Slurry reactor system with inertial separation for Fischer‐Tropsch synthesis and other three‐phase hydrogenation processes

An original inertial principle of solid and liquid phase separation and the construction of a slurry reactor system on this basis are investigated. A continuous operation reactor system ensures the presence of catalyst in the reaction mixture stays nearly constant while a minimum is withdrawn with the reaction products. The results of hydraulic tests on the developed system, consisting of reactors with volumes of 0.02 and 1.0 m3and equipped with mechanical agitators, are discussed. The effect of agitation velocity on the velocity of slurry moving in the circulation loop, as well as the extent of withdrawal of solid particles with the clarified liquid stream leaving the reaction system, are investigated in detail. Technical characteristics of the developed reactor system for industrial‐scale Fischer‐Tropsch synthesis, hydrogenation, and other three‐phase processes are discussed.