System for reducing energy consumption improving reactors for heterogeneous catalytic synthesis and relative reactors
AssigneeAmmonia Casale S.A.
InventorUmberto Zardi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The energy consumption of conventional reactors for heterogeneous synthesis, e.g., ammonia synthesis and methanol synthesis, wherein the synthesis gas flows substantially axially through catalyst beds, is substantially reduced by inserting in at least one catalyst bed: two concentric cylindrical substantially perforated walls to laterally delimit the bed; a bottom closure between these walls; and optionally a diaphragm on top of the bed. Optionally also, a catalyst granulometry gradient may be employed in the upper part of the bed. An upper minor portion of at least one of the cylindrical walls may be unperforated. The synthesis gas now traverses the bed substantially radially.
Claims11
A method for retrofitting a heterogeneous synthesis reactor which comprises a cylindrical external shell, an axially positioned synthesis gas transfer pipe, an internal cylindrical cartridge, said cartridge having contained therein at least one catalyst bed having an upper transverse face, a lower end and an internal diameter, said catalyst bed being defined by a portion of an external wall of said cartridge, a portion of an internal cylindrical wall of said axially positioned gas transfer pipe and a bottom, the upper transverse face of each of said bed being an open area adapted to be fed by synthesis gas in axial flow, said method comprising:
- (a) inserting a first substantially perforated cylindrical wall having a top and bottom portion into at least one of said catalyst beds inside at a position near said external cartridge wall, said perforated wall having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the internal diameter of said cartridge;
- (b) inserting a second substantially perforated wall also having a top and bottom and having a smaller diameter than that of said first perforated wall and a larger diameter than that of said axially positioned synthesis gas transfer pipe into each of the catalyst beds;
- and,
- (c) applying a sealed bottom at the lower end of each catalyst bed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.