Patent ID: 6827911
Filing Date: 2004-12-07
Classification: B01D,B01J

Abstract:
A system for the continuous use and recapture of a catalyst in liquid, comprising:an inlet; an upwardly oriented reaction zone coupled to the inlet and including a generally downwardly flowing carrier liquid; a flotation chamber including disposed therein a catalyst consisting of buoyant particles, the flotation chamber disposed below and communicating with the reaction zone and configured such that the downward flow velocity of the liquid is reduced upon entering the flotation chamber to a velocity wherein the buoyancy of the catalyst particles causes them to flow upward; an outlet coupled to the flotation chamber; and an upwardly oriented catalyst recovery chamber coupled above the flotation chamber and containing a catalyst consisting of buoyant particles suspended in the liquid, the catalyst recovery chamber, flotation chamber, and reaction zone configured such that catalyst particles are drawn out of the catalyst recovery chamber into the reaction zone, and are drawn downward with the liquid into the flotation chamber for recycling to the catalyst recovery chamber.