Multi-stage catalytic conversion

Claim 1

APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING THE CATALYTIC CONVERSION OF CARBON MONOXIDE TO CARBON DIOXIDE BY REACTION WITH WATER VAPOR IN A PLURALITY OF PARTIAL CONVERSION STAGES WHICH COMPRISES A REACTOR VESSEL CONTAINING A PLURALITY OF DISCRETE CATALYST BEDS, EACH OF SAID BEDS BEING PROVIDED WITH A GAS ENTRY SECTION FOR FEED GAS AND A GAS DISCHARGE SECTION FOR REMOVAL OF REACTED GAS STREAM, AT LEAST ONE OTHER VESSEL, A CONDUIT VERTICALLY SUSPENDED WITHIN SAID OTHER VESSEL, SAID CONDUIT BEING OPEN AT BOTH ENDS, A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL PARTITION LOCATED AT AN INTERMEDIATE LEVEL OF SAID CONDUIT AND EXTENDING FROM THE OUTER WALL OF SAID CONDUIT TO THE INNER WALL OF SAID OTHER VESSEL, LIQUID WATER ENTRY DUCT EXTENDING INTO SAID OTHER VESSEL TO A LIQUID WATER DISCHARGE MEANS ADJACENT THE UPPER END OF SAID CONDUIT, WHEREBY LIQUID WATER IS INTRODUCED INTO SAID CONDUIT, A HOT GAS PASSAGE DUCT EXTENDING FROM AN OPENING IN SAID REACTOR VESSEL ADJACENT THE GAS DISCHARGE SECTION OF A FIRST CATALYST BED IN SAID REACTOR VESSEL TO AN OPENING IN SAID OTHER VESSEL LOCATED VERTICALLY ABOVE SAID PARTITION, AND A COOL GAS RETURN EXTENDING FROM AN OPENING IN SAID OTHER VESSEL LOCATED VERTICALLY BELOW SAID PARTITION TO AN OPENING IN SAID REACTOR VESSEL ADJACENT THE GAS ENTRY SECTION OF A SECOND CATALYST BED IN SAID REACTOR VESSEL.