METHOD OF EVALUATING A REACTION FOR THERMAL RUNAWAY WITHIN A SHELL AND TUBE REACTOR

摘要

Thermal runaway of a reaction in a shell and tube reactor occurs when the rate of reaction exceeds the rate of heat removal and should be avoided. The present invention provides a method for evaluating a reaction within a shell and tube reactor for signs of thermal runaway. The method includes the steps of equipping a plurality of reactor tubes (120) with a thermocouple; restricting the flow of reactants through selected reactor tubes which contain a thermocouple (150); operating the process at desired reaction conditions; determining a temperature profile for each reactor tube containing a thermocouple (150); comparing the differences between the temperature profiles for the reactor tubes into which the flow of reactants is restricted and the temperature profiles for the reactor tubes into which the flow of reactants is not restricted; and correlating the differences between the temperature profiles with signs of thermal runaway. The reaction conditions could then be adjusted in response to signs of thermal runaway.