Catalytic reactors comprising distributed temperature sensors
A catalytic reactor is provided comprising a plurality of first flow channels including a catalyst for a first reaction; a plurality of second flow channels arranged alternately with the first flow channels; adjacent first and second flow channels being separated by a divider plate ( 13 a, 13 b ), and a distributed temperature sensor such as an optical fiber cable ( 19 ). The distributed temperature sensor may be located within the divider plate, or within one or 10 more of the flow channels.
1. A catalytic reactor comprising
a plurality of first flow channels including a catalyst for a first reaction;
a plurality of second flow channels arranged alternately with the first flow channels;
adjacent first and second flow channels being separated by a divider plate; and
a fibre optic cable distributed temperature sensor provided within the one or more first flow channels.
2. The catalytic reactor according to claim 1 , further comprising a fibre optic cable within the divider plate.
3. The catalytic reactor according to claim 2 , wherein the fibre optic cable follows a tortuous path through the divider plates in order to provide temperature data for all of the adjacent first and second flow channels.
4. The catalytic reactor according to claim 2 , wherein a fibre optic cable is provided in each divider plate.
5. The catalytic reactor according to claim 1 , wherein the fibre optic cable is provided within one or more second flow channels.
6. The catalytic reactor according to claim 1 , wherein the first flow channels include a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst and the second channels carry a heat transfer fluid, in use.
7. The catalytic reactor according to claim 1 , wherein the first flow channels include a steam methane reforming catalyst and the second channels further include a combustion catalyst.
8. A plant for performing Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, the plant comprising a catalytic reactor according to claim 1 , and a data analysis device.
9. The plant according to claim 8 , further comprising a control system operatively linked to the data analysis device.
10. The plant according to claim 9 , wherein the control system is configured to shut in the reactor if the data analysis device detects a rate of change of temperature in excess of a predetermined value.
11. The catalytic reactor according to claim 5 , wherein a fibre optic cable is provided in each divider plate.