CATALYTIC REACTION APPARATUS

摘要

A catalytic reaction apparatus, such as for steam reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock to produce hydrogen, includes a tubular reactor disposed within a furnace. The reactor includes an annular reaction chamber which is heated along its outer wall by a countercurrent flow of furnace gases traveling through a narrow annulus external thereof. The reaction chamber is also heated along its inner wall by regenerative heat from the reaction products which leave the annular chamber and flow countercurrent to the flow within the reaction chamber through a narrow annulus disposed along the inner wall thereof. This apparatus is capable of high reactor thermal efficiency over a wide range of heating rates, including very high heating rates. The apparatus is very compact and is particularly suited for use with a large number of tubular reactors disposed within a single furnace.