Abstract:
A method of starting up one or more units, the method comprising the steps of: (a) starting up a first unit including a microchannel reactor housing a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst by initially feeding a carbon monoxide source and a hydrogen source to the first unit and through the microchannel reactor; (b) processing, within the microchannel reactor, at least a portion of the carbon monoxide source and the hydrogen source; (c) monitoring at least one of internal pressure, temperature, and concentration at least one of within the microchannel reactor and downstream from the microchannel reactor; (d) at least partially containing the microchannel reactor using a wall of a containment device, the wall cooperating with the microchannel reactor to delineate at least one of a first inlet cavity and a first outlet cavity of the microchannel reactor, where at least one of the first inlet cavity and the first outlet cavity is not in fluid communication with at least one of a second inlet cavity and a second outlet cavity; and, (e) using the containment device to reinforce the integrity of the microchannel reactor.
Abstract:
A method of starting up one or more units, the method comprising the steps of: (a) starting up a first unit including a microchannel reactor housing a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst by initially feeding a carbon monoxide source and a hydrogen source to the first unit and through the microchannel reactor; (b) processing, within the microchannel reactor, at least a portion of the carbon monoxide source and the hydrogen source; (c) monitoring at least one of internal pressure, temperature, and concentration at least one of within the microchannel reactor and downstream from the microchannel reactor; (d) at least partially containing the microchannel reactor using a wall of a containment device, the wall cooperating with the microchannel reactor to delineate at least one of a first inlet cavity and a first outlet cavity of the microchannel reactor, where at least one of the first inlet cavity and the first outlet cavity is not in fluid communication with at least one of a second inlet cavity and a second outlet cavity; and, (e) using the containment device to reinforce the integrity of the microchannel reactor.
Abstract:
A process and an apparatus for converting solid organic materials into carbon or activated carbon. The processing of solid organic materials is oxygen-free and wholly under endothermic condition. The apparatus comprises a pressure vessel (1), thermal insulation with protective cladding for pressure vessel (2), a perforated or non-perforated rotary drum (3), a sealed dish end (4), a rotating shaft (5), a geared motor with belt or chain drive (6), a steam super heater (7) for generating superheated steam, at least one inlet valve (8) for regulating the super heated steam, at least one feed pipe (9), tilting or swivel support (10), at least one cylindrical roller (11), an open or close door end (12), a feeding or removal port (13), a connecting chute (14), at least one pressure safety valve (15), a gas exit pipe (16), at least one outlet valve (17), a gas treatment unit (18) for treating the generated reaction gases, at least one pressure gauge (19) and at least one temperature indicator (20). The pressure vessel is tilted along with its accessories supported on a tilting or swivel support and solid organic materials are feeded into the rotary drum and then realigned. Gas or steam is feeded inside the pressure vessel till the entire air inside the pressure vessel is purged out and thereafter superheated steam continuously feeded into the rotary drum. The rotary drum is constantly rotated by geared motor and generated reaction gases are evacuated from the pressure vessel to the gas treatment unit wherein the organic solid materials are converted into carbon or activated carbon.
Abstract:
A reactor and a reactor system for carrying out high temperature and high pressure reactions is disclosed herein. The reactor has an isolatable inner vessel for allowing for heat energy efficient cooling and heating of the reactor. The reactor comprises an outer reactor adapted for withstanding a reaction pressure and a reaction temperature, the outer reactor having a sealable reactor lid; an inner vessel within the outer reactor for containing a reaction solution and at least one reaction vessel, the inner vessel being open to the outer reactor such that the reaction pressure of the inner vessel and the outer reactor are substantially equalized and vapour in the inner vessel passes to the outer vessel, the inner vessel having a splatter shield for substantially preventing spillage of the reaction solution from the inner vessel into the outer reactor; a vapour injector in communication with the inner vessel for injecting vapour into the inner vessel for heating the reaction solution; an outlet in the outer vessel for exhausting vapour from the outer reactor and the inner vessel; and an outer reactor outlet for draining a liquid contained between the outer reactor and the inner vessel.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for processing materials in supercritical fluids is disclosed. The apparatus includes a capsule configured to contain a supercritical fluid, a high strength enclosure disposed about the capsule and a sensor configured to sense pressure difference between an interior and an exterior of the capsule. The apparatus also includes a pressure control device configured to adjust pressure difference of the capsule in response to the pressure difference sensed by the sensor. The apparatus further includes at least one dividing structure disposed within the capsule that divides the capsule into a seed growing chamber and a nutrient chamber.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a high-pressure fluidized bed reactor for preparing granular polycrystalline silicon, comprising (a) a reactor tube, (b) a reactor shell encompassing the reactor tube, (c) an inner zone formed within the reactor tube, where a silicon particle bed is formed and silicon deposition occurs, and an outer zone formed in between the reactor shell and the reactor tube, which is maintained under the inert gas atmosphere, and (d) a controlling means to keep the difference between pressures in the inner zone and the outer zone being maintained within the range of 0 to 1 bar, thereby enabling to maintain physical stability of the reactor tube and efficiently prepare granular polycrystalline silicon even at relatively high reaction pressure.
Abstract:
The present invention includes a removable microchannel unit including an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice in fluid communication with a plurality of microchannels distributed throughout the removable microchannel unit, and a pressurized vessel adapted have the removable microchannel unit mounted thereto, the pressurized vessel adapted to contain a pressurized fluid exerting a positive gauge pressure upon at least a portion of the exterior of the removable microchannel unit. The invention also includes a microchannel unit assembly comprising a microchannel unit operation carried out within a pressurized vessel, where pressurized vessel includes a pressurized fluid exerting a positive gauge pressure upon an exterior of the microchannel unit operation, and where the microchannel unit operation includes an outlet orifice in fluid communication with an interior of the pressurized vessel.
Abstract:
The present invention includes a removable microchannel unit including an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice in fluid communication with a plurality of microchannels distributed throughout the removable microchannel unit, and a pressurized vessel adapted have the removable microchannel unit mounted thereto, the pressurized vessel adapted to contain a pressurized fluid exerting a positive gauge pressure upon at least a portion of the exterior of the removable microchannel unit. The invention also includes a microchannel unit assembly comprising a microchannel unit operation carried out within a pressurized vessel, where pressurized vessel includes a pressurized fluid exerting a positive gauge pressure upon an exterior of the microchannel unit operation, and where the microchannel unit operation includes an outlet orifice in fluid communication with an interior of the pressurized vessel.
Abstract:
A method of starting up and shutting down a microchannel process is provided. Included are the steps of providing a first multi-planar process unit, preferably adapted to process an endothermic reaction, a second multi-planar process unit, preferably adapted to process an exothermic reaction, providing a containment vessel, the containment vessel containing at least a portion of the first, and preferably the second, process unit. In startup, the microchannel process is first checked for pressure integrity by pressurizing and checking the important components of the process for leaks. Subsequently, the process units are heated by introducing a dilute low-thermal energy density material, preferably to the second process unit, followed by the introduction of a dilute high-thermal energy density material, and adjusting the proportion of high-thermal energy density material as required. In shutdown, a purge material from the containment vessel is introduced into the first, and preferably the second, process unit.
Abstract:
Reactor for containing high pressure, high temperature, corrosive reactions, especially supercritical water reactions. The reactor comprises an inner reactor vessel which houses the corrosive reaction, an outer containment vessel which contains a substantial level of the pressure, and insulating means to contain the high temperature of the inner reactor, which prevents the outer containment vessel from rising above a specified maximum temperature. Using this reactor, the lifetime and reliability of the materials of construction are increased because the outer pressure-containing vessel does not experience the high temperatures which tend to cause metals and alloys to lose ductility, and the inner reactor vessel does not experience a high pressure drop across its walls and, therefore, can be made of temperature and corrosive-resistant materials which are not required to sustain high stress without failure.