US 5,348,710 A · Catalytic distillation structure

Abstract

A catalytic distillation structure comprises a plurality of corrugated vertically disposed catalyst containing elements separated by inert spacing elements. The catalyst containing elements each comprise two layers of gas permeable material, such as wire mesh, joined together at regularly spaced intervals to form a single sheet having pockets disposed on the surface. A particulate catalyst is disposed within the pockets. The catalyst within the pockets provides a reaction zone where catalytic reactions may occur and the gas permeable sheets provide mass transfer surfaces to effect a fractional distillation. The spacing elements allow for a variation of the catalyst density and loading.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A catalytic distillation structure for disposition in a distillation column reactor, comprising:

(a) plurality of catalytic elements aligned along a common axis and each comprising:
(i) a first and second layer of gas permeable wire mesh material joined together at intervals to form a corrugated sheet having a plurality of pockets disposed thereon;
and
(ii) particulate catalyst disposed within said pockets;
and
(b) an inert spacing element disposed between at least two adjacent of said plurality of catalytic elements wherein said inert spacing element comprises a corrugated sheet comprising a third and fourth layer of gas permeable wire mesh material joined together to form a plurality of empty pockets disposed on said sheet.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Catalytic distillation structure

Life of this patent

Catalytic distillation structure

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16