Auxiliary Process Equipment

The tank is a simple but important pressure vessel. In chemical plants, it is used as storage for liquids or gasses, but it is also used in the production process as a collector or buffer between different plant sections.

Reactors are at the core of batch chemical production. These containers, which are used to carry out chemical reactions, consist mainly of three components:

• The vessel where the reaction happens which provides the necessary heating/cooling
• The agitator, which has different tasks: mixing, improving heat exchange, dispersing a solid inside a liquid, etc.
• The discharge device, which allows for a safe and total product discharge

Vessel geometry can be designed according to DIN28136, as well as according to customer requirements. The agitator can be developed for process parameter optimization. The discharge valve can be chosen from among a very large custom or standard design range.

Temperature is a fundamental process criterion, as it directly influences the reaction. The system reliability of controlling it depends on multiple parameters. Since an important role is played by the reactor heating system, there are multiple solutions that can be adapted for different process parameters:

• The half coil (on the bottom head and the body) is most often used. The heating surface area reduction is compensated by the high liquid velocity that improves heat exchange coefficients.
• The jacket is normally used in small reactors, but it can also be used in larger vessels in processes where the heating surface area is important.
• In the case of extreme applications that need a larger heating area surface (typically fermenters), we propose the installation of internal auxiliary batteries.

The optimum solution is always designed according to the customer’s process and can also be a fusion of the above-listed design styles.

The same reactor can be suitable for totally different processes depending on the agitator installed in it. As the stirrer is so important, many parameters have to be considered for the design:

• The process that leads to the impeller choice
• The vessel size coupled with the impeller style determines the agitator speed and power
• The maintenance approach, which influences the selection of subcomponents including mounting supports, shaft seals, drive systems (motors and gearboxes)

Customization is not only available for the pressure vessel design, but also for accessories that can be installed on vessels, such as:

• Heating/cooling coil, for product temperature control
• Manways manually or automatically driven, allowing safe and easy access for maintenance and inspection
• Insulation or sanitary insulation, designed based on process needs and based on different insulation materials like rockwool or foamglass
• Removable supporting legs/saddles for easy installation
• Small side agitators for gentle product mixing
• Zero dead area mushroom discharge valves
  • Baffles
  • Bottom discharge valves
  • Dip pipes
  • Spargers
  • Internal systems for heat exchange surface improvement

• The heat transfer is carried out on a special cryogenic heat exchanger to obtain the best efficiency and solve the organic ice formation problem
• The unique design of the Polaris heat exchanger eliminates metal thermal stress, and guarantees a longer life for the unit
• The heat transfer fluid is collected in a storage tank and is sent to the reactor heat exchanger with a special centrifugal pump

1. Customizable: The design is customized based on client performance requirements (operating temperatures, power, etc.) and other site conditions. Also, the heat transfer fluid is selected based on the operating temperature range, customer preferences, availability at the site, and cost.
2. Combined Unit: The system can be designed as a combined unit, where heating is associated with cooling. The heating phase can be performed using electric heaters or dedicated heat exchangers (through steam, diathermic oil, or other heating fluids available in the customer’s factory). The unique design offers cost savings by operating with selective partial fluid heating and avoiding sinking energy into heating the entire system.
3. Low OPEX: Gas nitrogen produced by liquid nitrogen vaporization can be delivered to the factory network for blanketing or other uses. All the necessary accessories (atmospheric heater, safety pressure valve, low-temperature protection device, etc.) for safe and functional gas nitrogen recovery can be included in the unit.
4. Skid-mounted: The plant is skid mounted and is supplied as a packaged unit.