DE102021111916A1 - METHOD OF DIRECT RESISTANCE HEATING OR ANALYSIS OF A FILL IN A PROCESS ENGINEERING APPARATUS - Google Patents

Abstract

Described and illustrated is a method for direct resistance heating of a filling (2) in a process engineering apparatus (1) with a plurality of distributed over a first enveloping surface portion (7,8) of the apparatus (1) and arranged at least partially over the filling (2) Electrodes (9) in an electrically conductive connection, with at least a first pair of electrodes (9) or a first group of electrodes (14,22,25,26) in a first peripheral section (UA ) and at least one second pair of electrodes (9) or a second group of electrodes (15,23) is arranged in a second peripheral section (UA) comprising at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference and the first peripheral section (UA) and the second Circumferential section (UA) at most partially overlap. So that the process engineering apparatus can be operated effectively and reliably without excessive effort, it is provided that in a first time interval the at least one first pair of electrodes (9) or the at least one first group of electrodes (14, 22, 25, 26) an electrical voltage that is at least 20% greater than that applied to other electrodes (9) or another group of electrodes (9) is applied in a second time interval to at least the at least one second pair of electrodes (9) or the at least one second group an electrical voltage that is at least 20% greater than that applied to other electrodes (9) or another group of electrodes (9) is applied to electrodes (15, 23) and that the first time interval and the second time interval are provided multiple times and alternately.

Description

The invention relates to a method for the direct resistance heating of a filling in a process engineering apparatus, in particular a reactor, adsorber, desorber, mixer or heater, with a plurality of arranged distributed over a first envelope surface portion of the apparatus and at least partially in an electrically conductive connection via the filling electrodes. The invention also relates to a method for analyzing a filling in a process engineering apparatus, in particular a reactor, adsorber, desorber, mixer or heater, with a plurality of arranged distributed over a first envelope surface portion of the apparatus and at least partially in an electrically conductive connection via the filling electrodes.

In process engineering apparatuses, process engineering processes are carried out, for example, in which a fluid, in particular a gas, is passed through a porous filling, for example in the form of a fixed bed, a moving bed or a monolithic solid. Depending on the desired technical process, the filling can be, for example, a catalyst, an adsorber or an inert material. The process engineering apparatus comprises an envelope surface, which in most cases is formed from a lateral surface, a cover surface and a base surface. The lateral surface, like the cover surface and the base surface, can be shaped in very different ways as required. In many process engineering apparatuses, for whatever reason, the enveloping surface can be subdivided into individual areas, so that the enveloping surface is divided into different enveloping surface portions. Typically, the parts of the enveloping surface form different levels of the process engineering apparatus. In many cases, one could therefore also view the portions of the enveloping surface as segments of the process engineering apparatus that follow one another in the longitudinal direction.

If required, the filling can be heated by direct ohmic resistance heating, with the filling itself forming the heating resistor. In this case, it is regularly desirable to have a particularly uniform heating or such a heating which takes into account the heat generation of the technical processes and/or the volume changes in technical processes. In all of these cases, special attention is often paid to avoiding local cooling or overheating in the filling. This not only serves to carry out the process engineering processes in the manner intended, but also to do so in an efficient manner so that the required size of the process engineering apparatus can be minimised.

In some known applications, the current for direct resistance heating is passed in an axial direction through the charge of the processing apparatus. This direction typically corresponds to the flow direction of the fluid through the process engineering apparatus or through the filling. However, this procedure does not do justice to many endothermic processes, in particular those with high reaction kinetics. Strong cooling can then occur in a section of the filling through which the fluid first flows if the heating output here is not high enough. If, on the other hand, the heat output is too high, a large part of the conversion already takes place in the section of the filling through which the fluid first flows. In the subsequent sections of the filling, only a small amount of conversion takes place, as a result of which only a little heat is extracted from the filling there. As a result, the filling can easily overheat there and thus lead to undesirable processes or damage to the filling. This is particularly problematic with adsorbents or catalysts. In this way, however, there can also be undesirable energy losses when heating the process engineering apparatus.

The corresponding problems may be exacerbated if the engineering process results in a reduction in fluid volume, since less fluid volume is then available for cooling the rear section than the front section of the filling, while the remaining volume of fluid flows through this rear section of the filling. The same also applies in the event that an uneven distribution of the current density occurs in the filling, as is regularly the case in particular in process engineering apparatuses with circular cross sections. Certain areas of the cross section of the filling can then overheat, while other areas of the cross section of the filling are heated only insufficiently.

In order to counteract the disadvantages described, corresponding fillings are sometimes used with square or rectangular cross sections in monolithic form. The current for heating the fillings can then flow through the filling from one side of the filling to the other side transversely to the flow direction of the fluid very uniformly, ie with a very homogeneous distribution of the current density. However, this has the disadvantage that the process engineering apparatuses must also have a rectangular cross section, which makes the process engineering apparatus significantly more expensive to manufacture. In addition, not all fillings can be provided in the form of a monolithic cuboid body with justifiable effort.

If, instead, the filling is placed between electrodes wound up in a spiral in the process engineering apparatus, non-uniform temperature distributions can still not be avoided, although considerable effort is required for the spiral structure, which also leads to considerable additional costs. The same applies to process engineering apparatus in which a cylindrical electrode is provided in the edge area and a rod electrode in the middle of the filling. The stick electrode has the further disadvantage that it affects the flow of the fluid and that much higher current densities occur in the area of the stick electrode than at the edge of the filling, which means that the inner area of the filling is heated much more than the outer area of the filling.

Furthermore, process engineering apparatuses have been proposed in which a plurality, if not a large number, of electrodes have been distributed over the cross section of the filling in order to achieve a more uniform current density. Electrodes can be distributed at the edge of the filling and rod electrodes inside the filling. However, satisfactory results have not been achieved even with such process engineering apparatus. In particular, the large number of rod electrodes in the filling disrupt the even flow of fluid through them.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of designing and developing one of the methods of the types mentioned at the outset and described in more detail above in such a way that the process engineering apparatus can be operated effectively and reliably without excessive effort.

• - bei dem in einem ersten Zeitintervall an das wenigstens eine ersten Paar von Elektroden oder die wenigstens eine erste Gruppe von Elektroden eine um wenigstens 20 %, vorzugsweise wenigstens 50 %, insbesondere wenigstens 80 %, größere elektrische Spannung als an andere Elektroden oder die eine andere Gruppe von Elektroden angelegt wird,
• - bei dem in einem zweiten Zeitintervall an wenigstens das wenigstens eine zweite Paar von Elektroden oder die wenigstens eine zweite Gruppe von Elektroden eine um wenigstens 20 %, vorzugsweise wenigstens 50 %, insbesondere wenigstens 80 %, größere elektrische Spannung als an andere Elektroden oder die eine andere Gruppe von Elektroden angelegt wird und
• - bei dem das erste Zeitintervall und das zweite Zeitintervall jeweils vielfach sowie einander abwechselnd vorgesehen werden.

This object is achieved according to claim 1 by a method for the direct resistance heating of a filling in a process engineering apparatus, in particular a reactor, adsorber, desorber, mixer or heater, with a plurality of arranged distributed over a first envelope surface portion of the apparatus and at least partially over the filling in electrodes in an electrically conductive connection, with at least a first pair of electrodes or a first group of electrodes in a first circumferential section comprising at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference and at least a second pair of electrodes or a second group of electrodes in a second, at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference is arranged and wherein the first circumferential section and the second circumferential section at most partially overlap,

• - in which, in a first time interval, the at least one first pair of electrodes or the at least one first group of electrodes is subjected to an electrical voltage which is at least 20%, preferably at least 50%, in particular at least 80% greater than to other electrodes or the one other group of electrodes is applied,
• - in which, in a second time interval, at least the at least one second pair of electrodes or the at least one second group of electrodes is subjected to an electrical voltage which is at least 20%, preferably at least 50%, in particular at least 80% greater than to other electrodes or the one another group of electrodes is applied and
• - In which the first time interval and the second time interval are provided in multiples and alternately.

Although the electrodes can be arranged distributed over the circumference of the cross section, with a uniform distribution of the electrodes over the circumference of the cross section being possible in principle, the electrodes are in principle connected to one another unevenly in order to conduct current through the filling, which ultimately at least predominantly ohmic, forms heating resistance. In this context, said perimeter of the cross section can preferably be the outer perimeter of the filling or the inner perimeter of the process engineering apparatus, where in many cases these two perimeters can be at least substantially identical to allow for a simpler construction of the process engineering apparatus. In addition, for the sake of uniformity and simplicity, it will be preferred if the electrodes are all arranged in at least one cross section transverse to the direction of flow of the fluid through the filling and/or transverse, in particular at right angles, to a longitudinal axis of the process engineering apparatus. In principle, however, use can also be made of the advantage according to the invention if the electrodes are arranged offset from one another, for example in the longitudinal direction of the process engineering apparatus, so that the electrodes are not all arranged in the same cross section. However, it will preferably be regular if the connection of the respective pairs or groups of electrodes runs transversely rather than parallel to the longitudinal axis. Then individual sections in the longitudinal direction of the filling can be heated in different ways around the process in the axial direction technical apparatus to take changing process parameters into account.

In many cases, particularly in the case of long processing apparatuses or fillings, it can be advisable for the electrodes to be elongate and aligned at least essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the processing apparatus. In this way, the length of the heated section of the filling can be increased. However, this does not rule out the possibility that the electrodes can also be composed of a plurality of sub-electrodes that are electrically connected to one another and are spaced apart from one another, in particular in the longitudinal direction of the filling, which improves, for example, the electrical contact between the electrodes and the filling and the distribution of the current density in the filling can be formed more evenly. For this reason, the electrodes or partial electrodes can also be designed flat or slightly curved in accordance with the respective circumference of the respective cross section, for example in the sense of a cylinder jacket section. Alternatively or additionally, the electrodes or partial electrodes can also be in the form of pins, hemispheres or similar bodies in order to provide better contact between the filling and the electrodes.

In addition, the electrodes are electrically connected to one another in a fundamentally non-uniform manner in order to be able to uniformly heat envelope surface portions of process engineering apparatuses, which can have different shapes. In particular, no square or rectangular cross section of the process engineering apparatus or of the filling is required in order to ensure a uniform distribution of the current density in the cross section. Rather, for example, process engineering apparatus or fillings that can be provided inexpensively can be used, for example with an at least essentially circular cross section, although it is normally not possible to achieve a uniform distribution of the current density in such cross sections. Although this principle is not fundamentally abolished according to the invention, the distribution of the current density and the temperature in the filling is balanced over time by heating the filling at different time intervals in different ways, sometimes in opposite directions. Areas of the filling that are strongly or preferentially heated in one time interval can be heated less strongly or not preferentially in another time interval and vice versa in order to be able to provide a uniform temperature distribution over the envelope surface area of the filling over time.

For this purpose, at least first and second pairs of electrodes or at least first and second groups of electrodes are formed, which are each arranged in a peripheral portion that occupies at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference. In other words, the individual pairs of electrodes or individual groups of electrodes are distributed over less than half the circumference of the cross section. However, the multiple pairs of electrodes or groups of electrodes are preferably distributed at least substantially over the entire circumference of the cross section, and in particular uniformly. This can easily be achieved in that the peripheral sections in which the individual pairs or groups of electrodes are arranged do not overlap, or at most partially overlap. The extent of a corresponding overlap will in many cases preferably increase with the number of pairs of electrodes or groups of electrodes. If there are only two or a few pairs or groups of electrodes, preferably no overlapping of the associated peripheral sections can be provided. In order to achieve a uniform temperature distribution in the filling, in the case of a large number of pairs or groups of electrodes, a certain overlapping of the associated peripheral sections is in many cases either desired or cannot be prevented.

In a first time interval, a voltage is applied to the at least one first pair of electrodes or to the at least one first group of electrodes. The current then flows through that part of the filling which is arranged between the electrodes in the peripheral section and which acts as a heating resistor and is correspondingly heated there. No voltage can be applied to other pairs of electrodes or other groups of electrodes in this first time interval, so that no additional current flows between these electrodes in order to heat the filling arranged in the peripheral section there. This procedure is easy to control and easy to implement. This applies in particular if no voltage is applied to any electrodes other than the at least one first pair of electrodes or the at least one first group of electrodes. It can also contribute to simplification if an electrical voltage is applied to the at least one first group of electrodes but not to the at least one second group of electrodes in the first time interval.

Alternatively, it can also be preferred if a voltage is also applied between individual pairs or all pairs of electrodes apart from the at least one first pair of electrodes or the at least one first group of electrodes, this voltage then being appreciable should be less than the voltage applied to the at least one first pair of electrodes or the at least one first group of electrodes. It is useful if the voltage of the at least one first pair or the at least one first group of electrodes in the first time interval is at least 20%, preferably at least 50%, in particular at least 80% greater than the electrical voltage at the at least one other pair of electrodes or the at least one other group of electrodes is applied. In this way, the total heat to be introduced into the filling can be increased if this should be necessary or desired.

In this context, it could also be provided that at least one other pair or at least one other group is subjected to a voltage that is less than 80%, preferably less than 50%, in particular less than 20%, of at least one other other pair of electrodes or a further different group of electrodes is the latter voltage of the at least one further different pair of electrodes or the at least one further different group of electrodes being less than 80%, preferably less than 50%, in particular less than 20% , which is the voltage applied to the at least one first pair of electrodes or the at least one first group of electrodes. In other words, if required, more than two voltage levels can also occur between different electrodes in the enveloping surface portion.

However, if the applied voltage were the same in all cases, this could lead to undesirable non-uniform heating or temperature distribution in the corresponding cross section. Therefore, according to the invention, a second time interval is provided in which the electrodes are connected differently than in the first time interval. A balanced, in particular at least essentially constant, temperature distribution is provided over time and the envelope surface area by the stepwise changing of the connection of the electrodes to one another.

In other words, in a second time interval, at least the at least one second pair of electrodes or the at least one second group of electrodes is subjected to an electrical voltage that is at least 20%, preferably at least 50%, in particular at least 80% higher than to other electrodes or another set of electrodes. Since the at least one first pair of electrodes or the at least one first group of electrodes does not or at most partially overlap the at least one second pair of electrodes or the at least one second group of electrodes on the circumference, at least a slightly different section is preferably heated in the first time interval than in the second time interval. In any case, the sections are heated in different ways or to different degrees. These differences balance out over a cycle of the method that includes two or more different time intervals in order to provide an even or at least essentially homogeneous temperature distribution

As already described in relation to the first time interval, it can alternatively or additionally also be preferred with regard to the second time interval if no voltage is applied to any electrodes other than the at least one second pair of electrodes or the at least one second group of electrodes . It can also contribute to simplification if an electrical voltage is applied to the at least one second group of electrodes but not to the at least one first group of electrodes in the second time interval.

In order to be able to introduce a greater heat flow into the filling of the envelope surface portion, a voltage can also be applied between individual pairs or all pairs of electrodes apart from the at least one second pair of electrodes or the at least one second group of electrodes, with this voltage then being significantly lower should be than the voltage applied to the at least one second pair of electrodes or the at least one second group of electrodes. It is useful if the voltage of the at least one second pair or the at least one second group of electrodes in the second time interval is at least 20%, preferably at least 50%, in particular at least 80% greater than the electrical voltage at the at least one other pair of electrodes or the at least one other group of electrodes is applied.

In this context, it could also be provided that at least one other pair or at least one other group is subjected to a voltage that is less than 80%, preferably less than 50%, in particular less than 20%, of at least one other other pair of electrodes or a further different group of electrodes is the latter voltage of the at least one further different pair of electrodes or the at least one further different group of electrodes being less than 80%, preferably less than 50%, in particular less than 20% , which is connected to the at least one second pair of elec roden or the voltage applied to at least a second group of electrodes. In other words, if required, more than two voltage levels can also occur between different electrodes in the enveloping surface portion.

When choosing the connection of the electrodes provided in the second time interval, it is not fundamentally important which choice was made when connecting the electrodes in the first time interval.

A current density in the filling that is uniform over time and thus a uniform temperature distribution in the filling is achieved by the first time interval and the second time interval being provided multiple times and alternating with one another. In the first time interval and in the second time interval, an uneven distribution of the current density over the enveloping surface area of the filling and thus an uneven heating of the filling in the cross section is accepted or even deliberately brought about. However, by repeatedly changing from the first time interval to the second time interval, a uniform temperature distribution in the cross section of the filling is achieved over time. Depending on the inertia of the filling, the technical processes in the filling and the technical apparatus itself, the first time interval and the second time interval can be selected to be shorter or longer. In addition, further time intervals can be provided in addition to the first and the second time interval, so that it is not necessary to switch directly from the first time interval to the second time interval. Likewise, it is not absolutely necessary to switch from the second time interval directly to the first time interval. The different time intervals take account of the fact that in many process engineering apparatuses there is no connection of electrodes that is constant over time that would enable sufficiently uniform heating of the filling by direct resistance heating.

In the present case, the voltage applied to the pairs or groups of electrodes can be understood to mean a direct voltage or an alternating voltage, as required. Which type of voltage is preferred in each case depends on the individual case. The directional polarity of the DC voltage can lead to undesired interface effects or impair or promote the movement of ions that may occur in the process engineering apparatus. In many cases, therefore, an AC voltage, if necessary high-frequency, will be preferred.

The filling can be composed of different materials, whereby the materials or the particles or monoliths formed from them as required can have porosity, e.g. microporosity, but do not have to. Regardless of its structure, the filling as such has a porosity, e.g. macroporosity, in order to ensure that fluid flows through the filling as evenly as possible.

In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the method described above, at least a third pair of electrodes or at least a third group of electrodes is used. In addition, a third time interval is provided in the sequence of the method steps in a cycle in order to evenly distribute the current density in the filling over time and thus the temperature of the filling in the corresponding cross section. The at least one third pair of electrodes or the at least one third group of electrodes is provided in a third circumferential section comprising at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference. In relation to the portion of the enveloping surface, the third peripheral section is arranged in such a way that the third peripheral section at most partially overlaps the first peripheral section and the second peripheral section.

In the third time interval, at least the at least one third pair of electrodes or the at least one third group of electrodes is subjected to an electrical voltage that is at least 20%, preferably at least 50%, in particular at least 80%, greater than to other electrodes or another group of electrodes applied. The more homogeneous distribution of the current density and the temperature in the filling is achieved in a particularly expedient manner if the first time interval, the second time interval and the third time interval are provided multiple times and alternately. At least the first time interval, the second time interval and the third time interval can therefore be provided in each cycle of the method. For the sake of simplicity, it is further preferred if these occur in the same order in each cycle. In principle, however, more than three time intervals can also be provided in one cycle. No matter how many different time intervals can be provided, it is particularly expedient for the sake of simplicity if these time intervals are each of the same length. However, for a more homogeneous temperature distribution in the filling, it can also be useful if the time intervals are all or partially different in length.

Since the at least one third pair of electrodes or the at least one third group of electrodes, the at least one first pair of electrodes or the at least one first group of electrodes and the at least one second pair of electrodes or the at least one second If the group of electrodes does not or at most partially overlap on the circumference, at least a slightly different section of the enveloping surface portion is preferably heated in each of the three time intervals. In any case, the sections are heated in different ways or to different degrees in the three time intervals. These differences balance out over one cycle of the method in order to provide a uniform or at least essentially homogeneous temperature distribution.

As already described, it can alternatively or additionally also be preferred with regard to the third time interval if no voltage is applied to any electrodes other than the at least one third pair of electrodes or the at least one third group of electrodes. It can also contribute to simplification if an electrical voltage is applied to the at least one third group of electrodes but not to the at least one first group of electrodes and/or the at least one second group of electrodes in the second time interval.

In order to be able to introduce a greater heat flow into the filling of the portion of the enveloping surface, a voltage can also be applied between individual pairs or all pairs of electrodes apart from the at least one third pair of electrodes or the at least one third group of electrodes, with this voltage then being appreciably lower should be than the voltage applied to the at least one third pair of electrodes or the at least one third group of electrodes. It is useful if the voltage of the at least one third pair or the at least one third group of electrodes in the first time interval is at least 20%, preferably at least 50%, in particular at least 80% greater than the electrical voltage at the at least one other pair of electrodes or the at least one other group of electrodes is applied.

In this context, it could also be provided that at least one other pair or at least one other group is subjected to a voltage that is less than 80%, preferably less than 50%, in particular less than 20%, of at least one other pair of electrodes or a further other group of electrodes is the voltage applied, the last-mentioned voltage of the at least one further other pair of electrodes or the at least one further other group of electrodes being less than 80%, preferably less than 50%, in particular less than 20 % of the voltage applied to the at least one third pair of electrodes or the at least one third group of electrodes. In other words, if required, more than two voltage levels can also occur between different electrodes in the enveloping surface portion.

When choosing the connection of the electrodes provided in the third time interval, it is not fundamentally important which choice was made when connecting the electrodes in the first time interval and/or in the second time interval.

Particularly in the case of large-area cross sections, the maximum number of three time intervals and three pairs or three groups of electrodes does not have to remain. For example, four or five pairs or four or five groups of electrodes can also be provided, which are then supplied with voltage in different ways in each case in at least four or five different time intervals of a cycle. Here, too, as previously described, at least one pair of electrodes or at least one group of electrodes can be subjected to a higher voltage than other pairs or groups of electrodes in each time interval. This time-dependent interconnection of the pairs or groups of electrodes preferably takes place according to the principle that has already been sufficiently explained above. In this case, the at least one fourth pair of electrodes and, if necessary, the at least one fifth pair of electrodes or the at least one fourth group of electrodes and, if necessary, the at least one fifth group of electrodes are each provided in a peripheral section that is at most 45% corresponds to the respective cross-sectional circumference. In this case, none of the four or five circumferential sections is preferably provided in a complete overlap with another of the cross-sectional sections of the same portion of the enveloping surface. In this way, there is always at least a slight variation in the heating process in the envelope surface area from time interval to time interval, which ultimately results in a uniform temperature distribution in the envelope surface area of the filling over time. The more pairs or groups of electrodes and associated time intervals are provided, the easier it can be to ensure a homogeneous temperature distribution in the filling. In this case, however, a correspondingly higher effort with regard to the control or regulation of the method has to be accepted.

In order to be able to provide a greater flow of heat through the heater and/or to provide a more even temperature distribution, it may be advisable if in the first time interval at least two, three or four first pairs or first groups pen provided by electrodes and applied with a corresponding voltage. This also applies in the same way, alternatively or additionally, if at least two, three or four second pairs or groups of electrodes are provided in the second time interval and a corresponding voltage is applied to them. This also applies alternatively or additionally if at least two, three or four third pairs or groups of electrodes are provided in the third time interval and a corresponding voltage is applied to them. Due to the larger number of first, second, third and/or fourth pairs of electrodes or first, second, third and/or fourth groups of electrodes, a finer current density distribution in the enveloping surface portion can be set in the corresponding time intervals, which advantageously results in a uniform or more homogeneous temperature distribution in the enveloping surface portion.

The process engineering apparatus or the filling can also be divided into different sections in order to adapt the heating of the filling to the corresponding boundary conditions in the corresponding sections. This is particularly the case with long processing apparatuses or fillings, in which the processes take place in different ways in sections that follow one another in the longitudinal direction. This subdivision into different sections can therefore take place in particular in the longitudinal direction of the process engineering apparatus. In this context, it can also be provided in principle that different fillings are provided in the sections. The structure of the filling can differ, as can the material or the composition of the filling.

When using a plurality of envelope surface portions of the process engineering apparatus or the filling, a plurality of electrodes arranged distributed over a second envelope surface portion of the apparatus and at least partially in an electrically conductive connection over the filling can be provided. This can at least essentially correspond to the arrangement of the electrodes in the first portion of the enveloping surface. In the second portion of the enveloping surface, there is then preferably at least a first pair of electrodes or at least a first group of electrodes in a first, first circumferential section comprising at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference, and at least a second pair of electrodes or at least a second group of electrodes in a second, arranged at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference comprehensive peripheral section. If necessary, this can also correspond to the arrangement of the electrodes in the first cross-sectional section. In this case, the first peripheral section and the second peripheral section also partially overlap at most in the second portion of the enveloping surface, in order to provide a uniform temperature distribution in the filling over the course of a number of time intervals.

In order to achieve this, an electrical voltage that is at least 20%, preferably at least 50%, in particular at least 80% greater than are applied to other electrodes or another group of electrodes, wherein in the second portion of the envelope surface in a second time interval at least the at least one second pair of electrodes or the at least one second group of electrodes is at least 20%, preferably at least 50%, in particular at least 80% greater electrical potential than applied to other electrodes or group of electrodes.

No voltage can be applied to other pairs of electrodes or other groups of electrodes in the second portion of the enveloping surface in this first time interval, so that no additional current flows between these electrodes to heat the filling arranged in the peripheral section there. This procedure is easy to control and easy to implement. This applies in particular if no voltage is applied to any electrodes other than the at least one first pair of electrodes or the at least one first group of electrodes. It can also contribute to simplification if an electrical voltage is applied to the at least one first group of electrodes but not to the at least one second group of electrodes in the first time interval.

Alternatively, it can also be preferred for the second envelope surface portion if a voltage is also applied between individual pairs or all pairs of electrodes apart from the at least one first pair of electrodes or the at least one first group of electrodes, in which case this voltage should then be significantly lower than the voltage applied to the at least one first pair of electrodes or the at least one first group of electrodes. It is useful if the voltage of the at least one first pair or the at least one first group of electrodes in the first time interval is at least 20%, preferably at least 50%, in particular at least 80% greater than the electrical voltage at the at least one other pair of electrodes or the at least one other group of electrodes is applied. In this way, the total in the filling The heat to be introduced can be increased if this should be necessary or desired.

In this context, it could also be provided for the second portion of the enveloping surface that at least one other pair or at least one other group of electrodes is subjected to a voltage that is less than 80%, preferably less than 50%, in particular less than 20%, of the voltage applied to at least one other other pair of electrodes or one other other group of electrodes, the latter voltage of the at least one other other pair of electrodes or at least one other other group of electrodes being less than 80%, preferably less than 50%, in particular less than 20% of the voltage applied to the at least one first pair of electrodes or the at least one first group of electrodes. In other words, if required, more than two voltage levels can also occur between different electrodes in the enveloping surface portion.

Since the at least one first pair of electrodes or the at least one first group of electrodes also does not or at most partially overlap the at least one second pair of electrodes or the at least one second group of electrodes in the second portion of the envelope surface, in the first time interval there is preferably at least one slightly different section heated than in the second time interval. In any case, the sections are heated in different ways or to different degrees. These differences balance out over a cycle of the method that includes two or more different time intervals in order to provide an even or at least essentially homogeneous temperature distribution

As already described in relation to the first time interval, it can alternatively or additionally also be preferred in the second envelope surface area with regard to the second time interval if none are connected to any electrodes other than the at least one second pair of electrodes or the at least one second group of electrodes voltage is applied. It can also contribute to simplification if an electrical voltage is applied to the at least one second group of electrodes but not to the at least one first group of electrodes in the second time interval.

In order to be able to introduce a greater heat flow into the filling of the second portion of the enveloping surface, a voltage can also be applied between individual or all pairs of electrodes apart from the at least one second pair of electrodes or the at least one second group of electrodes, this voltage then being appreciable should be less than the voltage applied to the at least one second pair of electrodes or the at least one second group of electrodes. It is useful if the voltage of the at least one second pair or the at least one second group of electrodes in the first time interval is at least 20%, preferably at least 50%, in particular at least 80% greater than the electrical voltage at the at least one other pair of electrodes or the at least one other group of electrodes is applied.

In this context, it could also be provided that at least one other pair or at least one other group is subjected to a voltage that is less than 80%, preferably less than 50%, in particular less than 20%, of at least one other other pair of electrodes or a further different group of electrodes is the latter voltage of the at least one further different pair of electrodes or the at least one further different group of electrodes being less than 80%, preferably less than 50%, in particular less than 20% , which is the voltage applied to the at least one second pair of electrodes or the at least one second group of electrodes. In other words, if required, more than two voltage levels can also occur between different electrodes in the enveloping surface portion.

When choosing the connection of the electrodes provided in the second time interval, it is not fundamentally important which choice was made when connecting the electrodes in the first time interval.

In principle, it is sufficient if a voltage is applied to a pair or a group of electrodes in a time interval, with this pair of electrodes or this group of electrodes being able to change from interval to interval in a cycle of the method. The cycles are repeatedly provided, preferably with the intervals each in the same order, while the method is being performed in order to maintain an even temperature distribution. In other words, the first time interval and the second time interval are each provided multiple times and alternately in the second envelope surface portion. However, this does not preclude the possibility that a process cycle can partially or always consist of more than two time intervals.

As has already been described above in principle for the first portion of the envelope surface, alternatively or additionally, in the second At least one third pair of electrodes or at least one third group of electrodes can be provided in a third peripheral section covering at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference in order to be able to provide an even more uniform temperature distribution in the second envelope surface portion of the filling. This can be expedient in particular for larger cross sections.

For a more uniform temperature distribution, it is also advisable if the first peripheral section, the second peripheral section and the third peripheral section overlap at most partially in the second portion of the enveloping surface. Different sections of the second portion of the enveloping surface can thus be heated in succession with different current densities. In order to achieve this, an electrical voltage that is at least 20%, preferably at least 50%, in particular at least 80% higher can be applied to at least the at least one third pair of electrodes or the at least one third group of electrodes in the second portion of the envelope surface in a third time interval than applied to other electrodes or group. Temperature compensation over time can then be ensured by providing the first time interval, the second time interval and the third time interval in the second portion of the enveloping surface multiple times and alternating with one another, without such cycles of the method being limited to three time intervals or one always would have to have the same number of time intervals.

Since the at least one third pair of electrodes or the at least one third group of electrodes, the at least one first pair of electrodes or the at least one first group of electrodes as well as the at least one second pair of electrodes or the at least one second If the group of electrodes does not or at most partially overlap on the circumference, at least a slightly different section of the enveloping surface portion is preferably heated in each of the three time intervals. In any case, the sections are heated in different ways or to different degrees in the three time intervals. These differences balance out over one cycle of the method in order to provide a uniform or at least essentially homogeneous temperature distribution.

As already described, it can alternatively or additionally also be preferred with regard to the third time interval if no voltage is applied to any electrodes other than the at least one third pair of electrodes or the at least one third group of electrodes. It can also contribute to simplification if an electrical voltage is applied to the at least one third group of electrodes but not to the at least one first group of electrodes and/or the at least one second group of electrodes in the second time interval.

In order to be able to introduce a greater heat flow into the filling of the portion of the enveloping surface, a voltage can also be applied between individual pairs or all pairs of electrodes apart from the at least one third pair of electrodes or the at least one third group of electrodes, with this voltage then being appreciably lower should be than the voltage applied to the at least one third pair of electrodes or the at least one third group of electrodes. It is useful if the voltage of the at least one third pair or the at least one third group of electrodes in the first time interval is at least 20%, preferably at least 50%, in particular at least 80% greater than the electrical voltage at the at least one other pair of electrodes or the at least one other group of electrodes is applied.

In this context, it could also be provided that at least one other pair or at least one other group is subjected to a voltage that is less than 80%, preferably less than 50%, in particular less than 20%, of at least one other pair of electrodes or a further other group of electrodes is the voltage applied, the last-mentioned voltage of the at least one further other pair of electrodes or the at least one further other group of electrodes being less than 80%, preferably less than 50%, in particular less than 20 % of the voltage applied to the at least one third pair of electrodes or the at least one third group of electrodes. In other words, if required, more than two voltage levels can also occur between different electrodes in the enveloping surface portion.

When choosing the connection of the electrodes provided in the third time interval, it is not fundamentally important which choice was made when connecting the electrodes in the first time interval and/or in the second time interval.

The invention is of course not limited to a maximum of two different portions of the envelope surface. It is also possible to provide more such envelope surface portions, for example a third and, if necessary, a fourth envelope surface portion. These can then be analogous to the first and second envelope surface portions described above and also operated in a manner analogous to that described above for the first and the second envelope surface portion.

In order to be able to provide a greater heat flow through the heater in the second portion of the envelope surface and/or to provide a more uniform temperature distribution, it may be advisable to provide at least two, three or four first pairs or first groups of electrodes in the first time interval and with a corresponding voltage be applied. This also applies in the same way, alternatively or additionally, if at least two, three or four second pairs or groups of electrodes are provided in the second time interval and a corresponding voltage is applied to them. This also applies alternatively or additionally if at least two, three or four third pairs or groups of electrodes are provided in the third time interval and a corresponding voltage is applied to them. Due to the larger number of first, second, third and/or fourth pairs of electrodes or first, second, third and/or fourth groups of electrodes, a finer current density distribution in the enveloping surface portion can be set in the corresponding time intervals, which advantageously results in a uniform or more homogeneous temperature distribution in the enveloping surface portion.

In order to ensure an overall sufficient heating output, so that highly endothermic process engineering processes can also be carried out efficiently in the process engineering apparatus, it is advisable if in the first enveloping surface portion and/or in the second enveloping surface portion at least two, preferably at least three, in particular at least four, more particularly five electrodes or groups of electrodes of at least a first group of electrodes, at least a second group of electrodes and/or at least a third group of electrodes a voltage is applied simultaneously. The advantages mentioned can justify the fact that a larger number of electrodes must be provided for this purpose.

In this context, it can be stated quite fundamentally that each electrode or each pair of electrodes can belong to more than one group of electrodes at different time intervals. In other words, the electrodes of the first group of electrodes are not necessarily completely different electrodes than the electrodes of the second group of electrodes and, if necessary, the third group of electrodes. However, there will preferably be at least slight differences between any two groups of electrodes with regard to the respectively associated electrodes. It is therefore fundamentally not preferred if the electrodes of two different groups of electrodes are completely identical.

In order to avoid undesired influencing of different portions of the enveloping surface, it can be expedient if a voltage is applied alternately to electrodes of the first portion of the enveloping surface and to electrodes of the second portion of the enveloping surface. It can therefore be provided that a time interval of the first portion of the envelope surface is followed by a time interval of the second portion of the envelope surface and vice versa. It is particularly useful if a time interval of the first envelope surface portion falls in a pause between two time intervals of the second time interval and a time interval of the second time interval falls in a pause between two time intervals of the first envelope surface portion. In other words, the time intervals of the envelope surface portions alternate, with a voltage always being applied to at least one pair of electrodes of one envelope surface portion but not to the at least one other envelope surface portion.

In order to be able to ensure a defined heating of the respective enveloping surface sections, an individual interconnection of the corresponding electrodes in pairs can be provided in each enveloping surface portion or alternatively also across enveloping surface portions. This means that two electrodes are connected to the power supply independently of the other electrodes. In the case of several pairs of electrodes, the current flow or the resistance between one pair of electrodes does not therefore influence the current flow between the other pair of electrodes. Consequently, an electrical voltage can be applied individually in pairs to the first, the second, the third and/or the fourth pair of electrodes. Alternatively or additionally, an electrical voltage can be applied individually to the first group, the second group, the third group and/or the fourth group of electrodes. This applies in both cases to the first enveloping surface portion and the second enveloping surface portion separately, but also together if necessary, in particular if at least one electrode of the first enveloping surface portion is individually connected to the power supply in pairs with at least one electrode of the second enveloping surface portion.

As an alternative or in addition to an individual connection of electrodes in pairs, at least one voltage can also be applied to pairs or groups of electrodes with different portions of the envelope surface. With other words In this case, the pairs of electrodes or the groups of electrodes do not always have to belong to a common envelope area portion. A voltage can also be applied to pairs of electrodes or groups of electrodes, of which at least one electrode is assigned to the first portion of the enveloping surface and at least one other electrode is assigned to the second portion of the enveloping surface. The power supply of common pairs of electrodes can also be implemented across envelope surface portions, for example in order to achieve a uniform temperature distribution not only in the envelope surface portions, but also in the longitudinal direction of the process engineering apparatus.

• - bei dem in einem ersten Zeitintervall der Widerstand der Füllung zwischen wenigstens einem ersten Paar von Elektroden oder wenigstens einer ersten Gruppe von Elektroden ermittelt wird und
• - bei dem in einem zweiten Zeitintervall der Widerstand der Füllung zwischen wenigstens einem zweiten Paar von Elektroden oder wenigstens einer zweiten Gruppe von Elektroden ermittelt wird.

The object on which the invention is based is alternatively or additionally achieved according to claim 12 by a method for analyzing a filling in a process engineering apparatus, in particular reactor, adsorber, desorber, mixer or heater, with a plurality of arranged distributed over a first envelope surface portion of the apparatus and electrodes in an electrically conductive connection at least partially via the filling, with at least a first pair of electrodes or a first group of electrodes in a first peripheral section comprising at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference and at least a second pair of electrodes or a second group of electrodes is arranged in a second circumferential section comprising at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference and wherein the first circumferential section and the second circumferential section at most partially overlap,

• - in which the resistance of the filling between at least a first pair of electrodes or at least a first group of electrodes is determined in a first time interval and
• - in which the resistance of the filling between at least a second pair of electrodes or at least a second group of electrodes is determined in a second time interval.

In this case too, the process engineering apparatus, which for the sake of simplicity can advantageously be a process engineering apparatus of the type described above, has a plurality of electrodes. These electrodes are distributed over a first portion of the enveloping surface of the process engineering apparatus and are at least partially electrically conductively connected to one another via the filling. As has already been explained above, at least a first pair of electrodes or a first group of electrodes can be in a first, first peripheral section comprising at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference and at least a second pair of electrodes or a second group of electrodes in a second, at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference can be arranged comprehensive peripheral portion, wherein the first peripheral portion and the second peripheral portion at most partially overlap.

With a corresponding process engineering apparatus, the resistance of the filling between at least a first pair of electrodes or at least a first group of electrodes can be determined in a first time interval, with the resistance of the filling between at least a second pair of electrodes or at least one second group of electrodes is determined. Since the filling is electrically conductive and, if necessary, a heating resistor, the resistance determined is not only dependent on the material of the filling as such, but also on the spatial structure of the filling. If the filling has a higher density or a lower porosity than intended, the electrical resistance determined will regularly be lower than a predetermined reference resistance. Likewise, the resistance determined will regularly be greater than a predetermined reference resistance if the filling has a lower density or greater porosity. The resistance measurements can therefore be used to draw conclusions about the structure of the filling in order to decide whether the filling has a satisfactory structure or whether an intervention in the procedural process or the procedural apparatus should take place.

It is well known that, according to Ohm's law, the resistance of the filling between two electrodes is the quotient of the applied voltage and the current. Against this background, it is particularly interesting to determine the resistance of the filling between the electrodes that are connected to one another to be determined The resistance distribution allows conclusions to be drawn about the density of the filling and/or the at least relative density distribution of the filling.

In many cases it can happen that individual areas of the filling have a density that is greater than the predetermined or desired density, while other areas of the filling have a density that is lower than the predetermined or desired density. The corresponding effects on the resistance of the filling can be balanced out at least in part, which can lead to erroneous conclusions if only an overall resistance is recorded in a portion of the enveloping surface. The detection of resistances across each pair of electrodes or groups of electrodes varies in magnitude cut and at different time intervals, on the other hand, enables a local resolution of the measurement, which can be suitably adapted to the prevailing circumstances via the circumferential sections. Consequently, a corresponding distribution of the resistance in the filling can be detected in order to be able to deduce areas of increased density as well as areas of reduced density in one and the same portion of the enveloping surface of the filling.

In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the method described above, the resistance can be measured repeatedly over time in order to detect changes in the structure of the filling over time. It is then possible to intervene in a suitable manner if undesired changes occur in the structure of the filling, which impair the efficiency or the reliability when carrying out the process engineering processes. Provision can then accordingly be made for the first time interval and the second time interval to be provided multiple times and alternately. However, if required, at least one further time interval can be provided between the first time interval and the second time interval, because the structure of the filling will change very slowly at best in many cases. Accordingly, at least one further time interval can also be provided between the second time interval and the first time interval. It can also be provided that the method according to claim 1 is carried out and after a certain number of corresponding cycles for uniform heating of the filling with the application of corresponding voltages, at least one time interval or at least one cycle for analyzing the filling is carried out by detecting corresponding resistances . In other words, the electrodes can be used most of the time to heat the filling and only occasionally a time interval or cycle is provided in which electrical resistances in the filling are detected in order to be able to carry out an analysis of the filling from time to time .

At least a third pair of electrodes or at least a third group of electrodes can also be used to analyze the filling in an enveloping surface portion of the filling, which are provided in a third circumferential section comprising at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference. In this way, the local resolution of the analysis of the filling can be improved. In this case, the first circumferential section, the second circumferential section and the third circumferential section should preferably at most partially overlap in order to be able to provide a corresponding spatial resolution. For a corresponding analysis of the filling in the first portion of the envelope surface, the resistance of the filling between a third pair of electrodes or a third group of electrodes is determined in a third time interval. If the analysis of the filling is to be carried out over a longer period of time in order to also be able to detect and evaluate slower or later changes, it is advisable if the first time interval, the second time interval and the third time interval are provided multiple times and alternately. Again, the number of time intervals in a corresponding cycle of time intervals can be greater than three.

The analysis of the filling does not have to be limited to a single envelope area, but can be carried out separately for two or more envelope areas. This is particularly useful for longer process engineering devices or longer fillings. Otherwise, areas with increased density and areas with reduced density can be provided in the longitudinal direction of the filling, which can balance each other out in terms of their effect on the electrical resistance in such a way that a single recorded total resistance, a single total current intensity or a single total voltage across the different It could be misinterpreted across areas to mean that the filling has the desired structure throughout, but this does not correspond to the facts.

Against this background, it may be advisable to provide a plurality of electrodes distributed over a second envelope surface portion of the apparatus and at least partially in an electrically conductive connection via the filling, which in the second envelope surface portion at least a first pair of electrodes or a first group of electrodes in a first circumferential section comprising at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference and at least one second pair of electrodes or a second group of electrodes in a second circumferential section comprising at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference. In order to allow resistances in the filling to be detected with spatial resolution, it is expedient if the first peripheral section and the second peripheral section overlap at most partially. The resistance of the filling between at least a first pair of electrodes or at least one first group of electrodes can then be determined in a simple manner in the second envelope surface portion in a first time interval, and the resistance of the filling between at least a second one in a second time interval can be determined in the second envelope surface portion Pair of electrodes or at least a second group of electrodes are determined.

If the analysis is to be stretched over a longer period of time in order to also be able to detect changes in the filling over a long period of time, it is advisable if the first time interval and the second time interval are provided multiple times and alternately in the second portion of the envelope surface. A further time interval can be provided between these time intervals, as has already been described in detail for the first enveloping surface portion. It can be particularly expedient here to carry out the methods according to claim 1 and claim 8 with a time overlap in order to be able to provide heating and an analysis of the filling over a longer period of time.

Like the first portion of the envelope surface, the second portion of the envelope surface is not limited to the use of at least two pairs of electrodes or at least two groups of electrodes when analyzing the filling. For a higher spatial resolution in the analysis of the filling, it can therefore be advisable if at least a third pair of electrodes or at least a third group of electrodes is used in a third circumferential section comprising at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference. In this case, for the purpose of improved local resolution, it is useful if the first peripheral section, the second peripheral section and the third peripheral section overlap at most partially in the second portion of the enveloping surface. In a corresponding process engineering apparatus, the resistance of the filling between at least a third pair of electrodes or at least a third group of electrodes can therefore be determined in the second portion of the envelope surface in a third time interval.

If the second portion of the envelope surface is to be analyzed over a longer period of time, it is also advisable if the first time interval, the second time interval and the third time interval are each provided multiple times and alternately in the second portion of the envelope surface. Here, too, a corresponding cycle of the method can also have more than three time intervals. If required, the method can also be combined with the method according to claim 1 with regard to the second envelope surface area, in which case the cycle times of the method according to claim 1 for heating the filling can be provided to be much shorter than the cycle times for analyzing the filling in the second envelope surface area using the determination different resistances of the filling in the second part of the enveloping surface.

The advantages of the aforementioned method are particularly evident when the distribution of the packing density, the temperature distribution and/or a material property, in particular the loading of the filling, is determined based on the determined resistances of the filling and/or on the basis of the differences between the determined resistances of the filling becomes. In this context, it is particularly useful if the electrical resistance of the filling depends to a large extent on the temperature or very high maximum loadings of the filling with sorbents can be achieved, which also differ significantly in terms of their electrical conductivity from the electrical conductivity of the filling itself differentiate. A particularly good analysis is possible when the filling has only a low electrical conductivity and the sorbent loaded in the filling has a high electrical conductivity compared to the filling.

Irrespective of the number of envelope surface portions used, the first circumferential section, the second circumferential section and/or the third circumferential section can comprise at most 40%, preferably at most 30%, in particular at most 25% of the cross-sectional circumference in each of the envelope surface portions. In this way, the current density or the measurement of the resistance or the voltage using the electrodes in the first peripheral portion, second peripheral portion and/or third peripheral portion can be restricted to a smaller part of the cross section. In this way, a purposefully adapted resistance measurement can be carried out, which can lead to a meaningful resistance distribution or density distribution over the respective portion of the enveloping surface. However, a measurement of the resistance measurement with a higher local resolution can also be provided in order to enable a more precise analysis of the portion of the enveloping surface.

In order to be able to ensure a defined detection of the resistances, only one pair of electrodes should always be connected. In the case of such an individual interconnection in pairs, the resistance of the filling is recorded individually in pairs.

As an alternative or in addition to an individual interconnection of electrodes in pairs, the resistances of the filling between pairs or groups of electrodes with different portions of the enveloping surface can also be determined. In other words, the pairs of electrodes or the groups of electrodes do not always have to belong to a common envelope area portion. Pairs of electrodes or groups of electrodes can also be used to jointly determine the resistances of the filling between them, of which at least one electrode corresponds to the first Envelope surface portion is assigned and at least one other electrode is assigned to the second envelope surface portion. The measurement of the resistances between common pairs of electrodes can therefore also be implemented across enveloping surface portions, for example in order to be able to detect a density or at least relative density distribution in the area between two adjacent enveloping surface portions.

The advantages of the methods described here come into play to a particular extent when the cross section of the apparatus is at least essentially circular, at least essentially oval and/or in the manner of a hexagon, heptagon, octagon, Nonagons or decagons is formed. Such process engineering apparatuses can usually be provided much more cost-effectively, but only allow a uniform temperature distribution or analysis of the filling with considerable effort. According to the invention, this effort can be significantly reduced and/or the reliability can be significantly increased.

An even temperature distribution in the corresponding parts of the enveloping surface is beneficial, as is an analysis of the filling with a high spatial resolution, if in the respective part of the enveloping surface the first peripheral section, the second peripheral section and/or the third peripheral section are less than 70%, preferably less than 50%, of each other %, in particular less than 30%, more particularly not, overlap.

The previously discussed advantages of the previously described methods can be used particularly expediently if a fixed bed, a moving bed and/or a monolithic solid is used as filling in the respective portion of the envelope surface. Such fillings can otherwise only be heated uniformly with great effort and/or analyzed with high spatial resolution. This applies in particular when different fillings are used over the length of the process engineering apparatus, ie, for example, a different shape and/or type of filling in a first envelope surface portion than in the second envelope surface portion.

The uniform heating of the filling can be supported, as can a precise analysis of the structure of the filling, if the at least one first pair of electrodes or the at least one first group of electrodes and/or the at least a second pair of electrodes or the at least one second group of electrodes and/or the at least one third pair of electrodes or the at least one third group of electrodes are distributed, in particular at least substantially uniformly, over the circumference of the filling. The same is the case if the at least one first pair of electrodes or the at least one first group of electrodes and/or the at least one second pair of electrodes or the at least one second group of electrodes are in the first envelope surface portion and/or in the second envelope surface portion and/or the at least one third pair of electrodes or the at least one third group of electrodes are distributed on the inside of a container wall of the process engineering apparatus. The electrodes can also be attached there at low cost, without impairing the flow of the fluid through the filling.

So that the heating of the filling and/or the detection of the resistances is not impaired by the container wall of the process engineering apparatus, it can be advisable to use a container wall with electrical insulation provided on the inside of the container wall. In this case, the insulation should be provided outside the electrodes and consequently enclose the electrodes inside the insulation. Alternatively or additionally, the container wall could also be made of an electrically non-conductive plastic or of a ceramic material for the same purpose. An additional, corresponding electrical insulation would then be unnecessary if required.

The advantages of the above processes can also be achieved to a particular extent if a supercritical medium is passed through the process engineering apparatus and thus through the filling, since in such process engineering processes the temperature and the structure of the filling are of essential importance in addition to the pressure .

Alternatively or additionally, for example, filling materials in the form of a sorbent, a catalyst and/or a catalyst support are particularly suitable as filling. Catalytic converters regularly need a fairly high temperature for high efficiency. At the same time, however, the catalytic converters are often also sensitive to overheating, which can irreversibly damage the catalytic converter. In a first process step, sorbents regularly absorb certain components from the fluids flowing through the filling in the form of the sorbents. The components adsorbed in this way are also referred to as adsorbate and form the loading of the sorbents. Since the adsorptive effect of the sorbents decreases with increasing loading, the adsorbate expelled from the sorbents in a second process step, so that the sorbent can be reused.

In order to promote this process of expelling the adsorbate, the sorbents are heated, whereby overheating can also result in irreversible damage to the sorbents, while too low a temperature can prevent the sorbents from being completely regenerated.

Electrothermal swing adsorption (ESA, ETSA), temperature swing adsorption (TSA) or pressure swing adsorption (PSA) can advantageously be carried out in the technical process. The setting of an even temperature distribution and an even distribution of the density of the filling is of particular interest here. The efficiency of the corresponding process engineering processes depends to a large extent on these parameters.

Alternatively or additionally, a catalytic decomposition of ammonia (2NH3=>3H2+N2), a thermal decomposition of triglycerides, a catalytic upgrading of pyrolysis vapors or a catalytic condensation of alcohols can be carried out in the process engineering apparatus. All of these processes are endothermic, so a uniform temperature distribution has a high impact on the efficiency of the process. In principle, however, other endothermic processes are also possible.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the method, this method represents a combination of a method according to one of Claims 1 to 11 and a method according to one of Claims 12 to 19.

• 1A-B einen verfahrenstechnischen Apparat zur Durchführung der erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren in einer schematischen Seitenansicht sowie in einer schematischen Schnittansicht quer zur Längsachse des verfahrenstechnischen Apparats entlang der Schnittebene IB-IB aus 1A,
• 2A-C einen Querschnitt des verfahrenstechnischen Apparats während dreier unterschiedlicher Zeitintervalle während der Durchführung der erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren,
• 3A-B einen Querschnitt des verfahrenstechnischen Apparats während zweier unterschiedlicher Zeitintervalle während der Durchführung der erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren,
• 4 einen Querschnitt des verfahrenstechnischen Apparats während eines von unterschiedlichen Zeitintervallen bei der Durchführung der erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren und
• 5 einen Querschnitt des verfahrenstechnischen Apparats während eines von unterschiedlichen Zeitintervallen bei der Durchführung der erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing that merely shows exemplary embodiments. In the drawing shows

• 1A-B a process engineering apparatus for carrying out the process according to the invention in a schematic side view and in a schematic sectional view transverse to the longitudinal axis of the process engineering apparatus along the section plane IB-IB 1A ,
• 2A-C a cross section of the process engineering apparatus during three different time intervals during the implementation of the method according to the invention,
• 3A-B a cross section of the process engineering apparatus during two different time intervals during the implementation of the method according to the invention,
• 4 a cross section of the process engineering apparatus during one of different time intervals when carrying out the process according to the invention and
• 5 a cross section of the process engineering apparatus during one of different time intervals when carrying out the process according to the invention.

In the 1A a process engineering apparatus 1 is shown in a side view. The process engineering apparatus 1 can be, for example, a reactor with a charge 2 in the form of a catalyst. The filling 2 is then traversed by a fluid 3, in particular a gas, which is partially converted as a result of contact with the filling 2. However, the process engineering apparatus 1 can also be an adsorber for adsorbing components from a fluid 3 flowing through the filling 2 in the form of a sorbent or a desorber for desorbing the previously adsorbed components from the filling 2 in the form of a sorbent. Regardless of the type of filling 2, the filling can be used as a monolith, preferably with a very uniform structure, in particular with at least essentially uniform cross sections, as a fixed bed in the form of a pile of a large number of solid bodies or as a moving bed from a solid inlet to a solid outlet be formed by the procedural apparatus 1 flowing solid. For the sake of clarity, a solids inlet and a solids outlet are not shown, since moving beds have long been known to those skilled in the art and therefore do not require any further explanation.

The process engineering apparatus 1 has a container 4 in which the filling 2 is accommodated. The fluid 3 for flowing through the filling 2 in the container 4 is supplied to the container 4 via a fluid supply line 5 which is connected to the lower end of the container 4 . A fluid discharge 6 is provided on the container 4 at the upper end of the container 4 in order to discharge the fluid 3 emerging from the filling 2 in the container 4 . In this context, it goes without saying that the arrangement of the fluid supply 5 and the fluid discharge 6 is only given as an example. Their position could also be exchanged, just as the fluid supply 5 and the fluid discharge 6 could also be provided at other locations on the container 4 . Also, the container 4 has been shown in a cylindrical shape only by way of example. Other forms would also be conceivable, such as, for example much shorter or wider container 4 or how much longer or thinner container 4.

The Indian 1A The container 4 shown as an example is filled with a filling 2 over at least essentially its entire height, which would also not be absolutely necessary. The filling 2 can be divided into two different sections over its height or along its length, which are referred to as envelope surface portions 7.8, since the corresponding envelope surface portions 7.8 transverse to the longitudinal extent of the container 4 or the filling 2 over the entire cross-section of the container 4 or the filling 2 extend. The envelope surface of the process engineering apparatus 1 as a whole comprises the lateral surface, the cover surface and the base surface. In the present case, the enveloping surface compartments thus define different levels of the process engineering apparatus 1. The enveloping surface portions could therefore also be understood as segments of the process engineering apparatus following one another in the longitudinal direction. In each of the enveloping surface portions 7 , 8 , a multiplicity of electrodes 9 are distributed at least essentially uniformly over the circumference of the container 4 or the filling 2 , which are each individually connected to a voltage supply 10 in pairs. A device for detecting the electrical resistances 11 between certain of the addressed electrodes 9 can be integrated in the power supply 10 or additionally. Corresponding devices 11, which, for example, enable a resistance to be determined via a current and voltage measurement, are sufficiently known to the person skilled in the art and therefore require neither a more precise description nor a detailed illustration.

In the case of the process engineering apparatus 1 shown, the electrodes 9 are provided in an elongate form and are aligned at least essentially parallel to the longitudinal extension of the process engineering apparatus 1 . In addition, the electrodes 9 of an envelope surface portion 7.8 are always provided at the same height and with the same longitudinal and transverse extent. Both are preferred, but would not be absolutely necessary. The electrodes 9 are also at least essentially flat and designed in one piece. This can also be provided differently. Thus, the individual electrodes 9 can be composed of a plurality of sub-electrodes spaced apart from one another. The sub-electrodes, for their part, can be designed essentially flat and in one piece. However, the sub-electrodes can also be designed as individual point electrodes, for example with a spherical shape or in the form of a pin. This, too, is understandable to a person skilled in the art, without all these different configurations of the electrodes 9 having to be presented in detail in the present case.

In the 1B a cross section through one of the envelope surface portions 8 of the process engineering apparatus 1 is shown. Here as well as in the 1A the electrical wiring is shown only schematically for the sake of clarity. The electrodes 9 can be connected to one another in pairs or groups, with the electrodes 9 being able to be individually connected to the voltage supply 10 in pairs, so that the current does not only flow predominantly between the electrodes 9, between which there is a particularly low resistance. For this purpose, the voltage supply 10 between the pairs of electrodes 9 is decoupled from one another, ie provided individually in pairs. It is also important that there is no static connection or application of a constant voltage to the electrodes 9 . The voltage that is applied to different sections of the enveloping surface portion 8 and thus the current density that is generated in different sections of the enveloping surface portion 8 varies over time or from one time interval to at least one other time interval. The time intervals can together define a cycle of the method, which can be run through several times in succession in the same or a similar way. However, the corresponding connection of the electrodes 9 will be described in detail below.

The envelope surface portion 8 shown is closed off to the outside essentially by the container wall 12 of the process engineering apparatus 1 . Electrical insulation 13 is provided on the inside of the container wall 12, since the container material of the process engineering apparatus 1 shown is steel. If the material of the container wall 12 were an electrically non-conductive material, the insulation 13 could possibly be dispensed with. The electrical insulation 13 is used to insulate the electrodes 9 from the container wall 12. The electrodes 9 are located within the jacket-shaped electrical insulation 13 and directly adjacent to the electrical insulation 13. The electrodes 9 are also at least substantially uniform over the circumference of the envelope surface portion shown 8 arranged distributed. The remaining space of the enveloping surface portion 8 is filled by the filling 2 in the process apparatus 1 shown and in this respect preferred. The enveloping surface portions 7, 8 of the container 4 or of the process engineering apparatus 1 do not have to be round, but could also have a different shape.

In the 2A-C Connections of the electrodes 9 are shown during different time intervals of a cycle when carrying out the method according to the invention. In each of the At three intervals shown, different groups of electrodes 14-16 are connected to one another, ie a voltage is applied via the voltage supply 10. The remaining electrodes 9 of the portion 8 of the enveloping surface shown are not connected or are not subjected to a voltage or connected to the voltage supply 10 in the exemplary embodiment shown and in this respect preferred. In another embodiment, these other electrodes 9 could also be at least partially combined into one or more groups of electrodes 9 and at least partially subjected to a voltage, but this voltage should then be significantly lower than the group of electrodes 14-16 shown applied voltage.

The electrodes 9 of the interconnected groups of electrodes 14-16 are connected to each other in pairs by schematic field lines 17. A pair of electrodes is in each case formed by an electrode 9 with a high potential 18 and an electrode 9 with a low potential 19 . In this case, it is less important whether the field lines 17 actually run in the manner shown, but rather the basic illustration of the distribution of the current density forming in the filling 2 in the envelope surface portion 8 shown. In other words, the plotted lines are intended to give an idea of which sections of the enveloping surface portion 8 are preferably heated in comparison to other sections of the enveloping surface portion 8 in a specific time interval by the direct resistance heating of the filling 2 . In principle, it applies that in the sections of the envelope surface portions 8 in which the dashes run or field lines 17 are drawn, the filling 2 is heated by the conduction of the electric current between two electrodes 9 or groups of electrodes 14-16, in principle all the more, the closer the field lines 17 run to one another.

In the 2A a first group 14 of three pairs of electrodes 9 is connected to one another and subjected to a voltage via the voltage supply 10 shown schematically. These three pairs of electrodes 9 are individually connected in pairs, ie in pairs independently of one another, to the voltage supply 10 . It is therefore not the case that of the three pairs of electrodes 9, the three electrodes 9 with a high potential and the three electrodes 9 with a low potential are each connected in parallel to one another and are jointly connected to the voltage supply 10. The three pairs of electrodes 9 are independently connected to the power supply 10 and are also not connected to each other, except that the three pairs of electrodes 9 are connected to each other via one and the same filling 2 .

The group of electrodes 14 is arranged in a first peripheral section (UA) relative to the enveloping surface portion 8 or to the filling 2 , which is less than 45% of the cross-sectional circumference of the enveloping surface portion 8 . This is shown purely schematically by a 2A illustrated cross-section bisecting line 20, which divides the cross-sectional circumference into two equal circumferential sections (UA), which therefore each form 50% of the total cross-sectional circumference. In particular, one side of the enveloping surface portion 8 is heated by the action of the first group of electrodes 14, while the other side of the enveloping surface portion 8 is not heated or is only heated to a limited extent. If this connection of the electrodes 9 were to remain unchanged over time, the filling 2 would only be heated on one side and thus unevenly. The resulting uneven temperature distribution over the envelope surface portion 8 shown would be undesirable.

The one in the 2A The interconnection of the electrodes 9 shown is therefore only maintained within a first time interval. In a subsequent second time interval, which is preferably just as long as the first time interval, however, the interconnection of the electrodes 9 as in FIG 2 B shown realized.

A second group of electrodes 15 is connected to one another in such a way that an electrical voltage is applied to them. The second group of electrodes 15 comprises like the first group of electrodes 14 according to FIG 2A three pairs of electrodes 9, but according to 2 B around other pairs of electrodes 9. Nevertheless, like the first group of electrodes 14, the electrodes 9 of the second group of electrodes 15 are distributed over a second peripheral portion (UA) which is less than 45% of the total cross-sectional perimeter. The three pairs of electrodes 9 of the second group of electrodes 15 are also individually connected to the power supply 10 in pairs. In addition, the three pairs of electrodes 9 of the second group of electrodes 15 are only connected to one another via the filling 2 of the process engineering apparatus 10 . There is no further connection between the electrodes 9 .

In the second time interval, a slightly different, but partially overlapping section of the enveloping surface portion 8 is heated than in the first time interval, since in the second time interval an appreciable current density is caused in a section of the enveloping surface portion 8 that is associated with the corresponding section partially overlaps in the first time interval. This is essentially due to the fact that the first and second peripheral sections (UA), in which the first group of electrodes 14 and the second group of electrodes 15 are arranged, also partially overlap. Accordingly, some of the electrodes 9 of the first group of electrodes 14 are also part of the second group of electrodes 15.

In the exemplary embodiment shown and in this respect preferred, the respective three electrodes 9 of the two different potentials 18, 19 are each separated from one another on the circumferential side by two electrodes 9 that are not connected to one another. However, this is not necessarily the case. In principle, it would also be conceivable that a voltage is also applied to other electrodes 9, which are not shown here connected with lines, but which would then preferably be significantly lower than the voltage applied to the electrodes 9 shown connected with lines. For the sake of simplicity, however, such a lower voltage is not provided in the exemplary embodiment shown.

In the 2C shows the interconnection of a third group of electrodes 16 in a third time interval. This third group of electrodes 16 is again distributed over a third perimeter portion (UA) that is less than 45% of the total cross-sectional perimeter, with the corresponding third perimeter portion (UA) partially coextensive with the corresponding first and second perimeter portions (UA) of the second group of Electrodes 15 and the first group of electrodes 14 overlapped. Furthermore, the three pairs of electrodes 9 of the third group of electrodes 16 are also individually connected to the voltage supply 10 in pairs. The electrodes are only electrically connected to one another via the filling 2 of the process engineering apparatus 1 .

In addition, three electrodes 9 of the three interconnected pairs of electrodes 9 are separated on the circumference by two individual electrodes. In the third time interval, therefore, a different section of the enveloping surface portion 8 is preferably heated than in the first time interval and in the second time interval. Over an entire cycle, which in each case includes the three different time intervals described, uniform heating of the enveloping surface portion 8 is nevertheless achieved. The change from one time interval to the next time interval can be understood in such a way that the electrodes 9 connected to one another are always rotated further by five electrodes 9 on the circumferential side along the existing electrodes 9 in a circumferential direction R to the right, as indicated by the arrows in FIGS 2A-C is indicated. After the in the 2C Illustrated third time interval can be followed again by a time interval, as in FIG 2A is illustrated and so on.

However, this is only one possible embodiment of the method. More than three or just two different time intervals could also be provided. Correspondingly more or less, the individual circumferential sections (UA) occupied by the groups of electrodes would preferably overlap one another from time interval to time interval. The large number of electrodes 9 distributed over the circumference, which is also not limited to the number of electrodes 9 shown, also makes it possible to provide groups of electrodes 9 which can comprise more or fewer than three pairs of electrodes 9 each. The same number of pairs of electrodes 9 would not even have to be combined to form a group of electrodes during the various time intervals, even if this is fundamentally preferred.

The in the 2A-C not shown, lower envelope surface portion 7 can be operated in the same way as is based on the 2A-C has been presented or in a different way. Irrespective of this, it can be provided that the filling 2 is preferably heated in each time interval in the two envelope surface portions 7.8 on different sides in order to reduce interactions between the two envelope surface portions 7.8. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the first time interval of an envelope surface portion 7.8 is followed by the first time interval of the other envelope surface portion 8.7, whereupon the second time interval of one envelope surface portion 7.8 and then the second time interval of the other envelope surface portion 8.7 follows and so on. In other words, the time intervals of an envelope surface portion 7.8 do not have to go directly into the next time interval of the same envelope surface portion 7.8. Rather, the time intervals of the different envelope surface portions 7.8 can be provided one after the other.

Alternatively or in addition to applying the electrical voltage to the groups of electrodes 14-16 described above, which are provided in the various time intervals, these electrodes 9 or groups of electrodes 14-16 can also be used to increase the electrical resistance of the filling 2 between the corresponding Pairs of electrodes 9 to measure. The groups of electrodes 14-16 can be connected to one another in the same way as in FIGS 2A-C is shown. About the different interconnections in the different time intervals according to the 2A-C a good spatial resolution is achieved with regard to the resistance distribution over the envelope surface portion 7.8. Areas with an increased density of the filling 2, which leads to a lower resistance, and areas with a reduced density, which leads to an increased resistance, can therefore be measured and localized in one and the same portion of the envelope surface 7.8. In the case of resistance measurement, the represent in the 2A-C drawn lines 21, the resistances measured via the corresponding pairs of electrodes 9 in the filling 2 of the envelope surface portion 7.8.

In the 3A-B an envelope surface portion 8 is shown during two different time intervals, with one cycle of the corresponding method including further time intervals. In the time interval of 3A a voltage is applied simultaneously to two different first groups of electrodes 22, each of the first groups of electrodes 22 comprising three pairs of electrodes 9 in this exemplary embodiment. The pairs of electrodes 9 are individually connected to a power supply 10 in pairs. The middle pairs of electrodes 9 share a common middle electrode 9 via which the two middle pairs of electrodes 9 are individually connected to the different voltage supply 10 in pairs.

The first two groups of electrodes 22 each comprise a first peripheral section (UA) of less than 45% of the total cross-sectional circumference of the envelope surface portion 8 shown, with the first two groups of electrodes 22 overlapping on one side of the filling 2 in the area of a common electrode 23 and are circumferentially spaced from each other by three separate electrodes 9 on the opposite side. However, a corresponding overlap could also be dispensed with if necessary. Alternatively, the electrodes 9 of the same potential 18, 19 of the two first groups of electrodes 22 could also be identical. In this case, not only one of the in the 3A electrodes 9 shown on the left but from three electrodes 9 arranged on the left to draw two field lines 17 to different electrodes 9 in each case different first groups of electrodes 22 .

In any case, a distribution of the current density is formed in one way or another, which ensures that in a first time interval a smaller area of the enveloping surface portion 8 is not heated or only slightly heated, while a larger section of the enveloping surface portion 8 is heated or heated to a greater extent. In order to compensate for the resulting non-uniform temperature distribution, in each of the time intervals of a cycle, an at least partially different section of the enveloping surface portion 8 compared to the rest of the enveloping surface portion 8 is not heated or is heated to a lesser extent. Different electrodes 9 are always connected to one another from time interval to time interval in the circumferential direction R, but always in the same relationship to one another. In other words, the first two groups of electrodes 22 are gradually rotated further in the circumferential direction, as indicated by the arrows in FIGS 3A-B is shown. It goes without saying that this direction of rotation does not have to remain the same from time interval to time interval. Alternating rotation of the groups of electrodes in opposite circumferential directions can also be provided, as long as all sections of the enveloping surface portion 8 are heated uniformly over a cycle. How many time intervals are provided for this purpose in a cycle can be individually adjusted depending on the respective application.

In this way, an application of two second groups of electrodes 24 is provided in a second time interval, as in FIG 3B is shown. The two second groups of electrodes 24 are arranged in a second peripheral area (UA), which is less than 45% of the total cross-sectional circumference of the envelope surface portion 8 shown. The two second groups of electrodes 24 are arranged relative to one another in the second time interval like the two first groups of electrodes 24 in the first time interval. The two second groups of electrodes 24 therefore also overlap in the area of a common electrode 23.

Alternatively or in addition to applying the previously associated with the 3A-B described, provided in the different time intervals, the two first and second groups of electrodes 22,24 with the electrical voltage, these electrodes 9 or groups of electrodes 22,24 can also be used to increase the electrical resistance of the filling 2 between the corresponding pairs of electrodes 9 to eat. The two first and second groups of electrodes 22, 24 can be connected to one another in the same way as in FIGS 3A-B is shown. About the different interconnections in the different time intervals according to the 3A-B a corresponding spatial resolution is achieved with regard to the resistance distribution over the enveloping surface portion 8 . It is thus possible to measure and localize areas with an increased density of the filling 2, which leads to a lower resistance, and areas with a reduced density, which leads to an increased resistance, in one and the same portion 8 of the envelope surface. In the case of resistance measurement, the represent in the 3A-B Drawn lines 21 over the corresponding pairs resistances measured by electrodes 9 in the filling 2 of the enveloping surface portion 8.

In the 4 is an alternative connection to the connections according to the 3A-B shown. The two groups of electrodes 25 do not overlap here. The electrodes 9 of the groups of electrodes 25 adjoin one another on one side of the filling 2 and are separated from one another by four separate electrodes 9 on the opposite side. Unlike in the 3A-B however, no distance is provided between the electrodes 9 of different potentials 18, 19 of each group of electrodes 25, in which a separate electrode 9 would be accommodated. The two middle pairs of electrodes 9 of the two groups of electrodes 25 are connected in pairs to the power supply 10 individually and therefore independently of one another. A particularly high current density can therefore occur in this area of the filling, which may not be desirable in all cases. The other time intervals of the corresponding cycle that are not shown have groups of electrodes connected up in an analogous manner, the position of the groups of electrodes varying in comparison to the respective preceding and following time interval.

Alternatively or in addition to applying the previously associated with 4 described groups of electrodes 25 with the electrical voltage, these electrodes 9 or groups of electrodes 25 can also be used to measure the electrical resistance of the filling 2 between the corresponding pairs of electrodes 9. The groups of electrodes 256 can be connected to one another in the same way as in FIG 4 is shown in order to achieve a corresponding spatial resolution with regard to the resistance distribution over the enveloping surface portion 8 . It is thus possible to measure and localize areas with an increased density of the filling 2, which leads to a lower resistance, and areas with a reduced density, which leads to an increased resistance, in one and the same portion 8 of the envelope surface. In the case of resistance measurement, the in 4 Drawn lines 21 show the resistances measured via the corresponding pairs of electrodes 9 in the filling 2 of the envelope surface portion 8.

In the 5 a time interval is shown for a different connection of the electrodes 9 of an envelope surface portion 8 . In this time interval, three groups of electrodes 26 are connected to one another, with two of the three groups of electrodes 26 overlapping in a common electrode 27 with an adjacent group of electrodes 26 . In principle, however, such an overlapping could also be dispensed with here. In this way it is avoided that the middle of the filling 2 is heated up too much. Since that in the 5 The wiring pattern shown can be provided rotated in the circumferential direction R at other time intervals, but a very uniform temperature distribution over the enveloping surface portion 8 is achieved. The middle pairs of electrodes 9 of the two groups of electrodes 26 shown above share a common electrode 9. Via the corresponding common electrode 9, the middle pairs of electrodes 9 of the two groups of electrodes 26 shown above are commonly connected to the power supply 10. The other, outer pairs of electrodes 9 of the two groups of electrodes 26, on the other hand, are individually connected to the voltage supply 10 in pairs, just like the two pairs of electrodes 9 of the further group of electrodes 26 shown below. Consequently, the number of pairs of electrodes 9 in the individual groups of electrodes 26 can also differ from one another, if required.

Alternatively or in addition to applying the previously associated with 5 described groups of electrodes 26 with the electrical voltage, these electrodes 9 or groups of electrodes 26 can also be used to measure the electrical resistance of the filling 2 between the corresponding pairs of electrodes 9. The groups of electrodes 26 can be connected to one another in the same way as in FIG 5 is shown in order to achieve a corresponding spatial resolution with regard to the resistance distribution over the enveloping surface portion 8 . It is thus possible to measure and localize areas with an increased density of the filling 2, which leads to a lower resistance, and areas with a reduced density, which leads to an increased resistance, in one and the same portion 8 of the envelope surface. In the case of resistance measurement, the in 5 Drawn lines 21 show the resistances measured via the corresponding pairs of electrodes 9 in the filling of the envelope surface portion 8.

It is understood for the person skilled in the art that the 1 until 5 power supplies shown are shown only as an example as an AC voltage source. It would also be conceivable for these power supplies to be designed at least in part as direct voltage sources.

Reference List

1

process engineering apparatus

2

filling

3

Fluid

4

container

5

fluid delivery

6

fluid drainage

7.8

enveloping area proportion

9

electrodes

10

power supply

11

Device for measuring electrical resistance

12

container wall

13

Electric Isolation

14-16

group of electrodes

17

field lines

18

high potential

19

low potential

20

bisector

21

line

22.23

group of electrodes

24

common electrode

25.26

group of electrodes

27

common electrode

R

Circumferential right

u.a

perimeter section

Claims (27)

Method for the direct resistance heating of a charge (2) in a process engineering apparatus (1), in particular a reactor, adsorber, desorber, mixer or heater, with a plurality of distributed over a first envelope surface portion (7,8) of the apparatus (1) and at least Electrodes (9) partially connected via the filling (2) in an electrically conductive connection, with at least a first pair of electrodes (9) or a first group of electrodes (14, 22, 25, 26) in a first, at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference and at least a second pair of electrodes (9) or a second group of electrodes (15,23) is arranged in a second, at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference, circumferential section (UA) and wherein the first Circumferential section (UA) and the second circumferential section (UA) partially overlap at most, - in which in a first time interval to the at least one first pair of electrodes (9) or the at least one first group of electrodes (14,22,25,26) by at least 20%, preferably at least 50%, in particular at least 80% , greater electrical voltage is applied than to other electrodes (9) or another group of electrodes (9), - in which, in a second time interval, at least the at least one second pair of electrodes (9) or the at least one second group of electrodes (15,23) has an electrical voltage than is applied to other electrodes (9) or another group of electrodes (9) and - In which the first time interval and the second time interval are provided in multiples and alternately. procedure after claim 1 , - in which at least a third pair of electrodes (9) or a third group of electrodes (16) is used in a third peripheral section (UA) comprising at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference, - in which the first peripheral section (UA), the second peripheral section (UA) and the third peripheral section (UA) at most partially overlap, - in which, in a third time interval, at least the at least one third pair of electrodes (9) or the at least one third group of electrodes (16) are contacted by at least one 20%, preferably at least 50%, in particular at least 80%, greater electrical voltage than other electrodes (9) or another group of electrodes (9) is applied and - in which the first time interval, the second time interval and the third time interval each be provided frequently and alternately. procedure after claim 1 or 2 , - in which the at least one other group of electrodes (9) in the first time interval comprises at least the second group of electrodes (15,23) and/or at least the third group of electrodes (16), - in which the at least one other Group of electrodes (9) in the second time interval comprises at least the first group of electrodes (14,22,25,26) and/or at least the third group of electrodes (16) and/or - in which the at least one other group of electrodes (9) in the third time interval comprises at least the first group of electrodes (14,22,25,26) and/or at least the second group of electrodes (15,23). Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , - in which in the first time interval at least two, three or four first pairs or first groups of electrodes (14,22,25,26) are provided and subjected to voltage, - in which in the second time interval at least two, three or four second couples or second group pen of electrodes (15,23) are provided and applied with voltage and/or - in which in the third time interval at least two, three or four third pairs or third groups of electrodes (16) are provided and applied with voltage. Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , - with a plurality of electrodes (9) distributed over a second enveloping surface portion (7, 8) of the apparatus (1) and at least partially in an electrically conductive connection via the filling (2), wherein in the second enveloping surface portion (7, 8 ) at least one first pair of electrodes (9) or a first group of electrodes (14,22,25,26) in a first peripheral section (UA) comprising at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference and at least one second pair of electrodes (9) or a second group of electrodes (15,23) is arranged in a second peripheral section (UA) comprising at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference and the first peripheral section (UA) and the second peripheral section (UA) overlap at most partially, - in which in the second envelope surface portion (7,8) in a first time interval to the at least one first pair of electrodes (9) or the at least one first group of electrodes (14,22,25,26) by at least 20%, preferably at least 50%, in particular at least 80%, greater electrical voltage than to other electrodes (9) or another group of electrodes (9) is applied - in which in the second envelope surface portion (7, 8) in a second time interval at least the at least one second pair of electrodes (9) or the at least one second group of electrodes (15,23) has an electrical voltage that is at least 20%, preferably at least 50%, in particular at least 80% greater than at other electrodes (9) or another group of electrodes (9) is applied and - in which the first time interval and the second time interval are each provided multiple times and alternately in the second envelope surface portion (7,8). procedure after claim 5 , - in which at least a third pair of electrodes (9) or a third group of electrodes (16) is used in the second envelope surface portion (7,8) in a third peripheral section (UA) comprising at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference, - at in which the first peripheral section (UA), the second peripheral section (UA) and the third peripheral section (UA) partially overlap in the second envelope surface area (7,8), - in which in the second envelope surface area (7,8) in a third time interval to at least the at least one third pair of electrodes (9) or the at least third group of electrodes (16) an electrical voltage that is at least 20%, preferably at least 50%, in particular at least 80% greater than to other electrodes (9) or another group of electrodes (9) is applied and - in which in the second envelope surface portion (7,8) the first time interval, the second time interval and the third time interval each multiple and each other r are provided alternately. procedure after claim 6 , - in which in the second envelope surface portion (7,8) the at least one other group of electrodes (9) in the first time interval at least the second group of electrodes (15,23) and/or at least the third group of electrodes (16) - wherein in the second envelope surface portion (7,8) the at least one other group of electrodes (9) in the second time interval comprises at least the first group of electrodes (14,22,25,26) and/or at least the third group of electrodes (16) and/or - in which in the second envelope surface portion (7,8) the at least one other group of electrodes (9) contains at least the first group of electrodes (14,22,25,26) in the third time interval and/or at least the second group of electrodes (15,23). Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 7 - in which at least two, three or four first pairs of electrodes (9) or first groups of electrodes (14,22,25,26) are provided in the second envelope surface portion (7,8) in the first time interval and voltage is applied thereto - in which at least two, three or four second pairs of electrodes (9) or second groups of electrodes (15,23) are provided in the second envelope surface portion (7,8) in the second time interval and voltage is applied thereto and/or - in which at least two, three or four third pairs of electrodes (9) or third groups of electrodes (16) are provided in the second envelope surface portion (7,8) in the third time interval and voltage is applied thereto. Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 8th , in which in the first enveloping surface portion (7,8) and/or in the second enveloping surface portion (7,8) in each case at least two, preferably at least three, in particular at least four, more particularly five pairs of electrodes (9) of at least a first group a voltage is applied simultaneously to electrodes (14, 22, 25, 26), at least one second group of electrodes (15, 23) and/or at least one third group of electrodes (16). Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 9 , in which a voltage is applied alternately to electrodes (9) in the first envelope surface portion (7.8) and to electrodes (9) in the second envelope surface portion (7.8). Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 10 , wherein in the first enveloping surface portion (7) and/or in the second enveloping surface portion (8) at least the first pair of electrodes (9), at least the first group of electrodes (14,22,25,26), at least the second pair of electrodes (9), at least the second group of electrodes (15,23), at least the third pair of electrodes (9), at least the third group of electrodes (16), at least the fourth pair of electrodes (9) and/or or at least the fourth group of electrodes is individually applied in pairs, an electrical voltage. Method for analyzing a filling (2) in a process engineering apparatus (1), in particular a reactor, adsorber, desorber, mixer or heater, with a plurality of arranged and at least partially distributed over a first envelope surface portion (7,8) of the apparatus (1). electrodes (9) in an electrically conductive connection via the filling (2), with at least a first pair of electrodes (9) or a first group of electrodes (14,22,25,26) in a first, at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference and at least one second pair of electrodes (9) or a second group of electrodes (15,23) in a second circumferential section (UA) comprising at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference and the first circumferential section (UA) and the second peripheral section (UA) at most partially overlap, - in which the resistance of the filling (2) between at least a first pair of electrodes (9) or at least a first group of electrodes (14, 22, 25, 26) is determined in a first time interval and - in which the resistance of the filling (2) between at least a second pair of electrodes (9) or at least a second group of electrodes (15, 23) is determined in a second time interval. procedure after claim 12 , in which the first time interval and the second time interval are provided multiple times and alternately. procedure after claim 12 or 13 , - in which at least a third pair of electrodes (9) or at least a third group of electrodes (16) is used in a third circumferential section (UA) comprising at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference, - in which the first circumferential section (UA) , the second peripheral section (UA) and the third peripheral section (UA) at most partially overlap, - in which, in a third time interval, the resistance of the filling (2) between at least a third pair of electrodes (9) or at least a third group of electrodes (16) is determined and - in which, if necessary, the first time interval, the second time interval and the third time interval are provided multiple times and alternately. Procedure according to one of Claims 12 until 14 , - with a plurality of electrodes (9) distributed over a second enveloping surface portion (7, 8) of the apparatus (1) and at least partially in an electrically conductive connection via the filling (2), wherein in the second enveloping surface portion (7, 8 ) at least one first pair of electrodes (9) or a first group of electrodes (14,22,25,26) in a first peripheral section (UA) comprising at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference and at least one second pair of electrodes (9) or a second group of electrodes (15,23) is arranged in a second peripheral section (UA) comprising at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference and the first peripheral section (UA) and the second peripheral section (UA) overlap at most partially, - in which in the second envelope surface portion (7,8) in a first time interval the resistance of the filling (2) between at least a first pair of electrodes (9) or at least a first group of electrodes (14,2 2,25,26) is determined, - in which the resistance of the filling (2) between at least a second pair of electrodes (9) or at least a second group of electrodes ( 15,23) is determined and - in which the first time interval and the second time interval are provided in the second envelope surface portion (7,8) multiple times and alternately. procedure after claim 15 , - in which at least a third pair of electrodes (9) or a third group of electrodes (16) is used in the second envelope surface portion (7,8) in a third peripheral section (UA) comprising at most 45% of the cross-sectional circumference, - at in which the first peripheral section (UA), the second peripheral section (UA) and the third peripheral section (UA) in the second envelope surface portion (7, 8) partially overlap at most, - in which the resistance of the filling (2) between at least a third pair of electrodes (9) or at least a third group of electrodes (16) is determined in the second envelope surface portion (7,8) in a third time interval and - in which, if necessary, the first time interval, the second time interval and the third time interval are provided in the second enveloping surface portion (7, 8) multiple times and alternately. Procedure according to one of Claims 12 until 16 , in which the distribution of the packing density, the temperature and/or a material property, in particular the loading of the filling (2), is determined on the basis of the determined resistances and/or the differences in the determined resistances. Procedure according to one of Claims 12 until 17 , in which in the first envelope surface portion (7,8) and/or in the second envelope surface portion (7,8) in at least one time interval at least two, preferably at least three, in particular at least four, electrodes (9) of at least a first group of electrodes (14,22,25,26), at least one second group of electrodes (15,23) and/or at least one third group of electrodes (16) the resistance is detected simultaneously. Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 18 , - in which in the first enveloping surface portion (7.8) and/or in the second enveloping surface portion (7.8) the first peripheral section (UA) comprises at most 40%, preferably at most 30%, in particular at most 25% of the cross-sectional circumference and/or - in which in the first envelope surface portion (7,8) and/or in the second envelope surface portion (7,8) the second circumferential section (UA) comprises at most 40%, preferably at most 30%, in particular at most 25% of the cross-sectional circumference and/or - in which in the first enveloping surface portion (7.8) and/or in the second enveloping surface portion (7.8) the third peripheral section (UA) comprises at most 40%, preferably at most 30%, in particular at most 25% of the cross-sectional circumference. Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 19 , in which in the first envelope surface portion (7,8) and/or in the second envelope surface portion (7,8) the cross section of the apparatus (1) is at least essentially circular, at least essentially oval and/or in the manner of a hexagon, heptagon, Octagon, nonagon or decagon is formed. Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 20 , in which in the first envelope surface portion (7,8) and/or in the second envelope surface portion (7,8) the first peripheral section (UA), the second peripheral section (UA) and/or the third peripheral section (UA) are each less than 70%, preferably less than 50%, in particular less than 30%, more particularly not at all, overlap. Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 21 , in which a fixed bed, a moving bed and/or a monolithic solid are used as filling (2) in the first envelope surface portion (7.8) and/or in the second envelope surface portion (7.8) and/or over the length of the process engineering apparatus (1) different fillings (2) are used. Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 22 , - in which the at least one first pair of electrodes (9) or the at least one first group of electrodes (14,22,25, 26) and/or the at least one second pair of electrodes (9) or the at least one second group of electrodes (15,23) and/or the at least one third pair of electrodes (9) or the at least one third group of electrodes ( 16) are arranged distributed over the circumference of the filling (2) and/or - in which the at least one first pair of electrodes (9) or the at least one first group of electrodes (14,22,25,26) and/or the at least one second pair of electrodes (9) or the at least one second group of electrodes (15,23) and/or the at least one third Pair of electrodes (9) or the at least one third group of electrodes (16) on the inside of a Container wall of the process engineering apparatus (1) are distributed. Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 23 , in which a container wall (12) with electrical insulation (13) provided on the inside of the container wall (12) outside the electrodes (9) is used and/or in which a container wall (12) made of an electrically non-conductive plastic or a ceramic material is used. Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 24 - in which a supercritical medium is passed through the process engineering apparatus (1) and/or - in which a sorbent, a catalyst and/or a catalyst support is used as filling material. Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 25 , - in which an electrothermal swing adsorption (ESA, ETSA), a temperature swing adsorption (TSA) or a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) is carried out in the process engineering apparatus (1) or - in which in the process engineering apparatus (1) a endothermic reaction, in particular a catalytic ammonia decomposition, a thermal triglyceride decomposition, a catalytic upgrading of pyrolysis vapors or a catalytic condensation of alcohols is carried out. Procedure according to one of Claims 11 until 26 and after one of Claims 1 until 11 .

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