In situ modernisation of heterogeneous exothermic synthesis reactors

摘要

In situ modernisation process for a heterogeneous exothermic synthesis reactor, esp. the Kellog reactor, having an outer shell (2) and catalyst beds (L1-L4) arranged apart from one another, involves providing first (11) and second (12) catalyst beds in an upper section (2a) of the shell (2) and at least a third catalyst bed (13) in a lower section (2b); devices to feed a radial or axial-radial stream of reagent gases to the beds (11-13); a first gas/gas heat exchanger (18) between the first and second catalyst beds and a device to indirectly cool the gases flowing in the first heat exchanger (18) between those beds; a second gas/gas heat exchanger (29) in the third catalyst bed (13), with an indirect cooling device for gases flowing in this exchanger (29) between the second and third catalyst beds. Also claimed are (i) heterogeneous exothermic synthesis reactor with catalyst beds (11-13) as above, where these are carried out by an annular cage (14-16) with facing gas permeable in and outlet walls, and; (ii) high yield exothermic reaction process using the reactor above where a gas mixture is used to indirectly cool gases leaving the first catalyst bed (11).