Patent GB-891272-A (GB)
Title: A process for and apparatus for carrying out chemical reactions by means of a molten salt
IPC: B01J38/12
Filed: 1960-05-12
Abstract: <PICT:0891272/III/1> A vertical tubular reaction chamber 1 is disposed almost entirely within a cylindrical regeneration chamber 2. Reaction chamber 1 has inlet openings 4 suitable for molten salt, which communicate directly with the regeneration chamber 2.  On the discharge side the reaction chamber communicates directly with the separation chamber 3 containing an inverted cup 6, which prevents the gaseous reactions products from entraining molten salt via a discharge 7, and a discharge opening 8, suitable for molten salt, opening into the regeneration chamber 2.  A feed pipe 9 for starting material communicates with a nozzle 13 axially situated in the reaction chamber 1 in the immediate vicinity of the openings 4.  A pipe 11, fitted with a valve 12 to promote atomization by a nozzle 13, enables steam to be applied to the starting material where necessary.  A supply pipe 14 for regeneration medium communicates with a number of annular pipes 15 arranged between the discharge opening 8 and the inlet opening 4, so that while the apparatus is working, salt which has been regenerated is able to pass into the reaction chamber and, since the regeneration medium has already passed through the salt bath, therefore no longer contains any solid (carbonaceous) constituents.  The regeneration chamber 2 also comprises an outlet 16 suitable for discharging combustion products from the regeneration process, or from the salt heating device, or both.  While the apparatus is working, the ejection action exerted by the nozzle 13 enables molten salt to be entrained and to be intimately mixed with starting material.  A slidable cylindrical slide 17, coaxially mounted on the lower portion of reactor 1 enables the cross-section of openings 4 to be varied.  The discharge opening 8, suitable for discharge of salt from the separation chamber, is an annular slit between the cylindrical part of the chamber 3 and the circular plate 18.  By moving vertically the plate 18 in relation to the cylindrical wall of chamber 3, the size of the opening may be varied, thereby regulating the quantity of salt passing to the regeneration chamber 2.  The position of the cylindrical wall of the chamber 3 may be regulated at the point 19 in relation to the rest of the apparatus.  Finally, the separation chamber 3 is provided with a quenching means 20 for enabling gaseous reaction products to be quenched.  The embodiment of Fig. 2 (not shown), which is especially suitable for apparatus of larger capacity, comprises several tubular reaction chambers disposed on the circumference of a circle in a regeneration chamber and communicating with a common separation chamber.  The cross-section of the salt inlet openings may be regulated in a way not shown in the Figure.  A heating device to which is connected an immersion tube is able to supply a supplementary amount of heat to the salt so as to heat it to the temperature necessary for the reaction.  A guiding baffle disposed in the regeneration chamber enables the salt to be contacted with the regeneration agent and the heating medium as it returns from the separation chamber into the reaction chambers.ALSO:Vinyl chloride is prepared by passing a high-stream of dichloroethane mixed with entrained molten salt through a tubular reaction chamber.