Microchannel compression reactor assembly

摘要

The present invention includes a removable microchannel unit including an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice in fluid communication with a plurality of microchannels distributed throughout the removable microchannel unit, and a pressurized vessel adapted have the removable microchannel unit mounted thereto, the pressurized vessel adapted to contain a pressurized fluid exerting a positive gauge pressure upon at least a portion of the exterior of the removable microchannel unit. The invention also includes a microchannel unit assembly comprising a microchannel unit operation carried out within a pressurized vessel, where pressurized vessel includes a pressurized fluid exerting a positive gauge pressure upon an exterior of the microchannel unit operation, and where the microchannel unit operation includes an outlet orifice in fluid communication with an interior of the pressurized vessel.

主权项

1. A method of carrying out a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis comprising:
reinforcing a microchannel unit operation with an exterior support structure that includes a pressure vessel, the exterior support structure reinforcing an exterior of the microchannel unit operation, the microchannel unit operation including a first set of microchannels in fluid communication with a first inlet conduit and a first outlet conduit, and the microchannel unit operation including a second set of microchannels in thermal communication with the first set of microchannels, the second set of microchannels in fluid communication with a second inlet conduit and a second outlet conduit, directing a hydrogen source through the first inlet conduit; directing carbon monoxide through the first inlet conduit; reacting the carbon monoxide and the hydrogen source within the first set of microchannels to produce a hydrocarbon product; heating a fluid stream flowing through the second set of microchannels from the reaction between the carbon monoxide and hydrogen source; and directing the hydrocarbon product through the first outlet conduit.