Abstract: A process and apparatus cools a heat exchange type reaction zone by passing the incoming reactants through heat exchange channels in heat exchange relationship with the reaction zone. The invention simplifies the operation and construction of the heat exchanging type reaction zone by directly communicating reaction channels that contain the reaction with the heating channels that heat reactant across an open manifold located at the end of the channels. Additional reactants, cooling fluids, or other diluents may enter the process directly through the manifold space to permit further temperature control of the reaction zone. The invention promotes better heat transfer efficiency than tube and shell heat transfer arrangements that have been used for similar purposes. The narrow channels are preferably defined by corrugated plates. The reaction channels will contain a catalyst for the promotion of the primary reaction.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for indirectly exchanging heat with narrow channel in a heat exchange type reaction zone uses manifold space to interconnect the common ends of channels and to provide controlled distribution of additional reactants. The invention simplifies the operation and construction of the heat exchanging type reaction zone by directly communicating reaction channels and/or heating channels with a manifold located at the end of the channels. The manifold can provides the extra function of mixing additional reactants. The invention promotes simplified intermediate injection of reactants over tube and shell heat transfer arrangements that have been used for similar purposes. Improved process control has particular benefits for exothermic reactions. The narrow channels are preferably defined by corrugated plates. The reaction channels will contain a catalyst for the promotion of the primary reaction.

Abstract: A catalytic distillation packing that has continuous smooth channels over its entire length is used to change out catalyst in a catalyst distillation arrangement without replacement of packing units and long turnaround times. The long, continuous channels are formed from perforated, corrugated plates that have a sufficient thickness to maintain the geometry of the channels and permit free catalyst flow for catalyst change out. The thickness of the plates also eliminates the need for complicated bracing and attachment arrangements that adds to the expense of the packing arrangement and can obstruct the movement of catalyst therethrough. The long, continuous channels are used with an inlet arrangement that provides ready adjustment of the number of channels that are filled with catalyst and channels that are free of catalyst. It is also possible in this arrangement to operate with a channel arrangement wherein all channels are filled with catalyst.

Abstract: A process and apparatus cools a heat exchange type reaction zone by passing the incoming reactants through heat exchange channels in heat exchange relationship with the reaction zone. The invention simplifies the operation and construction of the heat exchanging type reaction zone by directly communicating reaction channels that contain the reaction with the heating channels that heat reactant across an open manifold located at the end of the channels. Additional reactants, cooling fluids, or other diluents may enter the process directly through the manifold space to permit further temperature control of the reaction zone. The invention promotes better heat transfer efficiency than tube and shell heat transfer arrangements that have been used for similar purposes. The narrow channels are preferably defined by corrugated plates. The reaction channels will contain a catalyst for the promotion of the primary reaction.

Abstract: The apparatus for indirectly exchanging heat with narrow channels in a heat exchange type channel reaction zone uses plates containing partially perforated sections to simplify or eliminate the use of manifolds to distribute to and collect different fluids from the various channels. The invention simplifies the operation by directly communicating adjacent channels across sections of perforations located at one end or the other of the channels. The arrangement of this invention provides the advantage of more compact heat exchanging reactor arrangements. In this manner, multiple pass channels can be contained in a single plate channel arrangement using only single or double distribution manifolds at the ends of the channels. The arrangement of the invention can also simplify the use of a single manifold arrangement at one end of the channels to facilitate catalyst unloading and catalyst replacement in the reaction channels.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for indirectly exchanging heat with narrow channel in a heat exchange type reaction zone uses manifold space to interconnect the common ends of channels and to provide controlled distribution of additional reactants. The invention simplifies the operation and construction of the heat exchanging type reaction zone by directly communicating reaction channels and/or heating channels with a manifold located at the end of the channels. The manifold can provides the extra function of mixing additional reactants. The invention promotes simplified intermediate injection of reactants over tube and shell heat transfer arrangements that have been used for similar purposes. Improved process control has particular benefits for exothermic reactions. The narrow channels are preferably defined by corrugated plates. The reaction channels will contain a catalyst for the promotion of the primary reaction.

Abstract: A reactor arrangement and process for indirectly contacting a reactant stream with a heat exchange stream uses an arrangement of heat exchange plates to control temperature conditions by varying the heat transfer factor in different portions of a continuous channel defined by the heat exchange plates. The reactor arrangement and process of this invention may be used to operate a reactor under isothermal or other controlled temperature conditions. The variation in the heat transfer factor within a single heat exchange section is highly useful in maintaining a desired temperature profile in an arrangement having a cross-flow of heat exchange medium relative to reactants. The corrugations arrangement eliminates or minimizes the typical step-wise approach to isothermal conditions.

Abstract: A reactor arrangement and process for indirectly contacting a reactant stream with a heat exchange stream uses an arrangement of corrugated heat exchange plates to control temperature conditions by varying the number and/or the arrangement of the corrugations along the plates. The reactor arrangement and process of this invention may be used to operate a reactor under isothermal or other controlled temperature conditions. The variation in corrugation arrangements within a single heat exchange section is highly useful in maintaining a desired temperature profile in an arrangement having a cross-flow of heat exchange medium relative to reactants. The corrugations arrangement eliminates or minimizes the typical step-wise approach to isothermal conditions.

Abstract: A reactor arrangement and process for indirectly contacting a reactant stream with a heat exchange stream uses an arrangement of heat exchange plates to control temperature conditions by varying the heat transfer factor in different portions of a continuous channel defined by the heat exchange plates. The reactor arrangement and process of this invention may be used to operate a reactor under isothermal or other controlled temperature conditions. The variation in the heat transfer factor within a single heat exchange section is highly useful in maintaining a desired temperature profile in an arrangement having a cross-flow of heat exchange medium relative to reactants. The corrugations arrangement eliminates or minimizes the typical step-wise approach to isothermal conditions.

Abstract: A reactor arrangement and process for indirectly contacting a reactant stream with a heat exchange stream uses an arrangement of corrugated heat exchange plates to control temperature conditions by varying the number and/or the arrangement of the corrugations along the plates. The reactor arrangement and process of this invention may be used to operate a reactor under isothermal or other controlled temperature conditions. The variation in corrugation arrangements within a single heat exchange section is highly useful in maintaining a desired temperature profile in an arrangement having a cross-flow of heat exchange medium relative to reactants. The corrugations arrangement eliminates or minimizes the typical step-wise approach to isothermal conditions.