1. For removal of top support and upper zone catalyst only, known as a reactor skim.
2. When bed rotation or segregation of different catalyst is desirable.
3. Where sampling of catalyst at different zones in needed for evaluation.
4. For total recovery of precious metals or other hazardous materials.
5. When space, access or the reactor design dictates.
6. To retain support for reuse, it may be less expensive to skim and classify the support rather than to screen and
   classify the entire charge.
   
   

Catalyst Handling has designed and fabricated its catalyst handling equipment to specific criteria required for proper catalyst handling. Cyclone separators and continuous discharge hoppers enable catalyst removal at high rates with little or no damage.

Catalyst Handling can accomplish vacuum unloading in atmospheric or inert conditions. A major consideration when vacuuming an inert purged reactor is conservation of nitrogen and maintaining the inert atmosphere. The re-circulation and cooling system used by the Catalyst Handling will assure optimum use of the nitrogen and maintain safe levels of N2 to perform the work.

GRAVITY UNLOADING METHOD
Catalyst Handling has assembled material handling equipment that will collect, transport and transfer your reactor catalyst from the dump nozzle to any size container that you may desire. Our external dust collectors will recover air born particulate during the material transfer phase of collection.

In difficult access areas or horizontal dump nozzles we also have enclosed conveyors and screw conveyors that can assist with the removal of catalyst from the most difficult of locations.

WATER FLOOD OR CHEMICAL PURGE
With this method water or chemicals are introduced into the reactor through the feed inlet piping or product outlet piping nozzles. Catalyst Handling has the technology necessary to flood and dump catalyst and when necessary dewater the spent material as well when this method is desired by our client.