Scalability of CHER Reactor from Bench to Commercial Scale

Chart Energy and Chemicals has developed the Compact Heat Exchange Reactor (CHER) based on its brazed aluminum heat exchanger technology. CHER has excellent heat transfer properties, allowing for process intensification through increased reaction rate, process integration of reaction and heat transfer, and a more compact reactor design. Because of the repeating layered structure and flexible reactor design, CHER can be easily scaled up to the desired capacity. Scalability of CHER is performed by choosing the proper reactor size and capacity as well as by modularized reactor units, depending on the maximum target plant productivity and desired operational flexibility such as a wider range of operation.

Chart Energy and Chemicals has developed CHER for small- and mid-scale Fischer-Tropsch application. The Fischer-Tropsch reaction is highly exothermic and proper temperature control is essential for sustained operation of XTL plants. This presentation will show Chart’s development from bench-scale reactors to current pilot scale demonstration. Reactor performance data for both scales will be presented, and commercial scale design will also be discussed.