Method and apparatus for thermally reacting chemicals in a matrix bed
US6015540A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 2, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jan 18, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 2, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF23G2209/142
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An improved method and apparatus is provided for thermally reacting chemicals in a matrix bed of porous inert media. The reaction is conducted in an apparatus that is capable of establishing and maintaining a non-planar reaction wave within the matrix bed. The positioning of the non-planar reaction wave permits the interior surfaces of the vessel to be maintained at a temperature at least above 175.degree. F. The apparatus includes a vessel that contains the matrix bed; one or more feed tubes that extend into the matrix bed, where preferably an exterior portion of each of the feed tubes that passes through the vessel is insulated; an exhaust outlet; and a means for heating the matrix bed. The non-planar reaction wave is established by heating at least a portion of the matrix bed to at least the reaction temperature of the chemicals and feeding a process stream containing the chemicals to be reacted into the feed tubes. Upon exiting the feed tubes, the process stream is reacted in a non-planar reaction wave to produce heat and the reacted process stream. The heat from the non-planar reaction wave maintains the interior surfaces of the vessel at a temperature of at least 175.degree. …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.