Direct contact cooling of a reactor using cryogenic liquid

摘要

A method to cool a reactor containing an exothermic reaction comprising; (a) subcooling a cryogenic liquid; (b) passing the liquid through at least one valve; (c) injecting it in a downwardly directed stream into a reactor vessel containing an exothermic reaction; (d) providing shielding gas around the downwardly directed stream; and (e) cooling the contents of the reactor vessel by direct heat exchange with the cryogenic liquid. The direct heat exchange vaporises the cryogenic liquid and at least a portion of the resulting vapourised fluid rises and forms a vapour barrier where the cryogenic liquid is injected into the reactor vessel. The cryogenic liquid stream is injected into the reactor vessel lower than where the shielding gas is in the reactor vessel. The process also comprises making a back up gas available to the subcooled cryogenic liquid prior to the injection of the liquid into the reaction vessel. The back up gas is at a pressure lower than the pressure of the subcooled cryogenic liquid. The cryogenic liquid and shielding gas are nitrogen.