Catalyst bed for exothermal reactions between gases and/or other fluids

• US 5,141,720 A
• Filed: 01/10/1991
• Issued: 08/25/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: A. Ahlstrom Osakeyhtio
• Original Assignee: A. Ahlstrom Osakeyhtio
• Inventors: Malmstrom, Rolf, Petersson, Stig
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnston, Jill
• Application Number:
  US07/639,394
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 422/145, 422/146, 422/173, 422/198, 422/200-202, 422/219, 165/907
• US Class Current: 422/200
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/8609 Sulfur oxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0013 Controlling the temperature of the process
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2208/00132 Tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2208/0015 Plates; Cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 8/0285 Heating or cooling the reactor for tubular reactors in furnaces B01J8/062
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 17/043 Catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 17/0434 Catalyst compositions
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 17/78 characterised by the catalyst used
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 165/907 Porous

Abstract

A catalyst bed for conducting exothermal reactions between gases and/or other fluids is disclosed. The catalyst bed includes at least two cooling elements arranged in parallel relationship with each other. A space is thereby defined between the two cooling elements, and one opening at each opposite end of the cooling elements is also defined by the arrangement of cooling elements. The space created is adapted to receive a catalyst mass through either of the openings. The cooling elements cool the gases and/or other fluids, as well as the catalyst mass to keep the reaction temperature low enough to maintain a desired state of equilibrium.

Claims

1. A catalyst bed containing a catalyst mass for conducting exthermal reactions between gases or other fluids which comprises at least two cooling elements containing a cooling medium for maintaining the temperature of the catalyst mass and the gases or other fluids at a level which is conducive to obtaining and maintaining a desirable state of equilibrium, said cooling elements being arranged in parallel relationship with respect to each other, thereby defining a space between said cooling elements, a porous lump of catalyst mass disposed in and completely filling said space and through which gases or other fluids are adapted to be fed between said cooling elements to undergo said exothermal reactions, a first opening in communication with said space and disposed at one end of said cooling elements for providing access to said space for the introduction of catalyst mass into said space, a second opening in communication with said space and disposed at the opposite end of said cooling elements and spaced from said first opening, said first and second openings lying in spaced parallel planes perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said cooling elements and defining between said openings a straight path, said second opening providing an egress from said space for removal of said catalyst mass therefrom by movement of said mass along said straight path, and said space and each of said openings having substantially equal cross-sectional size as measured along said parallel planes.

2. The catalyst bed of claim 1 wherein at least one of said cooling elements includes a plurality of cooling tubes.

3. The catalyst bed of claim 2 wherein said cooling tubes are regularly spaced parallel cooling tubes.

4. The catalyst bed of claim 2 wherein said plurality of cooling tubes are at least partially embedded within said catalyst mass when said catalyst mass is disposed within said space.

5. The catalyst bed of claim 2 wherein the cooling tubes extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow of gases or other fluids through the catalyst bed.

6. The catalyst bed of claim 1 wherein at least one of said cooling elements includes at least one flat cooling panel.

7. The catalyst bed of claim 1 wherein said cooling medium includes steam, air or an organic cooling liquid.

8. The catalyst bed of claim 1 wherein the straight path between said first and second openings and along which said catalyst mass is transported through said space extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow of gases or other fluids through the catalyst bed.

9. A catalyst bed for conducting exothermal reactions between gases or other fluids, comprising:

a porous lump catalyst mass;

at least two spaced parallel cooling elements defining the limits of the catalyst bed and accommodating in the space therebetween said catalyst mass; and

an inlet and an outlet in communication with said space and disposed at opposite ends of a straight path extending between the inlet and outlet and along which the porous lump catalyst mass is transported from said inlet to said outlet during said exothermal reactions and without disturbing the cooling elements;

said straight path between said inlet and outlet and along which said catalyst mass is transported extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of a flow of gases or other fluids through the catalyst bed.

10. A catalyst bed containing a catalyst mass for conducting exothermal reactions between gases or other fluids which comprises at least two cooling elements for maintaining the temperature of the catalyst mass and the gases or other fluids at a level which is conducive to obtaining and maintaining a desirable state of equilibrium, said cooling elements being arranged in parallel relationship with respect to each other, thereby defining a space between said cooling elements, a porous non-fluidized lump of catalyst mass disposed in and completely filling said space and through which gases or other fluids are adapted to be fed between said cooling elements to undergo said exothermal reactions, said mass having a first mass end defined by a portion of the mass located at one end of said cooling elements and a second mass end defined by a portion of the mass located at an opposite end of said cooling elements, a first opening in communication with said space and disposed at one end of said cooling elements for providing access to said space for the introduction of additional catalyst mass into said space to replenish and form a continuation of said porous lump at said first mass end, a second opening in communication with said space and disposed at the opposite end of said cooling elements and spaced from said first opening, said first and second openings lying in spaced parallel planes perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said cooling elements and defining between said openings a straight path, said second opening providing an egress from said space for removal of said catalyst mass therefrom by movement of said mass along said straight path and with said second mass end being removed as the first mass end is being replenished.