Tube bundle reactor
The tube bundle reactor is a chemical reactor in which strongly exothermic reactions (mostly oxidation reactions ) are carried out in the gas phase. The gas mixture is converted into tubes around which a coolant flows with the help of a catalyst .
The typical structure consists of a coolant tank through which 1000 to 30,000 catalytic-filled tubes with a diameter of 2 cm to 5 cm and a length of 1 m to 5 m are laid, depending on the type. To ensure even heat distribution, the coolant is constantly circulated and can consist of heat transfer oils, molten salt or water.
Despite cooling, the reaction is not isothermal and strong temperature gradients occur which can destroy the catalyst. Careful reaction management is therefore essential.
The dissipated heat is usually recovered as process heat.
Typical reactions are maleic anhydride production via butene or butane oxidation , ethylene oxide production (oxidation of ethylene ) and the production of acrolein .
literature
- Karl Schwister u. a .: Pocket book of chemistry. 2nd edition, Fachbuchverlag Leipzig, ISBN 3-446-21059-8 , p. 636 ff.