GB1469902A - Process and apparatus for carrying out an endothermic chemical reaction - Google Patents

Abstract

1469902 Controlling endothermic reactions FRIED KRUPP HUTTENWERKE AG 18 March 1975 [23 March 1974] 11299/75 Heading B1X [Also in Division F4] In the carrying out of an endothermic chemical reaction, a heated inert gas (e.g. nitrogen) is used as the heating-up medium passed alternately first through one and then through the other or others of regenerator chambers such as 1, 1', and the heat from the chamber or chambers not at the time being heated by the gas is used in the carrying out of the endothermic chemical reation; the inert gas flowing in a circuit 2 in which it receives its heat in a heat exchanger 3/4 forming part of the coolant circuit 5 for a heat source such as a nuclear reactor 6. The chemical reaction may be carried out in the regenerator chamber itself or, as in the form shown, in a reaction chamber 10 (or 10') connected by a passage 12 (or 12') with the regenerator chamber 1 (or 1'). In Fig. 2 reactant gases entering at 11 (or 11') are preheated in the regenerator chamber 1 (or 1') before passing to the reaction chamber 10 (or 10') into which solid, liquid or gaseous reactants are charged at 13 (or 13') and 14 (or 14') whilst consumed reactants and reaction products are discharged respectively at 15 (or 15') and 16 (or 16'). In a modification of Fig. 2, the inert gas heats up only the regenerator chamber 1 (or 1') and by-passes the reaction chamber 10 (or 10'). Gas purifiers 7 and 9 are included in the inert gas circuit 2 and may be used particularly in the event that the inert gas becomes contaminated e.g. during the change-over period. If more than two regenerators are utilized, at any one time one may be in the heating-up phase, another in the change-over phase, whilst others are in the heat utilization period for the chemical reaction. Emergency heating means (e.g. electric or fossilized fuel) may be provided for heating- up the regenerator in the event that the original heat source cannot be maintained. The regenerator casing may be electrically heated to avoid condensation thereon. Gaseous, liquid, sublimating, vapourising or pulverized catalysts may be supplied to the reaction either continuously or periodically. Or, when appropriate, a catalyst can be applied to the regenerator lining or heat storing material.