Products

July 12, 1999
A new patented catalyst loading system for fixed bed tubular reactors is designed to reduce the time spent loading catalysts to 3 days from 2 weeks (using a manual method). All the components are made of stainless steel to help prevent corrosion and increase machine life.

New catalyst loading system

A new patented catalyst loading system for fixed bed tubular reactors is designed to reduce the time spent loading catalysts to 3 days from 2 weeks (using a manual method). All the components are made of stainless steel to help prevent corrosion and increase machine life.

The system consists of four parts:

  • The loading cartridge is a key to the accuracy of the system. The patented process of making cartridges helps ensure that each compartment within the cartridge is maintained to a 0.003-0.005 in tolerance.
  • The cartridge is filled by the cartridge charging hopper loading system that holds up to 500 lb of bulk catalyst. It is designed to meter out an exact measured amount of catalyst into each loading cartridge.
  • The cartridges are then transported and attached to the catalyst loading cart that simultaneously loads catalyst into 10 tubes at a time. It is designed to drop each catalyst pellet individually and at the same speed which increases the uniformity of each tube`s delta-P, and subsequently the quality of the chemical being processed.
  • Attached to this cart via an umbilical cord is a control panel that houses the computer that regulates the process by sending signals to and from the loading cart to ensure that a controlled stream of catalyst is being loaded into each tube. It`s modular design allows the control components to be easily maintained and can be operated in either manual or automatic mode.

    Source: Bulk Material Equipment Inc., 7042 Satsuma Drive, Houston, TX 77041.

    Tool for integrated 3D volume interpretation

    A new version of EarthCube for integrated, 3D volume interpretation of large data volumes in complex geological settings is an enhanced suite of volume interpretation tools for improving understanding of the subsurface and lowering risk in E&P decisions.

    The package provides voxbody tracking, stereo viewing, and depth sessions for high performance, true volume interpretation. The new version also permits voxbody sculpting based on interpreted boundaries, horizons, and faults, allowing the user to examine 3D seismic volume attributes within the context of geologic boundaries. The availability of the stereo viewing option allows the interpreter to utilize depth perception to understand complex spatial relationships of various data types.

    The product continues to be available in a bundled package made up of EarthCube VX (3D volume interpretation), SeisWorks, and ZAP!. EarthCube VX is a new "unbundled" version of EarthCube that also can be licensed separately to add volume interpretation functionality to existing SeisWorks/ZAP! environments. EarthCube is available on Silicon Graphics work stations, as well as on Sun work stations with Creator 3D or higher graphics.

    Source: Landmark Graphics Corp., 15150 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77079-4304.

    Centrifugal air compressor

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    The new ZH6 centrifugal air compressor offers an energy saving solution for oil free process air demands of 5,500-8,500 cu m/hr.

    This new three stage compressor is designed for applications where the process air requirements are too high for a screw compressor and too low for larger centrifugal units. The compressor delivers oil free air at discharge pressures up to 10 bar e.

    It is supplied as a compact package, with the compressor stages, coolers, lubrication system, and driver mounted on a common base. This has an overall footprint of 3.1 m by 1.62 m and requires 5 sq m of floor space.

    The all in one design helps simplify installation, start-up, and commissioning.

    Source: Atlas Copco A.C.T., 46 School Rd., Voorheesville, NY 12186.

    Multiphase meter

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    Here`s the Multistream meter for multiphase flowmetering applications.

    The unit does not rely either on partial separation techniques or on computer models to overcome the interphase slip problem. The flow data generated by the Multistream is novel in that the meter does not report anything other than flow data, as its design prevents the occurrence of slip at the measuring points in the meter.

    After several years engineering research and product development work, two 8 in. versions of the meter were tested over a 14 month period in a large number of wells in Colombia`s Cusiana and Cupiagua gas condensate fields. The trials were concluded with a sustained campaign to test meter endurance and robustness for over 1,000 hr continuous running at high flow rates.

    Over the period of testing the meter generally recorded levels of accuracy within ?5% on oil and gas flow rates when compared with reference test separators, the company says.

    Source:ISA Controls Ltd., Hackworth Industrial Park, Shildon, Co. Durham, DL4 1LH England.