Hydrogenation Plant

Brief Overview

Designed by Buss, Built 1989, operated only 3 months due to business conditions, still installed in the United Kingdom, 8 m x 10 x 9 m high, modular system Buss Loop Reactor System.
 

Capacity:

2.9 m3 working 120 deg C
 

Technology:

Buss
 

Built:

1989
 

Shut Down:

1989 (operated only 3 months)
 

Products Produced:

- Reduction of derivatives of nitrobenzene, chlorinated nitrobenzene
- Alkylations
- Acetylations and reductions of pharmaceuticals
- Reduction of nitriles to primary amines
- Oleochemical ethoxylations & alkoxylations
- Selective reductions in fragrances

Documentation:

Available
 

Major Equipment:

Buss Loop reactor
- 2.9 m3 working 120 deg C (over 250 deg C feasible)
- 40 bar, batch design
- 316L/316 Ti Stabilized
- Full pipe external coil

Buss reaction mixer
- Main Heat exchanger 316L

Product Circulation pump
- CrNiMo Steel (1.4408) double-mechanical seal and sealing liquid system

Catalyst Filtration and recovery system
- Funda filter
- Precious metal on charcoal

Modicon PLC based control system
- Modular design of frames with bolted flange construction
 

Process Description

The reaction mixture is fed into the reaction autoclave and then circulated through the reaction heat exchanger and then back into the autoclave through a unique reaction mixer which also introduces the reaction gas (H2, EO, NH3, etc). Mixing is intensive, constant, and with high sheer forces that produces high diffusion rates across the catalyst boundary layer.

The intensive mixing provides optimal reaction contact. Any undissolved, dispersed gas is disengaged in the autoclave and returns to the head space. As the reaction gas is consumed, fresh gas is introduced to maintain a constant reaction pressure. The temperature of the reaction mixture is controlled by the reaction heat exchanger. Catalyst is added in a suspension of raw material or solvent. The centrifugal pump used to circulate the reaction mixture is specifically designed to handle suspended catalysts. It has a special seal system that is protected by a pressurized flushing system.

This system provides for:
- Shorter reaction times resulting from higher specific mass transfer rates
- Excellent selectivity giving high quality and maximum yields
- Reduction in catalyst consumption at minimum catalyst loading
- Simple design for easy in product changeover with quick cleaning
- High uptime through limited moving parts