Multiphase polymerization reactor

Abstract

A polymerization reactor comprises a heat pipe jacket for the removal of large heat fluxes and capable of maintaining essentially isothermal conditions without the use of complicated and maintenance intensive circulation heat exchangers or internal coils. This isothermal reactor is useful particularly when polymerization is conducted in multiphase system and/or when the rate of reaction is high and when consistent polymer properties are desired.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A reactor for conducting exothermic chemical reactions at substantially isothermal conditions comprising: 
 a tank reaction vessel having an interior volume for containing an exothermic reaction mixture, thermally conductive reaction vessel walls defining the interior volume of said tank reaction vessel, said thermally conductive reaction vessel walls having an exterior reaction vessel wall surface; and    at least one heat pipe heat transfer device attached to said exterior reaction vessel wall surface.    
     
     
         2 . The reactor for conducting exothermic chemical reactions at substantially isothermal conditions of  claim 1 , wherein said heat pipe heat transfer unit is a sealed heat pipe.  
     
     
         3 . The reactor for conducting exothermic chemical reactions at substantially isothermal conditions of  claim 2 , wherein said sealed heat pipe is contained within a jacket-type cooler.  
     
     
         4 . The reactor for conducting exothermic chemical reactions at substantially isothermal conditions of  claim 3 , wherein said heat pipe heat transfer unit at least substantially circumscribes said tank reaction vessel.  
     
     
         5 . The reactor for conducting exothermic chemical reactions at substantially isothermal conditions of  claim 2 , wherein said sealed heat pipe is contained in a jacket-type cooler.  
     
     
         6 . The reactor for conducting exothermic chemical reactions at substantially isothermal conditions of  claim 5 , wherein said tank reaction vessel is a batch or a continuous reactor.  
     
     
         7 . The reactor for conducting exothermic chemical reactions at substantially isothermal conditions of  claim 1 , wherein said heat pipe heat transfer unit is a thermosyphon heat pipe in fluid communication with a condenser which is not contained within said thermosyphon heat transfer device.  
     
     
         8 . The reactor for conducting exothermic chemical reactions at substantially isothermal conditions of  claim 7 , wherein said condenser has a condensate line in fluid communication with said thermosyphon heat pipe unit.