Patent Publication Number: US-2023149872-A1

Title: Method of suction of unwanted gases from a chemical reactor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Application is a CONTINUATION application claiming the benefit of priority of the co-pending International Patent Application No. PCT/IN2021/050591 with an international filing date 18 Jun. 2021 that designated the United States, which claims the benefit of priority of the Republic of INDIA Patent Application No. 202123017297, filed 13 Apr. 2021, the entire disclosures of each (and all) of which Applications are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a method of removal of gases from a chemical reactor. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention is in addition to the main patent application no. 202121003261 filed on Jan. 23, 2021 for invention titled “A METHOD OF CHEMICAL REACTION IN A HEAT EXCHANGER REACTOR”. The present invention is a modification of the invention claimed in the complete specification of the main application under number 202121003261. 
     The conventional method of industrial chemical reaction is usually flowing the reactants in high-capacity reaction tubes and allowing the reactants to react in the reaction cylinder or to mix a reactant mixture in a container and pass it through the reaction cylinder. The known methods may include use of one or more static or dynamic stirrers. The most commonly used method for carrying out reaction is preparing the reaction mixture and then passing the mixture through shell and tube arrangement for the reaction to take place in presence or absence of a catalyst. However, gases can be produced as by-product during exothermic reactions which can hamper the progress of reaction by causing change in temperature, pressure, precipitation of reactant(s) or by-products in the reaction tube and there would be a need for constant monitoring and modulation of temperature and pressure of the reactants inside the reaction tube for carrying out the reaction successfully. 
     Objectives of Invention 
     The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a method for removal of unwanted gases from the chemical reactor. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method to carry out complex chemical reactions at constant temperatures and pressures. 
     Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a method for continuous reaction with same efficiency. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the embodiments will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Before the present method is described, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to the method described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments which are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the version or embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention provides an air suction assembly for removal of unwanted gases from the chemical reactor assembly for highly efficient reaction of two or more reactants in a continuous manner and its method thereof. 
     In an embodiment, a chemical reactor having shell and tube type apparatus with a static and flexible turbulator as described in the main application is being employed for carrying our chemical reactions. 
     In another embodiment, the chemical reactor comprises of a suction assembly attached to the outlet end of the reactor assembly containing one or more screen for removal of gases. The reaction liquid that is collected along with the gas is re-entered into the reaction mixture. The gas removed from the reaction mixture by the suction unit is then re-circulated or removed and collected separately as required. 
     In yet another embodiment, the method comprises of a movement of the reactants from the inlet to the outlet end of the reactor assembly by passage through the turbulator. 
     In yet another embodiment, the method comprises of suction of the gases formed during the reaction and removal of such gases formed by help of the screen in the suction assembly. 
     In yet another embodiment, the reaction can be carried out in any of the following ways:
         i. Passing the reactants through the inlet and getting the product through the outlet after removal of the gases.   ii. Passing the reactant mixture again through the reactor after removal of unwanted gases by using the suction assembly.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a reactor assembly with a vacant chamber ( 02 ) containing a screen ( 04 ) and tube ( 03 ) containing the turbulator. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a close up of the vacant chamber ( 02 ) containing screen ( 04 ) liquid ( 07 ), gases ( 06 ), gas transport pipe ( 05 ), and the suction assembly affixed to the chemical reactor ( 01 ). 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a suction assembly affixed to a chemical reactor with a re-circulation tank ( 08 ) for re-circulation of reactant mixture back into the reactor. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a close up of the reaction tube ( 09 ) containing fin tube which breaks down bigger gas bubbles into smaller ones. 
     
    
    
     These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the following detailed description, a reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. The embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention provides a suction assembly for removing unwanted gases from the reaction mixture. 
     The terms “suction unit” and “vacuum pump” may be used interchangeably in the following detailed description. The words “reactor”, “chemical reactor”, “assembly”, “reactor assembly” may be used interchangeably in the following detailed description. The words “reactants” “chemicals” “raw materials” may be used interchangeably in the following detailed description. The terms “thermal gradient” and “temperature gradient” may be used interchangeably in the following detailed description. 
     The following method is designed to provide for various applications in academia and industries requiring efficient chemical mixing and reactions of gas, liquids, solids, with or without catalysts undergoing exothermic or endothermic reactions. 
     The following method is designed to carry out chemical reactions in the reactor efficiently by use of suction assembly to remove the unwanted gas generated as by-product which may be caused as a result of exothermic reactions in the chemical reactor. Presence of entrapped gas in the chemical reaction mixture may cause varying of several factors such as temperature, pressure, rate of reaction, precipitation or caking of reactants or by products, etc. Thus, the entrapped gas bubbles in the reaction mixture are removed by use of a suction unit and the liquid is separated from the gas by use of a screen. 
     In yet another embodiment, the flexible turbulator used is designed to reduce the size of gas bubbles inside the reaction mixture in the tube and avoid coagulation of the bubbles. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, suction unit is attached to the chemical reactor ( 1 ) either near the inlet end of the chemical reactor or the outlet end of the chemical reactor or both ends, if required. The suction unit is usually attached near the outlet end of the chemical reactor to remove any gases formed immediately after addition of reactants in the same chamber. The suction assembly is attached to the outlet end of the reactor in order to remove the unwanted gases formed in the reaction mixture as by-product of exothermic reaction. The rate of removal of the entrapped gases is controlled by the presence of control valves present on the tube of the suction assembly. The unwanted gas is then collected in a separate container which can be used or discarded based on requirement of the reaction. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the reaction mixture is circulated back into the reactor for further mixing and further removal of gases formed during the reaction and the process is repeated until the final product is achieved. 
     Although the embodiments herein are described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims. 
     It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the scope of the claims. 
     Advantages of the Invention 
     The present invention discloses an efficient method of chemical reaction by removal of unwanted gas produced as a result of chemical reaction. Removal of such unwanted gas reduces variation of temperature and pressure and risk of unwanted by products being formed in the reaction tube.