Electrically heated catalyst support plate and method for starting up water gas shift reactors

摘要

A heated catalyst support device for a reactor including a reactor vessel containing a bed of catalyst particles. The device includes a permeable support plate having a channel extending therethrough, where the support plate is adapted to contact the bed of catalyst particles. The device further includes a heating element extending through the channel in the support plate. A method for starting up a water gas shift reactor is provided that includes applying heat to the bed of catalyst particles using the heating element, measuring a temperature in the bed of catalyst particles. and starting up the water gas shift reactor when the temperature exceeds a saturation temperature for a desired operating pressure.