Reactor for high temperature, elevated pressure, corrosive reactions

Reactor apparatus for containing a reaction, comprising:

• a. an outer containment vessel having an inlet port and an outlet port and being capable of withstanding high pressure conditions for an extended period sufficient to provide efficient commercial operation;
• b. an inner reaction vessel having an inlet port and an outlet port and being capable of withstanding corrosive supercritical water reaction conditions for an extended period sufficient to provide efficient commercial operation;
• c. means for coupling said outer containment vessel inlet and said outlet ports to said inner reaction vessel inlet and outlet ports;
• d. said outer containment vessel also having means to couple its inlet and outlet ports to a fluid feed port and a fluid exit port;
• e. heat insulation means between said inner reaction vessel and said outer containment vessel, said heat insulation means:
• comprising inert heat insulating fluid contained in said outer containment vessel and surrounding said outer side of said inner reaction vessel;
• f. means for maintaining said heat insulation means below a preset maximum temperature to prolong the life of said outer containment vessel;
• and
• g. means to regulate the pressure of said inert insulating fluid;
• whereby, when said outer containment vessel is coupled to fluid feed and fluid exit ports and to the inner reaction vessel inlet and outlet ports, said inner reaction vessel interior is sealed off from the interior of said outer containment vessel.