Patent EP-2404666-A1 (EP)
Inventor: PITIOT PASCAL
IPC: B01J19/24
Filed: 2010-07-09
Abstract: The module (12) for continuous transformation of a fluid product, comprises a housing, a thermally insulated first tube for conversion of the product, a set (18) for thermal regulation of the product present in the first tube, a second tube for conversion of the product, and a conduit for deriving the product. The first tube comprises an inlet for injecting a product, an intermediate region in the form of a helix arranged in the housing, and an outlet for collecting the converted product. The first tube defines a continuous internal channel for the circulation of the product. The module (12) for continuous transformation of a fluid product, comprises a housing, a thermally insulated first tube for conversion of the product, a set (18) for thermal regulation of the product present in the first tube, a second tube for conversion of the product, and a conduit for deriving the product. The first tube comprises an inlet for injecting a product, an intermediate region in the form of a helix arranged in the housing, and an outlet for collecting the converted product. The first tube defines a continuous internal channel for the circulation of the product between the injection inlet and the collecting outlet. The injection inlet and the collecting outlet protrude from the housing. The ratio of the radius of the helix to the maximum transverse span of the internal channel is 20-70 in the first intermediate region, and the ratio of the pitch of the helix to radius of the helix is 0.008. The total internal volume defined by the internal light in the intermediate region between the injection inlet and outlet of recovery is less than 100 ml, where the maximum transverse extent of light circulation in the intermediate region is less than 1 cm. The set for thermal regulation of the product comprises a heat transfer coolant (24) disposed within the housing in contact with the first tube, and a unit for temperature regulation of the coolant. The first tube includes a gas to allow the conduct of adiabatic transformations. The second tube comprises an inlet for injecting the product, an intermediate helical region arranged in the housing and an outlet for collection of the product, where the injection inlet and collection outlet protrude from the housing. The ratio of the radius of the helix to the maximum transverse span of the internal channel is 20-70 in the second intermediate region. The module further comprises a coupling joint connecting the output of the first tube to the inlet of the second injection tube, and an additional inlet for injection of the product different from the injection of the product in the first tube. The joint defines an internal passage for circulation of the sealed product in upstream of the inner lumen of the first tube and in downstream of the inner lumen of the second tube. The additional injection inlet is located between the output of the first tube and inlet for the injection of the second tube. The derivation conduit is tapped in upstream of the region through the first tube and opening below the first tube to allow a mixture of product to pass through the first tube, where the derivation conduit is provided with a bypass pump. Independent claims are included for: (1) a unit for continuous transformation of a fluid product; and (2) a process for transformation of the fluid product.