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Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed for effecting accelerated chemical reactions between reactants at elevated temperatures and pressures including the wet oxidation of materials in waste streams. A reactor has a through pipe that extends down into a cased hole in the earth and back up independent of the hole. A controlled flow of influent fluid with reactants is flowed down the pipe to form a hydrostatic column of fluid that is of sufficient depth to exert a pressure and provide a temperature sufficient to cause reactants to react at an accelerated reaction rate and to achieve the necessary retention time to substantially complete the reaction. Heat is released in the reaction zone to heat the fluid, and the heated fluid is then flowed back up in heat exchange relation to the downflowing fluid. The temperature of the fluid is controlled in the reaction zone by adding heat for start-up and selectively adding or removing heat to maximize the reaction rate and to prevent boiling of the fluid. When a gas is used as a reactant, enlarged gas bubbles are formed at approximately the ground surface level and are pumped down with the influent fluid to cause intense mixing, contacting, and a chemical reaction in the reaction zone to maximize reaction rates and minimize power requirements for pumping.

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First Claim