Multiphase low mixing processes

A process for improving a continuous multiphase reaction system including a solid catalyst, one or more reactants in the gas phase and one or more reactants in the liquid phase, comprising introducing a liquid phase reactant into a reactor at the reactor inlet at a targeted concentration of the liquid phase reactant, and then introducing the liquid phase reactant into the reactor at one or more downstream locations in the axial direction of fluid flow in a concentration or concentrations greater than the targeted concentration, provided that the one or more downstream introductions do not result in a concentration of the liquid reactant within the reactor that substantially exceeds the targeted concentration.

A process for reducing catalyst deactivation in a continuous multiphase reaction system including a solid catalyst, one or more reactants in the gas phase and one or more reactants in the liquid phase to the same extent as could be accomplished by diluting the concentration of a reactant or reactants in the liquid phase, but while concurrently achieving a rate of production of a desired product in excess of that which would be achieved with the use of a dilute liquid phase having a reduced concentration of the reactant or reactants, comprising introducing the reactant or reactants at the inlet and at one or more downstream locations along the reactor in the axial direction of fluid flow in a concentration that does not exceed the reduced concentration of the reactant or reactants.

A process for improving a semibatch, multiphase reaction system including a solid catalyst, one or more reactants in the gas phase and one or more reactants in the liquid phase, comprising introducing a liquid phase reactant at a targeted concentration at the initiation of a batch, and then making one or more later additions of the liquid phase reactant at the targeted concentration.

A process for improving a semibatch, multiphase reaction system including a solid catalyst, one or more reactants in the gas phase and one or more reactants in the liquid phase, comprising introducing a liquid phase reactant at a targeted concentration at the initiation of a batch, and then making one or more later additions of the liquid phase reactant at a concentration or concentrations greater than the targeted concentration.

A process for continuously producing sorbitol, comprising:

• continuously supplying hydrogen and an aqueous dextrose feed at a first concentration to an inlet of a reactor containing a nickel sponge metal catalyst;
• and
• continuously introducing additional supplies of the aqueous dextrose feed into the reactor at two or more downstream locations from the inlet, in each instance where at least 99.5 percent of the dextrose previously added has been reacted.

A process for continuously producing sorbitol, comprising:

• continuously supplying hydrogen and an aqueous dextrose feed at a first concentration to an inlet of a reactor containing a nickel sponge metal catalyst;
• and
• continuously introducing additional supplies of the aqueous dextrose feed into the reactor at three or more downstream locations from the inlet, in each instance where at least 70 percent of the dextrose previously added has been reacted.