Reactor with backflow safeguard

Abstract

The invention relates to a reactor system comprising a reactor (1), a reactant conduit (2) for feeding a feedstock into the reactor (1) and a product conduit (9) for discharging an at least partly liquid reaction product from the reactor (1), wherein the reactant conduit (2) has a deflection (10) that leads from the inlet (3) of the feedstock into the reactant conduit upward to an apex (11) of the deflection (10) and from the apex (11) downward to the exit opening (4) of the reactant conduit into the reactor (1), and the reactant conduit (2) has a closable vent opening (12) which is higher with regard to the Earth's field of gravity than the inlet (3) of the feedstock into the reactant conduit and higher than the highest possible liquid level of the liquid reaction product in the reactor system.

Description

[0001] Reactor with backflow prevention

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a reactor system comprising a reactor, a reactant line for supplying a feedstock to the reactor, and a product line for discharging a liquid reaction product from the reactor. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for protecting a reactor system.

[0004] Chemical reactions are usually carried out in closed devices, which are also referred to below as "reactors". For safety reasons, care must be taken to ensure that the chemical reaction takes place exclusively in the devices intended for it and does not continue uncontrolled in devices other than those intended for it. The feedstocks intended for the reaction are often fed to the reactor via pipelines from storage tanks or other containers. Particularly in applications where the feedstocks can react with each other upon contact, it must be ensured that the feedstocks or the reaction mixture in the reactor do not flow back from the reactor into the storage tanks or containers in order to avoid an uncontrolled reaction in these containers.Backflow can be caused, for example, by the pressure in the reactor increasing due to the ongoing reaction and parts of the reactor contents being pushed back through the pipes or the pump for conveying the feedstock being switched off.

[0005] So-called backflow prevention devices are known in the prior art, which are intended to prevent unwanted backflow from the reactor into upstream vessels. For example, it is known to provide at least one shut-off device in the line through which a feedstock flows to the reactor, which is configured to close automatically upon detection of backflow.

[0006] Document EP 3 417 935 A1 discloses a system and a method for controlling a chemical reaction, in which the reaction in a reactor is monitored and the following measures are taken to prevent an uncontrolled reaction: interruption of the inflow to and outflow from the reactor, active pressure relief of the reactor and purging of the reactor with an inert substance.

[0007] Document DE 10 2020 126 882 A1 discloses a device for controlling a deflagration or thermal detonation in a continuously operated chemical tubular reactor with the aim of preventing the propagation of a heat front. The device comprises at least one barrier for interrupting the inflow and / or outflow, wherein the barrier comprises at least one valve and a body. The body is designed to hold back a heat front of the deflagration or thermal detonation until the valve is closed.

[0008] For some types of reaction systems, such protection is sufficient. However, the disadvantage is that leaks in the shut-off valve or a valve that closes too slowly can result in a small but potentially undesirable or even dangerous backflow. Furthermore, if the shut-off valve fails or is defective, there is a risk that significant amounts of reactor product will flow back into the supply lines and connected containers.

[0009] To remedy the problems mentioned, backflow prevention devices are known which provide at least two shut-off devices connected in series. In addition to the redundancy that becomes relevant in the event of a failure or defect in one of the shut-off devices, these systems also offer a certain degree of protection against leaks. If, for example, due to a rapid pressure increase, the shut-off device closest to the reactor does not close quickly enough, the amount of backflowing reactor contents still flowing through this shut-off device can be collected in the pipe section between the two shut-off devices, provided the shut-off device remote from the reactor closes quickly enough. In such devices, the pipe section between the shut-off devices can be provided with a drain device through which any collected reactor product can be safely disposed of.Although this type of backflow prevention device already represents an advantage over the simple systems described above, it still does not provide complete protection against possible backflow, especially in the case of a sudden backflow, for example due to a rapid pressure increase in the reactor.

[0010] The task was to further develop known reactor systems with backflow prevention devices in such a way that a potential backflow of reactor contents from the reactor into upstream containers such as storage tanks or other process equipment is reliably prevented.

[0011] This object is achieved according to the invention by a reactor system according to claim 1 and by methods for protecting the reactor system according to claims 8 and 9. Advantageous embodiments of the reactor system are specified in claims 2 to 7. A first subject of the invention is a reactor system comprising a reactor, a reactant line for supplying a feedstock to the reactor, and a product line for discharging an at least partially liquid reaction product from the reactor. The reactant line has a deflection that leads from the inlet of the feedstock into the reactant line upwards to a vertex of the deflection and from the vertex downwards to the outlet opening of the reactant line into the reactor.The reactant line also has a closable vent opening, which is located higher with respect to the Earth's gravity field than the inlet of the feed material into the reactant line and higher than the highest possible liquid level of the liquid reaction product in the reactor system.

[0012] A further subject of the invention is a method for securing a reactor system comprising a reactor, an educt line for supplying a feedstock into the reactor and a product line for discharging an at least partially liquid reaction product from the reactor, wherein the educt line has a deflection which leads from the inlet of the feedstock into the educt line upwards to a vertex of the deflection and from the vertex downwards to the outlet opening of the educt line into the reactor, and the educt line has a closable vent opening which is arranged higher with respect to the earth's gravitational field than the inlet of the feedstock into the educt line and higher than the highest possible liquid level of the liquid reaction product in the reactor system.The method comprises the steps of measuring a signal characteristic of the flow of the feedstock in the reactant line and opening the vent opening if the characteristic signal exceeds a predetermined limit value.

[0013] The reactor system and the method according to the invention have the advantage that a gas bubble can be generated via the vent opening in the reactant line, reliably preventing both the flow of the feedstock toward the reactor and the backflow of portions of the reactor contents toward the reactant line. Because the gas bubble formed after the vent opening is located at a point in the reactant line that is higher than the feedstock inlet into the reactant line and higher than the highest possible liquid level of the liquid reaction product in the reactor system, the gas bubble in the reactant line represents an insurmountable obstacle to potential backflow from the reactor into the reactant line.A further advantage of the reactor system according to the invention is that the backflow prevention device can be easily implemented using robust and proven components that are also low-maintenance.

[0014] The terms "above," "upward," "downward," "downward," and similar directional or locational terms are to be understood with reference to the Earth's gravitational field. A first component positioned "above" a second component is therefore at a greater distance from the Earth's surface than the second component. Accordingly, the "apex" is understood to be the highest point of the deflection of the reactant line relative to the Earth's gravitational field.

[0015] The reactor system comprises at least one reactor. The reactor system may also comprise multiple reactors arranged in series, parallel, or partially in series and partially in parallel. The reactor system may include additional components, for example, equipment typical for process plants such as pumps, pipelines, vessels, tanks, heat exchangers, or separation devices such as phase separators, extraction columns, rectification columns, or other material separation devices.

[0016] The at least one reactor is a container sealed from the environment in which a chemical reaction can take place. The reactor can have any known form and function and can be designed as a stand-alone device or as a reaction zone integrated into another device, for example, as a stirred tank reactor, tubular reactor, or reactive distillation column.

[0017] The reactor system according to the invention is not limited with regard to the chemical reactions taking place therein. For example, the reaction occurring in the reactor can occur spontaneously by bringing the feedstocks into contact or be initiated by a catalyst. The catalyst can be homogeneous or heterogeneous. The reaction system can be designed for any type of reaction, for example, batch, semi-batch, or continuous operation.

[0018] The reactor system is designed to feed at least one feedstock into the reactor. Multiple feedstocks can also be fed into the reactor system. In the case of multiple feedstocks, these can be fed to the reactor together via a single feedstock line or separately via separate feedstock lines. A catalyst can also be fed to the reactor to promote or initiate the reaction of the feedstock in the reactor.

[0019] The reactant line for supplying the at least one feedstock and the product line for discharging the reaction product can be designed in a known manner, for example as pipelines that connect the reactor to a tank or other containers or process equipment. Additional components such as pumps, heat exchangers, control valves, measuring devices, or shut-off devices can be arranged in the reactant line or the product line. The reaction product resulting from the conversion of the feedstock fed to the reactor is at least partially liquid. The reaction product can be completely liquid. It can also contain portions of vapor or gas, either as separate phases or dissolved in the liquid. The reaction product can also comprise one or more liquid phases as well as a vapor phase or gas phase.Depending on the type of feedstock and the chemical reaction taking place, the reaction product may also contain solids, for example in the case of precipitation or crystallization.

[0020] According to the invention, the closable vent opening is positioned higher relative to the Earth's gravitational field than the highest possible liquid level of the liquid reaction product in the reactor system. The highest possible liquid level is influenced, on the one hand, by the structural and geometric conditions of the reactor system and, on the other hand, by the process being conducted in the reactor system. The highest possible liquid level corresponds to the maximum liquid level that the liquid reaction product can reach in the reactor system. This can be a liquid level that is reached during the regular course of the process being conducted. It can also be a liquid level that is only reached in special situations, for example, during an unplanned pressure increase in the reactor system.

[0021] The highest possible liquid level can occur in the reactor or in a vessel or device connected to the reactor. Examples of connected devices or vessels include heat exchangers such as condensers, phase separators, separation devices such as columns, pressure reducers such as expansion valves, storage tanks, and the piping connecting the devices and / or vessels.

[0022] In one embodiment of the reactor system according to the invention, a shut-off device is arranged in the reactant line upstream of the diversion in the flow direction of the feedstock. The presence of a shut-off device in the reactant line has the advantage of additional protection against backflow. Furthermore, it can be ensured that no further reactant is conveyed towards the reactor. The shut-off device is preferably provided with a drive that can be controlled via electronic signals. The shut-off device is preferably a controllable ball valve or a control valve. In a modification of this embodiment, at least two shut-off devices are arranged in series one behind the other in the reactant line upstream of the diversion in the flow direction of the feedstock.

[0023] According to the invention, the vent opening in the reactant line is positioned both higher than the feedstock inlet into the reactant line and higher than the highest possible liquid level of the liquid reaction product in the reactor system. The vent opening can therefore be installed at various locations in the reactant line. In one embodiment, the vent opening is located at the apex of the deflection.

[0024] The vent opening can be implemented in different ways. Preferably, the vent opening is designed such that when the vent opening is opened, no potentially harmful substance, for example gaseous components of a feedstock or from the reactor interior, can escape through the vent opening into the environment. In one embodiment of the reactor system according to the invention, a vent line for supplying a gas into the reactant line is connected to the vent opening, wherein the vent line has a shut-off device. For example, an inert gas that is inert with respect to the feedstock present in the reactant line can be introduced into the reactant line through the vent line in order to form a gas bubble that prevents backflow. Nitrogen is a particularly suitable inert gas. Depending on the properties of the feedstock, other substances may also be suitable as inert gas.

[0025] In an advantageous development, the reactor system further comprises a container into which the product line for discharging the liquid reaction product from the reactor opens. The container is designed to accommodate a gas volume and a liquid volume. The liquid volume is provided with at least one outlet for liquid reaction product, and the gas volume has at least one outlet into a line that is lockably connected to the vent opening. In this embodiment of the reactor system, a self-contained system can advantageously be realized in the sense that the gas volume from the container can be introduced into the reactant line through the vent opening in the deflection, as needed, to form a gas bubble there that prevents backflow.

[0026] The gas volume in the vessel can be gas that is formed during the reaction of the feedstock in the reactor and flows from the reactor into the vessel. However, there can also be an additional gas line connection to the vessel through which gas can be introduced into the vessel in a targeted manner. This variant is advantageous, for example, if an inert gas, such as nitrogen, is to be provided as the gas volume in the vessel.

[0027] In an advantageous development, the reactor system further comprises a sensor system and a safety circuit with a comparison unit and output means. The sensor system is configured to detect a signal characteristic of the flow of the feed material in the reactant line, the comparison unit is configured to compare the signal with a predetermined limit value, and if the limit value is violated by the signal, the output means cause the shut-off device in the reactant line to close and the vent opening to open. Fully automatic monitoring of the reactor system can be realized using the sensor system and the safety circuit.

[0028] The sensor system can comprise sensors known in the prior art for various state variables in the process, for example, sensors for detecting pressure, temperature, flow, and density. Signals characteristic of the flow of the feedstock in the reactant line are all signals that allow a statement to be made about the flow in the reactant line. In one embodiment of the invention, the signal characteristic of the flow of the feedstock in the reactant line is a quantity measurement of the flowing feedstock, a differential pressure measurement, or both a quantity measurement and a differential pressure measurement. One advantage of these signals is that sufficiently established technology exists to provide the signals reliably and with low maintenance.A further advantage is that for this type of signal, a limit value can be specified in a simple and intuitive way, against which the values ​​determined from the sensors can be compared.

[0029] The safety circuit comprises a comparison unit configured to compare the sensor signal with a predefined limit value. The comparison can be performed in any suitable processing unit, for example, in the processing unit of a microcontroller implemented in a safety-related controller, a programmable controller, or a process control system (PCS). The safety circuit can be implemented in the form of software components, hardware components, or combinations of hardware and software components. The sensor signals can be read in via any communication means used to transmit data signals from a measuring device to a data processing device. These can be wired communication means, wireless communication means, or combinations thereof. The selection of the respective means depends on the requirements of the application.

[0030] The limit value in the comparison unit can be specified in different ways. In one embodiment, the limit value is entered manually via an operating unit, for example a keyboard, a control panel, a writable display, or a microphone for entering voice commands. This embodiment is particularly suitable for applications in which the backflow prevention device is intended as a stand-alone application. In another embodiment, the limit value of the comparison unit is transmitted via a communication interface. This embodiment is particularly suitable for applications in which the backflow prevention device is part of a more comprehensive automation or monitoring system, for example, when the backflow prevention device is integrated into a process control system.

[0031] The output means of the safety circuit are suitable for causing the closure of the shut-off device in the reactant line and the opening of the vent. In one embodiment, the output means are signals sent to the shut-off device and the vent via communication interfaces. In this case, the shut-off device and the vent are configured to receive the signals. The signals can be transmitted via wired communication means, wireless communication means, or combinations thereof. The selection of the respective means depends on the requirements of the application.

[0032] A further subject of the invention is a method for securing a reactor system comprising a reactor, an educt line for supplying a feedstock into the reactor and a product line for discharging an at least partially liquid reaction product from the reactor, wherein the educt line has a deflection which leads from the inlet of the feedstock into the educt line upwards to a vertex of the deflection and from the vertex downwards to the outlet opening of the educt line into the reactor, the educt line has a closable vent opening which is arranged higher with respect to the earth's gravitational field than the inlet of the feedstock into the educt line and higher than the highest possible liquid level of the liquid reaction product in the reactor system, a shut-off device is arranged in the educt line upstream of the deflection in the flow direction of the feedstock,and the reactor system further comprises a sensor system and a safety circuit with a comparison unit and output means, the method comprising the following steps: a) determining a characteristic value for the flow of the feedstock in the reactant line,

[0033] Signal in the sensor system, b) comparing the characteristic signal with a predetermined limit value in the comparison unit, and c) if the limit value is violated by the characteristic signal, output signals are output by the output means which cause the shut-off device in the educt line to close and the ventilation opening to open.

[0034] The invention further relates to the use of a reactor system according to the invention in processes in which feedstocks are converted into products in a chemical reaction, wherein at least one feedstock is selected from the group of aldehydes, alcohols, epoxides, amines, and organic acids, and / or wherein the chemical reaction is selected from the group of enalizations, ethoxylations, amidations, and esterifications. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The drawings are to be understood as schematic representations. They do not represent a limitation of the invention, for example with regard to specific dimensions or design variants, unless the description of the drawings indicates otherwise. They show:

[0035] Fig. 1: Flow diagram of a first embodiment of a reactor system according to the invention Fig. 2: Flow diagram of a second embodiment of a reactor system according to the invention

[0036] List of reference symbols used

[0037] 1 ... reactor

[0038] 2 ... reactant line

[0039] 3 ... Entry into the reactant line

[0040] 4 ... Exit from the reactant line

[0041] 5 ... Additional reactant line

[0042] 6 ... circulation

[0043] 7 ... Pump

[0044] 8 ... heat exchanger

[0045] 9 ... Product Management

[0046] 10 ... Deflection

[0047] 11 ... apex of the deflection

[0048] 12 ... Ventilation opening

[0049] 13 ... Ventilation line

[0050] 14 ... shut-off device

[0051] 15 ... shut-off device

[0052] 16 ... Metering aperture

[0053] 17 ... Differential pressure regulator

[0054] 18 ... containers

[0055] 19 ... liquid volume

[0056] 20 ... gas volume

[0057] Fig. 1 shows a schematic flow diagram of a first embodiment of a reactor system according to the invention. The reactor system comprises a reactor 1 in which a feedstock (educt) is converted into a product by bringing it into contact with a further substance in a chemical reaction. The further substance can be, for example, a further feedstock (further reactant) or a catalyst. The chemical reaction takes place at least partially in the liquid phase, and the product of the reaction is at least partially liquid. The feedstock to be converted is fed to the reactor 1 via a reactant line 2, for example from a storage tank (not shown). The further feedstock or catalyst is fed to the reactor 1 via a further reactant line 5, for example from a further storage tank (likewise not shown).In the example shown, reactor 1 has a circuit 6, in which a portion of the liquid reactor contents is withdrawn at the bottom of the reactor, fed to a heat exchanger 8 via a pump 7, and fed back to reactor 1 after exiting the heat exchanger. Depending on the type of reaction to be carried out, heat can be added to the reaction mixture or removed from the reaction mixture via circuit 6 through the heat exchanger 8 in a suitable manner. In the example shown, the further reactant line 5 opens into the circuit between the outlet from the reactor and the inlet to pump 7. However, the further feedstock or catalyst can also be fed into the circuits at another point or directly into reactor 1. At the top of reactor 1, the at least partially liquid reaction product is withdrawn through a product line 9.

[0058] The reactant line 2 has a diverter 10, which leads from the inlet 3 of the feedstock into the reactant line upwards to a vertex 11 of the diverter and from the vertex 11 downwards to the outlet 4 of the reactant line into the reactor 1. In the example shown, the reactant line inlet 3 is positioned lower relative to the Earth's gravitational field than the reactant line outlet 4. However, the inlet 3 and outlet can also be arranged at the same height, or the inlet 3 can be positioned higher than the outlet 4.

[0059] The reactant line 2 has a closable vent opening 12, which is arranged higher with respect to the earth's gravitational field than the inlet 3 of the feed material into the reactant line 2 and higher than the highest possible liquid level of the liquid reaction product in the reactor system. In the example shown, the product line 9 leading from the top of the reactor 1 forms the highest possible liquid level of the liquid reaction product in this reactor system. In this example, the vent opening 12 is designed as a shut-off device 14 in the form of a three-way valve into which a vent line 13 opens. The shut-off device 14 is arranged at the apex 11 of the diverter 10 and is located above the product outlet 9. In the flow direction of the feed material, a further shut-off device 15 is arranged in the reactant line 2 upstream of the diverter 10.

[0060] The reactor system according to Fig. 1 is reliably protected against any possible backflow of the liquid reactor contents towards the reactant line 2. Should backflow occur, for example caused by a pressure increase in the reactor 1, the shut-off device 15 in the reactant line 2 is closed. Furthermore, the shut-off device 14 in the deflector 10 is switched in such a way that a gas, for example an inert gas such as nitrogen, is introduced into the vent opening 12 of the deflector 10 through the vent line 13. Since the vent opening 12 is located above all components of the reactor system that may carry liquid, the gas volume present in the vent opening 12 of the reactant line 2 represents an insurmountable obstacle to any possible liquid backflow, so that even if the shut-off device 15 in the reactant line 2 leaks, no liquid can reach the shut-off device 15 from the reactor 1.

[0061] Fig. 2 shows a schematic flow diagram of a second embodiment of a reactor system according to the invention. The basic configuration of the reactor, including the reactant feeds and the circulation 6 through a heat exchanger 8, essentially corresponds to the reactor system described above in connection with Fig. 1. The reactor 1 has a nozzle into which the outlet 4 from the reactant line 2 opens. The circulation e returned to the reactor 1 also opens into the nozzle and, during operation, ensures intensive mixing of the reactor contents with the supplied feedstock. The product formed in the reactor 1 is withdrawn via a product line 9 at the top of the reactor 1 and fed to a container 18 in which the reaction product can physically separate. In the container 18 shown in this example, which is also referred to as a "phase separator," the reaction product separates into a gas phase and two different liquid phases.Depending on the composition of the reaction product, this can be, for example, an organic phase and an aqueous phase. Thus, a gas volume 20 and a liquid volume 19 are present in the container 18. The phases or volumes can be withdrawn independently of one another from the container 18 through lines. In this example, the gas volume 20 of the container 18 is connected to the vent line 13 via a line and two shut-off devices 14 arranged in parallel flow. Another line opens into the gas phase of the container 18, via which, for example, an inert gas can be supplied to the gas volume 20 in the container 18.

[0062] In the example shown, two shut-off devices 15 are arranged one behind the other in the reactant line 2, upstream of the diverter 10, in the direction of flow of the feed material. A measuring orifice 16 is installed between the inlet 3 into the reactant line and the first shut-off device 15. Pressure sensors (not shown) determine pressure signals upstream and downstream of the measuring orifice 16, as viewed in the direction of flow. A differential pressure controller 17 calculates a value for the determined differential pressure from the two sensor signals. A limit value for the permissible maximum differential pressure is specified for the differential pressure controller 17. As soon as the differential pressure calculated based on the measured pressure signals exceeds the specified limit value, the differential pressure controller 17 transmits output signals to the two shut-off devices 15 in the reactant line 2 and to the two shut-off devices 14 in the venting line 13.The output signals cause the two shut-off devices 15 in the reactant line 2 to close and the two shut-off devices 14 in the vent line to open. This results in a portion of the gas volume 20 in the vessel 18 flowing through the vent line 13 via the vent opening 12 at the apex 11 of the deflector 10 into the reactant line 2. Since the vent opening 12 is located above all potentially liquid-carrying components of the reactor system, the gas volume present in the vent opening 12 of the reactant line 2 represents an insurmountable obstacle to any possible liquid backflow, so that even if the shut-off device 15 in the reactant line 2 leaks, no liquid can reach the shut-off device 15 from the reactor 1.

[0063] In the example shown, a differential pressure signal upstream and downstream of the orifice plate 16 provides a reliable value as an indicator of a possible backflow of a portion of the reactor contents into the reactant line. The differential pressure is a characteristic signal for the flow of the feedstock in reactant line 2. However, other characteristic signals can also be used to detect a possible backflow, for example, a measurement of the amount of feedstock flowing through reactant line 2. Corresponding technical measuring devices for determining the mass flow or volume flow are known and available in the state of the art.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Reactor system comprising a reactor (1), an educt line (2) for feeding a feedstock into the reactor (1) and a product line (9) for discharging an at least partially liquid reaction product from the reactor (1), characterized in that the educt line (2) has a deflection (10) which leads from the inlet (3) of the feedstock into the educt line upwards to an apex (11) of the deflection (10) and from the apex (11) downwards to the outlet opening (4) of the educt line into the reactor (1), and the educt line (2) has a closable vent opening (12) which is arranged higher with respect to the earth's gravitational field than the inlet (3) of the feedstock into the educt line and higher than the highest possible liquid level of the liquid reaction product in the reactor system.

2. Reactor system according to claim 1, characterized in that a shut-off device (15) is arranged in the reactant line (2) in the flow direction of the feed material upstream of the deflection (10).

3. Reactor system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ventilation opening (12) is arranged at the apex (11) of the deflection (10).

4. Reactor system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a ventilation line (13) for supplying a gas into the reactant line (2) is connected to the ventilation opening (12), wherein the ventilation line (13) has a shut-off device (14).

5. Reactor system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the reactor system further comprises a container (18) into which the product line (9) for discharging the liquid reaction product from the reactor (1) opens, the container (18) is designed to accommodate a gas volume (20) and a liquid volume (19), the liquid volume (19) is provided with at least one outlet for liquid reaction product, and the gas volume (20) has at least one outlet into a line which is connected to the ventilation opening (12) in a shut-off manner.

6. Reactor system according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the reactor system further comprises a sensor system and a safety circuit with a comparison unit and output means, wherein the sensor system is set up to determine a signal characteristic of the flow of the feedstock in the reactant line (2), the comparison unit is set up to compare the signal with a predetermined limit value, and if the limit value is violated by the signal, the output means cause the shut-off device (15) in the educt line (2) to close and the ventilation opening (12) to open.

7. Reactor system according to claim 6, characterized in that the signal characteristic of the flow of the feedstock in the reactant line (2) is a quantity measurement of the flowing feedstock and / or a differential pressure measurement.

8. A method for securing a reactor system comprising a reactor (1), a reactant line (2) for supplying a feedstock to the reactor (1), and a product line (9) for discharging an at least partially liquid reaction product from the reactor (1), wherein the reactant line (2) has a deflection (10) leading from the inlet (3) of the reactant into the reactant line upwards to a vertex (11) of the deflection (10) and from the vertex (11) downwards to the outlet opening (4) of the reactant line into the reactor (1), and the reactant line (2) has a closable vent opening (12) which, with respect to the Earth's gravitational field, is arranged higher than the inlet (3) of the reactant into the reactant line and higher than the highest possible liquid level of the liquid reaction product in the reactor system, the method comprising the steps of measuring a signal characteristic of the flow of the reactant in the reactant line (2),and opening the ventilation opening (12) if the characteristic signal violates a predetermined limit value., 9. A method for protecting a reactor system comprising a reactor (1), a reactant line (2) for feeding a feedstock into the reactor (1), and a product line (9) for discharging an at least partially liquid reaction product from the reactor (1), wherein the reactant line (2) has a deflection (10) leading from the inlet (3) of the reactant into the reactant line upwards to a vertex (11) of the deflection (10) and from the vertex (11) downwards to the outlet opening (4) of the reactant line into the reactor (1), the reactant line (2) has a closable vent opening (12) which is arranged higher with respect to the earth's gravitational field than the inlet (3) of the reactant into the reactant line and higher than the highest possible liquid level of the liquid reaction product in the reactor system, a shut-off device (15) is arranged in the reactant line (2) upstream of the deflection (10) in the flow direction of the reactant is,and the reactor system further comprises a sensor system and a safety circuit with a comparison unit and output means, the method comprising the steps:, a) determining a signal in the sensor system that is characteristic of the flow of the feedstock in the reactant line (2), b) comparing the characteristic signal with a predetermined limit value in the comparison unit, and c) if the limit value is violated by the characteristic signal, outputting output signals by the output means that cause the shut-off device (15) in the reactant line (2) to close and the vent opening (12) to open. Use of a reactor system according to one of claims 1 to 7 in processes in which feedstocks are converted into products in a chemical reaction, wherein at least one feedstock is selected from the group of aldehydes, alcohols, epoxides, amines, and organic acids, and / or wherein the chemical reaction is selected from the group of enalizations, ethoxylations, amidations, and esterifications.

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