Multiphase multifunctional reactor
AssigneePetroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras
InventorsWladmir Ferraz de SOUZA, Adriana Moret Borges, Jose Antonio Vidal Vieira
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Abstract
A multiphase multifunctional reactor, system and method is described which has the capacity to effect extractive oxidation of sulfur and nitrogen compounds and unstable unsaturated compounds that are present in raw hydrocarbon streams, in such a way that the reaction conditions are adjusted and avoid losses of yield of the treated hydrocarbon in the stages of the extraction and/or absorption. The objective is achieved by means of the conception of a reactor which comprises a column divided into five sections which can be classified as two reaction sections (1, 2) two decantation sections (3, 4) and an inert gas section (5) under pressure.
Claims19
A multiphase multifunctional reactor for the extractive oxidation of sulfur and nitrogen compounds and unstable unsaturated compounds present in raw hydrocarbon streams to avoid losses of yield of hydrocarbon, comprising:
- a first reaction section (1), in an interior of which a load containing natural heteroatomic and/or unstable contaminating substances, admitted via an entry nozzle (B1), comes into contact with an oxidizing substance present in an aqueous solution, and with catalyst particles in a given granulometric distribution and concentration, and forms a system of four dispersed phases through a system of shear agitation (A);
- a second reaction section (2), located immediately above the first reaction section (1), an interior of which is occupied by the system of four dispersed phases, transformed into a foam-like region, which is stable in conditions of reaction, by the lifting of the catalyst particles effected by the gaseous phase, which are disposed characteristically at an interface between the aqueous and hydrocarbon phases, and, at a top of the second reaction section (2), receives an oxidizing aqueous solution admitted and distributed through a solution nozzle (B2) and a distribution device (D);
- a first decantation section (3), located immediately above the second reaction section (2), and separated therefrom by a first perforated plate (P1), receives a treated hydrocarbon phase that has lower density than the reaction medium and allows this treated phase to separate by decantation from the remaining oxidizing aqueous solution of the second reaction section (2) and to be withdrawn from the reactor through a product nozzle (B3) for neutralization and removal of humidity;
- a second decantation section (4), located immediately below the first reaction section (1), and separated therefrom by means of a second perforated plate (P2), withdraws the aqueous phase containing the oxidized substances that decant from the first reaction section (1) in the form of organic acid, which is withdrawn from the second decantation section (4) through an exhaustion nozzle (B4) for regeneration of the acid for later recycling;
- a pressurized inert gas section (5), located immediately above the first decantation section (3) for avoiding an increase in concentration of unreacted gaseous oxygen in the gaseous phase and for maintaining the time period in which the gas generated by the oxidation reaction remains within the reaction medium to delay the exit of the still active oxidizing gases, is under pressurization by the continuous injection of an inert gas through a gas nozzle (B5), depending on the volume occupied by the first decantation section (3), and the gases generated are withdrawn through a gas exit nozzle (B6) for condensation and subsequent relief;
- and
- a heat exchanger system (6), installed externally to the reactor in a region comprising the second reaction section (2), the first reaction section (1) and the second decantation section (4), for heating and cooling these sections when necessary.
A multiphase multifunctional reactor system for the extractive oxidation of sulfur and nitrogen compounds and unstable unsaturated compounds present in raw hydrocarbon streams to avoid losses of yield of hydrocarbon, comprising the following process sections in fluid communication:
- a first reaction section (1), wherein a system of four dispersed phases is formed by contacting a contaminated feed of hydrocarbons with an oxidizing aqueous solution and catalyst particles;
- a second reaction section (2), wherein, at a top of the section, the oxidizing aqueous solution is received and dispersed to treat the hydrocarbon feed and the system of four dispersed phases forms a foam-like region by lifting the catalyst particles;
- a first decantation section (3), wherein the treated hydrocarbon feed from the second reaction section (2) is separated from a remaining oxidizing aqueous solution by decantation and is removed from the reactor;
- a second decantation section (4), wherein the aqueous phase of oxidized substances from the first reaction section (1) is separated by decantation and withdrawn from the reactor;
- and
- a pressurized inert gas section (5), wherein a pressured inert gas is injected to delay the exit of active oxidizing gases from the reactor and withdraw generated gases.
A method for the extractive oxidation of sulfur and nitrogen compounds and unstable unsaturated compounds present in raw hydrocarbon streams to avoid losses of yield of hydrocarbon using a reactor which simultaneously carries out the stages of reaction, decanting and extraction in separate sections of the reactor, comprising:
- forming a system of four dispersed phases in a first reaction section (1) by contacting a contaminated feed of hydrocarbons with an oxidizing aqueous solution and catalyst particles;
- receiving and dispersing the oxidizing aqueous solution in a second reaction section (2) to treat the hydrocarbon feed and form of a foam-like region of the system of four dispersed phases;
- separating the treated hydrocarbon feed from the second reaction section (2) from a remaining oxidizing aqueous solution by decantation in a first decantation section (3);
- removing the separated hydrocarbon feed from the reactor;
- separating the aqueous phase of oxidized substances from the first reaction section (1) by decantation in a second decantation section (4);
- removing the separated aqueous phase from the reactor;
- continuously injecting a pressured inert gas into a pressurized inert gas section (5) located at the top of the first decantation section (3) for delaying the exit of active oxidizing gases;
- and withdrawing generated gases from the reactor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.