I would like to ask the experts about methods for temperature control in jacketed reactors.
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Our company’s reaction vessels are jacketed reactors, with steam as the heat source and circulating water as the cooling source. For controlling the temperature of these reactors, my idea is to use a control valve for the steam supply, shut-off valves for the condensate water, as well as shut-off valves for the inlet and outlet of the circulating water. In this way, steam control valves and condensate shut-off valves are used to regulate the temperature and maintain it; a loop is formed between the control valves and the temperature, while the condensate shut-off valve opens and closes periodically to drain the condensate. High temperature alarm: activate circulating water. I wonder if the experts think this method is feasible; if not, why? Have you ever carried out temperature control for such jacketed reactors? What methods do you use? Thank you so much!
The sofa’s been taken; just waiting for an expert to help
1. Is your reaction an exothermic reaction? If that’s the case, this method is not energy-efficient – it involves heating and cooling alternately, which definitely won’t work. 2. If it’s an endothermic reaction, steam alone is sufficient. 3. Generally, a shut-off valve is used for steam; it is turned off once the temperature reaches the starting point for the reaction, and cooling water is used to remove the heat generated by the reaction. Cooling water control valve
There are both endothermic and exothermic reactions, but they are rare. For endothermic reactions, should a control valve be used for the steam? For exothermic reactions, should a control valve be used for the circulating water?
The control scheme must be determined based on the different reactions; there is no single scheme that can effectively control all of them. If the reactions are not intense, they are relatively easier to control. Otherwise, safety interlock devices should be considered to ensure the safe progression of the reactions
It is necessary to work together with the process engineers to determine the control scheme; we rely on the process aspects to decide whether it can be implemented, or we inform them of the advantages and disadvantages and provide suggestions. Or let’s discuss it together. With optical instruments, when separated from the process, the control scheme may have problems.