detecting, and monitoring, changes in the properties of a fluidized bed of particulate solids, especially a fluidized bed of particulate catalytic solids at elevated temperature wherein a low molecular weight hydrocarbon is converted, in the presence of steam and oxygen, to synthesis gas. Measurement is made of the magnitude of differential pressure fluctuations taken at different levels of bed elevation and these are recorded as a standard deviation, or normalized standard deviation, and directly related to particle size changes caused by agglomeration (growth) and/or attrition (size reduction). Operation of the process requires the use of fast response pressure transducers that are located in the bed and connected to an A/D board of a PC which records and accumulates the data for processing, and analysis.
