Reactor for Carrying Out Particularly Exothermic Reactions and Use and Method for Operating Such a Reactor

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This patent describes a reactor design that is especially suited for conducting exothermic chemical reactions. The reactor utilizes a plate heat exchanger system with several adjacent plates forming channels. Some of these channels contain catalyst material for reactions such as ammonia synthesis, methanol synthesis, dimethyl ether synthesis, or hydrogen release reactions. The design features separate paths for primary and secondary fluids, efficient supply mechanisms, and a pressure vessel to house and regulate the entire system.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Production of ammonia in chemical plants
• Synthesis of methanol or dimethyl ether for industrial applications
• Hydrogen production or extraction processes
• Chemical engineering setups requiring precise temperature control for exothermic reactions
• Modular reactor designs for lab or pilot-scale chemical synthesis

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enhanced heat exchange for better temperature regulation during exothermic reactions
• Improved safety and efficiency by using separate channels for primary and secondary fluids
• Flexibility for multiple types of catalyzed reactions
• Compact and modular design due to plate heat exchanger architecture
• Potential energy savings and higher yields in industrial chemical processes

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The present invention relates to a reactor (1) for carrying out in particular exothermic reactions comprising a plate heat exchanger (2) with a plurality of adjacent plates (3), between which gap channels (4, 5) are defined, wherein the gap channels (4, 5) are subdivided into a plurality of primary gap channels (4) fluidically connected to one another, and a plurality of secondary gap channels (5) fluidically connected to one another, wherein in at least one of the primary gap channels (4), preferably in all primary gap channels (4), a catalyst material (6), in particular for ammonia synthesis or methanol synthesis or dimethyl ether synthesis or a hydrogen release reaction, is provided, and wherein primary fluid supply means (7) for supplying a primary fluid to the primary gap channels (4) and secondary fluid supply means (10) for supplying a secondary fluid to the secondary gap channels (5) are provided, a pressure vessel (18) which surrounds the plate heat exchanger (2), pressure fluid supply means (19) which are designed to supply a pressure fluid to the pressure vessel (18).