How much do you know about the styrene dehydrogenation reactor, the most complex reactor in refining and chemical processing plants? (III) Sinopec ST process dehydrogenation reactor

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Continuing from the previous article: How much do you know about the styrene dehydrogenation reactor, the most complex reactor in refining units? (II) Badger process dehydrogenation reactor: https://bbs.hcbbs.com/thread-5703092-1-1.html (Source: Haichuan Chemical Industry Forum). 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000. ST process dehydrogenation reactor: Starting from the 1990s, Sinopec organized institutions such as Shanghai Medical Engineering Institute, East China University of Science and Technology, and Shanghai Petrochemical Research Institute to develop an independent negative-pressure dehydrogenation technology for producing styrene, based on in-depth research into the negative-pressure ethylbenzene dehydrogenation process; this technology makes use of a unique axial-radial reactor design. Axial-radial flow is achieved by using a catalyst-sealing structure at the top of the radial bed; that is, the gas collection pipe is positioned at a lower height than the gas distribution pipes, thereby creating a two-dimensional axial-radial flow in the upper part of the catalytic bed. The amount of fluid flowing through this area is adjusted by changing the height of the catalyst seal, while radial flow remains dominant in the main portion of the catalytic bed. In terms of its design structure, this type of technical reactor differs in aspects such as the arrangement of internal component support structures, sealing mechanisms, and heat exchanger arrangements. The first reactor is similar to the Lummus process reactor, with a mixer integrated into the inlet section at the bottom of the reactor. An intermediate heat exchanger is installed at the upper part of the second reactor, but unlike the built-in structure of Lummus’ second dehydrogenation reactor, it is situated entirely at the upper portion of the reactor.