Patent attributes
A compact catalytic reactor comprises a stack of plates (72, 74, 75) to define a multiplicity of first and second flow channels arranged alternately in the stack; each flow channel in which a chemical reaction is to take place is defined by straight-through channels across at least one plate, each such straight-through channel containing a removable gas-permeable catalyst structure (80) incorporating a metal substrate. The first flow channels (76) are oriented in a direction that is perpendicular to that of the second flow channels (77), and between successive second flow channels in the stack the reactor defines at least three side-by-side first flow channels (76); and the reactor incorporates flow diversion means (80; 88) such that the first fluid must flow through at least three such first flow channels (76) in succession, in flowing from an inlet to an outlet. The overall flow paths can therefore be approximately co-current or counter-current.
