Seeking advice on issues related to the feeding process in batch reactors
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The batch reactor is used to produce polyisobutylene succinic anhydride through a thermal processing process. At high temperatures, maleic anhydride is added to polyisobutylene via a circulation line in the reactor – maleic anhydride vaporizes easily at high temperatures and thus enters the exhaust system without participating in the reaction; that’s why it is added drop by drop to the oil mixture. The viscosity of polyisobutylene is around 1500, and it increases to 2000–2500 towards the end of the reaction. A device is used for adding maleic anhydride (marked with a circle in the DCS system); I assume it is a static mixer. However, I’m not sure what purpose the small tank below serves – could it be a device related to the mixer? (It is understood that no catalyst was used in this reaction; there is no catalyst feed port.) Additionally, if this equipment is a static mixer, such high viscosity of the oil will inevitably cause pressure buildup in the circulation pump. How should the mixer be selected in such a case? I seek guidance from the seniors at HaiChuan.
The reaction pressure is not mentioned. If the reaction pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure, and there are no other pipelines on that small tank (such as those for nitrogen pressurization), nor are any valves present, then it is likely not used during normal reaction conditions; it might instead be a manual tank for adding additives at the beginning of the reaction. If the reaction takes place at atmospheric pressure, then it is used to add auxiliary agents
OP, what system do you use in your reactor?
This does not belong to our company; the system is an Emerson DCS system
The reaction takes place at atmospheric pressure, but as maleic anhydride is continuously added, the pressure in the reactor is maintained at 0.2 kg/cm2; a condenser at the top is used to condense the vaporized maleic anhydride back into the reactor.
Dear seniors, could this small tank be a residue recovery tank for the mixer? After mixing, there is leakage; it is then collected into a small container via a funnel and returned to the reaction vessel
Could this small tank be a residue recovery tank for the mixer? After mixing, there is leakage, which is then collected into a small container via a funnel, and subsequently returned to the reaction vessel?
It seems to be used for adding a catalyst; the catalyst is likely added in stages. When adding the catalyst, the valve at the bottom of the small reactor is closed, the valve on top of the small reactor is opened to add the catalyst, then the top valve is closed and the valve at the bottom of the small reactor is opened, allowing the catalyst to enter the reaction reactor.