THE LONG BAGS - A new packaging for grading and inert balls

MTE Catalyst Support supplies a complete range of top bed grading and ceramic balls for hydrotreating and hydrocracking units.

In our portfolio you can find inert ceramic top layers, high porosity and active grading in different sizes and shapes. We are able to assist our customers in the selection of products suitable for their application, offering tailor made solutions to reduce pressure drop build-up and contamination, protecting the main catalyst, enlarging the cycle length and maximizing the profitability of their units.

In addition to our grading products, we also focus our research in finding the best solutions to the potential difficulties our customers face on-site during the loading process.

Loading of large diameter grading material through the conventional buffer hopper/loading sock configuration can be difficult (product bridges into couplings and slide valves)

To prevent any loading issues, MTE has collaborated with SERFI LTDA, to introduce a solution known as LONG-Bags (see Fig. 1).

The LONG-Bag -

• Is an alternative to standard drums or big bags.
• Has a smaller diameter than standard bags, which allow direct entry through the vessel top manway, avoiding the use of buffer hopper and loading sock. (see Fig. 2).
• Is unloaded directly on the top bed layer, preventing any free fall, and minimizing any potential attrition.

Delivery - The LONG-Bags are delivered on pallets. The quantity of bags per pallet varies based on the bag size and material type. Typically we pack 4 bags per pallet, in a horizontal arrangement, allowing the set of 4 bags to be lifted vertically to the top platform of the vessel.

The LONG-Bags can also be used with ceramic balls or packing materials, to avoid any free fall and potential breakage, specially for those at the bottom of the reactor above the outlet collector.

Benefits of this solution for loading:

• Less risk of material breakage caused by the slide valves of the loading hopper when loading large diameter grading.
• Faster loading rate compared to loading by bucket, loading time divided by 2.
• Less risk of material breakage caused by free fall during sock loading.

For more information contact

Flor Bustamante

+34 620827449 / +31652610713

flor@mte-bv.com / sales@mte-bv.com