Reactor with Channels

Abstract

A reactor defining first and second flow channels within the reactor, wherein the first flow channels are for fluids that undergo an exothermic reaction and contain a catalyst for the exothermic reaction and wherein the second flow channels are for a heat-removing fluid. Further wherein the channels at each end of the reactor are such that no heat is generated within them, the channels in which no heat is generated being non-flow channels which are blocked off at one or both of their ends so no fluids flow through those channels.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A reactor defining first and second flow channels within the reactor, wherein the first flow channels are for fluids that undergo an exothermic reaction and contain a catalyst for the exothermic reaction, and the second flow channels are for a heat-removing fluid, wherein the channels at each end of the reactor are such that no heat is generated within them, the channels in which no heat is generated being non-flow channels which are blocked off at one or both of their ends so no fluids flow through those channels. 
     
     
         13 . A reactor as claimed in  claim 12  wherein there are a plurality of such non-flow channels at at least one end of the reactor. 
     
     
         14 . A reactor as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the flow channel nearest to the non-flow channels is a second flow channel. 
     
     
         15 . A reactor as claimed in  claim 12  comprising a stack of reactor blocks, each block defining a plurality of first and second flow channels, wherein the first flow channels are for fluids that undergo an exothermic reaction and contain a catalyst for the exothermic reaction, and the second flow channels are for a heat-removing fluid, wherein the channels at each end of the block that are adjacent to another such block are second flow channels. 
     
     
         16 . A reactor as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the channels at each end of the block that are adjacent to another such block are of smaller cross-sectional area than other second flow channels in the block, by being less high in the direction of heat transfer. 
     
     
         17 . A reactor as claimed in  claim 12  comprising a stack of reactor blocks, each block defining a plurality of first and second flow channels, wherein the first flow channels are for fluids that undergo an exothermic reaction and contain a catalyst for the exothermic reaction, and the second flow channels are for a heat-removing fluid, wherein the channels at each end of the block that are adjacent to another such block are first flow channels and are of smaller cross-sectional area than other first flow channels in the block, by being less high in the direction of heat transfer. 
     
     
         18 . A reactor as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the heat-removing fluid is a fluid that undergoes an endothermic reaction, each second flow channel containing a catalyst for the endothermic reaction. 
     
     
         19 . A reactor as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the heat-removing fluid is a coolant. 
     
     
         20 . A reactor as claimed in  claim 12  comprising a stack of metal sheets that are arranged to define the first and second flow channels, the first and second flow channels being arranged alternately within the stack, and wherein removable catalyst-carrying gas-permeable non-structural elements are provided within each flow channel in which a reaction is to be performed.