초록

Systems and methods for heating, reacting, and/or treating a stream containing oxidizable matter. Recycle reactor is used alone or in conjunction with plug-flow reactor. Density differences in the recycle reactor facilitate flow within the recycle reactor without substantial external heat exchange.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for heating an input stream below the supercritical temperature for water to a temperature above the supercritical temperature of water, the system comprising;a recycle reactor which is constructed to contain fluid at supercritical conditions for water during use

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for heating an input stream below the supercritical temperature for water to a temperature above the supercritical temperature of water, the system comprising;a recycle reactor which is constructed to contain fluid at supercritical conditions for water during use, and which includes:a first substantially vertically aligned conduit having a top end and a bottom end, the first conduit being connected to an input stream conduit such that the input stream is introduced into the first conduit from the input stream conduit during use; anda second substantially vertically aligned conduit having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the second conduit contains a reaction of oxidizable matter with an oxidant during use, the reaction producing a reaction products stream that is hotter and less dense than the input stream, and wherein the reaction products stream flows upwardly through the second conduit during use;a top conduit connecting the top end of the first conduit to the top end of the second conduit; anda bottom conduit connecting the bottom end of the first conduit to the bottom end of the second conduit;an oxidant source connected to the recycle reactor such that oxidant is introduced during use from the source into the recycle reactor at a location downstream of the first conduit but upstream of the top conduit;an effluent conduit connected to the recycle reactor downstream of the location that oxidant is introduced into the recycle reactor, the effluent conduit being connected to allow at least some of the reaction products stream to flow from the recycle reactor and into the effluent conduit during use;wherein the recycle reactor is configured such that fluid flows during use from the first conduit to the bottom conduit, the bottom conduit to the second conduit, and the second conduit to the top conduit; andwherein at least a portion of the reaction products stream recycles during use from the top conduit to the first conduit, thereby mixing with and heating the input stream to form a mixture above the supercritical temperature for water, all without substantial heat exchange with an external source of heat, and wherein the recycle reactor is configured such that density differences between the inputted stream in the first conduit and the reaction products stream in the second conduit create a recycling stream driving force, and wherein the recycling stream driving force facilitates a recycling flow of the reaction products stream from the first conduit to the bottom conduit, from the bottom conduit to the second conduit, from the second conduit to the top conduit, and from the top conduit to the first conduit.