Reactor and method of carrying out chemical reaction

Abstract

The present invention relates to a reaction vessel (100, 200) for performing a chemical reaction, which has a reaction vessel container (10) and one or more reaction tubes (20), and power input members (41) for electric heating of the reaction tubes (20)(s) are introduced into the reaction vessel container (10). Power input members (41) each having rod-shaped sections (43) extending into a corresponding wall passage (15) penetrating the wall (14) of the reaction vessel container (10) are provided in such a manner that a connecting chamber (60) through which the rod-shaped sections (43) protrude is located outside the reaction vessel container (10) and adjacent to the wall (14) of the reaction vessel container (10) where the wall passage (15) is formed, and cooling panels (61) through which a cooling fluid can flow are provided within the connecting chamber (60), and are disposed between at least two or at least two groups of rod-shaped sections (43) protruding into the connecting chamber (60). The method of response is also the subject of the present invention.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a reaction vessel and a method for performing a chemical reaction according to the preamble of the independent claims. Background Technology

[0002] In many processes of the chemical industry, reactors are used in which one or more reactants pass through heated reaction tubes and undergo catalytic or non-catalytic reactions. Heating serves to overcome the activation energy required for the chemical reaction to occur. The reaction may proceed as an endothermic reaction overall, or as an exothermic reaction after the activation energy has been overcome. The present invention relates particularly to strongly endothermic reactions.

[0003] Examples of these processes include steam cracking and various reforming processes, particularly steam reforming, dry reforming (carbon dioxide reforming), mixed reforming processes, and alkane dehydration processes. In steam cracking, reaction tubes are guided through the reactor in a coiled form having at least one U-bend within the reactor, whereas in steam reforming, tubes passing through the reactor without U-bends are typically used.

[0004] The present invention is suitable for the design of all such processes and reaction tubes. For example, the entries “Ethylene”, “Gas production”, and “Propene” in Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry in DOI: 10.1002 / 14356007.a10_045.pub2, published April 15, 2009, DOI: 10.1002 / 14356007.a12_169.pub2, published December 15, 2006, and DOI: 10.1002 / 14356007.a22_211, published June 15, 2000, are described in this specification purely for illustrative purposes.

[0005] The reaction tubes of the corresponding reactors are generally heated using a burner. In this case, the reaction tubes are piped through a combustion chamber in which the burner is also located.

[0006] However, as described, for example in DE 10 2015 004 121 A1 (likewise EP 3 075 704 A1), there is currently an increasing demand for synthesis gas and hydrogen produced, for example, with or without reduced local carbon dioxide emissions. However, these demands cannot be met in processes where fired reactors are used due to the combustion of typical fossil energy sources. Other processes are excluded, for example, due to high costs. This is also the case with the production of olefins and / or other hydrocarbons by steam cracking or the dehydration of alkanes. Even in these cases, there is a demand for processes that emit at least a smaller amount of local carbon dioxide.

[0007] Against this backdrop, the aforementioned DE 10 2015 004 121 A1 performs electric heating of the reaction vessel in addition to firing for vapor transformation. In this case, one or more voltage sources providing three-phase alternating voltage to three external conductors are used. Each external conductor is connected to a single reaction tube. Piping is opened into the interior, and a star circuit is formed in which a star point is realized by collectors to which the reaction tubes are electrically connected. In this way, the collector is theoretically kept potential-free. In the vertical direction, the collector is positioned on the lower exterior of the combustion chamber and preferably extends transversely toward the reaction tubes or in the horizontal direction. WO 2015 / 197181A1 also discloses a reaction vessel in which the reaction tubes are arranged in a star point circuit.

[0008] In addition to direct heating of reaction tubes through which current flows, various concepts exist for indirect electric heating of reaction tubes. Indirect electric heating can take the form of external electric heating, particularly as described in WO 2020 / 002326 A1. Internal heating, for example, as disclosed in WO 2019 / 228798 A1, is also possible. In addition to resistance or impedance heating, induction electric heating of reaction tubes or catalyst beds, for example, as described in WO 2017 / 072057 A1, can also be achieved. Induction heating can heat, for example, internal or external heating elements or the reaction tubes themselves. Direct (non-induction) heating of reaction tubes is also disclosed in DE 10 2015 004 121 A1. Basic concepts using multiphase or single-phase alternating current or direct current for heating can be implemented. When the reaction vessel is heated directly using direct current or single-phase alternating current, a forming circuit having a non-potential forming point may not be implemented, but the power input can be made in a basically similar manner. The present invention is suitable for all embodiments of electric heating.

[0009] DE 23 62 628 A1 discloses a tube furnace for heat-treating a liquid or gaseous medium in a metal tube, which can be heated by resistance heating, wherein the tubes to be heated by resistance heating have electrical connections made to power supply lines at the ends of the sections to be heated.

[0010] US 2014 / 0233523 A1 relates to a heating device for molten salt comprising at least two pipes in which electric resistance heating elements are each extended along, wherein at least one end of each electric resistance heating element is set to a ground potential, and the electric resistance heating element is connected to a DC power source or to a connection of one phase of each n-phase AC power source at the end thereof.

[0011] A fluid heating device disclosed in WO 2020 / 035575 A1 comprises at least one conductive pipe and / or at least one conductive pipeline segment for receiving fluid, and at least one direct current source and / or DC voltage source, wherein each pipe and / or pipeline segment is assigned to the direct current source or DC voltage source connected to each pipe and / or pipeline segment, wherein each direct current source or DC voltage source is designed to generate current in each pipe and / or pipeline segment, wherein each pipe and / or pipeline segment is heated by Joule heat when current passes through the conductive pipe to heat the fluid, wherein the device has a plurality of pipes and / or pipeline segments, wherein the pipes and / or pipeline segments are connected to each other to form a piping system for receiving fluid.

[0012] A fixed-bed reactor known as EP 2 805 762 A1 has an inlet path for raw gas for a catalytic reaction, an outlet path for reformed gas, a catalytic reaction vessel connected to the inlet path and the outlet path and containing a catalyst, a catalyst holder having a ventilation capability to hold the catalyst, and a driving mechanism for moving the catalyst up and down by moving the catalyst holder up and down.

[0013] WO 2004 / 091773 A1 discloses an electric heating reactor that performs a gas reaction at high temperatures. The reactor is composed of a reactor block of one or more monolithic modules made of a material suitable for electric heating. These modules are enclosed in a housing of channels that extend through the module(s), are designed as reaction channels, and are devices that conduct or induce current in the reactor block. Safety during operation of such reactor must be enhanced by providing at least one device that supplies an inert gas to the double-walled jacket that hermetically seals the reactor block.

[0014] It has been revealed that supplying power to such electrically heated reaction vessels is difficult, particularly due to high current flow and temperature. The problem to be solved

[0015] Accordingly, the objective of the present invention is to improve the electric heating reactor that performs the chemical reaction. means of solving the problem

[0016] Against this background, the present invention proposes a reaction vessel and a method for carrying out a chemical reaction according to the preamble of the independent claims. Examples are the subject of the dependent claims and the description below.

[0017] In general, in the concept of a partially electrified furnace (the term "furnace," which is the basis of this invention, is generally understood to refer to the corresponding reaction vessel or insulated reaction space), for example, reaction tubes or their corresponding tube sections (hereinafter also referred to as "tubes") are used as electric resistors themselves to generate heat. This approach has the advantage of being much more efficient than indirect heating by external electric heating elements, as well as achieving a higher heat flux density. However, as mentioned above, if such heating proves useful, any other type of electric heating can also be performed within the scope of this invention (directly or indirectly in the form of resistance, impedance, or induction heating by single-phase or multi-phase alternating current or direct current). Within the scope of this invention, the possibility of providing a portion of the total heating power consumed in the furnace through the combustion of chemical energy carriers is also included.

[0018] Accordingly, even if electric heating is mentioned in this specification, it does not exclude the existence of additional non-electric heating. In particular, the contribution of electric and non-electric heating may vary depending on the circumstances, for example, as a function of the supply and cost of electricity or the supply and cost of non-electric energy sources such as natural gas.

[0019] When heating with multiphase alternating current, current is supplied to the direct heating reaction tubes through M separately connected phases. The current-conducting reaction tubes connected to the M phases may also be electrically connected to the star point. The number of phases (M) is specifically 3, depending on the number of phases of a typical three-phase power source or power grid. However, in principle, the present invention is not limited to the use of three phases and may have a greater number of phases, such as, for example, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 phases. The phase offset is specifically 360° / M, i.e., 120° for the three-phase current.

[0020] In electric heating by multiphase alternating current, potential equalization between phases is achieved at the forming point by a forming circuit, which eliminates the need for insulation of the connected pipes. In particular, since failure in metal reaction tubes that insulate parts is undesirable due to the high temperatures used and the consequently high material and manufacturing costs, this represents a special advantage of this furnace concept.

[0021] However, the means proposed according to the present invention and described below are equally suitable for the use of single-phase AC and DC, so the present invention can be used for both a reactor heated by AC and a reactor heated by DC, or for corresponding mixed forms. Compared to the AC configuration, only the regions of the reaction tubes opposite to the power input, for example, the type of power source and the corresponding energized sections differ in the DC configuration. In the DC configuration, electrical connections of different tube sections are performed only optionally. Since there is no potential-free star point in the DC configuration, appropriate current discharge elements must be present, which conduct current to flow back out. The discharge elements can be designed similarly to the power inputs described below. The connection chamber described below may be present in the upper region, but may be omitted as mobility requirements are eliminated.

[0022] In the wording of the claims, the present invention relates to a reactor for carrying out a chemical reaction, the reactor having a reactor vessel (i.e., an insulated or at least partially insulated region) and one or more reaction tubes, wherein power input elements for electric heating of the reaction tube(s) are introduced into the reactor vessel. According to the present invention, each power input element has a rod-shaped section, wherein the rod-shaped sections extend into a wall passage penetrating the wall of the reactor vessel.

[0023] The first region may be located particularly on the terminal end of straight pipe sections, and the second region may be located on the second end opposite the first end. In particular, the first region may be located on the upper side of the reactor and the second region on the lower side of the reactor, or vice versa. In other words, the first region and the second region are located at opposite ends of the reactor vessel or its internal space, wherein the interior of the reactor vessel between the first region and the second region corresponds particularly to an intermediate region. For example, the first region may be or include 5%, 10%, or 20% of the terminal end of one end of the reactor vessel, and the second region may be or include 5%, 10%, or 20% of the end of the other opposite end of the reactor vessel. During the operation of the reactor, the first region is located at the bottom and the second region is located at the top.

[0024] Within the scope of the present invention, a connecting chamber in which rod-shaped sections protrude is disposed outside the reactor vessel, adjacent to a wall through which the rod-shaped sections of the power input member(s) penetrate, i.e., a wall passage(s) are formed. Depending on the type of power input, the connecting chamber may be disposed at the bottom or side of the reactor vessel, so that this wall may be a bottom wall or a side wall.

[0025] Rod sections are connected within a connection chamber to flexible contact elements, such as stranded wires, power strips, lamellar strips, or current springs, and also via suitable intermediate sections or members. These flexible contact elements are fastened at ends that are not connected to the rod sections but to rigid contact elements, which are typically immovably positioned within the connection chamber, for example within a wall, and supplied with power, for example, to a DC or AC transformer. The flexible contact elements particularly compensate for longitudinal movement of the rod sections within the wall passages.

[0026] According to the present invention, a cooling panel through which a cooling fluid can flow is provided in a connecting chamber and is positioned between at least two, or at least two groups of rod-shaped sections protruding into the connecting chamber.

[0027] The present invention is further described with reference to embodiments in which a plurality of tube sections of one or more reaction tubes are each extended between a first region and a second region within a reaction vessel, through an intermediate region between the first region and the second region, wherein the tube sections of the first region are connected to or capable of being connected to one or more power connections of a power source as described below for the electric heating of the tube sections, that is, to one or more DC connections in the case of a DC configuration, or to phase connections of an AC power source ("outer conductors") in the case of a single-phase or multi-phase AC configuration. In an indirect heating method that may be used as described above, generally similarly possible, the connecting members for the heating devices are guided through the walls of the reaction vessel.

[0028] As described above, in the corresponding embodiment of the present invention, individual AC voltages are provided through phase connections by a multiphase AC configuration, and the AC voltages of the phase connections are phase-shifted as described above. For example, a power supply network or a suitable generator and / or transformer may function as a multiphase AC power source. In this configuration, the tube sections, in particular, form a star circuit that is conductively connected to each other at each opposite end of the power input, i.e., in the second region.

[0029] On the other hand, in other embodiments where a DC configuration is used, the same or different static electrical potentials are supplied through one or more DC connections, and discharge members are provided, in particular, at each opposite end of the power input. When using single-phase AC from one or more power sources, the same applies in a similar manner.

[0030] In the intermediate region, the pipe sections of the aforementioned embodiments of the present invention extend particularly freely, that is, without mechanical support, without electrical contact, and / or without fluid, or are interconnected purely mechanically with each other. In this embodiment, they extend almost in a straight line particularly in the intermediate region, where "almost straight" should be understood to mean an angular deviation of less than 10° or 5°.

[0031] In particular, the decomposition reaction in steam decomposition is a strongly endothermic reaction. Accordingly, in order to provide the energy required for the reaction by direct heating (ohmic resistance), a high current intensity is required, provided by one or more transformers located outside the reaction vessel within the aforementioned reaction vessel concept.

[0032] In all the aforementioned concepts of electric heating, current must be conducted from the outside into the insulated reactor and into the process-carrying region with the minimum possible loss (low electrical resistance). In the reactor, an endothermic reaction involving a process medium (high heat transfer) flowing very rapidly inside the tubes causes highly efficient cooling of the reaction tubes or a very high heat flow density inside the tubes. Consequently, the desired direct heat transfer from the tube material, which is at least partially electric-heated within the process-carrying tubes, to the process gas is achieved.

[0033] As previously mentioned, there are particular issues regarding the low-loss supply of high voltage and high current to the process conduction zone. If current must be supplied to the pipes within the reactor, this supply must be carried out through pipes that cannot be cooled by direct convective heat transfer to the lower-temperature process gas, as will be described later. In this case, an excessive increase in temperature is inevitable in the less efficiently cooled zones. Furthermore, a steep temperature rise of up to 900 K (the maximum temperature difference between the environment and the reactor) within the short path length (partially less than 1 meter) through this supply must also be overcome.

[0034] To reduce heat loss and thereby achieve high system efficiency, electric direct-heated reaction tubes must be placed within an insulated box (referred to as a reaction vessel in this specification). When penetrating the insulated walls of the reaction vessel, the conductor must withstand a quasi-adiabatic region without the occurrence of excessively high local temperatures in these areas.

[0035] Accordingly, within the scope of the particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention just described, to achieve this purpose, power input configurations to which each tube section or each group of tube sections is electrically connected are provided in a first region of the reactor, i.e., the power input region. Tube sections are provided in such a number that one tube section or a group of multiple tube sections can each be connected to one of the power input structures, or vice versa. Within the scope of the present invention, the number of power input structures depends on the number of phase connections of a multiphase AC power source in the case of an AC configuration, or the number corresponding to the DC power source connections. When an AC configuration is used, the number may be equal to or an integer multiple of the number of phase connections. In the case of an integer multiple, two power input structures are each connected to one of the phase connections, such as an AC power source.

[0036] In this case, the power input structures each have one or more contact passages that are adjoined to at least one pipe section in the first region and extend through the power input structure. As will be described later, the one or more contact passages of the power input structures extend through the power input structures in the form of a straight pipe or a U-bend. Then, they are designed particularly as wall-reinforced bends. Reaction pipes without U-bends are particularly wall-reinforced sleeves.

[0037] One or more connecting passages of the power input structure may be designed as tube sections, one or more components attached and rigidly bonded thereto in a high-temperature resistant manner, or alternatively as continuous sections of reaction tubes or in the form of each continuous section. In all embodiments, it has been found that, typically, a design with as few components as possible is useful, as described below.

[0038] In the former case, pipe sections extending between the first and second regions within the reactor may be welded to a prefabricated component to which one or more connection passages extend, or said additional component may be cast onto the pipe sections extending between the first and second regions within the reactor. In the latter case, continuous pipes may be provided that, on one hand, form pipe sections extending between the first and second regions of the reactor and, on the other hand, form connection passages within each power input structure, and additional components of the power input structure may be provided by casting-on, overmolding, or welding.

[0039] When it is mentioned above and below that the power input structure includes one or more connection passages "each adjacent to one of the pipe sections of the first region," this means that the connection passages of the power input structure having pipe sections between the first and second regions form a continuous channel for a process fluid passing through the pipe sections.

[0040] In particular, the internal space of each pipe section between the first region and the second region is continuous with corresponding contact passages without significant tapering or widening, where "considerable" tapering or widening is intended to refer to tapering or widening of 10% or more of the cross-sectional area. The term "contact passages" is used to describe regions in which a conductive connection through a metal component toward a power connection exists, even if the "contact passages" are a continuous extension of the pipe sections of the first region in some embodiments of the invention.

[0041] The term “firmly bonded in a high-temperature-resistant manner” is intended to refer to a type of connection in which two or more metal parts are firmly bonded to each other that is permanent—that is, does not separate during normal operation at 500°C to 1,500°C, particularly 600°C to 1,200°C or 800°C to 1,000°C. A connection that is firmly bonded in a high-temperature resistant manner can be designed as a metal-to-metal connection, in particular, in which no non-metallic material remains between the connected parts, and such a connection can be achieved particularly by welding, casting, or overmolding. It can also be a connection in which no structural difference is observed at the transition of the connected parts, in particular, a connection in which no additional metal is used in the connection.

[0042] In the embodiment of the invention just described, the walls of the connection passages of the power input configuration are each connected to one of the power input members, each of which has at least one rod-shaped section extending into a wall passage penetrating the wall of the reactor vessel as described above. Unlike, for example, stranded wires, the rod-shaped sections of all embodiments of the invention are composed of a conductive material, such as metal, particularly as a single unit (in particular, not in the form of plain weave or braided wire). This may be designed as a solid or at least partially tubular, i.e., hollow rod. The rod-shaped section has a longitudinal extension orthogonal to the wall of the reactor vessel, which is at least twice, particularly at least three, four, or five times, and up to ten times, for example, the maximum transverse extension parallel to the wall of the reactor vessel. The rod-shaped section may have a cross-section that is, for example, circular, elliptical, triangular, or polygonal, or any other shape.

[0043] The power input members of the power input structure may be directly attached to the wall of the connection passage as each bar-shaped section, or integrated therein as a result of monolithic manufacturing. However, one or more intermediate members may also be provided, in which case each of them forms part of the power input member.

[0044] Cooling panels provided according to the present invention and configured in a connecting chamber are flat in at least one section, that is, extend between two spaced-apart virtual or actual boundary surfaces, wherein the distance between the boundary surfaces defines the thickness of the cooling panels and the extension along the boundary surfaces is 2, 5, 10, or 20 times greater than this thickness. The boundary surfaces may be flat or curved so that the cooling panels are flat and flat, but the boundary surfaces may be curved so that the cooling panels are flat and semi-cylindrical or partially cylindrical. Other cooling panels may also be dimensioned or designed differently. "Boundary surfaces" are planes that define the maximum thickness of the cooling panels. The cooling panels do not need to be in contact with these boundary surfaces over their entire surface.

[0045] These dimensional settings are applied individually to each cooling panel, that is, the first cooling panel may be positioned obliquely or orthogonally with respect to the second cooling panel. Multiple cooling panels may be rotated relative to each other, particularly around an axis parallel to the longitudinal extension of the rod-shaped sections of the power input members and orthogonal to the wall of the reaction vessel.

[0046] Cooling panels can be configured such that, in particular, the cooling fluid flows in a direction orthogonal or parallel to the rod sections through corresponding supply and discharge ports of the cooling fluid on the side parallel to the rod sections.

[0047] The thickness of the cooling panels can be at least 0.5 cm to 10 cm, particularly 1 cm to 5 cm, in a cross-section dimensioned as described above.

[0048] In particular, the connecting chamber may have side walls that extend orthogonally to the wall of the reaction vessel, where the rod-shaped sections of the power input member each extend into a wall passage. One or more additional cooling panels may be disposed on or parallel thereto at least one of the side walls. Like the cooling panels described above, these cooling panels may also be designed with basic dimensions.

[0049] In particular, the connecting chamber may also have parallel walls, which extend parallel to the walls of the reactor vessel, such as bottom walls or side walls, through which rod-shaped sections of power input members each extend into a wall passage, wherein the aforementioned members are positioned between the aforementioned walls of the reactor vessel and the parallel walls of the connecting chamber. The parallel walls may be designed as at least partially hollow walls and configured to allow the aforementioned or additional cooling fluid to pass through them.

[0050] Within the scope of the present invention, it will be particularly useful to use a connecting chamber without forced convection devices, such as blowers or fans, in a gas atmosphere surrounding the cooling panels. To the understanding of experts, forced convection in this specification means convection induced by an external mechanical action on a fluid. Such mechanical action produces a pressure difference that causes the fluid to flow.

[0051] When using forced cooling of rod-shaped sections of power input members within a gas chamber, which is dominant and radiative (excluding natural convection), the cooling chamber can be designed to have cooling panels that are airtight to the outside but gas-permeable to the reaction vessel (particularly through wall passages). Accordingly, a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention possesses this feature. Accordingly, since there is no gas exchange required in the case of forced convection, for example, an oxygen-poor atmosphere can be applied inside the reaction vessel.

[0052] The present invention allows rod-shaped sections of power input members to be movably housed in the walls of a reactor vessel without hermetic seals that would otherwise be required to prevent combustible gas from leaking into the environment when, for example, the reaction tubes are damaged ("coil shredder"). Accordingly, since sealing materials are unnecessary, the wall passages within the scope of the present invention can be significantly compact and permanent. It is useful that the implementation of hermetic sealing for the reactor vessel itself is significantly simplified because all components leaking from the cooling chamber into the environment have only very small compensatory movements.

[0053] In the present invention, in addition to the corresponding dimensioning and design of the power input members themselves, the aforementioned cooling ensures the maintenance of a sufficiently low overall temperature for connecting connection members of particularly high conductivity and / or flexibility. Active cooling outside the insulated reactor vessel proposed within the scope of the present invention affects the temperature distribution of the outer portions of the rod sections of the power input members (i.e., the portions protruding into the connection chamber). Cooling panels provided in the connection chamber within the scope of the present invention, which can also be understood as cooling intermediate walls, ensure the promotion of heat dissipation from the rod sections.

[0054] By using the present invention, the use of material in the design of a power input member or its rod-shaped section can be reduced. In the case of complete passive cooling, only very low heat transfer rates in the rod-shaped section may be allowed to prevent overheating under continuous load. The increased use of material required for this is undesirable in terms of cost and mechanical load on the system.

[0055] Within the scope of the present invention, a sufficiently low temperature is achieved in the connection area of ​​the tube sections so that, for example, highly conductive but temperature-sensitive copper-containing connecting members can be connected. The highly conductive connecting members minimize electrical losses in the supply wiring. Additionally, these connecting members can be flexibly designed at a sufficiently low temperature to absorb the thermal expansion of the sections of the reaction tubes during operation in this manner, and this expansion is transferred to the rod-shaped section of the power input member.

[0056] In a particularly useful embodiment of the present invention, the rod sections of the power input member within the connection chamber are accordingly designed to have a connection member of that type, namely a connection member made of a material having higher conductivity than the rod section. Alternatively or additionally, this connection member may be a flexible connection member such as the aforementioned strand wire, power strip, lamellar strip, or current spring. In this embodiment, this flexible connection member is fastened to a rigid connection member immovably placed within the connection chamber at the end not connected to the rod section as described above. The rigid connection member may be fastened to the aforementioned parallel wall and / or extend within this parallel wall.

[0057] Since the electrical conductor resistance of many metal materials increases with rising temperature, thermal power loss can be reduced by the decrease in the average temperature of the rod-shaped section of the power input member, as well as the stranded wire member connected thereto, resulting from forced cooling within the scope of the present invention, and accordingly, the efficiency of the system can be improved.

[0058] For example, demineralized or fully desalinized water having a conductivity of less than 10 μS / cm at 25°C, particularly less than 5, 1, 0.5, or 0.1 μS / cm, is usefully used as a cooling fluid within the scope of the present invention due to its very low conductivity. With the installation of cooling panels, sufficient protection is also provided, particularly against short circuits (particularly by maintaining a minimum distance).

[0059] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cooling panels are composed of parallel metal sheets connected to each other by laser or roll welding and can be expanded in a cushion-like manner.

[0060] Particularly useful is that the rod-shaped sections protruding into the cooling chamber have a cross-section at at least one point that is not less than 10 square centimeters, preferably not less than 30 square centimeters, and particularly not less than 50 square centimeters. By using such a large cross-sectional area, particularly low component temperatures can be ensured.

[0061] Preferably, as described above, the rod sections of the power input member are guided longitudinally through the wall passages of the reaction vessel. The freedom of movement guaranteed in this way is particularly useful for the mechanical behavior of the reaction tubes, which depends mainly on the thermal expansion of the tubes in units of several decimeters during the operation of the reaction vessel. Thanks to this freedom of movement, the bending load on the reaction tubes that may occur in the case of rigid fastening is reduced. On the other hand, as described below, in the case of AC heating, the reaction tubes can be fastened to a rigid star bridge on the ceiling of the reaction vessel in a second area, so that a stable suspension is provided in this way even in the case of the corresponding longitudinal mobility of the rod sections of the power input member. Preferably, by dimensionally setting the pipe cross-section to a sufficiently large size, the rod sections of the power input member ensure reliable lateral guidance of the reaction tubes. On the other hand, components extending from the cooling chamber to the perimeter through connection via a particularly flexible connecting member within the cooling chamber as described above have very small compensatory movements.

[0062] Since the reactions performed in the reactor according to the present invention require high temperatures, the electrical connection in the first region must be implemented in a high temperature range of, for example, about 900°C for steam decomposition. This is made possible by the means proposed according to the present invention, the selection of appropriate materials, and sufficient dimensional settings thereof. At the same time, this connection is designed to have high conductivity, high mechanical stability, and reliability at high temperatures. In the case of using AC heating and a forming point connection, failure of the electrical connection can cause asymmetric potential at the forming point and, consequently, lead to an immediate safety-related shutdown of the system due to unwanted current conduction within the system components.

[0063] Compared to a theoretically similar connection outside the reactor vessel where the reaction tubes could be drawn out for this purpose, the connection of the tube sections within the reactor vessel provided according to the present invention has the advantage of a clearly defined path for the electric heat input, as the electric heating tube sections do not need to be guided from a hotter internal space to a colder external space. Through the connection according to the present invention, spatially very uniform external heat boundary conditions for the electric heating tube sections can be achieved because the tube sections are placed entirely within the reactor vessel. This results in advantages for process engineering, for example, that excessive local coke formation expected to occur within the heated and externally insulated passage can be prevented.

[0064] Within the scope of the present invention, the power input member, the connection passage, and the pipe sections may be composed of the same material or, if preferred, the same material, with conductivity (in terms of material constants as conventionally understood by experts) differing from each other by 50% or less, 30% or less, or 10% or less. For example, the aforementioned components may also be composed of steel of the same steel grade. The use of the same or closely related materials can simplify casting and welding. On the other hand, the connection members connected within the cooling chamber may be composed of other materials that are less heat-resistant.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment, the power input member, the connection passage, and the pipe sections have or are composed of a heat-resistant chrome-nickel steel alloy having high oxidation and corrosion resistance and high carburization resistance.

[0066] For example, it may be an iron-containing metal having 0.1 to 0.5 wt% carbon, 20 to 50 wt% chromium, 20 to 80 wt% nickel, 0 to 2 wt% niobium, 0 to 3 wt% silicon, 0 to 5% tungsten, and 0 to 1 wt% other components, the contents of which add up to form a non-ferrous portion.

[0067] For example, standard specifications according to DIN EN 10027 Part 1, "Materials" GX40CrNiSi25-20, GX40NiCrSiNb35-25, GX45NiCrSiNbTi35-25, GX35CrNiSiNb24-24, GX45NiCrSi35-25, GX43NiCrWSi35-25-4, GX10NiCrNb32-20, GX50CrNiSi30-30, G-NiCr28W, G-NiCrCoW, GX45NiCrSiNb45-35, GX13NiCrNb45-35, GX13NiCrNb37-25, or GX55NiCrWZr33-30-04 materials can be used. They have been proven to be particularly suitable for high-temperature applications.

[0068] In all the aforementioned cases, the connecting members and pipe sections may be composed of the same material or (in terms of material constants as is customary in the art) materials with conductivity up to 50%, up to 30%, up to 10%, or preferably the same. For example, the connecting members and pipe sections may be composed of steel or the same grade of steel; the use of the same or closely related materials may facilitate a one-piece design of the connecting members and pipe sections, for example, by casting or welding.

[0069] In the second region, all tube sections within the reaction vessel are electrically conductively connected to one another by a rigid connecting member ("star bridge") when heated by alternating current, or this connection is formed by a group of multiple rigid connecting members.

[0070] In this case, that is, in the case of heating by alternating current, the conductive connection is made in such a way that at least extensive potential equalization of the phases connected in the first region is possible, as described above. Unlike collectors placed outside the reactor known in the prior art, one or more connecting members combine the connecting pipe sections in a particularly fluid-collecting and non-fluid-distributing manner. The potential equalization within the reactor vessel proposed in the embodiment of the invention just described has the advantage of being completely free from potential or having significantly reduced current feedback through neutral conductors that can be connected thereto, resulting in minimal current dissipation through connections to other parts of the process system and enabling a high level of shock protection. Compared to directing the reaction pipes outside the reactor vessel through the walls of the reactor vessel required for potential equalization, the advantage of applying spatially very homogeneous external thermal boundary conditions results in the process-related advantages already described in this context.

[0071] By implementing a corresponding molding circuit in combination with the aforementioned power input through a longitudinally guided power input member, a structure is created that enables efficient energy supply along with stable fastening capable of withstanding stress primarily caused by a high thermal expansion rate.

[0072] The present invention will first be described below with reference to reaction tubes and reaction vessels used for steam decomposition. However, as will be described later, the present invention may also be used in other types of reaction vessels. Generally, as described above, a reaction vessel according to the present invention may be used to carry out any endothermic chemical reaction.

[0073] Reaction tubes, such as those typically used in steam cracking, have at least one U-bend. For example, they may be used with so-called two-passage coils. This has two tube sections in the reactor vessel, which are merged together through (precisely) a single U-bend, thereby essentially forming a (long) U shape. In particular, the sections entering and exiting the vessel that merge seamlessly or without flow-related transitions to the heated tube sections will be referred to in this specification (and also for the reaction tubes described below) as the "feed section" and the "extraction section." There are always several of these reaction tubes.

[0074] In this embodiment, the reaction vessel is designed to include two pipe sections of a plurality of reaction tubes, each pipe section being arranged at least partially side-by-side within the reaction vessel, and the two pipe sections of the plurality of reaction tubes are each merged with each other in a first region through a U-shaped curve. In particular, as described above, one of the two pipe sections is connected to a supply section in a second region and the other of the two pipe sections is connected to a discharge section in the second region.

[0075] In this case, one or more connection passages of the power input structure may be or may have U-shaped bends. Since there are multiple reaction tubes having U-shaped bends, if there are a corresponding number of current supply structures, multiple U-shaped bends may be provided in each of the power input structures and connected to the current connection in this way. In this way, mechanical fastening can be improved and the number of components can be reduced. However, alternatively, to ensure individual longitudinal mobility of the power input member for thermal expansion, which may differ, for example, it is also possible to provide one power input structure per U-shaped bend, even if multiple U-shaped bends are powered through a single power connection.

[0076] The above embodiment of the present invention just described can also be applied to reaction tubes having two supply sections and one discharge section. In such reaction tubes, the two supply sections are each connected to one tube section. The discharge section is also connected to one tube section. Typically, in a Y-shaped connection area, the tube sections connected to the supply sections are merged into the tube section connected to the discharge section. As well as the tube sections connected to the supply sections and the tube sections connected to the discharge section, each may have one or more U-shaped bends or may not have any.

[0077] For example, the reaction tubes shown in Fig. 8c can be used. Here, the tube sections connected to the supply section do not have U-shaped bends, whereas the tube section connected to the discharge section has U-shaped bends.

[0078] However, reaction tubes as shown in FIG. 8b may also be used. Here, the tube sections connected to the supply section each have one U-shaped bend, and the tube section connected to the discharge section has two U-shaped bends.

[0079] Even reaction tubes as shown in FIG. 8a can be used. Here, the tube sections connected to the supply section each have three U-shaped bends, and the tube section connected to the discharge section has two U-shaped bends.

[0080] However, in addition to the aforementioned embodiments related to the 2-passage coil, embodiments suitable for use with the so-called 4-passage coil may also be used. These basically have four straight tube sections. However, configurations having an even number of tube sections are also possible.

[0081] More generally, the correspondingly designed reactor comprises one or more reaction tubes, each having four or more even tube sections connected in series through a plurality of U-shaped tubes, the number of U-shaped tubes being less than the number of tube sections connected in series, wherein the U-shaped tubes are alternately arranged in first and second regions such that the first U-shaped tube starts in the first region.

[0082] In this specification, "U-bend" is understood to mean a pipe section or pipe component comprising, in particular, a partially circular or partially elliptical, in particular a semicircular or semi-elliptical bend. The beginning and end (of the U-bend) have cross-sections located adjacent to each other, in particular in the same plane.

[0083] If located in a first region within a reaction vessel and supplied with power accordingly, each of the U-shaped curved pipes may be configured to represent the form of a connection passage within a power input structure or a part of such a connection passage according to the present invention. Accordingly, the connected power input members protrude into a connection chamber.

[0084] As mentioned above, the reactor can be designed specifically as a reactor for steam decomposition, which is achieved particularly by the selection of heat-resistant materials and the geometric design of the reaction tubes.

[0085] Tube sections, as typically used for steam reforming, typically do not have U-shaped bends within the reactor vessel. However, in this case, a tube section may be provided, each consisting of multiple reaction tubes, wherein the tube sections within the reactor vessel are arranged at least partially side-by-side in a manner not fluidly connected, and each is connected (fluidically) to a supply section in a first region and (fluidly) connected to a discharge section in a second region. The fluid supply and discharge sections do not extend in the same direction as the tube sections, in particular, or cause a fluid flow that is deflected by more than 15° compared to the fluid flow within the tube sections connected thereto. The supply and discharge sections are formed integrally with them, that is, in particular, in the form of the same tube. For steam reforming, the reaction tubes may also be provided with a particularly suitable catalyst.

[0086] In this embodiment, the connection passage of the power input structure according to the present invention may be a straight tube section or a channel. Here, the power input member may be attached to the reaction tubes of the second region, particularly in a sleeve manner.

[0087] In all cases, the number of metal-to-metal connections (e.g., welding or soldering) can be reduced or completely omitted by configuring the power input member and connection passages, and optionally the pipe sections, with as few individual parts as possible. Accordingly, mechanical stability and reliability can be improved. In particularly useful embodiments, the power input member and connection passages may be implemented as a single casting, or, as described above, parts of the process conductive pipes may be integrally cast into the connection member and / or parts of the process conductive pipes may be formed as integral components of said casting.

[0088] Metal-to-metal connections or metal transitions that can be reduced within the scope of the present invention may cause local changes in electrical resistance and consequently cause hot spots. Hot spots may subsequently cause a shortened service life due to elevated local temperatures or mechanical stress peaks due to steep local temperature gradients. This can be prevented within the scope of the present invention.

[0089] The integral connection configuration of as many components as possible provides mechanical stability and reliability and reduces individual components. As previously mentioned, high mechanical stability is desirable because damage would result in a safety crisis. Within the concept of the present invention, according to the aforementioned embodiments, the principle of resistance heating reaction tubes with multiphase alternating current in a forming circuit is technically feasible in a high temperature range, namely, in particular above 500°C, above 600°C, above 700°C, or above 800°C.

[0090] The present invention also relates to a method for carrying out a chemical reaction using a reaction vessel having a reaction vessel and one or more reaction tubes, wherein power input members are guided into the reaction vessel for electric heating of one or more reaction tubes.

[0091] According to the present invention, a reactor is used having power input members each having a rod-shaped section, wherein the rod-shaped sections extend into a wall passage penetrating the wall of the reactor vessel. A connecting chamber through which the rod-shaped sections protrude is disposed outside the reactor vessel, adjacent to the wall of the reactor vessel through which the rod-shaped sections extend into the wall passage penetrating it. Cooling panels through which a cooling fluid can flow are provided in the connecting chamber and are disposed between at least two or at least two groups of rod-shaped sections protruding into the connecting chamber.

[0092] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, a reaction vessel having a plurality of tube sections extending between a first region and a second region of each reaction vessel vessel is used, wherein the first regions for heating the tube sections are each electrically connected to one or more power connections of a power source.

[0093] In this embodiment, a reactor having power input configurations in which each of one or each group of pipe sections is electrically connected is used in the first region, and each power input configuration has one of power input members having a rod-shaped section(s) that extend through a wall passage penetrating the wall of the reactor vessel. A connecting chamber through which the rod-shaped sections protrude is disposed outside the reactor vessel, adjacent to the reactor vessel through which the rod-shaped sections extend through the wall passage penetrating it. Cooling panels through which a cooling fluid can flow are disposed within the connecting chamber and are positioned between at least two or at least two groups of rod-shaped sections protruding into the connecting chamber.

[0094] For additional features and advantages of a corresponding method in which one of the embodiments of the present invention described above is preferably used, please refer to the above description.

[0095] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings illustrating embodiments of the present invention, with reference to and comparison with the prior art. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0096] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a reaction vessel for performing a chemical reaction according to an embodiment not in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a reaction vessel for performing a chemical reaction according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a reaction vessel for performing a chemical reaction according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a reaction vessel having a power input structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5a and 5b are partial views of a reaction vessel having a connecting chamber according to the present invention, seen in longitudinal and transverse sections. FIGS. 6a to 6c are drawings showing reaction tubes used in a reaction vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention and their arrangement. FIGS. 7a and 7b are drawings showing reaction tubes used in a reaction vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention and their arrangement. FIGS. 8a to 8c are drawings showing reaction tubes used in a reaction vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention and their arrangement. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a reaction vessel having a power input member according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0097] In the drawings below, functionally or structurally corresponding components are indicated by the same reference numerals and are not described repeatedly for clarity. Where components of the device are described below, the corresponding description relates to the method by which they are performed, and vice versa. The descriptions in the drawings repeatedly refer to AC heating. However, as previously mentioned, the present invention is equally suitable for DC heating. Refer to the description above.

[0098] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a reactor that performs a chemical reaction according to an embodiment not in accordance with the present invention.

[0099] In this drawing, the reactor designated as 300 is set up to perform a chemical reaction. To this end, the reactor has a particularly insulated reactor vessel (10) and reaction tubes (20), designated as 21 in only two cases, which extend between a first region (11') and a second region (12') within the reactor vessel (10), respectively. The reaction tubes (20), which will be described in more detail later with reference to FIG. 2, are attached to the ceiling or support structure of the reactor vessel by a suitable suspension (13). In the lower region, the reactor vessel may particularly have a furnace (not shown). Of course, in each of the above and below cases, a plurality of reaction tubes may be provided.

[0100] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a reaction vessel for carrying out a chemical reaction according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is indicated as 100 in total.

[0101] The regions previously designated as 11' and 12' form regions 11 and 12 here, wherein the tube sections (21) heating the tube sections (21) in the first region (11) can each be electrically connected to the phase connections (U, V, W) of the multiphase AC power source (50). Switches and specific types of connections are not illustrated.

[0102] In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in this drawing, the tube sections (21) are integrally connected to one or more reaction tubes (20) in the second region (12) and are conductively connected to each other by a connecting member (30) disposed within the reaction vessel (10). A neutral conductor may also be connected therein.

[0103] In the reaction vessel (100) illustrated in this drawing, (although a plurality of such reaction tubes (20) may be provided), a plurality of tube sections (21) of the reaction tubes (20) are accordingly arranged side by side within the reaction vessel vessel (10). The tube sections (21) are joined together (only partially indicated) through U-shaped bends (U-bends; 23) and connected to a feed section (feed section; 24) and an extraction section (extraction section; 25).

[0104] A first group of U-shaped curved pipes (23) (located at the bottom of the drawing) is arranged side by side in a first area (11), and a second group of U-shaped curved pipes (23) (located at the top of the drawing) is arranged side by side in a second area (12). The U-shaped curved pipes (21) of the second group are formed within a connecting member (30), and the pipe sections (21) extend from the connecting member (30) in the second area (12) to the first area (11).

[0105] Within the scope of the present invention, the use of the connecting member (30) is preferred but optional. On the other hand, the embodiments of the present invention to be described below relate particularly to the power input means in the first region (11). This is accomplished by the use of the power input member (41), which is illustrated in this drawing in a very simplified manner and only one is indicated. These protrude into the cooling chamber (60) as part of the power input configuration, as described particularly with reference to FIG. 4, the cooling chamber is described in more detail with the cooling panels (61), particularly with reference to FIG. 5a and 5b.

[0106] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a reaction vessel for carrying out a chemical reaction according to an embodiment of the present invention, the reaction vessel being indicated as 200 in total.

[0107] In the reaction vessel (200), pipe sections—here denoted as 22 in contrast—each comprise a pipe section (22) composed of a plurality of reaction pipes (20), wherein the pipe sections (22) are arranged side by side in such a manner that no fluid is connected within the reaction vessel vessel (10) and are each connected to a supply section (24) and a discharge section (25). For the remaining members, please explicitly refer to the above description of the preceding drawings.

[0108] Once again, within the scope of the present invention, the use of the connecting member (30) is preferred but optional. In this drawing as well, the power input member (41) is depicted in a very simplified manner. The power input members may have a sleeve-like region (49), which is located in the first region (11) around the reaction tube (20) or tube sections.

[0109] FIG. 4 illustrates a first region (11) of a reaction tank (100) according to FIG. 2, for example, having a power input structure (40) placed in the first region (11) and a reaction tube (20) connected thereto, wherein the tube sections (21) shown in this figure are joined together through a U-shaped curved tube (23).

[0110] A U-shaped curved pipe (23) is formed within a connecting passage (42) having a reinforced wall in this drawing, which is adjacent to two pipe sections (21) in the first area (11). The wall of the connecting passage (42), and the wall of the U-shaped curved pipe (23) accordingly, is connected to the aforementioned power input member, which is shown between the dotted lines in this drawing and is collectively indicated as 41, which has a rod-shaped section (43) extending into a wall passage (15) penetrating the wall (14) of the reactor vessel (10). The wall passage (15) is shown with an exaggerated width in this drawing. The rod-shaped section is housed longitudinally within the wall passage (15) and is lined with, for example, a suitable insulating material (16).

[0111] On the outside of or adjacent to the wall (14) of the reaction vessel (10), the aforementioned connection chamber (60) is arranged together with cooling panels (61), which is further explained with reference to FIGS. 5a and 5b.

[0112] In the illustrated example, the rod section (42) is adjacent to an additional rod section (45), and its temperature gradually decreases as the distance from the reaction vessel (10) increases, particularly due to cooling by the cooling panel (61). The additional rod section is combined with a power input pin (46), and two connecting members (66) in the form of a stranded wire for connecting, for example, phases (U, V, W) are attached thereto.

[0113] FIGS. 5A and 5B show partial cross-sections of a reactor (100) having a connecting chamber (60) according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed in longitudinal section (FIS. 5A) and transverse section (FIS. 5B), where only a few selected members are shown in the transverse section (FIS. 5B), and the number of members shown corresponds only partially to one another for more general applicability. FIGS. 5A and 5B are particularly simplified because a much larger number of members than shown herein may be provided in an actual reactor.

[0114] In particular, as can be seen in FIG. 5a, the rod-shaped sections (43) of the power input member extend into a wall passage (15) that penetrates the wall (14) of the reactor vessel (10). The connecting chamber (60) through which the rod-shaped section (43) protrudes is adjacent to the wall (14) of the reactor vessel (0) to which the rod-shaped sections (43) extend into the wall passage (15), outside the reactor vessel (10).

[0115] Cooling panels (61) are provided within the connecting chamber (60) and arranged particularly as shown in FIG. 5b. Cooling fluid can flow through them, and they are arranged between at least two or at least two groups of rod-shaped sections (43) protruding into the connecting chamber (60).

[0116] The connecting chamber (60) has side walls (60) perpendicular to the wall (14) of the reaction vessel (10) through which the rod-shaped sections (43) pass, and as shown in FIG. 5b and not separately shown in FIG. 5a, one or more additional cooling panels (63) may also be placed on at least one of the side walls (62).

[0117] The connecting chamber (60) is illustrated in FIG. 5a and has a parallel wall (64) extending parallel to the wall (14) of the reaction vessel (10) through which rod-shaped sections (43) pass, wherein the parallel wall (64) is formed as a hollow wall in at least one section so that a cooling fluid also flows through it. The connecting chamber (60) is designed without a device to provide forced convection within the gas atmosphere (65) surrounding the cooling panel (61) and the rod-shaped sections (43).

[0118] In the connection chamber (60), flexible connection members, illustrated as stranded wires in FIG. 5a, are connected to rod-shaped sections (43), and at the ends not connected to the rod-shaped sections (43), are connected to rigid contact elements (67) that are immovably placed in the connection chamber (60) and connected to an insulating receptacle (not further described) at the bottom (64).

[0119] In a cracker furnace, in addition to reaction tubes (20), generally referred to as six-passage coils, and six straight tube sections (21) having two 180° curves, i.e., U-shaped curves (23), above and within the second region (12) and three 180° curves, i.e., U-shaped curves (23), below and within the first region (11) (the latter having a corresponding power input structure), a variant having fewer passages may also be used. For example, the so-called two-passage coil has two straight tube sections (21) and only one 180° curve, i.e., U-shaped curve (23). When applied to electric heating, this variant can be considered as a combination of a six-passage cracker furnace (Figs. 1 and 2) and a reforming furnace (Fig. 3, having reaction tubes without U-shaped curves (23).

[0120] Power input can be provided at one point per reaction tube (21), each via a lower (or only) U-shaped curve. In each case, M reaction tubes can be electrically connected to each other by a common connecting member (30) with a phase shift of 360° / M. In the first alternative, a particularly large connecting member (30) can be used for each coil package or for all reaction tubes (20). However, the use of two smaller connecting members (30) is also possible.

[0121] The first alternative just described is illustrated in FIG. 6b, and the second alternative just described is illustrated in FIG. 6c in cross-section through pipe sections (21), where the corresponding reaction pipe (10) is illustrated in FIG. 6a in a drawing orthogonal to FIG. 6b and 6c. Refer to FIG. 1 for indications of the corresponding members. It goes without saying that connecting member(s) (30) having U-shaped curved pipes (23) arranged on one side are arranged, and another U-shaped curved pipe (23) having connections to phases (U, V, W) through a power input structure (40) (illustrated very briefly here) on the other side is arranged on other planes corresponding to the first and second regions (11, 12) of the reaction tank. Once again, it should be emphasized that the presence and arrangement of the connecting member (30) within the scope of the present invention is purely optional or arbitrary.

[0122] This concept may also be applied accordingly to coils or reaction tubes (20) having four passages or tube sections (21) (so-called four-passage coils) having one, two, or four molded bridges in this case. Corresponding examples are shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b, and four connecting members are shown in FIG. 6b. For better visibility, U-shaped curves (23) are shown in this figure with dashed lines (U-shaped curves in the second region (12) of the reaction vessel) and solid lines (U-shaped curves in the first region (11) of the reaction vessel). For clarity, reference numbers are provided only for some of the members.

[0123] The connecting chamber (60) of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6a to 6c and 7a and 7b is designed as described in principle, so it is shown in this drawing in a very simplified form.

[0124] FIGS. 8a through 8c have already been referenced and illustrate other reaction tubes to be used in a reaction vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention. In these drawings, the reaction tubes and tube sections are provided with reference numbers only in some cases. The supply and discharge sections can be inferred from the illustrated flow arrows. In particular, the power input structure (40) or connection chamber (60), which may exist in multiple numbers and may be designed in the manner described above, is illustrated with dashed lines in a highly simplified manner.

[0125] FIG. 9 shows in detail the first region (11) of the reaction vessel (200), where the members depicted have each already been described in relation to FIG. 4. However, in contrast to FIG. 4, the reaction tube (20) in this drawing does not have a U-shaped curve, and the tube sections (21) are arranged along a common central axis. The non-curved transition region is indicated as 23a. A corresponding embodiment may be used, for example, instead of the sleeve of the reaction vessel (200) according to FIG. 3. This configuration may be placed particularly on the side wall of the reaction vessel (200), in which case it is rotated by 90° compared to FIG. 9.

[0126] In this drawing as well, the transition area (23a) is formed within a connecting passage (42) having a reinforcing wall, which is adjacent to two pipe sections (21) in the first area (11). For further explanation, refer to FIG. 4. In this drawing as well, the wall passage (15) is also depicted with an exaggerated width. In this drawing as well, the rod-shaped section is housed within the wall passage (15) so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction and is lined with, for example, a suitable insulating material (15). However, unlike what is depicted here, the wall passage (15) can also be designed differently, particularly to create additional movability. This also applies to an optional bellows structure (44).

Claims

Claim 1 A reaction vessel (100, 200) for performing a chemical reaction, having a reaction vessel vessel (10) and at least one reaction tube (20), wherein power input members (41) for electric heating of the at least one reaction tube (20) are introduced into the reaction vessel vessel (10), wherein each of the power input members (41) has rod-shaped sections (43) extending into a corresponding wall passage (15) penetrating the wall (14) of the reaction vessel vessel (10), wherein a connecting chamber (60) through which the rod-shaped sections (43) protrude is located outside the reaction vessel vessel (10) and adjacent to the wall (14) of the reaction vessel vessel (10) where the wall passage (15) is formed, wherein cooling panels (61) are provided within the connecting chamber (60) and disposed between at least two or at least two groups of the rod-shaped sections (43), and a cooling fluid is applied to the cooling panels (61). A reaction vessel (100, 200) characterized by being able to flow through and having the rod-shaped sections (43) protrude into the connecting chamber (60). Claim 2 In claim 1, a plurality of tube sections (21, 22) of at least one reaction tube (20) each pass between a first region (11) and a second region (12) of the reaction vessel (10), the first region (11) is located on a first end of the tube sections (21, 22) and the second region (12) is located on a second end of the tube sections (21, 22) opposite to the first end, wherein the tube sections (21, 22) of the first region (11) are connected or can be connected to phase connections (U, V, W) of a power source for electric heating of the tube sections (21, 22), and wherein power input configurations (40) to which each one or each group of the tube sections (21, 22) are electrically connected are provided in the first region (11), wherein each of the power input configurations (40) is a wall (14) of the reaction vessel (10). A reaction vessel (100, 200) having one of power input members (41) having rod-shaped sections (43) that extend through and into the wall passage (15). Claim 3 In claim 1, the cooling panels (61) are each extended between the interfaces, and the distance between the interfaces defines the thickness of the cooling panels (61) along the interfaces, wherein the extension of the cooling panels (61) along the interfaces is 2, 5, 10, or 20 times or more the thickness of the cooling panels (61). Claim 4 In paragraph 3, the reaction vessel (100, 200) having the boundary surfaces defining the thickness of the cooling panel (61) as flat or curved surfaces. Claim 5 In paragraph 3, at least two of the cooling panels (61) rotate relative to each other around an axis parallel to the longitudinal extension direction of the rod-shaped sections (43) and orthogonal to the wall (14) of the reaction vessel (10). Claim 6 In paragraph 3, the reaction tank (100, 200) is configured such that the cooling panels (61) allow the cooling fluid to flow through the cooling panels (61) in a direction orthogonal or parallel to the longitudinal extension direction of the rod-shaped sections (43). Claim 7 In paragraph 3, a reaction vessel (100, 200) in which the thickness of the cooling panels (61) of at least that section is 0.5 cm to 10 cm. Claim 8 In claim 1, the connecting chamber (60) has side walls (62) that extend orthogonally to the wall (14) of the reaction vessel through which the rod-shaped sections (43) extend, wherein at least one additional cooling panel (63) is disposed on at least one of the side walls (62) of the reaction vessel (100, 200). Claim 9 In claim 1, the connecting chamber (60) has a parallel wall (64) that extends parallel to the wall (14) of the reaction vessel (10) through which the rod-shaped sections (43) extend, wherein at least one part of the parallel wall (64) is configured as a hollow wall so that the cooling fluid or additional cooling fluid flows through it, in a reaction vessel (100, 200). Claim 10 In claim 1, the reaction vessel (100, 200) is designed without a device that provides forced convection to the gas atmosphere (65) surrounding the cooling panels (61) and the rod-shaped sections (43). Claim 11 In claim 1, the connecting chamber (60) is airtight except for the wall (14) of the reaction vessel (10) forming the wall of the connecting chamber (60). Claim 12 In claim 1, a copper-containing connecting member and / or flexible connecting member (66) connected to a rigid connecting member fixedly disposed within the connecting chamber (60) at an end not connected to the rod-shaped sections (43) in a reaction vessel (100, 200) connected to the rod-shaped sections (43) within the connecting chamber (60). Claim 13 In claim 1, each of the rod-shaped sections (43) protruding into the connecting chamber (60) has a reaction vessel (100, 200) having a cross-section of at least 10 square centimeters in part. Claim 14 In claim 1, a reaction vessel (100, 200) designed to include all reaction devices for steam decomposition or a reaction vessel (200) including all reaction devices for steam denaturation, dry denaturation, or catalytic dehydration of alkanes. Claim 15 A method for performing a chemical reaction using a reaction vessel (100, 200) having a reaction vessel (10) and at least one reaction tube (20), wherein power input members (41) for electric heating of the at least one reaction tube (20) are introduced into the reaction vessel (10), wherein each of the power input members (41) has rod-shaped sections (43) extending into a corresponding wall passage (15) penetrating the wall (14) of the reaction vessel (10), wherein a connecting chamber (60) through which the rod-shaped sections (43) protrude is located outside the reaction vessel (10) and adjacent to the wall (14) of the reaction vessel (10) through which the rod-shaped sections (43) pass through the wall passage (15), wherein cooling panels (61) are provided within the connecting chamber (60) and disposed between at least two or at least two groups of the rod-shaped sections (43), and a cooling fluid is passed through the cooling panels (61). A method characterized by the rod-shaped sections (43) being able to flow and protruding into the connecting chamber (60).

Images