US20120210995A1 - Reactor with Channels - Google Patents

Reactor with Channels Download PDF

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Publication number
US20120210995A1
US20120210995A1 US13/503,756 US201013503756A US2012210995A1 US 20120210995 A1 US20120210995 A1 US 20120210995A1 US 201013503756 A US201013503756 A US 201013503756A US 2012210995 A1 US2012210995 A1 US 2012210995A1
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Prior art keywords
reactor
channels
flow channels
flow
block
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David James West
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CompactGTL Ltd
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CompactGTL PLC
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Publication of US20120210995A1 publication Critical patent/US20120210995A1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J19/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J19/24—Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J19/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J19/24—Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
    • B01J19/248—Reactors comprising multiple separated flow channels
    • B01J19/249—Plate-type reactors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J8/00—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes
    • B01J8/18—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes with fluidised particles
    • B01J8/20—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes with fluidised particles with liquid as a fluidising medium
    • B01J8/22—Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles; Apparatus for such processes with fluidised particles with liquid as a fluidising medium gas being introduced into the liquid
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D9/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
    • F28D9/0062—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits for one heat-exchange medium being formed by spaced plates with inserted elements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D9/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
    • F28D9/0062—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits for one heat-exchange medium being formed by spaced plates with inserted elements
    • F28D9/0068—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits for one heat-exchange medium being formed by spaced plates with inserted elements with means for changing flow direction of one heat exchange medium, e.g. using deflecting zones
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/24—Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
    • B01J2219/2401—Reactors comprising multiple separate flow channels
    • B01J2219/245—Plate-type reactors
    • B01J2219/2451—Geometry of the reactor
    • B01J2219/2453—Plates arranged in parallel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/24—Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
    • B01J2219/2401—Reactors comprising multiple separate flow channels
    • B01J2219/245—Plate-type reactors
    • B01J2219/2451—Geometry of the reactor
    • B01J2219/2456—Geometry of the plates
    • B01J2219/2458—Flat plates, i.e. plates which are not corrugated or otherwise structured, e.g. plates with cylindrical shape
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/24—Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
    • B01J2219/2401—Reactors comprising multiple separate flow channels
    • B01J2219/245—Plate-type reactors
    • B01J2219/2451—Geometry of the reactor
    • B01J2219/2456—Geometry of the plates
    • B01J2219/2459—Corrugated plates
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/24—Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
    • B01J2219/2401—Reactors comprising multiple separate flow channels
    • B01J2219/245—Plate-type reactors
    • B01J2219/2461—Heat exchange aspects
    • B01J2219/2462—Heat exchange aspects the reactants being in indirect heat exchange with a non reacting heat exchange medium
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/24—Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
    • B01J2219/2401—Reactors comprising multiple separate flow channels
    • B01J2219/245—Plate-type reactors
    • B01J2219/2461—Heat exchange aspects
    • B01J2219/2465—Two reactions in indirect heat exchange with each other
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/24—Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
    • B01J2219/2401—Reactors comprising multiple separate flow channels
    • B01J2219/245—Plate-type reactors
    • B01J2219/2469—Feeding means
    • B01J2219/2471—Feeding means for the catalyst
    • B01J2219/2472—Feeding means for the catalyst the catalyst being exchangeable on inserts other than plates, e.g. in bags
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/24—Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
    • B01J2219/2401—Reactors comprising multiple separate flow channels
    • B01J2219/245—Plate-type reactors
    • B01J2219/2476—Construction materials
    • B01J2219/2477—Construction materials of the catalysts
    • B01J2219/2479—Catalysts coated on the surface of plates or inserts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/24—Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
    • B01J2219/2401—Reactors comprising multiple separate flow channels
    • B01J2219/245—Plate-type reactors
    • B01J2219/2476—Construction materials
    • B01J2219/2483—Construction materials of the plates
    • B01J2219/2485—Metals or alloys
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J2219/24—Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
    • B01J2219/2401—Reactors comprising multiple separate flow channels
    • B01J2219/245—Plate-type reactors
    • B01J2219/2491—Other constructional details
    • B01J2219/2497—Size aspects, i.e. concrete sizes are being mentioned in the classified document

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a reactor with channels for performing chemical reactions at elevated temperatures, for example Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, or steam methane reforming, and to a reactor block that may be used to form the reactor.
  • a catalytic reactor consisting of a stack of metal sheets that define first and second flow channels, where catalyst is provided on removable inserts such as corrugated foils within the flow channels, is described for example in WO 03/006149, which describes use of such a reactor for performing various chemical reactions including steam methane reforming.
  • the channels may be defined by flat plates spaced apart by castellated plates, or flat plates space apart by spacer bars, or by grooved plates.
  • Another type of reactor utilises tubes.
  • Steam methane reforming is an endothermic reaction that requires an elevated temperature, typically above 750° C.; and the requisite heat may be provided by a combustion reaction taking place in the other set of channels within the catalytic reactor.
  • Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is an exothermic reaction, so in this case the channels adjacent to those for the synthesis reaction may carry a coolant.
  • thermal runaway not only do thermal gradients within a reactor tend to lead to stresses within the material forming a reactor, but there is also a further risk of thermal runaway. With some exothermic catalytic reactions the rate of reaction may increase as the temperature increases; and in such a case there is a positive feedback between the reaction rate and the temperature within the reactor. This can lead to a rapid increase of temperature, referred to as a thermal runaway, and this can result in damage to the catalyst or to the reactor, or both, and would reduce the useful life of the reactor.
  • a reactor defining first and second flow channels within the reactor, wherein the first flow channels are for fluids that undergo an exothermic reaction and the second flow channels are for a heat-removing fluid, wherein the channels at each end of the reactor are such that no heat is generated within them.
  • first and second flow channels for first and second fluids
  • the reactor might define flow channels for more than two different fluids.
  • the channels in which no heat is generated are not flow channels, that is to say no fluids flow through those channels, as they are blocked off at one or both of their ends (“non-flow channels”).
  • non-flow channels there may be a plurality of such non-flow channels at the end of the reactor, for example two or three.
  • the flow channel nearest to each end of the reactor is a second flow channel, and may be of smaller cross-sectional area than other second flow channels in the reactor.
  • Such a reactor may be made of blocks, each block defining a plurality of first and second flow channels, wherein the first flow channels are for fluids that undergo an exothermic reaction and the second flow channels are for a heat-removing fluid, wherein the channels at each end of the block are second flow channels.
  • these channels may be of smaller cross-sectional area than other second flow channels in the block, by being less high (in the direction of heat transfer). Since they are provided with heat on only one side they are preferably no more than 50% as high as other second flow channels within the block.
  • a reactor may be made of blocks, each block defining a plurality of first and second flow channels, wherein the first flow channels are for fluids that undergo an exothermic reaction and the second flow channels are for a heat-removing fluid, wherein the channels at each end of the block are first flow channels and are of smaller cross-sectional area than other first flow channels in the block, by being less high (in the direction of heat transfer). They are preferably no more than 50% as high as other first flow channels within the block.
  • the heat-removing fluid may be a fluid that undergoes an endothermic reaction.
  • the heat-removing fluid may be a coolant.
  • This gap is preferably less than 5 mm wide.
  • each reactor block comprises a stack of metal sheets that are arranged to define the first and second flow channels, the first and second flow channels being arranged alternately within the stack, and there are removable catalyst-carrying gas-permeable non-structural elements within each flow channel in which a reaction is to be performed.
  • first and second flow channels may be defined by grooves in plates arranged as a stack, or by spacing strips and plates in a stack, the stack then being bonded together.
  • the flow channels may be defined by thin metal sheets that are castellated and stacked alternately with flat sheets; the edges of the flow channels may be defined by sealing strips.
  • the stack of plates forming the reactor is bonded together for example by diffusion bonding, brazing, or hot isostatic pressing.
  • both the first and the second flow channels may be between 20 mm and 1 mm high (in cross-section); and each channel may be of width between about 1.5 mm and 25 mm.
  • the plates in plan view
  • the plates might be of width in the range 0.05 m up to 1 m, and of length in the range 0.2 m up to 2 m, and the flow channels are preferably of height between 2 mm and 10 mm (depending on the nature of the chemical reaction).
  • the plates might be 0.5 m wide and 1.0 m long, or 0.6 m wide and 0.8 m long; and they may for example define channels 7 mm high and 6 mm wide, or 3 mm high and 10 mm wide, or 10 mm high and 5 mm wide.
  • Arranging the first and second flow channels to alternate in the stack helps ensure good heat transfer between fluids in those channels.
  • the first flow channels may be those for combustion (to generate heat) and the second flow channels may be for steam/methane reforming (which requires heat).
  • the catalyst structures are inserted into the channels, and can be removed for replacement, and do not provide strength to the reactor, so the reactor itself must be sufficiently strong to resist any pressure forces or thermal stresses during operation.
  • each such catalyst structure is shaped so as to subdivide the flow channel into a multiplicity of parallel flow sub-channels.
  • each catalyst structure includes a ceramic support material on the metal substrate, which provides a support for the catalyst.
  • the metal substrate provides strength to the catalyst structure and enhances thermal transfer by conduction.
  • the metal substrate is of a steel alloy that forms an adherent surface coating of aluminium oxide when heated, for example a ferritic steel alloy that incorporates aluminium (eg FecralloyTM), although the metal substrate may alternatively be of a different material such as stainless steel or aluminium, depending on the temperature and the chemical environment to which it is to be exposed.
  • the substrate may be a foil, a wire mesh or a felt sheet, which may be corrugated, dimpled or pleated; the preferred substrate is a thin metal foil for example of thickness no more than 200 ⁇ m, which is corrugated to define the longitudinal sub-channels.
  • a flame arrestor is preferably provided at the inlet to each flow channel for combustion to ensure a flame cannot propagate back into the combustible gas mixture being fed to the combustion channel.
  • This may be within an inlet part of each combustion channel, for example in the form of a non-catalytic insert that subdivides a portion of the combustion channel adjacent to the inlet into a multiplicity of narrow flow paths which are no wider than the maximum gap size for preventing flame propagation.
  • a non-catalytic insert may be a longitudinally-corrugated foil or a plurality of longitudinally-corrugated foils in a stack.
  • a flame arrestor may be provided within the header.
  • the channels may be square in cross-section, or may be of height either greater than or less than the width; the height refers to the dimension in the direction of the stack, that is in the direction for heat transfer.
  • the catalyst element may for example comprise a single shaped foil, for example a corrugated foil; this is particularly suitable where the channel's minimum cross-sectional dimension is no more than about 3 mm, although it is also applicable in wider channels.
  • the catalyst structure may comprise a plurality of such shaped foils separated by substantially flat foils.
  • the combustion channels are preferably less than 10 mm high.
  • the channels are preferably at least 1 mm high, or it becomes difficult to insert the catalyst structures, and engineering tolerances become more critical.
  • the channels might all be 7 mm high and 6 mm wide, and in each case the catalyst element may comprise a single shaped foil, or a plurality of shaped foils.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view, partly in section, of part of a reactor block suitable for steam/methane reforming (the section being on the line 1 - 1 of FIG. 2 );
  • FIGS. 1 a and 1 b show modifications to the reactor of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 2 shows a side view of the assembled reactor block of FIG. 1 showing the flow paths
  • FIGS. 3 a , 3 b and 3 c show plan views of parts of the reactor block of FIG. 1 during assembly
  • FIG. 4 shows a perspective view, partly exploded, of a reactor that incorporates reactor blocks similar to that of FIG. 1 .
  • the invention would be applicable to a process for making synthesis gas, that is to say a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, from natural gas by steam reforming.
  • the synthesis gas may, for example, subsequently be used to make longer-chain hydrocarbons by a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.
  • the steam reforming reaction is brought about by mixing steam and methane, and contacting the mixture with a suitable catalyst at an elevated temperature so the steam and methane react to form carbon monoxide and hydrogen.
  • the steam reforming reaction is endothermic, and the heat may be provided by catalytic combustion, for example of hydrocarbons and/or hydrogen mixed with air, so combustion takes place over a combustion catalyst within adjacent flow channels within the reforming reactor.
  • the reactor block 10 suitable for use as a steam reforming reactor, or for use in a steam reforming reactor.
  • the reactor block 10 defines channels for a catalytic combustion process and channels for steam methane reforming.
  • the reactor 10 consists of a stack of plates that are rectangular in plan view, each plate being of corrosion resistant high-temperature alloy such as Inconel 625, Incoloy 800HT or Haynes HR-120.
  • Flat plates 12 typically of thickness in the range 0.5 to 4 mm, in this case 2.0 mm thick, are arranged alternately with castellated plates 14 or 15 , so the castellations define channels 16 or 17 .
  • the castellated plates 14 and 15 are arranged in the stack alternately.
  • the thickness of the castellated plates 14 and 15 is in each case 0.9 mm.
  • the wavelengths of the castellations in the castellated plates 14 and 15 may be different from each other, but as shown in the figure in a preferred embodiment the wavelengths are the same, so that in each case successive fins or ligaments are 10 mm apart.
  • the castellated plates 14 and 15 may be referred to as fin structures.
  • a flat end plate 19 At each end of the stack is a flat end plate 19 , which in this case is also of thickness 2.0 mm.
  • the channels defined in the last two castellated plates 14 a and 15 a adjacent to the end plate 19 are non-flow channels 20 .
  • the end plate may be of different thickness, typically a greater thickness in the range 2.0 up to 10 mm.
  • the number of castellated plates 14 , 14 a, 15 and 15 a in the reactor block 10 is thirteen, so that the overall height of the reactor block 10 is 78.7 mm.
  • each castellated sheet 14 or 15 in FIG. 1 Although only five channels are shown as being defined by each castellated sheet 14 or 15 in FIG. 1 , in a practical reactor there might be many more, for example over forty channels in a reactor block 10 of overall width about 500 mm.
  • each of the channels 16 and 17 is then inserted a respective catalytic insert 22 or 24 (only one of each are shown in FIG. 1 ), carrying a catalyst for the respective reaction.
  • These inserts 22 and 24 preferably have a metal substrate and a ceramic coating acting as a support for the active catalytic material, and the metal substrate may be a thin metal foil.
  • the insert 22 , 24 may comprise a stack of corrugated foils and flat foils, or a single corrugated foil, occupying the respective flow channel 16 or 17 , each foil being of thickness less than 0.1 mm, for example 50 microns. (There are no such catalytic inserts in the non-flow channels 20 .)
  • FIGS. 1 a and 1 b there are shown some modifications to the reactor block 10 . Whereas the channels 16 and 17 of the reactor block 10 are wider than they are high, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b they may instead be higher than they are wide.
  • the inserts 22 and 24 shown in FIG. 1 consist of a single corrugated foil within each channel; in figure la the insert 22 a is again of a single corrugated foil, whereas in FIG. 1 b the insert 22 b comprises a stack of corrugated foils and flat foils.
  • FIG. 2 there is shown a side view of the assembled reactor block 10 .
  • the gas mixture undergoing combustion enters a header 30 at one end of the reactor block 10 (top, as shown) and after passing through a baffle plate flame arrestor 31 follows the flow channels 17 that extend straight along most of the length of the reactor 10 .
  • the flow channels 17 change direction through 90° to connect to a header 32 at the side of the other end of the reactor 10 (bottom right as shown), this flow path being shown as a broken line C.
  • the gas mixture that is to undergo the steam methane reforming reaction enters a header 34 at the side of the one end of the reactor block 10 (top left, as shown), passes through a baffle plate 35 and then changes direction through 90° to flow through flow channels 16 that extend straight along most of the length of the reactor block 10 , to emerge through a header 36 at the other end (bottom, as shown), this flow path being shown as a chain dotted line S.
  • the arrangement is therefore such that the flows are co-current; and is such that each of the flow channels 16 and 17 is straight along most of it length, and communicates with a header 30 or 36 at an end of the reactor block 10 , so that the catalyst inserts 22 and 24 can be readily inserted before the headers 30 or 36 are attached. It may be preferable to provide catalyst inserts 22 and 24 only along those parts of the straight portions of the flow channel 16 and 17 that are adjacent to each other.
  • Each of the flat plates 12 shown in FIG. 1 is, in this example, of dimensions 500 mm wide and 1.0 m long, and that is consequently the cross-sectional area of the reactor block 10 .
  • FIG. 3 a there is shown a plan view of a portion of the reactor block 10 during assembly, showing the castellated plate 15 (this view being in a plane parallel to that of the view of FIG. 2 ).
  • the castellated plate 15 is of length 800 mm, and of width 460 mm, and the side bars 18 are of width 20 mm.
  • the top end of the castellated plate 15 is aligned with the top edge of the flat plate 12 , so it is open (to communicate with the header 30 ).
  • One of the side bars 18 (the left one as shown) is 1.0 m long, and is joined to an equivalent end bar 18 a that extends across the end. There is consequently a 180 mm wide gap at the bottom right-hand corner (to communicate with the header 32 ).
  • the rectangular region between the bottom end of the castellated plate 15 and the end bar 18 a is occupied by two triangular portions 26 and 27 of castellated plate: a first portion 26 has castellations parallel to the end bar 18 a, and extends to the edge of the stack (so as to communicate with the header 32 ), whereas the second portion 27 has castellations parallel to those in the castellated plate 15 .
  • FIG. 3 b there is shown a view, equivalent to that of FIG. 3 a , but showing a castellated plate 14 .
  • the castellated plate 14 is again of length 800 mm, and of width 460 mm, and the side bars 18 are of width 20 mm.
  • the bottom end of the castellated plate 14 is aligned with the bottom edge of the flat plate 12 , so it is open (to communicate with the header 36 ).
  • One of the side bars 18 (the right one as shown) is 1.0 m long, and is joined to an equivalent end bar 18 a that extends across the end. There is consequently a 180 mm wide gap at the top left-hand corner (to communicate with the header 34 ).
  • a first portion 26 has castellations parallel to the end bar 18 a, and extends to the edge of the stack (so as to communicate with the header 34 ), while the other portion 27 has castellations parallel to those in the castellated plate 14 .
  • FIG. 3 c there is shown a view, equivalent to that of FIGS. 3 a and 3 b , but showing a castellated plate 14 a defining one of the non flow channels 20 .
  • the castellated plate 14 a is of length 960 mm, and again of width 460 mm.
  • both the side bars 18 are 1.0 m long, and they connect to end bars 18 a at each end. Consequently there is no fluid flow through the non-flow channels 20 .
  • there are small bleed holes 28 at the top right-hand corner and bottom left-hand corner as shown, so that the non-flow channels 20 are at the pressure of the surroundings.
  • castellated plate 15 and the portion of castellated plate 27 may be integral with each other, as they have identical and parallel castellations; and similarly the castellated plate 14 and the adjacent portion of castellated plate 27 may be integral with each other.
  • the castellations on the triangular portions 26 and 27 have the same shape as those on the channel-defining portions 14 or 15 .
  • catalyst inserts 22 and 24 are inserted into the reaction channels 16 and 17 .
  • the catalyst inserts 24 are of length 600 mm so as to occupy the bottom three-quarters of the straight channels as shown in plan in FIG. 3 a , this portion being indicated by the arrow P, and the other 200 mm indicated by the arrow Q are occupied by a non-catalytic spacer which may be in the form of a loosely-fitting corrugated foil.
  • the catalyst inserts 22 are of length 600 mm, and as indicated by the arrow R the catalyst inserts 22 occupy the upper three-quarters of the straight channels as shown in plan in FIG. 3 b ; the other 200 mm as indicated by the arrow Q are occupied by a non-catalytic spacer.
  • a wire mesh (not shown) may be attached across the bottom end of the reactor block 10 so that the spacers and catalyst inserts 22 do not fall out of the flow channels 16 when the reactor block 10 is in its upright position (as shown in FIG. 2 ). It will hence be appreciated that the catalytic inserts 22 and 24 are only present in those portions of the flow channels 16 and 17 which are immediately adjacent to each other.
  • headers 30 , 32 , 34 and 36 might then be attached to the reactor block 10 .
  • FIG. 4 there is shown a reactor 40 .
  • This consists of several reactor blocks 10 a and 10 b that are similar to the reactor block 10 of FIG. 1 .
  • These end blocks 10 a differ from the reactor block 10 in that they have non-flow channels 20 at only one end of the stack, that being the end which forms the end of the reactor 40 ; at the other end of the reactor block 10 a there are flow channels 16 for the steam methane reforming gas flow S.
  • Between these end blocks 10 a are several inner blocks 10 b which differ from the end blocks 10 a in having no non-flow channels 20 ; at both ends of each inner block 10 b are flow channels 16 for the steam methane reforming gas flow S.
  • the reactor blocks 10 a or 10 b are welded to one another in such a way as to leave gaps 2.3 mm wide between successive blocks, the welding filling in the gaps around the edges in those positions where headers 30 , 32 , 34 and 36 (see also FIG. 2 ) are to be attached, but leaving an open gap 41 (only three shown) on those portions of the sides where no header is to be attached.
  • This may be achieved either by holding the blocks at the desired spacing, and welding across the gap; or by placing spacer bars 2.3 mm thick between the blocks along those portions that are to be filled in, and welding the blocks and the spacer bars together.
  • Headers 30 , 32 , 34 and 36 are then attached to the reactor 40 .
  • each header extends over the entire length of the reactor 40 , which in this case is of total length 1.0 m, each header 30 , 32 , 34 and 36 having a single fluid inlet or outlet duct 42 , 43 , 44 and 45 for the respective fluids C, S.
  • the reactor block 10 or the reactor 40 may be used as part of a plant for producing synthesis gas from a mixture of methane and steam.
  • a combustible gas mixture (see arrows C) would be supplied to the header 30 , so as to flow along the flow paths 17 in which it undergoes catalytic combustion, the exhaust gases emerging into the header 32 .
  • a mixture of methane and steam (see arrows S) would be supplied to the header 34 so as to flow along the flow paths 16 in which are the catalyst inserts 22 , typically being supplied at a temperature of about 600° C., and the mixture is raised to a temperature of about 770° C. as it passes through the reactor 40 .
  • the resulting synthesis gas emerges into the header 36 , so as to emerge through the outlet duct 45 .
  • the outermost flow channels in which gas flow occurs in the reactor 40 are reforming channels 16 . Heat transfer from these outermost channels is restricted by the provision of the non-flow channels 20 . This reduces the thermal gradients within the reactor 40 , and so decreases the thermal stresses to which it is subjected.
  • those outermost reforming channels 16 may be of smaller height than the other reforming channels 16 in the reactor block 10 .
  • they may be of height between 30 and 70% that of the other reforming channels, most preferably between 45 and 55% that of the other reforming channels 16 .
  • the corresponding inserts 22 would therefore have also to be of less height.
  • each inner reactor block 10 b the outermost flow channels are reforming channels, the reactor design described above ensures that combustion channels are not adjacent to combustion channels, which is advantageous for reducing thermal gradients.
  • the air gap between successive blocks 10 a, 10 b may be open at the sides to allow air circulation, as indicated above, or alternatively the blocks may be welded together around their entire periphery so that the air is enclosed. Such an air gap inhibits heat transfer.
  • the reactor block 10 and the reactor 40 may be modified in various ways while remaining within the scope of the present invention.
  • the channel arrangements within the reactor block 10 is NNSCSCSCSCSNN (i.e. thirteen layers of channels alternating between steam reforming (S), and combustion (C), the outermost being steam reforming, but with two non-flow layers (N) at the ends).
  • the outermost layers are combustion, so that the layers would be NNCSCSCSCSCNN.
  • SCSCSCSCSCSCS within each inner reactor block 10 b the channel arrangements.
  • the outermost layers are combustion: CSCSCSCSCSC; in this situation the outermost channels are of smaller height than the other combustion channels 17 in the block 10 ; they may for example be between 40% and 70% of the cross-sectional area of the other combustion channels, for example 50%. It will be appreciated that the number of layers within a reactor block may differ from that described. For example each inner reactor block might have only three layers, and these might be arranged either SCS or CSC.
  • the flow directions of the first flow channels and the second flow channels are shown as being parallel, in co-flow, in the reactor described above, the flow directions may be parallel in counter-flow, or alternatively the flow directions may be in transverse directions, or may be at an oblique angle.

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US13/503,756 2009-10-26 2010-10-12 Reactor with Channels Abandoned US20120210995A1 (en)

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GBGB0918738.6A GB0918738D0 (en) 2009-10-26 2009-10-26 Reactor with channels
PCT/GB2010/051712 WO2011051696A1 (en) 2009-10-26 2010-10-12 Reactor with channels

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AU (1) AU2010311190A1 (ko)
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US10118148B2 (en) 2015-06-08 2018-11-06 Ihi Corporation Reactor
US10928137B2 (en) 2016-10-13 2021-02-23 Ihi Corporation Pressure vessel
US11145423B2 (en) 2016-11-25 2021-10-12 Ihi Corporation Pressure vessel
US11177046B2 (en) 2016-11-25 2021-11-16 Ihi Corporation Pressure vessel
US11413598B2 (en) 2018-05-17 2022-08-16 Ihi Corporation Reactor

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US10928137B2 (en) 2016-10-13 2021-02-23 Ihi Corporation Pressure vessel
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US11177046B2 (en) 2016-11-25 2021-11-16 Ihi Corporation Pressure vessel
US11413598B2 (en) 2018-05-17 2022-08-16 Ihi Corporation Reactor

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CA2775652A1 (en) 2011-05-05
KR20120106738A (ko) 2012-09-26
AU2010311190A1 (en) 2012-05-10
JP2013508150A (ja) 2013-03-07
AU2010311190A2 (en) 2012-05-10
GB0918738D0 (en) 2009-12-09
TW201125635A (en) 2011-08-01
MX2012004595A (es) 2012-05-29
BR112012007908A2 (pt) 2017-12-12
CN102596391A (zh) 2012-07-18
EA201290227A1 (ru) 2012-12-28
ZA201202378B (en) 2013-06-26
WO2011051696A1 (en) 2011-05-05
EP2493603A1 (en) 2012-09-05
BR112012007908A8 (pt) 2017-12-26

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