US3957449A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Synthesis plant
Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1975-01-09
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Granted: 1976-05-18
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Expires: 1995-01-09
Abstract
Abstract A plant for producing, eg ammonia or methanol by catalytic synthesis at superatmospheric temperature and pressure comprises a vessel equipped internally with all the high-temperature units required for the synthesis, namely means for heating synthesis gas to synthesis inlet temperature, admitting it to the catalyst, withdrawing it and cooling it. Preferably all the high-pressure units are also inside the vessel. The plant makes possible extremely high outputs of product, such as 8000 metric tons per day.
Inventors
- 👤 Franciszek Ciechowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:56
CPC Classifications
C; C07; C07C; C07C29/00; C07C29/15; C07C29/151; C07C29/152; B; B01; B01J; B01J8/00; B01J8/0005; B01J8/02; C01; C01C; C01C1/00; C01C1/02; C01C1/04; C01C1/0405; C01C1/0417; B01J2208/00; B01J2208/00008; B01J2208/00017; B01J2208/00106; B01J2208/00115; B01J2208/00132; B01J2208/00168; B01J2208/00194; B01J2208/00389; B01J2208/00398; B01J2208/0053; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/50; Y02P20/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
343 words
A plant for catalytic exothermic gas phase conversion at superatmospheric temperature and pressure of synthesis gas to reacted gas producing a product recoverable in the liquid state and unreacted gas, which plant comprises: an inner first vessel having closed top and side walls and a perforated bottom wall, said first vessel containing at least one bed of catalytic material, an intermediate second vessel positioned concentrically around and spaced from said inner first vessel, an axial conduit extending through said inner first and intermediate second vessels and extending above said catalytic material for directing synthesis gas to said bed of catalytic material, heat exchanger means mounted adjacent said inner first and intermediate second vessels for transferring heat from reacted gas emerging from said bed of catalytic material to the synthesis gas, cooling means mounted concentrically around said intermediate second vessel for condensing the product from said reacted gas, separator means mounted adjacent said cooling means for separating condensed product and the unreacted gas, an outer pressure vessel enclosing said inner first and intermediate second vessels, said heat exchanger means and said cooling means and being spaced therefrom so as to define a mixing zone said closed top of said inner first vessel, said outer pressure vessel having conduit means located therein, said conduit means communicating with said separator means and said mixing zone and having gas circulators mounted therein, said heat exchanger means having two portions, a first portion carrying the synthesis gas and a second portion carrying the reacted gas, said first portion communicating at one end with said axial conduit and at the other end with said mixing zone, said second portion communicating at one end with the perforated bottom of said inner first vessel and at the other end with said cooling means, synthesis gas inlet means extending from the exterior of said outer pressure vessel into said conduit means for inserting fresh synthesis gas into the plant, product withdrawal means for withdrawing said product from the plant extending from said separator means to the exterior of said outer pressure vessel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
343 words
A plant for catalytic exothermic gas phase conversion at superatmospheric temperature and pressure of synthesis gas to reacted gas producing a product recoverable in the liquid state and unreacted gas, which plant comprises: an inner first vessel having closed top and side walls and a perforated bottom wall, said first vessel containing at least one bed of catalytic material, an intermediate second vessel positioned concentrically around and spaced from said inner first vessel, an axial conduit extending through said inner first and intermediate second vessels and extending above said catalytic material for directing synthesis gas to said bed of catalytic material, heat exchanger means mounted adjacent said inner first and intermediate second vessels for transferring heat from reacted gas emerging from said bed of catalytic material to the synthesis gas, cooling means mounted concentrically around said intermediate second vessel for condensing the product from said reacted gas, separator means mounted adjacent said cooling means for separating condensed product and the unreacted gas, an outer pressure vessel enclosing said inner first and intermediate second vessels, said heat exchanger means and said cooling means and being spaced therefrom so as to define a mixing zone said closed top of said inner first vessel, said outer pressure vessel having conduit means located therein, said conduit means communicating with said separator means and said mixing zone and having gas circulators mounted therein, said heat exchanger means having two portions, a first portion carrying the synthesis gas and a second portion carrying the reacted gas, said first portion communicating at one end with said axial conduit and at the other end with said mixing zone, said second portion communicating at one end with the perforated bottom of said inner first vessel and at the other end with said cooling means, synthesis gas inlet means extending from the exterior of said outer pressure vessel into said conduit means for inserting fresh synthesis gas into the plant, product withdrawal means for withdrawing said product from the plant extending from said separator means to the exterior of said outer pressure vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
256 words
A plant for catalytic exothermic conversaion of synthesis gas at superatmospheric temperature and pressure producing a product recoverable in the liquid phase and recycling unreacted gas for further conversion, which plant comprises: an inner vessel containing at least one bed of catalytic material and having at least one inlet for synthesis gas and at least one outlet for reacted gas; an intermediate vessel positioned coaxially around the said inner vessel and defining an inner annular space around said inner vessel; a pressure-resisting shell enclosing the said intermediate vessel and defining an outer annular space around said intermediate vessel; at least one compartment within the walls of the pressure-resisting shell; a heat exchanger mounted within said inner annular space; separator means for separating the product from unreacted gas, said separator means being mounted within said outer annular space; at least one gas circulator in said at least one compartment, said circulator having an inlet and an outlet, a gas flow connection from the outlet of the gas circulator via the relatively cold side of the heat exchanger to the catalyst bed inlet; a gas flow connection from the catalyst bed outlet via the relatively hot side of the heat exchanger to said separator means and thence to the gas circulator inlet; at least one gas flow connection from the exterior of the pressure-resisting shell for introducing fresh synthesis gas into the plant; and at least one liquid flow connection extending from said separator means to the exterior of the pressure-resisting shell for withdrawing product from the plant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
256 words
A plant for catalytic exothermic conversaion of synthesis gas at superatmospheric temperature and pressure producing a product recoverable in the liquid phase and recycling unreacted gas for further conversion, which plant comprises: an inner vessel containing at least one bed of catalytic material and having at least one inlet for synthesis gas and at least one outlet for reacted gas; an intermediate vessel positioned coaxially around the said inner vessel and defining an inner annular space around said inner vessel; a pressure-resisting shell enclosing the said intermediate vessel and defining an outer annular space around said intermediate vessel; at least one compartment within the walls of the pressure-resisting shell; a heat exchanger mounted within said inner annular space; separator means for separating the product from unreacted gas, said separator means being mounted within said outer annular space; at least one gas circulator in said at least one compartment, said circulator having an inlet and an outlet, a gas flow connection from the outlet of the gas circulator via the relatively cold side of the heat exchanger to the catalyst bed inlet; a gas flow connection from the catalyst bed outlet via the relatively hot side of the heat exchanger to said separator means and thence to the gas circulator inlet; at least one gas flow connection from the exterior of the pressure-resisting shell for introducing fresh synthesis gas into the plant; and at least one liquid flow connection extending from said separator means to the exterior of the pressure-resisting shell for withdrawing product from the plant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A plant as claimed in claim 2 wherein said separator means comprises a cooling device for condensing the product from said gas emerging from said bed of catalytic material and separating baffles for collecting and separating the condensed product from unreacted gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A plant as claimed in claim 2 wherein coolant connections are provided on the exterior of said pressure-resisting shell to said cooling device so that coolant can be fed to withdrawn from said cooling device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-05-18 | 1979-11-17 | 1980-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-05-18 | 1983-11-17 | 1984-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-05-18 | 1987-11-17 | 1988-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |