Patent ID: 6303092
Filing Date: 2001-10-16
Classification: B01D,B01J,C01B,Y02C,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
A process for operating an equilibrium controlled reaction in a system utilizing a plurality of reactors operated isothermally and in a predetermined timed sequence, the process which comprises the following steps performed in a cycle with each reactor;(a) reacting a feedstock at a first pressure in a first reactor containing an admixture of an adsorbent and a catalyst suitable for conducting the equilibrium controlled reaction under reaction conditions sufficient to convert the feedstock into a more adsorbable product which is selectively adsorbed by the adsorbent and a less adsorbable product and withdrawing the less adsorbable product in substantially pure form under a relatively constant flow rate at the first pressure;(b) countercurrently depressurizing the first reactor to a second pressure by withdrawing a mixture comprising unreacted feedstock, a portion of the less adsorbable product and a portion of the more adsorbable product;(c) countercurrently purging the first reactor at the second pressure with a weakly adsorbing purge fluid with respect to the adsorbent wherein the weakly adsorbing purge fluid is a fluid other than the less adsorbable product to desorb the more adsorbable product from the adsorbent and withdrawing a mixture comprising unreacted feedstock, a portion of the more adsorbable product and a portion of the less adsorbable product;(d) countercurrently purging the first reactor at the second pressure with the less adsorbable product to desorb the weakly adsorbing purge fluid and withdrawing a mixture comprising the weakly adsorbing fluid, a portion of the more adsorbable product and a portion of the less adsorbable product; and(e) countercurrently pressurizing the first reactor from the second pressure to the first pressure with the less adsorbable product prior to commencing another process cycle within the first reactor.