Chemical reactor with plate type heat exchange unit

Abstract

An isothermal chemical reactor (1) is described comprising a plate (30) heat exchange unit (12), immersed in a catalytic bed (7) and destined to heat or cool the reagents in order to maintain the reaction temperature in a predetermined range; said plates (30) are formed by two flat walls (31, 32) and longitudinal spacers (33), with obtainment of parallel channels (34) for the circulation of a heat exchange fluid.

Description

technical field [0001] In its most general aspect, the invention relates to the technical field of chemical reactors internally equipped with plate heat exchange units or plate heat exchangers. [0002] As a non-limiting example, the invention is applicable to isothermal or pseudo-isothermal chemical reactors (for exothermic or endothermic heterogeneous reactions) equipped with internal heat exchangers immersed in catalytic layers, or equipped with operating conditions Reactor with internal heat exchanger submerged in fluid. Background technique [0003] Different types of known chemical reactors are equipped with at least one internal heat exchanger suitable for supplying or removing heat from the chemical reactions taking place within the reactor itself. [0004] The first example describes a so-called isothermal or pseudo-isothermal reactor, usually comprising a heat exchanger immersed in a catalytic layer, the purpose of which is to remove heat from the reagents in the ...

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Problems solved by technology

[0013] The use of expanded plate exchangers is known, e.g., in reactors for operating methanol synthesis at 70-80 bar, but for higher pressure differentials (e.g., around 100 bar or over 100 bar), it does not appear to be feasible. easy to apply

In practice, the resistance to flattening is substantially determined by the thickness of the plates and the spacing of the welds between themselves; however, the impossibility of an increase in thickness due to expansion processes cannot exceed certain limits, and, for the same reason, cannot Reduce the spacing of the solder joints (i.e. bring them closer to each other) beyond a certain limit

It must be noted that the cost of the manufacturing process including the high pressure hydraulic expansion described above is relatively high

[0014] The above problems prevent and limit the widespread use of plate heat exchangers in chemical reactors operating in high pressure and / or aggressive environments

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