Process for conducting reactions using a circulating magnetically

Abstract

An endothermic or exothermic chemical reaction may be conducted whereby a flowable bed of magnetizable particles such as catalytic particles is subjected to an applied magnetic field, a reaction fluid is circulated through the bed under conditions so as to effect an exothermic or endothermic reaction, the bed of particles is circulated at a rate such that the temperature profile of the bed and reaction fluid throughout their entire contact in a reactor is at or about the temperature profile which results in maximization, at each point along the reactor, of at least one of: conversion, selectivity or product yield, and the desired reaction product is recovered. In a preferred embodiment the solids are transported countercurrently to the reaction fluid in the synthesis of ammonia. In another preferred embodiment the solids are transported cocurrently with the reaction fluid in the synthesis of ethylene oxide.