Inventors:
John Vitucci - Spring TX, US
Michael Joseph Bowe - Preston, GB
Lawrence Andrew Stryker - La Crescent MN, US
Douglas Eugene Decker - La Crosse WI, US
Vinh N. Le - Houston TX, US
Assignee:
CompactGTL PLC - Oxfordshire
International Classification:
B01J 8/02, B01J 8/04, B01J 10/00, B01J 19/00, B01J 35/02, B01J 12/00
US Classification:
422211, 422129, 422190, 422193, 422197
Abstract:
A compact catalytic reactor for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis () comprises a reactor module () defining a multiplicity of first and second flow channels arranged alternately, for carrying a gas mixture, and a coolant respectively. A removable gas-permeable catalyst structure () with a substrate for example of metal foil is provided in each flow channel in which the synthesis reaction is to occur. The reactor module () is enclosed within a pressure vessel (), the pressure within the pressure vessel being arranged to be at a pressure substantially that of the high pressure reacting gas mixture. Consequently all the flow channels within the module are either at the pressure of their surroundings, or are under compression; no parts are under tension. This simplifies the design of the module, and increases the proportion of reactor volume which can be occupied by the catalyst.