MODULAR CHEMICAL REACTOR

摘要

A compact reactor and a method of using the compact reactor is described in which the compact reactor is assembled in the form of modules of individual reactor elements interconnected together. The reactor elements are a selection of straight reactor elements and curved reactor elements. The reactor elements can be a single type or can be multiple pipes. The reactor elements are connected in such a manner so that part of the reactor bends or folds back upon itself so that the reactor has a small footprint and/or occupies a small space. The advantage of the compact reactor is that long residence times in the reactor can be attained using lengthy reactors but without occupying a large space or requiring structural reinforcement to support long linear lengths of reactors. The compact reactor is cheaper to manufacture and occupies less space than conventional linear reactors. The reactor is used particularly to transesterify oils, fats, greases and similar products to produce bio-diesel or bio-diesel fuel components.