Appeal No. 1998-2224
Application No. 08/624,147
APPENDIX
1. A process for operating an equilibrium controlled reaction
in a system which comprises a plurality of reactors operated
isothermally in a predetermined timed sequence wherein the
heating and cooling requirements in a moving reaction mass
transfer zone within each reactor are provided by indirect
heat exchange with a fluid capable of phase change at
temperatures maintained in each reactor during the following
cyclic steps:
(a) reacting a feedstock at a first pressure in a
first reactor containing an admixture of an
adsorbent and a catalyst suitable for
conducting the equilibrium controlled
reaction under reaction conditions sufficient
to convert the feedstock into a more
adsorbable product which is selectively
adsorbed by the adsorbent and a less
adsorbable product and withdrawing the less
adsorbable product in substantially pure form
under a relatively constant flow rate at the
first pressure;
(b) countercurrently depressurizing the first
reactor to a second pressure by withdrawing a
mixture comprising unreacted feedstock, a
portion of the less adsorbable product and a
portion of the more adsorbable product;
(c) countercurrently purging the first reactor at
the second pressure with a weakly adsorbing
purge fluid with respect to the adsorbent wherein
the weakly adsorbing purge fluid is a fluid
other than the less adsorbable product to
desorb the more adsorbable product from the
adsorbent and withdrawing a mixture comprising
unreacted feedstock, a portion of the more
adsorbable product and a portion of the less
adsorbable product;
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