Monolith heat exchange reactor

Claim 1

A reactor comprising: a monolithic substrate and fluid distribution means, said monolithic substrate containing a plurality of substantially parallel channels completely through said monolithic substrate, said channels having catalytic surfaces, and a plurality of passageways completely through said monolithic substrate generally parallel to said channels, said passageways being adapted to pass a heat exchange fluid through said monolithic substrate, said passageways being larger in cross-section and fewer in number than said channels, said distribution means comprising a plurality of passageway extensions parallel to said passageways and each said extension extending coaxially from a passageway and opening into a header chamber having a header chamber outlet, said header chamber outlet being in fluid flow communication with each of said passageways, said channels opening into a product chamber, said product chamber having a product outlet in fluid flow communication with each said channel, said channels having channel walls and said passageways having passageway walls, said channel walls being integral with said passageway walls, each said passageway extension being connected to one of said passageways, each said passageway wall being mutually supporting with at least one said channel wall, and each said channel wall being mutually supporting with at least one other channel wall.