How to recover carrier gas after reducing catalyst?

[quickstepper]

Hi, this is the problem.............we need to reduce catalyst......a copper catalyst. in a reactor.......our carrier gas for the procedure is methane. In the past a great deal of gas was flared off after passing thru the reactor, we seek to recover it for environmental and economic reasons.

Cosiderations have been made to recover it at the suction of a feed gas compressor. The limitations are :- catalyst dust from the reactor, the water generated from reduction and the temperature.

Now ladies and gents.........any suggestions, comments or experiences that could be shared??

Thanks guys!!

 

[eyadamk]

I understond that methane is mixed with water & traces of cupper... if this is the case I suggest the following:
1-separate the liq. phase mixture (water & methanol) from the solids either by using a cyclon or a suitable mesh.
2-separate the tow liq. phase can be separated either by using a presurized vessel after cooling or simple distillation equiment, methane is volatile .
hope that will help

 

[smile1]

Quickstepper,

consider using multistage radial blowers. They can handle dust well, and can give up to 12 psig delta on each one. Temperature rise may be an issue in the final pressure/temperature, although the blowers can generally handle up to 300C. Use an intercooler between stages, keep the temp above the condensation point, use a cyclone or knockout pot at the end and viola! Gardner Denver turbotrons are good blowers to use.