A process for the synthesis of methanol, comprising the steps of reforming a hydrocarbon source obtaining a make-up gas feed (101 ), feeding said make up gas to a synthesis loop (L), converting said make up gas to methanol (108) in a substantially isothermal catalytic environment, wherein said catalytic environment comprises a plurality of isothermal catalytic beds (1 1, 12, 21 ) preferably arranged in series, and at least a portion of make-up gas (101 ) is mixed with recycle gas (1 12) from the loop (L), obtaining a gaseous mixture of fresh gas and recycle gas, and at least a portion of said gaseous mixture is directed between two consecutive catalytic beds acting as a quench gas. A related plant is also disclosed.
B01J 8/04 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds the fluid passing successively through two or more beds
C07C 29/152 - Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom not belonging to a six-membered aromatic ring by reduction of oxides of carbon exclusively with hydrogen or hydrogen-containing gases characterised by the reactor used
A steam cooled chemical reactor (1) comprising a vertical vessel (2), a plate heat exchanger embedded in a catalytic bed, to cool the catalytic bed by evaporation of a cooling water flow, wherein a water inlet and a steam outlet are located underneath the heat exchanger, and the plates and related piping are arranged so that the path of the cooling flow comprises a first ascending path from bottom to top of the catalytic bed, and a second descending path from top to the bottom of catalytic bed, and wherein internal evaporation channels of the plates provide the second descending or the first ascending path, and water upcomers or respectively steam downcomers provide the other of said first and second path.
B01J 8/02 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
B01J 19/24 - Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
F28D 9/00 - Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
Isothermal vertical reactor (1) for a chemical reaction, comprising a shell (2) with internal gas-permeable walls (16, 18) defining an inlet distribution chamber (17) and a product collecting chamber (19), an open-topcatalytic bed between said gas-permeable walls, and a tube heat exchanger (5) embedded in said catalytic bed, the tube heat exchanger (5) comprising a bundle of U-tubes, where an inlet (14) is disposed to direct a fresh charge in an upper chamber (21) over the catalytic bed and the U-shaped top portion of the tube bundle; a portion (F1) of the fresh charge passes through the catalytic bed with a mixed axial-transversal flow, and another portion (F2) of the fresh charge enters the inlet gas-distribution chamber (17) and passes through the catalytic bed with a substantially transversal flow.
B01J 8/02 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
F28D 7/06 - Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits having a single U-bend
4.
PLATE HEAT EXCHANGER FOR ISOTHERMAL CHEMICAL REACTORS
A radial-flow plate heat exchanger (5) embedded in the catalytic bed of an isothermal chemical reactor (1) has heat exchange plates (10) comprising fluid passages (13) between a first metal sheet (20) and a second metal sheet (21) joined by perimeter weld seams (23) on a first surface (A) of the plate, a feeding channel (14) and a collecting channel (15) for the heat exchange fluid are formed with suitable metal sheets which are seam welded (25) directly to the opposite surface (B) of the plate, this structure allows the manufacturing of the plate (10) with an automated seam welding process, such as laser beam welding.
B01J 8/02 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
F28D 9/00 - Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
A tube isothermal chemical reactor (1), comprising a vessel (2) with a central axis (A-A), and an annular tube heat exchanger (40) embedded in a catalytic reaction space, the exchanger (40) comprising a plurality of concentric ranks (10, 11) of tube packs (10a), each of said tube packs comprising parallel tubes (30), a respective heat-exchange fluid feeder (20) and a respective heat-exchange fluid collector (21).
B01J 8/02 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
F28D 7/16 - Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits being arranged in parallel spaced relation
A process for synthesis of methanol, where make-up syngas is reacted in a synthesis loop (10) obtaining crude methanol, and where a purge gas (20) taken from said synthesis loop is heated to 200 – 500 °C by indirect heat exchange with a high-temperature heat source, the heated purge gas (33) being expanded in a gas expander (34) to recover energy.
C07C 29/151 - Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom not belonging to a six-membered aromatic ring by reduction of oxides of carbon exclusively with hydrogen or hydrogen-containing gases
7.
RECOVERY OF CO2 IN A PROCESS FOR SYNTHESIS OF METHANOL
A process for producing methanol, where a hydrocarbon feedstock (1) is reformed and a make-up syngas is reacted in a synthesis loop, obtaining crude methanol which is further treated to obtain high-grade methanol, and where the carbon dioxide dissolved in the crude methanol is recycled to the reforming section in order to adjust the stoichiometric number of the make-up syngas. In a preferred embodiment, a flash gas (9) separated from the crude methanol (8) and light ends (10) coming from distillation are recycled to a compressor (106) and fed to a primary reformer (100); further carbon dioxide can be recycled from the flue gas (11).
C07C 29/151 - Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom not belonging to a six-membered aromatic ring by reduction of oxides of carbon exclusively with hydrogen or hydrogen-containing gases
An isothermal chemical reactor (1) comprising an array of radially arranged plate-like heat exchange elements (11) inside a reaction space, each element comprising feeding and collecting ducts and a bundle of parallel tubes (15) defining channels (12) for a heat exchange medium, the tubes (15) having an elongated cross section and being disposed with a variable orientation relative to the radial direction of the reactor, so that inner tubes near the axis of the reactor have the cross-section major axis aligned with said radial direction, and outer tubes have the same axis perpendicular to the radial direction. The preferred structure of a plate-like heat exchange element is also disclosed.
B01J 8/02 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
B01J 19/24 - Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
F28D 1/00 - Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators
9.
PROCESS FOR PRODUCING METHANOL FROM STEAM REFORMING
A process and plant for producing methanol from steam reforming, where a syngas (13) from steam reforming and having a certain hydrogen excess is mixed with a partially oxidized syngas (26) produced in a partial oxidation section (22) and having a low hydrogen content, thus obtaining a gaseous reactant with a balanced stoichiometric number in the high pressure synthesis loop (16). A revamping process for conventional steam reforming methanol plants is also disclosed, providing the addition of a partial oxidation section (22) in parallel to the existing reforming section (12).
B01J 8/00 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes
C07C 29/151 - Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom not belonging to a six-membered aromatic ring by reduction of oxides of carbon exclusively with hydrogen or hydrogen-containing gases
10.
ISOTHERMAL CHEMICAL REACTOR WITH PLATE HEAT EXCHANGER
A chemical isothermal reactor (1) with internal plate heat exchanger (10) having heat-exchange radial plates (11), and radial ducts (14, 15) parallel to sides (13i, 13s) of the plates (11) for distributing and collecting a heat exchange fluid, said radial ducts having a portion with a smaller cross section near the inner converging ends (14c, 15c).
B01J 8/02 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
F28D 9/00 - Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
Isothermal radial-flow chemical reactor (1, 100, 200) comprising a heat exchanger (10, 110, 210) in which the heating/ cooling fluid side is divided into annular and concentric portions, which extend in respective regions of the reaction zone inside the reactor, and are provided with an independent supply and flow rate control. According to one embodiment, the heat exchanger comprises plates (11) with an internal chamber ( 15) further divided into channels (15a, 15b, 15c) starting from the fluid inlet side (16), with a mixing zone (21) in proximity of the outlet collector.
B01J 8/02 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
12.
SUPPORTING SYSTEM OF HEAT EXCHANGE PLATES IN ISOTHERMAL CHEMICAL REACTORS
System for supporting a plate heat exchanger (10, 100, 200) inside an isothermal chemical reactor (1), comprising a circumferential ring structure (40) fixed at least to top radial sides (19s) of the plates (11), said structure being formed as a single or double ring.
B01J 8/02 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
F28D 9/00 - Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
13.
CHEMICAL REACTOR WITH PLATE TYPE HEAT EXCHANGE UNIT
An isothermal chemical reactor (1) is described comprising a plate (30) heat exchange unit (12), immersed in a catalytic bed (7) and destined to heat or cool the reagents in order to maintain the reaction temperature in a predetermined range; said plates (30) are formed by two flat walls (31, 32) and longitudinal spacers (33), with obtainment of parallel channels (34) for the circulation of a heat exchange fluid.
B01J 8/02 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
B01J 19/00 - Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in generalTheir relevant apparatus
F28D 9/00 - Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
14.
HEAT EXCHANGE UNIT FOR ISOTHERMAL CHEMICAL REACTORS
Plate heat exchange unit (12) for isothermal or pseudo-isothermal chemical reactors, for the heat exchange between a fluid circulating inside the plates and an outer flow of reactant gases, wherein the walls (14, 15), of the plates (13) have notches (14s, 15s) surrounded by suitable joining lines (105), obtaining openings (104) passing through the plates (13) themselves, the plates resulting substantially permeable in the transversal direction to the reactant gases.
B01J 8/02 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
F28D 9/00 - Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
F28F 3/08 - Elements constructed for building-up into stacks, e.g. capable of being taken apart for cleaning
B01J 19/24 - Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
15.
PROCESS AND PLANT FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF METHANOL WITH HYDROGEN RECOVERY FROM SYNTHESIS LOOP PURGE
Process and plant for the synthesis of methanol with hydrogen recovery from the synthesis loop (1), in which: the synthesis loop operates at the production pressure of the fresh make-up gas (6); a drawing is provided of purge gas (14) from the unreacted recycle gases, said drawing being downstream of the circulation compression section (5) of the synthesis loop (1); the recovery hydrogen (16) is obtained with a low pressure drop system (15), and is recycled directly into the synthesis loop (1) upstream of said compression section.
C07C 29/151 - Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom not belonging to a six-membered aromatic ring by reduction of oxides of carbon exclusively with hydrogen or hydrogen-containing gases
A process for producing methanol synthesis gas from the reforming of hydrocarbons with steam in a primary reformer (1) equipped with a plurality of externally heated catalytic tubes and then together with an oxidant gas in a secondary reformer (2) is characterized in that the reaction of said hydrocarbons with said steam in said primary reformer is performed at an operating pressure of more than 35 bar in the catalytic tubes and in that none of the hydrocarbons feed is supplied to said secondary reformer. This process allows to obtain high synthesis gas production capacities and a synthesis gas having a CO/H2 ratio close to the stoichiometric ratio for methanol production.
C01B 3/38 - Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen by reaction of gaseous or liquid organic compounds with gasifying agents, e.g. water, carbon dioxide, air by reaction of hydrocarbons with gasifying agents using catalysts
C07C 29/151 - Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom not belonging to a six-membered aromatic ring by reduction of oxides of carbon exclusively with hydrogen or hydrogen-containing gases
The present invention concerns an isothermal reactor (1) for carrying out exothermal or endothermal heterogeneous reactions comprising: - a substantially cylindrical outer shell (2) with longitudinal axis (X), - at least one catalytic bed (6) extending in the shell (2) and comprising opposite perforated side walls (7, 8) respectively for the inlet of a gaseous flow of reactants and for the outlet of a gaseous flow comprising reaction products, and - a heat exchange unit (12) immersed in said at least one catalytic bed (6) and crossed by a heat exchange fluid, characterised in that said heat exchange unit (12) comprises at least one succession of heat exchangers (13) arranged substantially parallel to each other and substantially parallel to the direction in which said at least one catalytic bed (6) is crossed by said gaseous flow of reactants.
B01J 8/02 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
The present invention relates to an isothermal reactor (1) comprising a substantially cylindrical shell (2), at least one catalytic bed (10) supported in said shell (2) intended for being crossed by a flow of reacting gases and a thermal exchange unit (13) comprising a plurality of heat exchangers (14) characterized in that it comprises baffle means in at least one reaction zone (36) of said catalytic bed (10) between adjacent heat exchangers (14) for deviating said flow of reacting gases crossing said catalytic bed (10) towards said adjacent heat exchangers (14).
B01J 8/02 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
The present invention concerns an isothermal reactor (1) comprising a pressure vessel (2) closed at the opposite ends by respective bottoms (3, 4), a reaction zone (9) in said pressure vessel (2) in which at least one catalytic basket (10) is positioned, and at least one heat exchange unit (13) embedded in said at least one catalytic basket (10), each heat exchange unit (13) comprising a plurality of heat exchangers (14) each having an inner chamber intended to be crossed by an operating heat exchange fluid, the reactor being characterised in that it comprises means (17, 18) for picking up samples of operating heat exchange fluid from groups (16) of pre-established exchangers in each heat exchange unit (13), so as to ascertain the possible existence of damaged exchangers (14) in said groups (16) of exchangers through analysis of respective samples of operating heat exchange fluid. The invention also concerns a method for detecting the existence of damaged heat exchangers in an isothermal reactor of the aforementioned type.
B01J 8/02 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
G01M 3/22 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material for pipes, cables, or tubesInvestigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material for pipe joints or sealsInvestigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material for valves
20.
METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE TEMPERATURE OF EXOTHERMIC CHEMICAL REACTIONS
A method for controlling the temperature of an exothermic reaction with simultaneous production of steam is based on the use of heat exchangers (5a) crossed by a recirculation liquid along an inner path extended between the inlet opening for the recirculation liquid and an outlet opening (5f), the recirculation liquid coming from a steam drum (10) for the separation of the produced steam and being fed to said inlet opening along a path external to the heat exchangers, the produced steam being integrated in the form of an additional liquid flow which is mixed at least in part with the recirculation liquid flowing along the external path.
B01J 8/02 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
21.
METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A PLATE TYPE HEAT EXCHANGER AND RELATED HEAT EXCHANGER
A method for the production of heat exchangers (10, 110, 210) of the so-called plate type, comprising the operative steps of : - juxtaposing a couple of substantially identical metal plates (12, 14),- fixing together said juxtaposed plates (12, 14) to one another by means of welding performed at respective perimetric sides (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d) , - further fixing together said juxtaposed plates to each other by means of a plurality of welding tracts (22), arranged in at least two alignments, parallel and adjacent to a couple of opposite perimetric sides (13a, 13c) of the plates themselves (12, 14), and at a pre-established spaced relationship from said sides, - introducing a fluid under pressure between said juxtaposed metal plates (12, 14), to form a hollow, substantially box-shaped body (17), in which an internal chamber (16) and two substantially tubular passages (16a, 16b), formed between said couple of opposite perimetric sides (13a, 13c) and the respective adjacent alignments of the welding tracts (22), are defined, said substantially tubular passages (16a, 16b) having an axis parallel to said opposite perimetric sides (13a, 13c) and being in fluid communication with said internal chamber (16), - cutting said hollow body (17) along said substantially tubular passages (16a, 16c) and in the direction of their axis, thus obtaining a hollow body (17) equipped, on opposite sides, with substantially semi-tubular passages (16c, 16d), open towards the outside of the body (17) itself, - associating with said substantially semi-tubular passages (16c, 16d), respective distributor duct (18) and collector duct (20).
F28D 9/00 - Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
F28F 3/14 - Elements constructed in the shape of a hollow panel, e.g. with channels by separating portions of a pair of joined sheets to form channels, e.g. by inflation
22.
PLATE TYPE HEAT EXCHANGER FOR A ISOTHERMAL CHEMICAL REACTOR
Plate type heat exchanger (20,120) for a isothermal chemical reactor (60), of the type comprising a substantially box-shaped flattened body (22), defining an internal chamber (24) and equipped with an inlet connection (28) and an outlet connection (29) for a first flow of a heat exchanger operative fluid into and from said chamber (24), at least one supplying-distributing device (26, 126) of a second fluid flow, associated with said body (22) and in fluid communication with the internal chamber (24) thereof, in order to regulate the temperature of said operative fluid, said at least one supplying-distributing device (26,126) being supported inside said internal chamber (24) and in fluid communication therewith.
B01J 8/02 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
B01J 19/00 - Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in generalTheir relevant apparatus
The present invention concerns an isothermal reactor (1) comprising a substantially cylindrical shell (2) , at least one catalytic bed (10) supported in the shell (2) and at least one heat exchange unit (13) supported in the bed (10), the heat exchange unit (13) comprising a plurality of exchangers (14) substantially box shaped, of essentially elongated rectangular and flattened structure, each of the exchangers (14) having opposite long sides (14a) parallel to the cylindrical shell (2) axis and opposite short sides (14b, 14c) extended perpendicularly with respect to the shell axis and comprising furthermore an inner chamber (18) through which a heat exchange operating fluid in intended to flow, wherein at least one exchanger (14) of such at least one heat exchange unit (13) is internally equipped with a plurality of separation baffles (19) extended from a short side (14b or 14c) of the exchanger to the opposite short side (14c or 14b) and in a predetermined spaced relationship with respect to the latter, defining in the inner chamber (18) a substantially zigzag fluid path having alternating ascending and descending portions.
B01J 8/02 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
B01J 19/24 - Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
patents