CATALYTIC REACTOR DESIGNED TO REDUCE CATALYST SLUMPING AND CRUSHING

摘要

A vertical catalytic reactor for steam reforming a reactor fuel into a product gas, the catalytic reactor containing a catalyst forming a catalyst bed. If the catalytic reactor material has a thermal coefficient of expansion greater than the catalyst, then the catalytic reactor experiences problems due to thermal cycling. During the start-up of the catalytic reactor, the temperature increase causes the catalytic reactor to expand more than the catalyst, thus, the catalyst slumps within the catalytic reactor. During the shut-down of the catalytic reactor, the temperature decrease causes the catalytic reactor to contract and crush the slumped catalyst. The catalytic reactor incorporates a design (100) for reducing catalyst slumping and crushing.