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REACTOR SYSTEM FOR SORPTION-ENHANCED CATALYTIC REACTIONS WITH CONTINUOUS ADSORBENT REGENERATION AND RELATED METHODS
The instant invention relates to the field of catalyst-mediated reactions, wherein the yield of the catalyst-mediated reaction is limited by the thermodynamic equilibrium. This limitation often results in low yields when the reaction is carried out in a conventional reactor. Low yields make it necessary to separate and recirculate unconverted reactants, which increases operational costs. To solve this issue, several types of reactors may be used, wherein the thermodynamic equilibrium is displaced by the specific separation of a reaction product, either using membrane reactors or though Sorption Enhanced Reaction (SER). Sorption Enhanced Reactions (SER) are catalyst-aided processes which involve, in addition to the catalyst, the use of an adsorbent in order to modify the thermodynamic equilibrium in a chemical reaction, such that the reaction rate is increased.
According to Le Chatelier's principle, in a chemical equilibrium, removing one of the reaction products favors the production of that product. Many chemical processes produce water as a byproduct (methanol synthesis, dimethyl ether synthesis, synthesis gas production, etc.). Removing this water increases the process yield. Therefore, using water-absorbing solids significantly improves efficiency. These solids eventually become saturated and must be replaced, which would require stopping the reaction. Thus, the ability to remove the absorbent and replace it with a new one without removing the catalyst is very appealing. The separation of the two solids can be achieved through a process called segregation, which only occurs when their densities and/or particle sizes differ by certain values.