Recirculating reactor

Abstract

The invention provides a recirculating reactor for converting a substrate to a product. The reactor comprises a reaction chamber and a recirculation system, said recirculation system comprising a separator. The reaction chamber contains a catalyst, and comprises a chamber body, a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet. The recirculation system is adapted for recirculating liquid from the chamber outlet to the chamber inlet, and the separator is used for separating a by-product from the liquid.

1 . A recirculating reactor for converting a substrate to a product, said reactor comprising:
 a reaction chamber containing a catalyst, said reaction chamber comprising a chamber body, a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet; and   a recirculation system for recirculating liquid from the chamber outlet to the chamber inlet;   
     wherein the recirculation system comprises a separator for separating a by-product from the liquid. 
   
   
       2 . The reactor of  claim 1  wherein the catalyst is a particulate catalyst. 
   
   
       3 . The reactor of  claim 1  wherein the catalyst comprises a catalytic group supported on, or in, or on and in, or attached to, or bonded to, a porous support. 
   
   
       4 . The reactor of  claim 3  wherein the support is siliceous mesocellular foam. 
   
   
       5 . The reactor of  claim 1  wherein the catalyst is capable of catalysing reaction of the substrate to produce the product and the by-product. 
   
   
       6 . The reactor of  claim 1  wherein the separator is adapted to separate a gaseous by-product from the liquid. 
   
   
       7 . The reactor of  claim 1  wherein the recirculation system comprises a pump for recirculating the liquid through the reactor, said pump being capable of pressurising the liquid prior to the liquid entering the reaction chamber. 
   
   
       8 . The reactor of  claim 1  wherein the separator comprises a degasser, a precipitator, a selective absorber or an evaporator or more than one of these. 
   
   
       9 . The reactor of  claim 1  additionally comprising an outlet port for removing the liquid from the reactor. 
   
   
       10 . The reactor of  claim 1  additionally comprising an addition port for adding substances to the reactor. 
   
   
       11 . A method for converting a substrate to a product, comprising:
 providing a recirculating reactor comprising a reaction chamber containing a catalyst, said reaction chamber comprising a chamber body, a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet; and a recirculation system for recirculating liquid from the chamber outlet to the chamber inlet, said recirculation system comprising a separator for separating a by-product from the liquid;   adding the substrate to the liquid;   passing the substrate in the liquid through the reaction chamber, thereby contacting the substrate with the catalyst so as to convert at least a portion of the substrate to the product and the by-product;   removing at least a portion of the by-product from the liquid using the separator; and   recirculating the liquid through the reaction chamber.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  comprising adding a reagent to the reactor, said reagent being capable of reacting with the substrate in the presence of the catalyst to produce the product and the by-product. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the substrate is passed through the reaction chamber between about 0.5 and about 10 MPa. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the rate of flow in the reactor is sufficiently high that the by-product does not significantly decrease the activity of the catalyst. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of removing at least a portion of the by-product comprises degassing the liquid, filtering or centrifuging the liquid, passing the liquid through a selective absorber, or comprises a combination of two or more of these. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11  comprising removing a portion of the liquid comprising the product from the reactor. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  comprising isolating the product from the liquid so removed. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  comprising purifying the product. 
   
   
       19 . A product when made by a method comprising:
 providing a recirculating reactor comprising a reaction chamber containing a catalyst, said reaction chamber comprising a chamber body, a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet; and a recirculation system for recirculating liquid from the chamber outlet to the chamber inlet, said recirculation system comprising a separator for separating a by-product from the liquid;   adding the substrate to the liquid;   passing a substrate in the liquid through the reaction chamber, thereby contacting the substrate with the catalyst so as to convert at least a portion of the substrate to the product and the by-product;   removing at least a portion of the by-product from the liquid using the separator; and   recirculating the liquid through the reaction chamber.