Containment system for supercritical water oxidation reactor

An apparatus for use with a reaction vessel containing fluid reactants and with a liquid coolant, said reaction vessel operating at a pressure and having at least one inlet line and at least one outlet line, said apparatus comprising:

• a containment substantially surrounding said reaction vessel and spaced apart therefrom, said containment having a first wall with a pressure rating limit, said wall defining a volume, said containment dimensioned so that, in the event of a rupture of said reaction vessel, said pressure will not exceed said pressure rating limit of said wall;
• a chamber adjacent to, extending from and in fluid communication with said containment holding and containing said liquid coolant therein, said chamber having a second wall, said first wall in sealing engagement with said second wall;
• baffle means comprising a series of baffles in said chamber for preventing said coolant from contacting said pressure vessel, said baffle means enabling at least a portion of said reactants to contact said coolant in the event of a rupture of said reaction vessel;
• and
• means attached to said chamber for recirculating said coolant within said chamber, said recirculating means having
• means for spraying said coolant into said chamber between said baffle means and said coolant.

An apparatus for use with a reaction vessel containing fluid reactants therein, said reaction vessel operating at a pressure and having at least one inlet line and at least one outlet line, said apparatus comprising:

• a containment substantially surrounding said reaction vessel and spaced apart therefrom, said containment having a volume, a pressure, and a wall with a pressure rating limit, said pressure rating limit being at least approximately one-fourth said pressure;
• a chamber adjacent to, extending from and in communication with said containment;
• said chamber holding a liquid coolant therein, said coolant having a volume approximately at least equal to said volume of said containment;
• baffle means comprising a series of baffles in said chamber for preventing said coolant from contacting said reaction vessel, said baffle means enabling at least a portion of said reactants to contact said coolant;
• means in fluid communication with said coolant for recirculating said coolant;
• and
• means in fluid communication with said recirculating means for spraying said coolant,
• said containment dimensioned so that, in the event of a rupture of said reaction vessel, said pressure in said containment does not exceed said pressure rating limit.