6.

0 PROCESS EQUIPMENT

Catalysis Reactor
Catalysts called enzymes are important in biology. A catalyst works by providing an
alternative reaction pathway to the reaction product. The rate of the reaction is increased as
this alternative route has a lower activation energy than the reaction route not mediated by
the catalyst.

Figure 1: Illustrating of catalysis reactor

Dehydrogenation Reactor

Figure 2: Illustrating of dehydrogenation reactor

A reaction in which hydrogen is detached from a molecule. The reaction is strongly
endothermic; therefore, heat must be supplied to maintain the reaction temperature. Since
carbon-carbon bonds are easier to break than carbon-hydrogen bonds, highly selective
reaction conditions are required to cause the molecule to dehydrogenate rather than break
apart into small molecules and carbon.

Membrane Reactor (Separation)

Figure 3: Schematic of membrane reactor

A membrane reactor is a physical device that combines a chemical conversion process with a
membrane separation process to add reactants or remove products of the reaction. Chemical
reactors making use of membranes are usually referred to as membrane reactors. The
membrane can be used for different tasks:

 Separation:
o Selective extraction of reactants
o Retention of the catalyst
 Distribution/dosing of a reactant
 Catalyst support (often combined with distribution of reactants)
Dowtherm Reactor

Figure 4: Illustrating of dowtherm reactor

When a dowtherm heat transfer fluid is used in the liquid state, the unit for heating is
called a heater and when it is vaporized, the unit is called a vaporizer. Vaporizers use
both natural and forced circulation. Natural circulation vaporizers are subdivided into
liquid-tube and fire-tube types, the latter are available as both vertical and horizontal
units. Liquid heaters, in general, use forced circulation. However, if dowtherm fluid is
used in the vapor state, the hot liquid and vapor go to a separator drum. The vapor
from the separator drum then goes to the heat user,
while the liquid is recycled.