Loop reaction tower

Abstract

The loop reaction tower comprises a tower body and a circulating device, and the tower body is sequentially provided with a heavy phase outlet, a feeding port and a light phase outlet from bottom to top; the two circulating devices are sequentially communicated with the tower body from bottom to top and are arranged between the light phase outlet and the heavy phase outlet, and the feeding ends of the circulating devices are positioned above the discharging ends of the circulating devices. Compared with the prior art, the loop reaction tower provided by the invention is provided with two sets of circulating devices, two times of circular reaction and two times of settling separation can be completed in the tower body, the technical effects of two reaction towers and a settling separation tower are realized, and the equipment cost and the occupied area of the equipment are greatly reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of reaction tower technology, and more specifically to a loop reaction tower. Background Technology

[0002] The process of producing glycerin from waste cooking oil and methanol typically requires multiple reaction towers and sedimentation towers, involving continuous reactions and sedimentation separations to improve the conversion rate of raw materials and the purity of the obtained crude glycerin. This results in high investment in production equipment and a large footprint. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned technical deficiencies and propose a loop reaction tower to solve the technical problems of existing technologies that require multiple reaction towers and separation towers, resulting in high equipment costs and large floor space requirements.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: This invention provides a loop reaction tower, comprising: a tower body and a circulation device. The tower body is provided with a heavy phase outlet, a feed inlet, and a light phase outlet from bottom to top; The two circulation devices are connected to the tower body from bottom to top and are arranged between the light phase outlet and the heavy phase outlet, with the feed end of the circulation device located above its discharge end.

[0005] In some embodiments, a grid plate is further included, which is built into the tower body and fixedly connected to the inner wall of the tower body to separate a heavy phase settling separation zone located below the grid plate in the tower body. The heavy phase outlet is connected to the heavy phase settling separation zone, and the feed inlet, the light phase outlet and the circulation device are all located above the grid plate.

[0006] In some embodiments, the two circulation devices include a first circulation device and a second circulation device arranged sequentially from bottom to top. The discharge end of the second circulation device is disposed in the tower body and is separated in the tower body into a light phase sedimentation separation zone above its discharge end and a loop reaction zone between its discharge end and the grid plate. The first circulation device and the feed inlet are connected to the loop reaction zone, and the light phase outlet is connected to the light phase sedimentation separation zone.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first circulation device includes a first circulation pipe, a first circulation pump, and a first distributor. The upper end of the first circulation pipe is connected to the loop reaction zone, and its lower end extends into the loop reaction zone and is connected to the first distributor. The first distributor is disposed in the loop reaction zone and its discharge end is arranged upward. The first circulation pump is disposed on the first circulation pipe to drive the material to flow from the upper end of the first circulation pipe to the first distributor.

[0008] In some embodiments, a feed pipe is further included, the feed pipe being connected to the first circulating pump.

[0009] In some embodiments, the second circulation device further includes a second circulation pipe, a second circulation pump, and a micro / nano distributor. The upper end of the second circulation pipe is connected to the light phase sedimentation separation zone, and its lower end extends into the tower body and is connected to the micro / nano distributor. The discharge end of the micro / nano distributor is arranged downward. The second circulation pump is disposed on the second circulation pipe to drive the material to flow from the upper end of the second circulation pipe to the micro / nano distributor.

[0010] In some embodiments, a heating device is further included, the heating device comprising a heater disposed within the loop reaction zone and located between the upper end of the first circulation tube and the first distributor.

[0011] In some embodiments, the heating device further includes a temperature sensor and a controller, the temperature sensor being disposed in the light phase sedimentation separation zone and connected to the heater via the controller.

[0012] In some embodiments, a heavy phase discharge pipe is further included, which is connected to the heavy phase outlet and is also connected to the feed pipe or the first circulating pump.

[0013] In some embodiments, the top of the tower body is also provided with an exhaust outlet.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the loop reaction tower provided by the present invention has two sets of circulation devices, which can complete two circulation reactions and two sedimentation separations in the tower body, achieving the technical effect of two reaction towers and two sedimentation separation towers, and significantly reducing equipment costs and equipment footprint. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the loop reaction tower provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0016] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0017] To address the technical problems of high equipment cost and large footprint, this invention provides a loop reaction tower that achieves the technical effects of two reaction towers and two sedimentation separation towers, significantly reducing equipment cost and footprint.

[0018] It should be noted that the loop reaction tower described in this invention is used for, but not limited to, the production of glycerol from oils and fats. For ease of explanation, this invention will only use the production of glycerol from the loop reaction tower as an example. The principle of the loop reaction tower in other production activities is essentially the same as that in the production of glycerol, and will not be described in detail here.

[0019] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a loop reaction tower in one embodiment of the present invention. The loop reaction tower includes a tower body 1 and a circulation device.

[0020] The column body 1 is provided with a heavy phase outlet 11, a feed inlet, and a light phase outlet 12 from bottom to top. A mixture of oil, methanol, and catalyst in a specific ratio is fed into the column body 1 through the feed inlet, where it reacts to produce glycerol and fatty acid methyl esters. Glycerol has a higher density than fatty acid methyl esters; therefore, crude glycerol containing impurities is discharged from the heavy phase outlet 11, while crude fatty acid methyl ester containing impurities overflows from the light phase outlet 12.

[0021] Two circulation devices are connected to the tower body 1 from bottom to top and are arranged between the light phase outlet 12 and the heavy phase outlet 11. The feed end of the circulation device is located above its discharge end, and is used to transport the material above to the bottom for reaction again, thereby improving the material conversion rate.

[0022] In some embodiments, the top of the tower body 1 is also provided with a tail gas outlet 13 for discharging tail gas generated during production. The tail gas outlet 13 can be connected to a tail gas treatment device.

[0023] Of the two circulation devices, the one located at the bottom is the first circulation device 2, and the one located at the top is the second circulation device 3.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first circulation device 2 includes a first circulation pipe 21, a first circulation pump 22, and a first distributor 23. The upper end of the first circulation pipe 21 is connected to the tower body 1, and its lower end extends into the tower body 1 and is connected to the first distributor 23. The discharge end of the first distributor 23 is arranged facing upward. The first circulation pump 22 is disposed on the first circulation pipe 21 to drive the material to flow from the upper end of the first circulation pipe 21 to the first distributor 23, and spray it upward from the first distributor 23.

[0025] In some embodiments, the second circulation device 3 further includes a second circulation pipe 31, a second circulation pump 32, and a micro / nano distributor 33. The upper end of the second circulation pipe 31 is connected to the tower body 1, and its lower end extends into the tower body 1 and is connected to the micro / nano distributor 33. The discharge end of the micro / nano distributor 33 is arranged downwards. The second circulation pump 32 is disposed on the second circulation pipe 31 to drive the material to flow from the upper end of the second circulation pipe 31 to the micro / nano distributor 33, and spray it downwards from the micro / nano distributor 33. The micro / nano distributor 33 can disperse the material into a size of hundreds of nanometers, increasing the contact area between different materials and improving the material conversion rate.

[0026] In some embodiments, the loop reactor further includes a grid plate 4, which is built into the tower body 1 and fixedly connected to the inner wall of the tower body 1. The grid plate 4 divides the tower body 1 into a heavy phase settling separation zone 101 located below the grid plate 4. The heavy phase outlet 11 is connected to the heavy phase settling separation zone 101. The feed inlet, the light phase outlet 12, and the two circulation devices are all located above the grid plate 4. The material can pass through the grid plate 4, but the presence of the grid plate 4 can slow down the material's passage speed, causing the material to stay above the grid plate 4 for a longer time.

[0027] Furthermore, the micro / nano distributor 33 separates a loop reaction zone 102 located between the micro / nano distributor 33 and the grid plate 4 within the tower body, and a light phase sedimentation separation zone 103 located above the micro / nano distributor 33. The first circulation device 2 and the feed inlet are connected to the loop reaction zone 102, that is, the first circulation pipe 21 is connected to the loop reaction zone, and the first distributor 23 is located within the loop reaction zone 102. The light phase outlet 12 is connected to the light phase sedimentation separation zone 103, and the second circulation pipe 31 is also connected to the light phase sedimentation separation zone 103.

[0028] In some embodiments, the loop reaction tower further includes a feed pipe 5, which is connected to a first circulating pump 32. In this embodiment, the material is not directly conveyed into the tower body 1 through the feed pipe 5, but is first conveyed to the first circulating pump 32, mixed with the material in the first circulating pipe 31, and then propelled by the first circulating pump 32 to be sprayed into the loop reaction zone 102 from the first distributor 33. It is easy to understand that in this embodiment, there is no need to separately provide a feed inlet on the tower body 1.

[0029] In some embodiments, the loop reaction tower further includes a heavy phase discharge pipe 6, which is connected to the heavy phase outlet 11 and also connected to the feed pipe 5 or the first circulating pump 32. A valve is provided on the heavy phase discharge pipe 6, and a valve is also provided between the heavy phase discharge pipe 6 and the feed pipe 5 or the first circulating pump 32.

[0030] The crude glycerol produced in the loop reaction zone 102 passes through the grid plate 4 and falls into the heavy phase sedimentation separation zone 101. In the heavy phase sedimentation separation zone 101, the crude glycerol settles and separates, with fatty acid methyl esters, oils, methanol, and other impurities in the upper layer. The heavy phase sedimentation separation zone 101 is preferably equipped with a liquid level detection device, such as a level gauge or a transparent observation window. When the liquid level reaches a preset upper limit, the valve on the heavy phase discharge pipe 6 is opened, and the crude glycerol is discharged through the heavy phase discharge pipe 6. After purification by the purification equipment, the glycerol product is obtained. Then, the valve also installed between the heavy phase discharge pipe 6 and the feed pipe 5 or the first circulation pump 32 is opened, and the first circulation pump 32 draws the fatty acid methyl esters, oils, methanol, and other impurities in the heavy phase sedimentation separation zone 101 back into the loop reaction zone 102 for reaction, improving the material conversion rate.

[0031] In some embodiments, the loop reaction tower further includes a heating device 7, which includes a heater 71 disposed within the loop reaction zone 102 and located between the upper end of the first circulation pipe 31 and the first distributor 33. The heater 71 may be in the form of electric heating, steam heating, or the like, to maintain the reaction temperature within the loop reaction zone 102.

[0032] In some embodiments, the heating device 7 further includes a temperature sensor 72 and a controller 73. The temperature sensor 72 is disposed in the light phase sedimentation separation zone 103 and is connected to the heater 71 via the controller 73. By detecting the temperature of the light phase sedimentation separation zone 103, the temperature sensor 72 indirectly infers the temperature of the loop reaction zone 102, thereby adjusting the heating power of the heater 71 through feedback from the controller 73 to keep the reaction temperature within a suitable range.

[0033] It is easy to understand that, if necessary, valves can be installed on each pipeline of this loop reaction tower to control the flow of materials.

[0034] During production, a mixture of oil, methanol, and catalyst, prepared in a specific ratio, is injected into the loop reaction zone 102 from the first distributor 23, driven by the first circulation pump 22. The reaction occurs within the loop reaction zone 102, yielding glycerol and fatty acid methyl esters. Crude glycerol containing more impurities passes through the grid plate 4 and falls into the heavy phase sedimentation separation zone 101. After settling and separation, the crude glycerol containing fewer impurities is discharged through the heavy phase discharge pipe 6, while impurities such as fatty acid methyl esters, oil, and methanol are drawn into the loop reaction zone 102 by the first circulation pump 32 for further reaction.

[0035] The fatty acid methyl esters produced in the loop reaction zone 102 are relatively light and are propelled upwards. A portion is returned to the bottom of the loop reactor 2 by the first circulation device 2 for further reaction and to improve material conversion. The other portion of crude fatty acid methyl ester passes through the micro / nano distributor 33 and enters the light phase sedimentation separation zone 103 for settling and separation. The crude fatty acid methyl ester containing fewer impurities overflows from the light phase outlet 12, while the portion containing more impurities is returned to the loop reaction zone by the second circulation device 3 for further reaction and to improve material conversion.

[0036] In the above process, two cycles of reaction and two sedimentation separations are completed within tower 1, achieving the technical effect of two reaction towers and two sedimentation separation towers, which significantly reduces equipment costs and the floor space occupied by the equipment.

[0037] The specific embodiments of the present invention described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the present invention. Any other corresponding changes and modifications made in accordance with the technical concept of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A loop reaction tower, characterized in that, include: The tower body is provided with a heavy phase outlet, a feed inlet and a light phase outlet from bottom to top; Two circulation devices are connected to the tower body from bottom to top and are arranged between the light phase outlet and the heavy phase outlet, with the feed end of the circulation device located above its discharge end.

2. The loop reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a grid plate, which is built into the tower body and fixedly connected to the inner wall of the tower body to separate a heavy phase sedimentation separation zone located below the grid plate in the tower body. The heavy phase outlet is connected to the heavy phase sedimentation separation zone. The feed inlet, the light phase outlet and the circulation device are all located above the grid plate.

3. The loop reactor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The two circulation devices include a first circulation device and a second circulation device arranged sequentially from bottom to top. The discharge end of the second circulation device is located inside the tower body and is separated into a light phase sedimentation separation zone above its discharge end and a loop reaction zone between its discharge end and the grid plate. The first circulation device and the feed inlet are connected to the loop reaction zone, and the light phase outlet is connected to the light phase sedimentation separation zone.

4. The loop reactor according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first circulation device includes a first circulation pipe, a first circulation pump, and a first distributor. The upper end of the first circulation pipe is connected to the loop reaction zone, and its lower end extends into the loop reaction zone and is connected to the first distributor. The first distributor is disposed in the loop reaction zone and its discharge end is arranged upward. The first circulation pump is disposed on the first circulation pipe to drive the material to flow from the upper end of the first circulation pipe to the first distributor.

5. The loop reactor according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a feed pipe, which is connected to the first circulating pump.

6. The loop reactor according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second circulation device further includes a second circulation pipe, a second circulation pump, and a micro / nano distributor. The upper end of the second circulation pipe is connected to the light phase sedimentation separation zone, and its lower end extends into the tower body and is connected to the micro / nano distributor. The discharge end of the micro / nano distributor is arranged downward. The second circulation pump is installed on the second circulation pipe to drive the material to flow from the upper end of the second circulation pipe to the micro / nano distributor.

7. The loop reactor according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a heating device, which includes a heater disposed within the loop reaction zone and located between the upper end of the first circulation pipe and the first distributor.

8. The loop reactor according to claim 7, characterized in that, The heating device also includes a temperature sensor and a controller. The temperature sensor is located in the light phase sedimentation separation zone and is connected to the heater through the controller.

9. The loop reactor according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a heavy phase discharge pipe, which is connected to the heavy phase outlet, and the heavy phase discharge pipe is also connected to the feed pipe or the first circulating pump.

10. The loop reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the tower is also equipped with an exhaust outlet.

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