Abstract Apparatus for high pressure-exothermic and catalytic reactions in the gaseous phase, for instance the synthesis of ammonia or methanol, has a substantially cylindrical shape and contains more than one superimposed catalyst bed and a cooling heat exchanger of the tube bundle type, the tube bundle is contained in a substantially cylindrical and coaxial shell and is longitudinally and completely partitioned into first and second separate halves by a plane baffle which substantially contains the axis of said tube bundle. The outlet opening on the shell side of the first half is directly connected to the inlet of a first catalyst bed. The inlet opening on the shell side of the second half is directly connected to the outlet of said first catalyst bed. The outlet opening on the shell side of the second half is directly connected to the inlet of a subsequent catalyst bed.
The reactor of claim 1, containing means for extracting the cooling heat exchanger without removing the cover.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
21 words
The reactor of claim 1, containing in its interior means for regulating the temperature between the catalyst layers in said reactor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The reactor of claim 1, containing three catalyst beds, the first bed occupying in the reactor an intermediate position between the second bed above the first bed and the third bed below the first bed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The reactor of claim 1, wherein the cooling heat exchanger functions as a natural boiler.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The reactor of claim 1, wherein the cooling heat exchanger functions as a forced circulation boiler.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
The reactor of claim 1, containing means for adjusting the temperatures of the gas between the catalyst beds, said means consisting of tubes inside the reactor by-passing the heat exchanger, said tubes being provided with their own valves placed upstream of said tube and inside the reactor in its upper part in a position of eacy accessibility and controlled from the outside to control the flow of gas from the second of said two catalyst beds.