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Can someone advise me of what a multi arm catalyst distributor in the regen looks like? This is with a spent cat riser carrying 100% of air and catalyst. This was a design probably done way back in 1940s (long long before I was born :).. Can someone guide me of how this thing works and even if there are any design guidelines to design one? I have heard of one refinery in California (Martinez) which has this 12 arm distributor, called dodecapus...
 
Answers
05/12/2010 A: Steven Kalota, ECI, steve@fluidcatcracker.com
I have familiarity with the dodecapus design. It is unique but very effective and does have its own specific design criteria. Personally, I think it should have been applied over most other designs, especially in large diameter Regens, because it is a very good air-catalyst distributor but it never went mainstream. It is somewhat complex mechanically in regards to its supports. It has been in service in the Martinez refinery for more than 30 years. Over that period, they have adjusted and refined the design to improve its reliability, which was pretty poor at the initial installation. It was originally designed by UOP. If you wish to discuss further, drop me an email.