Reaction vessel and method of using the same

Abstract

An opposed axial flow reaction vessel includes a process fluid collection system within the body of the vessel in fluid communication with one or more of the ports; a bed of particulate catalyst or sorbent containing a layer of inert particulate material around the process fluid collection system; and the one or more of the ports are configured such that a process fluid fed to the vessel is passed axially and in the opposite direction through the fixed bed of catalyst or sorbent and is collected by the process fluid collection system disposed centrally within the bed and in fluid communication with one or more of the ports.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A reaction vessel comprising
 a shell having one or more inlet ports at a first end and one or more outlet ports at a second end opposite the first end,   a bed of particulate material between said first and second ends and around a process fluid collector disposed within the bed and in fluid communication with said one or more outlet ports,   wherein at least one by-pass channel extends through the bed and is configured to convey a portion of a process fluid from the first end to the second end such that said process fluid entering said shell via said one or more inlet ports passes through the bed in opposite directions, is collected by said process fluid collector, and is conveyed from the vessel via said one or more outlet ports, and   wherein the particulate material comprises at least one of catalyst and sorbent.   
     
     
         2 . A reaction vessel according to  claim 1 , wherein the particulate material further comprises a layer of inert material particles provided around the process fluid collector. 
     
     
         3 . A reaction vessel according to  claim 2  wherein the inert material particles have a particle size greater than at least one of the catalyst and sorbent. 
     
     
         4 . A reaction vessel according to  claim 1  wherein the process fluid collector comprises a perforate member defining a chamber and a conduit in fluid communication with said chamber, said conduit being in fluid communication with said one or more outlet ports. 
     
     
         5 . A reaction vessel according to  claim 1  having domed ends at either end of the vessel. 
     
     
         6 . A reaction vessel according to  claim 1 , wherein said process fluid collector is disposed centrally within said bed. 
     
     
         7 . A process comprising the steps of
 i. feeding a process fluid to a reaction vessel, the reaction vessel comprising a shell having one or more inlet ports at a first end and one or more outlet ports at a second end opposite the first end, and a bed of particulate material between said first and second ends and wherein the process fluid is fed to one or more of said inlet ports, the particulate material comprising at least one of catalyst and sorbent,   ii. passing a portion of said process fluid from said first end to said second end through at least one by-pass channel that extends through said bed of particulate material,   iii. passing the process fluid from said first and second ends through said bed to a process fluid collector situated within said bed,   iv. collecting the process fluid via said process fluid collector, and   v. removing the process fluid from the vessel via said process fluid collector, said process fluid collector being in fluid communication with one or more of said outlet ports.   
     
     
         8 . A process according to  claim 7 , wherein said bed of particulate material is a fixed bed. 
     
     
         9 . A process according to  claim 7 , wherein the process fluid is passed axially through opposite ends of said bed. 
     
     
         10 . A process according to  claim 7 , wherein said process fluid collector is disposed centrally within said bed. 
     
     
         11 . A process according to  claim 7  wherein the process fluid comprises hydrogen, carbon oxides and steam and the particulate material comprises a water-gas shift catalyst. 
     
     
         12 . A process according to  claim 7  wherein the process fluid comprises hydrogen and carbon oxides and the particulate material comprises a methanol synthesis catalyst. 
     
     
         13 . A process according to  claim 7  wherein the process fluid comprises hydrogen and nitrogen and the particulate material comprises an ammonia synthesis catalyst. 
     
     
         14 . A process according to  claim 7  wherein the process fluid comprises a hydrocarbon feedstock containing catalyst poisons and the particulate material removes said poisons from the hydrocarbon feedstock.