| abstract |
<PICT:0742931/III/1> Apparatus for effecting reactions between gases and liquids comprises a plurality of reaction tubes 1 which pass through an upper tube plate 2 and extend beyond a lower tube plate 3, a shell 4 between the plates for a temperature control medium, two chambers 9, 7 for the introduction of reactants and withdrawal of products, respectively, and gas distributing means arranged at the lower ends of the reaction tubes adapted to cause a stream of small gas bubbles to ascend through the liquid in each tube. Additional tubes parallel to the reaction tubes and extending lower into the chamber 9 may be provided for circulation of the liquid. The chamber 9 may be divided into compartments each having a separate gas inlet; by varying the number of inlets used, the size of the gas bubbles and the residence time of the gas in the apparatus are regulated. Baffles 11, 12 control the path of the heat exchange medium in the shell 4. The gas distributing means may consist of serrations in the lower ends of the reaction tubes or porous rings or plugs; various forms are illustrated (Figs. 4-9, not shown). The apparatus may be used for halogenation, hydrogenation, oxidation, hydroformylation, alkylation, and polymerization; specific examples are the reaction between propylene, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen with a cobalt carbonyl catalyst to make butyraldehydes, oxidation with air or oxygen of liquid hydrocarbons to make fatty acids, and air blowing of vegetable oils. |