Reactor for the conversion of hydrocarbons and method
AssigneeSabic Global Technologies B.V.
InventorsSreekanth Pannala, Vladimir Shtern, Lei Chen, David West
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A reactor (12) and method for the conversion of hydrocarbons utilizes a reactor (12) having a unique feed assembly (56) that creates an inwardly spiraling fluid flow pattern of the feed gases to form a swirling gas mixture that passes through a conduit (46) with a constricted neck portion or nozzle (52). At least a portion of the swirling gas mixture forms a thin, annular mixed gas flow layer immediately adjacent to the conduit (46). A portion of the swirling gas mixture is combusted as the swirling gas mixture passes through the conduit (46) for conversion of hydrocarbons.
Claims17
A reactor for the conversion of hydrocarbons, the reactor comprising:
- a reactor vessel that defines a reaction chamber;
- a smoothly-tapering, converging, and diverging conduit in fluid communication with the reaction chamber, where the conduit comprises a central axis that extends along the conduit;
- a feed assembly comprising a central chamber through which the central axis passes and that is in fluid communication with the conduit, wherein the feed assembly comprises flow spaces each having an annular shape configured to (i) separately introduce feeds comprising a hydrocarbon feed and a gas feed radially inward into the central chamber and (ii) to form a swirling fluid flow pattern about the central axis so that the feeds are mixed together to form a swirling gas mixture within the central chamber, whereby a portion of the swirling gas mixture is combusted to heat the swirling gas mixture and the heated swirling gas mixture passes through the conduit at flow velocities from 500 m/s or less where the hydrocarbon feed is converted into a converted hydrocarbon product, and wherein a recirculation zone in the reaction chamber is formed by a back flow of flue gases produced from the combustion of the swirling gas mixture;
- and
- an outlet for removing the converted hydrocarbon product from the reaction chamber.
A reactor for the conversion of hydrocarbons, the reactor comprising:
- a reactor vessel that defines a reaction chamber;
- a burner assembly comprising a smoothly-tapered conduit in fluid communication with the reaction chamber, where the conduit comprises (i) a central axis that extends along the conduit and (ii) a constricted neck portion;
- a feed assembly comprising a central chamber through which the central axis passes and that is in fluid communication with the conduit, wherein the feed assembly comprises annular flow spaces configured to (i) separately introduce feeds comprising a hydrocarbon feed and an oxygen-containing gas feed radially inward into the central chamber and (ii) to form a swirling fluid flow pattern about the central axis so that the feeds are mixed together to form a swirling gas mixture within the central chamber, whereby a portion of the swirling gas mixture is combusted to heat the swirling gas mixture and the swirling gas mixture passes through the constricted neck portion of the conduit at flow velocities from 500 m/s or less where the hydrocarbon feed is converted into a converted hydrocarbon product, and wherein the constricted neck portion has a geometry configured to provide a recirculation zone in the reaction chamber that is formed by a back flow of flue gases produced from the combustion of the swirling gas mixture;
- wherein at least one of the annular flow spaces comprises one or more inlets and/or guide vanes oriented to facilitate forming the swirling fluid flow pattern;
- and
- an outlet for removing the converted hydrocarbon product from the reaction chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.