Coupling between heat exchange tube and pressurized chemical reactor permits has stuffing box between tube and casing and coupled by bellows, etc. to flange attached to reactor casing

摘要

A coupling between a heat exchange tube and a reactor permits axial movement and limited radial movement of the tube. Part of the tube is located between walls. The pressure inside the reactor is greater than the pressure inside the tube and atmospheric pressure. The coupling has flange coupled to the reactor casing and a stuffing box between the tube and the reactor casing. A pressure compensating bellows, etc. joining the flange to the stuffing box. The stuffing box may have a stop limiting axial and radial movement. The walls are fitted with a bearing in which the tube can slide. The bellows are protected from pressure variation by a surrounding chamber connected to the tube interior via a small passage. The reactor is used for cracking of hydrocarbons, dehydrogenation reactions etc.