INSERTION OF INSERTS INTO CHANNELS OF A CATALYTIC REACTOR

摘要

An automated insertion apparatus (30) is provided for inserting at least one insert (20) into each of a multiplicity of reactor channels (17). The apparatus comprises means (57) at a feed position to support a magazine (38) which holds a multiplicity of inserts (20), and a transport mechanism (50) defining at least two support channels (60) each configured to hold a single insert (20), and means to transport each support channel (60) repeatedly between an input location adjacent to the feed position and an output location (52), and means to feed one insert (20) from a magazine (38) at the feed position into a support channel (60) of the transport mechanism (50) at the input location. The apparatus also includes a transfer mechanism (56) to push an insert (20) into a reactor channel (17), and an alignment mechanism (32, 34) to ensure that the insert that is being inserted is aligned with the reactor channel. The transfer mechanism (56) is adjacent to the output location. The transport mechanism (50) may be a rotary drum.